A06521:229
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.
So Moses without Christ must exercise his gross works, whereby he may compel men which are not yet Christians, to be honest civilly before the world: for he doth not make Christians righteous & honest. Howbeit I will not deny that he doth this, that he showeth unto them their duties, which otherwise they would willingly fulfil & satisfy, yea & do moe things also, but that the flesh doth not so willingly & with that readiness wherewith it ought, follow the spirit. In which respect they are to be admonished and urged, the conscience nevertheless remaining free, so that the law have no power to accuse them. Wherefore such doctrine & admonition ought to be among Christians (as it is certain that among the Apostles there was) whereby every man may be admonished of his state & office. As for the rest which are not Christians,1 they must be ruled by Moses laws, & burdened with them both outwardly & inwardly, whereby they may be forced and afflicted, that they may do that which is right, forsaking that which is evil, although they do it not with a patient and willing mind. Of which kind the rash multitude of the unruly common sort & the obstinate people is, who do not regard or understand the liberty of Christ, although they can babble & glory of many things concerning the Gospel, & they notwithstanding do abuse it only to the lust of their mind: let ⟨p. 104⟩them know that they are under the discipline and correction of Moses.
So Moses without Christ must exercise his grosse workes, whereby he may compel men which are not yet Christians, to be honest ciuely before the world: for he doth not make Christians righteous & honest. Howbeit I will not deny yt he doth this, that he sheweth vnto them their duties, which otherwise they would willingly fulfil & satisfie, yea & doe moe things also, but that the flesh doth not so willingly & wt that readines wherwith it ought, follow the spirit. In which respect they are to be admonished and vrged, the conscience neuertheles remaining free, so that the law haue no power to accuse them. Wherfore such doctrine & admonition ought to be among Christians (as it is certaine yt among the Apostles there was) whereby euery man may be admonished of his state & office. As for the rest which are not Christians,1 they must be ruled by Moses lawes, & burdened with them both outwardly & inwardly, wherby they may be forced and afflicted, that they may do that which is right, forsaking that which is euill, although they do it not with a patient and willing mind. Of which kind ye rash multitude of ye vnruly commō sort & ye obstinat people is, who do not regard or vnderstand ye liberty of Christ, although they can babble & glory of many things concerning the Gospell, & they notwithstanding do abuse it only to ye lust of their mind: let