A06521:309
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.
1Hereupon it followeth: first, that the kingdom of God is ruled or governed by no law, no not by the law of God, much less by the laws of men, but only by the Gospel, and faith in God, by which harts are purified, comforted, and quieted, whiles that the holy Ghost poureth love and the knowledge of God into them, & maketh man as it were one thing and one spirit with God: so that his affection is set upon the same thing, he willeth and desireth the same thing, he seeketh and loveth the same thing, that God doth. Neither standeth the case otherwise here, then it doth between two friends, which bear good will one to an other, and agree one with an other in all things. Hereof it cometh, that a man in this kingdom of God is perfect, merciful, pitiful and bountiful toward his neighbour, seeing that he knoweth by the instinct of the holy Ghost, that God is of the same affection toward him, and toward all men, and doth pour forth his goodness plentifully. Such affection of God no man can know by the law, but only by the spirit, and word of the Gospel. None therefore shall obtain quietness, comfort, and peace of the hart, or attain unto the kingdom of God by any law. And they which prescribe many laws, do withdraw men from the kingdom of God, to the kingdom of sin, wherein is nothing else, but unquietness, anguish, affliction, adversity, and all kind of evils tormenting the conscience. Like as on the contrary, in the kingdom and knowledge of God, there is mere joy, peace, and consolation of harts.
1Hereupon it followeth: first, that the kingdom of God is ruled or gouerned by no law, no not by the law of God, much lesse by the lawes of men, but onely by the Gospell, and faith in God, by which harts are purified, comforted, and quieted, whiles that the holy Ghost poureth loue and the knowledge of God into them, & maketh man as it were one thinge and one spirit with God: so that his affection is set vpon the same thinge, he willeth and desireth the same thinge, he seeketh and loueth the same thinge, that God doth. Neither standeth the case otherwise here, then it doth betweene two frendes, which beare good wil one to an other, and agree one with an other in all thinges. Hereof it commeth, that a man in this kingdome of God is perfect, mercifull, pitifull and bountifull toward his neighbour, seeing that he knoweth by the instinct of the holy Ghost, that God is of ye same affection toward him, and toward all men, and doth poure forth his goodnes plentifully. Such affection of God no man can know by the lawe, but onely by the spirit, and word of the Gospell. None therefore shal obtaine quietnes, comfort, and peace of the hart, or attaine vnto the kingdom of God by any law. And they which prescribe many lawes, doe withdraw men from the kingdom of God, to the kingdom of sinne, wherein is nothing els, but vnquietnes, anguish, affliction, aduersitie, and all kind of euills tormenting the conscience. Like as on the contrary, in the kingdom and knowledge of God, there is meere ioy, peace, and consolation of harts.