Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

Wherefore we must in no wise trust unto such comfort,¹ but must rather refuse it and say: whether I be good or evil at this present I do not dispute, but will reserve it rather unto that place, where it shall be taught and entreated concerning works. But in this circle wherein I now stand, there is no place to entreat of works and integrity of life, but of Christ and his works, which he doth toward me a lost sheep. Wherefore if thou demand whether I be good or honest, I answer plainly, no, but if thou demand whether Christ be good and righteous, that undoubtedly I am able to confirm, and him I set for my goodness and righteousness, unto whom also alone I courageously appeal. For in his name I am baptized, of which thing I have a seal and testimony, to wit, that I am his sheep, & that he is that good shepherd, seeking his lost sheep, & dealing with me without all law, exacting nothing of me, neither as Moses urgeth, troubleth, and forceth me, but showeth unto me his mere & most sweet grace, while he submitteth himself to me, & layeth me on his shoulders, and carieth me. Why therefore should I fear the thunderings of Moses and of the devil, when as I rest in his safe custody, which hath given unto me his righteousness and all other things, which holdeth and carieth me, so that there is now no more danger lest I perish, I remaining a sheep and denying not my shepherd, but reposing my self wholly in him?

Wherefore we must in no wise trust vnto such comfort,¹ but must rather refuse it and say: whether I be good or euell at this present I do not dispute, but wil reserue it rather vnto that place, where it shalbe taught and entreated concerning workes. But in this circle wherein I now stand, there is no place to entreat of workes and integrity of life, but of Christ and his workes, which he dooth toward me a lost sheepe. Wherefore if thou demaund whether I be good or honest, I aunswere plainly, no, but if thou demaund whether Christ be good and righteous, that vndoutedly I am able to confirme, and him I set for my goodnes and righteousnes, vnto whom also alone I couragiously appeale. For in his name I am baptized, of which thing I haue a seale and testimonie, to wit, that I am his shepe, & that he is that good shepeheard, seeking his lost shepe, & dealing with me without all lawe, exacting nothing of me, neither as Moses vrgeth, troubleth, and forceth me, but sheweth vnto me his meere & most sweete grace, while he submitteth himselfe to me, & layeth me on his shoulders, and carieth me. Why therefore should I feare the thundrings of Moses and of the deuell, whē as I rest in his safe custody, which hath giuen vnto me his righteousnes and all other things, which holdeth and carieth me, so that there is now no more daunger lest I perish, I remaining a sheepe and denying not my shepeheard, but reposing my selfe wholy in him?