A06521:643
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.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, neither unclean person, nor covetous person, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. In these words he doth very plainly pronounce against them which are infected with such vices, that they are heathen under the name of Christians, how many soever do not bring forth the fruits of faith. This is a brief and a certain sentence:1 He that is a fornicator, hath denied the faith, an unclean person hath denied the faith, a covetous person hath denied the faith, all such are Apostates, perjured, & traitors towards God: as Paul writeth also unto Timothy, of him ye neglecteth them that be of his family: If there be any, saith he, that provideth not for his own, & namely for them of his household, he denieth the faith, and is worse then an Infidel. How could he more severely and terribly fray us from vices? For he saith: For this ye know, as if he said: Do not so much as doubt, count it not for a play, neither let it be a sport unto you, neither comfort your selves with vain hope of a Christian name, and for that ye are counted Christians, these things shall profit you no more, then it profited the Jews, that they were the children of Abraham, and Disciples of Moses. It was spoken to all which Christ saith Matth. 7: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven: 2there is need of doing, and our faith must be proved by works. Whom therefore that great force of heavenly fire shall not inflame unto godliness, that is, the ⟨p. 359⟩admonition of the incomparable love of God toward us, which he set in the first place, him let these horrible threatenings of hell fire move, to wit, whereas he witnesseth, that as many as will not follow God, and walk in love, and show forth their faith by their works, are neither the sons of God, nor heirs of his kingdom, whereupon it followeth, that they are undoubtedly heirs with Satan of hell fire. Whom therefore these two so mighty provokements shall not stir up to the fear of God & godliness, with all diligence to do the duty of a Christian, he is plainly a block and a stone, having a hart harder then the anvil as Job saith.