Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

Now he that knew this well, should be a man of a resolute mind. For all other have to do with a feigned faith, boasting many things of faith, but mingling all things together, like as vintners mix wine with water, by this that they say, if thou live ⟨p. 207⟩thus, God will be favourable unto thee, and they make the judgement seat of the mercy seat, and the mercy seat of the judgement seat, which by no means can be, for the judgement seat shall remain, &c. Wherefore separate these two one from the other as far as thou shalt be able, that they come not together, namely, thy life and holiness together with the judgement seat into one place, which may drive & enforce thee to have a good conscience, and to lead an upright life before men. But offer thy since to the mercy seat to be transferred into an other place, where God lovingly receiving thee, will embrace thee as a beloved son, and will never remember more any wrath or since. If such doctrine of faith were set forth unto men, then should it be excellently well done, and all other things should follow of their own accord, as pureness of heart and goodness of conscience, through right and perfect love. For who soever is by faith quiet in his heart, and assured that he hath God favourable unto him, who is not angry with him, albeit he hath deserved his wrath divers ways, he doth all things with a glad and cheerful mind. Moreover he liveth so also toward men, that he is loving and beneficial toward all, although they be not worthy of love. He is quiet toward God through Christ the Mediator, who will not throw him down headlong into hell, but doth lovingly favour him, and lifteth him up into heaven. And this is the chief quietness, and principal point and foundation of our salvation. Afterwards he doth in his life show himself dutiful also toward his neighbour, doing all the best things he is able unto him, what soever his state or duty commandeth or requireth. And when he doth less then is meet, he asketh pardon of his negligence before God and men, so that there is left occasion neither to him, nor to the world afterward to rebuke him, power also to devour him is taken from hell, & to tear him in pieces, from the devil. Thus a man is said to be in all things perfect,¹ toward men by love, and toward God not by the law, but by Christ, whom he apprehendeth by his faith, as the mercy seat:

Now he that knew this well, should be a man of a resolute minde. For all other haue to do with a fained faith, boasting many thinges of faith, but mingling all thinges together, like as vintners mixe wine with water, by this that they say, if thou liue