A06521:317
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.
Mark that it is here enjoined us, to forgive one an other his sins and offences, so, that we must be merciful and bountiful toward our neighbours, if we will have the heavenly father gentle and appeased ⟨p. 159⟩toward us. And let us be most certainly persuaded hereof, when we shall interpret at the best, and excuse, as much as equity doth suffer, the offences and trespasses of other, although they be even great and grievous, that we also shall have a bountiful and merciful father toward us in heaven.1 Wherefore it is a thing most abhorring from Christianity, and even blasphemous, when it is said: I can not, neither will I forgive him that which he hath committed against me, I will be revenged, &c. Surely those blind men are ignorant, that they do take from God his glory, to whom alone vengeance belongeth, and challenge it to them selves, and so they give up to the devil their own souls, which they have received of God, & ought to render them unto him again, whereunto they are perhaps provoked even with some small or trifling matter. Such kind of men as these ought to set before the eyes of their hart, these words of the Gospel, Matth. 18: O evil servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou prayedst me: oughtest not thou also to have had pity on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? So his Lord was wrath, & delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him: So likewise shall mine heavenly Father do unto you, except ye forgive from your ha•• each one to his brother their trespasses. Neither is it sufficient, if in gestures, signs, mouth or tongue thou show thy self a friend unto him, and forgive him, but thou must do it from thy hart, otherwise God will not forgive thee, yea thou shalt be driven out of the kingdom of grace. Wherefore if at any time we have tried the mercy of God toward us, we must also readily pardon our fellow brethren, which have offended us. For in that respect the merciful Father forgiveth us our sins, that we also should forgive our brethren, & show mercy toward them, even as he is merciful toward us, and remitteth sin, death, the fault and the punishment. When we shall do this, then are we received into the kingdom of God. For the goodness of God liveth in our hearts, and maketh us also good.