A06521:47
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.
Learn by these words of the Angel, how to use rightly the nativity of the Lord Christ, neither let it suffice you to hear them only. A great treasure hidden in the earth or some other where, is to no use, but if it be opened, and occupied, then is it profitable and precious. Wherefore give heed hereunto, that thou mayst use this nativity, otherwise it shall be no commodity and comfort ⟨p. 9⟩unto thee. For whereas thou knowest the bare history only, to wit, what came to pass in his nativity, and that he was borne needy and poor, thou shalt take no greater commodity hereby, then if thou hear a history written of the king of France, or of some other puissant Prince, whereby no commodity or comfort should come unto thee.
Learne by these wordes of the Angell, how to vse rightly the natiuitie of ye Lord Christ, neither let it suffice you to heare them onely. A great treasure hidden in the earth or some other where, is to no vse, but if it be opened, and occupied, then is it profitable and precious. Wherefore giue heede hereunto, that thou mayst vse this natiuitie, otherwise it shal be no commoditie and comfort ⟨p. 9⟩vnto thee. For whereas thou knowest the bare historie onely, to witte, what came to passe in his natiuitie, and that he was borne needy and poore, thou shalt take no greater commoditie hereby, then if thou heare a historie written of the king of Fraunce, or of some other puissant Prince, whereby no commoditie or comfort should come vnto thee.
But how must we use this nativity rightly and with fruit?1 Even as I have said, if we be thus persuaded that he was borne for us, that his nativity is ours. Our nativity is such, that it altogether aboundeth with sin, as David saith Psal. 51: Behold I was shapen in wickedness, & in sin hath my mother conceived me. As if he would say: here is nothing but sin, as well in the conception as in the birth, whatsoever I bring with me from my mothers womb, it is wholly damnable, it is due to death, Satan, & hell. Forasmuch then as our nativity, skin & hear are defiled, what good can come thereof? This is our title which we have received from Adam, in this one thing we may glory and in nothing else at all, namely, that every infant that is borne into this world, is wholly in the power of sin, death, Satan, hell, and eternal damnation: our nativity is altogether miserable, and on every side to be lamented. To deliver us from this nativity, God sent an other nativity, which it behoved to be pure & without all spot, that it might make this unclean & sinful nativity pure. This is that nativity of the Lord Christ his only begotten son.