A06521:347
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.
Now if it should be demanded why God oftentimes setteth down such contrary sentences,1 and disagreeing one with an other, as it seemeth to us & our reason, I answer, that he may exercise us in reading, and that we should not think that we understand the whole Scripture, when we scarce understand one place. Some sayings do guide the spirit, how we ought to behave our selves toward God, only by faith, as this:2 We are justified freely. Again lest the body should be sluggish outwardly, there are sentences also set forth unto us, which do guide and exercise the body, as these which we have heard here rehearsed: Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: also where as Christ affirmeth, that he will require works in the last day, and will say after this sort unto the condemned, Matthew 25: I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I thirsted, & ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in unto you: I was naked and ye clothed me not, &c. Which sentences, whiles ignorant and light spirits labour to wrest and apply to works, they see not how great evil they commit. But spiritual men refer them to the very body only, they them selves standing naked before God in spirit, which is both just and necessary. For there are two things in man, the Spirit and the Flesh. Hereupon there are some places which do guide only faith in the spirit: some, which do direct only works in the body: for one place can not direct both the body and the spirit together. We must so do with our substance, that we be willing to part from it, to lend, and to give to our neighbour, when it shall be requisite. And if we see any not to have, wherewith to make restitution, we must release him, and forgive the debt according to the example of Nehemiah, as we read in Esdras. 1. Esd. 5. For God hath given many things unto us, who is able to give us moe things also if we believe. And thus we hear that if we will be Christians, we ought to lend, give, and to be willing to part from that which we have, otherwise we shall not show the fruits of a lively faith. Wherefore lay up this text inwardly in your minds, that ye deal by no other thing before God, but by only faith, and refer and bestow your works to the only service and profit of your neighbour. Thus much shall suffice to have bin spoken concerning the former part.