A06521:790
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
Sermon St Thomas › The exposition of this Gospel.Sermon St Thomas › The exposition of this Gospell.
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.
1All these things were not only done for our commodity, but also if we believe in this Lord Christ, they are given unto us. For whatsoever he hath, it serveth for us, yea he him self is ours, as Paul saith Rom. 8. God spared not his own son, but gave him for us all to death, how shall he not with him give us all things also? So that I may boldly glory of all victory, which he obtained over the law, sin, death, the devil, and may challenge to my self all his works, even as if they were mine own, and I my self had done them, so that I believe in Christ. Otherwise his works shall profit me nothing at all, if they were not given unto me. These are the works of an other which do commend us before God, and save us. Our own works shall do nothing, we are weaker, then that we can resist even the least sin, so far is it of that we are able to encounter with death,2 Satan, and hell. Wherefore when the Law shall come, and accuse thee, that thou dost not observe it, send it unto Christ, and say: There is that man which hath fulfilled the law, to him I cleave, he hath fulfilled it for me, and hath given his fulfilling unto me: when it heareth these things, it will be quiet. If sin come, and would have thee by the throat, send it unto Christ, and say: As much as thou mayst do against him, so much right shalt thou have against me: for I am in him, and he is in me. If death creep upon thee, and attempt to devour thee, say unto it: Good Mistress ⟨p. 451⟩death, dost thou know this man? come and byte out his tooth, hast thou forgotten how little thy biting prevailed with him once? go too if it be a pleasure unto thee, encounter with him again. Thou hadst persuaded thy self, that thou shouldest have prevailed somewhat against him, when he did hang between two thieves, & dyed an ignominious death, which was counted cursed both before God and the world. But what didst thou gain thereby? Thou didst byte in deed, but it turned worst to thy self. I pertain to this man, I am his, and he is mine, and where he abideth, there also will I abide. Thou couldest hurt him nothing, wherefore also let me alone. After the same sort if the Devil, if hell come violently upon thee, and trouble thee, send them unto Christ, and thou shalt easily make them to cease.