A06521:772
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.
For if our Preachers should preach Christ, the merchandise of the Pope together with his decrees would be nothing set by, but rather she heard it of some that was also restored to health, who told her without doubting, that the•e was a certain man, whom his parents had named Jesus, which is a gentle and good man, which helpeth every one, and sendeth away none from him whom he helpeth not, and therefore is without doubt sent of God, that he may help all. Which the woman having heard, she leaveth the Physicians, and maketh hast unto Christ.
For if our Preachers should preach Christ, the marchandize of the Pope togither with his decrees would be nothing set by, but rather she heard it of some that was also restored to health, who told her without douting, that the•e was a certaine man, whom his parents had named Iesus, which is a gentle and good man, which helpeth euery one, and sendeth away none from him whom he helpeth not, and therfore is without dout sent of God, that he may helpe all. Which the woman hauing heard, she leaueth the Phisitians, and maketh hast vnto Christ.
So also at this day it falleth […] Not Christ, but works only are preached, do this or that, nevertheless it is spread among ⟨p. 442⟩the people what Christ is, what we must look for of him, & that he alone must do all things without our works or merits.1 This report being heard, we follow him, and lay up these words in the depth of our hart, we leave the physicians, nothing regarding the Preachers of the law and works, or their commandments and traditions, but run with all desire of hart to this man, which is Christ, saying to the Pope: if I must receive only of Christ, how unwisely have I dealt, that I have turned so much unto thee? farewell therefore O Pope, farewell the beloved Bishops, I need no more your medicine, works and merits, precepts and laws, ye have grieved me long enough with them, I have gotten one, which bestoweth upon me freely, whatsoever I payed full dear for unto you before: he giveth that unto me without works and merits, for which I was fain before to bestow my body, strength and health, and yet could not obtain it. Fare ye well, I mind to come no more to you hereafter. Christians therefore are made, not by the decrees of the Pope, not by works, not by the ordinances of men, but by the grace and goodness of Christ.