A06521:204
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.
They therefore are never good shepherds, which so preach the Gospel, that they may thereby get unto them selves honour, riches, and profit, without all doubt they are hirelings, who seek after their own things even in sound doctrine, yea and in the word of God. Wherefore they abide no longer, then while they may have honour, praise & commodity thereby, but as soon as the wolf cometh, go back, deny the word, and get them selves away, leaving the sheep, which very earnestly seek for pasture and their shepherd, who may keep them from the injury of the wolves, but that good shepherd can no where be found, who flieth away even at that time, when the sheep have most need of a defender and strengthener.
They therefore are neuer good shepeheards, which so preach the Gospell, that they may thereby get vnto them selues honour, riches, and profit, without all dout they are hirelings, who seeke after their owne thinges euen in sound doctrine, yea and in the word of God. Wherefore they abide no longer, then while they may haue honour, praise & commiditie thereby, but as soone as the wolfe commeth, goe backe, denye the worde, and get them selues away, leauing the sheepe, which very earnestly seeke for pasture and their shepeheard, who may keepe them from the iniurie of the wolues, but that good shepeheard can no where be found, who flieth away euen at that time, when the sheepe haue most neede of a defender and strengthner.
The same shall happen to us in time to come, when we shall once begin to be touched in deed. Then the Preachers will shut their mouths, and provide for their safety by flying, and the sheep shall be miserably dispersed, so that one shall be carried this way, an other that way. God grant that some of them may stand valiantly in defence of the Gospel, and spend their blood, if the case so require in delivering their sheep. Thus Christ hath painted forth the hirelings in their colours, who thus saith moreover: I am that good shepherd, and know mine, and am known of mine. These words do contain much, I should spend over much time, if I should handle them severally. He speaketh here of the peculiar duty that belongeth to him self. I know my sheep, saith he, and they again know me. Now the ⟨p. 91⟩