A06521:238
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.
But I have said before, that the present doctrine for the very exceeding goodness, sweetness and consolation thereof, is not to be set forth to the rude, blockish, and unruly common sort, to whom we do not preach it, but to those only, which strive with terror and anguish of conscience, or stand in peril and danger of death, and dispute with the devil concerning their sins committed, whereby he would drive them unto desperation. Before these this amiable image is to be set, whereby they may receive comfort and cheerfulness of mind. As for others which live ⟨p. 109⟩with a secure mind, and do little know what anguish and spiritual sorrowfulness is, they are to be led to Moses to the tormentor. For it is an image most pleasant and amiable, and more artificially painted, then any Apelles is able to paint with his pencil. Neither doth any man excel in such eloquence of speech, that he is able sufficiently to declare & comprehend it in words. Wherefore it is to be apprehended in the heart by faith, as much as may be. Nevertheless we must speak something of it, that we may give cause and occasion to other to think and consider more earnestly thereof.
But I haue said before, that the present doctrine for the verie exceeding goodnes, sweetnes and consolation thereof, is not to be set forth to the rude, blockish, and vnrulely common sort, to whom we do not preach it, but to those onely, which striue with terrour and anguish of conscience, or stand in perill and daunger of death, and dispute with the deuell cōcerning their sinnes committed, whereby he would driue them vnto desperation. Before these this amiable image is to be set, whereby they may receiue comfort and cheerefulnes of minde. As for others which liue ⟨p. 109⟩with a secure mind, and do litle know what anguish and spiritual sorowfulnes is, they are to be ledde to Moses to the tormentour. For it is an image most pleasaunt and amiable, and more artificially painted, then any Apelles is able to paint with his pensill. Neither doth any man excell in such eloquence of speeche, that he is able sufficiently to declare & comprehend it in wordes. Wherefore it is to be apprehended in the hearte by fayth, as much as may be. Neuertheles we must speake something of it, that we may giue cause and occasion to other to thinke and consider more earnestly thereof.