Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

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.

But what doeth the Gospell saye? If God also had held his owne right, and sayd: I do well in that I punish offenders, and take that which is myne owne, who shall let me? what I pray you should become of all vs?¹ We should be thrust downe to Satan. Wherefore, whereas he hath left his right toward thee, he will haue thee do the same toward other: and therefore thou abrogating thyne owne right, thinke thus with thy selfe: If God hath forgiuen me tenne thousand talents, why should not I forgiue my neighbour an hundred pence? God might haue exacted his owne right, neuerthelesse he dothe not soe, but becommeth a fauourable Lorde vnto thee, taketh pittie vpon thee, and forgiueth thee: why therefore shouldest not thou doe likewise to thy neighbour? Wherefore if thou wilt haue to doe in his kingdome, thou must doe as he doeth: but if thou haddest rather remaine in the kingdome of the world, thou shalt neuer enter into his kingdome. Hereunto pertaineth that sentence, which Christ in the last daye shall pronounce vpon the vnbeleeuers: