A06521:359
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.
Howbeit he is not content, only to have commanded us to do this, or to require it of us as bounden duty, but promiseth also that great fruits and commodities shall redound to us thereby, affirming that by this means his greatest and highest worship is given unto him. For he is the great Lord, whom we serve,1 who hath many and divers kinds of service, and manifold manners of worship, and whom we may serve divers ways. But this only service which is given to him by hearing the word, doth excel all the rest. For if any where a faithful man of the country, or a citizen, or any which is otherwise in subjection doth serve his Lord or master, he doth by the same service also serve God. Likewise a child, a manservant or a maidservant, if they be ⟨p. 184⟩obedient, and do diligently that which belongeth to their duty: also a Prince and parents if they govern well, and do their duty faithfully: they all do serve God. For it is his will and commandment which he requireth to be fulfilled of us. Of such services and kinds of worship the world is full. For to every one in his state his works are committed and enjoined of God, whereby he daily both ought and may serve him: that there may be left no place for excuse unto any man, as though he were ignorant how, and wherefore he must serve God, neither that any seek after other things, and invent peculiar manners of serving God, which he hath neither ordained nor commanded, and in the mean season neglect that which he hath commanded, as we have hitherto done in our blindness.
Howbeit he is not content, onely to haue commaunded vs to do this, or to require it of vs as bounden dutie, but promiseth also that great fruits and commodities shall redound to vs thereby, affirming that by this meanes his greatest and highest worship is giuen vnto him. For he is the great Lord, whom we serue,1 who hath many and diuers kindes of seruice, and manifold maners of worship, and whom we may serue diuers wayes. But this onely seruice which is giuen to him by hearing the word, doth excell all the rest. For if any where a faithfull man of the countrie, or a citizen, or any which is otherwise in subiection doth serue his Lorde or maister, he doth by the same seruice also serue God. Likewise a childe, a manseruaunt or a maydseruaunt, if they be