A06521:306
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.
A SERMON OF D. MARTIN LUTHER OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
A SERMON OF D. MARTIN LVTHER OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Forasmuch as there is often mention made in the new Testament of these words, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ, and it is very profitable and expedient for a Christian to know these, to wit, that they are nothing else, but remission of sins, and grace preached and offered by the Gospel. For in this kingdom thou shalt find nothing but grace and goodness, pardon and forgiveness of sins, love and gentleness: I therefore think it good to entreat somewhat at large of the state of this kingdom, and of forgiveness of sins. The kingdom of God, whereby he reigneth over all the faithful, and as a faithful king defendeth, punisheth, rewardeth, guideth, and directeth them, &c. they again from their hart trust in him, suffer his fatherly chastisement and correction with a patient mind, and always serve him through obedience, is not worldly or temporal, but spiritual. Neither consisteth it in meat and drink,1 or in any outward thing, but only in justification, quieting and consolation of the hart and conscience of man. Wherefore it is nothing else, but forgiveness and taking away of sins, by which consciences are defiled, troubled, and disquieted.2 For even as a worldly and temporal kingdom is ordained to this end, that men may live quietly & peaceably one with an other: So the kingdom of God giveth these things spiritually, and destroyeth the kingdom of sin, and is nothing else, but an abolishing and pardoning of offences. God reigneth in the hearts, inasmuch as he worketh in them by his word, peace quietness and consolation: even as sin worketh the contrary, namely, unquietness, anguish, and all kind of evils. Herein God showeth his majesty and grace in this life, that he taketh away and pardoneth mens sins: and this is the kingdom of grace. Now when as sin with his guard, that is Satan, death, and hell, shall trouble man no more, then at the last ⟨p. 154⟩