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diff --git a/old/tlhr10.txt b/old/tlhr10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..daa5cd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tlhr10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4220 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther +by Martin Luther + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther + +Author: Martin Luther + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9841] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, TABLE TALK OF MARTIN LUTHER *** + + + + +This etext was prepared by Les Bowler, St. Ives, Dorset. + + + + +SELECTIONS FROM THE TABLE TALK OF MARTIN LUTHER. + + + + +TRANSLATED BY CAPTAIN HENRY BELL. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +Introduction by Professor Henry Morley. +The testimony of Jo. Aurifaber, Doctor in Divinity. +Captain Henry Bell's narrative. +A copy of the order from the House of Commons. +Selections from Table-Talk:- + Of God's Word. + Of God's Works. + Of the Nature of the World. + Of the Lord Christ. + Of Sin and of Free-will. + Of the Catechism. + Of the Law and the Gospel. + Of Prayer. + Of the Confession and Constancy of the Doctrine. + Of Imperial Diets. + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + + +Martin Luther died on the 18th of February, 1546, and the first +publication of his "Table Talk"-Tischreden-by his friend, Johann +Goldschmid (Aurifaber), was in 1566, in a substantial folio. The +talk of Luther was arranged, according to its topics, into eighty +chapters, each with a minute index of contents. The whole work in a +complete octavo edition, published at Stuttgart and Leipzig in 1836, +occupies 1,390 closely printed pages, equivalent to 2,780 pages, or +full fourteen volumes, of this Library. + +The nearest approach to a complete and ungarbled translation into +English was that of Captain Henry Bell, made in the reign of Charles +the First, under the circumstances set forth by himself; but even +that was not complete. Other English versions have subjected +Luther's opinions to serious manipulation, nothing being added, but +anything being taken away that did not chance to agree with the +editor's digestion. Even the folio of Captain Bell's translation, +from which these Selections have been printed, has been prepared for +reprint by some preceding editor, whose pen has been busy in +revision of the passages he did mean to reprint. In these +Selections every paragraph stands unabridged, exactly as it was +translated by Captain Bell; and there has been no other purpose +governing the choice of matter than a resolve to make it as true a +presentment as possible of Luther's mind and character. At least +one other volume of Selections from the Table-Talk of Martin Luther +will be given in this Library. + +Johann Goldschmid, the Aurifaber, and thereby true worker in gold, +who first gave Luther's Table-Talk to the world, was born in 1519. +He was a disciple of Luther, thirty-six years younger than his +master. Luther was born at Eisleben in 1483, and his father, a poor +miner, presently settled at Mansfeld, the town in which Goldschmid +afterwards was born. Johann Goldschmid was sent by Count Albrecht +of Mansfeld, in 1537, to the University of Wittenberg, where Luther +had been made, in 1508, Professor of Philosophy, and where, on the +31st of October, 1517, he had nailed his ninety-five propositions +against indulgences to the church door at the castle. Luther had +completed his translation of the Bible three years before Johann +Goldschmid went to Wittenberg. In 1540 Goldschmid was recalled from +the University to act as tutor to Count Albrecht's children. In +1544 Goldschmid was army chaplain with the troops from Mansfeld in +the French war; but in 1545 he was sent back to Wittenberg for +special study of theology. It was then that he attached himself to +Luther as his famulus and house-companion during the closing months +of Luther's life, began already to collect from surrounding friends +passages of his vigorous "Table Talk," and remained with Luther till +the last, having been present at his death in Eisleben in 1546. He +then proceeded steadily with the collection of Luther's sayings and +opinions expressed among his friends. He was army chaplain among +the soldiers of Johann Friedrich, of Saxony; he spent half a year +also in a Saxon prison. He became, in 1551, court preacher at +Weimar; but in 1562 was deprived of his office, and then devoted +himself to the forming of an Eisleben edition of those works of +Luther, which had not already been collected. In 1566 he was called +to a pastorate at Erfurt, where he had many more troubles before his +death. Aurifaber died on the 18th of November, 1575. + H. M. + + + +THE TESTIMONY OF JO. AURIFABER, DOCTOR IN DIVINITY, CONCERNING +LUTHER'S DIVINE DISCOURSES. + + + +And whereas hitherto I have caused certain tomes of the Books, +Sermons, Writings, and Missives of Luther to be printed at Eisleben, +so have I also now finished this tome of his Discourses, and have +ordered the same to be printed, which at the first were collected +together out of the Manuscripts of these Divine Discourses, which +that Reverend Father Anthony Lauterbach himself noted and wrote out +of the holy mouth of Luther, and afterwards the same by me were +collected into sure and certain Loci Communes, or Common-places, and +distributed. + +And whereas I, Joannes Aurifaber, in the years 1545 and 1546, before +the death of that most famous Divine, Luther, was much with and +about him, and with all diligence writ and noted down many most +excellent Histories and Acts, and other most necessary and useful +things which he related: I have therefore set in order and brought +the same also into this tome. + +Now, forasmuch as very excellent declaration is made in this tome of +all the Articles and chief points of Christian Religion, Doctrine, +and Faith; and also therein are found necessary Rules, Questions and +Answers, many fair Histories, all sorts of Learnings, Comforts, +Advices, Prophecies, Warnings, and Admonitions: I have therefore +thought it a thing fitting to dedicate the same to your Highnesses, +Graces, Honours and Worships, etc., as special favourers, +protectors, and defenders of the Doctrines which God, through +Luther, hath cleared again, to the end that by diligent reading +therein, you may be president, and give good examples to others, to +your subjects, citizens, etc., diligently to love, to read, to +affect the same, and to make good use thereof, as being fragments +that fell from Luther's Table, and therewith may help to still, to +slake, and to satisfy the spiritual hunger and thirst of the soul. +For these most profitable Discourses of Luther, containing such high +spiritual things, we should in nowise suffer to be lost, but +worthily esteem thereof, whereout all manner of learning, joy, and +comfort may be had and received. + DR. AURIFABER, in his Preface to the Book. + +Given at Eisleben, July 7th, 1569. + + + +CAPTAIN HENRY BELL'S NARRATIVE: + + + +OR, + +RELATION OF THE MIRACULOUS PRESERVING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S BOOK, +ENTITLED "COLLOQUIA MENSALIA," OR, "HIS DIVINE DISCOURSES AT HIS +TABLE," HELD WITH DIVERS LEARNED MEN AND PIOUS DIVINES; SUCH AS WERE +PHILIP MELANCTHON, CASPARUS CRUCIGER, JUSTUS JONAS, PAULUS EBERUS, +VITUS DIETERICUS, JOANNES BUGENHAGEN, JOANNES FORSTERUS, AND OTHERS: + +CONTAINING + +Divers Discourses touching Religion, and other Main Points of +Doctrine; as also many notable Histories, and all sorts of Learning, +Comforts, Advices, Prophecies, Admonitions, Directions, and +Instructions; and how the same Book was, by God's Providence, +discovered lying under the Ground, where it had lain hid Fifty-two +Years; and was a few years since sent over to the said Captain Henry +Bell, and by him translated out of the High German into the English +Tongue. + +"I, CAPTAIN HENRY BELL, do hereby declare, both to the present age, +and also to posterity, that being employed beyond the seas in state +affairs divers years together, both by King James, and also by the +late King Charles, in Germany, I did hear and understand, in all +places, great bewailing and lamentation made, by reason of the +destroying and burning of above fourscore thousand of Martin +Luther's books, entitled His Last Divine Discourses. + +"For after such time as God stirred up the spirit of Martin Luther +to detect the corruptions and abuses of Popery, and to preach +Christ, and clearly to set forth the simplicity of the Gospel, many +Kings, Princes, and States, Imperial Cities, and Hans-Towns fell +from the Popish Religion, and became Protestants, as their +posterities still are, and remain to this very day. + +"And for the further advancement of the great work of Reformation +then begun, the aforesaid Princes and the rest did then order that +the said Divine Discourses of Luther should forthwith be printed; +and that every parish should have and receive one of the aforesaid +printed books into every Church throughout all their principalities +and dominions, to be chained up, for the common people to read +therein. + +"Upon which divine work, or Discourses, the Reformation, begun +before in Germany, was wonderfully promoted and increased, and +spread both here in England and other countries besides. + +"But afterwards it so fell out that the Pope then living, viz. +Gregory XIII., understanding what great hurt and prejudice he and +his Popish religion had already received, by reason of the said +Luther's Divine Discourses, and also fearing that the same might +bring further contempt and mischief upon himself and upon the Popish +Church, he therefore, to prevent the same, did fiercely stir up and +instigate the Emperor then in being, viz. Rudolphus II., to make an +Edict throughout the whole Empire, that all the aforesaid printed +books should be burned; and also that it should be death for any +person to have or keep a copy thereof, but also to burn the same: +which Edict was speedily put in execution accordingly, insomuch that +not one of all the said printed books, nor so much as any one copy +of the same, could be found out nor heard of in any place. + +"Yet it pleased God that, anno 1626, a German gentleman, named +Casparus Van Sparr, with whom, in the time of my staying in Germany +about King James's business, I became very familiarly known and +acquainted, having occasion to build upon the old foundation of a +house, wherein his grandfather dwelt at that time when the said +Edict was published in Germany for the burning of the aforesaid +books; and digging deep into the ground, under the said old +foundation, one of the said original books was there happily found, +lying in a deep obscure hole, being wrapped in a strong linen cloth, +which was waxed all over with beeswax, within and without; whereby +the book was preserved fair, without any blemish. + +"And at the same time Ferdinandus II. being Emperor in Germany, who +was a severe enemy and persecutor of the Protestant religion, the +aforesaid gentleman and grandchild to him that had hidden the said +books in that obscure hole, fearing that if the said Emperor should +get knowledge that one of the said books was yet forthcoming, and in +his custody, whereby not only himself might be brought into trouble, +but also the book in danger to be destroyed, as all the rest were so +long before; and also calling me to mind, and knowing that I had the +High Dutch Tongue very perfect, did send the said original book over +hither into England unto me; and therewith did write unto me a +letter, wherein he related the passages of the preserving and +finding out the said book. + +"And also he earnestly moved me in his letter, that for the +advancement of God's glory, and of Christ's Church, I would take the +pains to translate the said book, to the end that that most +excellent divine work of Luther might be brought again to light. + +"Whereupon I took the said book before me, and many times began to +translate the same, but always I was hindered therein, being called +upon about other business, insomuch that by no possible means I +could remain by that work. Then, about six weeks after I had +received the said book, it fell out that I being in bed with my wife +one night, between twelve and one of the clock, she being asleep, +but myself yet awake, there appeared unto me an ancient man, +standing at my bedside, arrayed all in white, having a long and +broad white beard hanging down to his girdle-stead, who, taking me +by my right ear, spake these words following unto me:-'Sirrah! will +not you take time to translate that book which is sent unto you out +of Germany? I will shortly provide for you both place and time to +do it;' and then he vanished away out of my sight. + +"Whereupon, being much thereby affrighted, I fell into an extreme +sweat, insomuch that my wife awaking, and finding me all over wet, +she asked me what I ailed. I told her what I had seen and heard; +but I never did heed nor regard visions nor dreams; and so the same +fell soon out of my mind. + +"Then about a fortnight after I had seen that vision, on a Sunday, I +went to Whitehall to hear the sermon, after which ended I returned +to my lodging, which was then in King Street, at Westminster, and +sitting down to dinner with my wife, two Messengers were sent from +the whole Council-board, with a warrant to carry me to the keeper of +the Gatehouse, Westminster, there to be safely kept until further +order from the Lords of the Council, which was done without showing +me any cause {1} at all wherefore I was committed. Upon which said +warrant I was kept there ten whole years close prisoner, where I +spent five years thereof about the translating of the said book; +insomuch as I found the words very true which the old man, in the +aforesaid vision, did say unto me: 'I will shortly provide for you +both place and time to translate it.' + +"Then, after I had finished the said translation in the prison, the +late Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Laud, understanding that I had +translated such a book, called Martin Luther's Divine Discourses, +sent unto me his chaplain, Dr. Bray, into the prison, with this +Message following:- + +"'Captain BELL, + "'My Lord Grace of Canterbury hath sent me unto you, to tell you +that his Grace hath understood that you have translated a book of +Luther's, touching which book his Grace, many years before, did hear +of the burning of so many thousands in Germany by the then Emperor. +His Grace therefore doth desire you, that you would send unto him +the said original book in Dutch, and also your translation; which, +after his Grace hath perused, shall be returned safely unto you.' + +"Whereupon I told Dr. Bray that I had taken a great deal of pains in +translating the said book, and was very loth to part with it out of +my hands, and therefore I desired him to excuse me to his Grace, +that I could not part from it; with which answer he at that time +returned again to his master. + +"But the next day after he sent him unto me again, and bade him tell +me that, upon his honour, the book should be as safe in his custody, +if not safer than in mine own; for he would lock it up in his own +cabinet, to the end no man might come unto it, but only himself. +Thereupon I, knowing it would be a thing bootless for me to refuse +the sending of them, by reason he was then of such great power that +he would have them, nolens volens, I sent them both unto him. Then, +after he had kept them in his custody two months, and had daily read +therein, he sent the said Doctor unto me, to tell me that I had +performed a work worthy of eternal memory, and that he had never +read a more excellent divine work; yet saying that some things +therein were fitting to be left out; and desired me not to think +long that he did not return them unto me so soon again. The reason +was because that the more he did read therein, the more desire he +had to go on therewith; and so, presenting me with ten livres in +gold, he returned back again. + +"After which, when he had them in his custody one whole year, and +that I understood he had perused it all over, then I sent unto his +Grace, and humbly desired that his Grace would be pleased to return +me my books again. Whereupon he sent me word by the said Dr. Bray, +that he had not as yet perused them so thoroughly over as he desired +to do; then I stayed yet a year longer before I sent to him again. + +"In which time I heard for certain that it was concluded by the King +and Council that a Parliament should forthwith be called; at which +news