A06521:520
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.
Now the Apostle endeavoureth here to prove, (which in deed is the very matter) that the law with all the works thereof doth make us no other then servants, if this faith in Christ, whereof we have spoken, be away. For that alone doth make us the sons ⟨p. 285⟩of God. Neither the law nor nature can give it, only the Gospel bringeth it, when it is heard with an holy silence of mind. It is the word of grace, which the holy Ghost doth forthwith follow, as it is showed in very many places, and specially Act. 10: where we read, that the holy Ghost did by and by fall on Cornelius and his family hearing the preaching of Peter.1 Moreover the law was given for this, that we might learn by it, how void we are of grace, and how far from being of the mind of sons, yea that we are plainly of a servile mind. For we being left to our selves, can in no wise be free from the law, neither if we do any good thing, do we it willingly, forasmuch as that faith of sons is wanting, wherewith he that is endued, knoweth assuredly, that the eternal inheritance shall come unto him, and is of his own accord inclined and bent, with a willing and ready spirit to do those things that are good. Now these men do willingly confess that they are void of this faith, and if they would confess the truth in deed, they should also plainly confess, that they had far rather be without all law, and that they are against their wills subject thereunto. Wherefore all things are among them constrained, and void of faith, and they are in very deed compelled to confess that by the law they can not attain any further. Which one thing they ought to learn by the law, and know, that they are servants, and have nothing belonging to sons, whereby they might be inflamed with desire to come from servitude to the state and condition of sons: and might make no account of their own things, as in deed they ought to do, that God of his grace might advance them unto an other state by faith. Now this were a sound understanding of the law, and the true use thereof, whereof this is the office,2 to reprove and convince men hereof, that they are servants and not sons, as many as follow the law without faith, and that they do exercise themselves therein plainly against their wills, and with no confidence of grace.