held on the 16th Sunday after Trinity, Oct. 2, 1530, at Coburg.
Dear friends! In this gospel we are given a fine and great example of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, how he raised from the dead the son of a widow in Nain, and the evangelist makes it clear and plain enough, showing in all the circumstances how the mother was a widow, and the son a son of his mother; who died, and came so far with him that he was carried out of the city to the grave.
Item, how also much people had gone along. In sum, it is written in such a way that it is pitiful and miserable enough to look at. When one has come to the grave, since no one has any other thoughts than that it is over with him, the Savior Christ comes first of all to measure 3), has compassion with the woman and
3) Original: "to mas"; probably as much as: to come to space, to adjust.
makes her son alive again. This example happened and was written, not only for the sake of the widow, but much more for our sake, so that we let it be written and happen for us, as all other scriptures are written for our benefit. For it is for this reason that we learn the common doctrine from this history, which everyone else can do, which is to believe in 1) Him who is able to raise the dead and bring them back to life.
The first thing, then, is that we believe and hold it to be true 2) that it has happened, as the evangelist writes here, that Christ raised the dead. For there are few of them who really believe it; the others are used to the stories and have gone through them like an old house of smoke.
On the other hand, it is also necessary that we believe that Christ, who at that time raised the dead, is still able to do the art, that therefore this history is written as a sign and admonition, that we should believe, because he did it once, that he will not stop doing it, but will continue to do it.
Thirdly, one must also believe that he wants to do it, and the last part must be left in no doubt, as we also see here in this example. He comes, the dear Christ, no one asks him, not even the mother herself, to make her son alive, nor does he do it freely of himself, unasked. For the woman could not have thought that she would get her son back. These thoughts are over a thousand miles from her heart. Nevertheless it happens. She did not understand her thoughts and prayer. But Christ understood it well. So she could not remember that which happened to her.
From this let us learn to believe that he can and will still perform the miracle as he did at that time. For there are two different Gods. The one and the [right] God has to do with it: That which is nothing, he deals with and flaunts; but where he finds something, he breaks it, so that it becomes nothing and he has something to make. But the god of the world, the devil, he does
1) Original: inn.
2) Original: what.
the contradiction, and needs that, which is already there; but where nothing is, there he cannot make something a) out of it. Therefore we see that his own also have the way that they boast, flaunt and defy what they have, as wisdom, authority 2c. Again, when they are lacking, and a need comes 4) before them, they are so despondent and slain wretches that they are not worthy of a straw. But our God and His own do not do so. He does not show off with what is already there, but "calls for what is not to be", Rom. 4, 17. Therefore he also says of himself that he is the creator of heaven and earth, and that he made all things from nothing, and where he does not find this, as I said before, he breaks that which is, so that it becomes nothing and he makes something out of it, just as it happens in this example that he helps and gives next to it, since there was no life left, since one went to the grave with the dead.
Now this much is said: Whoever wants to be a Christian, let him set his heart to have a God who deals with that which is nothing, because that is a faith that one hopes for something that is nothing, just as this widow's thoughts should have been. She was alone, and the son was dead; should she then have thought: My son is alive and is not dead, then these thoughts would have been of a thing that was nowhere, and yet the contradiction alone was true. For that he was dead was before their eyes, but the life they were to believe was nothing, and yet it had to be. So too, every Christian must have thought and faith in all things, but especially in those who encounter that life, that he may say, "I know it is, though I do not see it. This is a high art, in which I am still a student and pupil. I would also like to learn to recognize God, who can make something out of nothing. But it will not come to me, as it should, especially when the trains come, because one searches and finds nothing. Adam is still attached to us, and wants to have only the God, who is pran-
3) Original: ichts, i.e. something.
4) Original: they.
get, which is present, but to the GOtt, which deals with nothingness, he has no desire.
That is why our life is badly wrapped up in the mere word, because we have Christ, we have eternal life, eternal righteousness, help and comfort, but where is it? We do not see it, we do not have it in the box or in our hands, but only in the word. So God has put his thing into nothingness. Hence it is that a Christian cannot be known by looking at him, but if he is to be known, he must be known only by speaking. For Christ himself says that a Christian is like the wind; one hears the sound of the wind, but where it stays, where it goes, above or below, one cannot know; if one gropes for it with one's hands, one also misses it. It is the same with a Christian. I cannot judge him by the fact that he is learned, beautiful, rich, wise 2c. But only when I hear him murmur that he has the word. This is the piece that is set before us, that we should learn Christianity, which should be nothing else, but that it should stand on nothing, and believe that which is not, and stand badly on God, who wants to do it, and does it gladly.
So the epistle also says to the Hebrews about faith that 2) it is a certain confidence of that which is hoped for and not doubting of that which is not seen [Hebr. 11:1]. He did not add in vain, "Not doubting that which is not seen." The heart should have no doubt about it, but be certain, even though it does not see, nor can it think [of] that which it hopes. This is the right kind of faith. But it is very unfortunate for nature to play the blind cow, to insist and defy that which it does not see, even that which it would not let itself dream of. She does not want to believe before that she has it in her hand that the ground lies full of grain and the cellar full of wine; then she believes first of all that she has enough to eat and to drink. This is where the proverbs come from: It is evil to count money from an empty bag and to drink from an empty jug. This is reason's reckoning, otherwise it can neither be
1) Original: den.
2) Original: the.
think nor do. But a Christian, if he wants to be a true Christian, must truly say that he has a God and believes in him, who can count money from an empty bag and give everyone something to drink from an empty candelabra. Otherwise it is not called a true faith, if one stands badly on that which one has, That is enough of this gospel.
