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

¹Wherefore one is not therefore called a Christian, for that he worketh much, for there is an other thing, which is cause hereof, namely for that he receiveth and draweth from Christ. If one receiveth nothing any more of Christ, neither is he any more a Christian, so that the name of a Christian cometh only by receiving, and not by giving or doing. If thou think that because of thy works and deeds thou art a Christian, thou hast even then lost the name of Christ. Good works in deed are to be done, counsel thereunto is to be given and received, but no man is therefore called a Christian, neither is any therefore a Christian. Wherefore if any will more inwardly weigh this name, in this respect only a Christian is to be acknowledged, inasmuch as he receiveth of Christ alone. Even as one is called white of the whiteness that is in him, black of the blackness, great of his stature: so a Christian is called of Christ, whom he hath in himself, and of whom he receiveth that which is good. Now if one be named a Christian of Christ, he taketh not that name of his own works, whereupon it plainly also followeth, that no man is made a Christian by works. Which if it be true, as it is true and certain, it shall follow that Orders and Sects do nothing pertain to the name of Christ, neither do make a Christian. Wherefore they which preach or teach in the Church, and ordain precepts, works, and decrees, are deceivers, who albeit they pretend a Christian name, yet profit they nothing, for under the colour of that name they endeavour to burden and oppress us with commandments and works. Of works, giving thy self to fasting and prayers, thou mayest be called abstinent and temperate, but by no means a Christian. For although thou diddest lay all thy works together, yea and joinedst the works of all other to thine, yet neither so hast thou Christ, neither art thou therefore called a Christian. Christ is a certain other more excellent thing, then either the law or mans tradition. He is the son of God, who is ready to give ⟨p. 435⟩only, not to receive: when as I am such a one that I do receive of him, I have him also, whom if I have, I am by good right called a Christian.

¹Wherefore one is not therefore called a Christian, for that he worketh much, for there is an other thinge, which is cause hereof, namely for that he receiueth and draweth from Christ. If one receiueth nothing any more of Christ, neither is he any more a Christian, so that the name of a Christian commeth onely by receiuing, and not by giuing or doing. If thou thinke that because of thy workes and deedes thou art a Christian, thou hast euen then lost the name of Christ. Good workes in deede are to be done, counsell thereunto is to be giuen and receiued, but no man is therefore called a Christian, neither is any therefore a Christian. Wherefore if any will more inwardly weye this name, in this respect onely a Christian is to be acknowledged, inasmuch as he receiueth of Christ alone. Euen as one is called white of the whitenes that is in him, blacke of the blacknes, great of his stature: so a Christian is called of Christ, whom he hath in himselfe, and of whom he receiueth that which is good. Now if one be named a Christian of Christ, he taketh not that name of his owne workes, whereupon it plainly also foloweth, that no man is made a Christian by workes. Which if it be true, as it is true and certaine, it shall folow that Orders and Sects doe nothinge pertaine to the name of Christ, neither doe make a Christian. Wherefore they which preach or teach in the Church, and ordaine preceptes, workes, and decrees, are deceiuers, who albeit they pretend a Christian name, yet profite they nothinge, for vnder the colour of that name they endeuour to burden and oppres vs with commaundements and workes. Of workes, giuing thy selfe to fasting and prayers, thou mayest be called abstinent and temperat, but by no meanes a Christian. For although thou didest laye all thy workes togither, yea and ioynedst the works of all other to thine, yet neither so hast thou Christ, neither art thou therefore called a Christian. Christ is a certaine other more excellent thinge, then either the lawe or mans tradition. He is the sonne of God, who is ready to giue