A06521:631
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 text is exhortatory, wherein Paul, according to his manner, and accustomed care for the brethren, exhorteth Christians not to leave or slack the study and care of godliness, and give them selves to slothfulness, but to declare by their work the word that they have learned of him, that is, to show it forth by the fruits of faith, and make it plausible and honourable, to the edifying of the Heathen, lest that by the vices of them which profess the doctrine of the Gospel, they take occasion to hate that doctrine, and so be offended by them, whom it did behove to win them unto Christ.
THis text is exhortatorie, wherein Paule, according to his maner, and accustomed care for the brethren, exhorteth Christians not to leaue or slack the study and care of godlines, and giue them selues to slothfulnes, but to declare by their worke the word that they haue learned of him, that is, to shew it forth by the frutes of faith, and make it plausible and honorable, to the edifying of the Heathen, lest that by ye vices of them which professe the doctrine of the Gospell, they take occasion to hate that doctrine, and so be offended by them, whom it did behoue to winne them vnto Christ.
Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children. First therefore he exhorteth us, forasmuch as we are by Christ made the sons of God, to imitate such a father, as dear children. Marvellous gently & alluringly he speaketh unto us, calling us dear children, that by the love of God our father toward us, he may provoke us to love him again, and them whom he commandeth us to love,1 even as he hath loved us first. But how hath he loved us? Surely not after that common sort alone, whereby in this life he nourisheth and sustaineth us being unworthy, together with all the ungodly, making his sun to arise on the good, and on the evil, and sending rain on the just and unjust: whereof Christ speaketh Matth. 5: Be ye perfect as your Father is perfect. But he loveth us also after an other special manner, in that he hath given his son for us.