A06521:412
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.
1Wherefore let no man be afraid, albeit all the wisdom and power of the world strive against the Gospel, although it would extinguish it even by shedding of blood. For the more blood that is shed, so much more is the number of Christians increased. The blood of Christians saith Tertullian, is seed whereof Christians grow. Satan must be drowned in the blood of Christians. Wherefore it is not violence and force that is able to suppress the Gospel: for it is like unto a palm tree, which hath this nature and quality, that albeit a weight be laid upon it, yet it always riseth and lifteth up it self against the weight. Such a nature also hath the Gospel, for the more it is striven against, so much more are the roots thereof spread abroad, and the more mightily that it is oppressed, by so much doth it more and more grow and increase. Wherefore there is no cause that we should be afraid of power,2 but rather that we should fear prosperity & merry days, which are able to hurt us more then anguish & persecution. Neither let us be afraid of the subtlety and wisdom of the world, for they can not hurt us, yea the more that they strive against the truth, so much more pure & clear is the truth made. Nothing therefore can come better to the Gospel, then when the world with his force and wisdom setteth it self against it. The more vehemently sin and Satan do fight against my conscience, so much stronger is my righteousness made. For if sins do urge and disquiet me, I do then more ardently pray and cry unto God, and so my faith is more and more increased and strengthened.3 This is that which S. Paul meaneth when he saith: Power is made perfect through weakness. Forasmuch therefore as we have so great a treasure, which is increased and strengthened by persecutions and adversity, there is no cause that we should be afraid, but rather that we should with a cheerful mind rejoice in tribulation, as S. Paul saith Rom. 5. according as the Apostles ⟨p. 219⟩did, who with great joy departing from the councils,4 gave God thanks, that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for the name of Jesus.