¶ A very Comfortable, and necessary Sermon in these our days, made by the right reverend father, and faithful servant of jesus Christ Martin Luther, concerning the coming of our Saviour Christ to judgement, and the signs that go before the last day. Which Sermon is an exposition of the Gospel appointed to be read in the Church on the second Sunday in Aduent, and is now newly translated out of Latin into English, and something augmented and enlarged by the translator, with certain notes in the margin.  Act. 17. 30. ¶ Now God admonisheth all men every where to repent, because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath appointed: whereof he hath given an assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  

2. Pet. 3. 3  THis first understand, that there shall come in the last days, mockers, which will walk after their lusts, and say: where is the promiss of his coming? for since the fathers died, all things continued a like from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly know not, that the heavens were of old, and the earth that was of the water and by the water, through the word of God. Wherefore the world that then was, perished, overflowed with the water: But the heavens and earth, which are now, are kept by the same word in store, and reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, and of the destruction of ungodly men. dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand years, and a thousand year, as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (as some men count slackness) but is patient toward us, & would have no man to perish, but would all men to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a noise, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with the works that are therein, shallbe burned up. Seeing therefore that all these things must be dissolved, what manner people aught you to be in holy conversation and godliness: Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, by the which the heavens being on fire, shallbe dissolved, and the elements shall melt 
Esay. 65. 17. and. 66. 22.  with heat? But we look for new heavens, and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  

¶ To all the inhabitants of England, and other else where that understand the English tongue, the translator whisheth true knowledge of God, contained in his word, which is life everlasting.  
BEfore time, not many years since (dearly beloved brethren & countrymen) the Disciples of Antichrist, and Apostles of Satan, for the establishing of their lords kingdom (knowing that the continuance thereof, was the increase of their own estimation, wealth and pleasure in this world) have devised many politic practices, so wicked and so devilish, that whosoever beholdeth them well, shall soon perceive they were not invented without the counsel of their Lord and master. Whereof this was the first and chief, and (as I may say) the ground of the residue to keep all men, both Princes and their subjects, in ignorance of God, & his word, that they not knowing the truth, might the more casely be brought into all kind of devilish heresies: that they not understanding vice, should not be able to reprehend the horrible wickedness of Antichrist and his ministers. To this end they have restrained all the laity throughout Christendom, from reading the Scriptures, and have forbidden them to be Printed in their vulgar tongues, an din stead thereof, have given them to occupy their brains withal, fables of Robin Hood, of Gie of Warrike, of Gevis of Hampton, of the Knights of the round table, of the iiij. sons of Amon, filthy tales, Chaucer, the Court of Venus, most horrible & blasphemous lies out of Saintes Legends, and such like. Whereby men being drowned in ignorance, and detestable heresies, have been cast down headlong into the most miserable pit of hell. But now it hath pleased almighty God, towards the coming of our Saviour to judgement, by the preaching of his word, through the working of his holy spirit, to oppress the power of Satan, to cut the horns of Antichrist, to reveal 
2. Thes. 2. 3  the man of sin: Which sitting in the Temple of God, boasteth himself as God. Now it hath pleased our Saviour Christ to diminish the kingdom of Antichrist, & to advance his own kingdom, to deface the Disciples of Antichrist, and to glorify his own Disciples. He hath driven out the filthy swine and wild bores, that have spoiled his vinyeard, and 
Mat. 20. 1.  hath hired labourers to husband it again, that it may yield him fruit now at harvest time, when he cometh to receive the same into his everlasting kingdom: at which time his faithful servants shall receive for their hire, a piece of money that never shall fail, and shall eat and drink the fruits of their labours with him, world without end. Therefore it is convenient and necessary for all God's labourers, that is to say, Princes and their Magistrates, Prelates, and all Ecclesiastical Ministers, to labour diligently in the Lord's vineyard, to keep out these swine, which Antichrist hath sent to devour it: not only to yoke them, but also to set dogs on them, which will both bark and pluck of their ●…ares, if they enterprise to break through the hedge, and to rout up the vines with their devilish books, altogether void of God's word and of reason, to every man that hath any understanding, and knowledge of God. To this end by the authority of our sovereign Lady the Queen's Majesty in our Realm, and other Princes in other Realms, a great number of godly men have preached diligently, other have written very profitable books of Divinity, both in Latin, and in their own vulgar tongue, and divers have translated good books out of strange tongues into their own language, husbanding thereby the lords vineyard, and keeping out the swine that endeavour to destroy it. Amongst whom I being one more ready to show my good will, then able to do any great service, have choose this short Sermon of Martin Luther, the faithful servant of God, Grandcapitaine under our Saviour Christ, and chief hunter of these wild bores, unto their father the devil, from whence they were sent to destroy the sincere & true worship of God. This man's Sermon (I say) concerning the coming of our Saviour to judgement, and the signs that go before the last day I have choose to translate into our English tongue, as that which I thought a most convenient labour in this last hour of the day, to preserve in 
Mat. 20. 6.  the lords vineyard the ripe grapes from rotting and from wild beasts, and to hast those that are unripe against the lords coming, that is to say: to comfort the faithful, to confirm the weak, and to instruct the ignorant, in divers necessary points of doctrine, or at the lest to give them a watchword of our lords coming, that they may now at the length 
Math. 24. 49. Mat. 25. 4  cease from siniting their fellow servants, and from eating and drinking with the drunken, and may make themselves ready with oil in their lamps to receive him: that when the trumpet bloweth, and the bridegroom cometh, we may all follow him into his everlasting tabernacle, therein to live with God the father, the son and the holy ghost, in everlasting joy. To whom be all praise, honour, and glory world without end.  
Amen.  
Anno 1569. March 22. T. B.   

THe places of Scripture, that appertaineth to this Sermon following, are noted in the margin, to the end that the Readers, according to the example of those men, mentioned in the Acts of 
Acts. 17. ●…1.  the Apostles, may examine the Scriptures, and try whether it be so or not, as the author hereof saith: and reading them they may find many more Sentences beside for the comfort and confirmation of their faith.   

¶ The Gospel for the second Sunday in Aduent.  
THere shallbe signs in the Sun, in the Moon, and in the Stars, and in the earth: the people shallbe at their wits end thorough despair. The Sea and the water shall roar, and men's hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which shall come on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall move, and then shall they see the son of man come in a cloud with power, and great glory. When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth near. And he showed them a similitude saying: behold the fig tree, and all other trees. When they shoot forth their buds, you see and know of yourselves that summer is then nigh at hand. So likewise you also, When you see these things come to pass▪ be sure that the kingdom of God is nigh. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, until all be fulfilled: heaven and earth shall pass, but my word shall not pass.   

The Sermon, or exposition of the Gospel.  
IN this days Gospel, 
The effect of the Gospel▪ and the cause why it was written.  Christ our Lord showeth us what shallbe the estate, and condition of the world, when all things draw to an end: Whereby we may know when the great and horrible day shall appear (in the which Christ our Lord himself shall come openly to judgement) that no man need to waver, or doubt of the matter. For he showeth plainly the signs that shall be seen in the last age, and shall go before the last day, as tokens thereof: because it cannot be choose, but that so 
Signs be fore the last day proved by human reason, grounded upon a certain truth.  strange, yea & that the last change of the whole world should be declared by many and great tokens, seeing that much less alterations of countries and nations have been signified by signs and wonders going before. Because this prefent Gospel hath been before time sufficiently declared, so that now it is well known unto all men: I mind not to show the doctrine that thereof may be gathered, but after an other manner and fashion to handle it, to the glory of God & our consolation. For therefore is it put in writing, and made manifest by preaching, that it may serve to our comfort, and to the increase of faith and hope in us, 
Rom. 15. 4  which profess Christ, and believe in him: notwithstanding there is good cause why it may be a terror unto the other sort of men, I mean the wicked unbelievers, whose destruction these signs do portend: Who in deed are nothing moved with them at all, but with security of mind do contemn them.  
Therefore (commending them to our God, & their judge which shall come and reward them, according to their deserts, that by experience they may always feel that, which now they neither believe nor regard) in handling the Gospel, we will have little consideration of them, but will make it fruitful unto ourselves, jest we should suffer it in vain to be put in writing, and should lose the fruit & commodity thereof. Which if we consider well, we shall perceive that it containeth matter very comfortable and joyful, serving much for our commodity. Which consolation and comfort is very needful for us, seeing the signs of themselves are very terrible and (as I may say) horrible to behold.  
