A06521:623
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.
But in spiritual things, which concern the nourishment,1 not of the body, but of the soul, this tentation is wont to be both mighty and often. In these God hath appointed a certain manner, whereby the soul may be fed, nourished and strengthened, both most commodiously, and also most blessedly, so that no good thing at all can be wanting unto it. This nourishment, this strength, this salvation, is Christ our Saviour, in whom the Father hath most abundantly offered and given all good things. But there are very few which desire him, the most part seek some other where, whereby their souls may live, & obtain salvation. Such are all they which seek salvation by their works. These are they whom Satan having set on a pinnacle of the temple, biddeth them cast them selves down, and they obey him. They descend where as is no way: that is, they believe and trust in God, yet so, as they trust also in their own works, in which is no place at all for faith and trust, no way or path unto God, wherefore throwing them selves down headlong, they break their neck, falling into utter desperation.
But in spirituall things, which concerne the nourishment,1 not of the body, but of ye soule, this tentation is wont to be both mighty and often. In these God hath appoynted a certayne maner, wherby the soule may be fedde, nourished and strengthened, both most commodiously, and also most blessedly, so that no good thing at all can be wanting vnto it. This nourishment, this strength, this saluation, is Christ our Sauiour, in whom the Father hath most abundantly offered and giuen all good thinges. But there are very few which desire him, the moste parte seeke some other where, whereby their soules may liue, & obtaine saluation. Such are all they which seeke saluation by their works. These are they whom Satan hauing sette on a pinnacle of the temple, biddeth them cast them selues downe, and they obey him. They descende where as is no way: that is, they beleeue and trust in God, yet so, as they trust also in their owne works, in which is no place at all for faith and trust, no way or path vnto God, wherefore throwing them selues downe headlong, they breake their necke, falling into vtter desperation.
- 1We are easily and often by the tentation of Satan brought to refuse the true spiritual food of our souls, and to seek other contrary to the will and word of God