A06521:576
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.
1But if the Disciples had been then endued with a sound faith, and if it had ruled in this danger, it would have removed from the mind the wind and all this tempest, & in stead of these would wholly have thought upon the power of God and his grace promised, whereunto it would no otherwise have trusted, then if it had sate upon a most strong rock far from the sea and from all tempest. For this is the chief virtue and cunning of faith, that it seeth those things which are not seen or felt, and seeth not those things which are felt, yea which are now sore upon us, and do press & urge us. As on the contrary side diffidence seeth nothing but that which it feeleth, neither can it rest upon any other thing but that which it feeleth. For this cause those things are of God laid upon faith, which the whole world is not able to bear, as sins, death, the world, and the devil: neither suffereth he it to be occupied with small matters. For who flieth not death? who is not terrified & overcome of it?2 Against this invincible faith standeth, yea it courageously setteth upon it, which otherwise tameth all things, and overcometh and swalloweth up that unsatiable devourer of life. So even the whole world is not able to bring under and subdue the flesh, but it rather bringeth under and maketh the world subject unto it, & beareth rule over it, so that he liveth carnally whosoever is of the world. But faith subdueth this subduer of all other, holdeth it in subjection, and teacheth it not only to be ruled, but also to obey. Likewise who is able to bear the hatred and fury, ignominy and persecution of the world? who doth not yield unto it and is oppressed with it? But faith even ⟨p. 319⟩laugheth at all the iniquity, rage, and fury thereof, and maketh that unto it self matter of spiritual joy, wherewith other are even killed. It doth no otherwise behave it self against Satan also. Who is able to overcome him, which practiseth so many crafts and wiles, whereby he stayeth and hindereth the truth, the word of God, faith, and hope, and soweth against them innumerable errors, sects, delusions, heresies, desperations, superstitions, and such kind of abominations without number? All the world is to him as a spark of fire to a fountain of water, it is wholly subdued unto him in these evils, as (alas) we both see and try.