Moreover, Christians as they are at other times fearful enough, & of base courage, so when they see the indignation and wrath of God towards mankind, the wagging of a leaf is able to make them amazed, 
Example hereof are the inhabitants of Hierus●…▪ before whose destruction God sent most horrible tokens thereof. Whereof some they regarded not▪ some they enterpreted to signify victory over their enemies contrary to the true meaning of them, and of God which sent them▪ and contrary to the express words of our Saviour which before had foretold them.  and almost dead for fear: contrariwise the wicked are more secure and hard hearted, and are moved with no signs, be they never so great and horrible. Therefore this thing seemeth not to fall out indifferently, and as reason would: for they which chief should be afraid, whom God by his signs doth terrible threaten, they (I say) have hearts of horn, stone, and iron, so that they regard them as though they did nothing appertain unto them, what soever wrath of God was to come, & being even now at hand, 
Luke. 14. 43  they do forewarn & show. Contrariwise 
The faithful have no more cause to fear the signs of the last day, the No had, when the flood came▪ or Lot at the destruction of ●…odome & Go●…orra which s●… company of them that then were preserved, is a sign of the little flock which goeth by the narrow gate.  they which aught not to be moved, but rather rejoice when they see these signs and tokens, as unto them they do not portend any wrath or displeasure of God, but favour & consolation, they (I say) fear more than needeth, and can scarcely lift up their hearts to conceive such sweet and comfortable cogitations as thereby occasion is offered.  
Now to come to my matter, there are two things chief to be noted in this Gospel: The one is, that our Saviour reckoneth the signs in order which go before the last day, which being fulfilled, 
Math. 14.  we may know for a certainty that the day is even hard at hand. The other note is, that he saith those signs shallbe a consolation and a comfort to his Christian children, so that thereby they may be moved to look for his coming with a merry and cheerful countenance. The first sign (saith he) shall appear from heaven in the sun, the moon, and the stars: that is to say (as Matthew doth expound it:) The sun shallbe darkened, and the 
Math. 24. 29.  moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven. etc. Moreover upon the earth the people shallbe at their wits end thorough despair, & shallbe in such perplexity, that they shall not know whether to go, or where to abide, their hearts shall fail them for fear of those things, which are like to come upon them.  
Again, signs shallbe seen in the Sea, & in the Waters, so that all creatures, and the powers of heaven shall move: there shallbe such an alteration, that the world shall seem by and by to have an end, and the last day shall seem hard at hand. Here I will not greatly contend with any man, but will leave it to the consideration of my Christian brethren, whether the signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars be already fulfilled, or not. But this is my belief & most certain hope, that the greater part of them have been already seen, and that many other are not here after to be looked for. For if we will believe, there hath been seen even in our time abundantly both many and great Eclipses or darkenyngs of the sun and moan within few years together, one after an other, besides divers in one year: the like we have not read to have appeared at any time before since the beginning of the world. But he that will not believe the word of God, will not believe the signs, nor take them for signs, but will contemn them, and tread them under his foot, yea although the sun should be daily darkened before his eyes, & the stars should fall by heaps from heaven. Although Astronomers say that such darkenings of the sun and moon happen by the course of nature (which some of them can tell of before hand) yet they deny not, but they signify some terrible thing to happen on the earth, especially seeing there be so many, & all most every year.  
Besides this, contrary to the course of nature, many signs have been seen in the Heavens, many Suns at one time, many Raynebowes, many terrible blazing Stars, fires in the air like darts and sword, and divers other prodigious signs, which if they should be written, would fill a whole volume: but all are forgotten, if they be not daily before our eyes, and assoon as they are passed, we live securely as though no such thing had ever happened at any time: yea rather the oftener they happen, so much the less we regard them. For we take them for customable things, thinking with ourselves that of necessity they must so come to pass, making no more accounts of them afterwards. And true it is, that of necessity they must so come to pass, otherwise they should be tokens in vain, and the world should not be so soon destroyed, if it being moved thereby, should believe the Gospel. For it might (turning to God by repentance) avoid, or turn away his wrath▪ or at the lest prolong it for a tyme. But alas, this is rather the chief care of the world, by continuing in wickedness, & most obstinately heaping sin, to hasten God's wrath, and speedily to procure●…hys own destruction. Thus much as concerning the signs in the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars.  
Now as touching the signs in the Sea, and the Waters, I commit them in like manner to the judgement of my Christian brethren: Whether they be fulfilled all ready or no. Old men testify, that no man alive is able to remember so great tempests, winds, and floods as have happened within these few years. Some floods have drowned whole countries, such have happened of late about Rome, and in the lower Germany: besides the earth quakes which we have herded of, but I let them pass. By these things it seemeth that such is now the condition of the world, that nothing shall continued any longer in his old estate, but all things shall quickly be turned upside-down, and fall to decay. And also this we see come to pass by many examples, that many are so troubled and vexed, that for very anguish of mind they despair. Which thing may be understanded both bodily and spiritually, but especially spiritually. For we have herded of many before time, and yet daily hear of more, whom the devil so troubleth and vexeth by temptations and desperation, that for the greatness of the grief and anguish, they lay hand upon themselves, & procure their own death: so that we see all the signs forespoken by our Saviour Christ, have happened in all the world. And although all things be not fully complished and ended, yet we can not deny, but that the greater part of them is already fulfilled, especially so many happening together one after an other. Therefore little or nothing hereafter is to be looked for besides the end of all things, which signs are therefore forespoken, to put us out of doubt, and that we should not think they happen without a cause by chance or fortune, rather than to signify some notable thing to come. But they are in deed all of them terrible signs, threatening unto the world cruel events, although it do not feel them, nor care for them. But true Christians do both see them, and mark them well, & are thereby terrified much more than needs, seeing they are not sent to their destruction, but rather to their consolation: & therefore they aught with joy & gladness to behold & consider them, and not be discouraged, although the firmament appear lamentable unto the beholders, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars and all the heaven being darkened.  
The Sun, although he be covered with a thick and black cloud, although he lose his light, nevertheless he goeth forwards in his course, he is no worse than he was before, he remains the same Sun still, and shines as he did before, saving that he lowreth for a time in token of destruction to wicked men: in like mader the residue, as the Moon and the Stars, in that they seem terrible to behold, it is no harm unto themselves: For they are no tokens unto themselves, but unto the wicked world, of whom they are contemned. After the same sort, whereas men are troubled and vexed, having a timorous & fearful conscience, it is in deed a terrible sign, but not unto thee or them which suffer this, if they be Christians: only it signifieth destruction to the wicked, and despisers thereof, which do not suffer it, but neglect it: For the sufferers are preserved nevertheless, and take no harm thereby, although they go up and down with a pensive mind; in token of destruction to the wicked, and ungodly people. Even as Esay went naked, and without shoes, and jeremy carried a chain about his neck for a sign of misery and calamity to the Egyptians, and Philistines, and yet no harm happened unto either of them. For jeremy remained out of bondage▪ & thraldom, and in as much liberty, as he was before, and Esay notwithstanding his▪ nakedness, kept still his garments: So they which keeping unto them a good conscience, do carry about them these tokens, shallbe without harm, and void of of all danger, only they declare unto other, what shortly after shallbe their estate and condition.  
