A06521:292
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.
Wherefore understand this, that good works must follow a new creature, but to attain unto righteousness, & that new creature they are able to help nothing at all.
Wherefore vnderstand this, that good workes must folow a new creature, but to attaine vnto righteousnes, & that new creature they are able to helpe nothing at all.
No otherwise is the grace of God wont to renew man,1 then as if God should turn some dry and withered block into a new, green, and flourishing tree, which may afterward bring forth fruit plentifully. For the grace of God is a great, strong, very mighty, and marvellous effectual thing, it lieth not in the mind,2 as the Schoolmen dreamed: it sleepeth not, or is borne, as a painted table beareth a picture: it self beareth, guideth, urgeth, draweth, changeth, and worketh all things in men, so, that every one may feel and have experience of it. It self in deed is hid, but the works of it can not be hid, but do witness of it, as ⟨p. 144⟩the leaves and fruits do of the tree, of what nature it is. Wherefore the Schoolmen Thomas and Scotus do ungodlily detract from it, who attribute no more unto it, then that it doth adorn the works of nature, and is a help that they be brought to perfection. For it doth not adorn or help only, but it alone worketh those things that be good, neither doth it work them only, but doth rather change and renew the person. For it exhibiteth the washing of the new birth, and of renewing, not of works only, but much rather of the whole man. He that shall preach these things of grace, shall truly and fully commend it. Which Paul endeavoured to do when he said: He hath saved us by the washing of the new birth, and renewing of the holy Ghost. Nothing can be done here by joining of works together, the nature must needs be changed, whereupon it cometh to pass, that they that truly believe must suffer many things: for grace worketh in them, & declareth it self present. Hereunto pertaineth that saying of the 111. Psal. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. What are these works? We are they, by grace in Baptism made the great, new, and regenerate works of God. Is it not a great thing for a man by and by to be saved, and delivered from since, death, and hell? therefore he saith: sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. For by this new birth God hath found out, and done what soever men can desire. For what else do men covet and desire, but to obtain salvation, to be delivered from sin, death, and hell?