A06521:569
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.
Verse 7. Wherefore now thou art not a servant, but a son: if thou be a son, thou art also an heir ⟨p. 315⟩of God through Christ.
Verse 7. Wherefore now thou art not a seruaunt, but a sonne: if thou be a sonne, thou art also an heire ⟨p. 315⟩of God through Christ.
Now, saith he, that is after the coming of the spirit of the sons, after the knowledge of Christ, thou art not a servant. For as it is said, a son and a servant are so contrary one to an other, that the same man can not be both a son and a servant.1 A son is free and willing, a servant is compelled and unwilling: a son liveth, and resteth in faith: a servant in works. And so by this place also it appeareth, that we can obtain no salvation of God by works, but before thou workest that which is acceptable unto him, it is necessary that thou have received of him and possess salvation and all things, that thereupon works may freely flow forth, to the honour of so gracious a father, and to the profit of thy neighbours, without any fear of punishment, or looking for reward. This, that which Paul saith, proveth: If thou be a son, thou art also an heir. For it is said before, that we become the sons of God by faith, without any works, & therefore heirs also, as this place witnesseth: for by nature they that are sons, the same also are heirs. But if this inheritance of the Father be now thine by faith, surely thou art rich in all good things, before thou hast wrought any thing. For how should it be, that by faith thou art the heir of God, without any works through only grace, and that thou mayst again first merit it by works? Wherefore the case standeth, as I often times say: To a man that is baptized and believeth in Christ, the heavenly inheritance of the Father is already given at once, that is, all good things, they are only hid as yet by faith, for that the manner of the present life can not suffer, that he should enjoy them being revealed. Whereupon Paul saith