A06521:706
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.
What doth the Lawyer moreover, after that the Lord had thus dealt with him? He, saith the Evangelist, willing to justify himself, spake unto the Lord & asked him as followeth: Who is then my neighbour? He asketh not: Who is my God? As if he said: I owe nothing unto God, neither do I want any thing before God, yea it seemeth unto me, that I do neither owe any ⟨p. 399⟩thing to any man: nevertheless I would willingly know who is my neighbour. The Lord answering him, bringeth forth a most goodly similitude, whereby he declareth that we are all neighbours one to an other, as well he that giveth a benefit, as he that receiveth and needeth one: although by the text it seemeth to appear, that he only is a neighbour, which bestoweth a benefit upon an other. But the Scripture maketh here no difference, sometime calling him our neighbour, which bestoweth a benefit, sometime him that receiveth a benefit. By this similitude the Lord inferreth in these words: Go and do thou likewise, so that that Lawyer had offended not only against God, but also against man, and wanted not only love towards God, but also love towards his neighbour, unto whom he had not done that good which he ought. This wretched fellow is brought into such a case that he is found wholly evil, even from the head to the feet. How came it to pass that he being most skilful of the Scripture could not beware of this? So fell it out: he led a pharisaical, hypocritical, and counterfeit life, which had not regard unto his neighbour, and to succour and help others, but sought thereby only glory and honour before men, and so looked by negligent & dissolute living to come to heaven. But ye have heard very often, that a Christian life consisteth in this,1 that we deal with faith and the heart in things that pertain unto God, but use our life and works towards our neighbour, and that I must not look while my neighbour seeketh a benefit, and requireth some thing of me, but according to my duty must prevent his asking, & of mine own accord offer my liberality unto him. Now we will see what the parable containeth in it.
What doth the Lawyer moreouer, after that the Lord had thus delt with him? He, saith the Euangelist, willing to iustifie himselfe, spake vnto the Lord & asked him as followeth: Who is then my neighbour? He asketh not: Who is my God? As if he sayd: I owe nothing vnto God, neither do I want any thing before God, yea it seemeth vnto me, that I do neither owe any