For although they be evil signs, yet they bring no evil to them that carry them. Otherwise, he that hath the execution of condemned people, would not carry the sword, or the axe, neither dared any man carry a weapon: But thou which art a mansleaer and murderer take thou heed to thyself, for thou art like to go to the pot when the officer draweth forth his sword. In like manner the fire, the gibbet, the halter, the gallows hurt not themselves, but bring destruction to thieves and robbers which have committed heinous offences: So before the last day there must be many men, whom the devil troubleth and vexeth with grievous temptations, and so oppresseth them with anguish, that they can not tell which way to turn them, or where to abide. Of which sort of men Gerson of Paris, and certain confessors have written many things, especially in Monasteries. We have had experience of them in whom hath been tender and fearful consciences. But let him so vex and terrify men, he shall not hurt them, if they be not such as God hath determined to terrify and condemn, as the wicked and the ungodly: but rather such as are fearful, & tender of mind, and would gladly receive comfort, and turn unto God, and can find no comfort or relief, until God himself have delivered them out of the misery of their afflicted conscience, and have comforted them by his word. Only fear thou, & take heed, which being secure and merry, contemnest all things, whereby God threateneth thy destruction. Unto these signs, that appertaineth where he saith: Mens hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking for those things which shall happen unto the whole world: that is to say, many shall be troubled in their minds, that they shall go like men amazed, and as though they did presently feel the danger that they see hangeth over their heads, for fear: Whereof they are so vexed, that the greatness of the grief, and anguish of mind causeth them to consume and pine away: Even as sorrow useth to waste man's life, even as a privy consumption doth eat, or suck the marrow out of the bones (as the wise man witnesseth 
Prou. 17. 22.  in his proverbs.) These men must feel these signs, not as tokens unto themselves, but unto them which are more worthy to feel them. But because thou dost contemn them, at length thou shalt feel more grievously, not signs, but those things which thereby are signified, that is to say, everlasting terror, fear, sorrow, and hell fire. For if just men suffer and feel these things in the earth for a time: What shall we say will become of them for whose sakes they are sent, and whose destruction God thereby doth threaten? Notwithstanding they esteem them no more than the paring of their nails: But are daily worse and worse, until experience (alas to late) doth teach them. What folly and madness was in their brain, when they gave themselves to all pleasure and voluptuousness, to all kind of worldly joy and pastime? While just men were vexed with great sorrow & anguish of mind, considering the great & horrible plagues which God hath prepared for all disobedient, stubborn and stiff-necked infidels and Antichristes. It is a very hard thing to behold many so terrible and so horrible signs, which with no small fear shall amaze the minds of many (as Christ here saith) and fill them with such sorrow, and heaviness, that they shall seem to be void of all consolation and comfort to those that see them. But if thou be a Christian, do thou not look either upon the external signs of heaven, or the earth, neither upon that which thou feelest thyself: but look thou upon the necessity, both of thyself & of the whole world, unto whom God (as his unfallible word doth testify) hath ap pointed such things. Except that day should come at the length, I had rather I had never been born.  
For let us consider what is now the estate and condition of the world, & how it dealeth with us, and with the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, most cruelly persecuting the Preachers thereof, by men that are driven headlong through 
Read that discovery of the Spa nish Inqui sition for the further declaration of these words.  the devil, to devise daily mischievous and untolerable torments for the same purpose. They most wickedly contemn and despise the Gospel, they scoff at it, they speak spiteful and blasphemous words against it, most slanderously, endevering thereby all that they may, to deface the faithful servants of jesus our Saviour.  
So unthankful is the world for the Gospel, such deadly & poisoned hate doth it bear towards God's ministers, being more mad 
Gene. 4. 8. ●…e. ●…7. 41. Exod. 1. 15 1. Sam. 19 11. and. 1. Reg. 18. 13. and. 19 2.  & wood against than, than ever was Cain against Abel: then Esa●… against jacob: then Pharaoh against the Israelites: then Saul against David, than jesabel against the true Prophets, then Herode against the 
Math. 2. 16  Innocentes: finally then the devilish Scribes and Pharisees against Christ our Saviour. Again on the other side, there is an infinite number of wicked men, as Idolaters, profaners of the Sabbath by serving their own covetous & censual lusts, in stead of God, vain swearers, drunkards, rebels, robbers, & spoilers one of an other, adulterers, deceivers, liars, false witness bearers, cursed speakèrs, voluptuous men and women, slanderers, malicious, envious, covetous, ambitious, and perjured people: so that there can scarce be seen in all the world one token of discipline, reverence, fear, good manners, or punishment of malefactors.  
Princes seek their own honour, more than the honour of God, and their own profit, more than the profit of the common weal. They make bloody battles for small trespasses against themselves, not passing for many heinous offences committed against God. Through ambition they pick quarrels and wage war to enlarge their own 
God●… king ●…oure as it ●… taken for the whole world, can ●…t be enlarged, but ●…s it is taken for the congregation of the Christians when his word is truly preached, so it may and is daily enlarged.  kingdoms, having no regard to enlarge the kingdom of God.  
Subjects (being destitute of good officers, and Preachers of God's word) like mad men bere●…t of their wits, rebel against their Prince: They regard not their laws, but either wilfully and openly break them, or else seek means to delude them, to the satisfying of their own wicked lusts. Private men keep no good laws, but by compulsion: Officers see no laws kept, but in respect of their own commodity, & to that end many times they purposely break good laws: for bribes or for friendship, oppress the poor, and defeat them of their right, either by false judgement, or by delays, & such other crafty conveances. Lawyer's encorrage their clientes (aswell him that hath the false, as him that hath the good cause) to go forwards with the law, until their money be spent, and then they sand them home to agreed amongst their neighbours. Clientes (such are their covetous and malicious minds) some to enrich themselves, will wrongfully by process of law challenge other men's goods: some to vex & trouble other men, will by suits in the law undo both themselves, and their neighbours. Rich men neglect the poor, and suffer them to perish for hunger. Poor men (a great number of them) are idle loiterers, & will rather by prygging and such like means shifted for themselves, then by honest labour get their living. Old men in all kind of lewdness, are an example to the youth. Young men and maids take an example of the most part which is wicked, rather than of the lesser part which is godly. Parents and masters do not instruct their children and servants in the true faith, fear, and worship of God. They seek the bodily health, and worldly profit of their Children, but their soul health and heavenly profit they regard not at all. Children and servants that are godly instructed, despise their teachers, and follow the devilish entisementes of their lewd companions.  
Ecclesiastical people that are in authority, seek more the maintenance of their own honour and estimation, than the furtherance of the Gospel. They seek not the increase of godly preachers in their Dioceses, nor the reformation of such as are idle, and ungodly: yea they suffer their own families at home to be full of dissoluteness, much more their Diocese abroad. They admit into the ministry all manner lewd & unlearned people: They able not unto one only, but unto many benefices, those that are both unable, & unwilling to discharge one, or to take any pains at all in the vineyard of God: yea many boys that are neither Ministers, nor fit to enter into the Ministry. Private Ministers are some of them, idle loiterers, domme dogs, hyrelynges which suffer the wolf to devour their flock, feeders of themselves, and not of Christ's sheep committed to their charge. Other some (taking upon them to be Preachers, not so much inwardly as outwardly called thereunto) in preaching the Gospel, preach themselves, and not Christ, as men not endued with the spirit of God (which without partiality reproveth all the world of sin, righteousness and judgement) they rebuke some of lower sort, and flatter such as are able to do them a pleasure. They preach many times sound doctrine, but by their wicked living they bring it in contempt, and are thereby cause of more offences, than if they had spoken nothing at all. They speak many times of themselves, and not that which they have herded in the Prophets and Evangelists, and writtynges of the Apostles, but their own fantasies. They do not glorify Christ, but themselves: For they take not that which is Christ's, but that which is their own, & declare that unto the people. The most part of the people hear not the word of God at all, but either absent themselves from the Church, or else suddenly depart, before they have herded the Scriptures read, or any part thereof expounded. Generally all sorts of men, the more they are instructed by the word of God, the worse they are, & can not abide in any case to be reprehended and rebuked for their wickedness.  
So is the word of God, & his law trod underfoot of all degrees, and the true preachers thereof receive no other reward of men, but scoffs, and mocks, and devilish hatred, which is very grievous to good Christians, and pierceth the heart like a sword. Aught we not therefore to pray day & night, & cry unto Christ our Lord, that now at the length he will use his severity, and suffer all things to come to ruin, that such detestable wickedness may have an end, and that all occasion of offence, all snares and stoombling blocks, 
1. Cor. 15. 19  may be quite taken away? For except at length we should be preserved from these things, we were of all men that ever were born most miserable. For we must not so much consider the harm & destruction of the world, nor the misery of the wicked worldlynges, but how great a grief it is to us, & to all Christians to see God himself & his word contemned, reproved, & blasphemed, and his preachers most spitefully hadeled, injuriously trod under foot, and most cruelly tormented in the world: all preaching, crying out against wickedness, rebukes, admonitions, and threatenings are almost unprofitable, & in vain.  
Therefore the beholding of these signs aforesaid, aught much to rejoice us, as by the which almighty GOD declareth, to our great comfort, that he will fight shortly with the world, and will deliver us out of all our miseries and calamities. Therefore it is our part, not only with joy t●… look for this day of salvation, but also with fervent desire, and earnest request to desire it of Christ our Lord, saying after this sort: Thou Lord hast promised to us this day of redemption, therefore if 
Apoc. 22▪ 20.  it be thy pleasure let it come quickly, and make an end of our miseries in this life, and for ever world without end. As touching our miseries in this life, we may take an example of the most devilish Pa●…istes, the deadly enemies of God and us: how courageous they are, how they triumph and leap for joy, as often as there appeareth unto them never so little hope to oppress the Gospel and us with it.  
