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.

A SERMON OF D. MAR∣TIN LVTHER, CONCERNING FAITH AND DIFFIDENCE IN daunger and trouble.

Matth. 8.

Verse 23. WHen Iesus was entered into the ship, his Disciples followed him.

24. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, so that the ship was couered with waues, but he was asleepe.

25. Then his Disciples came, and awoke him, say∣ing, Maister, saue vs, we perish.

26. And he sayd vnto them: Why are ye feareful, O ye of litle faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the windes and the sea: & so there was a great calme.

27. And the men merueiled, saying: What man is this, that both the windes & the sea obey him?

ACcording to the historie this text setteth before vs an example of faith and diffidence: wherof we may learne both what a stronge and inuincible thinge faith is, and that it must be exercised & tryed euen in great matters, and full of perill: and also howe desperate a thing on the other side diffidence is, and howe full of feare and trembling, which can neuer doe any thinge rightly or wel. This doth experience most liuely set forth in the Disciples. They, when they entered into the ship with Christ, and whilest there was calmnes in the lake, were nothing disquieted in mind, neither felt any feare. Then if one should haue asked them whe∣ther they beleeued, they would haue aunswered without dout that they did beleeue. For they did not know that their hart did trust in that quietnes, for that all troubles were absent, and therefore did rest vpon a thinge visible, and not vpon the inuisible grace of God. Which then was made manifest, as soone as the tempest was risen, and the waues did couer the ship: for by and by all their trust and confidence ceassed, for that the quietnes and calmnes whereunto they trusted was taken away, and diffidence, which before when al things were prosperous did lurke in their minds, did then appeare. For this is the nature of diffidence, that it be∣leeueth or knoweth no more then it feeleth. Forasmuch therefore as it had possessed the brestes of the Apostles, they felt nothing now but the fearefull tempest, and the waues couering the ship, they saw the sea swelling and greatly raging to threaten nothing

but death. These thinges onely did they thinke vpon, these onely did they consider, and therefore could there be no measure or ende of feare and trembling in their mindes: the more they weyed in their mind the perill, so much more were they terrified, and see∣med euen now to sticke in the very iawes of death, hoping for no life or deliuerance. And as they could not so much as thinke any thing els because of their vnbeliefe, so all comfort also was farre from them. For diffidence or vnbeliefe hath nothing whereunto it may trust or flee, wherfore when outward aduersitie commeth, it admitteth nothing into the mind but it, and therefore it can ne∣uer feele any peace or quietnes while this remaineth. So in hell, where diffidence exerciseth full tyrannie, there can neuer be any intermission of desperation, trembling and terrour.

But if the Disciples had bene then endued with a sound faith, and if it had ruled in this daunger, it would haue remoued from the mind the wind and all this tempest, & in steede of these would wholy haue thought vpon the power of God and his grace pro∣mised, whereunto it would no otherwise haue trusted, then if it had sate vpon a most stronge rocke farre from the sea and from al tempest. For this is the chiefe vertue and cunning of faith, that it seeth those thinges which are not seene or felt, and seeth not those thinges which are felt, yea which are now sore vpon vs, and doe presse & vrge vs. As on the contrary side diffidence seeth nothing but that which it feeleth, neither can it rest vpon any other thing but that which it feeleth. For this cause those thinges are of God layd vpon faith, which the whole world is not able to beare, as sinnes, death, the world, and the deuil: neither suffereth he it to be occupied with small matters. For who flieth not death? who is not terrified & ouercome of it? Against this inuincible faith stan∣deth, yea it couragiously setteth vpon it, which otherwise tameth all thinges, and ouercommeth and swalloweth vp that vnsatiable deuourer of life. So euen the whole world is not able to bring vn∣der and subdue the flesh, but it rather bringeth vnder and maketh the world subiect vnto it, & beareth rule ouer it, so that he liueth carnally whosoeuer is of the world. But faith subdueth this sub∣duer of all other, holdeth it in subiection, and teacheth it not one∣ly to be ruled, but also to obey. Likewise who is able to beare the hatred and furie, ignominie and persecution of the worlde? who doth not yeelde vnto it and is oppressed with it? But faith euen

