A06521:217
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.
These things are done for our example, that we may learn what a true Christian man is after the spirit, lest we judge him according to the law, and according to our own wisdom and understanding. For Christ is therefore our Lord, that he may make such men of us, as he is him self. And as he can not suffer him self to be tied and bound with laws, but will be Lord of laws, yea and of all things, so also ought not the conscience of a Christian to suffer them. For we are so much made free by Christ,1 that our conscience may know nothing concerning any law, whose judgement & controlment it may abide to suffer. Neither ought we any otherwise to be affected according to the state of the inward conscience, then if no law had been given or made: yea as if neither x. commandments, nor one, either of God, or of Bishop, or of Cesar were given to us, that we may plainly say: I know nothing ⟨p. 98⟩of any law, neither will I know any thing. For in that state and condition, wherein we Christians are, our works, & the works of all men do cease, yea and all laws also. For where there is no work, neither can there be any law, requiring a work and saying: this thing was to be done of thee, this to be left undone. But we through Christ are wholly free from all works, and righteous by mere grace and mercy, whereby we live only before God. And this is our treasure, whereby we are Christians, and live and stand before God. For how we ought to live in outward conversation, to wit in flesh and blood before the world, it doth nothing pertain unto this place.
These thinges are done for our example, that we may learne what a true Christian man is after the spirit, lest we iudge him according to the lawe, and according to our owne wisedom and vnderstanding. For Christ is therefore our Lorde, that he may make such men of vs, as he is him selfe. And as he can not suffer him selfe to be tied and bound with lawes, but will be Lorde of lawes, yea and of all thinges, so also ought not the conscience of a Christiā to suffer them. For we are so much made free by Christ,1 that our conscience may know nothing cōcerning any law, whose iudgement & controlement it may abide to suffer. Neither ought we any otherwise to be affected according to the state of ye inward conscience, then if no lawe had bene giuen or made: yea as if neither x. cōmaundements, nor one, either of God, or of Bishop, or of Cesar were giuē to vs, that we may plainly say: I know nothing