4) Since this Diet has now passed and everyone would like to know what has been done, I will say a little about it, so that you may give thanks all the more diligently and henceforth ask with great earnestness and diligence. For in this very Diet you have also seen that our Lord God is a Lord who has nothing to do with anything. They were both there, the two gods, our right God, and the god of the world, the devil. The latter is mighty, rich, wise, witty, able to do much, and confidently insists on what he has. Christ, however, the dear God, is poor and does not know how to protect and defend himself and his own from violence. But so much has been done and arranged that on our side there is all mercy, as far as the matter concerns God, and on their side all wrath. But as far as the people are concerned, it is half and half, half wrath, 5) and half mercy on our side. Therefore we should first and foremost give thanks and praise to God that the word has remained, and we by the word. This is so much given at once that it is enough, and more than ten Turkish emperors are able. But that alone will be the problem, whether we can grasp the grace that has been given to us. Therefore, let us firmly and certainly believe that this was God's word, for which [we] have fought and placed ourselves in the way, as our adversary himself had to freely confess that our doctrine is just and good, and not contrary to any article of the Christian faith. Thus our doctrine has been more abundantly [proclaimed and confirmed] than ever before. 7) For
3) Original: inn.
4) Cf. Luther's letter to the Elector John of 3 Oct: 15^), Walch, old edition, vol. XVI, 1880.
5) namely that of the opponents.
6) Original: "he off."
7) Cf. Tischreden, Cap. 53, ?3. Walch, St. Louis Edition, Vol. XXII, 1375 f.
This is a great thing, that the enemy himself must say it and confess it against himself. God has also given us the grace to stay with the dear word. Therefore, let us not doubt, let us stay longer, that our Lord God will also be with us with 1) His grace, His word for our good, [and] protect us from the angry enemies. For to whom God does grace, that he gives him the word and keeps it, he should thank God for it and be glad, as for the greatest treasure he can have from God.
Now our sermon has been that we have such a God who makes all things from nothing. So it is 2) now in our own and our opponents' confession that we have the Word. That same word is nothing, and yet it is nothingness, since God deals with it. Where God's word and promises are, God is also there. If God is there, who are they who are so vehemently angry and want to devour us? It is the devil and his pack. Well then, let them come here with confidence, let them run. For if God is with us, we will have more angels with us than there are human heads on that side. For where He is, His dear angels will certainly not be far away. If then our antagonism is hostile, if it is piercing and throbbing, 3) let it go, we ask nothing of it. They are defiant in their violence and attacks. Such wise people cannot fail but surely go away like the crab 2c. But we are not to know how it will go with us, like them. But we alone should know that we have a God who knows how to do it, even though we do not know, and He will do it as He knows. For if He had not wanted to protect and preserve us, He would have let us fall from the Word. Therefore, because I hear the sound of the wind, I know that I am not yet out of the world. Therefore, you should diligently thank God that nothing of the word has been lost and that we have been preserved, and you should learn to recognize this as an especially great work and blessing, that it has happened this way and that our people have returned home.
1) with" put by us instead of: "vand."
2) Original: "always."
3) Original: "buchett".
have come. For it is a miraculous work of God, which cannot be attributed to our inspiration and wisdom. For if it had been up to that, we would have been far lost. What is our wisdom against the devil? He would have taken everything away from us, both God and his word. But that he did not do it (although he nevertheless poured out the whole hell and set it against the word), [from this] we see how firmly and strongly God has held. Therefore let us believe. Let him continue to do so, only that we do not depart from the dear Word and continue to pray and groan diligently to God.
God has not only kept us by His word, but has also done this, so that the good word has continued to come and bear fruit in countries and people who knew nothing about it before, of which I will now say no more. About all this, as I have said before, there is only grace on our side with God, but with the people it is half grace, half disgrace. So we say, if they want to be merciful to us, let them be so in God's name; if not, let them leave it alone; what do we ask of them? Heaven is greater than the earth, so it will hardly turn out that the earth should rule heaven. If they have something in mind, they must ask our Lord God whether it is even with him. If it is not even with him, then let them decide what they want, for it is written [Ps. 2:4]: "He who dwells in heaven laughs at them.
That is why I said this, dear friends, that you should pray diligently, that our dear God, as he has begun the miracle and wonder, so continue and keep us in the word and faith, so there is no need. So fear the devil, we will not fear. We have the bridal ring, the dear word, and we will ask nothing of the others. He will preserve us well. When he has given us the word, he will also press on, and as he did with Solomon, when he asked for wisdom to govern his land and people well, the text says [1 Kings 3:11-13]: "You have asked for wisdom, it shall also be given to you.
4) Original: hats.
and with it riches, and all that you need. Therefore, where the word is, let what goes come. The word will be useful and remain so, even if we suffer from it. But it will be different with our opponents; they have power and authority, so they defy us. Therefore God must make nothing of it, and the hour and time will come when the wisdom and power on which they are now so confident will pass away, so that we will say, "Where are they? Where are they now? We will wait for this, and it shall not fail, as long and far as we abide by the word. For the greatest is already
happen. The lesser will also soon follow. So we have the word, that is certain, therefore peace will also follow. Therefore pray diligently and be thankful, and do not forget that our faithful God and Father has done so much for us. He has given us more than the whole world could give. He will continue to do what is best for us and will not abandon us as His children, who desire to abide by His word, but will save, protect and shield us from the devil and his members. This may he grant us through Christ our Lord. Amen.