A06521:365
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.
These things I thought good to speak in stead of a preface before the words of S. Paul,1 to the intent to stir us up more diligently to hear the word of God: and surely there is great need of such an exhortation daily in every sermon, which also is much pertinent unto the text which we presently have in hand. ⟨p. 188⟩For Paul in this place reprehendeth curious spirits, which go about by their own wisdom to be masters of the word of God, and do by and by falsely persuade them selves, that they know it well, and that they need not any more the help of any teacher: but turn them selves to trifling and vain jangling, that they may bring forth some new thing, which the common sort may be desirous to hear, presuming also to be Masters of the Scripture and of all men, labouring to teach every one, and yet not understanding what they speak, or whereof they affirm. For this is a plague and calamity that followeth, where the word of God is not handled diligently and seriously, the learners being weary of hearing, and the teachers slothful in preaching. Hereof it cometh that so great companies of hearers slide away, and Churches become desolate. Of which calamity vain talking spirits are the cause, which promise new things, that they may win the hearts of the multitude unto them selves, boasting that they are Masters of the Scripture, and yet are always such men, as are ignorant, forasmuch as they have never tried, what it is to teach other: which we do now plainly fee, and the wrath of God is at hand ready to punish our contempt and unthankfulness. Therefore Paul beginneth his Epistle to his Disciple Timothy so,2 that he should take heed, that such teachers do not arise, which can talk many things of the law, bringing many new questions and doctrines, what is to be done, how righteousness is to be obtained, all which they do for ostentations sake, that they may be seen and praised, and seem to be more learned then other, and yet they never came so far as to teach any certain thing, or that which might be counted to be of any importance, but do all things confusedly and out of good order. Such babblers use only these words, that we must be honest, that good works must be done, and God must be served, &c. but they understand not the sense of those words, what they mean.