A06521:678
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.
THE sum and scope of this text is this: The Lord is troubled and lamenteth for the evils which were to come upon the contemners of the word of God. Ye have often times heard, what the word of God is, what is the fruit and commodity thereof, also what Disciples it hath, of which nothing is here done, or said: but the punishment and misery only is showed, which was to come upon the Jews, for that they knew not the time of their visitation. Which thing let us well consider of, for it pertaineth unto us also. If they be punished which know not the time of their visitation, what shall come unto them, which persecute, blaspheme and reprehend the Gospel and Word of God? howbeit he speaketh here only of them which know not the season of their visitation.1 The contemners of God are preached against after two sorts: first by threatenings, as Christ threateneth them Matth. 11: Woe be to thee, Corazin: Woe be to thee Bethsaida: for if the great works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they had repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it shall be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement, then for you. And thou, Capernaum (which was his own city, wherein chiefly he wrought miracles) which at lifted up unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the great works which have been done in thee, ⟨p. 381⟩had been done among them of Sodom, they had remained to this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be easier for them of the land of Sodom in the day of judgement, then for you. These are the threatenings wherewith he terrifieth them, that they should not so neglect the word of God. The other way the Lord here showeth, when as he shedeth tears, and is touched with pity toward miserable and blind men, he doth not terrify or threaten them, as being indurate and obstinate, but is rather wholly moved with love and taketh pity on his enemies, and would willingly call them back, but that he could prevail nothing with them, & the means which he used to reclaim them were in vain. Before in Matthew, whereas he sharply rebuketh them, he dealeth not by love, but by rigour, but here is pure love and pity, as we shall afterwards see.
THE summe and scope of this text is this: The Lord is troubled and lamenteth for the euils which were to come vpon the contemners of the worde of God. Ye haue often times heard, what the word of God is, what is the frute and commoditie thereof, also what Disciples it hath, of which nothing is here done, or sayd: but the punishment and miserie onely is shewed, which was to come vpon the Iewes, for that they knew not the time of their visitation. Which thing let vs well consider of, for it pertaineth vnto vs also. If they be punished which know not ye time of their visitation, what shal come vnto them, which persecute, blaspheme and reprehend the Gospell and Word of God? howbeit he speaketh here onely of them which know not the season of their visitation.