TranslatedbyF.BenteandW.H.T.DauPrefaceAChristian，Profitable，andNecessaryPrefaceandFaithful，EarnestExhortationofDr.MartinLuthertoAllChristians，butEspeciallytoAllPastorsandPreachers，thatTheyShouldDailyExerciseThemselvesintheCatechism，whichisaShortSummaryandEpitomeoftheEntireHolyScriptures，andthattheyMayAlwaysTeachtheSame.
　　WehavenoslightreasonsfortreatingtheCatechismsoconstantly[inSermons]andforbothdesiringandbeseechingotherstoteachit，sinceweseetooursorrowthatmanypastorsandpreachersareverynegligentinthis，andslightboththeirofficeandthisteaching;somefromgreatandhighart[givingtheirmind，astheyimagine，tomuchhighermatters]，butothersfromsheerlazinessandcarefortheirpaunches，assumingnootherrelationtothisbusinessthaniftheywerepastorsandpreachersfortheirbellies’sake，andhadnothingtodobutto[spendand]consumetheiremolumentsaslongastheylive，astheyhavebeenaccustomedtodounderthePapacy.
　　Andalthoughtheyhavenoweverythingthattheyaretopreachandteachplacedbeforethemsoabundantly，clearly，andeasily，insomany[excellentand]helpfulbooks，andthetrueSermonesperseloquentes，Dormisecure，ParatosetThesauros，astheywerecalledinformertimes;yettheyarenotsogodlyandhonestastobuythesebooks，orevenwhentheyhavethem，tolookatthemorreadthem.Alas！theyarealtogethershamefulgluttonsandservantsoftheirownbellieswhooughttobemoreproperlyswineherdsanddog—tendersthancare—takersofsoulsandpastors.
　　AndnowthattheyaredeliveredfromtheunprofitableandburdensomebabblingoftheSevenCanonicalHours，oh，that，insteadthereof，theywouldonly，morning，noon，andevening，readapageortwointheCatechism，thePrayer—book，theNewTestament，orelsewhereintheBible，andpraytheLord’sPrayerforthemselvesandtheirparishioners，sothattheymightrender，inreturn，honorandthankstotheGospel，bywhichtheyhavebeendeliveredfromburdensandtroublessomanifold，andmightfeelalittleshamebecauselikepigsanddogstheyretainnomoreoftheGospelthansuchalazy，pernicious，shameful，carnalliberty！For，alas！asitis，thecommonpeopleregardtheGospelaltogethertoolightly，andweaccomplishnothingextraordinaryeventhoughweusealldiligence.What，then，willbeachievedifweshallbenegligentandlazyaswewereunderthePapacy？
　　Tothisthereisaddedtheshamefulviceandsecretinfectionofsecurityandsatiety，thatis，thatmanyregardtheCatechismasapoor，meanteaching，whichtheycanreadthroughatonetime，andthenimmediatelyknowit，throwthebookintoacorner，andbeashamed，asitwere，toreadinitagain.
　　Yea，evenamongthenobilitytheremaybefoundsomeloutsandscrimps，whodeclarethatthereisnolongeranyneedeitherofpastorsorpreachers;thatwehaveeverythinginbooks，andeveryonecaneasilylearnitbyhimself;andsotheyarecontenttolettheparishesdecayandbecomedesolate，andpastorsandpreacherstosufferdistressandhungeraplenty，justasitbecomescrazyGermanstodo.
　　ForweGermanshavesuchdisgracefulpeople，andmustendurethem.
　　ButformyselfIsaythis：Iamalsoadoctorandpreacher，yea，aslearnedandexperiencedasallthosemaybewhohavesuchpresumptionandsecurity;yetIdoasachildwhoisbeingtaughttheCatechism，andeverymorning，andwheneverIhavetime，Ireadandsay，wordforword，theTenCommandments，theCreed，theLord’sPrayer，thePsalms，etc.AndImuststillreadandstudydaily，andyetIcannotmasteritasIwish，butmustremainachildandpupiloftheCatechism，andamgladsotoremain.Andyetthesedelicate，fastidiousfellowswouldwithonereadingpromptlybedoctorsabovealldoctors，knoweverythingandbeinneedofnothing.Well，this，too，isindeedasuresignthattheydespiseboththeirofficeandthesoulsofthepeople，yea，evenGodandHisWord.Theydonothavetofall，theyarealreadyfallenalltoohorribly，theywouldneedtobecomechildren，andbegintolearntheiralphabet，whichtheyimaginethattheyhavelongsinceoutgrown.
　　ThereforeIbegsuchlazypaunchesorpresumptuoussaintstobepersuadedandbelieveforGod’ssakethattheyareverily，verily！notsolearnedorsuchgreatdoctorsastheyimagine;andnevertopresumethattheyhavefinishedlearningthis[thepartsoftheCatechism]，orknowitwellenoughinallpoints，eventhoughtheythinkthattheyknowiteversowell.Forthoughtheyshouldknowandunderstanditperfectly（which，however，isimpossibleinthislife），yettherearemanifoldbenefitsandfruitsstilltobeobtained，ifitbedailyreadandpracticedinthoughtandspeech;namely，thattheHolyGhostispresentinsuchreadingandrepetitionandmeditation，andbestowsevernewandmorelightanddevoutness，sothatitisdailyrelishedandappreciatedbetter，asChristpromises，Matt.18，20：WheretwoorthreearegatheredtogetherinMyname，thereamIinthemidstofthem.
　　Besides，itisanexceedinglyeffectualhelpagainstthedevil，theworld，andthefleshandallevilthoughtstobeoccupiedwiththeWordofGod，andtospeakofit，andmeditateuponit，sothattheFirstPsalmdeclaresthoseblessedwhomeditateuponthelawofGoddayandnight.Undoubtedly，youwillnotstartastrongerincenseorotherfumigationagainstthedevilthanbybeingengageduponGod’scommandmentsandwords，andspeaking，singing，orthinkingofthem.Forthisisindeedthetrueholywaterandholysignfromwhichheflees，andbywhichhemaybedrivenaway.
　　Now，forthisreasonaloneyououghtgladlytoread，speak，thinkandtreatofthesethingsifyouhadnootherprofitandfruitfromthemthanthatbydoingsoyoucandriveawaythedevilandevilthoughts.
　　ForhecannothearorendureGod’sWord;andGod’sWordisnotlikesomeothersillyprattle，asthataboutDietrichofBerne，etc.，butasSt.Paulsays，Rom.1，16，thepowerofGod.Yea，indeed，thepowerofGodwhichgivesthedevilburningpain，andstrengthens，comforts，andhelpsusbeyondmeasure.
　　Andwhatneedisthereofmanywords？IfIweretorecountalltheprofitandfruitwhichGod’sWordproduces，whencewouldIgetenoughpaperandtime？Thedeviliscalledthemasterofathousandarts.ButwhatshallwecallGod’sWord，whichdrivesawayandbringstonaughtthismasterofathousandartswithallhisartsandpower？Itmustindeedbethemasterofmorethanahundredthousandarts.Andshallwefrivolouslydespisesuchpower，profit，strength，andfruit——we，especially，whoclaimtobepastorsandpreachers？Ifso，weshouldnotonlyhavenothinggivenustoeat，butbedrivenout，beingbaitedwithdogs，andpeltedwithdung，becausewenotonlyneedallthiseverydayasweneedourdailybreadbutmustalsodailyuseitagainstthedailyandunabatedattacksandlurkingofthedevil，themasterofathousandarts.
　　AndifthiswerenotsufficienttoadmonishustoreadtheCatechismdaily，yetweshouldfeelsufficientlyconstrainedbythecommandofGodalone，whosolemnlyenjoinsinDeut.6，6ff.thatweshouldalwaysmeditateuponHisprecepts，sitting，walking，standing，Lyingdown，andrising，andhavethembeforeoureyesandinourhandsasaconstantmarkandsign.DoubtlessHedidnotsosolemnlyrequireandenjointhiswithoutapurpose;butbecauseHeknowsourdangerandneed，aswellastheconstantandfuriousassaultsandtemptationsofdevils，Hewishestowarn，equip，andpreserveusagainstthem，aswithagoodarmoragainsttheirfierydartsandwithgoodmedicineagainsttheirevilinfectionandsuggestion.
