A06521:314
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.
Fifthly, this kingdom of God, or remission of sins hath no bound or measure,1 as that place of the Gospel doth very well show, where Peter asketh the Lord: Lord, how oft shall my brother ⟨p. 157⟩sin against me, and I shall forgive him? unto seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not to thee, unto seven times, but unto seventy times seven times, that is, as often as shall be needful. After this followeth a parable,2 which the Lord there putteth forth, wherein he most severely admonisheth us, if we will not fall out of the favour of God, that we forgive our neighbour his offences without all delay or grudging. Forasmuch as God always forgiveth us innumerable sins. Our debt, whereby we are bound unto God, is ten thousand talents, that is, so unmeasurable and great, that we are not able to pay it with all our substance, all our strength and works. For we can put away no one sin, although it be even very little. Seeing therefore that God doth remit so many sins of his grace in his kingdom, it is meet, that we should forgive our neighbour a few offences. Of this kingdom of God, wherein sins are forgiven, the Scripture every where maketh mention, and saith, that the kingdom & dominion of Christ doth extend from one end of the land to the other. So saith David Psal. 72: His dominion shall be from the one sea to the other, and from the flood unto the end of the earth. And a little after he saith: All nations shall serve him. This also the Angel Gabriel declared to the Virgin Mary Luke 1. where he saith thus of Christ: The Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom shall be no end. These and such like places do show that the forgiveness of sins, wherein the kingdom of God doth especially consist, hath no measure or bound.
Fiftly, this kingdom of God, or remission of sinnes hath no bounde or measure,1 as that place of the Gospell doth very well shew, where Peter asketh the Lord: Lord, how oft shal my brother