Lutheri Autographa - Nine rare Luther works, including an eyewitness account of his sermon

6B Martin Luther. Lutheri Autographa, Nine Rare Luther Works, including an eyewitness account of his sermon. Collected first and early editions by 19th century collector. 1532-1549

Das Fünffte Sechste und Siebend Capitel S. Matthei Gepredigt und Ausgelengt Dutch D. Mart. Luther. Wittenberg, 1532. | Das Sechste Capitel Der Epistel Pauli an Die Epheser. Wittenberg: Rhau, 1533. | Eine Predigt, Vom Verloren Schaf. Wittenberg, H. Lifft 1533. | Von Jesus Christi Eine Predigt… Zu Hofe Zu Torgaw Gepredigt. Wittenberg: Nickel Schirlentz, 1533. | Eine Schöne Osterpredigt, Für Den Churfürsten Zu Sachsen Gethan. Wittenberg: Nickel Schirlentz, 1538. | Ein Schrifft… Wider Den Eisleben: Magdeburg, Christian Rödinger, 1549. | Der Von Magdeburg Entschuldigung. Magdeburg: Michael Lotter: 1549. | Luther. Auslegung Etzlicher Trostsprüche: Erfurt, 1547.

Notes

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German monk, theologian, and reformer whose ideas sparked the Protestant Reformation and permanently changed Christianity in Europe. As a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg, Luther emphasized salvation by faith alone and the authority of Scripture over church tradition. In addition to his famous writings and his German Bible translation, Luther was a prolific preacher. He delivered sermons regularly—sometimes several times a week—addressed not to scholars but to ordinary townspeople. His sermons were direct, vivid, and practical, often using everyday language, humor, and concrete examples to explain complex theological ideas. Many of these sermons were written down by listeners and later printed, allowing them to reach a wide audience beyond Wittenberg.

Luther’s sermons focused on teaching the Bible clearly and pastorally rather than performing elaborate rhetoric. He preached through biblical books, explained the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostles’ Creed, and stressed themes such as God’s grace, repentance, and trust in Christ. He strongly criticized what he saw as abuses in the Church, including indulgences and empty ritual, but he also emphasized comfort for troubled consciences. Because of the printing press, Luther’s sermons circulated widely and became an important tool of the Reformation, shaping Protestant worship and helping establish preaching—in the vernacular—as the central act of church life.

Das Fünffte, Sechste und Siebend Capitel S. Matthei, Gepredigt und Ausgelengt, durch D. Mart. Luther (Wittenberg, 1532).
This work contains Luther’s sermon-based exposition of Matthew chapters 5–7, the Sermon on the Mount. It reflects his mature preaching style, developed during his years in Wittenberg, in which he combined close biblical explanation with pastoral application. Luther emphasized the distinction between Law and Gospel, interpreting Christ’s demanding ethical teachings not as a means of earning salvation but as revealing human sinfulness and the need for grace. These sermons were originally preached to congregations and later edited for print, showing how Luther used preaching as a primary vehicle for reform. The book also illustrates how print preserved spoken sermons and extended their influence far beyond the church walls.

Das Sechste Capitel der Epistel Pauli an die Epheser (Wittenberg: Georg Rhau, 1533).
This text focuses on Luther’s exposition of Ephesians chapter 6, especially the famous passage on the “armor of God.” Luther interpreted this chapter within the context of spiritual struggle, emphasizing faith, Scripture, and prayer as weapons against sin, death, and the devil. He rejected literal or militaristic readings, instead framing the Christian life as an inward, spiritual battle sustained by God’s Word. Printed by Georg Rhau, an important Wittenberg publisher closely associated with Lutheran works, the book reflects how Luther’s theology addressed everyday fears and anxieties in a time of religious conflict.

Eine Predigt, Vom Verloren Schaf (Wittenberg: Hans Lufft, 1533).
This sermon on the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15) highlights Luther’s pastoral sensitivity. He used the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd to stress God’s initiative in salvation and His care for sinners who are weak, frightened, or lost. Luther sharply criticized works-based righteousness and reassured believers that salvation rests entirely on Christ’s seeking and saving action. Printed by Hans Lufft, Luther’s most important printer, this sermon exemplifies how short, accessible texts helped spread Reformation teaching among lay readers.

Von Jesus Christi, Eine Predigt… Zu Hofe zu Torgaw Gepredigt (Wittenberg: Nickel Schirlentz, 1533).
This sermon was preached at the court in Torgau, a significant political and religious center for the Saxon electors who protected Luther. Addressed to a noble audience, Luther nonetheless maintained his characteristic clarity and theological directness. He emphasized Christ’s role as the sole mediator between God and humanity and warned against trusting human authority or ceremony for salvation. The courtly setting shows Luther’s ability to adapt his preaching to different audiences while remaining consistent in doctrine.

Eine Schöne Osterpredigt, Für den Churfürsten zu Sachsen Gethan (Wittenberg: Nickel Schirlentz, 1538).
This Easter sermon, preached for the Elector of Saxony, centers on Christ’s resurrection as the foundation of Christian faith and hope. Luther stressed victory over death, sin, and the devil, presenting Easter not merely as a historical event but as a present source of comfort for believers. The sermon reflects Luther’s later preaching tone—confident, consoling, and focused on assurance of salvation. Its courtly dedication highlights Luther’s close relationship with Saxon rulers and their role in supporting the Reformation.

Ein Schrifft… Wider den Eisleben (Magdeburg: Christian Rödinger, 1549).
Printed after Luther’s death, this polemical text is associated with controversies surrounding Eisleben, Luther’s birthplace and the site of intense post-Reformation conflicts. Works from this period often reflect disputes among Lutherans themselves rather than direct attacks on Rome. Because it appeared in 1549, authorship and editorial involvement may be complex, with followers compiling or adapting Luther’s earlier arguments. The text fits into the broader landscape of confessional tension in mid-16th-century Germany.

Der von Magdeburg Entschuldigung (Magdeburg: Michael Lotter, 1549).
This work is linked to the so-called “Magdeburg Confession,” a key Lutheran resistance text opposing imperial religious policy after Luther’s death. While not authored directly by Luther, it draws heavily on his theology, especially his views on obedience, conscience, and resistance to ungodly authority. The publication shows how Luther’s ideas continued to shape political and theological arguments in the later Reformation, even when he was no longer alive.

Luther, Auslegung Etzlicher Trostsprüche (Erfurt, 1547).
This text consists of explanations of selected biblical “words of comfort,” emphasizing consolation in suffering, illness, and death. It reflects Luther’s pastoral theology, shaped by personal struggles with anxiety and illness. Published the year after his death, it likely compiles earlier sermons or writings intended to strengthen faith during times of hardship. The work demonstrates how Luther’s legacy was preserved through thematic collections that addressed the spiritual needs of ordinary believers.

Description

Speckled leather covered boards in 19th century binding. Three quarter brown leather binding. Black leather label in second compartment on spine with gilt lettering. Six raised bands. Chipping to leather along edges and rubbing to extremities. Slight staining to preliminary pages of first installment. Handwritten note on half preliminary fly leaf. Green tags on each title page. Red and blue speckled edges. Fully intact. Fine condition.