A06521:746
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.
yet will he not deal with him by the law, but changeth the law into grace and favour, taketh pity on him, and dismisseth him with his wife, children, and all his substance, and doth also forgive him the debt.
yet will he not deale with him by the lawe, but chaungeth the lawe into grace and fauour, taketh pittie on him, and dimisseth him with his wife, children, and all his substance, and doth also forgiue him the dette.
This is that which God suffereth to be preached by the Gospel: unto him that believeth is remitted not only the fault, but also the punishment, and that of mere mercy, not for any works sake. For he that preacheth, that by works the fault and the punishment may be put away, hath even then denied the Gospel,1 forasmuch as these two can not agree together, that God hath mercy on thee, and yet that thou doest merit some thing. For if it be grace, it is not merit: but if it be merit, then shall it not be grace, but debt: for if thou pay thy debt, he showeth thee no mercy: but if he showeth thee mercy, thou doest not make payment. Wherefore we must needs acknowledge his mercy toward us, we must receive of him, and believe in him, which the Gospel here requireth. After therefore that this servant is thus humbled with the knowledge of his sin, the word is exceeding comfortable unto him, wherein the Lord pronounceth him free, and forgiveth him both the fault and the punishment.2 Whereby is also declared, that it toucheth not sluggish hearts, that feel no sin, neither those that are carried with rashness, but only such afflicted consciences, as are pressed with the heavy burden of their since, which do greatly desire to be delivered from them, of them God hath mercy, and forgiveth them all. Wherefore it behoved this servant to receive the word, for unless he had received it, forgiveness had profited nothing, nay there had been no forgiveness at all. It is not therefore enough, that God suffereth remission of since, and a golden year full of grace to be preached ⟨p. 426⟩