laugheth at all the iniquitie, rage, and furie thereof, and maketh that vnto it selfe matter of spirituall ioy, wherewith other are e∣uen killed. It doth no otherwise behaue it selfe against Satan al∣so. Who is able to ouercome him, which practizeth so many craftes and wiles, wherby he stayeth and hindereth the truth, the worde of God, faith, and hope, and soweth against them innu∣merable errours, sects, delusions, heresies, desperations, super∣stitions, and such kind of abominations without number? All the worlde is to him as a sparke of fire to a fountaine of water, it is wholy subdued vnto him in these euills, as (alas) we both see and trie. But it is faith which troubleth him, for it is not onely not made subiect to his delusions, but it also discouereth and confoun∣deth them, that they be no more of any importance, that they are able to doe nothing but doe vanish away, as we haue experience at this day by the decaying and vanishing of the Papacie and in∣dulgences. Finally, sinne hath that force, that that which is euen the least, can not be appeased or extinguished of any creature, that it doth not gnawe and teare the conscience, yea if all men should goe about togither to comfort the conscience wherein sinne hath begun to liue, they should goe about it in vaine. But faith is that noble Champion, which ouercommeth and extinguisheth euery sinne, yea if all the sinnes which the whole world hath committed from the beginning were layde vpon one heape, it would extin∣guish and abolish them all togither. Is not faith therefore most mightie and of incomparable strength, which dareth encounter with so many and so mightie enemies, and beareth away the cer∣taine victorie? Wherefore Iohn sayth in his first Epistle chap. 5: This is that victorie that hath ouercome this world, euen our faith.

Howbeit this victorie commeth not with rest and quietnes, we must trie the fight, not without blood and woundes, that is, we must needes feele sinne, death, the flesh, the deuill, and the world, yea and that assayling vs so grieuously and with so great force, that the hart of man doe thinke that he is past all hope, that sinne hath ouercome, and the deuill gotten the vpper hande, and on the contrary side very litle feele the force of faith. We see an example of this fight here in the Disciples, for the waues did not onely strike the ship, but did euen couer it, that nothing could be now lo∣ked for, but that it should be drowned, especially Christ being a∣sleepe,

and knowing not of this perill: all hope was then past, life seemed to be ouercome, and death appeared to haue the victorie. But as it fel out with the Disciples in this tentation, so also doth it fall out, and must fall out with all the godly in all kind of tenta∣tions, which are of sinne, the deuill, and the world. In the tentati∣on of sinne we must needes feele the conscience thrall vnto sinnes, the wrath of God and hellish paynes to hange ouer vs, and all thinges to be in that case, as though we were past all recouerie. Likewise when we haue conflict with the deuill, it must appeare, as though truth shoulde giue place to errour, and Satan shoulde driue the worde of God out of the whole worlde, and he him selfe reigne for a God with his delusions & deceits. Neither standeth the case any otherwise, when it commeth to passe that we are try∣ed of the world, it must needes be, that it should greatly rage and cruelly persecute vs, so that it shall seeme that no man at all is a∣ble to stand, that no man is able to obtayne safetie, or profes his faith: that Cain onely shall beare rule, and suffer his brother in no place.

But we must not iudge according to such feeling and outward appearance of things, but according to faith. The present exam∣ple ought to stirre vs vp hereunto, & to be receiued of vs in steede of speciall comfort. For we learne hereof, that albeit sinnes doe vrge vs, death disquiet vs, the world rage against vs, and the de∣uill lay snares for vs, that is, although the waues doe couer the ship, yet we must not be discouraged. For although thy consci∣ence being wounded doth feele sinne, and the wrath and indigna∣tion of God, yet shalt thou not therefore be plunged in hell. Nei∣ther shalt thou therefore die, although euen the whole world hate and persecute thee, and gape so wide to deuoure thee, as the mor∣ning spreadeth forth it selfe: They are onely waues, which fal∣ling vpon thy ship doe terrifie thee, and compell thee to crie out, we perish, Lord saue vs. Thou hast therefore in the former part of this text, the nature of faith set forth, how it is wont and ought to behaue it selfe in tentation, also howe desperate a thinge diffi∣dence is, and nothing to be counted of. The other part commen∣deth vnto vs loue in Christ, whereby he was brought so farre, that he brake of his sleepe, arose, and counted the daunger that his Disciples were in for his owne, and helped them freely, as∣king or looking for nothing of them therefore. Euen as it is the

