A06521:465
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.
And take no thought for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it. The Apostle in these few words hath noted two cares of the flesh: One is natural,1 whereby necessary food and apparel is provided for the body, that it may live, and be able to sustain his labour, lest that it be by overmuch abstinence weakened, and made unprofitable to work.2 The other care is joined with sin, when the body is provided for to fulfil the lusts thereof, and that it may be delighted: this care the Apostle here forbiddeth, for it engendereth the works of darkness, so to pamper and make of the ⟨p. 251⟩flesh, which is continually to be chastised, that it may be obedient to the spirit, and may not shake of the sitter, like unto an untamed horse, albeit that chastising is so to be tempered, that the body notwithstanding may do his duty, and bear the sitter. For as the fodder, the whip and the burden belongeth unto the ass: so meat, correction, and work unto the servant. Ecclesiastic. 33. He doth not say that thou shalt flea or slay the ass, neither that thou shalt kill the servant, or cast him into prison: so unto the body the chastising and labour thereof is due, and necessary food is not to be withheld from it. Paul him self saith:3 I tame my body, and bring it into subjection. He saith not, I cast it into sickness, or I kill it, but I subdue it to the spirit, that it may serve, and be obedient thereunto.
And take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it. The Apostle in these few words hath noted two cares of the flesh: One is naturall,1 whereby necessary foode and apparell is prouided for the body, that it may liue, and be able to sustaine his labour, lest that it be by ouermuch abstinence weakened, and made vnprofitable to worke.2 The other care is ioyned with sinne, when the body is prouided for to fulfill the lustes thereof, and that it may be delighted: this care the Apostle here forbiddeth, for it ingendreth the workes of darkenes, so to pamper and make of the