A06521:763
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.
Wherefore he that desireth to have a glad conscience,1 which is not afraid of sin, death, hell and the wrath of God, must take heed that he repose his trust in this Mediator Christ. For he is a fountain abounding with grace, which giveth both temporal and eternal life. Endeavour thou to think and feel him even in thy hart to be such a one, then shalt thou obtain all things, for he aboundeth and overfloweth, neither can he but give, flow, and abound, if that thou canst believe. Then also shalt thou be a right Christian, howbeit by receiving only of Christ, and not by giving. It is a very rich and precious word, which Paul praiseth so greatly, neither can he ever praise it sufficiently, whereby God so gently offereth his son, that he may pour ⟨p. 436⟩forth his grace upon all, which do not refuse to receive it. Hereupon it moreover followeth: If soe be that a Christian doeth good works, whereby he showeth love to his neighbour, he is not therefore made a Christian or righteous, but he must needs be a Christian and righteous before. He doeth good works in deed, but they do not make him a Christian. The tree bringeth forth and giveth fruit, and not the fruit the tree. Soe none is made a Christian by works, but by Christ.
Wherefore he that desireth to haue a glad conscience,1 which is not afraid of sinne, death, hell and the wrath of God, must take heede that he repose his trust in this Mediator Christ. For he is a fountaine abounding with grace, which giueth both temporall and eternall life. Endeuour thou to thinke and feele him euen in thy hart to be such a one, then shalt thou obtaine all thinges, for he aboundeth and ouerfloweth, neither can he but giue, flowe, and abound, if that thou canst beleeue. Then also shalt thou be a right Christian, howbeit by receiuing onely of Christ, and not by giuing. It is a verie rich and precious word, which Paule prayseth so greatly, neither can he euer prayse it sufficiently, whereby God so gently offereth his sonne, that he maye poure ⟨p. 436⟩forthe his grace vpon all, which doe not refuse to receiue it. Hereupon it moreouer foloweth: If soe be that a Christian doeth good workes, whereby he sheweth loue to his neighbour, he is not therefore made a Christian or righteous, but he must needes be a Christian and righteous before. He doeth good workes in deede, but they doe not make him a Christian. The tree bringeth forth and giueth fruite, and not the fruite the tree. Soe none is made a Christian by workes, but by Christ.