A06521:418
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.
As soon as thou thinkest in thy mind: He is a good man, and one that will keep his promise, I am sure that he will not deceive me, but will deal faithfully, even then hast thou fallen from God, and worshipped an idol, putting thy trust in a liar. Wherefore ⟨p. 222⟩when thou hast any dealing with man, think boldly: If he deal faithfully, it is well, if he do otherwise, in the name of God, let him go, I will commit all things to the will of God, he shall prosperously bring them to pass. Of such a false and ungodly confidence reposed in men,1 that evil crept in among Christians, namely the worshipping of Saints, whereby the Christian Church, that is, the true congregation of the faithful, hath suffered exceeding great hurt and incomparable ruin. For what other was the service and worshipping of Saints but a devilish thing? When as men used to reason after this sort: This man was very holy, that which he taught, he did, whom we will follow, and do the like. Hierome, Augustine, Gregory said this, therefore is it true, & therefore will I believe it. Francis, Benedict, Dominic, Bartholomew lived thus, they did this and that, I will imitate their life and works. Moreover Augustine was saved by this rule, wherefore I also shall be saved by it. Fie, how unstable and miserable a thing is this, they are only lies and dreams of men, there is not in one word mention made here of Christ and his word, but they are only the vain inventions and trifles of men. I would utterly break the rule of Augustine, if he therefore ordained it, thinking to be saved thereby. So blind and without understanding is reason, that it receiveth the dotages & vain inventions of men, when as notwithstanding the word of God only is to be received in matters of salvation, as if Herod, Pilate, Caiaphas, & Annas should preach the Gospel, I ought to receive it. Again, if those that are counted holy, should rise and preach lies, also rules, habits, shavings, ceremonies, and such like vain inventions of men, I ought in no wise to receive them, for we must here have respect, not to the persons, but to that which they preach.
As soone as thou thinkest in thy mind: He is a good man, and one that wil keepe his promise, I am sure that he wil not deceiue me, but wil deale faithfully, euen then hast thou fallen from God, and worshipped an idoll, putting thy trust in a lyar. Wherefore ⟨p. 222⟩