A06521:232
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.
Wherefore thou must again and again take heed that thou suffer not thy self to be plucked out of this haven,1 neither to be enticed out of this circle. And although he shall lay many things against thee out of the law, even inasmuch as it is the word of God, whereunto it is meet that thou do obey, yet mayest thou answer him and say: doest thou not hear, that I will now know or hear nothing concerning the law? for we are now in that circle and haven, wherein it is not enquired what I must do; or leave undone, but by what means we obtain to have God gentle and favourable unto us, and how we get remission of sins. Here I will abide in the arms of Christ, cleaving unseparably about his neck, and creeping into his bosom, whatsoever the law shall say, and my heart shall feel: nevertheless, so that we keep the principal part of our faith sincere, and the chief point safe, outwardly I will willingly do and suffer, what burden soever it shall lay upon me. Behold, he that understood this art well, should be a right and perfect man, as Christ was, so far above all laws, that he might be bold to call Peter Satan, and the Pharisees fools, and leaders of the blind, and put Moses himself to silence, and so live altogether without the law, and yet in the mean season fulfil all laws: furthermore be obstinate and stout against all that will enforce and constrain him, and yet notwithstanding of his own accord profit and obey all. But truly herein consisteth all the defect, that we do never fully and perfectly learn this art, the devil so letting and hindering us, that we go preposterously to work, being too ready and willing to hear all things whatsoever the law saith. At whose threatenings also we are not a little astonied, which it had bin better for us not to have heard. Again in outward things also we give our selves to liberty more then is convenient, whereas the body should be kept under & bridled with works, whereby it might be compelled to bear what soever should be grievous unto it, when as yet it oftentimes sinneth, yet so, that sin abide without, where it must abide, & have his Moses, who ⟨p. 106⟩always may be near unto it with his exactions. Howbeit inwardly let no sin or law bear rule, or reign, but let Christ alone rule and reign by mere grace, joy and comfort.
Wherefore thou must againe and againe take heede that thou suffer not thy selfe to be plucked out of this hauen,