Luther and the doxology
For this reason the adversary rages whenever salvation by faith is declared to the world. For this reason he stirred up earth and hell to destroy the people who first preached it. And for the same reason, knowing that faith alone could overturn the foundations of his kingdom, he called out all his forces, and used every art of lies and slander, to frighten Martin Luther from reviving it.
We should not be surprised. As that man of God observes: how it would enrage a proud, strong, armed man, to be stopped and set at nothing by a little child coming against him with a reed in his hand. Especially when he knew that little child would surely overthrow him, and tread him under foot.
Even so, Lord Jesus. Thus has your strength always been made perfect in weakness. Go out, then, you little child who believes in him, and his right hand will teach you terrible things. Though you are helpless and weak as an infant of days, the strong man will not be able to stand before you. You will prevail over him, and subdue him, and overthrow him, and trample him under your feet. You will march on, under the great captain of your salvation, conquering and to conquer, until all your enemies are destroyed, and death is swallowed up in victory.
Now thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. To him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, for ever and ever. Amen.
1872 text
9. For this reason the adversary so rages whenever "salvation by faith" is declared to the world: for this reason did he stir up earth and hell, to destroy those who first preached it. And for the same reason, knowing that faith alone could overturn the foundations of his kingdom, did he call forth all his forces, and employ all his arts of lies and calumny, to affright Martin Luther from reviving it. Nor can we wonder thereat; for, as that man of God observes, "How would it enrage a proud, strong man armed, to be stopped and set at nought by a little child coming against him with a reed in his hand!" especially when he knew that little child would surely overthrow him, and tread him under foot. Even so, Lord Jesus! Thus hath Thy strength been ever "made perfect in weakness!" Go forth then, thou little child that believest in him, and his "right hand shall teach thee terrible things !" Though thou art helpless and weak as an infant of days, the strong man shall not be able to stand before thee. Thou shalt prevail over him, and subdue him, and overthrow him and trample him under thy feet. Thou shalt march on, under the great Captain of thy salvation, "conquering and to conquer," until all thine enemies are destroyed, and "death is swallowed up in victory."
Now, thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, for ever and ever. Amen
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1872 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1872 panel is the public-domain sermon. Its disputed lines were checked against the University of Toronto scan of the forty-four sermons: a public robber, a common harlot, sons of perdition, the Romish delusion, and Popery.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 1. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 18 June 1738. Ephesians 2:8.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Salvation by Faith, 1872 wording (English · The whole sermon, divided to match the reading)
- Checked print Forty-four Sermons, University of Toronto scan (English · Checked the robber, harlot, perdition, Romish, and Popery lines)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.