With what exclamations and earnest requests, did they desire the coming of Caesar the Emperor into Germany, to destroy the Lutherianes (as they term us) & to establish again their tyrannical power? What dancing, leaping and triumphs did they prepare against his coming? Brags above measure, rejoicing, singing, laughing, leaping, & clapping of hands was herded amongst them, which hoped to bathe themselves in our blood, Their rejoicings were 
Unto this place appertaineth the history of of the Emperor Char les the u. of that name who, the year of our Lord 1521. sent for Luther unto Worms a City in Germany by an Herald of arms with letters of safe conduct, to whom he came boldly, although some persuaded him that he should never have come from thence alive. There he was examined before the emperors Ma●…esty of the books that he had wri●…ten, and whether he would recant them, or any thing in them contained. Who answered that he would ●…cant so much as any man was able to prove false by the word of GOD, otherwise he would deny nothing that he had written. After a while when no other answer could be gotten of him▪ the Emperor gave him leave to departs without danger, because of his safe conduct. a●… though many laboured to the contrary. especially the Pope's Ambassador: as in the book of the Acts and Monuments more plainly is declared.  so great, that they could not tell how, nor by what means to express the gladness of their minds. Some went up & down laughing in their sleeves, & did not communicate to any man the secret joy of their heart: saving only unto their friends, whom they made partakers there of by sending letters to & fro. Other some with open mouth did cry out, and made manifest their joy to all men that did see them, saying: our Saviour cometh, our Saviour cometh (meaning the Emperor) so that their joy was passing measure.  
See these desperate thieves, and murderers, how they rejoiced in a false saviour, which was not able to help them any thing at all, no although he had joined all his power with them, & had gathered together an infinite number of armed men to take their part: yet so they did hope that they should be exalted again, yea a great deal more honourably, & set in higher authority, them at any time before when they lived in abominable wickedness, in all dissolute behaviour, having their hearts hardened, so that they could not repent. They were so past all fear, & so jocund, that almost with great grief of mind, I doubted God would not perform his promise, but should be found a liar, where he saith, that he only will be our Saviour, and that we should not put any confidence in 
Esay. 4. 11 Psal. 146. 3.  Princes, as in whom there is no hope of salvation.  
This I something doubted, when they laying their heads together, whispered one with an other, took counsel, and concluded with themselves, with what army, with what furniture, and with what weapons they would set upon us, as though they had had us presently in hold. They did so thunder against us with most cruel threatenings, as though they would have deprived God of his tittle uz. that is, he which scattereth the counsels of Princes, and bringeth to nought their 
Psal. 33. 10 Prou. 21. 1●…  vain imaginations. But God almighty, in whose hands are the hearts of all Princes, suffered not his honour to be taken away from him, but as one which is all truth, stood to his promise, and compelled them to leave unto him his glorious title, and we remain by the great goodness of God alive at this day, and they are defeated of their false saviour. They were wonderfully deceived of their expectation, For they did not find the godly Emperor such a man as they would, nor as they thought they should. Therefore in despite of all their cruel brags (thanks be to God) we are yet safe enough, and doubt not, but ma●…ger their heads we shall so continued for a time, until it please the true Saviour, which saveth all the world, to receive our souls into his hands.  
Hitherto I have recited these things for an example, seeing they put so much trust and confidence in one man, of whom they have no 
The ●…romise of God is the ground of true faith, which promise was thoro●…ly ●…oted in Luther's heart, as appeareth evidently by his words.  promise, neither if he had promised them, it had not been in his power to have performed it. And why should not we put much more trust in our true Saviour, which hath not only most certainly promised to come shortly, and deliver us, but also can and will perform his promise? He will not deceive us (for he is no liar at any time) especially when we look for him with a good confidence, suffering all things for his sake, in a just quarrel, which is not ours, but his own, and not triumphing like them: Which putting their trust in Caesar, hope for the confirmation of their heinous and mischievous acts.  
Yet it is more convenient for us to rejoice and say: O what an excellent golden world shall that be, when our true Saviour shall come, and shall quite abolish at once all wickedness & all injuries which we must suffer for a time, and shall make an end of all miseries and calamities? Neither shall the Gospel nor his holy name be neglected, or blasphemed any more. The preachers thereof, which now are poor and needy, shallbe no longer trod under foot, neither shall they suffer any more persecution: neither shall there be afterwards any more theft, robbery, spoiling, injury, false accusations, fornication, lying, crafty conveyance, flattery, perjury, adultery, murder, treason, all these things (which now almost every man doth commit without punishment, or rebuke) shall cease. And we finally shall be delivered from all evil, so that we need not to fear the world, sin, death, hell, nor the devil: For everlasting salvation, peace, tranquillity, and joy, shall reign over us. And aught not we with most fervent prayer to desire these things? If we could see perfectly how we are compassed every where with an infinite number of devils: Which every moment of an hour aim, and shoot at us with their venomous darts, and all enticements, and provocations to sin: then we would pray daily, kneeling upon our knees, yea and would weep blood, desiring God to make an end of this miserable life.  
Therefore now Christ our Saviour putteth us in mind in this Gospel to behold these signs there in mentioned with joy, saying: When these things begin to come 
The secon●… part of the Sermon.  to pass, look up, and life up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. Heaviness for the most part naturally causeth a man to look downwards, and they that are troubled in their minds go heavily, knitting their brows together. Contrary wise a merry and joyful heart maketh a man to hold up his head, to stretch out his brows, and to look merrily and pleasantly about him. Therefore he 
Christ's 〈◊〉 ●…araphastically expounded.  saith: When you see these signs come to pass, when all things in heaven and earth, with lowering ●…here do terrify your minds, so that you cast down your heads for sorrow and grief, be you not there withal troubled: For they are not tokens of destruction unto you, but unto them which molest, vex & persecute you. Therefore be of good ●…here, and look up lustily: For they bring not tidings of destruction, but of deliverance unto you, of unspeakable treasure & abundance of all good things, such as no heart can desire or think. And give no place to the devil, which beateth these signs into your heads, to terrify you, & to bring you into despair, so that you cannot lift up your heads, & 
●… Cor. ●…. 9  desire that joyful day. Accustom yourselves rather to behold them a right, lifting up your heads with joy, as I have said, seeing there is no cause why you should trouble and vex yourselves, but rather rejoice. For they declare no other thing unto you, but that your redemption is now at hand, and that I will come shortly, and deliver you out of your troubles.  
Behold this notable instructor, which knoweth better how to expound signs and tokens of things to come, than any soothsayer, or Astronomer. They only 
The difference between the prognos●…ication of Christ, and Astrono●….  prognosticate terrible and horrible events thereof, but our Saviour Christ saith, they be tokens of great joy and gladness shortly after to ensue. These things which man's reason & all the world doth take for signs of destruction, and teach us to pray that they come not to effect: the same things he (unto whom nothing is unknown) prognosticateth to be tokens of all goodness.  
Amongst all other he useth this most comfortable word: your redemption, which every faithful man, with all his heart doth desire most earnestly. For what else means this word: your redemption, but that thou, which now art in bondage, under the dominion of the devil, who setteth upon thee with all kind of wicked darts, & bendeth all his force against thee, that thou, I say (which art oppressed and overwhelmed of the world with many miseries, in danger of all misfortune, out of the which no earthly creature is able to deliver thee) shalt now be delivered and saved by Christ thy Lord, and placed there, where thou shalt reign as Lord over the world, death & the devil? Why shouldst thou fear, or be amazed with such signs and tokens? Why shouldst thou not rather with cheerful countenance receive and embrace them?  
What wouldst thou do, if thou 
Certain similitudes whereby it is declared with what joy we aught to look for the coming of ou●… Saviour to judgement.  shouldst stand in a circle, beset with all kind of weapons, or rather with guns, being charged and bend against thee, as the only mark at the which they should be shot of: Where present death should be continually before thy eyes? If God by his divine power, should take thee being in this case away suddenly, and deliver thee from them: or if thunder and lightning from heaven should at once overthrow and strike down to the ground, all thy enemies with their daggers, sword, spears and guns: wouldst thou not rejoice with all thy heart? If a poor prisoner, which under a rigorous & cruel tyrant hath lived a long time, in a filthy and stinking prison, besides the suffering of many other cruel torments: if such a man (I say) should hear, that his own Prince would come to deliver him, & by force of arms take him out of so great miseries and calamities: How would he be affectioned in his mind trow you, if he should see him coming with a mighty army of men, and with guns, striking down the walls of the Castle where he lieth? Not doubt it would be a terrible sight to all the residue therein abiding: But unto this prisoner it would be very comfortable & joyful. The noise and roaring of the guns would much more delight his ears, than any musical harmony of sweet songs, or pleasant instruments. That day (no doubt) he would celebrated with much solemnity, giving God thanks that he had lived to see that joyful hour.  
