Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

Set before you an example hereof in Abraham. Although in faith a son was conceived unto him, nevertheless he was yet ignorant, that he must be offered: Neither did faith manifestly show it self, when a son was given unto him. So was it also with the Disciples: although they had faith, notwithstanding they wanted as yet trial of their faith: Now nothing trieth faith better then the cross and persecution. If Abraham had not been commanded to offer his son, he had had no trial of his faith. When as the Apostles did suffer persecution, they then had a taste and trial of their faith. As long as we may live without tentation, we think that we are endued with a strong faith, but if any adversity cometh to us on any side, we byandby try what faith we rested upon. Wherefore S. Paul saith Rom. 5: We rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience, & patience experience, & experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. After the same sort Solomon also saith in the Proverbs: As silver is fined, and gold tried in the furnace, ¹so doth the Lord try the harts. Such a trial is made by the cross and persecution, when we are as it were crucified according to our old Adam, by which crucifying our faith is tried, and according to this trial of faith our flesh mortified, the spirit increasing in the knowledge of Christ. And then is our flesh truly mortified, when we suffer the will of God to bear rule in us, which is then done when we submit our selves to his will howsoever he dealeth with us, renouncing our own. This S. Paul will have us to do, when he saith thus Rom. 12: I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God, that ye give up your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable serving of God. And fashion not your selves like unto this world, but be ye changed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect vvil of God is.

Set before you an example hereof in Abraham. Although in faith a sonne was conceiued vnto him, neuertheles he was yet ignorant, that he must be offered: Neither did faith manifestly shew it selfe, when a sonne was giuen vnto him. So was it also with the Disciples: although they had faith, notwithstanding they wanted as yet triall of their faith: Now nothing trieth faith better then the crosse and persecution. If Abraham had not bene commaunded to offer his sonne, he had had no triall of his faith. When as the Apostles did suffer persecution, they then had a tast and triall of their faith. As longe as we may liue without tentation, we thinke that we are endued with a strong faith, but if any aduersitie commeth to vs on any side, we byandby trie what faith we rested vpon. Wherfore S. Paul sayth