Ebook A Manual of the Book of Psalms, or the Subject-Contents of All the Psalms

Luther takes occasion also, from numberless pas sages in the Psalms, to describe, point out, and dis tinguish the true church of God in the midst of the earth, and the signs by which she may be known from all other churches — that she is that company of poor and af?icted people, who are burdened with sins, filled with fears, covered with infirmities, and despised by the world, and considered both by the wicked, and by formal professors of religion, to be the last people likely to be the church of God. He repeatedly shews, however, that such, not withstanding their rejection by all, are the true people and church of God and that it is unto such, and such only, that all the promises of grace and mercy in Christ, and of help, provision, and defence in this world, are made; For (saith Luther) if you will look through the whole Bible, you will find, that God is not the God of the rich, the proud, the secure, &c. But of the poor, the fearful, the af?icted, and the helpless; who cannot do without his daily mercy and help, either in the things of this world, or of that which is to come.'