Even so aught we to do when we see these signs mentioned by our Saviour Christ in this Gospel. If fire, water, thunder, and lightning fall from heaven so thick, and with such abundance as though all things in a moment should utterly be destroyed: We must thus think with ourselves, that it is the provision and ordinance of God our King & Captain. Whereby he destroying and overthrowing the prison house, will deliver us, which are kept bond in the kingdom of the devil, under sin, afflicted of the world with manifold miseries & calamities. Wherefore then should we be afraid, when we see these things? Why should we not rather joyfully suffer all manner of torments, wherewith the world, and the devil molesteth us, that our redeemer may come the sooner, & deliver us? For without his comfort and consolation, we were of all men (as I said) most miserable, and might well wish that we had never been born, and that we had no God at all. Therefore let us comfort ourselves with these joyful cogitations, knowing for a certainty that our deliverer will come, and that these signs are (as I may term them) his Haroulds of arms, whereby he giveth to us to understand, that he himself is not far behind.  
In the mean season, although in the world we be tossed, vexed, and afflicted with many storms, thorough the intolerable wickedness 
Math. 27. 34.  of ungodly men: although they give us vinegar mixed with gall to drink, besides other daily misfortunes, as sickness, pestilence, dearth, & war, which are grievous to the body, or to the outward man: yet we must suffer and abide all these things with patience: We must be content to drink this bitter drink for a time, that the 
The commodity of affliction in this world.  sweet drink which hereafter shall be given us, may be the more pleasant to our taste, and that we may thereby be moved the more earnestly to pray for the coming of our true saviour: otherwise we should behave ourselves like savage & wild men, which bereaved of their wit, have no perseverance of the danger that hangeth over their heads: even like the secure and careless world which knoweth not how to repent, yea we should be drowned in the desire and love of worldly honour, wealth and pleasure, & at the length cast of all care of God's word, and utterly perish with the wicked world.  
Therefore this bitter drink is commodious unto us: For it breeds in us a satiety and loathsomeness of this life, and comfortably causeth us to hope for a life, much more excellent now, when our true Saviour shall come in the clouds, 
Mat. 24. 30.  with power & great glory: Who shall deliver us from all danger, receive us to himself into the life everlasting, than the which nothing can be more joyful. But unto the wicked worldlings which set their whole delight upon this life, caring nothing for God, his coming shall not be very acceptable: 
1. Thes. ●…. 3 Math. 24. 27. 1. Cor. 15. 52.  For in a moment he shall bring them to naught, so that they shall be constrained to lie in everlasting pains and torments, which arrogantly contemn and despise both his signs and his word.  
And whereas this is no small grief to good Christians, to consider in their minds such a great destruction of the world, whereby they trouble themselves for their sakes, which shall perish: our Saviour by the words contained in the latter part of this Gospel, withdraweth their minds from such cogitations, moving them to consider rather how necessary their own▪ redemption is, than the great destruction of the wicked: which for their deserts, God of his justice hath provided for them. For they can never make an end of persecuting the Gospel, which most contumeliously and blasphemously they spit at, contemn and scoff, and rashly, injuriously, and by force grieve & oppress the preachers thereof: from which wicked purpose they can not be withdrawn by any admonitions, entreatings, rebukes or threatenings. A man were as good speak unto a stock or a stone, as unto them, for they will not believe, before they try by experience how wonderfully they were deceived, and what punishment God hath provided for such iron hearted infidels. They are so secure and careless, that what so ever happeneth, 
This saying of the wicked is after a sort true: For the good preacher may be a cause of trouble, first because where the word of GOD is sincerely preached, the devil moveth and raiseth tumults to suppress it: secondly, where it is preached and not obeyed, the greater shall be the plagues of the stubborn and stiff-necked people.  terrible to the eyes, or horrible to the ears, that they turn from themselves upon us, saying, that we are the cause of all misery and calamity, of all danger, of all mischief. Finally when we have done all that we can do, by preaching, praying, counselling, yea and adventuring our own lives to profit the world, we are rewarded with utter contempt, hatred, envy, and most crafty dealing, which are able to make a man's heart to cleave a sunder for sorrow, and grief of mind.  
Therefore God cannot choose (if he will bear any sway in earth) but once at the length let them see by experience, that his word and threatenings are true, which they scorn and jest at, and that he is able to deliver out of trouble his Christian children most miserably afflicted. And because the children of the world do despise his Passion, death, and resurrection, and all things that he did or speak, with a secure and careless mind: therefore once at the length they shall be terrified and feared, when we shall live pleasantly and joyfully in everlasting life.  
Therefore if thou have any spark of pity in thy breast, take pity rather of the afflicted Christians, which must suffer so many miseries and calamities in the world: yea rather lament the state of the Gospel, and the most holy name of Christ our God, (in the which thou wast baptised, and called to be partaker of life everlasting,) which the wicked worldlings do so vyly and blasphemously spit at, despise, tread under their feet, & revile with most spiteful words. What kind of pity call you this, to take pity of these cruel murderers, having an heart so stony that it cannot repent, which will not amend their life and make an end of their mischievous acts, before they be utterly destroyed with their forefather Pharaoh, and such other as have been rebellious against the majesty of almighty god?  
I had rather ten worlds should perish ten times, than one true Christian should continued in sorrow and grief of mind for their sakes, which so outrageously contemn and despise Christ our Saviour, and all Christian Religion. Therefore it is our part to pray unto God with a faithful heart & fervent desire that his kingdom 
Mat. 6. 10  may come. In like manner we had need to wish and pray that the world may be overthrown and utterly destroyed, which most arrogantly and blasphemously doth set itself against Christ and his blood, and can never make an end of his raging fierceness, and cruel persecuting of poor Christians. For so that form of prayer which Christ our Saviour hath prescribed unto us, teacheth us courageously, and with confidence to pray, that this day may come, and that we cry without ceasing unto god, that once at the length he will be revenged on those wicked and desperate varlets, for the spiteful handling of his holy and precious blood.  
Not Christian man aught or can pray otherwise then thus, especially such as are molested and afflicted for the confession of Christ, and preaching of the Gospel and kingdom of God: who have no other refuge on earth, but fervent & faithful prayer. He that is not thus affectioned in his mind, that he doth not desire the last day with all his heart: doth not yet understand the lords prayer, much less can he say it with his heart. As I by experience did once plainly perceive in myself, at what time I was more delighted with other forms of prayer devised by man's brain, then with that which our Saviour himself hath taught us. But to him that is oppressed with the misery and calamity of this world, it will seem a sweet prayer, such a man will say it with all his heart. For who in such a case will not desire, and pray most fervently, 
Mat. 6. 13.  that we be delivered from evil, to the end all plagues, vexations and troubles of the world may have an end, seeing we see the world will remain as it is? It will not (following the example of the Adder) suffer his old skin 
The Adder (as they say) every spring, of purpose▪ wresting himself thorough a narrow place, lea●…eth his old skin behind him as it were leaving of his old coat▪ and putting on a new one.  to be taken of, that is, it will not repent & amend, but will continued as before, or rather daily increase more and more in wickedness.  
Therefore of all things this is the best, withal speed possible to depart out of it. For here we live even as it were in a den of thieves, and manquellers, and can hardly, not not at all, sometimes defend ourselves from violent injury, and loss of life. Therefore for mine own part I care not what shift I made honest and lawful to rid myself out of the world. For (as S. Cyprian saith) who can have any delight to live in so filthy and troublesome estate, and condition, being as it were beset about with swords and daggers, ready drawn against us, so that it seemeth unpossible to escape, if we had a thousand lives? Who in this case can be merry, before he see some man come to deliver him? But we are they which are in this case, as we may easily understand, if we consider well our estate, and condition, our misery & calamity, the danger that hangs over our heads, how busily the devil goeth about to entrap us, how fiercely he setteth upon us, and how we are constrained with great pain and trouble to award his most bitter, and venomous darts, so that we can never have rest.  