I did much rejoice. And then I sent unto his Grace an humble +petition, and therein desired the returning of my book again; +otherwise I told him I should be enforced to make it known, and to +complain of him to the Parliament, which was then coming on. +Whereupon he sent unto me again safely both the said original book +and my translation, and caused his Chaplain, the said Doctor, to +tell me that he would make it known unto his Majesty what an +excellent piece of work I had translated, and that he would procure +an order from his Majesty to have the said translation printed, and +to be dispersed throughout the whole kingdom, as it was in Germany, +and as he had heard thereof; and thereupon he presented me again +with forty livres in gold. + +"And presently after I was set at liberty by warrant from the whole +House of Lords, according to his Majesty's direction in that behalf; +but shortly afterwards the Archbishop fell into his troubles, and +was by the Parliament sent unto the Tower, and afterwards beheaded; +insomuch that I could never since hear anything touching the +printing of my book. + +"The House of Commons having then notice that I had translated the +aforesaid book, they sent for me, and did appoint a Committee to see +it and the translation, and diligently to make inquiry whether the +translation did agree with the original or no; whereupon they +desired me to bring the same before them, sitting then in the +Treasury Chamber. And Sir Edward Dering, being Chairman, said unto +me that he was acquainted with a learned minister beneficed in +Essex, who had lived long in England, but was born in High Germany, +in the Palatinate, named Mr. Paul Amiraut, whom the Committee +sending for, desired him to take both the original and my +translation into his custody, and diligently to compare them +together, and to make report unto the said Committee whether he +found that I had rightly and truly translated it according to the +original: which report he made accordingly, and they, being +satisfied therein, referred it to two of the Assembly, Mr. Charles +Herle and Mr. Edward Corbet, desiring them diligently to peruse the +same, and to make report unto them if they thought it fitting to be +printed and published. + +"Whereupon they made report, dated the 10th of November, 1646, that +they found it to be an excellent Divine Work, worthy the light and +publishing, especially in regard that Luther, in the said +Discourses, did revoke his opinion, which he formerly held, touching +Consubstantiation in the Sacrament. Whereupon the House of Commons, +the 24th of February, 1646, did give order for the printing thereof. + +"Thus, having been lately desired to set down in writing the +relation of the passages above-said concerning the said book, as +well for the satisfaction of judicious and godly Christians, as for +the conservation of the perpetual memory of God's extraordinary +providence in the miraculous preservation of the aforesaid Divine +Discourses, and now bringing them again to light: I have done the +same according to the plain truth thereof, not doubting but they +will prove a notable advantage of God's glory, and the good and +edification of the whole Church, and an unspeakable consolation of +every particular member of the same. + "Given under my hand the 3rd day of July, 1650. + "HENRY BELL." + + + +A COPY OF THE ORDER FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. + 24th February, 1646. + + + +WHEREAS Captain Henry Bell hath strangely discovered and found a +Book of Martin Luther's, called his Divine Discourses, which was for +a long time very marvellously preserved in Germany: the which book +the said Henry Bell, at his great costs and pains, hath translated +into the English out of the German Tongue, which Translation and +substance thereof is approved by Reverend Divines of the Assembly, +as appears by a Certificate under their hands: + +It is Ordered and Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in +Parliament, that the said Henry Bell shall have the sole disposal +and benefit of Printing the said Book translated into English by him +as aforesaid, for the space of fourteen years, to commence from the +date hereof. And that none do Print or Re-print the same but such +as shall be licensed by the said Captain by Authority under his +hand. + HENRY ELSYNG. +(Vera Copia.) + + + + +LUTHER'S TABLE-TALK. + + + + +OF GOD'S WORD. + + + +Of the Word of God; or the Holy Scriptures contained in the Bible. + +The Bible, or Holy Scripture, said Luther, is like a fair and +spacious orchard, wherein all sorts of trees do grow, from which we +may pluck divers kinds of fruits; for in the Bible we have rich and +precious comforts, learnings, admonitions, warnings, promises, and +threatenings, etc. There is not a tree in this orchard on which I +have not knocked, and have shaken at least a couple of apples or +pears from the same. + + +Proofs that the Bible is the Word of God. + +That the Bible is the Word of God, said Luther, the same I prove as +followeth. All things that have been and now are in the world, also +how it now goeth and standeth in the world, the same was written +altogether particularly at the beginning, in the First Book of Moses +concerning the Creation. And even as God made and created it, even +so it was, even so it is, and even so doth it stand to this present +day. And although King Alexander the Great, the kingdom of Egypt, +the empire of Babel, the Persian, Grecian, and Roman Monarchs, the +Emperors Julius and Augustus, most fiercely did rage and swell +against this Book, utterly to suppress and destroy the same, yet +notwithstanding, they could prevail nothing; they are all gone and +vanished; but this Book, from time to time, hath remained, and will +remain unremoved, in full and ample manner, as it was written at the +first. But who kept and preserved it from such great and raging +power; or, Who defendeth it still? Truly, said Luther, no human +creature, but only and alone God himself, who is the right Master +thereof; and it is a great wonder that it hath been so long kept and +preserved, for the devil and the world are great enemies unto it. +The devil doubtless hath destroyed many good books in the Church, as +he hath rooted out and slain many saints, concerning whom we have +now no knowledge. But, no thanks unto him, the Bible he was fain to +leave unmeddled with. In like manner Baptism, the Sacrament, and +the Office of Preaching have remained among us against the power of +many tyrants and heretics that have opposed the same. These our +Lord God hath kept and maintained by his special strength. Homer, +Virgil, and suchlike are profitable and ancient books; but, in +comparison of the Bible, they are nothing to be regarded. + + +By whom and at what Times the Bible was translated. + +Two hundred and forty-one years before the humanity of Christ, the +Five Books of Moses, and the Prophets, were translated out of the +Hebrew into the Greek tongue by the Septuagint Interpreters, the +seventy doctors or learned men then at Jerusalem, in the time of +Eleazar the High-priest, at the request of Ptolemeus Philadelphus, +King of Egypt, which King allowed great charges and expenses for the +translating of the same. + +Then, one hundred and twenty-four years after the birth of Christ, +his death and passion, the Old Testament was translated out of +Hebrew into Greek by a Jew, named Aquila (being converted to the +Christian faith), in the time of Hadrian the Emperor. + +Fifty and three years after this Aquila, the Bible was also +translated by Theodosius. + +In the three-and-thirtieth year after Theodosius, it was translated +by Symmachus, under the Emperor Severus. + +Eight years after Symmachus, the Bible was also translated by one +whose name is unknown, and the same is called the Fifth Translation. + +Afterwards the Bible was translated by Hieronymus (who first amended +and corrected the Seventy Interpreters) out of Hebrew into the Latin +tongue, which translation we use to this day in the Church. And +truly, said Luther, he did enough for one man. Nulla enim privata +persona tantum efficere potuisset. But he had not done amiss if he +had taken one or two learned men to his translation besides himself, +for then the Holy Ghost would more powerfully have been discerned, +according to Christ's saying, "Where two or three be gathered +together in my name, there will I be in the midst of them." And, +indeed, said Luther, translators or interpreters ought not to be +alone, for good and apt words do not always fall to one single man. +And so long as the Bible was in the Church of the Gentiles, it was +never yet in such perfection, that it could have been read so +exactly and significantly without stop, as we have prepared the same +here at Wittemberg, and, God be praised, have translated it out of +Hebrew into the High German tongue. + + +Of the Differences between the Bible and other Books. + +The Holy Scripture, or the Bible, said Luther, is full of divine +gifts and virtues. The books of the Heathen taught nothing of +Faith, Hope, and Love; nay, they knew nothing at all of the same; +their books aimed only at that which was present, at that which, +with natural wit and understanding, a human creature was able to +comprehend and take hold of; but to trust in God and hope in the +Lord, nothing was written thereof in their books. In the Psalms and +in Job we may see and find how those two books do treat and handle +of Faith, of Hope, of Patience, and Prayer. + +To be short, the Holy Scripture, said Luther, is the best and +highest book of God, full of comfort in all manner of trials and +temptations; for it teacheth of Faith, Hope, and Love far otherwise +than by human reason and understanding can be comprehended. And in +times of troubles and vexations, it teacheth how these virtues +should light and shine; it teacheth, also, that after this poor and +miserable life there is another which is eternal and everlasting. + + +What we ought chiefly to seek for in the Bible, and how we ought to +study and learn the Holy Scriptures. + +The chief lesson and study in Divinity, said Luther, is well and +rightly to learn to know Christ, for he is therein very friendly and +familiarly pictured unto us. From hence St. Peter saith, "Grow up +in the knowledge of Christ;" and Christ himself also teacheth that +we should learn to know him only out of the Scriptures, where he +saith, "Search the Scriptures, for they do testify of me." + +We ought not, said Luther, to measure, censure, and understand the +Scriptures according to our own natural sense and reason, but we +ought diligently by prayer to meditate therein, and to search after +the same. The devil and temptations also do give occasion unto us +somewhat to learn and understand the Scriptures by experience and +practice. Without trials and temptations we should never understand +anything thereof; no, not although we diligently read and heard the +same. The Holy Ghost must be the only master and tutor to teach us +therein, and let youth and scholars not be ashamed to learn of this +tutor. When I find myself in temptation, then I quickly lay hold +and fasten on some text in the Bible which Christ Jesus layeth +before me, namely, THAT HE DIED FOR ME, from whence I have and +receive comfort. + + +That we should diligently read the Texts of the Bible, and stay +ourselves upon it as the only true Foundation. + +Whoso layeth a good foundation, and is a substantial Text-man, that +is, he that is well grounded in the Text, the same hath whereupon he +surely may keep footing, and runneth not lightly into error. And +truly, said Luther, the same is most necessary for a Divine; for +with the texts and grounds of the Holy Scriptures I dazzled, +astonished, and overcame all my adversaries; for they approach +dreamingly and lazily; they teach and write according to their +natural sense, reason, and understanding, and they think the Holy +Scripture is a slight and a simple thing; like the Pharisee, who +thought a business soon done when our Saviour Christ said unto him, +"Do that, and thou shalt live." The sectaries and seducing spirits +understand nothing in the Scriptures; but with their fickle, +inconstant, and uncertain books which they have devised, they run +themselves into error. + +Whoso is armed with the Text, the same is a right pastor; and my +best advice and counsel is, said Luther, that we draw water out of +the true fountain, that is, diligently to read in the Bible. He is +a learned Divine that is well grounded in the Text; for one text and +sentence out of the Bible is of far more esteem and value than many +writings and glosses, which neither are strong, sound, nor armour of +proof. As when I have that text before me of St. Paul, where he +saith, "All the creatures of God are good, if they be received with +thanksgiving." This text showeth that what God hath made is good. +Now, eating, drinking, marrying, etc., are of God's making, +therefore they are good. But the glosses of the Primitive Fathers +are against this text, for St. Bernard, Basil, Dominicus, +Hieronymus, and others have written far otherwise of the same. But +I prefer the Text before them all, and it is far more to be esteemed +of than all their glosses; yet, notwithstanding, in Popedom the +glosses of the Fathers were of higher regard than the bright and +clear text of the Bible, through which great wrong oftentimes is +done to the Holy Scriptures; for the good Fathers, as Ambrose, +Basil, and Gregory, have ofttimes written very cold things touching +the Divine word. + + +That the Bible is the Head of all Arts. + +Let us not lose the Bible, said Luther, but with all diligence and +in God's fear read and preach the same; for if that remaineth, +flourisheth, and be taught, then all is safe. She is the head and +empress of all faculties and arts. If Divinity falleth, then +whatsoever remaineth besides is nothing worth. + + +Of the Art of the School Divines in the Bible. + +The art of the School Divines, said Luther, with their speculations +in the Holy Scriptures, are merely vain and human reasonings, spun +out of their own natural wit and understanding, of which I have read +much in Bonaventura, but he had almost made me deaf. I fain would +have learned and understood out of that book how God and my sinful +soul had been reconciled together; but of that there was nothing to +be found therein. They talk much of the union of the will and +understanding, but all is mere phantasy and folly. The right and +true speculation is this: "Believe in Christ; do what thou oughtest +to do in thy vocation," etc. This is the only practice in Divinity. +Also, Mystica Theologia Dionysii is a mere fable, and a lie, like to +Plato's Fables. Omnia sunt non ens, et omnia sunt ens-All is +something, and all is nothing; and so he leaveth all hanging in +frivolous and idle sort. + +True and upright Divinity consisteth in the practice, use, and +exercise; her foundation is Christ; she taketh hold by faith on his +passion, death, and resurrection. All those, said Luther, that +concur not with us, and have not this doctrine before their eyes, +the same do feign unto themselves but only a speculated Divinity, +according to their carnal sense and reason, and according as they +use to censure in temporal causes; for no man can divert them from +these opinions, namely, "Whoso doth good works, and liveth an honest +and civil kind of life, the same is an upright Christian, and he is +well and safe;" but they are therein far deceived; for this is the +truth indeed, "Whoso feareth God and trusteth in him, the same most +surely will be well and safe at last." + +Therefore, said Luther, these speculating Divines belong directly to +the devil in hell. They follow their own opinions, and what with +their five senses they are able to comprehend; and such is also +Origen's divinity. But David is of another mind; he acknowledgeth +his sins, and saith, "Miserere mei Domini," God be merciful to me a +sinner. At the hands of these sophisticated Divines, God can +scarcely obtain that he is God alone; much less can he find this +favour of them, that they should allow only him to be good and just; +nay, very hardly will they yield that he is an immortal God. + + +The Depths of the Bible. + +The wise of the world, and the great ones, said Luther, understand +not God's Word; but God hath revealed it to the poor contemned +simple people, as our Saviour Christ witnesseth, where he saith, "I +thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast +hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them +unto babes," etc.; from whence St. Gregory says well and