A06521:514
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.
When they of Cains brood hear faith to be entreated of after this sort, they can not sufficiently marvel at our madness, as it seems unto them. God turn this away from me, say they, that I should affirm my self holy and godly, far be this arrogance and rashness from me. I am many ways a miserable sinner, I should be mad, if I should arrogate holiness unto my self. And thus they mock at true faith, and count such doctrine as this for execrable error, and go about with might and main to extinguish the Gospel. These are they that deny the faith of Christ,1 & persecute it in the whole world, of whom Paul speaketh 1. Tim. 4: In the latter times many shall depart from the faith, &c. For we see it brought to pass by the means of these, that true faith lieth every where oppressed, is not only not preached, but also commonly disallowed and condemned, with all them that either teach or proofs it. The Pope, Bishops, Colleges, Monasteries, and Universities have now above five hundred years persecuted it with one mind and consent, yea and that marvellous stiffly and obstinately, and have done no other thing unto the world, but every where as much as they were able driven many unto hell. Which truly both hath been and is that last and most hurtful persecution of Antichrist: The Lord at the last bring it to an end.
Whē they of Cains broode heare faith to be entreated of after this sort, they can not sufficiently maruell at our madnes, as it seemes vnto them. God turne this away from me, say they, that I should affirme my selfe holy and godly, farre be this arrogancie and rashnes from me. I am many wayes a miserable sinner, I should be mad, if I should arrogate holines vnto my selfe. And thus they mocke at true faith, and count such doctrine as this for execrable errour, and goe about with might and mayne to extinguish the Gospell. These are they that deny the faith of Christ,1 & persecute it in the whole world, of whom Paule speaketh 1. Tim. 4: In the latter times many shall depart from the faith, &c. For we see it brought to passe by the meanes of these, that true faith lyeth euery where oppressed, is not onely not preached, but also commonly disallowed and condemned, with all them that either teach or profes it. The Pope, Bishops, Colleges, Monasteries, and Vniuersities haue now aboue fiue hundred yeares persecuted it with one mind and consent, yea and that maruelous stiffely and obstinately, and haue done no other thing vnto the world, but euery where as much as they were able driuen many vnto hell. Which truely both hath bene and is that last and most hurtfull persecution of Antichrist: The Lord at the last bring it to an end.