nature of Christian loue to doe all things freely and of good will to the glorie of God, and profit of our neighbours, seeking to it selfe nothing thereby. For the exercising of which loue man ado∣pted of God, is left in the earth, euen as Christ being made man liued in the earth that he might do for vs, as he witnesseth of him selfe: I came not to be serued, but to serue, and to giue my life for the ransome of many.

The Allegories of this deede.

In this deede Christ hath set forth the life of Christians, and the state of such as preach and teache the worde of God. The ship signifieth the Church, the sea the world, the winde the deuill, the Disciples of Christ are the Preachers and godly Christians: Christ the truth, the Gospell and faith. Now, before that Christ and his Disciples enter into the ship, the sea is calme, & the wind quiet, but when Christ with his Disciples are entred in, by and by ariseth a tempest. This is that which he sayd: I came not to send peace but the sword. For if Christ would suffer the world to liue after his owne maner, and would not reproue the workes there∣of, it would be quiet enough. But now seeing that he preacheth that they which are counted wise men, are fooles: they that are counted righteous, are sinners: they that are counted rich, are not blessed, but miserable, it rageth & is in great furie. So thou maist at this daye finde wise men of this worlde, which in deede would suffer the Gospell to be preached, if the wordes of the Scripture shoulde be simply declared, and in the meane season the state of Ecclesiasticall persons not reproued: but as soone as thou shalt begin to condemne by the Scriptures all those thinges which haue bene hitherto brought in vnder a false name of religion, and to teach that they are to be reiected as being of no importance, thou preachest seditiously, and troublest the world with vnchristi∣an doctrine.

But how doth the present text pertaine vnto vs? A great tem∣pest did arise, where that ship went, wherein Christ and his Dis∣ciples were. Other ships did passe the sea quietly, nothing tossed of the windes, this ship onely must be tossed and couered with waues, because Christ was caried in it. For the world can suffer any kind of preaching beside the preaching of Christ: the cause is, for that he condemneth all thinges of the world, and chalen∣geth

all righteousnes to him selfe, according to that which he saith: He that is not with me, is against me: and againe: The Spirit will reproue the worlde of sinne, of righteousnes, and of iudgement. He sayth not: will preach, but, will reproue, and not this or that man, but, the world, and whatsoeuer is in the world. Against this ship of Christ all this tempest is raysed, and it is brought into daunger. For the world doth not suffer his owne thinges to be condemned, but Christ can not allowe them, & if he should allow them, he had come in vaine. For if the world were wise by it selfe, and did knowe and followe the truth, what neede had there bene that Christ & his Disciples should preach? Wher∣fore it is not a small comfort to Christians, especially to Prea∣chers, that they are certaine before, that as soone as they shal be∣gin to preach Christ to the world, they must suffer persecution, & that it can not be otherwise. So that it is a sure signe, and there∣fore to be wished, that it is true Christian preaching, if it be tried with persecution, especially of the holy, learned and wise men of the worlde. As it is an vndouted signe also, that it is vnchristian preaching, if it be praysed commonly and honoured of the world, according to that saying Luke 6: Blessed are ye when men hate you, and put out your name as euill, for the Sonne of mans sake: for so did their fathers to the Prophets. Now marke how our spi∣rituall men do behaue them selues, and of what sort their doctrine is: They haue got into their subiection the riches, glorie, and power of the world, and they that prayse them, enioy the honour and pleasures thereof, their case in all thinges agreeth with the case of the false Prophets, and yet they dare boast them selues to be Preachers and Teachers of Christ, and worshippers of God.