　　Oh，whatmad，senselessfoolsarewethat，whilewemusteverliveanddwellamongsuchmightyenemiesasthedevilsare，weneverthelessdespiseourweaponsanddefense，andaretoolazytolookatorthinkofthem！Andwhatelsearesuchsupercilious，presumptuoussaints，whoareunwillingtoreadandstudytheCatechismdaily，doingthanesteemingthemselvesmuchmorelearnedthanGodHimselfwithallHissaints，angels[patriarchs]，prophets，apostles，andallChristiansForinasmuchasGodHimselfisnotashamedtoteachthesethingsdaily，asknowingnothingbettertoteach，andalwayskeepsteachingthesamething，anddoesnottakeupanythingnewordifferent，andallthesaintsknownothingbetterordifferenttolearn，andcannotfinishlearningthis，arewenotthefinestofallfellowstoimagine，ifwehaveoncereadorheardit，thatweknowitall，andhavenofurtherneedtoreadandlearn，butcanfinishlearninginonehourwhatGodHimselfcannotfinishteaching，althoughHeisengagedinteachingitfromthebeginningtotheendoftheworld，andallprophets，togetherwithallsaints，havebeenoccupiedwithlearningitandhaveeverremainedpupils，andmustcontinuetobesuch？
　　ForitneedsmustbethatwhoeverknowstheTenCommandmentsperfectlymustknowalltheScriptures，sothat，inallaffairsandcases，hecanadvise，help，comfort，judge，anddecidebothspiritualandtemporalmattersandisqualifiedtositinjudgmentuponalldoctrines，estates，spirits，laws，andwhateverelseisintheworld.Andwhat，indeed，istheentirePsalterbutthoughtsandexercisesupontheFirstCommandment？NowIknowofatruththatsuchlazypaunchesandpresumptuousspiritsdonotunderstandasinglepsalm，muchlesstheentireHolyScriptures;andyettheypretendtoknowanddespisetheCatechism，whichisacompendandbriefsummaryofalltheHolyScriptures.
　　ThereforeIagainimploreallChristians，especiallypastorsandpreachers，nottobedoctorstoosoon，andimaginethattheyknoweverything（forimaginationandclothunshrunk[andfalseweights]fallfarshortofthemeasure），butthattheydailyexercisethemselveswellinthesestudiesandconstantlytreatthem;moreover，thattheyguardwithallcareanddiligenceagainstthepoisonousinfectionofsuchsecurityandvainimagination，butsteadilykeeponreading，teaching，learning，pondering，andmeditating，anddonotceaseuntiltheyhavemadeatestandaresurethattheyhavetaughtthedeviltodeathandhavebecomemorelearnedthanGodHimselfandallHissaints.
　　Iftheymanifestsuchdiligence，thenIwillpromisethem，andtheyshallalsoperceive，whatfruittheywillobtain，andwhatexcellentmenGodwillmakeofthem，sothatinduetimetheythemselveswillacknowledgethatthelongerandthemoretheystudytheCatechism，thelesstheyknowofit，andthemoretheyfindyettolearn;andthenonly，ashungryandthirstyones，willtheytrulyrelishthatwhichnowtheycannotendurebecauseofgreatabundanceandsatiety.TothisendmayGodgrantHisgrace！Amen.
　　SHORTPREFACEOFDR.MARTINLUTHER.
　　Thissermonisdesignedandundertakenthatitmightbeaninstructionforchildrenandthesimple—minded.HenceofolditwascalledinGreekcatechism，i.e.，instructionforchildren，whateveryChristianmustneedsknow，sothathewhodoesnotknowthiscouldnotbenumberedwiththeChristiansnorbeadmittedtoanySacrament，justasamechanicwhodoesnotunderstandtherulesandcustomsofhistradeisexpelledandconsideredincapable.ThereforewemusthavetheyounglearnthepartswhichbelongtotheCatechismorinstructionforchildrenwellandfluentlyanddiligentlyexercisethemselvesinthemandkeepthemoccupiedwiththem.
　　Thereforeitisthedutyofeveryfatherofafamilytoquestionandexaminehischildrenandservantsatleastonceaweekandtoascertainwhattheyknowofit，orarelearningand，iftheydonotknowit，tokeepthemfaithfullyatit.ForIwellrememberthetime，indeed，evennowitisadailyoccurrencethatonefindsrude，oldpersonswhoknewnothingandstillknownothingofthesethings，andwho，nevertheless，gotoBaptismandtheLord’sSupper，anduseeverythingbelongingtoChristians，notwithstandingthatthosewhocometotheLord’sSupperoughttoknowmoreandhaveafullerunderstandingofallChristiandoctrinethanchildrenandnewscholars.However，forthecommonpeoplewearesatisfiedwiththethreeparts，whichhaveremainedinChristendomfromofold，thoughlittleofithasbeentaughtandtreatedcorrectlyuntilbothyoungandoldwhoarecalledandwishtobeChristians，arewelltrainedinthemandfamiliarwiththem.Thesearethefollowing：
　　First.
　　THETENCOMMANDMENTSOFGOD.
　　1.ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe.
　　2.ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLord，thyGod，invain[fortheLordwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethHisnameinvain].
　　3.Thoushaltsanctifytheholy—day.[RemembertheSabbath—daytokeepitholy.]
　　4.Thoushalthonorthyfatherandmother[thatthoumayestlivelongupontheearth].
　　5.Thoushaltnotkill.
　　6.Thoushaltnotcommitadultery.
　　7.Thoushaltnotsteal.
　　8.Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitnessagainstthyneighbor.
　　9.Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’shouse.
　　10.Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’swife，norhisman—servant，norhismaidservant，norhiscattle[ox，norhisass]，noranythingthatishis.
　　Secondly.
　　THECHIEFARTICLESOFOURFAITH.
　　1.IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty，Makerofheavenandearth.
　　2.AndinJesusChrist，HisonlySon，ourLord;whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost，bornoftheVirginMary;sufferedunderPontiusPilate，wascrucified，deadandburied;Hedescendedintohell;thethirddayHeroseagainfromthedead;Heascendedintoheaven，andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceHeshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.
　　3.IbelieveintheHolyGhost，theholyChristianChurch，thecommunionofsaints，theforgivenessofsins，theresurrectionofthebody，andthelifeeverlasting.Amen.
　　Thirdly.
　　THEPRAYER，OR"OURFATHER，"WHICHCHRISTTAUGHT
　　OurFatherwhoartinheaven.
　　1.HallowedbeThyname.
　　2.Thykingdomcome.
　　3.Thywillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven.
　　4.Giveusthisdayourdailybread.
　　5.Andforgiveusourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.
　　6.Andleadusnotintotemptation.
　　7.Butdeliverusfromevil.[ForThineisthekingdomandthepowerandtheglory，foreverandever.]Amen.
　　Thesearethemostnecessarypartswhichoneshouldfirstlearntorepeatwordforwordandwhichourchildrenshouldbeaccustomedtorecitedailywhentheyariseinthemorningwhentheysitdowntotheirmeals，andwhentheyretireatnight;anduntiltheyrepeatthem，theyshouldbegivenneitherfoodnordrink.Likewiseeveryheadofahouseholdisobligedtodothesamewithrespecttohisdomestics，ma—servantsandmaid—servantsandnottokeeptheminhishouseiftheydonotknowthesethingsandareunwillingtolearnthem.Forapersonwhoissorudeandunrulyastobeunwillingtolearnthesethingsisnottobetolerated，forinthesethreepartseverythingthatwehaveintheScripturesiscomprehendedinshort，pain，andsimpleterms.FortheholyFathersorapostles（whoevertheywere）havethusembracedinasummarythedoctrine，life，wisdom，andartofChristians，ofwhichtheyspeakandtreat，andwithwhichtheyareoccupied.Now，whenthesethreeartsareapprehended，itbehoovesapersonalsotoknowwhattosayconcerningourSacraments，whichChristHimselfinstituted，BaptismandtheholybodyandbloodofChrist，namely，thetextwhichMatthew[28，19ff.]andMark[16，15f.]recordatthecloseoftheirGospelswhenChristsaidfarewelltoHisdisciplesandsentthemforth.
　　OFBAPTISM.
　　Goyeandteachallnations，baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather，andoftheSon，andoftheHolyGhost.Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved;buthethatbelievethnotshallbedamned.SomuchissufficientforasimplepersontoknowfromtheScripturesconcerningBaptism.Inlikemanner，also，concerningtheotherSacramentinshort，simplewords，namelythetextofSt.Paul[1Cor.
　　11，23f.].
　　OFTHESACRAMENT
　　OurLordJesusChrist，thesamenightinwhichHewasbetrayed，tookbread;andwhenHehadgiventhanks，Hebrakeit，andgaveittoHisdisciplesandsaid，Take，eat;thisisMybody，whichisgivenforyou：
　　thisdoinremembranceofMe.
　　AfterthesamemanneralsoHetookthecup，whenHehadsupped，gavethanks，andgaveittothem，saying，Drinkyeallofit;thiscupisthenewtestamentinMyblood，whichisshedforyoufortheremissionofsins：thisdoye，asoftasyedrinkit，inremembranceofMe.
