A06521:768
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.
But it is no small matter for men to be persuaded, that they are poor, and stand in need of grace. For that cometh to pass very hardly, Satan also doth not suffer it, but always draweth men back to works, that they may not come so far, as to think that they have need either of the grace or mercy of Christ.
But it is no small matter for men to be perswaded, that they are poore, and stand in neede of grace. For that commeth to passe verie hardly, Satan also doth not suffer it, but alwayes draweth men backe to workes, that they may not come so farre, as to thinke that they haue neede either of the grace or mercy of Christ.
The text affirmeth that the woman was diseased with an issue of blood twelve whole years,1 and had spent all her substance upon physicians, and that the more medicines she took, the worse always she was. Luke and Mark do not a little exaggerate and amplify it, whereby they both signify, that the more works be preached, so much the worse is it with us, and that there cometh nothing unto us thereby, but a continual multiplying of our evil. Our conscience can not be quieted with works, for albeit some sin be driven out of the conscience, forthwith there is an other, yea the remedy and work oftentimes do make sin in us, where there is no sin, until such time as we come to Christ, even as it was with this woman, which had bin sick so long, neither had she bin ever helped, if she had not come to Christ, of whom she obtaineth health without any works, giving him nothing, but receiveth only of him,2 and suffereth to be given unto her. Now here is also declared, how the word of God is daily to be handled, and without ceasing to be urged, for there are as yet always found such men, as have very troubled and afflicted consciences. For this woman is a type or figure of all men, which are diseased with an issue, that is, which feel there since, the issue whereof doeth always run, neither can it be stayed, for flesh and blood doeth no otherwise, then it is carried with it own lust and desire. Now if that feeling of sin be