A06521:843
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.
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. For as no man cometh to the Father, but by the Son, so no man knoweth the Father but by Christ the Sonne. First the Fathers will is not known, to wit, that he will save us, unless we see it in Christ. He which is in the bosom of the Father, hath revealed it unto us. Secondly the Father is not believed. For reason by it self doth not understand, that it receiveth any thing of God. Wherefore it is needful that Christ declare that bountifulness and goodness unto us. A troubled conscience flieth the Father, neither can it abide to commit it self unto him. But they that ⟨p. 477⟩are justified by the word of Christ, do not any more contemn the Father, neither fly him, as the Israelites did, but stand before him as Moses, and are enlightened with divine light, that they may know the power of God and mercy of the Father. Hereupon cometh trust and confidence in him: hereby we know that we receive all things at his hands, and look for all as well spiritual as corporal things of him. All these we must acknowledge to be received by faith, reason can not attain unto them. For it endeavoureth to obtain God by her own strength and merits, but that endeavour is in vain. Wherefore when it is not able to come to the knowledge of God by her own strength, it utterly denieth God, and saith that there is no God. After when it seeth uncleanness in her works, it despaireth, and is in most great distress. But when we are justified by foolish preaching, we come to the knowledge of God the Father, as soon as we believe the word of Christ, and so we try the power of the Father in afflictions and adversities, although they be even great. This was shadowed forth in that, that the people of Israel could not abide to hear the voice of God, but desired that Moses might speak unto them. Where Christ also was figured, that he should make intercession for us to the Father, and be our mercy seat. For nature is more weak & frail, then that it can abide to talk with God. Wherefore he hath given unto us this his Son a Mediator, in whom and by whom we must have to do with him.
If ye had knovvne me, ye should haue knovvne my Father also. For as no man commeth to the Father, but by the Sonne, so no man knoweth the Father but by Christ the Sonne. First the Fathers will is not knowne, to wit, that he wil saue vs, vnles we see it in Christ. He which is in the bosom of the Father, hath reuealed it vnto vs. Secondly the Father is not beleeued. For reason by it selfe doth not vnderstand, that it receiueth any thing of God. Wherefore it is needefull that Christ declare that bountifulnes and goodnes vnto vs. A troubled conscience flieth the Father, neither can it abide to commit it self vnto him. But they that