A06521:209
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.
Luke 15. Verse 1. Then resorted unto him all the Publicans and sinners to hear him. 2. Therefore the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying: He receiveth sinners and eateth with them. 3. Then spake he this parable to them saying: 4. What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not ⟨p. 93⟩leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders with joy. 6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them: Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven for one sinner that repenteth, more then for ninety & nine just men, which need none amendment of life.
Luke 15. Verse 1. THen resorted vnto him all the Publicans and sinners to heare him. 2. Therefore the Pharises and Scribes murmured, saying: He receiueth sinners and eateth with them. 3. Then spake he this parable to them saying: 4. What man of you hauing an hundred sheepe, if he lose one of them, doth not ⟨p. 93⟩leaue ninety and nine in the wildernes, and go after that which is lost, vntill he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders with ioy. 6. And when he commeth home, he calleth togither his friendes and neighbours, saying vnto them: Reioyce with me: for I haue found my sheepe which was lost. 7. I say vnto you, that likewise ioy shall be in heauen for one sinner that repenteth, more then for ninetie & nine iust men, which neede none amendement of life.
IN this text, dearly beloved,1 even that doctrine is contained, which we are persuaded, and glory to be our chief doctrine, and which by best right deserveth to be called christian doctrine, to wit of grace and forgiveness of sins, set down against the doctrine of the law, and of works. But it is a very shameful thing, that a sermon so excellent, and replenished with so great comfort and joy, should be heard of a man that is wicked & a contemner of the word of God. This is much more miserable, that all think they have so soon throughly learned it, to the knowledge whereof every one will seem to have attained, thinking that there is nothing in it, which he doth not perfectly understand, and that there is no need to spend any more study in learning it. Although it be not grievous to God him self, neither doth it irk or weary him, every year repeating it, or rather every day exercising it, as though he knew to preach nothing else, being unskilful and ignorant of all other kind of doctrine. And we miserable and wretched men do so soon as we think attain to the knowledge of the chiefest doctrine, that forthwith it is wearisome and tedious unto us to repeat it, whereby all pleasure and love of the word of God dieth and is extinguished in us.