rightly, +that the Holy Scripture is like a water, wherein an "elephant +swimmeth, but a little sheep goeth therein upon his feet." + +I remember a Fable, said Luther, which fitteth very well for these +times, and for this purpose, discoursed of before. A Lion, said he, +making a great feast, invited all the beasts thereunto, and with +them also he invited swine. Now, as all manner and sorts of +dainties were brought and set before the guests, the swine demanded +if Brewer's grains might be had for them. Even so, in these days it +is with our Epicures; we Preachers bring and set before them in the +Church the most dainty and costly dishes, as Everlasting Salvation, +Remission of Sins, and God's Grace; but they, like swine, cast up +their snouts, and root after Dollars, Crowns, and Ducats; and, +indeed, said Luther, "what should a cow do with nutmegs?" She would +rather content herself with oat-straw. + +When we have God's Word pure and clear, then we are secure, we are +negligent and regard it not, we think it will always so remain; we +do not watch and pray against the devil, who is ready to tear the +Word out of our hearts. It goeth with us as with travellers, who, +so long as they are on the right way, are secure and careless; but +when they go astray into woods or by-ways, then they are careful +which way to take, whether this or that way be the right: even so +are we secure by the pure doctrine of the Gospel; we are sleepy and +negligent; we stand not in God's fear, nor defend ourselves with +prayer against the devil. But those that entertain errors are +highly busied, yea, they are very careful and diligent how to keep +and maintain the same. + + +Of the future Want of upright and true Preachers of God's Word. + +In a short time, said Luther, will be such want of upright Preachers +and Ministers, that people would be glad to scratch out of the earth +these good and godly Teachers now living, if they might but get +them; then they will see what they have done in molesting and +contemning the Preachers and Ministers of God's Word. Of Physicians +and Lawyers there are enough, if not too many, to serve the world; +but a country hath need of two hundred Ministers where one Lawyer is +sufficient. My most gracious Lord, said Luther, the Prince Elector +of Saxony, hath enough of twenty Lawyers in all his territories, but +he must have near six thousand Preachers and Ministers. + + +That People, out of mere Wilfulness, do set themselves against God's +Word. + +Had I known, said Luther, when I first began to write, what I now +see and find, namely, that people had been such enemies to God's +Word, and so fiercely had set themselves against the same, truly I +had held my peace; for I never should have been so courageous as to +have fallen upon the Pope, and to have angered him, and almost the +whole Christian world with him. I thought at first that people had +sinned ignorantly, and out of human weakness, and not of set purpose +and wittingly to endeavour to suppress God's Word; but it pleased +God to lead me on in the mouth of the cannon, like a bar-horse that +hath his eyes blinded, and seeth not who runneth upon him. Even so +was I, as it were, tugged by my hair to the office of preaching; but +had I then known what now I know, ten horses should scarce have +drawn me to it. Moses and Jeremiah also complained that they were +deceived. + + +Of the Archbishop of Mentz, one of the Spiritual Princes Electors, +his Censure of the Bible. + +Anno 1530, at the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, Albertus, Bishop of +Mentz, by chance had got into his hands the Bible, and for the space +of four hours he continued reading therein; at last, one of his +Council on a sudden came into his bed-chamber unto him, who, seeing +the Bible in the Bishop's hand, was much amazed thereat, and said +unto him, "what doth your Highness with that book?" The Archbishop +thereupon answered him, and said, "I know not what this book is, but +sure I am, all that is written therein is quite against us." + + +That the Bible is hated of the Worldly-wise and of the Sophists. + +Doctor Ussinger, an Austin Friar, with me in the Monastery at +Erfurt, said once unto me, as he saw that I diligently read and +affected the Bible, "Brother Martin, what is the Bible? Let us," +said he, "read the ancient Teachers and Fathers, for they have +sucked the juice and truth out of the Bible. The Bible is the cause +of all dissension and rebellion." + +This, said Luther, is the censure of the world concerning God's +Word; therefore we must let them run on their course towards that +place which is prepared for them. + + +Of the Errors which the Sectaries do hold concerning the Word of +God. + +Bullinger said once in my hearing, said Luther, that he was earnest +against the sectaries, as contemners of God's Word, and also against +those who attributed too much to the literal Word; for, said he, +such do sin against God and his almighty power, as the Jews did in +naming the ark "God." But, said he, whoso holdeth a mean between +both, the same is taught what is the right use of the Word and +Sacraments. + +Whereupon, said Luther, I answered him and said, "Bullinger, you +err: you know neither yourself nor what you hold; I mark well your +tricks and fallacies. Zuinglius and OEcolampadius likewise +proceeded too far in this your ungodly meaning; but when Brentius +withstood them, they then lessened their opinions, alleging they did +not reject the literal Word, but only condemned certain gross +abuses. By this your error," said Luther to Bullinger, "you cut in +sunder and separate the Word and the Spirit; you separate those that +preach and teach the Word from God who worketh the same; you also +separate thereby the Ministers that baptize from God who commandeth +it; and you think that the Holy Ghost is given and worketh without +the Word; which Word, you say, is an external sign and mark that +findeth the Spirit, which already and before possesseth the heart. +Insomuch, according to your falsities, that if the Word findeth not +the Spirit, but an ungodly person, then it is not God's Word; +whereby you define and hold the Word, not according to God who +speaketh it, but according as people do entertain and receive it. +You will only grant that such is God's Word which purifieth and +bringeth peace and life; but seeing it worketh not in the ungodly, +therefore it is not God's Word. You teach that the outward Word is +like an object or a picture, which signifieth and presenteth +something; you measure the use thereof only according to the matter, +like as a human creature speaketh for himself; you will not yield +that God's Word is an instrument through which the Holy Ghost +worketh and accomplisheth his work, and prepareth a beginning to +righteousness or justification. In these errors are you drowned, so +that you neither see nor understand yourselves. + +"A man might vex himself to death against the devil, who, in the +Papists, is such an enemy to God's Word. The devil seeth and +feeleth that the external Word and preaching in the Church doth him +great prejudice, therefore he rageth and worketh these errors +against the same; but I hope God ere long will look into it, and +will strike down the devil with these seducers. + +"A true Christian," said Luther, "must hold for certain, and must +say, That Word which is delivered and preached to the wicked, to the +dissemblers, and to the ungodly, is even as well God's Word as that +which is preached to the good and godly upright Christians. As +also, the true Christian Church is among sinners, where good and bad +are mingled together. And that Word, whether it produceth fruit or +not, is nevertheless God's strength, which saveth all that believe +thereon. And again, it will also judge the ungodly, as St. John +saith in chap. v., otherwise they might plead a good excuse before +God, that they neither ought to be nor could be condemned; for then +they might truly allege that they have not had God's Word, and so +consequently could not receive the same. But," said Luther, "I say, +teach and acknowledge that the Preacher's words, his absolutions, +and the sacraments, are not his words nor works, but they are God's +words, works, cleansing, absolving, binding, etc.; we are but only +the instruments, fellow-workers, or God's assistants, through whom +God worketh and finisheth his work. We," said Luther to Bullinger, +"will not endure these your metaphysical and philosophical +distinctions and differences, which merely are spun and hammered out +of human and natural sense and reason. You say, It is a man that +preacheth, that reproveth, that absolveth, comforteth, etc., and +that the Holy Ghost worketh; you say, likewise, the Minister +baptiseth, absolveth, and administereth the sacraments, but it is +God that cleanseth the hearts, and forgiveth sins, etc. Oh, no," +said Luther, "but I conclude thus: God himself preacheth, +threateneth, reproveth, affrighteth, comforteth, absolveth, +administereth the sacraments, etc. As our Saviour Christ saith, +'Whoso heareth you, heareth me; and what ye loose on earth shall be +loosed in heaven,' etc. Likewise, 'It is not you that speak, but +the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.'" + +"I am sure and certain," said Luther, "when I go up to the pulpit, +or to the cathedral, to preach or read, that it is not my word which +I speak, but my tongue is the pen of a ready writer, as the Psalmist +saith. God speaketh in the Prophets and men of God, as St. Peter in +his Epistle saith: 'The holy men of God spake as they were moved by +the Holy Ghost.' Therefore we must not separate nor part God and +man according to our natural reason and understanding. In like +manner, every hearer must conclude and say, I hear not St. Paul, St. +Peter, or a man speak; but I hear God himself speak, baptize, +absolve, excommunicate, and administer the holy sacrament of the +Lord's Supper, etc." + +Bullinger, attentively hearkening to this discourse of that holy +man, Luther, fell down flat on his face to the ground, and uttered +these words following: "Oh, happy be the time that brought me +hither to hear the divine discourse of this man of God" (Martin +Luther), "a chosen vessel of the Lord to declare his truth! And now +I abjure and utterly renounce these my former errors, finding them +convinced and beaten down through God's infallible Word which out of +his divine mouth" (Martin Luther), "hath touched my heart, and won +me to his glory." After he had uttered these words lying on the +ground, he arose and clasped his arms about Luther's neck, both of +them shedding joyful tears. + +Ah, God! said Luther at that time, what an unspeakable comfort a +poor, weak, and sorrowful conscience might have and receive, if it +could but believe that such words and comforts were the words and +comforts of God himself, as in truth they are; therefore we +conclude, short and round, that God through the Word worketh, which +is an instrument whereby we are instructed to know him in heart, as +by this present and happy example of the conversion of this our +loving brother, Bullinger, we apparently see and find. + +But whereas, said Luther, the Word produceth not fruit everywhere +alike, but worketh severally, the same is God's judgment, and his +secret will, which from us is hid; we ought not to desire to know +it. For "the wind bloweth where it listeth," as Christ saith; we +must not grabble nor search after the same. + +If, said Luther, I were addicted to God's Word at all times alike, +and always had such love and desire thereunto as sometimes I have, +then should I account myself the most blessed man on earth. But the +loving Apostle St. Paul failed also thereof, as he complains with +sighs of heart, saying, "I see another law in my members, warring +against the law of my mind," etc. Should the Word be false because +it bringeth not always fruit? Truly this art of determining and +knowing the Word hath been in great danger from the beginning of the +world, and hath endured much: few people there are that can hit it, +except God, through his Holy Spirit, teacheth it them in their +hearts. The Sectaries understand not the strength of God's Word. I +do wonder, said Luther, that they do write and teach so much of +God's Word, seeing they so little regard the same. + +Ferdinand, Prince Elector of Saxony, used to say he had well +discerned that nothing could be propounded by human reason and +understanding, were it never so wise, cunning, or sharp, but that a +man, even out of the selfsame proposition, might be able to confute +and overthrow it; but God's Word only stood fast and sure, like a +mighty wall which neither can be battered nor beaten down. + + +Which are the best Preachers and the best Hearers. + +I, said Luther, esteem those to be the best Preachers which teach +the common people and youth most plainly and simply, without +subtlety, screwed words, or enlargements. Christ taught the people +by plain and simple parables. In like manner, those are the best +Hearers that willingly do hear and believe God's Word simply and +plainly, and although they be weak in faith, yet so long as they +doubt not of the doctrine they are to be holpen forward; for God can +and will bear with weakness if it be but acknowledged, and that we +creep again to the Cross and pray to God for grace, and amend +ourselves. + +David saith, "I hate them that imagine evil things, but thy law do I +love," and will show therewith that we ought diligently to regard +the strength of the Word of God, and not to contemn it, as the +enthusiasts do, for God will deal with us by such means, and by the +same will also work in us. Therefore the ancient Fathers say well +touching this point, namely, that we ought not to look to the person +baptizing or ministering the Sacrament, but we must look to God's +Word. + +Our Lord God electeth from hearts, to whom he revealeth his Word, +and therewithal he giveth them mouths to speak it; preserveth and +maintaineth it, not by sword, but through his Divine Power. + + +That we ought to direct all our Actions and Lives according to God's +Word. + +God, said Luther, hath his measuring-lines, and his canons, which +are called the Ten Commandments; they are written in our flesh and +blood. The contents of them is: "What thou wouldest have done to +thyself, the same thou oughtest also to do to another." For God +presseth upon that point, and saith, "Such measure as thou metest, +the same shall be measured to thee again." With this measuring- +line, or measure, hath God marked the whole world. They that live +and do thereafter, well it is with them, for God doth richly reward +them in this life; and a Turk or a Heathen may as well be partaker +of such rewards as a Christian. + + +Where God's Word is loved, there dwelleth God. + +Upon these words of Christ, "If a man loveth me, he will keep my +Word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and +make our abode with him," I say thus, said Luther: Heaven and +earth, the castles and palaces of all Emperors, Kings, and Princes, +are no way sufficient to make a dwelling-place for God; yet, in a +silly human creature that keepeth his Word he will dwell. Isaiah +calleth heaven his "seat," and earth his "footstool," but not his +dwelling; therefore, when we long to seek after God, we shall be +sure to find him with them that hear and keep his Word, as Christ +saith, "He that keepeth my Word, I will come and dwell with him." + +A man could not speak more simply and childishly than Christ spake, +and yet he confounded therewith all the wisdom of the worldly-wise. +To speak in such a manner, said Luther, is not in sublimi, sed +humili genere: if I should teach a child, I would teach him in this +sort: "He that loves me, will keep my Word." Here we see that +Christ saith not, Abstain from flesh, from marrying, from +housekeeping, etc., as the Papists teach, for that were even to +invite the devil and all his fellows to a feast. + + +That true and upright Christians are ready to suffer Death and all +manner of Torments for the Gospel's sake, but Hypocrites do shun the +Cross. + +Not long since, said Luther, I invited to my table, at Wittemberg, +an Hungarian Divine, named Matthias de Vai, who told me that, as he +came first to be a Preacher in Hungary, he chanced to fall out with +a Papistical Priest. Now, he was complained of by that Priest to a +Friar that was brother to the Vaivoda, or Governor of Buda, and they +were both summoned to appear before him. The one much accusing the +other, insomuch that the Friar could not reconcile nor take up the +controversy between them, at last, and after long