A06521:688
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.
1Howbeit they that believe in God, do not avoid peril if it come for his sake, but commit all things to his divine power, that he may order them according to his will, and thus they think: ⟨p. 387⟩The Lord hath given me both a house and the furniture thereof, wife, children, &c. I have not obtained them of my self, forasmuch then as they are Gods, I will commit them unto him, he shall best preserve them. For even otherwise I must leave them, wherefore I will refuse to suffer no peril, and to leave whatsoever I have for his sake, if the case so require. If he will have me so to do, he can give me other things, for he hath promised that he will give sufficient to them that believe, both here and in the time to come. If he will not have me to live here, I owe death unto him, when he shall require me, I will be ready for his words sake. He that shall not do thus, denieth God, and is notwithstanding compelled to lose both this frail life, and eternal life. The stinking belly which we make our god, is the cause,2 that we do not cleave to the word of God: for I will first be certain how I may feed my self, and where my goods be. The Gospel saith, Trust in God, but I provide for my belly, and if I have one noble in gold, I think I have sufficient to sustain & nourish me for ten days, & trusting unto that which I have laid up, I trust not in God, that as he hath hitherto fed me, so he will nourish me still. Is not this a detestable thing, that I trust to one piece of coin only, whereby I look to have my food and sustenance to morrow? Fie, what a cursed thing is such care for the belly? Shall a vile piece of coin be more esteemed of me, then God him self, in whose power are heaven and earth, who giveth unto us air and water, maketh grain to grow unto us, and sendeth all things necessary? It is more detestable then that it can be expressed by the voice of man, that God is not esteemed of us so much as a little money. Why dost thou not think: God who hath made me, will well nourish me, if he will have me live. If he will not, well, then shall I have no need. But, saith the belly, I find no god in my chest. Thou foolish ass, who can assure thee that thou shalt live till tomorrow? It is uncertain whether thou shalt keep thy belly till to morrow, and desirest thou to know where food and sustenance is?