The next thinge, whereby this deede doth comfort and encou∣rage the Preachers of Christ, is, that it sheweth where helpe is to be asked, when a tempest is risen: to wit, not of the world, for not mans wisedom or power, but Christ him selfe, and he alone is able to helpe them. Him they must call vpon in euery distres with full confidence, in him they must trust, as his Disciples here did. For vnles they had beleeued that Christ was able to take a∣way the daunger wherein they were, they would not haue awa∣ked him, and prayed him to saue them: although their faith then was very weake, and very much diffidence was in them, for that

they did not confidently commit them selues with him vnto daun∣ger, douting nothing but he was able to deliuer them out of the middest of the sea, and from death it selfe. Hereof therefore let it be acknowledged as certaine, that as no Iudge or Moderator can be giuen to the word of God, but God onely, so there can be had no other maintainer or defender thereof: who as he sendeth it out whether he will without any merit or counsell of men, so he alone also will defende & preserue it without the ayde or strength of men: and therefore he that seeketh ayde vnto this word of men, shall without dout fall, being forsaken as well of men as of God.

Whereas Christ did sleepe, it giueth vs to vnderstand, that in the time of persecution he doth sometimes withdraw him selfe, & seemeth as though he slept, whiles that he giueth not strength & power valiantly to resist, the peace and tranquillitie of minde be∣ing now disturbed, but suffereth vs to wrastle and labour with our infirmitie for a while, that we may acknowledge how we are altogither nothing, and that all thinges doe depend on his grace and power. As Paule confesseth of him selfe 2. Cor. 1. that it be∣houed that he shoulde be so pressed and troubled out of measure, that we should not trust in our selues but in God, which rayseth the dead. Such sleepe of God Dauid oftentimes felt, and maketh mention thereof in many places: Arise, awake, O Lorde: why sleepest thou? why doost thou forget vs? &c.

In a summe, the present text offereth vnto vs two principall thinges full of confidence and godly boldnes. The first, that when persecution is risen for the word of God, we may say: We knew that it would so come to passe. Christ is in the ship, therefore the sea so rageth, the windes trouble vs, the waues fall vpon vs as though they would drowne vs. But let them rage and be furious as much as they may: it is certaine, the sea and the windes doe obey Christ which is the other principall thinge which this text offereth. Persecution shall extend no farther, nor rage any lenger then he will, and albeit the waues doe euen ouerwhelme vs, yet must they be obedient at his becke. He is Lorde ouer all, where∣fore nothing shall hurt vs: he onely endue vs with his grace, that we be not ouercome by vnbeliefe and so despeire, Amen.

Whereas the men merueiled and praysed the Lorde, as vnto whom the sea and windes doe obey, it signifieth that the Gospell and word of God is so farre from being extinguished by persecu∣tion,

that thereby it is spread farther abroad, and faith also is in∣creased and becommeth stronger. Wherein it appeareth howe diuers the nature of this diuine good thinge is from the good thinges of the world, which decay by calamitie and misfortune, and are increased by prosperitie and fortunate affayres: But the kingdom of Christ is increased and strengthened by tribulation and aduersitie: but is diminished and weakned by peace and tran∣quillitie. Whereupon Paule sayth 2. Cor. 12: The Lordes power is made perfect through weakenes: which God performe in vs also, Amen.

Notes

• How despe∣rate & feare∣full a thinge diffidence is, it appea∣reth by the example of Christes Dis∣ciples.
• What faith doth in trou∣ble & daun∣ger.
• The force of faith, where∣by death, the world, Satan and sinne are ouercome.
• Faith obtay∣neth not the victorie ouer the enemies of our soules without sore fight & con∣flicts.
• Albeit we be in daunger & great distres, yet must we not be dis∣couraged, but beleeue that we shall be deliuered
• The nature of Christian loue.
• Matth. 20.28
• Matth. 10.34 The world can not a∣bide the sound and sincere prea∣ching of the Gospell.
• Why the world can not abide y^e preaching of Christ. Matth. 12.30. Ioh. 16.8.
• A comfort to true Prea∣chers that they knowe before that they shal suf∣fer persecu∣tion.
• Of whom the Prea∣chers of Gods word must looke for & desire helpe in the time of trou∣ble and per∣secution.
• Christ some∣times in the time of per∣secution and trouble with draweth him self & differ∣reth his help for a while.
• The Gospel is more spread a∣broad and faith increa∣sed by per∣secution.