debate, the Friar +said, "I know a way soon to discover the truth of this cause," and +commanded that two barrels of gunpowder should be set in the midst +of the market-place at Buda, and said unto the parties, "He that +will maintain his Doctrine to be right, and the true Word of God, +let him sit upon one of these barrels, and I will give fire unto it, +and he that remaineth living and unburned, his Doctrine is right." +Then Matthias de Vai leaped presently upon one of the barrels and +sat himself down thereon; but the Papist Priest would not up to the +other barrel, but slunk away. Then the Friar said, "Now I see and +know that the Faith and Doctrine of Matthias de Vai is the right, +and that our Papistical Religion is false." And thereupon he +punished and fined the Papist, with his assistants, for wronging De +Vai, in four thousand Hungarian ducats, and compelled him for a +certain time to maintain one hundred soldiers at his own charge; but +he licensed Matthias de Vai openly to preach the Gospel. The Friar +himself, recanting his religion, was converted and became a +Protestant; whereupon Luther said, Never yet would any Papist burn +for religion, but our people go with joy to the fire, as heretofore +hath been well seen on the holy Martyrs. + + +By what God preserveth his Word. + +God will keep his Word, said Luther, through the writing-pen upon +earth; the Divines are the heads or quills of the pens, but the +Lawyers are the stumps. If, now, the world will not keep the heads +and quills-that is, if they will not hear the Divines-then they must +keep the stumps-that is, they must hear the Lawyers, who will teach +them manners. + + +That in Causes of Religion we must not judge according to human +Wisdom, but according to God's Word. + +When the Pope and Emperor, said Luther, cited me to appear at Worms, +Anno Domini 1521, at the Imperial Assembly, they pressed and +earnestly advised me to refer the determining of my cause to his +Imperial Majesty; but I answered the three spiritual Electors, +Maintz, Tryer, and Cologne, and said, "I will rather surrender up to +his Majesty his letters of safe-conduct which he hath given me than +to put this cause to the determining of any human creature +whatsoever." Whereupon my master, the Prince Elector of Saxony, +said also unto them, "Truly no man could offer more." But as they +still insisted and urged me touching that point, I said, I did not +dare to presume, without great danger of running myself into God's +wrath, and of the loss of my soul's health, to refer this Cause, +which is none of mine, but God's Cause, to the censure of earthly +counsel; for the same, before all ages, hath been had in +consultation, hath been determined, censured, concluded, and +confirmed by the great Council in Heaven, to be and remain the +infallible, most certain and true Word of the High Majesty of God; +and therefore altogether needless, yea, most presumptuous now it +were, either to receive or to deliver it to the determination and +censure of human and natural sense, wit, and wisdom, which is +subject to nothing more than to error, especially in and concerning +God's Word and divine matters. And I told them flat and plain, I +would rather expose myself to endure all the torments that this +world, flesh, and the devil were able to devise and prepare than to +give my consent thereunto. + + +That in former Times it was dangerous studying the Holy Scriptures. + +In times past, as also in part of our time, said Luther, it was +dangerous studying, when divinity and all good arts were contemned; +and when fine, expert, and prompt wits were plagued with sophistry. +Aristotle, the Heathen, was held in such repute and honour, that +whoso undervalued or contradicted him was held, at Cologne, for the +greatest heretic; whereas they themselves understood not Aristotle. +The Sophists did much more darken Aristotle than illustrate him; +like as that Friar did, who wasted two whole hours in a sermon about +Christ's Passion, and concerning this question: Utrum quantitas +realiter distincta sit a substantia-whether the quantity in itself +were divided from the substance? He showed this example, and said, +"My head might well creep through, but the bigness of my head could +not;" insomuch that, like an idiot, he divided the head from the +bigness thereof. A silly grammarian might easily have solved the +same, and said, The bigness of the head, that is, the big or great +head. + +With such and the like fopperies were petty brains troubled, said +Luther, and were instructed neither in good arts nor in divinity. +Antipho, Chusa, Bovillus, and others were likewise miserably +molested and plagued about bringing a thing which was round into +four square, and to compare a straight line with a crooked. But we, +God be praised, have now happy times; and it were to be wished that +the youth made good use thereof, and spent their studying diligently +in such arts as at this time are green, and flourish. + + +That the Jews have better Teachers and Writers of the Holy +Scriptures than the Gentiles. + +When I read in the Psalter, said Luther, I do much admire that David +had such a spirit. Oh, what high enlightened people were among the +Jews! This David was a married man; he was a king, a soldier, and a +preacher; he was busy in temporal affairs, yet nevertheless he wrote +such an excellent surpassing book. The New Testament was written +also by men that were Jews, and the Apostles themselves were Jews: +God would signify thereby that we should adore his Word, we should +preciously esteem thereof, reverence, and love the same. We +Gentiles have no book that ruleth in the Church, therefore we are +not comparable to the Jews; from hence it is that St. Paul maketh a +very fine distinction or difference between Sarah and Hagar, and the +two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Hagar was also a wife, but nothing +near like Sarah; therefore it is a great pride, presumption, and +wilfulness of the Pope, in that he, being but a human creature, will +presume, without Scripture, to set himself against the Scripture, +and will exalt himself above the same. + + +Of Luther's Complaint of the Multitude of Books. + +The multitude of books, said Luther, is much to be lamented; no +measure nor end is held in writing; every one will write books; some +out of ambition to purchase praise thereby, and to raise them names; +others for the sake of lucre and gain, and by that means further +much evil. Therefore the Bible, by so many comments and books, will +be buried and obscured, so that the Text will be nothing regarded. +I could wish that all my books were buried nine ells deep in the +ground, for evil example's sake, in that every one will imitate me +with writing many books, thereby to purchase praise. But Christ +died not for the sake of our ambition and vain-glory, but he died +only to the end that his name might be sanctified. + + +That God's Word will not be truly understood without Trials and +Temptations. + +I, said Luther, did not learn my divinity at one only time, but I +was constrained to search deeper and deeper, to which my temptations +brought me; for no man, without trials and temptations, can attain +to the true understanding of the Holy Scriptures. St. Paul had a +devil that beat him with fists, and with temptations drove him +diligently to study the Holy Scripture. I, said Luther, had +cleaving and hanging on my neck the Pope, the Universities, all the +deep-learned, and with them the devil himself; these hunted me into +the Bible, where I diligently read, and thereby, God be praised, at +length I attained to the true understanding of the same. Without +such a devil, we are but only speculators of divinity, and according +to our vain reasoning we dream that so-and-so it must be, as the +Monks and Friars in monasteries do. The Holy Scripture of itself is +certain and true enough; but God grant me the grace that I may catch +hold on the right use thereof; for when Satan disputeth with me in +this sort, namely, whether God be gracious unto me or no? then I +must not meet him with this text: "Whoso loveth God with all his +heart, with all his soul, and with all his strength, the same shall +inherit the kingdom of God;" for then the devil presently objecteth, +and hitteth me in the teeth, and saith, "Thou hast not loved God +with all thy heart," etc., which, indeed, is true, and my own +conscience therein witnesseth against me; but at such a time I must +arm myself and encounter him with this text, namely: "That Jesus +Christ died for me, and through him I have a gracious God and +Father; Christ hath made an atonement for me," as St. Paul saith, +"He is of God given unto us for wisdom, for righteousness, for +holiness, and for redemption." + +Tyrants, sectaries, seducers, and heretics do nothing else but drive +us into the Bible, to make us read more diligently therein, and with +more fervency to sharpen our prayers. + + +Of the Advice of the Bishop of Salzburg, how to qualify the +Controversy between the Protestants and Papists, propounded to +Luther shortly before his Death; touching which, Luther discoursed +as followeth: + +At the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, in the year 1530, the Bishop +of Salzburg said unto me, "Four ways and means there are to make a +reconciliation or union between us and you Protestants. One is, +that ye yield unto us. To that you say you cannot. The second is, +that we yield unto you; but that we will not do. The third is, that +the one party, by force, should be compelled to yield to the other; +but thereupon a great combustion and tumult might be raised. +Therefore the fourth way or means were to be applauded and used, +namely, that now being here assembled together, the one party should +strive to thrust out the other, and that party which shall have the +advantage, and be the stronger, the same should put the other party +into a bag and expel them." Whereupon I, said Luther, answered him +and said, "This, indeed, were a very substantial course to settle +unity and peace, wonderful wisely considered of, found out and +expounded by such a holy and Christian-like Bishop as you are." And +thereupon I took letters out of my pocket, which shortly before I +had received from Rome, and gave the same to the Bishop to read, +which letter related a pretty passage that fell out there five weeks +before, between some Cardinals and the Pope's Fool, written as +followeth:- + +The said Cardinals had been in serious consultation how, and by what +means, the Protestants in Germany might be convinced touching their +error, and suppressed; but they saw the difficulty of it, in that +the Protestants, in their books and writings, powerfully against the +Papists, cited the sacred Scripture, and especially they opposed and +withstood them with the doctrine of St. Paul, which were great +blocks in the Papists' way, insomuch that they found it a business +not so easily to be accomplished. Then said the Fool unto the +Cardinals, "I know how to give you herein an advice, whereby you +easily may be rid and quitted of St. Paul, that his doctrines shall +not be approved of; as thus: The Pope," said the Fool, "hath power +to make Saints; therefore let St. Paul be taken out of the number of +the Apostles, and preferred to be a Saint, as then his dicta, or +sayings, which are against you, shall no more be held for +apostolical." "This and your proposition," said Luther to the +Bishop, "are of equal value." + + + +OF GOD'S WORKS. + + + +That human Sense and Reason cannot comprehend nor understand God's +Works. + +In all things, and in the least creatures, yea, also in their +members, God's almighty power and great wonderful works do clearly +shine. For what man, how powerful, wise, and holy soever, can make +out of one fig, a fig-tree or another fig? or, out of one cherry- +stone, can make a cherry or a cherry-tree? or what man can know how +God createth and preserveth all things and maketh them grow? + +And truly we find and see printed the Holy Trinity in all good arts +and creatures, as the almighty power of God the Father, the wisdom +of God the Son, and the goodness of God the Holy Ghost. Neither can +we conceive or know how the apple of the eye doth see, or how +understanding words are spoken distinctly and plainly when only the +tongue is moved and stirred in the mouth, all which are natural +things, as we daily see and act. How then should we be able to +comprehend or understand the secret counsel of God's Majesty, or +search it out with our sense, wit, reason, or understanding? + + +That no Man understands God's Works. + +No man, said Luther, is able to imagine, much less to understand, +what God hath done, and still doth without ceasing. Although we +laboured and sweated blood to write but only three lines in such +manner as St. John did write, yet were we never able to perform it. +What, then, should we any way admire or wonder at our wisdom? I, +for my part, said Luther, will be a fool, and will yield myself +captive. + +When one asked where God was before Heaven was created, St. Austin +made answer thereunto and said, He was in himself. And as another, +said Luther, asked me the same question, I said, He was building +Hell for such idle, presumptuous, fluttering spirits and +inquisitors. After he had created all things, he was everywhere, +and yet he was nowhere; for I cannot fasten nor take hold of him +without the Word. But he will be found there where he hath bound +himself to be. The Jews found him at Jerusalem by the Throne of +Grace (Exodus xxv.). We find him in the Word and Faith, in Baptism +and Sacraments; but in his Majesty he is nowhere to be found. + +It was a special grace in the Old Testament, when God bound himself +to a certain place where he would be found, namely, in that place +where the Tabernacle was, towards which they prayed; as first in +Shiloh and Shechem, afterwards at Gibeon, and lastly at Jerusalem in +the Temple. + +The Greeks and Heathens in after-times, said Luther, did imitate the +same, and did build temples for their idols in certain places, as at +Ephesus for Diana, at Delphos for Apollo, etc. For where God built +a church, there the devil would also build a chapel. They imitated +the Jews also in this, namely, that as the most holy was dark and +had no light, even so and after the same manner did they make their +places dark where the devil made answer, as at Delphos and +elsewhere. In such sort is the devil always God's ape. + +But, said Luther, whereas the most holy must be dark, the same did +signify that the Kingdom of Christ no other way was to be taken hold +of and fastened, but only by the Word and by Faith. + + +That the Superfluity of temporal Wealth doth hinder the Faith. + +God, said Luther, could be rich soon and easily if he would be more +provident, and would deny us the use of his creatures. If he would +but keep back the sun, that it should not shine, or lock up the air, +detain the water, or quench out the fire-ah! then would we willingly +give all our money and wealth to have the use of his creatures +again. + +But seeing God so liberally heapeth his gifts upon us, we therefore +will claim them as by right, in despite of him, and let him deny +them us if he dare. Therefore the unspeakable multitude of his +innumerable benefits do hinder and darken the faith of the +believers, much more of the ungodly. + + +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. + + +Howsoever God dealeth with us, it is always unacceptable. + +How, said Luther, should God deal with us? Good days we cannot +bear, evil we cannot endure. Giveth he riches unto us? then are we +proud, so that no man can live by us in peace; nay, we will be +carried upon hands and shoulders, and will be adored as gods. +Giveth he poverty unto us? then are we dismayed, we are impatient, +and murmur against him. Therefore nothing were better for us than +soon to be conveyed to the last dance, and covered with shovels. + + +Of the acknowledging of Nature. + +Adam had no need of books, said Luther, for he had the Book of +Nature; and all the Patriarchs and Prophets, Christ and his +Apostles, do cite much out of that book; as, touching the sorrows of +women bearing children, of the fellowship and community of the +members of man's body, as St. Paul relateth such parables, and saith +that one member cannot miss another: if the eyes did not see, +whither then would the feet go? how would they stumble and fall? If +the hands did not fasten and take hold, how then should we eat? If +the feet went not, where then would the hands get anything? Only +the maw, that lazy drone, lies in the midst of the