A06521:373
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.
Wherefore whatsoever is preached of works and of a good life,1 that only is well done which proceedeth from the word of God, a pure hart, and a true faith. This thou mayst see in all states, how every one ought in his calling to do the office enjoined him, and exercise the works of love. A servant labouring, & thinking no more then thus: My Lord or Master payeth me my wages, for which only I serve him, otherwise I would not vouchsafe to look upon him, &c: hath not a pure hart, for he doth not serve, but for a piece of bread, or for his hire, which being taken away, his service also ceaseth.2 But if he were a right & true Christian, he would rather be thus affected: I will not therefore serve, because my Master payeth me wages, because he is honest or unhonest, &c: but therefore,3 because the word of God doth thus speak unto me: Servants be obedient unto your Masters as unto Christ, &c. This service proceedeth of it own accord out of the hart, which layeth hold on the word and greatly esteemeth it, saying: I will serve my Master, and take my wages, ⟨p. 194⟩but this shall be the chiefest thing, for which I do this service, that I may serve my God and Lord Jesus Christ, who hath laid the condition and state of a servant upon me, which I know doth please him in me, &c. Here thou seest a true work proceeding out of a pure hart. So also let a Lord or Prince, and they which have the charge of governing the common weal, think thus: God hath committed unto me the office of a Magistrate, that I should be a ruler: now if I will have regard unto this only, that I may enjoy my dignity, riches, and power, it is certain that my hart is not pure, and yet in the mean season I do the works of a ruler, so, that the world can not complain of me, neither Cesar, or the Lawyers can blame or find fault with me by their laws. Even as neither a servant serving only for wages can be reprehended of the world, whether he seeketh his own things or not. Surely the word of God is not regarded in the office of a ruler that doth so, but his own idol, his own glory, money and power &c. But if this affection be in his hart:4