　　Thus，yewouldhave，inall，fivepartsoftheentireChristiandoctrinewhichshouldbeconstantlytreatedandrequired[ofchildren]
　　andheardrecitedwordforword.Foryoumustnotrelyuponitthattheyoungpeoplewilllearnandretainthesethingsfromthesermonalone.
　　Whenthesepartshavebeenwelllearned，youmay，asasupplementandtofortifythem.laybeforethemalsosomepsalmsorhymns，whichhavebeencomposedontheseparts，andthusleadtheyoungintotheScriptures，andmakedailyprogresstherein.
　　However，itisnotenoughforthemtocomprehendandrecitethesepartsaccordingtothewordsonly，buttheyoungpeopleshouldalsobemadetoattendthepreaching，especiallyduringthetimewhichisdevotedtotheCatechism，thattheymayhearitexplainedandmaylearntounderstandwhateverypartcontains，soastobeabletoreciteitastheyhaveheardit，and，whenasked，maygiveacorrectanswer，sothatthepreachingmaynotbewithoutprofitandfruit.ForthereasonwhyweexercisesuchdiligenceinpreachingtheCatechismsooftenisthatitmaybeinculcatedonouryouth，notinahighandsubtlemanner，butbrieflyandwiththegreatestsimplicity，soastoenterthemindreadilyandbefixedinthememory.Thereforeweshallnowtakeuptheabovementionedarticlesonebyoneandintheplainestmannerpossiblesayaboutthemasmuchasisnecessary.
　　PartFirst.TheTenCommandments.
　　TheFirstCommandment.
　　ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe.
　　Thatis：Thoushalthave[andworship]MealoneasthyGod.Whatistheforceofthis，andhowisittobeunderstood？Whatdoesitmeantohaveagod？or，whatisGod？Answer：Agodmeansthatfromwhichwearetoexpectallgoodandtowhichwearetotakerefugeinalldistress，sothattohaveaGodisnothingelsethantotrustandbelieveHimfromthe[whole]heart;asIhaveoftensaidthattheconfidenceandfaithoftheheartalonemakebothGodandanidol.Ifyourfaithandtrustberight，thenisyourgodalsotrue;and，ontheotherhand，ifyourtrustbefalseandwrong，thenyouhavenotthetrueGod;forthesetwobelongtogetherfaithandGod.Thatnow，Isay，uponwhichyousetyourheartandputyourtrustisproperlyyourgod.
　　ThereforeitistheintentofthiscommandmenttorequiretruefaithandtrustoftheheartwhichsettlesupontheonlytrueGodandclingstoHimalone.Thatisasmuchastosay："SeetoitthatyouletMealonebeyourGod，andneverseekanother，"i.e.：Whateveryoulackofgoodthings，expectitofMe，andlooktoMeforit，andwheneveryousuffermisfortuneanddistress，creepandclingtoMe.I，yes，I，willgiveyouenoughandhelpyououtofeveryneed;onlyletnotyourheartcleavetoorrestinanyother.
　　ThisImustunfoldsomewhatmoreplainly，thatitmaybeunderstoodandperceivedbyordinaryexamplesofthecontrary.ManyaonethinksthathehasGodandeverythinginabundancewhenhehasmoneyandpossessions;hetrustsinthemandboastsofthemwithsuchfirmnessandassuranceastocarefornoone.Lo，suchamanalsohasagod，Mammonbyname，i.e.，moneyandpossessions，onwhichhesetsallhisheart，andwhichisalsothemostcommonidolonearth.Hewhohasmoneyandpossessionsfeelssecure，andisjoyfulandundismayedasthoughheweresittinginthemidstofParadise.Ontheotherhand，hewhohasnonedoubtsandisdespondent，asthoughheknewofnoGod.Forveryfewaretobefoundwhoareofgoodcheer，andwhoneithermournnorcomplainiftheyhavenotMammon.This[careanddesireformoney]
　　sticksandclingstoournature，eventothegrave.
　　So，too，whoevertrustsandboaststhathepossessesgreatskill，prudence，power，favorfriendship，andhonorhasalsoagod，butnotthistrueandonlyGod.Thisappearsagainwhenyounoticehowpresumptuous，secure，andproudpeoplearebecauseofsuchpossessions，andhowdespondentwhentheynolongerexistorarewithdrawn.ThereforeIrepeatthatthechiefexplanationofthispointisthattohaveagodistohavesomethinginwhichtheheartentirelytrusts.
　　Besides，considerwhatinourblindness，wehavehithertobeenpracticinganddoingunderthePapacy.Ifanyonehadtoothache，hefastedandhonoredSt.Apollonia[laceratedhisfleshbyvoluntaryfastingtothehonorofSt.Apollonia];ifhewasafraidoffire，hechoseSt.Lawrenceashishelperinneed;ifhedreadedpestilence，hemadeavowtoSt.SebastianorRochio，andacountlessnumberofsuchabominations，whereeveryoneselectedhisownsaint，worshipedhim，andcalledforhelptohimindistress.Herebelongthosealso，as，e.g.，sorcerersandmagicians，whoseidolatryismostgross，andwhomakeacovenantwiththedevil，inorderthathemaygivethemplentyofmoneyorhelptheminlove—affairs，preservetheircattle，restoretothemlostpossessions，etc.ForalltheseplacetheirheartandtrustelsewherethaninthetrueGod，lookfornothinggoodtoHimnorseekitfromHim.
　　Thusyoucaneasilyunderstandwhatandhowmuchthiscommandmentrequires，namely，thatman’sentireheartandallhisconfidencebeplacedinGodalone，andinnooneelse.FortohaveGod，youcaneasilyperceive，isnottolayholdofHimwithourhandsortoputHiminabag[asmoney]，ortolockHiminachest[assilvervessels].ButtoapprehendHimmeanswhentheheartlaysholdofHimandclingstoHim.ButtoclingtoHimwiththeheartisnothingelsethantotrustinHimentirely.ForthisreasonHewishestoturnusawayfromeverythingelsethatexistsoutsideofHim，andtodrawustoHimself，namely，becauseHeistheonlyeternalgood.AsthoughHewouldsay：
　　Whateveryouhaveheretoforesoughtofthesaints，orforwhatever[things]youhavetrustedinMammonoranythingelse，expectitallofMe，andregardMeastheonewhowillhelpyouandpouroutuponyourichlyallgoodthings.
　　Lo，hereyouhavethemeaningofthetruehonorandworshipofGod，whichpleasesGod，andwhichHecommandsunderpenaltyofeternalwrath，namely，thattheheartknownoothercomfortorconfidencethaninHim，anddonotsufferitselftobetornfromHim，but，forHim，riskanddisregardeverythinguponearth.Ontheotherhand，youcaneasilyseeandjudgehowtheworldpracticesonlyfalseworshipandidolatry.Fornopeoplehaseverbeensoreprobateasnottoinstituteandobservesomedivineworship;everyonehassetupashisspecialgodwhateverhelookedtoforblessings，help，andcomfort.
　　Thus，forexample，theheathenwhoputtheirtrustinpoweranddominionelevatedJupiterasthesupremegod;theothers，whowerebentuponriches，happiness，orpleasure，andalifeofease，Hercules，Mercury，Venusorothers;womenwithchild，DianaorLucina，andsoon;
　　thuseveryonemadethathisgodtowhichhisheartwasinclined，sothateveninthemindoftheheathentohaveagodmeanstotrustandbelieve.ButtheirerroristhisthattheirtrustisfalseandwrongforitisnotplacedintheonlyGod，besideswhomthereistrulynoGodinheavenoruponearth.Thereforetheheathenreallymaketheirself—inventednotionsanddreamsofGodanidol，andputtheirtrustinthatwhichisaltogethernothing.Thusitiswithallidolatry;foritconsistsnotmerelyinerectinganimageandworshipingit，butratherintheheart，whichstandsgapingatsomethingelse，andseekshelpandconsolationfromcreaturessaints，ordevils，andneithercaresforGod，norlookstoHimforsomuchgoodastobelievethatHeiswillingtohelp，neitherbelievesthatwhatevergooditexperiencescomesfromGod.
　　Besides，thereisalsoafalseworshipandextremeidolatry，whichwehavehithertopracticed，andisstillprevalentintheworld，uponwhichalsoallecclesiasticalordersarefounded，andwhichconcernstheconsciencealonethatseeksinitsownworkshelp，consolation，andsalvation，presumestowrestheavenfromGod，andreckonshowmanybequestsithasmade，howoftenithasfasted，celebratedMass，etc.
