A06521:665
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.
I Hope dearly beloved, that ye do well understand the meaning of this text. For your understanding is sufficiently well grounded in these mysteries, so that ye do easily perceive what good is to be looked for in the Gospel, and what is prescribed unto us therein, namely the true nature and quality of faith. And this is the cause why Christ is of all the Evangelists set forth to be so loving and gentle: for although the doings and works described of them do oftentimes vary, nevertheless the simplicity of faith remaineth always alike. Moreover ⟨p. 373⟩this text doeth so lively set forth Christ unto us in his colours, that it may be manifest and well known unto every one of us, what we ought to promise our selves concerning him, to wit, that he is merciful, bountiful, gentle, who succoureth all that fly unto him for help. And such ought to be the image of faith.1 For the Scripture setteth before us a double image: one of fear, which representeth to our eyes the horrible wrath of God, before which no man is able to stand, but rather we are all enforced to be cast down in mind, when we see it, unless we be strengthened by faith. Howbeit against this is set the other image namely of grace, which faith doeth attentively behold, and taketh from hence principles of comfort, and conceiveth trust and confidence in the favour of God, having this hope, that man can not promise to him self from God so many good things, but that he hath infinite moe treasures in a readiness for him.
I Hope dearely beloued, that ye doe well vnderstand the meaning of this text. For your vnderstanding is sufficiently well grounded in these mysteries, so that ye doe easily perceiue what good is to be looked for in the Gospell, and what is prescribed vnto vs therein, namely the true nature and qualitie of fayth. And this is the cause why Christ is of all the Euangelistes set forth to be so louing and gentle: for although the doings and workes described of them doe oftentimes varie, neuertheles the simplicitie of fayth remayneth alwayes alike. Moreouer ⟨p. 373⟩this text doeth so liuely set forth Christ vnto vs in his colours, that it may be manifest and well knowen vnto euerie one of vs, what we ought to promise our selues concerning him, to wit, that he is mercifull, bountifull, gentle, who succoureth all that flie vnto him for helpe. And such ought to be the image of fayth.