A88660:72
A word in season
A word in season: being the commentary of Dr. Martin Luther, on three selected Psalms: viz. the CXXIVth, CXXVth, and CXXIXth. With his commentary on some part of the fourth and fifth chapters of the First Epistle of St. Peter. Being of special use for the present times.
London: printed by George Larkin, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Commentary Psalm 125 › Verse 4: Verse 4. Do well O Lord unto them that be good and true of heart.
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.
Verse 4. Do well O Lord unto them that be good and true of heart.
The Prophet saith not here: Do well Lord to the perfect, and such as offend in nothing: but, to the good and true of Heart. The good and true of Heart, are they which are of a single, sincere and upright Heart. For these are they which are most accepted of God, although they also through infirmity do sometimes offend. Now where he prayeth that God will do well to the good and godly, he meaneth also and secretly complaineth that the godly are in misery and affliction, and that the ungodly do abound with all worldly felicity: As we see at this day the Enemies of the Gospel to enjoy great Riches and Dignities, whereby they vex and oppress the godly. This is a great offence and stumbling-block to the godly, and therefore the Church hath need of this Prayer, That God would do well unto the godly, which trust in him, and seek his Glory with their whole Heart, that they by stumbling at this offence do not fall away to impiety. This Prayer containeth in it a Prophecy with a promise, that like as he prayeth for the Blessing, Welfare and Prosperity of the just, so at the length it shall also come to pass.
The Prophet saith not here: Do well Lord to the perfect, and such as offend in nothing: but, to the good and true of Heart. The good and true of Heart, are they which are of a single, sincere and upright Heart. For these are they which are most accepted of God, altho they also through infirmity do sometimes offend. Now where he prayeth that God will do well to the good and godly, he meaneth also and secretly complaineth that the godly are in misery and affliction, and that the ungodly do abound with all worldly felicity: As we see at this day the Enemies of the Gospel to enjoy great Riches and Dignities, whereby they vex and oppress the godly. This is a great offence and stumbling-block to the godly, and therefore the Church hath need of this Prayer, That God would do well unto the godly, which trust in him, and seek his Glory with their whole Heart, that they by stumbling at this offence do not fall away to impiety. This Prayer containeth in it a Prophecy with a promise, that like as he prayeth for the Blessing, Welfare and Prosperity of the just, so at the length it shall also come to pass.