A06521:701
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.
These are those wicked ones, which glory of the outward thing, which go about to justify and make themselves good by their own works, after the manner of this Lawyer. Consider how great the pride of this ass was, he cometh forth as though he could not be blamed or rebuked of the Lord, he thought, yea it seemed unto him, that the Lord would here commend and praise his life before the people. He thought not to learn any thing of the Lord, but he sought only his own commendation, he would willingly have had Christ to set forth his praise, toward whom the eyes of all were bent, and who was an admiration to all. So all hypocrites do, outwardly they pretend excellent,1 great and weighty works: they say that they have respect neither of glory nor praise, but within in their heart they are full of ambition, and wish that their holiness were known to the whole world, ⟨p. 396⟩showing a goodly sign of their religion, by the biting of their lip, if they hear any speak thereof. But our Saviour Christ showeth here no kindness or gentleness to this Lawyer, inasmuch as he putteth him to shame: that great holy man notwithstanding continueth still in the same mind, and supposeth that he shall receive great honour, & singular praise because of his precious life, thinking that he had fulfilled the commandment, whereupon also he looketh for a joyful answer, that the Lord should say: Good master, your mastership hath done all things. But Christ answereth him: Do this. Which in deed is as much to say as: Thou art altogether a naughty fellow, thou hast never in all thy life fulfilled so much as one letter thereof, so showing unto him how evil and naughty he was.
These are those wicked ones, which glorie of the outward thinge, which go about to iustifie and make themselues good by their owne workes, after the maner of this Lawer. Consider how great the pride of this asse was, he commeth forth as though he could not be blamed or rebuked of the Lord, he thought, yea it seemed vnto him, that the Lord would here commend and praise his life before the people. He thought not to learne any thing of the Lord, but he sought onely his owne commendation, he would willingly haue had Christ to set forth his praise, toward whom the eyes of all were bent, and who was an admiration to all. So all hypocrites do, outwardly they pretend excellent,1