A06521:563
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, Christians may perceive by this place, whether they have in themselves the holy Ghost,1 to wit, this spirit of the son, whether they hear his voice in themselves. For Paul saith, that he crieth in the heares which he possesseth, Abba, Father a according as he saith also Rom. 8: We have received ⟨p. 311⟩the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. Now thou hearest this voice, when thou findest so much faith in thy self, that thou doest assuredly without any doubting presume, not only that thy since be forgiven thee, but also that thou art the beloved son of God, which being certain of eternal salvation, darest both call him father, and be delighted in him with a joyful and most confident heart. Thou must be so certain hereof, that thou canst not be more certain of thy life, & must sooner suffer death, and hellish torments, then suffer this trust and confidence to be taken from thee. For to doubt any thing herein were no small reproach and contumely to the death of Christ, as though that had not obtained all things for us, and ought not far more effectually to provoke and encourage us to have a good trust in God, then all our since and tentations are able to put us out of hope and fray us from it. It may be in deed that thou shalt be so tempted, that thou shalt fear and doubt of thine adoption, and think plainly that God is not a favourable father, but a wrathful revē ger of sinners, as it fell out with Job and many other saints, but in such a conflict this trust & confidence that thou art a son ought to prevail and overcome, or else thou shalt come into a miserable and desperate case.
Furthermore, Christians may perceiue by this place, whether they haue in themselues the holy Ghost,1 to wit, this spirit of the sonne, whether they heare his voice in themselues. For Paul saith, that he cryeth in the heares which he possesseth, Abba, Father a according as he sayth also Rom. 8: We haue receiued ⟨p. 311⟩