A06521:646
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, for such things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. This is an other light which we ought to follow, leaving the obscure light of reason, which doth not greatly condemn fornication,1 uncleanness, covetousness, &c. This our light witnesseth, that for such things the wrath of God cometh upon unbelievers, whom he calleth the children of disobedience, and therefore can not abide to believe the word of God, & to give them selves to the obedience of faith. This Paul declareth 1. Cor. 10. by many examples, where he saith that a great part of the people was slain for fornication, of which deed is spoken also Num. 25. For violence also, covetousness, and uncleanness, the whole world was destroyed by the flood. Wherefore a sufficient sharp, yea and a certain vengeance abideth them that are infected with these wickednesses. Now he calleth them the children of disobedience, that is, of incredulity, which is as much as if he had said: of them that have revolted from the faith, and have renounced Christ. Hereby therefore we see and learn, that he that doth not approve his faith by works, is no better then a Heathen, yea worse, inasmuch as he hath renounced Christ, and denied the faith once received. For this cause therefore the vengeance and wrath of God shall come upon them that are such, as we Germans do now try, unto whom God sendeth abundantly the pestilence, famine, & cruel wars. Let men take heed they give ⟨p. 361⟩no ear to those deceivers, which with vain words promise that those sins shall escape unpunished: Let those slack and slothful Christians beware, who although they be not blind Heathen, but know well that uncleanness and covetousness are sins, and think or teach no otherwise, do nevertheless live wickedly, resting upon faith, whereby they hope that they shall obtain salvation without works, forasmuch as works do not save: Yea albeit they very well know, that faith without works is a feigned faith, and that worthy fruits and good works must needs follow, where a true and sound faith is, yet notwithstanding they live securely in their since, presuming of the grace and mercy of God, nothing fearing God and his judgement, when as notwithstanding it is certain, that God doth require the mortification of the old Adam, and good fruits of good trees.