Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

Of like diffidence were the disciples, who thought thus with themselves: how can it be that such a great multitude of men should be here refreshed with meat? truly it exceedeth our capacity. If they had seen an heap of money, store of bread, and shambles full of flesh, they could then have easily relieved this present necessity, they could have put all in a good hope, and fitly have disposed all things, according to the capacity of their reason.

Of like diffidence were the disciples, who thought thus with thēselues: how can it be that such a great multitude of men should be here refreshed with meate? truly it exceedeth our capacitie. If they had seene an heape of money, store of breade, and shambles full of flesh, they could then haue easily relieued this present necessitie, they could haue put all in a good hope, and fitly haue disposed all thinges, according to the capacitie of their reason.

And thus much shall suffice to be spoken concerning the faith of temporal good things: now we will entreat of spiritual good things, which shall come unto us when we shall die. Then shall we see death set before our eyes, when as notwithstanding we would willingly live, then shall hell appear unto us, when we rather desire for heaven, then shall we behold the judgement of God, notwithstanding his grace would be much more acceptable unto us. In a sum, whatsoever we would desire to see, shall be taken out of our sight, yea and no creature shall help us against death,¹ hell, and the judgement of God. But if I believe, I say thus unto my self: well, faith is a sure foundation: herewith I being stayed up, shall attain unto those things which are very far out of my sight, albeit those things be horrible which be in my sight, yet shall they not hurt him that believeth. Although therefore I do presently see nothing, but death, hell, and the judgement of God, yet must I consider none of these, but rather my mind is to be confirmed with an undoubted trust, that God by the virtue of his promise, not in respect of my merits or works, will give unto me life, blessedness, and grace. This in deed is to cleave unto God by sincere faith, which is here very well painted forth in this gross and bodily image of four thousand men, who cleaving to God only by faith, did not doubt that they should be refreshed of him. If they had judged according to the capacity of their reason, they would have murmured, and said after this sort: surely we are a very great multitude, we are here in the wide wilderness, we have empty and hungry stomachs, here is nothing that is able to fill them. Howbeit they murmured of none of these things, but conceiving a sure confidence, reasoning nothing against God