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

And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our harts by the holy Ghost which is given unto us. So thou hast two things to be considered: The first, that in this kingdom of God we are justified. The second, that by tribulation and affliction we are glorified, without which we can not attain unto glory.

And hope maketh not ashamed, because the loue of God is shed abroad in our harts by the holy Ghost vvhich is giuen vnto vs. So thou hast two thinges to be considered: The first, that in this kingdom of God we are iustified. The seconde, that by tribulation and affliction we are glorified, without which we can not attaine vnto glory.

Thirdly, good Christians are not known by this, when any suffer manifold tribulation & chastisement, that the body of sin may be weakened, and they brought to amendment. For herein they do altogether differ among them selves, one suffereth this, an other that: one is chastised thus, an other otherwise, so that even they very Apostles did not love and suffer alike: But they are known in forgiveness of sins, or justification by faith, wherein God turneth his anger from them, & receiveth them unto grace, and counteth them for his dear children, and imputeth no sin to them unto condemnation. Herein are all alike, even as all ⟨p. 156⟩live under one heaven. Wherefore they do most grossly err & stumble, which measure Christians by manners, works, and the outward manner of living, even as the Pharisees were wont to do, and did therefore find fault with Christ, for that he did not observe their ceremonies, but was a friend of Publicans and sinners. As that Pharisee said within him self Luke 7: If this man were a Prophet, he would surely have known who, and what manner of woman this is, which toucheth him: for she is a sinner. ¹Hear now an example of those things which are before said: A Physician which goeth about to cure the sick, doth first promise him health by the assistance and help of God, whereby he putteth him in great hope and comfort. Afterward he beginneth to purge, to cleanse and strengthen, and such like things, which make to the recovering of health: So God also, when he hath remitted sins, and received man into the bosom of grace, doth lay on him all kind of afflictions, and doth scour him, and renew him from day to day, in the knowledge and love of God, until he become safe, pure and renewed, which then at the last cometh to pass, when this mortal body dyeth.