A06521:738
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.
Christ brought forth this parable unto that answer which he had made to Saint Peter, unto whom he had before committed the keys of binding and loosing. For when S. Peter asked him, how oft he should forgive his brother his offence, whether it were enough to forgive him seven times, & he answered, not seven times, but seventy times ⟨p. 420⟩seven times, he then added this similitude, by which he inferreth, that his heavenly father will do likewise unto us, if we do not forgive our neighbour, even as the King did here unto the servant, which would not forgive his fellow servant a small debt, when as his Lord had forgiven him so much. We have often times taught that the kingdom of God wherein he reigneth by the Gospel, is nothing else, but such a state or government, wherein is mere forgiveness of sins: so that where such a government is not, wherein sin is pardoned, neither is there the Gospel nor kingdom. Wherefore those two kingdoms are to be separated: one, wherein sins are punished, & an other wherein they are forgiven, or wherein the law is exacted, & wherein that which is due by the law, is remitted.1 In the kingdom of God, where he reigneth by the Gospel, there is no exacting of the law, neither any dealing by the law, but only remission and forgiveness, neither wrath nor punishing, but brotherly service and well doing one to an other. Notwithstanding the civill law or Magistrate is not taken away, for this parable speaketh not any thing of worldly government, but of the kingdom of God only. Wherefore he that is yet governed only by the regiment of the world, is yet far of from the kingdom of heaven, for worldly government pertaineth wholly to inferior things. As if a Prince govern his people so, that he suffer injury to be done to none, punishing offenders, he doth well, & is therefore commended. For in that government this sentence flourisheth:2 Pay that thou owest: which if thou do not, thou shalt be cast into prison. Such government we must have, howbeit we come not to heaven by it, neither is the world therefore saved, but this government is therefore necessary, that the world do not become worse. For it is only a defence & fortification against wickedness, which if it were not, one would devour an other, neither could any man keep in safety his own life, wife, goods, children, &c.