　　Uponsuchthingsitdepends，andofthemboasts，asthoughunwillingtoreceiveanythingfromGodasagift，butdesiresitselftoearnormerititsuperabundantly，justasthoughHemustserveusandwereourdebtor，andweHisliegelords.WhatisthisbutreducingGodtoanidol，yea，[afigimageor]anapple—god，andelevatingandregardingourselvesasGod？Butthisisslightlytoosubtle，andisnotforyoungpupils.
　　Butletthisbesaidtothesimple，thattheymaywellnoteandrememberthemeaningofthiscommandment，namely，thatwearetotrustinGodalone，andlooktoHimandexpectfromHimnaughtbutgood，asfromonewhogivesusbody，life，food，drink，nourishment，health，protection，peace，andallnecessariesofbothtemporalandeternalthings.Healsopreservesusfrommisfortune，andifanyevilbefallus，deliversandrescuesus，sothatitisGodalone（ashasbeensufficientlysaid）fromwhomwereceiveallgood，andbywhomwearedeliveredfromallevil.Hencealso，Ithink，weGermansfromancienttimescallGod（moreelegantlyandappropriatelythananyotherlanguage）bythatnamefromthewordgoodasbeinganeternalfountainwhichgushesforthabundantlynothingbutwhatisgood，andfromwhichflowsforthallthatisandiscalledgood.
　　Foreventhoughotherwiseweexperiencemuchgoodfrommen，stillwhateverwereceivebyHiscommandorarrangementisallreceivedfromGod.Forourparents，andallrulers，andeveryonebesideswithrespecttohisneighbor，havereceivedfromGodthecommandthattheyshoulddousallmannerofgood，sothatwereceivetheseblessingsnotfromthem，but，throughthem，fromGod.Forcreaturesareonlythehands，channels，andmeanswherebyGodgivesallthings，asHegivestothemotherbreastsandmilktooffertoherchild，andcornandallmannerofproducefromtheearthfornourishment，noneofwhichblessingscouldbeproducedbyanycreatureofitself.
　　ThereforenomanshouldpresumetotakeorgiveanythingexceptasGodhascommanded，inorderthatitmaybeacknowledgedasGod’sgift，andthanksmayberenderedHimforit，asthiscommandmentrequires.Onthisaccountalsothesemeansofreceivinggoodgiftsthroughcreaturesarenottoberejected，neithershouldweinpresumptionseekotherwaysandmeansthanGodhascommanded.ForthatwouldnotbereceivingfromGod，hutseekingofourselves.
　　Leteveryone，then，seetoitthatheesteemthiscommandmentgreatandhighaboveallthings，anddonotregarditasajoke.Askandexamineyourheartdiligently，andyouwillfindwhetheritcleavestoGodaloneornot.IfyouhaveaheartthatcanexpectofHimnothingbutwhatisgood，especiallyinwantanddistress，andthat，moreoverrenouncesandforsakeseverythingthatisnotGod，thenyouhavetheonlytrueGod.Ifonthecontrary，itcleavestoanythingelse，ofwhichitexpectsmoregoodandhelpthanofGod，anddoesnottakerefugeinHim，butinadversityfleesfromHim，thenyouhaveanidol，anothergod.
　　InorderthatitmaybeseenthatGodwillnothavethiscommandmentthrowntothewinds，butwillmoststrictlyenforceit，Hehasattachedtoitfirstaterriblethreat，andthenabeautiful，comfortingpromisewhichisalsotobeurgedandimpresseduponyoungpeople，thattheymaytakeittoheartandretainit：
　　[ExpositionoftheAppendixtotheFirstCommandment.]
　　ForIamtheLord，thyGod，strongandjealous，visitingtheiniquityofthefathersuponthechildrenuntothethirdandfourthgenerationofthemthathateMe;andshowingmercyuntothousandsofthemthatloveMeandkeepMycommandments.
　　Althoughthesewordsrelatetoallthecommandments（asweshallhereafterlearn），yettheyarejoinedtothischiefcommandmentbecauseitisoffirstimportancethatmenhavearighthead;forwheretheheadisright，thewholelifemustberight，andviceversa.
　　Learn，therefore，fromthesewordshowangryGodiswiththosewhotrustinanythingbutHim，andagain，howgoodandgraciousHeistothosewhotrustandbelieveinHimalonewiththewholeheart;sothatHisangerdoesnotceaseuntilthefourthgeneration，while，ontheotherhand，Hisblessingandgoodnessextendtomanythousandslestyouliveinsuchsecurityandcommityourselftochance，asmenofbrutalheart，whothinkthatitmakesnogreatdifference[howtheylive].HeisaGodwhowillnotleaveitunavengedifmenturnfromHim，andwillnotceasetobeangryuntilthefourthgeneration，evenuntiltheyareutterlyexterminated.ThereforeHeistobefeared，andnottobedesisted.
　　Hehasalsodemonstratedthisinallhistory，astheScripturesabundantlyshowanddailyexperiencestillteaches.ForfromthebeginningHehasutterlyextirpatedallidolatry，and，onaccountofit，bothheathenandJews;evenasatthepresentdayHeoverthrowsallfalseworship，sothatallwhoremainthereinmustfinallyperish.
　　Therefore，althoughproud，powerful，andrichworldlings[SardanapalusesandPhalarides，whosurpasseventhePersiansinwealth]arenowtobefound，whoboastdefiantlyoftheirMammon，withutterdisregardwhetherGodisangryatorsmilesonthem，anddaretowithstandHiswrath，yettheyshallnotsucceed，butbeforetheyareaware，theyshallbewrecked，withallinwhichtheytrusted;asallothershaveperishedwhohavethoughtthemselvesmoresecureorpowerful.AndjustbecauseofsuchhardenedheadswhoimaginebecauseGodconnivesandallowsthemtorestinsecurity，thatHeeitherisentirelyignorantorcaresnothingaboutsuchmatters，Hemustdealasmashingblowandpunishthem，sothatHecannotforgetituntochildren’schildren;sothateveryonemaytakenoteandseethatthisisnojoketoHim.FortheyarethosewhomHemeanswhenHesays：WhohateMe，i.e.，thosewhopersistintheirdefianceandpride;whateverispreachedorsaidtothem，theywillnotlisten;whentheyarereproved，inorderthattheymaylearntoknowthemselvesandamendbeforethepunishmentbegins，theybecomemadandfoolishsoastofairlymeritwrath，asnowweseedailyinbishopsandprinces.
　　Butterribleasarethesethreatenings，somuchthemorepowerfulistheconsolationinthepromise，thatthosewhoclingtoGodaloneshouldbesurethatHewillshowthemmercythatis，showthempuregoodnessandblessingnotonlyforthemselves，butalsototheirchildrenandchildren’schildren，eventothethousandthgenerationandbeyondthat.ThisoughtcertainlytomoveandimpelustoriskourheartsinallconfidencewithGod，ifwewishalltemporalandeternalgood，sincetheSupremeMajestymakessuchsublimeoffersandpresentssuchcordialinducementsandsuchrichpromises.
　　Thereforeleteveryoneseriouslytakethistoheart，lestitberegardedasthoughamanhadspokenit.Fortoyouitisaquestioneitherofeternalblessing，happiness，andsalvation，orofeternalwrath，misery，andwoe.WhatmorewouldyouhaveordesirethanthatHesokindlypromisestobeyourswitheveryblessing，andtoprotectandhelpyouinallneed？
　　But，alas！hereisthefailure，thattheworldbelievesnothingofthis，norregardsitasGod’sWord，becauseitseesthatthosewhotrustinGodandnotinMammonsuffercareandwant，andthedevilopposesandresiststhem，thattheyhaveneithermoney，favor，norhonor，and，besides，canscarcelysupportlife;while，ontheotherhand，thosewhoserveMammonhavepower，favor，honor，possessions，andeverycomfortintheeyesoftheworld.Forthisreason，thesewordsmustbegraspedasbeingdirectedagainstsuchappearances;andwemustconsiderthattheydonotlieordeceive，butmustcometrue.
　　Reflectforyourselformakeinquiryandtellme：Thosewhohaveemployedalltheircareanddiligencetoaccumulategreatpossessionsandwealth，whathavetheyfinallyattained？Youwillfindthattheyhavewastedtheirtoilandlabor，oreventhoughtheyhaveamassedgreattreasures，theyhavebeendispersedandscattered，sothatthethemselveshaveneverfoundhappinessintheirwealth，andafterwardsneverreachedthethirdgeneration.Instancesofthisyouwillfindaplentyinallhistories，alsointhememoryofagedandexperiencedpeople.Onlyobserveandponderthem.
