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

Secondly thou plainly seest this also, how by all manner of outward signs & means he poureth forth his joy and unspeakable goodness, and also having found his sheep how loving he showeth himself. For surely he dealeth not with it by any law, as by his right he might deal, and drive it before him as he doth the rest, or suffer it to go by him. Howbeit he doth none of these, but layeth it upon his shoulders, and all the journey carieth it through the desert, taking all the labour and trouble upon himself, that at the lest wise the sheep may rest. Neither doth he it grudgingly but willingly, for he is full of joy for his sheep recovered. Now mark this also, how well it goeth with the sheep, with how great quietness and ease it lieth on his shepherds shoulders, neither doth it unwillingly see it self resting so sweetly being delivered from the difficulty of the journey, as also void of all fear both of dogs and wolves, that is, of all errors and lies, yea and of all perils and mischiefs. And this surely deserveth to be called a very pleasant picture, exceeding amiable and comfortable to be looked upon.

Secondly thou plainly seest this also, how by all maner of outward signes & meanes he poureth forth his ioy and vnspeakeable goodnes, and also hauing found his sheepe how louing he sheweth himselfe. For surely he dealeth not with it by any law, as by his right he might deale, and driue it before him as he doth the rest, or suffer it to go by him. Howbeit he doth none of these, but layeth it vpon his shoulders, and all the iourny carieth it through the desert, taking all the labour and trouble vpon himselfe, that at the lest wise the sheepe may rest. Neither doth he it grudginly but willingly, for he is full of ioy for his sheepe recouered. Now marke this also, how wel it goeth with the shepe, with how great quietnes and ease it lyeth on his shepeheards shoulders, neither doth it vnwillingly see it selfe resting so sweetly being deliuered from the difficulty of the iourney, as also voyd of all feare both of dogs and woulues, that is, of all errours and lyes, yea and of all perils and mischiefes. And this surely deserueth to be called a very pleasaunt picture, exceeding amiable and comfortable to be looked vpon.

No otherwise doth our Lord Jesus Christ deal with us, whiles he delivereth us, which he hath once done corporally by his passion and death, but now doth eftsoons the same by his power, and spiritually by the preaching of his word. Wherefore he layeth us upon his shoulders, carieth, and defendeth us, so that we are safe from all perils of death and the devil, which albeit they terrify us, and show themselves so, as though they would devour us, yet prevail they nothing. For whereas we are carried, it is a safeguard unto us, and the same exempteth us from all dangers, and putteth away all fear. As the sheep lying upon the shepherds shoulders is little careful, though the dogs bark much, and the wolf craftily goeth up and down, but rather hanging down the head is quiet and sleepeth soundly.