Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther Part 7

Of the Fall of the UnG.o.dly, and how they are surprised in their UnG.o.dliness and False Doctrine.

Our Lord G.o.d, said Luther, suffereth the unG.o.dly to be surprised and taken captive in very slight and small things, when they think not of it, when they are most secure, and live in delight and pleasure, in springing and leaping for joy. In such a manner was the Pope surprised by me, in and about his indulgences and pardons, which was altogether a slight thing. The Venetians, likewise, were taken napping by Emperor Maximilian.

That which falleth in Heaven is devilish, but that which stumbleth on earth is human.

Of the Acknowledgment of Sins.

It can be hurtful to none, said Luther, to acknowledge and confess their sins. Have we done this or that sin, what then? Let us freely in G.o.d's name acknowledge the same, and not deny it; let us not be ashamed to confess, but let us from our hearts say, "O Lord G.o.d! I am such-and-such a sinner," etc.

And although thou hadst not committed this or that sin, yet nevertheless thou art an unG.o.dly creature; and if thou hast not done that sin which another hath done, so hath he not committed that sin which thou hast done; therefore cry quittance one with another. It is even as one said that had young wolves to sell; he was asked which of them was the best. He answered and said, "If one be good, then they are all good; they are like one another." If, said Luther, thou hast been a murderer, an adulterer, or a drunkard, etc., so have I been a blasphemer of G.o.d, because for the s.p.a.ce of fifteen years together I was a Friar, and have blasphemed G.o.d with celebrating that abominable idol the Ma.s.s. It had been better for me that I had been a partaker of other great wickednesses instead of the same; but what is done cannot be undone; he that hath stolen, let him henceforward steal no more.

What our Free-will doth effect.

I, said Luther, oftentimes have been directly resolved to live uprightly, and to lead a true G.o.dly life, and to set everything aside that would let or hinder; but it was far from being put in execution, even as it was with Peter, when he swore he would lay down his life for Christ.

I will not lie nor dissemble before my G.o.d, but will freely confess I am not able to effect that good which I do intend, but must expect the happy hour when G.o.d shall be pleased to meet me with his grace.

OF THE CATECHISM.

Of the Virtues and Vices ooncerning the Ten Commandments.

The Decalogus, that is, the Ten Commandments of G.o.d, are a looking- gla.s.s, and a brief sum of all virtues and doctrines, both how we ought to behave towards G.o.d and also towards our neighbour, that is, towards all mankind.

There never was at any time written a more excellent, complete, nor compendious book of virtues.

The duty of the First and Second Commandment is to fear G.o.d, to love and to trust in him; the contrary is sin and vice, an unG.o.dly life, contemning of G.o.d, hatred, despair, etc.

The duty of the Third Commandment is to acknowledge and to preach the doctrine of G.o.d's Word; the contrary is blaspheming of G.o.d, to be silent and not to confess the truth when need requireth.

The duty of the Fourth Commandment is the external service of G.o.d, as the preaching of G.o.d's Word, hearing, reading, and meditating on the same, to the end we may make proof of our faith; the contrary is the despising of G.o.d's Word and the outward service of G.o.d, as the Holy Sacraments.

The duty of the Fifth Commandment is obedience towards parents, tutors, and magistrates in those things which are not against G.o.d; the contrary is disobedience and rebellion.

The duty of the Sixth Commandment is meekness, not to be desirous of revenge, not to bear malice; against this is tyranny, rage, hatred, envy, etc.

The duty of the Seventh Commandment is continency and chast.i.ty; against the same is lasciviousness, immodest behaviour, adultery, etc.

The duty of the Eighth Commandment is to do good, to give and lend willingly, to be liberal; the contrary is covetousness, stealing, usury, fraud, and to wrong in trading and dealing.

The duty of the Ninth Commandment is to love the truth, not to backbite and slander, to speak well of all men; the contrary is lying, backbiting, and to speak evil of another.

The duty of the Tenth Commandment is righteousness, to let every one possess his own; the contrary is to be miserable and unjust.

The duty of this Commandment is to be without all covetous desires in the heart, to be content with that which one hath; against that are the l.u.s.tings of the heart. St. Paul saith the end of the Commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

BRIEF SENTENCES OF THE CATECHISM, ACCORDING AS LUTHER USED TO TEACH AND INSTRUCT HIS FAMILY AT HOME.

Of the Ten Commandments of G.o.d.

As the Faith is, so is also G.o.d.

G.o.d stayeth not quite away, though he stayeth long.

Despair maketh Priests and Friars.

G.o.d careth and provideth for us, but we must labour.

G.o.d will have the heart only and alone.

Idolatry is the imagination of the heart.

G.o.d giveth by creatures.

G.o.d's Word placeth before our eyes the world, to the end we may see what a fine spark it is.

G.o.d's Word is our sanctification, and maketh everything happy.

Works of obedience must highly be regarded.

All that govern are called Fathers.

Shepherds of Souls are worthy of double honour.

Magistrates belong not to the fifth Commandment.

Wrath is forbidden in every man, except in the magistrates.

All occasions of death are forbidden.

Matrimony proceedeth freely in every state and calling.

Matrimony is necessary and commanded.

Matrimony forbidden and disallowed is against G.o.d's command.

Matrimony is a blessed state, and pleasing to G.o.d.