A06521:599
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.
In knowledge. Paul taketh knowledge here for that which we call prudence or wisdom, whereby we use things with reason, behaving our selves with discretion and comeliness. Of which knowledge the saying also of Paul Rom. 10. is understood: They have the zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, that is, they bear a zeal to the law not prudently, not weighing and considering all things well, that they might do no undecent thing. Wherefore whereas he here expressly requireth knowledge in the ministry of God,1 he thereby admonisheth us, that we frame our life with reason, and order it prudently, in all things keeping a mean, and having an advised rehard of our neighbours, lest that in any thing we offend the weaker sort, with unseasonable use of Christian liberty, and that we do all things to the edifying of all. So we must labour, fast, watch, and apply our selves to chastity and such other things, not above measure, that either the body may be in danger by too much hunger and watching, or the true purity of life by overmuch abstinence from matrimonial company, but we must use these things with knowledge, that is with convenient wisdom and discretion, that they may not any whit hurt, but always edify. Whereupon Paul 1. Cor. 7. expressly admonisheth married folks, that they abstain not overmuch from mutual company, lest that they be tempted of Satan. In all these therefore, in fastings, watchings, labours, chastity &c: the Apostle would prescribe and appoint no rule, law or measure, which the counsels of the Pope and Monks do, but the mean or measure to be observed in them he left free to every mans knowledge and discretion, that every one may consider with himself how much or long he must labour, fast, watch, or abstain, to this end that the flesh may be camed and made obedient to the spirit.
In knowledge. Paule taketh knowledge here for that which we call prudence or wisedom, wherby we vse things with reason, behauing our selues with discretion and comelines. Of which knowledge ye saying also of Paul Rom. 10. is vnderstood: They haue the zeale of God, but not according to knowledge, that is, they beare a zeale to the lawe not prudently, not weying and cōsidering all things well, that they might do no vndecent thing. Wherefore whereas he here expressely requireth knowledge in the ministerie of God,