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

¹IN this text is set forth unto us, how subtle reason and mans wisdom agree with the wisdom of God, and how foully reason stumbleth, when it striveth to be even most subtle and wise, as it here falleth out with the Pharisees, who notwithstanding were the best and most wise of the Jews, which even by this their subtlety they declare: nevertheless their wisdom is here proved to be foolishness. They could blame Christ neither for his preaching nor for his works, and yet would they willingly have had occasion to put him to death, wherefore they thought to set upon him most craftily and willy, propounding a subtle question unto him, the subtlety whereof was such, that mans reason was not able to comprehend it, then which also a subtler could not be invented: and thus they speak unto him:

¹IN this text is set forth vnto vs, how subtil reason and mans wisedome agree with the wisedome of God, and how fouly reason stumbleth, when it striueth to be euen most subtil and wise, as it here falleth out with the Pharisees, who notwithstanding were the best and most wise of the Iewes, which euen by this their subtiltie they declare: neuertheles their wisedome is here proued to be foolishnes. They could blame Christ neither for his preaching nor for his workes, and yet would they willingly haue had occasion to put him to death, wherefore they thought to set vpon him most craftely and wilely, propounding a subtil question vnto him, the subtiltie whereof was such, that mans reason was not able to comprehend it, then which also a subtiller could not be inuented: and thus they speake vnto him:

1. 1Mans wisdom & reason is not able to prevail against the wisdom of God.Mans wisedom & reason is not able to preuaile against the wisedome of God.

¹Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God truly, neither carest for any man: for thou considerest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar or not. Here think they, we shall entrap him. For he shall be compelled to answer that tribute is either to be given, or not to be given. If he affirm that it is to be given, we have overcome him: but if he deny that it is to be given, then is he guilty of death. Whereas they say, Master, they will thereby move him, and as it were constrain him to answer the truth. But whereas they say, We know that thou art true, they do thereby put him in mind of his duty. Whither therefore should Christ turn himself? for there seemeth to be no way for him to escape, yet he would not for all that fall into their net. Was not this a subtle question? Do they not show themselves to have bin sufficient crafty and wily ones? for which way soever the Lord had answered, he had bin taken. Was not this done also full warily and circumspectly? for they associate to themselves the ministers of Herod, thinking no other but to entrap him with deceit, that he should not by any means escape, thus casting in their minds: Now we will meet with him well enough, if he deny that tribute is to be given, the Herodians are present, which shall forth with put him to death as a seditious fellow, and one that resisteth the Roman Empire. But if he affirm that tribute is to be given, he speaketh against the liberty of the Jews, then will we stir up the people against him. For