body, and is +fatted like a swine. This parable, said Luther, teacheth us that +mankind should love one another; as also the Greeks' pictures do +teach concerning two men, the one lame and the other blind, who +showed kindness the one to the other, as much as in them lay. The +lame guided the blind in the way, which else he neither knew nor +saw, and the blind carried the lame, that else could not go; so that +they both were helped and came forward. + + +Of God's Goodness, if we could but trust unto him. + +Once, towards evening, came flying into Luther's garden two birds, +and made a nest therein, but they were oftentimes scared away by +those that passed by. Then said Luther, O ye loving pretty birds! +fly not away; I am heartily well contented with you, if ye could but +trust unto me. Even so it is with us: we neither can trust in God, +who, notwithstanding, showeth and wisheth us all goodness. + + +That God made all Things for Mankind. + +God's power is great, said Luther, who holdeth and nourisheth the +whole world, and maintaineth it; and it is a hard article where we +say and acknowledge, "I believe in God the Father." He hath created +all things sufficiently for us. All the seas are our cellars, all +woods are our huntings; the earth is full of silver and gold, and of +innumerable fruits, which are created all for our sakes, and the +earth is a corn-house and a larder for us, etc. + + +That God's creatures are used, or rather abused, for the most part +by the Ungodly. + +The wicked and ungodly, said Luther, do enjoy and use the most part +of God's creatures; for the tyrants have the greatest power, lands, +and people in the world; the usurers have the money; the farmers +have eggs, butter, corn, barley, oats, apples, pears, etc.; but good +and godly Christians must suffer, be persecuted, must sit in +dungeons where they can see neither sun nor moon, must be thrust out +into poverty, must be banished, and plagued, etc. But certainly it +must be better one day; it cannot always so remain; let us have but +patience, and steadfastly remain by the pure doctrine, and, +notwithstanding all this misery, let us not fall away from the same. + + +That God, and not Money, preserves the World. + +God only, said Luther, and not money and wealth, maintains and +preserves the world; for riches and much money do make proud and +lazy people: as at Venice, where the richest people are, a horrible +dearth fell among them in our memory, so that they were driven to +call upon the Turks for help, who sent twenty-four galleys laden +with corn, all which, as they almost were arrived, went down into +the sea and sank before their eyes. + +Therefore, said Luther, great wealth and money cannot still the +hunger, but rather occasioneth more dearth; for where rich people +are, there it is always dear, and things are at high rates. +Moreover, money maketh no man right merry, but much more pensive and +full of sorrow; for they are thorns which do prick people, as Christ +calls riches; yet is the world so mad that they will set thereupon +all their joy and felicity. + + +That God's corporeal Gifts are but little regarded. + +One evening, Luther saw cattle going in the fields, in a pasture, +and said: Behold, there go our preachers, our milk-bearers, butter- +bearers, cheese and wool-bearers, which do daily preach unto us the +faith towards God, that we should trust in him, as in our loving +Father; he careth for us, and will maintain and nourish us. + + +That God nourisheth all the Beasts. + +No man, said Luther, can account the great charges which God is at +only in maintaining the birds and such creatures, which in a manner +are nothing or little worth. I am persuaded, said he, that it +costeth God yearly more to maintain only the sparrows than the +yearly revenue of the French King amounteth unto. What then shall +we say of all the rest of his creatures? + + +That God is skilful in all Manner of Trades. + +God, said Luther, is skilful in all occupations and trades, in a +most perfect and excellent manner; for, like a skilful tailor, he +makes such a coat for the stag, which he wears nine hundred years +together, and of itself it is not torn; also, like a good shoemaker, +he gives him shoes on his feet, that last longer than the stag +himself, etc. + +God gives this world, with all his works, to those people who, as he +knows before, will anger, contemn, and blaspheme him. What, then, +may we think, will he give to those that through faith are +justified, and do know that they, so justified, shall live and +remain with him everlastingly? + + +That God will be praised in all Languages. + +"All that hath breath, praise the Lord," saith the Psalm; thence it +followeth that in all and every language, speeches, and tongues we +should preach and praise the Lord. Why then, said Luther, have the +Pope and the Emperor forbidden to sing and pray in the German +tongue? + + +That God is willing we should make use of his Creatures. + +Our loving Lord God is willing that we eat, drink, and be merry, and +make use of his creatures, for therefore he hath created them. He +will not have that we should complain, as if he had not given +sufficient, or that he could not maintain our poor carcases; only +that we do acknowledge him for our God, and thank him for his gifts. + + +That God fills the Bellies of the Ungodly, but he gives the Kingdom +of Heaven to the Good and Godly. + +We believe, said Luther, that God will give to us no better things +than he giveth to the rich ungodly wretches in this world, to whom +he gives an overplus, and the fill of good wine, money, wealth, +power, honour, and all things that they would have or can desire. +But the best wealth and treasure, which they do not desire, he +denies them, namely, himself. But he that hath not God, let him +have else what he will, so is he, notwithstanding, more miserable +than was Lazarus, that lay at the rich man's gate and was starved to +death. But it will go even so with them as it went with the +glutton, that they everlastingly must hunger and want, and shall not +have in all their power so much as the least drop of water, etc. + +If, then, said Luther, the almighty and liberal God in such wise +doth heap blessings upon his worst enemies and blasphemers, with all +manner of temporal goods and wealth, and gives to some also +kingdoms, principalities, etc., then may we, that are his children, +easily conceive what he will give unto us, who, for his sake must +suffer-yea, what he hath already given us. He hath given unto us +his only-begotten Son, and with him hath bestowed all things upon +us, so that through him we are God's children, and also heirs of his +celestial treasure, and are co-heirs with Christ according to hope. + + +Court Cards. + +God regards ungodly great Potentates, Kings, and Princes even as +children regard playing at cards. While they play, and have good +cards, they hold them in their hands; then, afterwards, when they +have bad cards, they are weary of them, and throw them under the +bench. Just so doth God with great Potentates. While they are in +the government, and rule well, he holds them for good; but so soon +as they do exceed, and govern ill, then he throws them down from +their seat, as Mary sings, and there he lets them lie. Ut Regem +Danioe. + +The Queen of Denmark, that was sister to the Emperor Charles and +King Ferdinand, died at that time when her husband, King Christian, +was taken prisoner, who was kept in prison twenty years. And his +son, who was the only heir of the kingdom, and was in the Court of +the Emperor, died also at the Imperial Diet held at Ratisbon the +same year, 1541. God hath taken up and gathered together a fine and +glorious game at cards, all of mighty Potentates, as Emperors, +Kings, Princes, etc.; they scuffle and fight one with another; +touching which, said Luther, I could show many examples done in our +time, etc. + +"The Pope," said Melancthon, "for the space of these certain hundred +years, hath been held for the principal Head of all Christendom. +When he did but wink or hold up one finger, so must the Emperors, +Kings, and Princes have humbled themselves and feared; insomuch that +he was Lord of all Lords, King of all Kings on earth; yea, he was an +earthly god. But now comes Almighty God, throws down the Pope, and +wins that great king with the ace (Luther), and there he lies. This +is God's government, as Mary sings in her Magnificat: Deposuit +potentes-He puts down the mighty from their seat, etc. + +"If I were rich," said Melancthon, "I would have artificially made +me a game at cards, and a chess-board all of gold and silver, in a +remembrance of God's game at cards, which are all great and mighty +Emperors, Kings, and Princes, where he always thrusteth one out +through another. N. is the four of diamonds, the Pope is the six of +diamonds, the Turk is the eight of diamonds, the Emperor is the king +in the game. + +"At last comes our Lord God, divides the game, beats the Pope with +Luther (he is the ace). But the Pope is not yet quite dead; Christ +hath begun to slay him with the spirit of his mouth, so that he is +dead in the hearts of believing Christians. I hope it is almost +come so far that, in less than two hundred years, God will quite +make an end of him, and of that antichristian idolatry, by his +glorious coming." + + +Whoso from his Heart can humble himself before God, he hath gained. + +Whoso can earnestly humble himself from his heart before God, he +hath gained. For God can do nothing but to be merciful towards them +that humble themselves. For if God should always be stern and +angry, so should I, said Luther, be afraid of him as of the +executioner. And seeing that I must stand in fear of the Pope, of +the Emperor, of the Papistical Bishops, and of other tyrants, which +are God's enemies, to whom then should I fly and take my refuge, if +I should also be afraid of God? + + +That God preserves Nurture and Discipline. + +God's works and actions will be where good nurture and discipline is +maintained, especially in wars, where a good government is settled; +otherwise it goeth strangely, dissolutely, and ill, as in this time +we see too well. + +When God will confound the wisdom of the wise, he makes them first +mad and furious in their proceedings, as he dealt with the Popish +Princes and Bishops at the Imperial Diet held at Augsburg. + +Let the adversaries rage and swell their fills, said Luther, and as +long as they can. God hath set the sea her bounds; he suffers the +same to beat and rage with her waves, as if they would over-run, +cover, and drown everything; yet, notwithstanding, they must not +pass the shore and banks, although God keeps the waters in their +compass, not with iron, but with weak walls of sand. This discourse +Luther held at that time when letters were written unto him from the +Assembly at Frankfort, concerning the Papists, with their practices +and exploits, intending to fall upon the Protestants in all parts. + +The second Psalm, said Luther, is one of the best Psalms. I love +that Psalm with my heart. It strikes and slashes valiantly amongst +the Kings, Princes, Counsellors, Judges, etc. If it be true what +this Psalm saith, then are the allegations of the Papists stark +lies. If I were as our Lord God, and had committed the government +to my son, as he hath done to his Son, and that these angry +gentlemen were so disobedient as they now are, I would, said Luther, +throw the world into a lump. + +Mary, the poor child-maid of Nazareth, also combateth with these +great Kings, Princes, etc., as she sings, "He hath put down the +mighty from their seat," etc. No doubt, said Luther, she had an +excellent undaunted voice. I, for my part, dare not sing so. The +tyrants say, "Let us break their bonds asunder." What that is, said +he, present experience teacheth us; for we see how they drown, how +they hang, burn, behead, strangle, banish, and torture; and all this +they do in despite of God. "But he sits above in heaven, and +laugheth them to scorn." If, said Luther, God would be pleased to +give me a little time and space, that I might expound a couple of +small Psalms, I would bestir myself so boldly that, Samson-like, I +would take all the Papists away with me. + + +By reason of our stiff-necked Hardness, God must be both harsh and +good too. + +I was, said Luther, very lately sharply reprimanded and taxed by a +Popish flattering Courtier, a Priest, because with such passion I +had written, and so vehemently had reproved the people. But I +answered him and said, "Our Lord God must first send a sharp pouring +shower, with thunder and lightning, and afterwards cause it mildly +to rain, as then it wetteth finely through. In like manner, a +willow or a hazel wand I can easily cut with my trencher-knife, but +for a hard oak a man must have and use axes, bills, and such-like, +and all little enough to fell and to cleave it." + + +What that is, God is nothing, and yet he is all Things. + +Plato, the Heathen, disputed of God, that God is nothing, and yet he +is all things; him followed Dr. Eck, and the Sophists, who +understood nothing thereof, as their words do show, which no man +could understand. But, said Luther, we must understand and speak of +it in this manner: God is incomprehensible and invisible, therefore +what may be seen and comprehended, that is not God. And thus a man +may speak also in another manner and wise: As God is either visible +or invisible; visible he is in his Word and Works, but where his +Word and Works are not, there a man should not desire to have him, +for he will be found nowhere else than where he hath revealed +himself. But these and such-like will find and take hold of him +with their speculations, so that instead of God they take hold of +the devil, and find him, for he will be also a god. But I do truly +admonish and warn every one that they abstain from such +speculations, and not to flutter too high, but remain by the manger, +and by the swaddling-clothes wherein Christ doth lie (in the Holy +Scriptures), "in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead +bodily," as St. Paul saith (Col. ii.). There a man cannot fail of +God, but finds and hits upon him most certainly. I would willingly +that this rule might be observed after my death, namely: Human +comfort and Divine comfort are of two sorts: human comfort +consisteth in external visible help, which a man may see, hold, and +feel; but Divine comfort consisteth only in words and promises, +where there is neither seeing, hearing, nor feeling. + + +That Children are God's special Blessings and Creatures. + +Dr. Jonas, inviting Luther to a dinner, had caused a bough, with +ripe cherries, to be hung up over the table where they dined, in +remembrance of the creation, thereby to put his guests in mind to +praise the glorious God in his blessing and creating such fruits, +etc. But Luther asked him why he did not rather remember the same +by his children that were the fruit of his body. For, said he, they +surpass and are far more excelling creatures of God than all the +fruits of trees. By them we see God's Power, Wisdom, and Art, who +hath made them all out of nothing, hath given them in one year life +and all members, so exquisitely hath created and will maintain and +preserve them. Yet, notwithstanding, we do not much regard it; nay, +we are in such gifts of God blind and covetous, as commonly it +falleth out that people when they have got children grow worse and +more covetous; they rake and rend all they can, to the end enough +may be left for their children. They do not know that before a +child comes to the world, and is born, it hath its lot; and already +is ordained and determined what and how much it shall have, and what +shall be thereout. In the state of matrimony we learn and find that +begetting and bearing of children stands and consists not in our +wills and pleasures, for the parents can neither see nor know +whether they be fruitful or no, nor whether God will give them a son +or a daughter. All this is done without our ordaining, thinking, or +foreknowledge. My father and mother did not think that they should +have brought a superintendent into the world; it is only God's +Creation which we cannot rightly understand nor conceive. I +believe, said Luther, that in the life to come we shall have nothing +else to do than to meditate of our Creator, and of his celestial +creatures, and wonder at the same. + + + +OF THE NATURE OF THE WORLD. + + + +Of the World, and of the Manner thereof. + +The world, said Luther, will neither have nor hold God for God, nor +the devil for the devil. And if a man were left to himself, and +should be suffered to do after his own kind and nature, then would +he willingly throw our Lord God out at the window; for the world +regards God nothing at all, as the Psalm saith, Dixit impius in +corde suo, non est Deus. On the contrary, the god of the world is +riches, pleasure, and pride, wherewith they abuse all the creatures +and gifts of God. + +The Monks and Friars, in times past, boasted much of their +contemning of the world, and they made use of that speech of St. +Paul (Rom. xii.), "Be not conformed to this world;" from whence they +would touch no money, as if it were against God to make use of +riches, money, and wealth; whereas St. Paul and the whole Scriptures +forbid but only the abuse of heart, wicked lust, desire, and +inclination; as there is ambition, incontinency, revenge, etc., +which lusts do hang on the world; yea, they altogether flow and +flourish. + + +Of the Manner of People in Eating. + +We have the nature and manner of all wild beasts in eating. The +wolves eat sheep; we also. The foxes eat hens, geese, etc.; we +also. The hawks and kites eat fowl and birds; we also. Pikes do +eat other fish; we also. With oxen, horse, and kine, we also eat +sallets, grass, etc. + + +The Unthankfulness of Husbandmen and Farmers. + +The husbandmen and rich farmers, said Luther, are not worthy of so +many benefits and fruits which the earth doth bear and bring unto +them. I give more thanks to our Lord God for one tree or bush than +all rich farmers and husbandmen do for their large and fruitful +grounds. Yet, said he, we must except some husbandmen, as Adam, +Noah, Abraham, and Isaac, who went out to see their grounds, to the +end they might remember God's gifts in his creatures. (Gen. xxiv.) + +The world will have night owls, said Luther, that is, sectaries, +seducers, and unbelievers, about whom the birds do fly; that is, the +world wonders at them, entertains them with great honour, and gives +them money and wealth enough. + + +The Gospel discovereth the Wickedness of Mankind. + +As the cold, said Luther, is always greater and more piercing in +winter when the days begin to lengthen, and when the sun draws near +unto us, for that maketh the cold thicker, and presseth it together: +just so the wickedness of mankind is greater, that is, more visible, +and breaks out when the Gospel is preached; for the Holy Ghost +reproveth the world of sin, which the world neither can nor will +endure. + + +The World's Unthankfulness towards the Servants of God. + +He must be of a high and great spirit that undertaketh to serve the +people both in body and soul, and nevertheless must suffer the +utmost danger and highest unthankfulness. Therefore Christ said to +Peter, Simon, etc., "Lovest thou me?" and repeated it three times +together. Afterwards he said, "Feed my sheep," as if he would say, +"Wilt thou be an upright Minister and a Shepherd? then love must +only do it; thy love to me must do the deed, otherwise it is +impossible." For who can endure unthankfulness? to study away his +wealth and health, and afterwards to lay himself open to the highest +danger and unthankfulness of the wicked world? Therefore he saith, +"It is very needful that thou lovest me." + +The Pope and Turk, said Luther, have thoroughly revenged our cause, +and have done to the world a great deal of right, as by scourging +experience they have thoroughly been taught, for so the world will +have it. Upright and true servants of God they will not endure, +nay, they murder them, therefore they must have such fellows, yea, +and moreover, they must maintain and hold them in great honour and +esteem, and yet nevertheless must by them be cursed and deceived. + + +The World must have stern and fierce Rulers. + +The world, said Luther, cannot be without such stern Governors, by +whom they must be ruled. King Ferdinand, with his Popish tyranny, +is even a fine liquorish bit for the world; therefore said God, +through the Prophet Samuel, to his people of Israel that prayed for +a King, He would give them a King, but this shall be his rule: "He +will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, +and to be his horsemen, and will take your daughters to be cooks," +etc. As Ferdinand, the Prince Elector of Saxony, returned home from +the election of the Emperor Charles at Cologne, he asked me how I +liked the news, that they had elected Charles, King of Spain, to be +Roman Emperor. I answered him and said, "The ravens must have a +kite." + + +The World's highest Wisdom. + +The highest wisdom of the world is, said Luther, to trouble +themselves with temporal, earthly, and vanishing things; and as it +happeneth and falleth out with those things, they say, "Non putaram" +(I had not thought it). For faith is a certain and a sure +expectation of that which a man hopeth for, and maketh no doubt of +that which he seeth not, as the Epistle to the Hebrews saith: Faith +looks to that which is to come, and not to that which is already +present. Therefore a true Christian doth not say, "Non putaram" (I +had not thought it); but he is most certain that the beloved Cross +is near at hand, and will surely come upon him; therefore he is not +afraid when it goeth evil with him, and he is tormented. But the +world, and those that live securely in the world, cannot brook +misfortunes; they go on continually leaping and dancing in pleasure +and delight, like the rich Glutton in the Gospel. He could not +spare the scraps to poor Lazarus, but Lazarus belonged to Christ, +and he took his part. + + +The Language and Doings of the World. + +Albertus, Bishop of Mentz, had a physician attending on his person +who was a Protestant, and therefore the less in the Bishop's favour; +the same, being covetous and puffed up with ambition, recanted his +religion and fell to Popery, uttering these words: "I will, for +awhile, set Christ behind the door, until I be grown rich, and then +I will take him to me again." Such and the like blasphemous words +do deserve the highest punishments, as befell that wicked +dissembling wretch, for the same night he was found in his bed in a +most fearful manner, with his tongue torn out of his mouth, as black +as a coal, and his neck wrung in twain. Myself, said Luther, at +that time coming from Frankfort to Mentz, was an eye-witness of that +just judgment of God. If, said he, a man could bring to pass, and +at his pleasure could set God behind the door, and take him again +when he listed, then was God his prisoner. They were words of a +damned Epicure, and so accordingly he was rewarded. + + +Luther's Comparison of the World. + +The world seems to me like unto a decayed house. David and the +Prophets are the spars; Christ is the main pillar in the midst that +supporteth all. + + +The World seeketh Immortality with their Pride. + +Whereas all people do feel and acknowledge, yea, do see, that they +must die and vanish away, every one therefore seeketh here on earth +immortality, that he may be had in everlasting remembrance. +Sometimes great Princes and Kings sought it by causing great columns +of marble stone and exceedingly high pyramids, buildings, and +pillars four square to be erected, as at this time they do with +building great churches, costly and glorious palaces and castles, +etc. Soldiers do look and hunt after great praise and honour by +overcoming and obtaining famous victories. The learned seek an +everlasting name in writing books, as in our time is to be seen. +With these and such-like, people do think to be immortal. But on +the true, everlasting, and incorruptible honour and eternity of God, +no man thinketh nor looketh after the same. Ah! we are poor, silly, +and miserable people! + + +What is to be considered in the executing of Offices. + +If, said Luther, the great pains and labour which I take sprang not +from love and for the sake of him that died for me, the world could +not give me money enough to write only one book, or to translate the +Bible. I desire not to be rewarded and paid of the world for my +book; the world is too poor and simple to give me satisfaction. I +have not desired the value of one penny of my master the Prince +Elector of Saxony, so long as I have been in this place. The whole +world is nothing else but a turned-about Decalogus, or the Ten +Commandments backwards, a wizard, and a picture of the devil. All +contemners of God, all blasphemers, all disobedient; whoredom, +pride, theft, murder, etc., are now almost ripe for the slaughter; +neither is the devil idle, with Turk and Pope, heresies and other +erroneous sects. Every man draws the Christian liberty only to +carnal excess, as if now they had free liberty and power to do what +they list; therefore the kingdom of the devil and Pope is the best +government for the world, for therewith they will be governed with +strict laws and rights, with superstition, unbelief, etc. + +The world grows worse through the doctrine of God's Grace and +preaching of the Gospel; for when they hear that after this life +there is another, they are well enough content with this life, and +that God should keep the other to himself; if they may have here but +only good days, honour, and wealth, that is all they care for or +desire. + +At the time of my being in Rome, said Luther, there died a Cardinal +very rich, and left behind him great store of money; shortly before +his death he made his will, and laid it in a chest where the money +was. After his death the chest was opened, and therein, by the +money, was found lying a bull, written on parchment, with these +words: + + Dum potui, rapui; rapiatis, quando potestis. +(I extorted and oppressed as long as I was able; while ye have +power, get what you can.) + +Oh! said Luther, how finely, think you, must this Cardinal have +departed and died? + + +The World is full of Dissemblers and Blasphemers: How many Sorts +there be. + +Luther discoursing, in the presence of the Prince Elector of Saxony +and other Princes, of the many sorts and differences of wicked +persons, said: Colax, Sycophanta, Cacoethes; these sins and +blasphemies are almost alike the one to the other, only that they go +one after another, as a man going up the stairs and steps ascends +from one to another. + +Colax, in my opinion, is he that in Terence they name Gnatho, an +ear-scratcher, a dissembler, a trencher-licker, one that talketh for +his belly's sake, and is altogether a man-pleaser. This is a sin of +mankind, whose intent is to get all they can though others are hurt +thereby. + +Sycophanta is such a dissembler, traitor, and backbiter that would +earn a grey coat. This sin is nearer allied to the devil than to +mankind. Gnatho acts his part in the comedies, but Sycophanta in +the tragedies. Phormio, in Terence, is a very honest person, +nothing, or very little, stained with the other two vices. + +Cacoethes is a wicked villain, that wittingly and wilfully prepareth +mischief. + + +Of the Wealth and Treasure of the World. + +The Fuggars {2} of Augsburg, on a sudden, said Luther, are able to +levy one hundred tons of gold (one ton of gold is one hundred +thousand rix dollars, making, in English money, two-and-twenty +thousand pounds sterling, and more), which neither the Emperor nor +King of Spain is able to perform. One of the Fuggars, after his +death, left eighty tons of gold. The Fuggars and the money-changers +in Augsburg lent the Emperor at one time eight-and-twenty tons of +gold for the maintaining of his wars before Padua. + +The Cardinal of Brixen, who died at Rome very rich, left no great +sum of ready money behind him, but only there was found in his +sleeve a little note of a finger's length. This note was brought to +Pope Julius, who presently imagined it was a note of money, and +therefore sent for the Fuggars' factor that was then at Rome, and +asked him if he knew that writing. The factor said, "Yea, it was +the debt which the Fuggars did owe to that Cardinal, which was the +sum of forty hundred thousand rix dollars." The Pope asked him how +soon he could pay that sum of money. He answered and said, "Every +day, or, if need required, at an hour's warning." Then the Pope +called for the Ambassadors of France and England, and asked them if +either of their Kings, in one hour's space, were able to satisfy and +pay forty tons of gold. They answered, "No." "Then," said the +Pope, "one citizen of Augsburg can do it." And the Pope got all +that money. One of the Fuggars being warned by the Senate of +Augsburg to bring in and to pay his taxation, said, "I know not how +much I have, nor how rich I am, therefore I cannot be taxed;" for he +had his money out in the whole world-in Turkey, in Greece, at +Alexandria, in France, Portugal, England, Poland, and everywhere, +yet he was willing to pay his tax of that which he had in Augsburg. + + +Covetousness is a Sign of Death; we must not rely on Money and +Wealth. + +Whoso hath money, said Luther, and depends thereon, as is usual, it +neither proceeds nor prospers well with that person. The richest +monarchs have had bad fortune, and lamentably have been destroyed +and slain in the wars; on the contrary, poor and unable people, that +have had but small store of money, have overcome and had great +fortune and victory. As Emperor Maximilian overcame the Venetians, +and continued wars ten years with them, who were exceedingly rich +and powerful. Therefore we ought not to trust in money and wealth, +nor to depend thereon. I hear, said Luther, that the Prince +Elector, George, begins to be covetous, which is a sign of his death +very shortly. When I saw Dr. Goad begin to count his puddings +hanging in the chimney, I told him he would not live long, which +fell out accordingly; and when I begin to trouble myself about +brewing, malting, and cooking, etc., then shall not I drive it long, +but soon die. + + +The Popes' Covetousness. + +The covetousness of the Popes has exceeded all others', therefore, +said Luther, the devil made choice of Rome to be his habitation; for +which cause the ancients have said, "Rome is a den of covetousness, +a root of all wickedness." I have also read in a very old book this +verse following: + + Versus Amor, Mundi Caput est, et Bestia Terrae. + +That is (when the word Amor is turned and read backward, then it is +Roma), Rome, the head of the world, a beast that sucketh out and +devoureth all lands. Truly at Rome is an abominable trading with +covetousness, for all is raked to their hands without preaching or +church-service, but only with superstition, idolatry, and with +selling their good works to the poor ignorant lay-people for money; +therefore St. Peter describeth such covetousness with express and +clear words when he saith, "They have an heart exercised with +covetous practices." I am persuaded a man cannot acknowledge the +disease of covetousness unless he knoweth Rome; for the deceits and +jugglings in other parts are nothing in comparison of those at Rome; +therefore, anno 1521, at the Imperial Diet held at Worms, the State +of the whole Empire made supplication against such covetousness, and +desired that his Imperial Majesty would be pleased to suppress the +same. + +At that time, said Luther, my book was presented to the German +nobility, which Dr. Wick showed unto me. Then the Gospel began to +go on well, but the Pope's power, together with the Antinomians, +gave it a great blow, and yet, notwithstanding, through God's +Providence, it was thereby furthered. + +The Pope's power was above all Kings and Emperors, which power I +opposed with my little book; and therewith also I assaulted the Bull +on the Pope, and, by God's assistance, overthrew it. I did not +write that book on purpose against the Pope, but only against the +abuses of Popedom; yet nevertheless it startled them quickly, for +their consciences accused them. + + +Princes do draw and tear Spiritual Livings unto them. + +The proverb is, said Luther, "Priests' livings are catching +livings," and that "Priests' goods never prosper." This we know to +be true by experience, for such as have drawn spiritual livings unto +them are grown poor thereby, and become beggars, therefore this +Fable I like very well: + +There was an Eagle that made amity and friendship with the Fox; they +agreed to dwell peaceably together. Now when the Fox expected from +the Eagle all manner of good offices and turns, he brought his young +ones and laid them under the tree on which the Eagle had his nest +and young ones; but the friendship between them lasted not long, for +so soon as the Eagle wanted meat for his young (the Fox being out of +the way), he flew down and took the young Foxes and carried them +into his nest, and therewith fed his young Eagles. When, therefore, +the