A06521:685
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.
Notwithstanding the time of grace is now present: Christ hath been sent down into the world, hath been borne man, hath served us, died for us, is risen again from the dead, hath sent unto us the spirit the comforter, hath given unto us his word, hath opened heaven so wide, that all good things may be obtained of us, moreover hath given unto us rich promises, whereby he promiseth that he will preserve us both in this short and frail time, and in the eternal times, in this life, and in the life to come, most plentifully pouring forth his grace upon us.1 Wherefore the time of grace is now before our doors, but we despise & neglect it, which God neither will, neither can pardon. For when as we contemn his word he threateneth punishment, and will at the last punish us, although he should defer it even an hundred years, but he will not defer it so long. And the more purely that the word is preached, so much greater shall the punishment be. But I fear greatly lest this punishment require the subversion of all Germany. God grant that in this thing I be a false prophet, but I fear exceedingly that it will come to pass. God can not leave this wickedness unrevenged, neither will he defer long, for the Gospel is so abundantly preached, that it was not so manifest even in the Apostles time as it is at this day, thanks be to Christ therefore. Wherefore I fear much lest that all Germany be spoiled, yea and quite destroyed, unless we otherwise apply our selves to this matter. We which have long heard the Gospel, ought to pray God from the hart, that he would give us longer peace. The Princes go about to bring all things to pass by the sword. whereby they go too rashly and rigorously to work. Wherefore it is exceeding needful, that we should pray unto God, that his Gospel may spread farther abroad through Germany, even unto them which have not yet heard it. For if punishment come suddenly upon us, our case shall be miserable, then many souls ⟨p. 386⟩shall be in danger to be lost before the word shall come unto them. I would wish therefore, that we would not so cruelly despise the Gospel, that precious treasure, not only for our own sake, but also for their sakes which are as yet to hear it. A scourge is a little begun: God grant that it may so stay, that neither the Princes nor the commonalty be stirred up to greater rage and fury.
Notwithstanding the time of grace is nowe present: Christ hath bene sent downe into the world, hath bene borne man, hath serued vs, died for vs, is risen againe from the dead, hath sent vnto vs the spirit the comforter, hath giuen vnto vs his word, hath opened heauen so wide, that al good things may be obtained of vs, moreouer hath giuen vnto vs rich promises, whereby he promiseth that he wil preserue vs both in this short and fraile time, and in the eternal times, in this life, and in the life to come, most plentifully pouring forth his grace vpon vs.