A06521:556
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.
1Moreover, that it may be made more plain, after what sort Christ made himself subject to the Law, we must understand that he was made under the Law after two sorts: both for that he did perfectly perform the works of the Law, and also for that he suffered and overcame the curse and punishment thereof for our sake. For he was circumcised, presented in the temple, and the time of the purification being finished, was obedient to his parents. All which things he might have omitted, being Lord of the Law, and over all: Howbeit he applied himself to these things freely of his own will, not being either compelled by any fear, or allured by any hope. In outward works he was in the mean season altogether like unto them which were under the Law, that is, which did the works of the Law against their wills, inasmuch as his free spirit was hidden from others, even as also the servile and constrained will of others is hidden. And so he both was under the Law, and not under the Law. He behaved himself outwardly in works as they which are unwillingly held under the Law, whereas notwithstanding he was not under the Law as they, but of his own free will: Wherefore in respect of his work he was under the Law, but in respect of his will he was free from the Law.2 But we as well by will as by works are under the Law by nature, for that we do works according to the rule of the Law, of necessity, yea and we do them with that will which the Law constraineth and urgeth, inasmuch as we do not endeavour to do them of our own accord. Christ made himself subject to the punishment of the Law also for our sakes of his own will. He did not only perform ⟨p. 307⟩those works which the Law commandeth, but he suffered the punishment also which was due to us being transgressors thereof. The Law condemneth to death and the eternal curse all those that continue not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them, as Paul Gal. 3. reciteth out of Moses Levit. 18. Now it is declared at large before, that the Law is fulfilled of no man, but that all men are against their wills held captives of the Law, wherefore every one is subject to death and to the curse, so that there is no man subject to the Law in respect of works, and will, which is not also subject to it in respect of the curse.