Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

But before all other services and doings of duties, he hath most highly esteemed and extolled this service both of them that hear,¹ and them that preach his word: And therefore hath ordained also a special day thereunto every week, in which we must apply our selves to no other business: Albeit we serve God also by other labours all the week, which he hath bound to no time or certain day. But he hath chosen this day specially, which he hath severely commanded to be kept, whereby men may have time and leisure to perform this service, lest any might fly unto this complaint, that he hath no leisure by reason of his labours and business. Moreover he hath appointed special places also for this service, as among us temples and houses, where we do come together. Yea he hath instituted and kept the whole order of ministers hereunto, giving also other things which pertain to the performing of the charge of this office, as the knowledge of many tongues, and divers gifts beside. And briefly he hath commanded the whole world by a certain special precept, that it think this worship or service holy, and far more excellent then the rest. Which he will have so to be delighted in of all Christians, that it may be manifest, how much he doeth esteem it, and how acceptable unto him the exercise and handling of his word is.

But before all other seruices and doinges of duties, he hath most highly esteemed and extolled this seruice both of them that heare,¹ and them that preach his word: And therefore hath ordained also a speciall day thereunto euerie weeke, in which we must applie our selues to no other busines: Albeit we serue God also by other labours all the weeke, which he hath bound to no time or certaine daye. But he hath chosen this daye specially, which he hath seuerely commaunded to be kept, whereby men maye haue time and leysure to performe this seruice, lest any might flie vnto this complaint, that he hath no leysure by reason of his labours and busines. Moreouer he hath appointed speciall places also for this seruice, as among vs temples and houses, where we doe come togither. Yea he hath instituted and kept the whole order of ministers hereunto, giuing also other thinges which pertaine to the performing of the charge of this office, as the knowledge of manye tounges, and diuers giftes beside. And briefely he hath commaunded the whole world by a certaine speciall precept, that it thinke this worship or seruice holy, and farre more excellent then the rest. Which he will haue so to be delighted in of all Christians, that it maye be manifest, howe much he doeth esteeme it, and howe acceptable vnto him the exercise and handlyng of his word is.