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

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 ⟨p. 377⟩after the affection of men, they commend them selves wholly to the good will of God, and commit unto him this urging necessity of hunger, they them selves being quiet from all care. Then God, before this care cometh upon them, and before they begin to ask of him, is present, being more careful for them, then they are for them selves, & saith on this sort: I am moved with compassion toward the multitude: if I send them away fasting, it is a danger lest they faint by the way.

And thus much shall suffize to be spoken concerning the faith of temporall good things: now we will entreat of spirituall good thinges, which shall come vnto vs when we shall die. Then shall we see death set before our eyes, when as notwithstanding we would willingly liue, then shall hell appeare vnto vs, when we rather desire for heauen, then shall we behold the iudgement of God, notwithstanding his grace would be much more acceptable vnto vs. In a summe, whatsoeuer we would desire to see, shalbe taken out of our sight, yea and no creature shall helpe vs against death,