A06521:764
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.
Hereof now ye may understand, what kind of people Christians be, namely, that they be a company which cleave unto Christ,1 and are of one spirit and gift with him. Hereupon it is that all Christians are alike, neither hath one more of Christ then an other. S. Peter is not better then the Thief on the cross: Mary the mother of God doth not excel Mary Magdalen the sinful woman. There is in deed a difference in outward things and doings, so the work of the holy virgin Mary was greater, then the work of Mary Magdalen: Peter had a greater work then the Thief, if thou consider the works, but we are not therefore Christians. The holy virgin Mary is not a Christian because of her great work, for that she did bear Christ so unspeakable a treasure in her womb, as Christ himself said to the woman, which cried unto him from among the people, Luke 11: Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked: yea rather, saith he, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. In which place thou seest, that he preferreth the faithful even above his mother. For Christians do therefore bear their name, because they believe in Christ. A virgin and a mother are two notable names, howbeit they are nothing being compared to the true name of the faithful. Wherefore we are all alike in Christ through faith, albeit S. Peter have a stronger faith then I, yet mine is as well faith in Christ as his. For the same Christ is offered of God the father unto all companies and people, whom he that hath obtained, hath him whole, whether he be strong or weak, for that skilleth not. The woman mentioned in our text, which was troubled so many years with her disease, doth receive and apprehend Christ as well as the virgin Mary his mother. Wherefore there is one Christian spirit, ⟨p. 437⟩one excelleth with an other in the nobleness of birth, S. Peter is enforced to call me his brother, and I again dear be bold to call him my brother. Yea Christ himself is touched with care of us, and counteth us for his brethren, as he said after his resurrection to Mary Magdalen, Joh. 20: I ascend unto my Father and to your Father, and to my God and your God. And S. Paul calleth Christ the first borne among many brethren.