A06521:739
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.
That therefore all things should not fall, come to ruin and perish, God hath appointed the sword of the Magistrate, whereby wickedness may be partly repressed, peace and quietness among men maintained, & one may not do an other injury, wherefore this is in any wise to be kept. But, as I said, it is not ordained for them that are in the kingdom of grace, but therefore only, that men be not more deeply plunged in wickedness, and become worse.
That therfore all things should not fal, come to ruine and perish, God hath appointed the sword of the Magistrate, whereby wickednes may be partly repressed, peace and quietnes among men maintained, & one may not doe an other iniurie, wherefore this is in any wise to be kept. But, as I sayd, it is not ordained for them that are in the kingdom of grace, but therefore onely, that men be not more deepely plunged in wickednes, and become worse.
Wherefore no man that is only under the regiment of the ⟨p. 421⟩world, ought to glory, that he doth therefore well before God, before whom all is yet unrighteous. For thou must come so far, that thou do resign that which is just before the world, & yield of thine own right. This the Gospel doth here require,1 which on either side setteth forth unto us only forgiveness. First the Lord forgiveth the servant all the debt: then he requireth of him, that he forgive his fellow servant his, and remit his offence. These things God requireth, and so must his kingdom be ordered: that no man be so wicked, neither suffer him self so to be moved, that he can not forgive his neighbour. And as it is a little before this text taught in the Gospel, if he should provoke thee to anger even seventy times seven times, that is as often as he can offend against thee, thou must yield of thine own right, and cheerfully forgive him all things. Why so? because Christ did the same. For he set up & erected such a kingdom, as wherein is only grace, which must at no time cease, so that if thou repent all things may wholly be forgiven thee, as often as thou shalt offend, forasmuch as he hath ordained the Gospel, that it might preach no punishment but only grace & forgiveness of sins. This kingdom standing, thou mayst always rise again, how deeply soever thou fallest, & so often as thou fallest, so as thou repent. For albeit thou fallest, yet this Gospel & mercy seat always continueth. As soon as therefore thou hast risen again & returned, thou hast grace restored. Howbeit he requireth this of thee, that thou also forgive thy neighbour all things, which he hath committed against thee, otherwise thou shalt not be in this kingdom of grace, neither shalt become partaker of that which the Gospel preacheth, that thy sins may be forgiven thee. This briefly is the sum & meaning of this text.