A06521:672
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.
Behold how gentle & bountiful we have God toward us, who hath even a care to feed the unclean belly. Here now our hope is erected, and the words of Christ are comfortable to a man, when he saith: They have now continued with me three days, it now behoveth me to give sufficient unto them to eat. Here we may see, that all that do stick diligently to the word of God, are fed of God him self.
Behold how gentle & bountifull we haue God toward vs, who hath euen a care to feede the vncleane belly. Here now our hope is erected, and the wordes of Christ are comfortable to a man, when he sayth: They haue now continued with me three dayes, it now behoueth me to giue sufficient vnto them to eate. Here we may see, that all that doe sticke diligently to the word of God, are fed of God him selfe.
Wherefore let us dearly beloved, at the last begin to believe,1 for only diffidence and incredulity is the mother of all sins & vices, which at this day reign in all sorts of men. How cometh it to pass, that every where, whithersoever we turn us, there are so many harlots and bawds, such plenty of deluders and deceivers, so many thieves, pillars, usurers, robbers, Simonists, as they call them, and sellers of benefices? All these diffidence toward God bringeth forth unto us. For such kind of men do judge only according to humane reason, and reason looketh unto that which is present: but that which it seeth not, it is not able to comprehend: wherefore while it doth not repose her trust by faith in God, it is enforced to despair, which desperation afterward causeth such naughty and wicked men. Behold thus it goeth out of frame with us, when we commit our selves to be ruled, not to faith, but to our own reason.
Wherefore let vs dearly beloued, at the last begin to beleeue,1 for onely diffidence and incredulitie is the mother of all sinnes & vices, which at this day reigne in all sorts of men. How commeth it to passe, that euery where, whethersoeuer we turne vs, there are so many harlots and baudes, such plenty of deluders and deceiuers, so many theeues, pillers, vserers, robbers, Simonists, as they call them, and sellers of benefices? All these diffidence toward God bringeth forth vnto vs. For such kind of men do iudge onely according to humane reason, and reason looketh vnto that which is present: but that which it seeth not, it is not able to comprehend: wherefore while it doth not repose her trust by faith in God, it is enforced to despeire, which desperation afterward causeth such naughtie and wicked men. Behold thus it goeth out of frame with vs, when we cōmit our selues to be ruled, not to faith, but to our owne reason.