A06521:263
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.
God give unto us such a mind and faith, that we may so do, especially at the point of death and in extreme necessities.
God giue vnto vs such a mind and faith, that we may so doe, especially at the point of death and in extreme necessities.
Secondly, whereas the cry and faith of this woman seemeth to have suffered repulse, the disciples come with their faith, doubting not but that they shall entreat the Lord, but when they think that they shall make him more easy to be entreated, they find him ⟨p. 125⟩to be much more hard, repelling as it appeared, and as they thought, the faith and prayers both of the woman & also of them selves. Neither doth Christ here hold his peace, and leave them in doubt, as before, but he seemeth plainly to deny that which they ask, saying: I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This stroke is much more grievous then that former, where not only the person of the intreater is repelled, but all hope also which is wont to be left, is cut of, namely the comfort of the intercession of all the other Saints and elect. For it is almost the last refuge to them that suffer distress and feel the indignation of God, to get them selves to godly & holy men, seeking for comfort and help, whereunto, as charity requireth, they find them ready and willing, but even they also some time do in vain ask help and succour, for neither are they heard, and so the case of them that be in distress becometh worse and more lamentable. So the afflicted and desolate may truly object unto Christ all those words, wherein he hath promised that he will hear his Saints, as:1 If two of you shall agree in earth upon any thing whatsoever they shall desire, it shall be given them of my Father which is in heaven. Again, Whatsoever ye shall ask, 2believe, and ye shall receive it. And many such like. But if to him that objecteth these things, and asketh him how he can go from his words and promises, he answer thus: I go not from my promises, I have not promised that I will hear all prayers, but the prayers of them that be mine, which are of the house of Israel, not of all whatsoever. What thinkest thou may the hart then think having taken such a repulse? Such an answer is as it were a flash of lightning, wherewith the hart and all trust is severed and broken in a thousand pieces. For what trust can there be left, when he heareth that that doth not pertain unto him, which because of the word of God he trusted to have obtained, but unto others. Here not so much as a word can be left, if one do according as he feeleth. But what doth this woman?