A06521:532
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.
for as they do pretend to obey it in work, so in mind they do hate it, wherefore in ⟨p. 292⟩mind also they remain sinners, although they pretend them selves righteous by works, that is, they are like unto those of Cains brood, and to hypocrites, whose hand in deed is compelled to good, but they have a hart, which as it is an enemy to the law, so doth it verily consent unto sins, and is miserably subject unto them. To know this concerning them selves is not the lowest degree to salvation.
for as they doe pretend to obeye it in worke, so in minde they doe hate it, wherefore in ⟨p. 292⟩minde also they remayne sinners, although they pretende them selues righteous by workes, that is, they are like vnto those of Cains broode, and to hypocrites, whose hande in deede is compelled to good, but they haue a hart, which as it is an enemie to the lawe, so doth it verely consent vnto sinnes, and is miserably subiect vnto them. To knowe this concerning them selues is not the lowest degree to saluation.
Hereof also we may see, how fitly Paul calleth such constrained works the works of the law.1 For they flow not from a ready and willing hart, but are enforced by the law, the heart declining an other way. Howbeit the law doth not require works alone, but much rather the heart it self, so that we might say, not only the works, but rather the heart of the law: not only the hands of the law, but rather the mind, will, and all the strength of the law. Whereupon it is said in the first Psalm of the blessed man: But his delight is in the law of God, and in his law doth he exercise him self day and night. Such a mind the law requireth in deed, but it giveth it not, neither can it give it of it own nature, whereby it cometh to pass that while the law continueth to exact it of a man, and to condemn him as long as he hath not such a mind, as disobedient to God, he is in anguish on every side, his conscience is grievously terrified and without all counsel and help. Then in deed he is most ready for grace, and this is that time appointed of the Father,