A06521:344
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.
1But how cometh it to pass that a certain contrary thing to that which we have taught seemeth to appear in this text, where he saith? Be ye merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful: again, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, & ye shall not be condemned: forgive and it shall be forgiven you. All ⟨p. 175⟩which authorities sound so, that we must deal before God with our works, and by them deserve the mercy of God, when as notwithstanding ye have very often heard, that faith alone doth all? and both Paul and the whole Scripture do commonly say and affirm, that we must believe in God alone, and deal by only mere faith before him.2 It is requisite here to understand that good works are only a setting forth and commendation of faith, so that if I believe, I must be merciful, I must not judge nor condemn my neighbour, I must forgive, and give unto my neighbour. Whereof set an example before your selves. What did Abraham being commanded to offer his son?3 he obeyed the commandment, and drew forth the sword to kill his son: what ensued thereupon? the Angel of the Lord stayed him, saying: lay not thy hand upon the child, neither do any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, forasmuch as for my sake thou hast not spared thine only son.
1But how commeth it to passe that a certain contrarie thing to yt which we haue taught seemeth to appeare in this text, where he saith? Be ye merciful, as your heauēly Father is merciful: againe, Iudge not, and ye shal not be iudged: condemne not, & ye shall not be condemned: forgiue and it shalbe forgiuen you. All ⟨p. 175⟩which authorities sound so, that we must deale before God with our workes, and by them deserue the mercy of God, when as notwithstanding ye haue very often heard, that faith alone doth all? and both Paul and the whole Scripture do commonly say and affirme, that we must beleeue in God alone, and deale by onely mere faith before him.2