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

Moreover, the Gospel preacheth Christ also to be the greatest and most highly exalted person in the world, not that he doth terrify men, but that he poureth forth all earthly and heavenly good things, so that all men must trust in him, must have their hope reposed in him, and always receive only of him. If any sin terrify me in my conscience, and the preachers of the law endeavour to help me with their works, they shall prevail nothing with me. For then Christ alone can help and none beside him, yea others make the case worse, whether it be Peter, or Paul, or the blessed virgin Mary her self the mother of God. For Christ only performeth all things, who in his word, declareth that if I believe, my sin is forgiven me freely, without all both work and merit, by pure grace through faith in Christ. Which word when I shall receive, I receive also comfort, that my since be forgiven me as well before God as before men, and I therefore give thanks to God through Christ, which giveth the holy Ghost and his grace unto me, that sin may not hurt me, neither here, nor in the last judgement. If I fear death, and would not die willingly, in this Christ I shall find comfort and remedy, that I shall not greatly pass for death. If because of the wrath of God I be afraid, he is my Mediator. And to be brief, he that hath not this Christ, the wrath of God always remaineth over him, and in that state he standeth.

Moreouer, the Gospel preacheth Christ also to be the greatest and most highly exalted person in the world, not that he doth terrifie men, but that he poureth forth all earthly and heauenly good thinges, so that all men must trust in him, must haue their hope reposed in him, and alwayes receiue onely of him. If any synne terrifie me in my conscience, and the preachers of the lawe endeuour to helpe me with their workes, they shall preuaile nothinge with me. For then Christ alone can helpe and none besyde him, yea others make the case worse, whether it be Peter, or Paule, or the blessed virgine Marie her selfe the mother of God. For Christ onely perfourmeth all thinges, who in his word, declareth that if I beleeue, my synne is forgiuen me freely, without all both worke and merit, by pure grace through fayth in Christ. Which word when I shall receiue, I receiue also comfort, that my synnes be forgiuen me as well before God as before men, and I therefore giue thankes to God through Christ, which giueth the holy Ghost and his grace vnto me, that sinne may not hurt me, neither here, nor in the last iudgement. If I feare death, and would not die willingly, in this Christ I shall finde comfort and remedie, that I shall not greatly passe for death. If because of the wrath of God I be afraid, he is my Mediator. And to be briefe, he that hath not this Christ, the wrath of God alwaies remaineth ouer him, and in that state he standeth.