A06521:495
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.
Furthermore burning coals,1 whereupon the frankincense was laid, signify giving of thanks, and rehearsing of benefits in prayer, which we are wont to do in making supplication. For, that by fiery coals benefits are signified it is manifest even out of the 12. to the Rom. where the Apostle reciteth the saying of Solomon Proverb. 25: If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. And benefits may be rightly called coals of fire, forasmuch as they inflame the heart with love, although it be cold. In the Law it was prohibited to lay the frankincense upon any other coals, but them that were of the altar of the Lord, which signifieth, that we must not rehearse our own good deeds in prayer, as that Pharisee did, Luc. 15: but only the benefits of God bestowed upon us in Christ. He is our altar,2 by him we must offer, for the benefits received by him we must give thanks, and make mention of them in prayer for the increasing of our faith. This Paul teacheth Coloss. 3. where he saith: Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him. For God can not suffer, that thou shouldest glory of any thing else in his sight, which he declared in a type or figure Levit. 10, where we read that Nadah and Abihu the ⟨p. 270⟩sons of Aaron were taken and consumed of the flame from the altar of God, because they burned incense taking other fire then of the altar of the Lord. The works of Christ only are acceptable to God, wherefore for these only we must both give thanks and rejoice in prayer.
Furthermore burning coles,1 whereupon the frankincense was layde, signifie giuing of thankes, and rehearsing of benefites in prayer, which we are wont to do in making supplication. For, that by fierie coles benefites are signified it is manifest euen out of the 12. to the Rom. where the Apostle reciteth the saying of Salomon Prouerb. 25: If thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giue him drinke: for in so doing thou shalt heape coles of fire on his head. And benefits may be rightly called coles of fire, forasmuch as they inflame the heart with loue, although it be cold. In the Lawe it was prohibited to laye the frankincense vpon any other coles, but them that were of the altar of ye Lord, which signifieth, that we must not rehearse our own good deedes in prayer, as that Pharise did,