A06521:642
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.
Things which are not comely, but rather giving of thanks. This comprehendeth all idle words, which want a proper name.1 Now I call them idle words which make neither to the edifying of faith, nor to the use of our corporal life. For there be things enow both profitable and pleasant, which when it pleaseth us to speak, we may talk of in the short time of this life, as of Christ, of love, and other things either necessary or profitable. Whereof ⟨p. 358⟩Paul admonisheth when he saith: but rather giving of thanks. For our daily speech ought to be the praise of God, and giving of thanks to him, as well privately, as publicly in sermons, for such infinite good things, as he hath given unto us in Christ, even unspeakable. But such is the manner of our reason & nature, that necessary and profitable things are neglected, and foolish & frivolous things are chiefly regarded. Now mark here, if Paul doth not suffer in Christians speeches that be only pleasant and tending to mirth, what thinkest thou would he say of that pestilent backbiting and slandering, which reigneth now in all companies of men, even them that be private, when two oftentimes do talk together? Yea what would he say of them, which openly in sermons do as it were bite and rent one an other with reproachful words, and maliciously accuse and speak evil one of an other?
Things which are not comely, but rather giuing of thankes. This comprehendeth all idle words, which want a proper name.1 Now I call them idle words which make neither to the edifying of faith, nor to the vse of our corporall life. For there be things enow both profitable and pleasaunt, which when it pleaseth vs to speake, we may talke of in the short time of this life, as of Christ, of loue, and other things either necessary or profitable. Whereof ⟨p. 358⟩Paule admonisheth when he sayth: but rather giuing of thankes. For our daily speech ought to be the praise of God, and giuing of thankes to him, as well priuatly, as publikely in sermons, for such infinite good thinges, as he hath giuen vnto vs in Christ, euen vnspeakeable. But such is the maner of our reason & nature, that necessary and profitable thinges are neglected, and foolish & friuolous things are chiefly regarded. Now marke here, if Paul doth not suffer in Christians speeches that be onely pleasant and tending to mirth, what thinkest thou would he say of that pestilēt backebyting and sclaundering, which reigneth now in all companies of men, euen them that be priuate, when two oftentimes doe talke togither? Yea what would he say of them, which openly in sermons do as it were bite and rent one an other with reprochful wordes, and maliciously accuse and speake euill one of an other?