A06524:81
A Treatise Touching the Liberty of a Christian
A treatise, touching the liberty of a Christian. Written in Latin by Doctor Martin Luther. And translated into English by James BellA treatise, touching the libertie of a Christian. Written in Latin by Doctor Martine Luther. And translated into English by Iames Bell
London: printed by Ralph Newbery and H. Bynneman, 1579
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.
1You see therefore, if we acknowledge all those things which are given unto us, of greatest and highest price (as Peter saith) yea forthwith love is poured abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghost, whereby we are free, cheerful, omnipotent, doers, workers, and conqueror of all tribulation, servants of our neighbours, yet Lords of all things notwithstanding. But such as do not know the gifts given unto them through Christ, to them Christ is borne in vain: such wander in the way of works, and shall never attain to the taste and feeling of those things. Therefore as our neighbour is pressed down with necessity, and wanteth of our store & abundance, even so were we overwhelmed with necessity in the sight of God, and needed altogether his mercy. Wherefore as our heavenly father did succour us in Christ Jesus freely, even so ought we ⟨p. 65⟩help our neighbour freely by our body and by our works, and every of us must be made a certain Christ each to other, that we may be made debtors of Christ, and that Christ may be one and the same in all, that is to say, that we may be true Christians.
1You sée therefore, if wee acknowledge all those things which are giuen vnto vs, of greatest and highest price (as Peter saith) ye forthwith loue is poured abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghost, whereby we are frée, chearfull, omnipotent, doers, workers, and conquerour of all tribulation, seruants of our neighbours, yet Lords of all things notwithstanding. But such as doe not know the gifts giuen vnto them through Christ, to them Christ is borne in vaine: such wander in the way of works, and shall neuer attaine to the taste and féeling of those things. Therefore as our neighbour is pressed downe with necessity, and wanteth of our store & abundance, euen so were we ouerwhelmed with necessity in the sight of God, and néeded altogether his mercy. Wherefore as our heauenly father did succour vs in Christ Iesu fréely, euen so ought wee ⟨p. 65⟩help our neighbour fréely by our body and by our workes, and euery of vs must be made a certaine Christ each to other, that wée may bee made debtours of Christ, and that Christ may bee one and the same in all, that is to say, that wée may be true Christians.