A06521:714
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.
I find in me not only a spark, but even a fiery furnace of wicked lust: for there is no love in mine heart, no not in all my members. Wherefore here in the Law as it were in a certain glass I see whatsoever is in me, to be damnable and cursed. For not one jot of the Law must perish, but all must be fulfilled,1 as Christ saith: Truly I say unto you, till heaven & earth pass, one jot or title of the Law shall not scape, till all be fulfilled. Now thou findest not this in thee, that thou doest with all thy soul and heart, with cheerfulness and pleasure, whatsoever the Law exacteth and requireth of thee. Hereupon thou art damned and under the dominion of Satan.
I finde in me not onely a sparke, but euen a fierie fornace of wicked lust: for there is no loue in myne heart, no not in all my members. Wherefore here in the Lawe as it were in a certaine glasse I see whatsoeuer is in me, to be damnable and cursed. For not one iote of the Law must perish, but all must be fulfilled,1 as Christ saith: Truly I say vnto you, till heauē & earth passe, one iote or title of the Lawe shall not scape, till all be fulfilled. Now thou fyndest not this in thee, that thou doest with all thy soule and heart, with cheerefulnes and pleasure, whatsoeuer the Law exacteth and requireth of thee. Hereupon thou art damned and vnder the dominion of Satan.
The Law therefore serveth us thus far, to teach us, that we are condemned: for by it we find all wicked desires in us, and yet not so much as a spark of them ought to be in us. Howbeit our Schoolmen not marking this, have taught, that if one do according to his ability, God doeth give his grace unto him. They are blind guides: They grant themselves, that a man is carried with no pleasure or cheerfulness to that which is good, and yet do they also teach, if one worketh, although it be with grief, difficulty, and slothfulness, that it is well with him before God. But Christ hath taught otherwise in this place, that we should work that which is good with pleasure and love, readiness and facility. Whom therefore shall we rather believe, Christ or the Schoolmen: but I leave that to your judgement. Of such corrupt and evil understanding of the Law, Monasteries afterwards came, whereby entered in this opinion, that it was thought to be sufficient to salvation, to live in a Monastery, and to follow the orders thereof, although that were done even with grief of mind.