A06521:749
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.
Now followeth the other part, wherein the fellow servant also is dealt with. This servant now hath enough, he saveth his body, goods, wife, children, &c. and hath his Lord favourable unto him. Wherefore he should surely be very foolish, if he should now depart, and do what he is able for the reconciliation of his Lord, for his Lord might worthily say that he is mocked of him. He hath need therefore of no work, but that he receive such grace & favour as is offered him, so may he be of a good cheer, giving thanks to his Lord, and dealing so with others as his Lord hath dealt with him. After the same sort is it with us, for when we believe, we have God favourable & merciful unto us, neither do we need any thing more,1 but now it were time that we should forthwith die. Notwithstanding if we must as yet live still in the earth, our life ought to be ordered so, that we seek not to obtain the favour of God by works. For he that doth this, doth mock & dishonour God, as it hath bin hitherto taught, that God is to be solicited so song by good works, prayers, fastings, & such like, until we obtain his grace and favour. We have obtained grace, not by works, but by mercy, now if thou ⟨p. 427⟩must live, thou must have what to do, and wherewith to occupy thy self, and it is meet that all this be referred to thy neighbour.
Now followeth the other part, wherein the felow seruaunt also is delt with. This seruaunt now hath enough, he saueth his body, goods, wife, children, &c. and hath his Lord fauourable vnto him. Wherfore he should surely be very foolish, if he should now depart, and do what he is able for the reconciliation of his Lord, for his Lord might worthely say that he is mocked of him. He hath neede therefore of no worke, but that he receiue such grace & fauour as is offered him, so may he be of a good cheere, giuing thankes to his Lord, and dealing so with others as his Lord hath delt with him. After the same sort is it with vs, for when we beleeue, we haue God fauourable & mercifull vnto vs, neither do we neede any thing more,1 but now it were time that we should forthwith die. Notwithstanding if we must as yet liue still in the earth, our life ought to be ordered so, that we seeke not to obtaine the fauour of God by workes. For he that doth this, doth mocke & dishonour God, as it hath bin hitherto taught, that God is to be sollicited so song by good workes, prayers, fastings, & such like, vntill we obtaine his grace and fauour. We haue obtained grace, not by workes, but by mercy, now if thou