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

Secondly the holy Ghost appeareth here in the likeness of a dove, when Christ is baptized,¹ whereby is signified that we also do receive the holy Ghost in our baptism, which ruleth and guideth us according to the will of God, which is present with us, & helpeth us in bearing the burden of the holy cross, which exhorteth us, is instant upon us, enforceth us, and when we yield to the burden of the cross, is present and helpeth us: if we fall, raiseth us up again, and is with us as a certain faithful companion in our journey. He also maketh the burden of the cross light, which we were very unable to bear, if he did not put to his help. If so be that thou fall into sin, remember to go back unto thy Baptism, for this is the only ship, wherein we pass over. Wherefore take heed of them which make two tables, whereby we pass over the sea of sins, namely baptism and repentance. Believe them not, whatsoever they handle, it is mere delusion: baptism is the beginning of repentance. As often therefore as thou fallest into sin, have recourse unto thy baptism, there thou shalt again obtain the holy Ghost, who may be present with thee. For repentance is nothing else, but a displeasing of him self, a detesting of his wicked life, and a renewing of the man, which is represented in baptism. After such a renewing of the life, followeth the praise of God, and thanksgiving unto him for the grace received, then such a man bursteth forth, & behaveth him self friendly toward his neighbour, & doth good to him in all things. This is signified by that, that the holy Ghost appeared upon Christ in the likeness of a dove: for a dove wanteth the gall. Such they also become, which receive the holy Ghost in baptism, to wit, they are gentle and without all bitterness toward all.

Secondly the holy Ghost appeareth here in the likenes of a doue, when Christ is baptized,¹ whereby is signified that we also doe receiue the holy Ghost in our baptisme, which ruleth and guideth vs according to the will of God, which is present with vs, & helpeth vs in bearing the burden of the holy crosse, which exhorteth vs, is instant vpon vs, enforceth vs, and when we yeld to the burden of the crosse, is present and helpeth vs: if we fall, rayseth vs vp againe, and is with vs as a certeine faithfull companion in our iorney. He also maketh the burden of the crosse light, which we were very vnable to beare, if he did not put to his helpe. If so be that thou fall into sinne, remember to goe backe vnto thy Baptisme, for this is the onely ship, wherein we passe ouer. Wherefore take heede of them which make two tables, wherby we passe ouer the sea of sinnes, namely baptisme and repentance. Beleeue them not, whatsoeuer they handle, it is mere delusion: baptisme is the beginning of repentance. As often therefore as thou fallest into sinne, haue recourse vnto thy baptisme, there thou shalt againe obtaine the holy Ghost, who may be present with thee. For repentance is nothing else, but a displeasing of him selfe, a detesting of his wicked life, and a renuing of the man, which is represented in baptisme. After such a renuing of the life, followeth the prayse of God, and thankesgiuing vnto him for the grace receiued, then such a man bursteth forth, & behaueth him self friendly toward his neighbour, & doth good to him in all thinges. This is signified by that, that the holy Ghost appeared vpon Christ in the likenes of a doue: for a doue wanteth the gall. Such they also become, which receiue the holy Ghost in baptisme, to witte, they are gentle and without all bitternes toward all.