A06521:323
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.
1If one so prayeth, that he doubt whether God hear him, and maketh his prayer only at adventure, caring not greatly whether it be heard or not heard: he committeth a double offence: One, for that he him self maketh his prayer frustrate, and laboureth in vain. For so James saith chap. 1: He that vvill ask of the Lord let him ask in faith, and waver not: for he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, tossed of the wind, and carried away, let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Such a mans hart is not quiet & settled, wherefore God can give him nothing. But faith maketh the hart quiet, and capable of the gifts of God. The other offence is, that he counteth the most faithful and true God, as a lying, vain, and unconstant man, as he which neither is able, neither will fulfil his promises, so by his doubting he robbeth God of his honour, & name of faithfulness, and truth. Whereby it is so grievously offended, that even that offence being committed, a Christian is plainly changed into an Heathen, and denieth and loseth his true God, so that if he continue therein, he is damned for ever without all comfort. And if any thing be given unto him, which he asketh, it is given him not to good, but to evil, as well temporal as eternal, not for his prayers sake, but from the wrath of God, that he may recompense those goodly words, which are uttered in sins, unbelief, and to the dishonour of God.
1If one so prayeth, that he dout whether God heare him, and maketh his prayer onely at aduenture, caring not greatly whether it be hearde or not hearde: he committeth a double offence: One, for that he him selfe maketh his praier frustrate, and laboureth in vaine. For so Iames sayth chap. 1: He that vvill aske of the Lord let him aske in faith, and vvauer not: for he that vvauereth, is like a vvaue of the sea, tost of the vvinde, and caried avvay, let not that man thinke that he shall receiue any thinge of the Lord. Such a mans hart is not quiet & setled, wherefore God can giue him nothing. But faith maketh the hart quiet, and capable of the gifts of God. The other offence is, that he counteth the most faithfull and true God, as a lying, vaine, and vnconstant man, as he which neither is able, neither will fulfill his promises, so by his douting he robbeth God of his honour, & name of faithfulnes, and truth. Whereby it is so grieuously offended, that euen that offence being committed, a Christian is plainly chaunged into an Heathen, and denieth and loseth his true God, so that if he continue therein, he is damned for euer without all comfort. And if any thing be giuen vnto him, which he asketh, it is giuen him not to good, but to euill, as well temporall as eternall, not for his prayers sake, but from the wrath of God, that he may recompense those goodly wordes, which are vttered in sinnes, vnbeleefe, and to the dishonour of God.