A06521:241
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.
This is that picture, resembled in this creature & silly beast, whereby Christ showeth unto us, what affection of mind he beareth, and what he doth toward us, and also what we ought to promise our selves concerning him. For seeing this is manifestly true in nature, the same is much more true in the kingdom of Christ, which is the kingdom of grace, love, and consolation. Therefore see that thou also do set before thy self the sheep pertaining to this shepherd, then shalt thou truly understand, how much greater and vehementer care he hath taken to preserve it, also with how great study and diligence, yea and from the heart he is careful for it, that he may find it and bring it home again. For he will have his marvellous and continual kindness, and the unspeakable flames of his most fervent love to be showed, or rather poured forth upon miserable, fearful and trembling consciences, which unfeignedly lament their sins, and desire to be delivered from them, and such are his true sheep.
This is that picture, resembled in this creature & silly beast, whereby Christ sheweth vnto vs, what affection of mynde he beareth, and what he doth toward vs, and also what we ought to promise our selues concerning him. For seeing this is manifestly true in nature, the same is much more true in the kingdom of Christ, which is the kingdom of grace, loue, and consolation. Therefore see that thou also do set before thy selfe the sheepe pertaining to this shepeheard, then shalt thou truly vnderstand, how much greater and vehementer care he hath taken to preserue it, also with how great study and diligence, yea and from the heart he is carefull for it, that he may finde it and bring it home againe. For he will haue his maruelous and continuall kindenes, and the vnspeakeable flames of his most feruent loue to be shewed, or rather poured forth vpon miserable, fearefull and trembling consciences, which vnfeynedly lament their sinnes, and desire to be deliuered from them, and such are his true sheepe.
1For with a man that hath lost this shepherd, and heareth him not, the case standeth as with the lost sheep, which being estranged from his shepherd, strayeth more and more from him. And although it be called by the voices of others, and runneth unto them, thinking that it shall find his own shepherd, yet failing of his purpose it findeth him not, but alway runneth from corner to corner, straying up and down, and still wandereth farther out of the way. Neither it is succoured with any comfort or help, before it hear the voice of the true shepherd sounding again in his ears: even as we learn the same to be true by daily experience, and every man trieth it in his own