A06521:243
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.
Hereupon it appeareth that it is exceeding necessary & convenient, that we learn to know Christ well,1 that we do not behold him as a cruel tyrant or as an angry judge (as the preachers hitherto have set him forth to the people, and the devil himself showeth him to the hearts of men no otherwise to be thought upon and considered) who hath drawn his sword already against us: But as the sheep doth naturally look on the shepherd, not as on him, of whom it shall be terrified, chased, and slain, but so soon as it beholdeth him, is cheered and put in hope of help, & is no more in fear or solitariness, but forthwith speedily goeth to him with all boldness: So also when we desire to conceive a trust and hope of help, and to be strengthened and eased with comfort, then the voice of our shepherd, that is of Christ, must be known and learned well of us, all voices of other shepherds not regarded, which draw us only into errors, and toss us up and down, and that only article must be heard and comprehended in mind, which Christ so lovingly and comfortably painteth in our heart, as by any means it can be painted, that I may with all confidence and boldness say: The Lord Jesus Christ ⟨p. 112⟩is my only shepherd, and I (alas) the lost sheep, which hath strayed in the desert, but am troubled with no small anguish of mind for my wretched life, desiring with most fervent affection, both to have God favourable unto me, & also to have peace in my conscience. But truly I understand here, that he is no less desirous of me, then I am of him. I labour with great carefulness to come unto him, and he is careful and desireth greatly that he may bring me again unto himself.
Hereupon it appeareth that it is exceeding necessarie & conuenient, that we learne to know Christ well,1 that we do not behold him as a cruell tyranne or as an angrie iudge (as the preachers hitherto haue set him forth to the people, and the deuel himselfe sheweth him to the hearts of mē no otherwise to be thought vpon and cōsidered) who hath drawne his sword already against vs: But as the sheepe doth naturally looke on the shepeheard, not as on him, of whom it shall be terrified, chased, and slaine, but so soone as it beholdeth him, is cheered and put in hope of helpe, & is no more in feare or solitarines, but forthwith speedely goeth to him with all boldnes: So also when we desire to conceyue a trust and hope of helpe, and to be strengthened and eased with comfort, then the voice of our shepeheard, that is of Christ, must be knowne and learned well of vs, all voices of other shepeheards not regarded, which draw vs only into errours, and tosse vs vp and downe, and that onely article must be heard and comprehended in minde, which Christ so louingly and comfortably painteth in our heart, as by any meanes it can be painted, that I may with all confidence and boldnes say: The Lord Iesus Christ