What else therefore should we desire, but that withal speed we may be delivered out of these untolerable grievances and dangers, which is, by the coming of our true Saviour to judgement at the last day? which who so ever 
This is a a true saying, that we can not pray faithfully, nor believe in god a right except we joyfully, ●…ooke for coming of our Saviour to judgement.  doth not desire, he can not say the lords prayer, nor the Articles of our faith with his heart, as he aught. For with what faith can a man say: I believe the resurrection of the flesh, and life everlasting: and doth not desire it? For if a man believe it, he must needs desire it with his heart, and be glad of it when soever it shall come, otherwise he is no Christian in deed, neither can he justly brag of his faith.  
For faith is a certain knowledge of God's bountiful goodness towards us, which we taste daily, but shall chief and perfectly enjoy it at the last day: whereof we are put in mind by three Articles of our faith, by the which we are taught to say: 1. We believe that our Saviour 
Mat. 24. 30. and. 25. ●…1. Act. 1▪ 11. 10. 42. &. 17. 30. 2. ●…im. 4. 1. Pet. 4. 5.  shall come from heaven, to judge the quick and the dead: 2. Who 
Esay. ●…6. 19 Ezec. 37. 5. job. 19 26. Mat▪ 12. 42. Ma●…. 12. 25. Luc. 14. 14. joan. 11. 24. Luc.. 321. 1. Cor. 15. 12. Colos 3. 4. 1. Thes. ●…. 14. joan. 3. 36 & 5. 2.▪ Rome 6. 33. Dan. 12. 2. Mat. 19 ●…9. and 25. 45. joan. 3 15. and 4. 1●…. 36. joan. 6. 27. and 40. and 47. and 54. joan. ●…0. 28. and 12. 15. and 50. and 17. 2. Act. 1●… 46 & 48. Rom. 2. 7▪ and 5. ●…1. and 6. 22 Gal. 6. 8. Tit. ●…. 2. and 3. 4. 1. Cim. 1. 16. and 6. 12. 1. joan. 1. 2. and 2. 25. and 5. 11▪ and 13. and ●…0. Jude Epist. ●…1.  at his coming shall raise up our bodies: 3. And receive both body and soul together unto the everlasting life.  
This is part of our faith where by we are justified: apprehending thereby the mercy of God almighty towards us miserable sinners. Without the which we can not be saved. For it is written: He 
M●…. ●…▪ 16.  that believeth, shall be saved: and he that believeth not, shall be damned. Faith therefore is (as I may term it) the only staff whereupon we must rest in this our pilgrimage, being over laden with untolerable burdens of sin and dangers that ensue thereof. Which staff will do us no service, except we take it in our hands, and use it at all times convenient. But we can not, nor will not stretch forth our hands to receive it, except we be desirous thereof. Again, except we desire those things which we are taught to believe, it is a manifest argument, that we do not take them to be God's benefits, and to proceed of his bountiful goodness towards us, which is the property of the true justifying faith.  
Therefore I conclude, that we cannot well say the Articles of our faith, that is, we can not believe a right in Christ's coming to judgement, the resurrection of our flesh, and life everlasting, except we desire that the last day may come, at what time our true Saviour will put us in full possession of these exceeding great benefits of his. Again, a man that hath no desire of the last day, doth not well understand the ten commandments: For what means it when he says, I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not take my name 
Exod. 20. 2  in vain: thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not kill▪ thou shalt not commit 
Gal. 3. 24.  adultery▪ etc. but that we are in danger of all these vices and wickednesses, and that such is our state and condition, that without sin and great danger we can not live: the devil endeavouring by all means to persuade us, that we do not take God only for our God, & by crafty means to withdraw us from a quiet, joyful, and godly life. He setteth up idolatry, raiseth up blasphemy, and unhalowing of God's name, he stirreth up men to disobedience, sedition, wrath, filthy lust, robbery, theft, murder, and all kind of wickedness. These incommodities who so ever seethe in deed, & would fain be rid of them, must needs desire the last day, which is the time when all these, and such other miseries, and calamities, shall have an end.  
Against which the lords prayer was appointed and devised by our Saviour Christ as a remedy, especially where he hath taught us to say: Hallowed be thy 
Mat. 6. 9  name, thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, and deliver us from all evil. It remains therefore that we use this remedy, heartily praying to God our heavenly father for these things, which we cannot thoroughly and perfectly receive before the end of the world. For (as I said before) there is no hope of any better, than this miserable estate present, as long as the world endureth: especially in this our latter times towards the end thereof, it being now even at the point to be consumed & utterly destroyed for ever. For it is even the devils darling, past all hope of amendment, so that all labour that is bestowed upon it, to any such end, is in vain: Which we may evidently perceive, considering how the word of God is daily more & more contemned. Many kind of errors, pestiferous sects, horrible wickednesses increase daily, whereby the world is worse and worse while we hope (but in vain) for amendment.  
Wherefore then, in such miseries and calamities should we be greatly desirous of our life? And if I for mine own part had no great cause to desire the end of all things, yet the peril and danger of my brethren, scattered here and there in the world, aught to move me: for whose sake we have good cause heartily to pray for it, whose state is such (as we both hear & see) that they are constrained to suffer all manner of ignominy, reproach, slanderous words, both privily and openly, violent injury, and finally most grievous persecution what soever, with divers kinds of torments, cruelly handled, and put to death.  
For how many even in our days have we seen, partly burned openly, or by some such means made away, partly put to death, privily and by traitorous means dispatched? There are many, besides the infinite number of holy men, which have been slain before our time, since the Ascension of our Saviour Christ, or rather since the beginning of the world. Whose blood being yet unrevenged, crieth for the coming of our Saviour to judgement: to the end they being restored to their bodies again, may have full fruition of the joys long looked for, and may be revenged of the world, as the revelation of john declareth: Where God comforteth them after this sort, saying: that they must rest for 
Apoc. 6. 10.  a little season, until the number 
The Saints of God do not require vengeance of their enemies, because of private hatred, but because they know them to be God's enemies, and do rage with devilish fury against his holy Church, and against his everlasting truth. And in this case the love of our neighbour hath no place, where it is repugnant to the love of God. whose glory we aught to perferre before the commodities of all the world. Therefore when man is such an enemy unto GOD, that we must needs hate the one, and love that other, we must love God, & hate man. Psal. 139. 21. and in God's cause pray for the destruction of man. jer. 18. 11 ver. 21. as against the enemy of GOD, upon a zeal and fervent love of God's glory, especially if they be such as we perceive offend not of ignorance, but of malicious stubbornness and that against their conscience. But in our own cause, as they are injurious unto our own person, we must rather pray for man, then against man, as we are taught by the example of our Saviour and Steven. Act. 7. 60.  of their fel●…w servants and brethren, which should be killed in like manner, were fulfilled, which I hope is now come to pass.  
Therefore both the Christians that are living, and those that are departed, after a sort do desire us to help them with our prayers, desiring God to hasten their redemption. For what thing can be more miserable unto Christians, then that they should be constrained always to hold their tongues, the world and the devil continually bragging and raging over them, daily putting to death and cruelly murdering more & more of the faithful professors of jesus Christ & his unfaillible word, and seducing men, more and more increasing these heinous offences which before were untolerable?  
We hear & see at this present, the Turk and the Pope, which is Antichrist, rage with most cruel tyranny against the name of Christ, daily shedding the blood of his Saints, with many sects besides, contrary to his Gospel: And should we, holding our hands in our bosom, look upon the devil, practising without measure his crafty devices against the Christians, and not make our earnest prayer unto God for them without ceasing? There is no spark of Christianity in a man's body remaining, that would not pray unto God withal his heart to be delivered out of these so great miseries and calamities.  
Therefore if we have a mind to be Christians, we must endeavour ourselves to pray diligently and earnestly, as our Saviour hath taught us, and as our necessity requireth, if it be any necessity: when we see good Christians with great persecution slain, true doctrine oppressed, the kingdom of the devil, withal manner of vice & wickedness, advanced: Saintes, by the means of wicked men, not only despised and trod under foot, but consumed to dust and ashes: finally the Gospel of Christ our Lord, and his name spitefully blasphemed.  
Therefore let us call upon God all that we may, desiring him for the glory of his name, to take upon him the defence of his Christian children, and of his own doctrine, and bring them, by his coming at the last day to judge 
He●…. 4. 3. Gen. 3. 15. Revel. 13. 8 joan 1 2●… 1. Pet. 1▪ 19 Ro. 16. 25. Ephes▪ 3 9 Colos. 1 26 2. Timo. 1. 10. Tit. 1. 2.  the quick and the dead, to that glorious rest which he hath promised and prepared for them, from the beginning of the world, through the death and Passion of the immaculate lamb our Saviour Christ. But if any man through the infirmity of his flesh be afraid of that day: let him print deeply in his mind the words of Christ our Saviour, and comfort himself with this, that he biddeth us lift up our heads and be of good cheer, calling that time our redemption, that is: not death, but everlasting life: not wrath, but mercy and grace: not hell, but the kingdom of God: not terror, or danger, but comfort and joy. And therefore Paul, not without 
●…it. 2. 13.  a cause, calleth it the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God, and our Saviour jesus Christ.  
Therefore we may be of good cheer, & need not fear the loss of our life, nor his coming to 
Math. 10. 32. Mat. 10. 38 Rom. 8. 17 2. Tim. 3. 12. Math. 10. 25. joan. 16. 2 and. 33.  judgement, which hath given us his Gospel, and his grace therewith, not to deny him, but to love him and confess him, & to shun no danger in his cause, which are and will be laid before us of the world, and of the devil, until the coming of our Saviour: whose coming shall not be terrible, but joyful, yet not to the world, but to us miserable sinners: which for a time must continued here, as it were in a den of thieves, where the devil, day and night seeketh to draw us: taking away from us, not only our life and our goods, but vexing our hearts, and our consciences with divers storms of temptations, to the end we should fear the day of our redemption, and being destitute of all comfort, should fall into utter desperation. Unto us thus troubled, the coming of our Saviour shallbe joyful: but unto the world which will not believe, what danger hangs over his head, before he have experience thereof: it shall 
Math. 24. 48.  bring terror, fear, plagues, death, destruction, hell fire.  
Therefore when that day shall come upon the sudden, and utterly destroy all things, there is no cause why thou, that art a faithful Christian, shouldst be afraid thereof, lest it destroy thee in like sort. For either being received, thou shalt be taken out of the grave, and out of dust into heaven: 
1. Thes. 4. 17. 1. Cor. 15. 32.  or else in a moment thou shalt be changed into a glorious estate for ever, & placed where no sin, no fear, no sorrow, no danger, but true righteousness, joy, peace, life, tranquillity and everlasting blessedness shall reign. These things we look for, and preach, for the little flocks sake, which shall receive them at that day, which we desire withal our hearts, and hope it to be now hard at hand, because so many signs and tokens thereof are already past, forespoken by Christ, our true Saviour. And this is that consolation & comfort, which no man can give, but only the holy 
joan. 14. 27 job. 1. 17. Rom. 8. 11. & joan. 7. 38 Act. 9 31. Rom. 5. 3. and. 10. 17. & 1●…. 14. 5. 1. Lor. 2. 10  ghost, by the word of Christ our Lord  
Let us suffer therefore the Sun, the Moon and all creatures to lower, and to threaten terrible things to come: For although they be terrible unto the world, they are joyful unto us, which in them see that comfortable deliverance, which our Saviour by the words of this Gospel hath declared unto us, and which he expoundeth unto us by this godly parable, or similitude following: See (saith he) the fig trees, and all other trees, when they shoot out their buds, you see and know of yourselves, how that Summer is then nigh at hand: so likewise you also when see these things come to pass, be sure that the kingdom of GOD is nigh. doubtless this is a notable exposition, which I myself could never invent, or apply unto this purpose. For who ever herd, that the darkening of the Sun, and the Moon, the destruction of the heaven and earth, the fear and trembling of men, the ruin of the air, water & all creatures, should be likened to the shooting out of buds, and the blossoming of trees? I would think rather that these things should be likened to a rough, sharp, and very hard winter, which with untolerable cold destroyeth and killeth all fruits, and what soever groweth upon the earth.  
But our Saviour Christ of all other the best interpreter and expounder of his word, expoundeth these signs after an other sort, better to our comfort and consolation: showing that those things which seem terrible unto us, are pleasant and beautiful to behold: as if we see the Sun and the Moon darkened, the water and the winds stormy and tempestuous, the mountains overthrown & made equal with the valleys, he teacheth us to say: thanks be to God, for now the pleasant som●…●…s at hand, now we see the spring of the leaf in some trees, and other some to shoot out their buds.  
No man, no reason, no human wisdom, could thus interpret these signs, terrible to behold, that redemption and everlasting joy should be signified thereby, which unto reason, & man's wisdom seem rather to prognosticate death and all kind of destruction. But seyug we have learned this interpretation of such a notable schoolmaster, even of him which sendeth them, and therefore knoweth best how to expound them: therefore (I say) let us learn it well, & accustom ourselves unto it, that we may print it in our minds the better to our comfort, and that we may behold these signs, and give our judgement of them according to the word of God: and not according to reason and man's wisdom, which is foolish, and ●…ull of corruption, which teacheth us to shun and be afraid of those things, that in deed are pleasant & joyful. It will not gladly suffer us to be hold all things darkened and to look lowringly: thunder & lightning, great storms & tempests, are unacceptable unto it.  
Notwithstanding a Christian man aught not to be troubled therewith, but take hold upon God's word, whereby he openeth our minds, that as he interpreteth these things, we may interpret them also: knowing thereby the pleasantness of summer is now at hand, and the earth will very shortly bring forth an abundance of goodly lilies and sweet roses, most pleasant to behold, that is to lay: that now after this filthy and wicked life, in the which we are tumbled and tossed with many miseries, and 
1. Lor. 5. 7 2. Cor. 5. ●…. 〈◊〉. 6. 15 Eph. 4. 24  calamities we shallbe brought into the haven of tranquillity, blessedness, and all pleasure, which never shall have end.  
For this is his will, that as we 
That is best, which is new unto the world, but old unto God.  must be new men, so we must have new senses, new cogitations, new understanding of things, & not behold any thing with the eyes of our own reason, as they seem unto 
Colos. 3. 9 Collos. 2. 8  the world, but with the eyes of faith, and as they seem unto God: that we may the better fashion our 
Heb. 11. 1  selves unto that new life to come which is invisible, which we hope for, after the tribulation of this world. And that we be not delighted with this temporal life, nor grieved to departed out of it, or to see the destruction of the world and all creatures therein, of whom it is no time now to take pity, we aught rather to take pity of the miserable Christians, both of them which presently are afflicted in the world, and also of them which being departed, sleep in the grave, and desire to see the glorious day of their resurrection. Even as the yerbes which in the winter time lie hide in the earth, and the trees, the juice thereof being kept in with cold, can not spring and bring forth buds, blossoms, and leaves, but look for the spring, at which time shooting out their buds, they flourish, and are lively to behold: so we in like manner aught with joy to look for the iast day, saying: Now the sharpness of winter is ended, the pleasant summer is come, yea such a summer which never shall have end. At the coming whereof not only the Saints, but also the Angels rejoice, and are glad. Pea all creatures after a sort look for 
1. Pet. 1. 12 Rom. 8. 22  it, and desire it earnestly.  
For heaven, earth, 
A mind & speech attributed to creatures without lice. Esa. ●…4 23. and not properly but figuratively▪ as when we say the earth doth praise the Lord, that is to say, it doth declare his wondrous works, and the workmanship thereof ministereth a man matter to praise the Lord: so it desireth the last day, that is to say, it being accursed daily more and more for our sin, showeth our miserable estate, and what cause we have to ●…ament and to desire our deliverance by the coming of our saviour to judgement.  Sun, Stars, air and all creatures can no longer bear the wickedness of the world, which they are constrained to behold, unto whom it is grievous to serve to the use, or rather to the abuse of sinners, & are an aid to the wickedness of the devil. And therefore they would gladly be delivered of this filthy bondage, and be made a new heaven, and a new earth: as Peter, and the Prophet Esay 
2. Pet. 3. 13 Apoc. 2●…. 1. Esa. 65. 17. and. 66. 22.  saith, in the which only righteousness shall devil. For iniquity and the wi●…kednes of man passeth all measure: so that it can not be suffered any longer. And therefore all things are moved (as now we see) crying (as it were) unto God for their deliverance.  
For this cause our Saviour Christ concludeth after this sort: So you, when you see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Verily I say unto you: this age shall 
Here an age may be taken for the space of two thousand years, whereof there are but three in all the world, one from the beginning of the world unto the law, the second from the law unto the coming of our Saviour, and the last from the coming of our Saviour unto the end of the world, which shallbe shortened. But how much it is uncertain.  not pass, until all things be fulfilled: heaven and earth shall pass, but my word shall not pass. As though he should say, you have prayed after this sort: Let thy kingdom come, deliver us from evil: Therefore now know you for a certainty, even as certainly as my word is true and everlasting, that when you see these signs, your prayer is herded, that the kingdom of God shall come even as you have desired: and all sin shall have an end, and be consumed. etc.  
Therefore when I come in the clouds withal my angels, with great glory in flaming fire, wherewith all creatures shall melt and be consumed, and all things shall give alight, and shine after a stranger and wonderful sort: your bodies shallbe glorified, so that they shall pass the pureness of the air, and all the army of heaven, shine they never so bright, and shall reign with me for ever in unspeakable glory. Finally, you shall see the wicked under your feet naked in the earth, in perpetual shame, trembling and shaking, being accursed and cast down headlong into hell.  
Now to make an end, after this sort, as I have declared unto you, the signs of the last day must be expounded unto the Christian people, that it may appear they signify no harm, but marvelous joy, great profit, and commodity. As for the Astronomers let them interpret them to signify nothing else but war, murder, and utter destruction: let them fear and tremble, which have, and desire nothing but a temporal life, and pleasant days in this world: But let us be of good cheer, as men that are renewed and regenerate in Christ thorough the holy Ghost. And even as he is the Lord of heaven and earth and all creatures therein: so we by him are the Lords of all signs, what soever seemeth terrible to the eyes of man: neither can any thing hurt us, n●…, although it take away ou●… life. For our life and conversation 
Phil. 3. 20  is not here, but we look for an other life when our body shallbe delivered, which life is now hide with Christ in heaven, through faith (as S. Paul saith) 
Collos. 3. 3  but shortly shallbe revived before all the world in immortal and everlasting brightness: When both in body and soul, we shall reign with God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, to whom be all praise, honour, and glory, world without end.  
Amen.   

¶ The Signs that were given to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, before their destruction.  
A Whole year before the 
1.  coming of Vespas●…an to 〈◊〉 the C●…e, right over it, was seen a blazing Star like unto a sword: which the common people did interpret to be a token of their deliverance out of bondage, into the which they were brought by the Romans. 
2.   
Before the war began, at the feast of unleavened br●…ad, which was then the viii. day o●… April, there was suddenly seen at nine of the clock at night, for the space of half an hour, such a great light about the Altar, and the Temple, that it seemed to be midday.  
At the same feast, a Cow being brought 
3.  to be sacrificed, brought forth a Lamb in the midst of the Church.  
The Cast gate of the Temple, being 
4.  of brass and shut every night, but not without the strength of twenty men, being locked ●… barred with divers locks and bars, was seen at v●…. of the clock at night, and (as Egesippus testifieth) divers nights to open itself without the hand of men. This thing was thought of the most part to be a token of good luck, and that the gates of their enemies should open unto them of their own accord. But some that were of th●… wiser sort, said it was a token that the strength of the Temple should be dissolved without the hand of man, that it might be spoiled of their enemies and destroyed.  
A few days after their solemn 
5.  ●…eastes, there appeared in the clouds before Sun setting, a vision of charets, and hosts of armed men, where with all the Cities of jury & the country there about were invaded and overrun.  
At the feast called Pentecost, the 
6.  Priests entering in the night into the inner Temple, according to their manner to do their divine service, first they perceived a noise or rusheling after, they herded a voice saying often: Let us depart hence, let us departed hence.  
One called jesus, the son of Anani, 
7.  a base man and of low degree, four years before the war, the City being in great wealth and quietness, coming to the celebration of one of their solemn feasts, called the feasts of tabernacles, went up into the Temple, and suddenly cried out with a loud voice, saying: A voice from the East, a voice from the West; a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem, and the temple, a voice against new married men, and new married women, a voice against all this people: crying thus day and night he went through all the streets of the City. Certain of the chief men, being a●…ed, and fearing that it was a token of misfortune, took the man and whipped him. But he while he was beaten, cried still as before, and being still beaten, until a man might see his bore bones, he ●…er desired them to let him go, neither ●…yd he shed any tears for the matter, but cried still at every stripe: woe, woe unto the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and at the length dismissed, as a man out of his wits, he cried still as before, especially, on the solemn feast days, until the siege of the City, at which time he entering up on the brickwall, and crying, woe, woe unto the City, the Temple, and the people: he cried at the last w●… unto myself, and was cast downe dead with a stone hurled to him by the enemies out of one of their engines. They were nothing moved with these signs, but thinking they should have victory over their enemies, resisted them, until both they and their City was destroyed, according to the words of our Saviour. Luc. 19 43.   

¶ Signs, and wonders signifying alteration, or misery and calamity of certain Countries, and Nations, or of great Personages.  
ABout the year from the beginning of the world. 3458. Tarqvinius, surnamed Superbus the seventh King of the Romans, was deprived of his kingdom by his subjects, and thrust out by force of arms, and the state of governance altered, from the government of one monarch, unto ij. yearly offices called Consuls: a little before which time in signification thereof (as Historiographers do writ) a Dog did speak, and a Serpent ●…id bark. T. Plinius lib. 8. Cap. 41.  
The year from the beginning of the world. 3538. the light of the Sun was so taken away by an ●…lipse seen in Grece, that a man might see the Stars aswell at midday, as at midnight. Shortly afterwards followed the war, called the war of Peloponesus which continued seven and twenty years. Thucydides.  
The year from the beginning of the world. 3698. at Rome, and the country there about, blood in stead of water gushed out of the springs, and milk from heaven, like rain. Shortly after followed the war of Carthage against the Romans, which cost the lives of many thousands. Orosius li. 4. Cap. 5.  
Anno Domini. 1452. Constantinople in Grece (where in those days was the emperors Palace) was besieged & overcome of the great Turk, called Mahomet the second of that name: who when he had gotten the victory, used most beastly cruelty towards the Christians, both men, women, and children, old and young, rich and poor. The Emperor being slain, his head was set upon a spear, & carried round about the City, (the more to grieve his subjects) his wife and daughter, with many noble women were ravished, and after cut in pieces, all the noble men were slain, the common people were made bond slaves, and many other such like villainies were done, besides the bringing of the whole country of Grece into his own dominion. A little before which time, was seen at Comus, a City in France, towards Sun setting, a great multitude of dogs, carried in the air, and after them droves of divers kinds of beasts: also men armed diversely, some with spears and shields, who were pursued of a great army of horsemen, being divided into divers companies. For the space of three hours the army seemed to be setting forth, at the last came forth a tall and huge man, fearful to behold, sitting upon a terrible horse, seeming to be the captain of the host: and many such strange things appeared, until night when they could be no more seen.   

THese few examples I have here added in the end of the Sermon, to let men see that before great alterations or channges of kingdoms and common weals, God sendeth wonderful tokens thereof, to signify the same before it come to pass: whereby with Martin Luther, the author of this Sermon, we may well conclude that before the alteration of the whole world (which is the last day) he will sand many signs and tokens thereof, which he showeth for the most part to be already fulfilled: and therefore the end of all things is now to be looked for, because there hath happened of late days many wonderful Eclipses, or darkenyngs of the Sun, and Moon, many Suns have been seen at one time, many rain bows, many terrible blazing Stars, and other strange sights of fire in the air, many great tempests of winds, with floods and earth quakes, which have destroyed and overflown both Cities, and whole countries: Whereof here might be added divers examples, both of such as happened before Luther did writ this Sermon, as also since that tyme. But they are almost innumerable, and have been partly seen with our own eyes, and are at large set out in Print, by Conraedus Gesnerus, Marcus Fritschius, and others, who have written no small books of such wondered and strange things, as by the providence of almighty God have happened before time: to this end, that we seeing these things come to pass, forespoken by our Saviour, might the more diligently watch for his coming, lest we following the example of the lewd servant, lead a careless life in all kind of wickedness, and he coming upon us unwares, give us our portion with hypocrites and dissemblers in everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. God grant us therefore to watch for the coming of our Saviour, that we being prepared with oil in our Lamps, he may take us with him unto euerlastyng●…lyfe.  
Amen.   

* Imprinted at London, by john day, over Aldersgate.  
¶ Cum gratia & Priuilegi●… Regi●… Maiestatis.  
2570.