A06521:322
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.
That prayer may be good in deed, and may also be heard, we must first consider that two things are necessary thereunto: one,1 that we first meditate upon the promise of God, and do as it were advertise God thereof, and trusting unto it, be emboldened and made cheerful to pray: for unless God had commanded us to pray, and had promised also that he will hear us, even all creatures could not obtain so much as a grain by their petitions. Whereupon it followeth, that no man doth obtain any thing of God for his own worthiness, or the worthiness of his prayer, but by the only goodness of God, who preventing all our petitions and desires, provoketh us to pray and desire of him, by his gentle and bounteous promise and commandment, that we may learn how great care he hath over us, and is ready to give us moe things, then we durst enterprise to ask, and that we may also learn to pray boldly, inasmuch as he giveth us all things even in more ample manner then we do ask them.2 It is necessary that we do no whit doubt of the promise of the true and faithful God, for therefore he hath promised that he will hear us, yea and hath commanded us to pray, that we might have a sure and strong faith, that our prayer shall be so heard, as he saith Matth. 21. and Mark 11: Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, if ye believe, ye shall receive it. And in Luke chapt. 11: And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will ye give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will ye for a fish, give him a serpent? or if he ask an egg, will ye give him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children, how ⟨p. 162⟩much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Ghost to them that desire him? We must boldly trust to these, and such like promises and commandments, and pray with true confidence.
THat prayer may be good in deede, and may also be heard, we must first consider that two thinges are necessarie thereunto: one,