　　Saulwasagreatking，chosenofGodandagodlyman;butwhenhewasestablishedonhisthrone，andlethisheartdeclinefromGod，andputhistrustinhiscrownandpower，hehadtoperishwithallthathehad，sothatnoneevenofhischildrenremained.David，ontheotherhand，wasapoor，despisedman，hunteddownandchased，sothathenowherefeltsecureofhislife;yethehadtoremaininspiteofSaul，andbecomeking.Forthesewordshadtoabideandcometrue，sinceGodcannotlieordeceive.Onlyletnotthedevilandtheworlddeceiveyouwiththeirshow，whichindeedremainsforatime，butfinallyisnothing.
　　Letus，then，learnwelltheFirstCommandment，thatwemayseehowGodwilltoleratenopresumptionnoranytrustinanyotherobject，andhowHerequiresnothinghigherofusthanconfidencefromtheheartforeverythinggood，sothatwemayproceedrightandstraightforwardandusealltheblessingswhichGodgivesnofartherthanasashoemakeruseshisneedle，awl，andthreadforwork，andthenlaysthemaside，orasatravelerusesaninn，andfood，andhisbedonlyfortemporalnecessity，eachoneinhisstation，accordingtoGod’sorder，andwithoutallowinganyofthesethingstobeourfoodoridol.LetthissufficewithrespecttotheFirstCommandment，whichwehavehadtoexplainatlength，sinceitisofchiefimportance，because，asbeforesaid，wheretheheartisrightlydisposedtowardGodandthiscommandmentisobserved，alltheothersfollow.
　　TheSecondCommandment.
　　ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLord，thyGod，invain.
　　AstheFirstCommandmenthasinstructedtheheartandtaught[thebasisof]faith，sothiscommandmentleadsusforthanddirectsthemouthandtonguetoGod.Forthefirstobjectsthatspringfromtheheartandmanifestthemselvesarewords.Now，asIhavetaughtabovehowtoanswerthequestion，whatitistohaveagod，soyoumustlearntocomprehendsimplythemeaningofthisandallthecommandments，andtoapplyittoyourself.If，then，itbeasked：HowdoyouunderstandtheSecondCommandment，orwhatismeantbytakinginvain，ormisusingGod’sname？answerbrieflythus：ItismisusingGod’snamewhenwecallupontheLordGodnomatterinwhatway，forpurposesoffalsehoodorwrongofanykind.Thereforethiscommandmentenjoinsthismuch，thatGod’snamemustnotbeappealedtofalsely，ortakenuponthelipswhiletheheartknowswellenough，orshouldknow，differently;asamongthosewhotakeoathsincourt，whereonesideliesagainsttheother.ForGod’snamecannotbemisusedworsethanforthesupportoffalsehoodanddeceit.Let4thisremaintheexactGermanandsimplestmeaningofthiscommandment.
　　FromthiseveryonecanreadilyinferwhenandinhowmanywaysGod’snameismisused，althoughitisimpossibletoenumerateallitsmisuses.Yet，totellitinafewwords，allmisuseofthedivinenameoccurs，first，inworldlybusinessandinmatterswhichconcernmoney，possessions，honor，whetheritbepubliclyincourt，inthemarket，orwhereverelsemenmakefalseoathsinGod’sname，orpledgetheirsoulsinanymatter.Andthisisespeciallyprevalentinmarriageaffairswheretwogoandsecretlybetroththemselvestooneanother，andafterwardabjure[theirplightedtroth].
　　But.thegreatestabuseoccursinspiritualmatters，whichpertaintotheconscience，whenfalsepreachersriseupandoffertheirLyingvanitiesasGod’sWord.Behold，allthisisdeckingone’sselfoutwithGod’sname，ormakingaprettyshow，orclaimingtoberight，whetheritoccuringross，worldlybusinessorinsublime，subtlemattersoffaithanddoctrine.Andamongliarsbelongalsoblasphemers，notalonetheverygross，wellknowntoeveryone，whodisgraceGod’snamewithoutfear（thesearenotforus，butforthehangmantodiscipline）;
　　butalsothosewhopubliclytraducethetruthandGod’sWordandconsignittothedevil.Ofthisthereisnoneednowtospeakfurther.
　　Here，then，letuslearnandtaketoheartthegreatimportanceofthiscommandment，thatwithalldiligencewemayguardagainstanddreadeverymisuseoftheholyname，asthegreatestsinthatcanbeoutwardlycommitted.Fortolieanddeceiveisinitselfagreatsin，butisgreatlyaggravatedwhenweattempttojustifyit，andseektoconfirmitbyinvokingthenameofGodandusingitasacloakforshame，sothatfromasinglelieadoublelie，nay，manifoldlies，result.
　　Forthisreason，too，Godhasaddedasolemnthreattothiscommandment，towit：FortheLordwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethHisnameinvan.Thatis：Itshallnotbecondonedtoanyonenorpassunpunished.ForaslittleasHewillleaveitunavengedifanyoneturnhisheartfromHim，aslittlewillHesufferHisnametobeemployedfordressingupalie.Nowalas！itisacommoncalamityinallthewordthatthereareasfewwhoarenotusingthenameofGodforpurposesofLyingandallwickednessastherearethosewhowiththeirhearttrustaloneinGod.Forbynatureweallhavewithinusthisbeautifulvirtue，towit，thatwhoeverhascommittedawrongwouldliketocoverupandadornhisdisgrace，sothatnoonemayseeitorknowit;andnooneissoboldastoboasttoalltheworldofthewickednesshehasperpetrated，allwishtoactbystealthandwithoutanyonebeingawareofwhatthydo.Then，ifanyonebearraigned，thenameofGodisdraggedintotheaffairandmustmakethevillainylooklikegodliness，andtheshamelikehonor.Thisisthecommoncourseoftheworld，which，likeagreatdeluge，hasfloodedalllands.Hencewehavealsoasourrewardwhatweseekanddeserve：pestilenceswars，famines，conflagrations，floods，waywardwives，children，servants，andallsortsofdefilement.Whenceelseshouldsomuchmiserycome？Itisstillagreatmercythattheearthbearsandsupportsus.
　　Therefore，aboveallthings，ouryoungpeopleshouldhavethiscommandmentearnestlyenforceduponthem，andtheyshouldbetrainedtoholdthisandtheFirstCommandmentinhighregard;andwhenevertheytransgress，wemustatoncebeafterthemwiththerodandholdthecommandmentbeforethem，andconstantlyinculcateit，soastobringthemupnotonlywithpunishment，butalsointhereverenceandfearofGod.
　　Thusyounowunderstandwhat.itistotakeGod’snameinvain，thatis（torecapitulatebriefly），eithersimplyforpurposesoffalsehood，andtoallegeGod’snameforsomethingthatisnotso，ortocurse，swear，conjure，and，inshort，topracticewhateverwickednessonemay.
　　Besidesthisyoumustalsoknowhowtousethename[ofGod]aright.
　　Forwhensaying：ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLordthyGod，invain，Hegivesustounderstandatthesametimethatitistobeusedproperly.Forithasbeenrevealedandgiventousfortheverypurposethatitmaybeofconstantuseandprofit.Henceitisanaturalinference，sinceusingtheholynameforfalsehoodorwickednessishereforbidden，thatweare，ontheotherhand，commandedtoemployitfortruthandforallgood，aswhenoneswearstrulywherethereisneedanditisdemanded.Soalsowhenthereisrightteaching，andwhenthenameisinvokedintroubleorpraisedandthankedinprosperityetc.;allofwhichiscomprehendedsummarilyandcommandedinthepassagePs.50，15：CalluponMeinthedaysoftrouble;Iwilldeliverthee，andthoushaltglorifyMe.Forallthisisbringing’tintotheserviceoftruth，andusingitinablessedway，andthusHisnameishallowed，asweprayintheLord’sPrayer.
　　Thusyouhavethesumoftheentirecommandmentexplained.Andwiththisunderstandingthequestionwithwhichmanyteachershavetroubledthemselveshasbeeneasilysolved，towit，whyswearingisprohibitedintheGospel，andyetChrist，St.Paul，andothersaintsoftenswore.
　　Theexplanationisbrieflythis：Wearenottoswearinsupportofevil，thatis，offalsehood，andwherethereisnoneedoruse;butforthesupportofgoodandtheadvantageofourneighborweshouldswear.
