A06521:751
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.
wherefore he doth not unequally or unjustly, which useth his own things at his will, & taketh not away wrongfully the goods of an other.
wherefore he doth not vnequally or vniustly, which vseth his owne thinges at his will, & taketh not away wrongfully the goods of an other.
But what doeth the Gospel say? If God also had held his own right, and said: I do well in that I punish offenders, and take that which is mine own, who shall let me? what I pray you should become of all us?1 We should be thrust down to Satan. Wherefore, whereas he hath left his right toward thee, he will have thee do the same toward other: and therefore thou abrogating thine own right, think thus with thy self: If God hath forgiven me ten thousand talents, why should not I forgive my neighbour an hundred pence? God might have exacted his own right, nevertheless he doth not soe, but becometh a favourable Lord unto thee, taketh pity upon thee, and forgiveth thee: why therefore shouldest not thou do likewise to thy neighbour? Wherefore if thou wilt have to do in his kingdom, thou must do as he doeth: but if thou haddest rather remain in the kingdom of the world, thou shalt never enter into his kingdom. Hereunto pertaineth that sentence, which Christ in the last day shall pronounce upon the unbelievers:2 I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I thirsted, and ye gave me no drink, &c. But if thou contend here against: Notwithstanding ye say, that God will not have respect unto works, neither will save any because of them. I say he will have them done frankly and freely, not that we may merit any thing thereby, but that we may do them to the profit of our neighbours, and witness our sincere faith by them. For what hast thou that thou mayst give him, and whereby thou mayst deserve that he should pardon whatsoever thou hast committed against him? Or what doth he get thereby? nothing truly, but that thou givest unto him praise and thanks. And this is the other part of a Christian life, the name whereof is love.