A06521:392
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.
Lo, thus faith remaineth pure and free from counterfeiting, for it resteth not upon my works, that because of them it should behove God to be gentle and favourable unto me, as a false and feigned faith doth, which mingleth together mans merits and the grace of God, and although it hold the words of Christ, yet hath it the confidence and trust of the heart reposed in it self, so,1 that it is certain, that it is only a colour which can not long continue. For the matter cometh at the last to this point, that believing that God is favourable unto thee because of thy life led without fault or blame, thou must despair and say: who knoweth what I have done? whereby am I certain that I have neglected nothing through carelessness, or that nothing is wanting in me? In this doubtfulness of mind the foundation faileth, sliding away under thee like unto sand moved or stirred, and so faith is of no force or value at all. Wherefore it is not unfitly called feigned and painted faith, through which one seeth as it were through a ⟨p. 206⟩lattice or painted glass, through which the thing that is seen representeth the colour of the glass, and yet is not in deed of that colour. So they also believe that that affection is in God, that he vouchsafeth to regard our works and merits. Which they paint forth according to their own opinion and dreams, which are utterly false, rash and unadvised. And so judging God & all things according to them, they see only as it were through a lattice or painted glass. But so only thou shalt behold him with pure and clear eyes, if thou do well separate the judgement seat and the mercy seat one from the other, that heaven with the stars thereof may remain pure to grace & remission of since obtained by the Mediator, where Christ reigneth with his works, and the earth also with her trees and herbs, whither we must be referred with our works. The matter I say must be brought of us to that pass, if we will stand with a right and an unfeigned faith before God, that we do purely distinguish and sever our selves, our life, and Christ or the mercy seat: and he that will not do this, but presenteth himself before the judgement seat with a bold courage, shall feel the reward of his rashness.
Loe, thus faith remaineth pure and free from counterfecting, for it resteth not vpon my workes, that because of them it should behoue God to be gentle and fauourable vnto me, as a false and fained faith doth, which mingleth togither mans merits and the grace of God, and although it hold the words of Christ, yet hath it the confidence and trust of the heart reposed in it selfe, so,