old Fox returned, and saw that his young were taken away, he +made his complaint to the great god Jupiter, desiring that he would +revenge and punish that injury of Jus violati hospitii. Not long +after, as the Eagle again wanted meat to feed his young, he saw that +on a place in the field they sacrificed to Jupiter. The Eagle flew +thither, and quickly snatched away a piece of roast from the altar +and brought the same to his young, and flew again to fetch more; but +it happened that a hot coal hung to one of the pieces; the same, +falling into the Eagle's nest, set it on fire; the young Eagles, not +able to fly, were burned with the nest and fell to the ground. Even +so it usually fareth with those that rake and rend spiritual livings +unto them, which are given to the maintaining of God's honour and +service; such at last must lose their nests, that is, they must be +left destitute of their temporal goods and livings, and besides, +must sustain hurt of body and soul. Spiritual livings have in them +the nature of Eagle's feathers, for when they are laid to other +feathers they devour the same. Even so, when men will mingle +spiritual livings (per fas aut nefas) with other goods, so must the +same likewise be consumed, insomuch that at last nothing will be +left. + +I have seen a pretty dog, at Lintz, in Austria that was taught to go +with a hand-basket to the butcher's shambles for meat; now, when +other dogs came about him, and would take the meat out of the +basket, he set it down, bit and fought lustily with the other dogs; +but when he saw they would be too strong for him, then he himself +would snatch out the first piece of meat, lest he should lose all. +Even so doth now our Emperor Charles, who, after he hath a long time +defended the spiritual livings, and seeth that every Prince taketh +and raketh the monasteries unto himself, doth also now take +possession of bishoprics, as newly he hath snatched to himself the +bishoprics of Utrich and Luttich, to the end he may get also partem +de tunica Christi. + + +A fearful Example of Covetousness. + +A covetous farmer, well known at Erfurt, said Luther, carried his +corn to sell there in the market; but holding it at too dear a rate, +no man would buy of him nor give him his price; he being thereby +moved to anger, said, "I will not sell it cheaper, but will rather +carry it home again and give it to the mice." As he came home +therewith, an innumerable number of mice and rats flocked about his +house and devoured up all his corn. And the next day following, +going out to see his grounds, which were newly sown, he found that +all the seed was eaten up, and no hurt at all done upon the grounds +belonging to his neighbours. This certainly, said Luther, was a +just punishment from God, and a token of his wrath against the +unthankful world. + + +Wealth is the least Gift of God. + +Riches, said Luther, is the smallest thing on earth, and the least +gift that God hath bestowed on mankind. What is it in comparison of +God's Word? yea, what is it to be compared with corporeal gifts, as +beauty, health, etc.? nay, what is it to the gifts of the mind, as +understanding, art, wisdom, etc.? Yet are men so eager after it +that no labour, travel, nor danger is regarded in the getting of +riches; there is in it neither Materialis, formalis, efficiens et +finalis causa, nor anything else that is good; therefore our Lord +God commonly giveth riches to such from whom he withholds all +Spiritual good. + + +Giving to the Poor that truly stand in need of our Help. + +St. John saith, "He that hath this world's goods, and seeth his +brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from +him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" And Christ saith, "He +that desireth of thee, give to him;" that is, to him that hath need +and is in want. He saith not to every idle, lazy, and wasteful +companion, which commonly are the greatest beggars, to whom although +one gave much and often, yet were they nothing helped thereby. In +this town, said Luther, no men are in greater want than the students +and scholars. The poverty here indeed is great, but idleness and +laziness are far greater. A man can scarcely get a poor body to +work for money, and yet they will all beg. There is, said he, no +good government. Though I were able, yet I would not give to those +idle beggars, for the more one helpeth and giveth them, the more and +oftener they come. I will not cut my bread away from my wife and +children, and give it to such; but when one is truly poor, to him I +will give with all my heart, according to my ability. And no man +should forget that Scripture which saith, "He that hath two coats, +let him part with one," etc.; for the Holy Scripture, in naming a +coat, meaneth all manner of apparel that one hath need of, according +to his state and calling, as well for credit as for necessity. As, +also, by "the daily bread" is understood all maintenance necessary +for the body, therefore "a coat," in Scripture, is signified to be +all usual apparel. + + +The World will always have new Things. + +Before I translated the New Testament out of the Greek, said Luther, +every one longed after it, to read therein, but when it was done +their longing lasted scarce four weeks. Then they desired the Books +of Moses; when I had translated those, they had enough thereof in a +short time. After that they would have the Psalter; of the same +they were soon weary; when it was translated, then they desired +other books. + +In like manner, said he, will it be with the Book of Ecclesiasticus, +which they now long for, and about which I have taken great pains in +the translating thereof. All are acceptable, so long and until our +giddy brains be satisfied; afterwards they let them lie, and seek +after new things; therefore in the end there must come errors among +us. + + + +OF THE LORD CHRIST. + + + +That Christ warreth with great Potentates. + +On the 18th of August, 1535, Luther, receiving letters from +Frankfort relating to the great preparations of the Emperor against +the Protestants, said: Our Saviour Christ will not wage wars with +beggars, but with great and powerful Kings and Princes, as it is +written, "Kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel +together against the Lord, and against his anointed." Well, on, +said Luther, they will find their counsels altogether vain and +frivolous, for Christ shall win the field. We see also how the +Prophets contended and strove with Kings, as the Kings of Babel and +Assyria, etc. In like manner Daniel, one of the chief Prophets, +wrestled and strove with Kings, and they again resisted the +Prophets. All those Kings are gone, and lie in the ashes, but +Christ remaineth, still, and will remain a King for ever. + + +That it doth not follow because Christ did this and that, therefore +we must also do the same. + +At this time, said Luther, there are those that allege Christ by +force drove the buyers and sellers out of the temple; therefore we +also may use the like power against the Popish bishops and enemies +of God's Word, as Muntzer and other seducers, in the time of the +common rebellion, anno 1525. Christ did many things which we +neither may nor can do after him. He went upon the water, he fasted +forty days and forty nights, he raised Lazarus from death after he +had lain four days in the grave, etc. Such and the like must we +leave undone. Much less will Christ have that we by force should +set against the enemies of the truth, but he commanded the contrary, +"Love your enemies, pray for them that vex and persecute you," etc. +But we ought to follow him in such works where he hath annexed an +open command, as, "Be merciful, as your Father is merciful;" +likewise, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and +humble in heart," etc., also, "He that will follow me, let him deny +himself, take up his cross and follow me." + + +That the weak in Faith do also belong to the Kingdom of Christ. + +The weak in faith, said Luther, do also belong to the kingdom of +Christ, otherwise the Lord would not have said to Peter, "Strengthen +thy brethren," Luke xxii.; and Rom. xiv., "Receive the weak in +faith;" also 1 Thess. v., "Comfort the feeble-minded, support the +weak." If the weak in faith should not belong to Christ, where then +would the Apostles have been, whom the Lord oftentimes (also after +his resurrection, Mark xvi.) reproved because of their unbelief? + + +That Christ is the only Physician against Death, whom +notwithstanding very few do desire. + +A cup of water, said Luther, if a man can have no better, is good to +quench the thirst. A morsel of bread stilleth the hunger, and he +that hath need seeketh earnestly thereafter. So Christ is the best, +surest, and only physic against the most fearful enemy of mankind, +the devil, but they believe it not with their hearts. If they knew +a physician who lived above one hundred miles off, that could +prevent or drive away temporal death, oh, how diligently would he be +sent for! No money nor cost would be spared. Hence it appears how +abominably human nature is spoiled and blinded; yet, +notwithstanding, the small and little heap do stick fast to the true +Physician, and by this art do learn that which the holy old Simeon +well knew, from whence he joyfully sang, "Lord, now lettest thou thy +servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation," +etc., therefore death became his sleep; but from whence came his +great joy? Because that with spiritual and corporeal eyes he saw +the Saviour of the world-he saw the true Physician against sin and +death. Therefore it is a great trouble to behold how desirous a +thirsty body is of drink, or one that is hungry of food, whereas a +cup of water, a morsel of bread, can still hunger and thirst no +longer than two or three hours, but no man, or very few, are +desirous, or do long after the most precious Physician, although he +lovingly calleth and allureth all to come unto him, and saith, "He +that is athirst, let him come to me and drink" (John vii.); so, "He +that believeth in me, from his body shall flow streams of living +water." + + +Of the Temple of all the Gods (except Christ), at Rome, called +Pantheon. + +In the year 606, Emperor Phocas, the murderer of that good and godly +Emperor Mauritius, and the first erector of the Pope's primacy, gave +this temple Pantheon to Pope Boniface the Third, to make thereof +what he pleased. He gave it another name, and instead of All-Idols +he named it the Church of All-Saints; he did not number Christ among +them, from whom all saints have their sanctity, but erected a new +idolatry, the Invocation of Saints. + +In my chronicle, said Luther, I expound the name of Bonifacius thus: +Bonifacius is a Popish name, that is, a good form, fashion, or show, +for under the colour of a good form and show he acted all manner of +mischief against God and man. + +As I was at Rome, said Luther, I saw this church; it had no windows, +but only a round hole on the top, which gave some light. It was +vaulted high, and had pillars of marble stone so thick that two of +us could scarcely fathom one about. Above, on the vault, were +portrayed all the gods of the heathen, Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, +Venus, and how else they are called. These gods were at a union, to +the end they might fool and deceive the whole world; but Christ they +cannot endure, for he hath whipped them out. Now are the Popes +come, and have driven Christ away again; but who knoweth how long it +will continue? + + +That the World knoweth not Christ, nor those that are his. + +Even as Christ is now invisible and unknown to the world, so are we +Christians also invisible and unknown therein. "Your life," saith +St. Paul (Coloss. iii.), "is hid with Christ in God." Therefore, +said Luther, the world knoweth us not, much less do they see Christ +in us. And John the Apostle saith, "Behold, what love the Father +hath showed unto us, that we shall be called God's children" (1 John +iii). Therefore we and the world are easily parted; they care +nothing for us, so we care less for them; yea, through Christ the +world is crucified unto us, and we to the world. Let them go with +their wealth, and leave us to our minds and manners. + +When we have our sweet and loving Saviour Christ, then we are rich +and happy more than enough, we care nothing for their state, honour, +and wealth. But we often lose our Saviour Christ, and little think +that he is in us, and we in him; that he is ours, and we are his. +And although he hideth himself from us, as we think, in the time of +need for a moment, yet are we comforted in his promise, where he +saith, "I am daily with you to the world's end;" the same is our +best and richest treasure. + + +Of the Name Jesus Christ. + +I know nothing of Jesus Christ, said Luther, but only his name; I +neither have heard nor seen him corporeally; yet notwithstanding I +have, God be praised, learned so much out of the Scriptures that I +am well and thoroughly satisfied; therefore, I desire neither to see +nor to hear him corporeally. And besides this, when I was left and +forsaken of all men, in my highest weakness, in trembling and in +fear of death, when I was persecuted of the wicked world, then I +oftentimes felt most evidently the divine power which this name +(Christ Jesus) communicated unto me; this name (Christ Jesus) +oftentimes delivered me when I was in the midst of death, and made +me alive again. It comforted me in the greatest despair, and +particularly at the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, anno 1530, when I +was forsaken of every man; insomuch that, by God's grace, I will +live and die for that name. + +And rather than I will yield, or through silence endure that Erasmus +Roterodamus, or any other whosoever he be, should too nearly touch +my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus with his ungodly false doctrine, +how fairly coloured soever it be trimmed or garnished, I say I will +rather die; yea, it should be more tolerable for me, with wife and +children, to undergo all plagues and torments, and at last to die +the most shameful death, than that I should give way thereunto. + + +That Christ and the Pope are set on, the one against the other. + +I, said Luther, have set Christ and the Pope together by the ears, +therefore I trouble myself no further; and although I come between +the door and the hinges and be squeezed, it is no matter, though I +go to the ground; yet notwithstanding Christ will go through with +it. + + +Of the Pre-eminence of God's Word. + +Christ once appeared visible here on earth, and showed his glory, +and, according to the divine counsel and purpose of God, he finished +the work of redemption and the deliverance of mankind. I do not +desire that he should come once more, neither would I that he should +send an angel unto me; and although an angel should come and appear +before mine eyes from heaven, yet would I not believe him; for I +have of my Saviour Christ Jesus bond and seal; that is, I have his +Word and Spirit; thereon I do depend, and desire no new revelations. +And, said Luther, the more steadfastly to confirm me in the same +resolution, and to remain by God's Word, and not to give credit to +any visions or revelations, I shall relate the following +circumstance:- I being on Good Friday last in my inner chamber, in +fervent prayer, contemplating with myself how Christ my Saviour hung +on the Cross, how he suffered and died for our sins, there suddenly +appeared upon the wall a bright shining vision, and a glorious form +of our Saviour Christ, with the five wounds, steadfastly looking +upon me, as if it had been Christ himself corporeally. Now, at the +first sight, I thought it had been some good Revelation: yet I +recollected that surely it must needs be the juggling of the devil, +for Christ appeareth unto us in his word, and in a meaner and more +humble form; therefore I spake to the vision in this manner: +"Avoid, thou confounded devil; I know no other Christ than he who +was crucified, and who in his Word is pictured unto me." Whereupon +the image vanished. + + +That Christ is the Health and Wisdom of the Faithful. + +Alas! said Luther, what is our wit and wisdom? for before we +understand anything as we ought, we lie down and die; therefore the +devil hath good striving with us. When one is thirty years old, so +hath he as yet Stultitias carnales; yea, also Stultitias +spirituales; yet it is much to be admired that, in such our +imbecility and weakness, we achieve and accomplish so much and such +great matters; but it is God that giveth it. God gave to Alexander +the Great, Sapientiam et fortunam, Wisdom and good success; yet, +notwithstanding, he calleth him, in the Prophet Jeremiah, Juvenem, a +youth, where he saith, "Quis excitabit juvenem" (A young raw milksop +boy shall perform it: he shall come and turn the city Tyrus upside- +down). But yet Alexander could not leave off his foolishness, for +oftentimes he swilled himself drunk, and in his drunkenness he +stabbed his best and worthiest friends; yea, afterwards he drank +himself to death at Babel. Neither was Solomon above twenty years +old when he was made King, but he was well instructed by Nathan, and +desired wisdom, which was pleasing to God, as the text saith. But +now chests full of money are desired. "Oh!" say we now, "if I had +but money, then I would do so-and-so." + + + +OF SINS AND OF FREE-WILL. + + + +Of the Fall of the Ungodly, and how they are surprised in their +Ungodliness and False Doctrine. + +Our Lord God, said Luther, suffereth the ungodly 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 God'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 +God! I am such-and-such a sinner," etc. + +And although thou hadst not committed this or that sin, yet +nevertheless thou art an ungodly 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 God, because for the space of +fifteen years together I was a Friar, and have blasphemed God with +celebrating that abominable idol the Mass. 