A06521:349
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.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you. In this place the Lord divideth mercy into three parts,1 that we may not be ignorant, what manner of mercy that ought to be, which it behoveth us to show to our neighbours. First judgement and condemnation is taken from us. Then thou must forgive thy neighbour if he hath committed any thing against thee. Lastly thou must help the needy. These things this word (Mercy) signifieth, where soever it cometh in the Scriptures. And all these must proceed from a sincere heart, all colouring and flattery being taken away, that there be no respect had of the person. For if thou desirest to will well and to wish well to them, which will well to thee: or to do well to them, which do well to thee: or to hurt them, which hurt thee, thou art utterly deceived. But thou must do so, as Christ saith a little before: Imitate thy heavenly father, love thine enemy: do well to him, which doth evil to thee: forgive him that hurteth thee:2 lend to the needy, and so of the rest. That therefore we may speak of the former part, that we must not judge or condemn, we must mark, that God hath ordained the sword of the magistrate, to the punishing of public offences, so that it be provided that it be not done against the precept and commandment of God, as that the innocent be not executed: for whereas the judge dealeth unjustly, he is as well an homicide as an other, of which judgement Christ saith nothing here. Else where he maketh mention thereof, when as he said to him, which desired, that he would bid his brother divide the inheritance with him:3 Who made me a judge or a divider over you? For the care & governing of outward things do not belong to the kingdom of Christ.
Iudge not, and ye shall not be iudged: condemne not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgiue, and ye shalbe forgiuen: Giue, and it shalbe giuen vnto you. In this place the Lord diuideth mercy into three partes,1 that we maye not be ignoraunt, what maner of mercy that ought to be, which it behoueth vs to shew to our neighbours. First iudgement and condemnation is taken from vs. Then thou must forgiue thy neighbour if he hath committed any thing against thee. Lastly thou must helpe the needy. These thinges this word (Mercie) signifieth, where soeuer it cō meth in the Scriptures. And all these must proceede from a syncere heart, all colouring and flatterie being taken away, that there be no respect had of the person. For if thou desirest to will well and to wish well to them, which will well to thee: or to do well to them, which do well to thee: or to hurt them, which hurt thee, thou art vtterly deceiued. But thou must do so, as Christ saith a litle before: Imitate thy heauenly father, loue thine enemie: do wel to him, which doth euel to thee: forgiue him that hurteth thee: