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

And although we come unto him, and now stand in faith, yet is it not in our power to keep our selves therein, or to stand by our own strength, unless he eftsoons by the power of his Word, hold, lift up, and carry us, for that the devil always imagineth and purposeth deceit and destruction toward us, and goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, as S. Peter witnesseth. Wherefore here is no place to boast of free will, or of our own strength, which is none, neither in beginning any thing, neither in going forward therein, much less in persevering or continuing in it, but Christ our shepherd alone doth all things.

And although we come vnto him, and now stand in faith, yet is it not in our powre to keepe our selues therein, or to stand by our owne strength, vnles he eftsoones by the power of his Word, hold, lift vp, and carie vs, for that the deuell alwayes imagineth and purposeth deceit and destruction toward vs, and goeth about like a roring lyon, seeking whom he may deuour, as S. Peter witnesseth. Wherefore here is no place to boast of free will, or of our owne strength, which is none, neither in beginning any thing, neither in going forward therein, much lesse in perseuering or continuing in it, but Christ our shepeheard alone doth all things.

Howbeit we are sure hereof, that whiles we lye upon the shoulders of Christ, we shall remain safe from all terror and misfortune. For he will not suffer us to be plucked or taken from his neck, neither will he himself cast us of, being so glad and joyful, that he hath found his lost sheep, and brought it again to the rest of the flock. And in a sum, here is no terror, or trouble, or exaction, but mere life and grace, whereby he handleth his sheep most lovingly and gently. But on the contrary Moses, not as a shepherd of miserable and weak sheep, but as a master of stronger cattle, driveth his herds with a staff and a rod three days journey through the desert, until they be tired and weary with walking: of this shepherd those hardened and wild ones are to be tamed and bridled. And we also, ⟨p. 120⟩when we shall be under Moses, to wit, according to the flesh and the outward life, must go, and do that which the law requireth. But in that we are, and are called Christians, we must by no means suffer, that any work be laid upon us, yea or exacted of us, but must give our selves only to Christ to be carried and gently lifted up, not upon horses and chariots, but even upon his only shoulders.