That God doth purchase nothing but Unthankfulness with his Benefits.

God giveth sun and moon, said Luther, stars and elements, fire and
water, air and earth, and all creatures; body and soul, and all
manner of maintenance, of fruits, grain, corn, wine, and all that is
profitable for the preserving of this temporal life; and, moreover,
he giveth unto us his all-saving Word, yea, himself he giveth unto
us.

But, said Luther, what getteth God thereby? Truly nothing else than
that he is wickedly blasphemed; yea, that his only Son is pitifully
scorned, contemned, and hanged on the gallows; his servants plagued,
banished, persecuted and slain. This is the thanks that he hath for
his Grace, for creating, for redeeming, sanctifying, nourishing, and
for preserving us: such a seed, fruit, and godly child is the
world. Oh, woe be to it!


Of God's Power in our Weakness.

God, said Luther, placeth his highest office very wonderfully; he
commits it to preachers that are poor sinners and beggars, who do
utter and teach it, and very weakly do thereafter, or live according
to the same.

Thus goeth it always with God's power in our weakness; for when he
is weakest in us, then is he strongest.