　　Foritisatrulygoodwork，bywhichGodispraised，truthandrightareestablished，falsehoodisrefuted，peaceismadeamongmen，obedienceisrendered，andquarrelsaresettled.ForinthiswayGodHimselfinterposesandseparatesbetweenrightandwrong，goodandevil.Ifonepartswearsfalsely，hehashissentencethatheshallnotescapepunishment，adthoughitbedeferredalongtime，heshallnotsucceed;thatallthathemaygaintherebywillslipoutofhishands，andhewillneverenjoyit;asIhaveseeninthecaseofmanywhoperjuredthemselvesintheirmarriage—vows，thattheyhaveneverhadahappyhourorahealthfulday，andthusperishedmiserablyinbody，soul，andpossessions.
　　ThereforeIadviseandexhortasbeforethatbymeansofwarningandthreatening，restraintandpunishment，thechildrenbetrainedbetimestoshunfalsehood，andespeciallytoavoidtheuseofGod’snameinitssupport.Forwheretheyareallowedtodoastheyplease，nogoodwillresult，asisevennowevidentthattheworldisworsethanithaseverbeenandthatthereisnogovernment，noobedience，nofidelity，nofaith，butonlydaring，unbridledmen，whomnoteachingorreproofhelps;allofwhichisGod’swrathandpunishmentforsuchwantoncontemptofthiscommandment.
　　Ontheotherhand，theyshouldbeconstantlyurgedandincitedtohonorGod’sname，andtohaveitalwaysupontheirlipsineverythingthatmayhappentothemorcometotheirnotice：ForthatisthetruehonorofHisName，tolooktoitandimploreitforallconsolation，sothat（aswehaveheardabove）firsttheheartbyfaithgivesGodthehonordueHim，andafterwardsthelipsbyconfession.
　　Thisisalsoablessedandusefulhabitandveryeffectualagainstthedevil，whoiseveraboutus，andliesinwaittobringusintosinandshame，calamityandtrouble，butwhoisveryloathtohearGod’sname，andcannotremainlongwhereitisutteredandcalleduponfromtheheart.And，indeed，manyaterribleandshockingcalamitywouldbefallusif，byourcallinguponHisname，Goddidnotpreserveus.Ihavemyselftriedit，andlearnedbyexperiencethatoftensuddengreatcalamitywasimmediatelyavertedandremovedduringsuchinvocation.Tovexthedevil，Isay，weshouldalwayshavethisholynameinourmouth，sothathemaynotbeabletoinjureusashewishes.
　　ForthisenditisalsoofservicethatweformthehabitofdailycommendingourselvestoGod，withsoulandbody，wife，children，servants，andallthatwehave，againsteveryneedthatmayoccur;
　　whencealsotheblessingandthanksgivingatmeals，andotherprayers，morningandevening，haveoriginatedandremaininuse.Likewisethepracticesofchildrentocrossthemselveswhenanythingmonstrousorterribleisseenorheard，andtoexclaim："LordGod，protectus！"
　　"Help，dearLordJesus！"etc.Thus，too，ifanyonemeetswithunexpectedgoodfortune，howevertrivial，thathesay："Godbepraisedandthanked;thisGodhasbestowedonme！"etc.，asformerlythechildrenwereaccustomedtofastandpraytoSt.Nicholasandothersaints.ThiswouldbemorepleasingandacceptabletoGodthanallmonasticismandCarthusiansanctity.
　　Behold，thuswemighttrainouryouthinachildlikewayandplayfullyinthefearandhonorofGod，sothattheFirstandSecondCommandmentsmightbewellobservedandinconstantpractice.Thensomegoodmighttakeroot，springupandbearfruit，andmengrowupwhomanentirelandmightrelishandenjoy.Moreover，thiswouldbethetruewaytobringUpchildrenwellaslongastheycanbecometrainedwithkindnessanddelight.Forwhatmustbeenforcedwithrodsandblowsonlywillnotdevelopintoagoodbreedandatbesttheywillremaingodlyundersuchtreatmentnolongerthanwhiletherodisupontheirback.
　　Butthis[manneroftraining]sospreadsitsrootsintheheartthattheyfearGodmorethanrodsandclubs.ThisIsaywithsuchsimplicityforthesakeoftheyoung，thatitmaypenetratetheirminds.Forsincewearepreachingtochildren，wemustalsoprattlewiththem.Thuswehavepreventedtheabuseandhavetaughttherightuseofthedivinename，whichshouldconsistnotonlyinwords，butalsoinpracticesandlife，sothatwemayknowthatGodiswellpleasedwiththisandwillasrichlyrewarditasHewillterriblypunishtheabuse.
　　TheThirdCommandment.
　　Thoushaltsanctifytheholyday.
　　[RemembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy.]
　　Thewordholyday（Feiertag）isrenderedfromtheHebrewwordSabbathwhichproperlysignifiestorest，thatis，toabstainfromlabor.Henceweareaccustomedtosay，Feierbendmachen[thatis，toceaseworking]，orheiligenAbendgeben[sanctifytheSabbath].Now，intheOldTestament，Godseparatedtheseventhday，andappointeditforrest，andcommandedthatitshouldberegardedasholyaboveallothers.Asregardsthisexternalobservance，thiscommandmentwasgiventotheJewsalone，thattheyshouldabstainfromtoilsomework，andrest，sothatbothmanandbeastmightrecuperate，andnotbeweakenedbyunremittinglabor.Althoughtheyafterwardsrestrictedthistooclosely，andgrosslyabusedit，sothattheytraducedandcouldnotendureinChristthoseworkswhichtheythemselveswereaccustomedtodoonthatday，aswereadintheGospeljustasthoughthecommandmentwerefulfilledbydoingnoexternal[manual]workwhatever，which，however，wasnotthemeaning，but，asweshallhear，thattheysanctifytheholydayordayofrest.
　　Thiscommandment，therefore，accordingtoitsgrosssense，doesnotconcernusChristians;foritisaltogetheranexternalmatter，likeotherordinancesoftheOldTestament，whichwereattachedtoparticularcustoms，persons，times，andplaces，andnowhavebeenmadefreethroughChrist.ButtograspaChristianmeaningforthesimpleastowhatGodrequiresinthiscommandment，notethatwekeepholydaysnotforthesakeofintelligentandlearnedChristians（fortheyhavenoneedofit[holydays]），butfirstofallforbodilycausesandnecessities，whichnatureteachesandrequires;forthecommonpeople，man—servantsandmaid—servants，whohavebeenattendingtotheirworkandtradethewholeweek，thatforadaytheymayretireinordertorestandberefreshed.
　　Secondly，andmostespecially，thatonsuchdayofrest（sincewecangetnootheropportunity）freedomandtimebetakentoattenddivineservice，sothatwecometogethertohearandtreatofGod’sandthentopraiseGod，tosingandpray.
　　However，this，Isay，isnotsorestrictedtoanytime，aswiththeJews，thatitmustbejustonthisorthatday;forinitselfnoonedayisbetterthananother;butthisshouldindeedbedonedaily;
　　however，sincethemassescannotgivesuchattendance，theremustbeatleastonedayintheweeksetapart.ButsincefromofoldSunday[theLord’sDay]hasbeenappointedforthispurpose，wealsoshouldcontinuethesame，inorderthateverythingbedoneinharmoniousorder，andnoonecreatedisorderbyunnecessaryinnovation.
　　Thereforethisisthesimplemeaningofthecommandment：sinceholidaysareobservedanyhow，suchobservanceshouldbedevotedtohearingGod’sWord，sothatthespecialfunctionofthisdayshouldbetheministryoftheWordfortheyoungandthemassofpoorpeople，yetthattherestingbenotsostrictlyinterpretedastoforbidanyotherincidentalworkthatcannotbeavoided.
　　Accordingly，whenasked，Whatismeantbythecommandment：Thoushaltsanctifytheholyday？answer：Tosanctifytheholydayisthesameastokeepitholy.Butwhatismeantbykeepingitholy？Nothingelsethantobeoccupiedinholywords，works，andlife.Forthedayneedsnosanctificationforitself;forinitselfithasbeencreatedholy[fromthebeginningofthecreationitwassanctifiedbyitsCreator].
　　ButGoddesiresittobeholytoyou.Thereforeitbecomesholyorunholyonyouraccount，accordingasyouareoccupiedonthesamewiththingsthatareholyorunholy.
　　How，then，doessuchsanctificationtakeplace？Notinthismanner，that[withfoldedhands]wesitbehindthestoveanddonorough[external]work，ordeckourselveswithawreathandputonourbestclothes，but（ashasbeensaid）thatweoccupyourselveswithGod’sWord，andexerciseourselvestherein.
