A06521:636
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.
After the same sort heed must be taken, that covetousness be not named among Christians, that is, that they become not infamous by the name thereof, which they shall bring to pass, if, when it chanceth that covetous men be amongst them, or one useth deceit toward an other in their business and affairs, or some contend in judgement for those outward things, if I say, they do not wink hereat, but do reprove & correct such, that the sincerity of the doctrine of the Gospel may obtain due estimation among the people, & there may be no cause openly to dispraise ⟨p. 355⟩our ministry, 2. Cor. 6. These things I have spoken because of them, who as soon as they see that all things do not resemble & show forth a holiness among Christians, & that some do stumble & fall, do think that there is no Christian left, that the Gospel is to no purpose, & that all things are taught and done in vain. As though the life of Christians were now without fight, victory & due triumph over sin being obtained, when as rather it is a warfare and a continual fight. Where as therefore they do now sight and are in the camp, it is no marvel if some fly away, if some be wounded, if some fall, yea & be even slain outright. War is not made without peril and hurt, if it be earnest war.
After the same sort heede must be taken, that couetousnes be not named among Christians, that is, that they become not infamous by the name thereof, which they shal bring to passe, if, when it chaūceth that couetous mē be amongst them, or one vseth deceit toward an other in their busines and affaires, or some contend in iudgement for those outward things, if I say, they doe not winke hereat, but do reproue & correct such, that the sinceritie of the doctrine of the Gospell may obtaine due estimation among the people, & there may be no cause opēly to dispraise ⟨p. 355⟩our ministerie, 2. Cor. 6. These things I haue spoken because of them, who as soone as they see that all thinges do not resemble & shew forth a holines among Christians, & that some doe stumble & fall, do thinke that there is no Christian left, that the Gospel is to no purpose, & that all things are taught and done in vaine. As though the life of Christians were nowe without fight, victorie & due triumph ouer sinne being obtained, whē as rather it is a warfare and a continuall fight. Where as therefore they do now sight and are in the campe, it is no meruell if some flie away, if some be wounded, if some fal, yea & be euen slaine outright. Warre is not made without perill and hurt, if it be earnest warre.