Luther's Own Statements Concerning His Teaching and Its Results e-bog

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. In the letter just mentioned, Luther, after dealing with the (question of celibacy, and of Communion under one kind, itouches on the calamities which are in store for Germany on account of its unbelief, impiety and hatred of the Gospel. He then continues But this affliction will then be laid down at our door, as if we [the believers in the new Gospel] had provoked \god by being heretics, and we shall be the reproach of men and the outcast pf the people, but they [those who do not believe in the new Gospel] will make excuse for their sins and will justify themselves [they will consider themselves to be just on account of their good works], so that he [god] will Show that reprobates are not changed for the better either by goodness or by wrath: and many will be scandalized. May, may the will of the Lord be done. Amen.