A06521:329
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.
AS in the whole Scripture, so in this text also we must endeavour, that according to our ability (as ye have often times heard heretofore) we may understand the true and simple meaning, and thereupon settle our heart and conscience. For he that shall encounter with Satan, must not waver and stagger this way and that way, but must be certain of his cause, and instructed with manifest places of Scripture, otherwise when the Devil shall by an uncertain place of Scripture draw him to his fork, he will toss him this way and that way, as the wind doth a dry leaf. Wherefore out of this ⟨p. 166⟩text we must gather a certain meaning, whereby we may persist and stand sure. Howbeit it is not to be understood of the reverend Eucharist, or the bread of the Lords table, although our Papists have miserably wrested it, as they have done many other authorities of Scripture.1 But this is the scope, this is the sum of this text: that the Gospel is preached and published through the whole world, but few receive and embrace it. And it is therefore here called a supper, for that the Gospel must be the last word, which shall continue to the end of the world. Wherefore the supper here is nothing else, but a very rich & sumptuous feast, which God hath made through Christ by the Gospel, which setteth before us great good things and rich treasures. And he sent his servant to bid men to this sumptuous supper. That is: The Apostles were altogether sent with one word into the whole world, that they might bid and call men to this supper, with one voice, with one Gospel, with one ambassade: after such sort, that if S. Peter had come, and preached the Gospel of God in that place where Paul had preached it before, yet had it been one word, and the same preaching, that the hearers should have been compelled to say: Behold he preacheth the same that we heard before of the other, they wholly consent and agree, & the thing that they publish is all one. That the Evangelist might insinuate this consent and agreement in preaching, he saith: He sent his servant, he saith not, his servants, as of many. Now this message the servant must do to the bidden guests:2 Come, for all things are now ready. For Christ had suffered death, & in his death had slain sin and death, also was risen again from death, the holy Ghost was given: