A06521:760
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.
Christ in this days Gospel is set forth unto us, that he is conversant in the middest of the people, and draweth all the world unto himself with his gentleness and sweet doctrine, that they may cleave unto him in their heart, that they may commit themselves to his goodness, and hope that they shall obtain of him both spiritual and corporal good things. Neither doth he receive any thing of them, upon whom he bestoweth benefits, nay he obtaineth nothing of them but ignominy and scorning, as is declared in this text. A benefit proceedeth from him, for which he receiveth a mock and reproach.1 Now the Gospel is preached and offered to the whole world, that we may learn to know this man well, and how we must be made Christians, and not how we must be made good. Other treatises beside the Gospel teach of those things, whereby men may be made good, as the writings of the Philosophers and the rules of the civill law. The lives also of the Saints have especial respect unto this, that men may imitate them. It belongeth not to the Gospel to make good men, but to make Christian men. For it is far more excellent to be a Christian, then an honest and good man. A Christian can say nothing of his own goodness or righteousness, for he findeth in himself nothing either good or righteous, but he must fly to the righteousness which is an others, and which cometh unto him from an other. Hereupon Christ is set forth unto us, as a continual ⟨p. 434⟩fountain, which always overfloweth with mere goodness and grace, for which he receiveth nothing of us, but that the godly do acknowledge so great goodness and grace, do give him thanks for the same, do praise and love him, others in the mean season mocking him, such a reward he receiveth of them.
Christ in this dayes Gospell is set forth vnto vs, that he is conuersaunt in the myddest of the people, and draweth all the world vnto himselfe with his gentlenes and sweete doctrine, that they maye cleaue vnto him in their heart, that they maye commit themselues to his goodnes, and hope that they shall obtaine of him both spirituall and corporall good thinges. Neither dothe he receiue any thinge of them, vpon whom he bestoweth benefites, nay he obtaineth nothing of them but ignominie and scorning, as is declared in this text. A benefite proceedeth from him, for which he receiueth a mocke and reproch.1