A06521:383
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.
Hereunto now pertaineth the third part, that is faith.1 And this is the principal part and chief precept, containing all the rest in it, that we may know, that where love is not yet perfect, the hart not sufficiently pure, and the conscience not quiet, and God doth yet find some thing which is worthy blame, where the world can find fault with nothing, faith must moreover come, and such a faith, which is not feigned, and defiled with confidence of a mans own holiness. For wheresoever this is not, there the hart is never purified before God, neither shall the conscience be able to stand, if they be examined by severe judgement, and exact censure. Men in deed shall not justly blame me, albeit I glory, that I have served them by preaching, helping, governing, and by doing the duty of an overseer or ruler, &c: with all faithfulness. And if I have done any thing more or less then I ought, I am sorry at my hart, for I would very willingly have done all things that I ought. Wherefore I am quiet & already excused, neither have they any more, which they may rightly require of me, but are enforced to acquit and discharge me. But here I must attain unto this also, that my hart be so pure, and my conscience so good before God, that he may not by any means accuse and condemn me. Howbeit we find not this in ourselves,2 although we may glory somewhat thereof before the world. I must therefore obtain some other thing whereunto I may trust, if I shall come into peril, and within the throwing of the dart, as it is commonly said, and I must say to my fearful and terrified conscience, I have done that which I have been able, ⟨p. 200⟩and who knoweth how often I have done less then I ought? for I could not see and mark all things, as David also saith Psal. 19: Who can understand his faults? Therefore I can lay no foundation of trust upon my own holiness and pureness. Well, I have the word, so live, love, and have a good conscience, which is pure and holy. But this I want, that I can not conclude, that that is in my hart, neither do I find so good a conscience in me, as the law requireth of me. For there is no man living in the earth, which can say this truly, I know that I have done all things, and that I do owe nothing before God. But the most holy ones must say thus: