A06521:400
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.
1Howbeit I should have bin thus taught of thee, as Paul commonly teacheth, that righteousness must proceed from faith unfeigned, and before all things the mercy seat must be laid hold of, from whence all things that are wanting in us are to be taken. And so in deed these words, keep the commandments of God, are rightly understood. For the law, requireth perfect righteousness in thee, being of force as well before God as before men: thou having obtained this, go forth into the company and assembly of men, and exercise love, and do good works. By this order and means something is brought to pass, and such sayings of the Scripture are fulfilled. For so man doth that which the law requireth, first before God, not by his own strength or virtues,2 but by Christ, without whom we can do nothing before God, and secondly by his own endeavour before men. And he is now perfectly righteous, inwardly by faith in Christ, and outwardly also by his works, yet so, ⟨p. 211⟩that there is place among men for mutual pardoning of offences. Therefore the righteousness of Christians doth much more consist in forgiving, then in their own works. Those vain praters do pervert the order of this doctrine, and without preaching of forgiveness, do teach that works only are to be urged.
1Howbeit I should haue bin thus taught of thee, as Paul commonly teacheth, that righteousnes must proceede from faith vnfayned, and before all thinges the mercy seate must be layd hold of, from whence all thinges that are wanting in vs are to be taken. And so in deede these wordes, keepe the commaundements of God, are rightly vnderstood. For the lawe, requireth perfect righteousnes in thee, being of force as well before God as before men: thou hauing obtained this, goe forth into the companie and assembly of men, and exercise loue, and doe good workes. By this order and meanes something is brought to passe, and such sayinges of the Scripture are fulfilled. For so man doth that which the lawe requireth, first before God, not by his owne strength or vertues,2 but by Christ, without whom we can doe nothing before God, and secondly by his owne endeuour before men. And he is now perfectly righteous, inwardly by faith in Christ, and outwardly also by his workes, yet so,