A06521:611
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.
Moreover, this history is written unto us both to instruct,1 and also to exhort. To instruct, that we may learn hereby, that Christ by this his fasting, hunger, tentation and victory against Satan did serve us, & furthered our salvation: that whosoever believeth in him, may never need, or be hurt by any tentation, but rather shall abound with good things in the midst of poverty, and be safe in the midst of tentation, for that his head and Lord Christ hath overcome all these things for him, whereof by faith he is most certain, according as the Lord himself saith Joh. 16: Be ye of good comfort, I have overcome the world. And if God could without meat nourish his Christ forty days & so many nights, so he c•• also Christians. We are exhorted also here, that according to this example of Christ, we suffer hunger, tentation, and other necessities when they come, and when the case so requireth, to the glory of God & profit of our neighbours. And surely if we do earnestly confess and stick to the word of God, these things will undoubtedly come unto us. The present text therefore containeth a marvellous consolation and strengthening of faith, against ⟨p. 340⟩the filthy and incredulous belly, which being diligently and faithfully weighed, our conscience shall be very much comforted and strengthened, that we may not be careful for living, but trust with a full confidence, that God will give us plentifully those things that be necessary. Now, that this tentation also is incident unto us it is manifest. For as Christ was led aside into the wilderness, that is, was left alone of God, Angels, men, and all creatures, which might help him:2 so also falleth it out with us. We are led aside into the wilderness, we are forsaken and left alone. And this in deed is it, which especially grieveth us, to feel or perceive nothing whereunto we may trust, or from whence we may look for help. As when it lieth upon me to prepare sustenance for me and mine, and I have nothing at all of my self, neither perceive any help coming from any man, neither know where to look for any. This is to be led aside into the desert, and to be left alone, I being in this case, am in the true exercise of faith, then I learn how I my self am nothing, how weak my faith is, how great and rare a thing sound faith is, and how deep abominable incredulity is settled in the harts of all.