A06521:301
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.
Seeing then that heaven is given of grace, and for no merit, even unto those, if there were any such, which have done all things that were commanded them, according to that promise: If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments: what shall we boast of our good works, which although they were most absolute, yet should they be unworthy of heaven, but inasmuch as it is given us by the free and merciful promise?1 Hereupon (for that we must so satisfy the divine justice, and yet notwithstanding our works are not able to attain thereunto, whereunto if they should attain, yet should they deserve no grace or salvation, for that they are before due) God first gave unto us a man, which should satisfy the divine justice for us in all things. Again, he hath by the same man bestowed this grace and bountifulness upon us, that albeit we without our own merit and worthiness,2 yea having evil deserved and being unworthy, do receive grace, yet it cometh not unto us altogether freely and without all merit, for we have it through the merit and satisfaction of Christ. Whereupon Paul saith Rom. 5: As by the offence of one sin came on all men to condemnation: so by the justifying of one, that is, of Jesus Christ, the benefit abounded toward all men to the justification of life. That is: As without all our merit, and own work we fell into sin, being borne sinners, so again without all our merit and means, we are redeemed from sins, by the washing of the spirit borne again the sons of God, partakers ⟨p. 150⟩of grace and salvation. And this is the cause why the Apostle where he speaketh of faith and grace, is wont to add, by Jesus Christ: whereby surely he would give us to understand, that none should count it sufficient, if he say: I believe in God, Christ being neglected. He that truly believeth, must acknowledge, that his faith can not be acceptable to God, yea that it can be no faith at all, if all the commandments of God be not before fulfilled, which seeing it is above thy ability, (and if it were not, yet notwithstanding thou hadst performed nothing, but that thou oughtest, and hadst as yet merited nothing, having fulfilled even all the commandments of God) thou hast need of an other, which in all things may satisfy the divine justice for thee, and may also merit heaven for thee.