A06521:589
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.
This is an admonition and exhortation to the Corinthians, to apply them selves to those things, which they did already know. The words surely are easy to be understood, but hard to be done, and in use most rare. For in such marvellous order and colours he painteth out Christian life, as it can not be pleasant to the flesh to behold. First he saith:1 As workers together we beseech you. He calleth the Ministers of the word together workers, as 1. Cor. 3. he also saith: We together are Gods labourers, ye are Gods husbandry, and Gods building. Which is thus much in effect: We preach and labour in the word among you by teaching & exhorting, but God inwardly with his spirit doth bless and give the increase, lest that the outward labour in the word be in vain. And so God is the inward and true Master, which bringeth to pass all things, whom we serve in the office of outward preaching. Now he calleth him self & his fellows such together workers, lest they should contemn the outward word, as though they either had not need of it, or had already sufficiently attained to the knowledge thereof. For although God can alone by his spirit, without the outward word work all things in the minds of the elect, yet he will not do it, but rather will use together working ⟨p. 326⟩preachers, & work by their word when & where it pleaseth him. Forasmuch therefore as it seemeth good unto God to give to Preachers this office, name, & dignity, that they be counted workers together with him, it is not lawful for any man to challenge either that learning or holiness unto him self, that he neglect even never so simple a sermon wherein the word of God is preached, much less that he contemn it: for we know not when that time will come, when God by his Preacher will vouchsafe to accomplish his work in us.
THis is an admonition and exhortation to the Corinthians, to apply them selues to those thinges, which they did already knowe. The wordes surely are easie to be vnderstood, but hard to be done, and in vse most rare. For in such merueilous order and colours he painteth out Christian life, as it can not be pleasaunt to the flesh to behold. First he sayth:1 As workers togither we beseech you. He calleth the Ministers of ye word togither workers, as