A06521:595
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.
That our ministry be not reprehended. 1Who can bring to pass that our ministry shall not be reprehended, seeing that the Gospel is necessarily subject to persecution, no less then Christ himself? In deed it is not in us to make that the word of God be not reprehended and persecuted of them which are ignorant of God, and do not believe: for it is a rock of offence, Isaiah. 8. Rom. 9. this offence cometh because of our faith, and can not be avoided of us, and therefore the blame thereof ought not to be laid upon us. Howbeit there is an other offence which proceedeth hereof, for that our love is not sufficient dutiful, this cometh through us, inasmuch as our works are the cause thereof, because they do not so shine by faith, that they w•i•h are conversant with us may thereby be provoked to serve God, as it is meet. This offence is given through our fault, whom it be cometh so to live, that the Jews, Heathen & Princes of the world ⟨p. 330⟩might have no occasion to say: Behold how light and naughty these men are, yea and very wicked wretches, the doctrine of life which they follow must needs be evil and pestilent. So our infamy and crimes are occasion of offence to others, and of hatred and detestation of the most holy word of God. For whereas we ought so to know, preach and follow it, that thereby both our neighbours might be brought unto God, and to the leading of a godly life, and also the glory of God set forth, we by our naughty and slothful life bring to pass that it doth not only bring no profit and commodity to our neighbours, but is brought into hatred and made detestable through our means, bearing our ignominy and reproach. Now it is a most horrible sin and wickedness by our naughtiness to make the word of God which is most holy and bringeth salvation, to make it I say, so odious, and to repel and drive men from it, to our own, and their most certain destruction.
That our ministerie be not reprehended. 1Who can bring to passe that our ministerie shall not be reprehended, seeing that the Gospell is necessarily subiect to persecution, no lesse then Christ himselfe? In deede it is not in vs to make that the worde of God be not reprehended and persecuted of them which are ignoraunt of God, and do not beleeue: for it is a rocke of offence,