A06521:316
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.
Seventhly, as this kingdom of God hath no measure or limits ⟨p. 158⟩of forgiveness of sins, so also it hath no end, but endureth continually without ceasing: albeit the subjects of this kingdom do not abide in it continually, firmly and faithfully, but do often times forsake it. So the favour and grace of God were continually with Peter, although he denied the Lord, and revolted from him. To the same effect tendeth the parable in the Gospel whereof we have now spoken. For the servant, which would not have pity of his fellow servant, did make him self unworthy of the mercy of God, did deprive him self of the kingdom of God, which consisteth in pardoning of offences, as it is above mentioned. Here University Divines of a pregnant wit, as they seem unto them selves, and puffed up with knowledge, have disputed, whether, and how forgiveness of sins doth come again, when man iterateth or reneweth his sin, not knowing what they say. But follow thou the plain and simple words of the Gospel, to wit, that thy sins are so often forgiven thee, as thou dost forgive thy brother, whom thou must so often forgive as he shall offend against thee.1 Wherefore in this parable, whereof I have even now made mention, Christ doth admonish us all, that we pardon and forgive all them that have offended us. As if he would say: As in mans affairs, he which is beneficial to an other, hath other also beneficial unto him again, so saith Christ, in the kingdom of heaven, which consisteth specially in forgiveness of sins, that is in Christianity or among Christians, he which pardoneth an other his offences, I also will pardon him his. And on the contrary, he that is not merciful toward an other, to him I also will deny grace. I am over you as Lord and King, and ye are fellow servants and companions one with an other. Seeing therefore that I your Lord do readily forgive you, you also ought more readily to forgive one an other. After the same sort also he hath commanded us to pray in the Lords prayer, Matth. 6: Forgive us our debts: which he would not have done, if he did not promise and would not mercifully forgive us. But nevertheless he added a condition or sign to this promise, when he saith: If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. The first is a sign, the other a promise.