A06521:374
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.
The execution of the office of such a ruler endued with such a mind, cometh out of a pure and sincere hart, wherewith both God and good men are delighted. There is moreover in him love, which doth not cleave to the person or outward things, but beginneth in the hart, which the word of God maketh manifest, which forasmuch as it is pure & clean, doth also purify the hart. And so his government and works are the mere services of God, & most acceptable sacrifices unto him, seeing that they are done only according to the word of God, and for God his sake. But our talkers can not teach this, neither are able to judge of it, only crying out when they teach best of all, that we must be honest. They bring a certain juridical sermon out of the laws of men, as Cesar and his Clerks teach. But how the hart is purified, they have never so much as understood or thought any thing thereof, or how love is to be derived to all states and conditions of men according to the word of God.
The execution of the office of such a ruler endued with such a mind, commeth out of a pure and sincere hart, wherewith both God and good men are delighted. There is moreouer in him loue, which doth not cleaue to ye person or outward things, but beginneth in the hart, which the worde of God maketh manifest, which forasmuch as it is pure & cleane, doth also purifie the hart. And so his gouernment and works are the meere seruices of God, & most acceptable sacrifices vnto him, seeing that they are done onely according to the word of God, and for God his sake. But our talkers can not teach this, neither are able to iudge of it, only crying out when they teach best of all, that we must be honest. They bring a certaine iuridiciall sermon out of the lawes of men, as Cesar and his Clerkes teach. But how the hart is purified, they haue neuer so much as vnderstoode or thought any thing thereof, or how loue is to be deriued to all states and conditions of men according to the word of God.
Thus must thou say moreover even in spiritual offices & states also: If I or any other shall preach to get some good benefice, whereas otherwise I would easily cease from doing this office, ⟨p. 195⟩