　　And，indeed，weChristiansoughtalwaystokeepsuchaholyday，andbeoccupiedwithnothingbutholythings，i.e.，dailybeengageduponGod’sWord，andcarryitinourheartsanduponourlips.But（ashasbeensaid）sincewedonotatalltimeshaveleisure，wemustdevoteseveralhoursaweekforthesakeoftheyoung，oratleastadayforthesakeoftheentiremultitude，tobeingconcernedaboutthisalone，andespeciallyurgetheTenCommandments，theCreed，andtheLord’sPrayer，andthusdirectourwholelifeandbeingaccordingtoGod’sWord.Atwhatevertime，then，thisisbeingobservedandpracticed，thereatrueholydayisbeingkept;otherwiseitshallnotbecalledaChristians’holyday.For，indeed，non—Christianscanalsoceasefromworkandbeidle，justastheentireswarmofourecclesiastics，whostanddailyinthechurches，singing，andringingbellsbutkeepingnoholydayholy，becausetheyneitherpreachnorpracticesGod’sWord，butteachandlivecontrarytoit.
　　FortheWordofGodisthesanctuaryaboveallsanctuaries，yea，theonlyonewhichweChristiansknowandhave.Forthoughwehadthebonesofallthesaintsorallholyandconsecratedgarmentsuponaheap，stillthatwouldhelpusnothing;forallthatisadeadthingwhichcansanctifynobody.ButGod’sWordisthetreasurewhichsanctifieseverything，andbywhichevenallthesaintsthemselvesweresanctified.Atwhateverhourthen，God’sWordistaught，preached，heard，readormeditatedupon，theretheperson，day，andworkaresanctifiedthereby，notbecauseoftheexternalwork，butbecauseoftheWordwhichmakessaintsofusall.ThereforeIconstantlysaythatallourlifeandworkmustbeorderedaccordingtoGod’sWord，ifitistobeGod—pleasingorholy.Wherethisisdone，thiscommandmentisinforceandbeingfulfilled.
　　Onthecontrary，anyobservanceorworkthatispracticedwithoutGod’sWordisunholybeforeGod，nomatterhowbrilliantlyitmayshine！eventhoughitbecoveredwithrelics，suchasthefictitiousspiritualorderswhichknownothingofGod’sWordandseekholinessintheirownworks.Note，therefore，thattheforceandpowerofthiscommandmentliesnotintherestingbutinthesanctifyingsothattothisdaybelongsaspecialholyexercise.Forotherworksandoccupationsarenotproperlycalledholyexercises，unlessthemanhimselfbefirstholy.Buthereaworkistobedonebywhichmanishimselfmadeholy，whichisdone（aswehaveheard）alonethroughGod’sWord.Forthis，then，fixedplaces，times，persons，andtheentireexternalorderofworshiphavebeencreatedandappointed，sothatitmaybepubliclyinoperation.
　　Since，therefore，somuchdependsuponGod’sWordthatwithoutitnoholydaycanbesanctified，wemustknowthatGodinsistsuponastrictobservanceofthiscommandment，andwillpunishallwhodespiseHisWordandarenotwillingtohearandlearnit，especiallyatthetimeappointedforthepurpose.
　　Thereforenotonlythosesinagainstthiscommandmentwhogrosslymisuseanddesecratetheholyday，asthosewhoonaccountoftheirgreedorfrivolityneglecttohearGod’sWordorlieintavernsandaredeaddrunklikeswine;butalsothatothercrowd，wholistentoGod’sWordastoanyothertrifle，andonlyfromcustomcometopreaching，andgoawayagain，andattheendoftheyearknowaslittleofitasatthebeginning.ForhithertotheopinionprevailedthatyouhadproperlyhallowedSundaywhenyouhadheardamassortheGospelread;
　　butnoonecaredforGod’sWord，asalsonoonetaughtit.Now，whilewehaveGod’sWordweneverthelessdonotcorrecttheabuse;wesufferourselvestobepreachedtoandadmonished，butwelistenwithoutseriousnessandcare.
　　Know，therefore，thatyoumustbeconcernednotonlyabouthearing，butalsoaboutlearningandretainingitinmemory，anddonotthinkthatitisoptionalwithyouorofnogreatimportance，butthatitisGod’scommandment，whowillrequireofyouhowyouhaveheard，learned，andhonoredHisWord.
　　Likewisethosefastidiousspiritsaretobereprovedwho，whentheyhaveheardasermonortwo，findittediousanddull，thinkingthattheyknowallthatwellenough，andneednomoreinstruction.Forjustthatisthesinwhichhasbeenhithertoreckonedamongmortalsins，andiscalled_achedia_，i.e.，torpororsatiety，amalignant，dangerousplaguewithwhichthedevilbewitchesanddeceivestheheartsofmany，thathemaysurpriseusandsecretlywithdrawGod’sWordfromus.
　　Forletmetellyouthis，eventhoughyouknowitperfectlyandbealreadymasterinallthings，stillyouaredailyinthedominionofthedevil，whoceasesneitherdaynornighttostealunawaresuponyou，tokindleinyourheartunbeliefandwickedthoughtsagainsttheforegoingandallthecommandments.ThereforeyoumustalwayshaveGod’sWordinyourheart，uponyourlips，andinyourears.Butwheretheheartisidle，andtheWorddoesnotsound，hebreaksinandhasdonethedamagebeforeweareaware.Ontheotherhand，suchistheefficacyoftheWord，wheneveritisseriouslycontemplatedheard，andused，thatitisboundnevertobewithoutfruit，butalwaysawakensnewunderstanding，pleasure，anddevoutness，andproducesapureheartandpurethoughts.Forthesewordsarenotinoperativeordead，butcreative，livingwords.Andeventhoughnootherinterestornecessityimpelus，yetthisoughttourgeeveryonethereunto，becausetherebythedevilisputtoflightanddrivenaway，and，besides，thiscommandmentisfulfilled，and[thisexerciseintheWord]ismorepleasingtoGodthananyworkofhypocrisy，howeverbrilliant.
　　TheFourthCommandment.
　　Thusfarwehavelearnedthefirstthreecommandments，whichrelatetoGod.FirstthatwithourwholeheartwetrustinHim，andfearandloveHimthroughoutallourlife.Secondly，thatwedonotmisuseHisholynameinthesupportoffalsehoodoranybadwork，butemployittothepraiseofGodandtheprofitandsalvationofourneighborandourselves.Thirdly，thatonholidaysandwhenatrestwediligentlytreatandurgeGod’sWord，sothatallouractionsandourentirelifebeorderedaccordingtoit.Nowfollowtheotherseven，whichrelatetoourneighboramongwhichthefirstandgreatestis：
　　Thoushalthonorthyfatherandthymother.
　　TothisestateoffatherhoodandmotherhoodGodhasgiventhespecialdistinctionaboveallestatesthatarebeneathitthatHenotsimplycommandsustoloveourparents，buttohonorthem.Forwithrespecttobrothers，sisters，andourneighborsingeneralHecommandsnothinghigherthanthatwelovethem，sothatHeseparatesanddistinguishesfatherandmotheraboveallotherpersonsuponearth，andplacesthematHisside.Foritisafarhigherthingtohonorthantoloveone，inasmuchasitcomprehendsnotonlylove，butalsomodesty，humility，anddeferenceastoamajestytherehidden，andrequiresnotonlythattheybeaddressedkindlyandwithreverence，but，mostofallthatbothinheartandwiththebodywesoactastoshowthatweesteemthemveryhighly，andthat，nexttoGod，weregardthemastheveryhighest.
　　Foronewhomwearetohonorfromtheheartwemusttrulyregardashighandgreat.
　　Wemust，thereforeimpressitupontheyoungthattheyshouldregardtheirparentsasinGod’sstead，andrememberthathoweverlowly，poor，frail，andqueertheymaybe，neverthelesstheyarefatherandmothergiventhembyGod.Theyarenottobedeprivedoftheirhonorbecauseoftheirconductortheirfailings.Thereforewearenottoregardtheirpersons，howtheymaybe，butthewillofGodwhohasthuscreatedandordained.Inotherrespectsweare，indeed，allalikeintheeyesofGod;butamongustheremustnecessarilybesuchinequalityandordereddifference，andthereforeGodcommandsittobeobserved，thatyouobeymeasyourfather，andthatIhavethesupremacy.
　　Learn，therefore，first，whatisthehonortowardsparentsrequiredbythiscommandmenttowit，thattheybeheldindistinctionandesteemaboveallthings，asthemostprecioustreasureonearth.Furthermore，thatalsoinourwordsweobservemodestytowardthem，donotaccostthemroughly，haughtily，anddefiantly，butyieldtothemandbesilenteventhoughtheygotoofar.Thirdly，thatweshowthemsuchhonoralsobyworks，thatis，withourbodyandpossessions，thatweservethem，helpthem，andprovideforthemwhentheyareold，sick，infirm，orpoor，andallthatnotonlygladly，butwithhumilityandreverence，asdoingitbeforeGod.Forhewhoknowshowtoregardtheminhisheartwillnotallowthemtosufferwantorhunger，butwillplacethemabovehimandathisside，andwillsharewiththemwhateverhehasandpossesses.
