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

We do like as the Jews did, who had a greater care of the belly then of God, having more regard how to fill the belly, then that they might be saved, wherefore they lost both, and that worthily. For, forasmuch as they would not receive life, God sent unto them death, so they lost both body and soul. They pretended the same cause that we do. We would willingly in deed embrace the Gospel, if there were no danger of body and goods, wife, & children. If we shall believe him, said the Jews, the Romans will come, and take away both our place and the nation, which nevertheless came unto them, for that which the wicked man feareth, falleth upon him. This was a let and hinderance to the Jews that they would not believe the words of God, neither have regard to the rich and large promises that he had made unto them. So also do we, we regard not the mighty and comfortable promises which Christ hath made unto us, as where he saith: He shall receive an hundred fold more, ¹and shall inherit everlasting life. Leave thy wife and children, I will preserve them, I will restore them, so as thou goest to work boldly in my name. Thinkest thou that I can not build thee other houses? countest thou me so simple, who will give unto thee heaven? wilt thou not put thy self in danger for my sake? if thy goods be taken from thee, it is well with thee, heaven and earth are mine, I will recompense thee abundantly. These and such like sayings we pass over, yea and also contemn, having diligent consideration only what we have laid up in our chest, and that our purse may be full, neither do we see, that even that which we have God hath given unto us, & will as yet give us more, if we believe and trust in him, neither do we mark if that we lose God, we shall lose the belly also.

We doe like as the Iewes did, who had a greater care of the belly then of God, hauing more regard how to fill the belly, then that they might be saued, wherefore they lost both, and that worthely. For, forasmuch as they would not receiue life, God sent vnto them death, so they lost both body and soule. They pretended the same cause that we do. We would willingly in deede embrace the Gospell, if there were no daunger of body and goods, wife, & children. If we shall beleeue him, sayd the Iewes, the Romanes wil come, and take away both our place and the nation, which neuertheles came vnto them, for that which ye wicked man feareth, falleth vpon him. This was a lette and hinderance to the Iewes that they would not beleeue the wordes of God, neither haue regard to the rich and large promises that he had made vnto them. So also doe we, we regard not the mighty and comfortable promises which Christ hath made vnto vs, as where he sayth: He shall receiue an hundreth fold more,