A06521:371
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.
But whereby is the hart purified? I answer,1 it can not be purified by any other thing better, then by that sovereign purity, which is the word of God. Receive that into thy mind, and order thy life according to the rule thereof, and thy hart is purified. As in this place, see thou set the word before thee, Thou shalt love ⟨p. 192⟩thy neighbour as thy self, & follow that which it commandeth, and by and by thou shalt see whether it purgeth & cleanseth whatsoever desire there is in thee of thine own profit, or whatsoever love of thy self. For commanding thee to love thy neighbour, it maketh exception of none, either friend, or foe. Albeit some man be evil, and hath been oftentimes injurious unto thee, notwithstanding he doth not therefore lose this name, that he is not to be called thy neighbour, but nevertheless remaineth thy flesh and blood, and is comprehended in these words, thou shalt love thy neighbour &c. Therefore I say, if thou shalt consider him and so behave thy self toward him, as the word teacheth thee, then is thy hart made pure, and love sincere, so that thou makest no false difference of persons, neither otherwise considerest him, then an other, which is good, and one of thy familiars. In deed we can not deny this to be true, that an honest man is more worthy to be loved, unto whom also every one doth more willingly apply him self by nature, then unto the conversation of wicked men, whose familiarity there is no good man that doth not abhor, howbeit flesh and blood is the cause that true and Christian love is not among us. For a Christian must not derive his love from the person, as the world doth: as some young man seeing a maid, is in love with her because of her fairness and beauty, and a covetous man taketh his love and desire of his money, a Lord or Prince of honour and power, &c. For all such love is said to be feigned and proceeding not from whence it ought, cleaving to the good things, wherewith he seeth the person adorned, neither doth it continue any longer, then that which he loveth, continueth, and as long as he may enjoy it.
But whereby is the hart purified? I aunswere,1 it can not be purified by any other thing better, then by that soueraine puritie, which is the word of God. Receiue that into thy mind, and order thy life according to the rule thereof, and thy hart is purified. As in this place, see thou set the word before thee, Thou shalt loue