A06521:753
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.
They therefore that show not their faith by the works of love, are such servants, as will have themselves forgiven, when as they notwithstanding do not forgive their neighbour, neither yield of their own right,1 with whom it shall likewise fall out as it did with this servant. For when the other servants (that is, the ministers and preachers of the Gospel) shall see it, that God hath forgiven them all, and yet they will not forgive any, they ⟨p. 429⟩are troubled, that they are compelled to see such things, and it grieveth them very sore, that men do so undiscreetly apply themselves to the Gospel, and not rightly receive it. What do they then? They can do no other, but come to their Lord, and complain unto him of such things, and say: Lord, thus it is: thou forgivest them both the fault and the punishment, yea pardonest them all things, and yet we can not bring them so far, as to deal so with others as thou hast dealt with them. This is the complaint: the Lord therefore will cause them to come before him in the last judgement, and will lay these things against them saying: when thou wast afflicted with hunger, thirst, misery, &c: I did help thee: when thou didst lie drowned in since, I having mercy upon thee, did forgive thee. Hast thou done the same to thy neighbour? Then he shall pronounce this sentence on him: Thou wicked one, I was touched with mercy toward thee, yea I yielded of mine own right, but thou wouldest not take pity on others, nor forgive them their offence, wherefore thou shalt now pay thy debt. Here is no grace and mercy, but most grievous wrath and eternal condemnation, then no prayers do help, wherefore he is compelled to hold his peace, and is thrown headlong into pain, until he pay the uttermost farthing. This is that which Saint Peter hath spoken of them,2 which after they have heard the Gospel, notwithstanding go back, that it had bin better for them, if they had never acknowledged the way of righteousness, then after they have acknowledged it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto them. Why had it bin better? Because while they go back, it becometh worse with them then it was before thy heard the Gospel, as Christ saith of the unclean spirit Matth.
They therefore that shew not their faith by the works of loue, are such seruaunts, as will haue themselues forgiuen, when as they notwithstanding doe not forgiue their neighbour, neither yeeld of their owne right,