A06521:249
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.
Thus hast thou Christ most lovingly set forth, unto thee. Now only faith is required, whereof there is great need.1 For this doctrine is excellent, & replenished with most sweet consolation and comfort, but this is wanting, that the use thereof is not felt, where it ought to be felt. For when the sheep goeth astray, that is, when a man feeleth himself grieved with his since, and can ⟨p. 116⟩not tell where to abide, and is cast of the devil into a great fear of mind, then he always runneth unto the contrary, neither can he comprehend or conceive in mind, that this is true, all things falling out of his mind, which he heard here, because of the present feeling and fear. For the devil hath dazzled his eyes, neither can he perceive any thing else but the wrath and indignation of God. Wherewith his heart is so burdened, that he is not able to raise up himself in mind, and to turn his eyes any other where. Nay he lieth so drowned in it, that Christ appeareth no otherwise unto him but as an angry judge, as he hath hitherto been painted out, and is so beaten into the hearts of all by the wicked Papists, sitting on the rain bow, with a sword coming out of his mouth. For this is one of the most deceitful crafts of the devil, yea and of his mischiefs which he practiseth against the miserable sheep, to dazzle his eyes, that he may not know any more his own shepherd, & under a pretence of Christ to lead a man to Moses, disputing as much of Christ, as he had accustomed to do before of Moses. Wherefore we have need of a strong & firm faith, that we may believe these things to be true, when a man himself must dispute even against himself. For the sense is vehement of it self, whereunto the devil also cometh marvellously amplifying sin & terror, the greatness and anguish whereof is able to consume even the marrow in the bones, yea and the heart in the body. It can not therefore be perfectly learned so soon as some think. In prosperity it is easily believed that Christ is sweet and amiable, but anguish and terror coming upon & over whelming the mind, man is blind and without good understanding, and will judge only according to the sense and understanding of his own heart, which he followeth, and confirmeth himself in his own error. For he is taken therein, and can think no otherwise, but that it is true, and nevertheless it is not true.
Thus hast thou Christ most louingly set forth, vnto thee. Now onely faith is required, whereof there is great neede.