A06521:39
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.
Joseph also and Mary obeyed this commandment of Cesar, and submitted them selves as other honest and obedient men, and went to Bethlehem, which was the chief and head city of the house of Judah, and suffered themselves to be taxed. Mary, inasmuch as she was with child, & near her delivery, might have excused her self, that she should not take this journey upon her, but she doth not so, they will not be an offence to others. Moreover it ought thus to be that they should come to Bethlehem, because of the prophecy of the Prophet Micah chap. 5. which foretold that Christ should be borne in Bethlehem of Judah. Mark I pray you, how that tax must serve hereunto, which neither Cesar nor his Lieutenant did know. Thus God dealeth in his works, in which he useth the means of heathen and evil men, whereby he may make us, which are miserable & wretched men, and so deeply drowned in flesh and blood, certain of our faith, which the Evangelist Luke here specially setteth forth, inasmuch as he eftsoons declareth in the history, the places and times, least that we should be deceived concerning this Christ. The manner of his birth the Evangelist showeth moreover, saying:
Ioseph also and Marie obeyed this commaundement of Cesar, and submitted them selues as other honest and obedient men, and went to Bethlehem, which was the chiefe and head citie of the house of Iuda, and suffered themselues to be taxed. Marie, inasmuch as she was with child, & neare her deliuerie, might haue excused her selfe, that she should not take this iorney vpon her, but she doth not so, they will not be an offence to others. Moreouer it ought thus to be that they should come to Bethlehem, because of the prophecie of the Prophet Micheas chap. 5. which foretolde that Christ shoulde be borne in Bethlehem of Iuda. Marke I pray you, how that taxe must serue hereunto, which neither Cesar nor his Lieuetenant did knowe. Thus God dealeth in his workes, in which he vseth the meanes of heathen and euill men, whereby he may make vs, which are miserable & wretched men, and so deepely drowned in flesh and blood, certaine of our faith, which the Euangelist Luke here specially setteth forth, inasmuch as he eftsoones declareth in the historie, the places and times, least that we should be deceiued concerning this Christ. The maner of his birth the Euangelist sheweth moreouer, saying: