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

We read in the Acts of the Apostles, that the Apostles did eftsoons lay their hands on them that were baptised, and that so the holy Ghost came upon them by a visible sign, which the Papists also snatch to their confirmation. But as that was done, that the believers might by a visible sign be endued with the holy Ghost, to preach the Gospel in divers languages, so it continued only the time thereof, until the doctrine of the Gospel was commended to the world by sufficient signs, wherefore it is now long since worn out of use: but that a certain ceremony hath come from thence even unto us, of laying hands on them, which are ordained Ministers or Preachers, which is now brought into an ungodly and pernicious use: but of these things in an other place.

We read in the Actes of the Apostles, that the Apostles did eftsoones lay their handes on them that were baptised, and that so the holy Ghost came vpon them by a visible signe, which the Papistes also snatch to their confirmation. But as that was done, that the beleeuers might by a visible signe be endued with the holy Ghost, to preach the Gospell in diuers languages, so it continued onely the time thereof, vntill the doctrine of the Gospell was commended to the worlde by sufficient signes, wherefore it is nowe long since worne out of vse: but that a certaine ceremonie hath come from thence euen vnto vs, of laying handes on them, which are ordained Ministers or Preachers, which is nowe brought into an vngodly and pernitious vse: but of these thinges in an other place.

Which he shed on us abundantly. See how notably the Apostle setteth forth grace. He saith not that the holy Ghost was given, but shed, and not that only, but shed abundantly. For he can not sufficiently extol and magnify grace, and the work thereof, and we, alas, count it so vile in respect of our works.¹ It were a dishonour to God and to his holy Spirit, if when he hath plentifully shed it upon us, there should as yet be some thing wanting, necessary to righteousness and salvation, which we are able to perform, as though the works of so incomparable grace could not be sufficient. And Paul surely might be reproved of lying, which had not spoken all things whereby we must be justified and saved, when he affirmeth that he doth it. But as he writeth, so it is: no man can attribute so great things to this washing and regeneration, no man can so much presume of them, but greater things may be attributed unto them, and thou oughtest to promise to thy self moe things of them: no man shall believe so great things, but he shall receive greater. Forasmuch as those good things which God hath given, are so great and so unspeakable, he would have them here come unto us being included and hid in his words and faith. For the nature of our present life can not bear them being manifest, and therefore it must perish, when they begin to be revealed, that man may by these inestimable riches, which he now possesseth by faith, be as it were swallowed up, and vanish away. We are already abundantly justified by faith without all our own merit, therefore Christ saith,