A06521:199
Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…
Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and preachings for the necessary instruction and edification of such, as hunger and seek after the perfect knowledge and inestimable glory which is in Christ Jesus, to the comfort and salvation of their souls. Englished by VV.G.Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and preachings for the necessary instruction and edification of such, as hunger and seeke after the perfect knowledge and inestimable glorie which is in Christ Iesu, to the comfort and saluation of their soules. Englished by VV.G.
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier, 1578
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He concludeth: The lost have ye not sought. That is lost which seemeth to be condemned,1 of the return whereof there is scarce any hope. Of which sort in the Gospel were Publicans & harlots, and at this day they, who have not so much as a spark of godliness, but are untractable and unruly. Neither are they notwithstanding to be left, but all means are to be assayed that at the last they may be reclaimed and brought again into the right way. Which S. Paul eftsoons did, as when he delivered two of this sort unto Satan, 1. Tim. 1. I have delivered them unto Satan that they might learn not to blaspheme. And 1. Cor. 5. I have determined, saith he, to deliver them to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Them he cast of as condemned, and yet notwithstanding did not despair of them. Christ therefore is so to be preached, that he rejecteth no man although he be weak, but that he willingly receiveth, comforteth and strengtheneth every man, so that he always appeareth to be the good shepherd. Hereupon it cometh to pass, that men willingly resort unto him, and that it is no need any more to compel them. The Gospel ⟨p. 87⟩so allureth, and maketh them willing,2 that they come with a certain love and pleasure, and with all boldness, Whereupon a desire and love unto Christ is increased in them, so that they do any thing willingly, who before were to be urged and compelled. If we be constrained, we do grudgingly & unwillingly, which God plainly abhorreth. But when as I shall perceive that God dealeth so lovingly and gently with me, my hart is as it were ravished, so that I can not stay my self, but I must even run unto him, leaving all other things, whereupon afterward all pleasure and joy ensueth unto me.
He concludeth: The lost haue ye not sought. That is lost which seemeth to be condemned,1 of the returne whereof there is scarce any hope. Of which sort in the Gospell were Publicanes & harlots, and at this day they, who haue not so much as a sparke of godlines, but are vntractable and vnruly. Neither are they notwithstanding to be left, but all meanes are to be assayed that at the last they may be reclaimed and brought againe into the right way. Which S. Paule eftsoones did, as when he deliuered two of this sort vnto Satan,