　　Secondly，noticehowgreat，good，andholyaworkishereassignedchildren，whichisalas！utterlyneglectedanddisregarded，andnooneperceivesthatGodhascommandeditorthatitisaholy，divineWordanddoctrine.Forifithadbeenregardedassuch，everyonecouldhaveinferredthattheymustbeholymenwholiveaccordingtothesewords.
　　Thustherewouldhavebeennoneedofinventingmonasticismnorspiritualorders，buteverychildwouldhaveabidedbythiscommandment，andcouldhavedirectedhisconsciencetoGodandsaid：
　　"IfIamtodogoodandholyworks，Iknowofnonebetterthantorenderallhonorandobediencetomyparents，becauseGodhasHimselfcommandedit.ForwhatGodcommandsmustbemuchandfarnoblerthaneverythingthatwemaydeviseourselves，andsincethereisnohigherorbetterteachertobefoundthanGod，therecanbenobetterdoctrine，indeed，thanHegivesforth.Now，Heteachesfullywhatweshoulddoifwewishtoperformtrulygoodworks，andbycommandingthem，HeshowsthattheypleaseHim.If，then，itisGodwhocommandsthis，andwhoknowsnothowtoappointanythingbetter，Iwillneverimproveuponit."
　　Behold，inthismannerwewouldhavehadagodlychildproperlytaught，rearedintrueblessedness，andkeptathomeinobediencetohisparentsandintheirservice，sothatmenshouldhavehadblessingandjoyfromthespectacle.However，God’scommandmentwasnotpermittedtobethus[withsuchcareanddiligence]commended，buthadtobeneglectedandtrampledunderfoot，sothatachildcouldnotlayittoheart，andmeanwhilegaped[likeapantingwolf]atthedeviceswhichwesetup，withoutonce[consultingor]givingreverencetoGod.
　　Letus，therefore，learnatlast，forGod’ssake，that，placingallotherthingsoutofsight，ouryouthslookfirsttothiscommandment，iftheywishtoserveGodwithtrulygoodworks，thattheydowhatispleasingtotheirfathersandmothers，ortothosetowhomtheymaybesubjectintheirstead.Foreverychildthatknowsanddoesthishas，inthefirstplace，thisgreatconsolationinhisheartthathecanjoyfullysayandboast（inspiteofandagainstallwhoareoccupiedwithworksoftheirownchoice）："Behold，thisworkiswellpleasingtomyGodinheaventhatIknowforcertain."Letthemallcometogetherwiththeirmanygreat，distressing，anddifficultworksandmaketheirboast，wewillseewhethertheycanshowonethatisgreaterandnoblerthanobediencetofatherandmother，towhomGodhasappointedandcommandedobediencenexttoHisownmajesty;sothatifGod’sWordandwillareinforceandbeingaccomplishednothingshallbeesteemedhigherthanthewillandwordofparents;yetsothatit，too，issubordinatedtoobediencetowardGodandisnotopposedtotheprecedingcommandments.
　　ThereforeyoushouldbeheartilygladandthankGodthatHehaschosenyouandmadeyouworthytodoaworksopreciousandpleasingtoHim.
　　Onlyseethat，althoughitberegardedasthemosthumbleanddespisedyouesteemitgreatandprecious，notonaccountofourworthiness，butbecauseitiscomprehendedin，andcontrolledby，thejewelandsanctuary，namely，theWordandcommandmentofGod.Oh，whatahighpricewouldall;Carthusians，monks，andnunspay，ifinalltheirreligiousdoingstheycouldbringintoGod’spresenceasingleworkdonebyvirtueofHiscommandment，andbeablebeforeHisfacetosaywithjoyfulheart："NowIknowthatthisworkiswellpleasingtoThee."WherewillthesepoorwretchedpersonshidewheninthesightofGodandalltheworldtheyshallblushwithshamebeforeayoungchildwhohaslivedaccordingtothiscommandment，andshallhavetoconfessthatwiththeirwholelifetheyarenotworthytogiveitadrinkofwater？AnditservesthemrightfortheirdevilishperversionintreadingGod’scommandmentunderfootthattheymustvainlytormentthemselveswithworksoftheirowndevice，and，inaddition，havescornandlossfortheirreward.
　　Shouldnottheheart，then，leapandmeltforjoywhengoingtoworkanddoingwhatiscommanded，saying：Lo，thisisbetterthanallholinessoftheCarthusians，eventhoughtheykillthemselvesfastingandprayingupontheirkneeswithoutceasing？ForhereyouhaveasuretextandadivinetestimonythatHehasenjoinedthis，butconcerningtheotherHedidnotcommandaword.Butthisistheplightandmiserableblindnessoftheworldthatnoonebelievesthesethings;tosuchanextentthedevilhasdeceiveduswithfalseholinessandtheglamourofourownworks.
　　ThereforeIwouldbeveryglad（Isayitagain）ifmenwouldopentheireyesandearsandtakethistoheart，lestsometimewemayagainbeledastrayfromthepureWordofGodtothelyingvanitiesofthedevil.Then，too，allwouldbewell;forparentswouldhavemorejoy，love，friendship，andconcordintheirhouses;thusthechildrencouldcaptivatetheirparents’hearts.Ontheotherhand，whentheyareobstinate，andwillnotdowhattheyoughtuntilarodislaidupontheirback，theyangerbothGodandtheirparents，wherebytheydeprivethemselvesofthistreasureandjoyofconscienceandlayupforthemselvesonlymisfortune.Therefore，aseveryonecomplains，thecourseoftheworldnowissuchthatbothyoungandoldarealtogetherdissoluteandbeyondcontrol，havenoreverencenorsenseofhonor，donothingexceptastheyaredriventoitbyblows，andperpetratewhatwronganddetractiontheycanbehindeachother’sback;thereforeGodalsopunishesthem，thattheysinkintoallkindsoffilthandmisery.
　　Asarule，theparents，too，arethemselvesstupidandignorant;onefooltrains[teaches]another，andastheyhavelived，solivetheirchildrenafterthem.
　　This，now，Isayshouldbethefirstandmostimportantconsiderationtourgeustotheobservanceofthiscommandment;onwhichaccount，evenifwehadnofatherandmotherweoughttowishthatGodwouldsetupwoodandstonebeforeUs，whomwemightcallfatherandmother.Howmuchmore，sinceHehasgivenuslivingparents，shouldwerejoicetoshowthemhonorandobedience，becauseweknowitissohighlypleasingtotheDivineMajestyandtoallangels，andvexesalldevils，andis，besides，thehighestworkwhichwecando，afterthesublimedivineworshipcomprehendedinthepreviouscommandments，sothatgivingofalmsandeveryothergoodworktowardourneighborarenotequaltothis.ForGodhasassignedthisestatethehighestplace，yea，hassetitupinHisownstead，uponearth.ThiswillandpleasureofGodoughttobeasufficientreasonandincentivetoustodowhatwecanwithgoodwillandpleasure.
　　Besidesthis，itisourdutybeforetheworldtobegratefulforbenefitsandeverygoodwhichwehaveofourparents.Buthereagainthedevilrulesintheworld，sothatthechildrenforgettheirparents，asweallforgetGod，andnooneconsidershowGodnourishes，protects，anddefendsus，andbestowssomuchgoodonbodyandsoul;
　　especiallywhenanevilhourcomesweareangryandgrumblewithimpatienceandallthegoodwhichwehavereceivedthroughoutourlifeiswipedout[fromourmemory].Justsowedoalsowithourparents，andthereisnochildthatunderstandsandconsidersthis[whattheparentshaveenduredwhilenourishingandfosteringhim]，excepttheHolyGhostgranthimthisgrace.
　　Godknowsverywellthisperversenessoftheworld;thereforeHeadmonishesandurgesbycommandmentsthateveryoneconsiderwhathisparentshavedoneforhimandhewillfindthathehasfromthembodyandlife，moreover，thathehasbeenfedandrearedwhenotherwisehewouldhaveperishedahundredtimesinhisownfilth.Thereforeitisatrueandgoodsayingofoldandwisemen：Deo，parentibusetmagistrisnonpotestsatisgratiaerependi，thatis，ToGod，toparents，andtoteacherswecanneverrendersufficientgratitudeandcompensation.Hethatregardsandconsidersthiswillindeedwithoutcompulsiondoallhonortohisparents，andbearthemuponhishandsasthosethroughwhomGodhasdonehimallgood.