A06521:375
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.
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⟩I may preach the Gospel, but my hart is not pure, but most plainly polluted. Therefore although I do long and much affirm, that it is a good work and a weighty office, yet do I not perform it aright, forasmuch as I do it not from the hart.1 But then only it is rightly done when the hart hath this affection: albeit I must get my living thereby, yet this ought not to be the chief end thereof, but because God hath called me unto it, and hath committed it unto me diligently to be done, it remaineth, that I do with all diligence labour therein to the glory of God, and salvation of souls, which I do otherwise also for the love of the word, willingly and from my hart. Hereby I seek neither love or friendship, nor honours, nor thankfulness of men, but my works come from the hart, which I first do, before I obtain any honour, glory, reward, money, or favour, although if those come and follow, I may have and receive them without sin.
Thus must thou say moreouer euen in spiritual offices & states also: If I or any other shall preache to get some good benefice, whereas otherwise I would easily ceasse from doing this office, ⟨p. 195⟩I may preache the Gospell, but my hart is not pure, but most plainly polluted. Therefore although I doe longe and much affirme, that it is a good worke and a weighty office, yet doe I not performe it aright, forasmuch as I doe it not from the hart.1 But then onely it is rightly done when the hart hath this affection: albeit I must get my liuing thereby, yet this ought not to be the chiefe ende thereof, but because God hath called me vnto it, and hath committed it vnto me diligently to be done, it remaineth, that I doe with all diligence labour therein to the glory of God, and saluation of soules, which I doe otherwise also for the loue of the word, willingly and from my hart. Hereby I seeke neyther loue or friendship, nor honours, nor thankefulnes of men, but my workes come from the hart, which I first doe, before I obtayne any honour, glorie, rewarde, money, or fauour, although if those come and followe, I may haue and receiue them without sinne.