A06521:413
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.
If the devil were endued with such wisdom, that he would be quiet, and suffer the Gospel to have free course, he should not suffer so much loss. For when the Gospel is not impugned, it is as it were wasted with rust, neither hath it occasion to show forth the virtue and power thereof. We live therefore here secure as yet, for no man striveth against us, wherefore we continue still as we were before, yea (alas) we become worse and worse. Whereas some of our adversaries have set upon us by writing, that pertaineth to a few. For inasmuch as they have written against us, they have thereby done nothing else, but as it were blown the fire, but if we had been thrown into the fire, or slain with the sword, the number of Christians would be greater among us. Wherefore this is a comfort unto us,1 if we at any time be tempted, that Christ is ready to help us, & reigneth among us, yea he is so near unto us, that always through him we may overcome, as long as we believe and trust in him: Howbeit when we are touched with no adversity, he doth little or nothing, but when we are fought against and oppressed, he is present, and bringeth all our enemies to confusion.
If the deuill were endued with such wisedom, that he would be quiet, and suffer the Gospell to haue free course, he should not suffer so much losse. For when the Gospell is not impugned, it is as it were wasted with rust, neither hath it occasion to shew forth the vertue and power thereof. We liue therefore here secure as yet, for no man striueth against vs, wherefore we continue still as we were before, yea (alas) we become worse and worse. Whereas some of our aduersaries haue set vpon vs by writing, that pertaineth to a few. For inasmuch as they haue written against vs, they haue thereby done nothing els, but as it were blowen the fire, but if we had bene throwne into the fire, or slayne with the sworde, the number of Christians would be greater amonge vs. Wherefore this is a comfort vnto vs,1 if we at any time be tempted, that Christ is ready to helpe vs, & reigneth among vs, yea he is so neare vnto vs, that alwaies through him we may ouercome, as long as we beleeue and trust in him: Howbeit when we are touched with no aduersitie, he doth litle or nothing, but when we are fought against and oppressed, he is present, and bringeth all our enemies to confusion.