A06521:641
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.
Neither jesting. Hereby he understandeth all pleasant speeches, which they whom they call jesters are wont to use, to make men merry, which by pleasant discourses and merry terms do move laughter & stir up mens minds to mirth & cheerfulness, which is wont to be usual in civill bankers, and when civill companions meet together. This jesting the Heathen counted for a virtue, especially Aristotle.1 But Paul among Christians giveth it place among vices. For Christians have other speeches, whereby they may recreate and cheer them selves in Christ, which also do bring some profit with them, although it easily happeneth, that many Christians do offend oftentimes herein. But they that are true Christians, do never praise it, neither do suffer that any should give him self to this jesting, and study to exceed therein, but they reprove and prohibit him, especially in the Church, in the time of preaching and teaching. For Christ hath witnessed,2 that we shall in the last day give an account of every idle word. It is meet in deed that Christians be an elegant & amiable people, but therewithal grave, that there may be seen in them a severe gentleness, and a gentle severity, as the life of Christ is described unto us in the Gospels.
Neither iesting. Hereby he vnderstandeth all pleasaunt speeches, which they whom they call iesters are wont to vse, to make men mery, which by pleasaunt discourses and mery tearmes doe moue laughter & stirre vp mens minds to mirth & cheerefulnes, which is wont to be vsuall in ciuill bankers, and when ciuill companions meete togither. This iesting the Heathen counted for a vertue, especially Aristotle.1 But Paul among Christians giueth it place among vices. For Christians haue other speeches, wherby they may recreat and cheere them selues in Christ, which also do bring some profit with them, although it easily hapneth, that many Christians do offend oftentimes herein. But they that are true Christians, doe neuer praise it, neither doe suffer that any should giue him selfe to this iesting, and study to exceede therein, but they reproue and prohibit him, especially in the Church, in ye time of preaching and teaching. For Christ hath witnessed,2