A06521:222
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.
Behold, Christ would in this place resemble this liberty unto us, that as Christians we suffer no master in our conscience, trusting most constantly to this one thing, that we are baptised, and called unto Christ, and by him justified and sanctified, whereupon we may say: He is my righteousness, my treasure, my work, and in a sum, what not? against sin and unrighteousness (whereof the law endeavoureth to accuse me) If it please you to have other righteousness, works, law, &c. then may ye take them from whence ye will, surely ye shall find no place for them in me. Thus may a man defend him self, and stand against the suggestions and tentations of the Devil, and of sins either past or present. Wherefore Moses and Christ are far to be separated asunder, as also works and faith, the conscience and the outward life, so that if the law will set upon me, and make my hart afraid, then is it time to send it away, and if it will not give place, to thrust it out by force, and to say: I will willingly do good works, and will go forward as much as I am able for that time that I live among men, but here I will know nothing at all of them in my conscience, & therefore let me alone, & prate nothing of them. For here I will ⟨p. 101⟩vouchsafe to hear neither Moses nor the Pharisees, but Christ alone doth obtain place to reign here. I will like unto Mary, sit at his feet to hear his word, but let Martha carry abroad, and busy her self in the kitchen and about the household affairs. And in a sum, I will not trouble the quietness of my conscience.
Beholde, Christ would in this place resemble this libertie vnto vs, that as Christians we suffer no maister in our conscience, trusting most constantly to this one thinge, that we are baptised, and called vnto Christ, and by him iustified and sanctified, whereupon we may say: He is my righteousnes, my treasure, my worke, and in a summe, what not? against sinne and vnrighteousnes (whereof the lawe indeuoureth to accuse me) If it please you to haue other righteousnes, workes, lawe, &c. then may ye take them from whence ye will, surely ye shall finde no place for them in me. Thus may a man defend him self, and stande against the suggestions and tentations of the Deuill, and of sinnes either past or present. Wherefore Moses and Christ are farre to be separated asunder, as also workes and faith, the conscience and the outward life, so that if the lawe will sette vpon me, and make my hart afrayde, then is it tyme to sende it away, and if it will not giue place, to thrust it out by force, and to say: I will willingly doe good workes, and will goe forward as much as I am able for that time that I liue amonge men, but here I wil know nothing at al of them in my cōscience, & therefore let me alone, & prate nothing of them. For here I will