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 godly 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 God, but will freely confess +I am not able to effect that good which I do intend, but must expect +the happy hour when God 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 God, are a looking- +glass, and a brief sum of all virtues and doctrines, both how we +ought to behave towards God 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 God, to love +and to trust in him; the contrary is sin and vice, an ungodly life, +contemning of God, hatred, despair, etc. + +The duty of the Third Commandment is to acknowledge and to preach +the doctrine of God's Word; the contrary is blaspheming of God, to +be silent and not to confess the truth when need requireth. + +The duty of the Fourth Commandment is the external service of God, +as the preaching of God'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 God's Word and the outward service of God, as the +Holy Sacraments. + +The duty of the Fifth Commandment is obedience towards parents, +tutors, and magistrates in those things which are not against God; +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 chastity; +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 lustings 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 God. + +As the Faith is, so is also God. + +God stayeth not quite away, though he stayeth long. + +Despair maketh Priests and Friars. + +God careth and provideth for us, but we must labour. + +God will have the heart only and alone. + +Idolatry is the imagination of the heart. + +God giveth by creatures. + +God's Word placeth before our eyes the world, to the end we may see +what a fine spark it is. + +God'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 God's command. + +Matrimony is a blessed state, and pleasing to God. + +To steal is what one taketh unjustly. + +Unfaithfulness is also stealing. + +Thieving is the most common trade in the world. + +Great thieves go scot-free, as the Pope and his crew. + +Falseness and covetousness prosper not. + +Backbiting is meddling with God's judgment. + +Censuring, and to speak evil behind one's back, belongeth only to +the magistrates. + +We must censure and reprove no man behind his back. + +We must judge charitably in everything. + +There are no good works without the Ten Commandments. + +To fear God, and to trust in him, is the fulfilling of all the +Commandments. + +The first Commandment driveth on all the rest. + + +Of the Creed. + +The Creed teacheth to know God, and what a God we have. + +In all cases we must make use of faith. + +God giveth himself unto us with all creatures. + +We must always drive on the article of Jesus Christ. + +The Holy Ghost bringeth Christ home unto us; he must reveal him. + +Where the Holy Ghost preacheth not, there is no Church. + +The works of the Holy Ghost are wrought continually. + + +Of the Lord's Prayer. + +To pray is to call upon God in all need, which is made precious +through God's command, and necessity stirreth up earnest and devout +prayers, which are our weapons against the devil. + +The devil, the world, and our flesh is against God's Will. + +The devil hindereth and destroyeth the daily bread and all the gifts +of God. + +God careth for our bodies daily. + +No man can live in the world without sin. + +No man can bring his own righteousness before God. + +We must forgive, as God forgiveth us. + +To forgive our neighbour, assureth us fully that God hath forgiven +us. + +We are tempted three manner of ways-of the devil, of the world, and +of our flesh. + +Temptations serve against the secureness of our flesh. + +Temptations are not overcome through our own strength. + +The devil would hinder all that we pray for. + +The devil goeth about to bring us into all manner of need. + + +Of Baptism. + +Faith is annexed to Baptism. + +Faith must have before it some external thing. + +Faith maketh the person worthy. + +Baptism is not our work, but God's. + +Baptism is right, although no man believeth. + +No man must build upon his faith. + +Unbelief weakeneth not God's Word. + + +Of the Lord's Supper. + +The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is of God's ordaining. + +The Word maketh a Sacrament. + +Christ in the Sacrament is spiritual food for the soul. + +Remission of sins is obtained only through the Word. + +Faith receiveth the forgiveness of sins. + +The Sacrament consisteth not in our worthiness. + +Faith and human understanding are one against another. + +Faith dependeth on the Word. + +As we hold of Christ, even so we have him. + +Faith is a Christian's treasure. + +The Gospel is the power of God. + + +Good Works. + +Good works are nameless. + +A Christian's work standeth for the good of the neighbour. + +Faith in Christ destroyeth sin. + +The Holy Scriptures only give comfort, they forbid not good works. + +Christ is a general good. + +Christians do pray for and desire the last Day of Judgment. + +The Church heareth none but Christ. + +Christ is of a mean estate and small repute. + +In adversities we should show ourselves like men, and pluck up good +spirits. + +Our whole life should be manly; we should fear God and put our trust +in him. + +Faith maketh us Christ's heritage. + +We should aim at celestial honour, and not regard the contemning of +men. + +Christ spareth us out of mere grace through the Word. + +The Gospel is altogether joyful. + +Grace condemneth all people's own righteousness. + +Salvation is purchased and given unto us without our deserts. + +Regeneration is the work only of the Holy Ghost. + +Human reason cannot comprehend nor understand the goodness and +benefits of God. + +Good works are the seals and proofs of faith; for, even as a letter +must have a seal to strengthen the same, even so faith must have +good works. + +Faith hath regard to the Word, and not to the Preacher. + +The Preacher and the Word are two Persons. + +This natural life is a little piece of the life everlasting. + +Own imaginations and conceits spoil all things. + +The Gospel cometh of God, it showeth Christ, and requireth Faith. + +The Gospel is a light in the world, which lighteneth mankind, and +maketh children of God. + +False Preachers are worse than deflowerers of virgins. + +Righteousness is obtained through faith, and not through works. +Works make faith strong. + +A Preacher is made good through temptations. + +A Prince is venison in heaven. + +A person must be good before his works can be good. + +We must not be dejected, but believe and pray. + +No State or Calling is of any value to make one good before God. + +Faith endureth no human traditions in the conscience. + +The Saints oftentimes erred like men. + +We must distinguish offices from the persons. + +We hate punishment, but we love sin. + +God preserveth the sanctified, yea, even in the midst of errors. + +No great Saint lived without errors. + +A Christian's life consisteth of three points-of faith, love, and +the cross. + +We command a Christian in nothing, he is only admonished. + +We must curb ourselves in our own wills and minds. + +All revenge among Christians is taken away; they must grow up and +increase in the fruits of the spirit, among which love is the +greatest, for she goeth about with the people. + +Human reason comprehendeth not, nor understandeth that Christ is our +brother. + +Christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and +works. + +Christ cometh unto us by preaching, so that he is in the midst of +us. + +Without the Cross we cannot attain to glory. + +The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult. + +The Holy Ghost maketh one not instantly complete, but he must grow +and increase. + +We lose nothing by the Gospel, therefore we should venture thereupon +all we have. + +To believe the Gospel, delivereth from sins. + +Works belong to the neighbour, faith to God. + +Those that censure and judge others, condemn themselves. + +Such as is the Faith, such is also the benefit. + +To doubt is sin and everlasting death. + +We know Christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts, and +breaketh bread unto us. + +God's Word kindleth Faith in the heart. + +Faith is to build certainly on God's mercy. + +Christ requireth no seeming godliness, no hypocrisy nor dissembling, +but the godliness of the heart. + +We are saved merely by grace and mercy, if we trust thereupon, but +God must alter our hearts. + +The Law is nothing but a looking-glass. + +Christ carrieth us upon his back before his Father. + +Love regardeth not unthankfulness. + + + +OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. + + + +That we ought to beware of Sophistry. + +If, said Luther, we diligently mark the world and the course +thereof, we shall find that it is governed merely by weenings or +conceits, Mundus regitur opinionibus. Therefore sophistry, +hypocrisy, and tyranny do rule and have the government in the world. + +The upright, pure, and clear Divine Word must be their handmaid, and +be by them controlled; this the world will have. Therefore let us +beware of sophistry, which consisteth not only in a double tongue, +in doubtful and screwed words, which may be construed any way, but +also it blossometh, and flourisheth in all arts and vocations; it +will likewise have room and place in religion; it hath usurped and +got a fine painted colour, under the name of holy writ. + +Nothing is more pernicious or hurtful than Sophistry; every one +knoweth it not; moreover, we are by nature prone and willing to +believe lies rather than the truth. Few people do know what an evil +sophistry is. Plato, the Heathen writer, made thereof a wonderful +definition. For my part, said Luther, I compare it with a lie, +which is like to a snowball, the longer it is rolled the greater it +becomes. + +Therefore I do not approve of such persons as do pervert everything, +do under-value and find fault with other men's opinions, although +they be good and sound; I like not such brains which can dispute on +both sides, and yet conclude nothing certain. Such sophistications, +said Luther, are nothing but crafty and subtle inventions and +contrivances to cozen and deceive people. + +But I like and love an honest and a well-affected mind, that seeketh +after truth simply and plainly, not to go about with phantasies and +cheating tricks. + + +Whether we should preach only of God's Grace and Mercy, or not. + +Philip Melancthon demanded of Luther whether the opinion of Calixtus +were to be approved of, namely, that the Gospel of God's Grace ought +to be continually preached. For thereby, doubtless, said +Melancthon, people would grow worse and worse. Luther answered him +and said: We must preach Gratiam, notwithstanding, because Christ +hath commanded it. And although we long and often preach of grace, +yet when people are at the point of death they know but little +thereof. Nevertheless we must also drive on with the Ten +Commandments in due time and place. + +The ungodly, said Luther, out of the Gospel do suck only a carnal +freedom, and become worse thereby; therefore not the Gospel, but the +Law belongeth to them. Even as when my little son John offendeth: +if then I should not whip him, but call him to the table unto me, +and give him sugar and plums, thereby, indeed, I should make him +worse, yea, should quite spoil him. + +The Gospel is like a fresh, mild, and cool air in the extreme heat +of summer, that is, a solace and comfort in the anguish of the +conscience. But as this heat proceedeth from the rays of the sun, +so likewise the terrifying of the conscience must proceed from the +preaching of the Law, to the end we may know that we have offended +against the Laws of God. + +Now, said Luther, when the mind is refreshed and quickened again by +the cool air of the Gospel, then we must not be idle, lie down and +sleep; that is, when our consciences are settled in peace, quieted +and comforted through God's spirit, then we must show also and prove +our faith by such good works which God hath commanded. But so long +as we live in this vale of misery, we shall be plagued and vexed +with flies, with beetles, and with vermin, etc., that is, with the +devil, with the world, and with our own flesh; yet we must press +through, and not suffer ourselves to recoil. + + +Against the Opposers of the Law. + +I do much condemn, said Luther, the Antinomians, who, void of all +shame, reject the doctrine of the Law, whereas the same is both +necessary and profitable. But they see not the effect, the need, +and the fruit thereof. St. Austin did picture the strength, the +office and operation of the Law, by a very fit similitude, namely, +that it discovereth our sins, and God's wrath against sin, and +placeth them in our sight; for the Law is not in fault, but our evil +and wicked nature, even as a heap of lime is still and quiet until +water be poured thereon, but then it beginneth to smoke and to burn, +not that it is the fault of the water, but it is the nature and kind +of the lime, which will not endure water; but if oil be poured upon +it, then it lieth still and burneth not. Even so it is with the Law +and Gospel. It is an exceedingly fair similitude. + + +Of the Children's Faith. + +The little children, said Luther, do stand on the best terms with +God Almighty concerning their lives and faith. We old doting fools +do torment ourselves and have sorrow of heart with our disputings, +touching the Word, whether it be true or not: "How can it be +possible?" etc. But the children with simple pure faith do hold the +same to be certain and true, without all doubting. + +Now, if we intend to be saved, we must, according to their example, +give ourselves only to the Word. But the wicked and crafty spirit, +before we be aware, can, master-like, draw the same away from us, by +presenting new dealings and business to keep us in action. +Therefore best it were for us soon to die, and to be covered over +with shovels. + +The loving children do live innocently, they know of no sins, they +are without malice, wrath, covetousness, and unbelief, etc. +Therefore they are merry and possess a good conscience; they fear no +danger, whether wars, pestilence, or death. + +They will take an apple rather than a crown; what they hear +concerning Christ, of the life to come, etc., the same do they +believe simply and plainly, and prattle joyfully thereof. From +whence Christ speaketh unto us old ones earnestly to follow their +examples, where he saith, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom +of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." For the +children believe aright, and Christ loveth them with their childish +sports. On the contrary, he is an enemy to the wisdom of the world +(Matt. xi.). + + +Of an Example of Faith in the Time of Dearth. + +At Eisleben, said Luther, I was well acquainted with a godly matron, +who, in the time of the last dearth, with two children, had suffered +extreme want and need. Now, when she had spent all her provision, +and had nothing more to live upon, she trimmed herself with her +children, and went towards a well or fountain to drink. In her +going she prayed that God would be pleased to preserve and keep her +in that fierce time of dearth. Upon the way a man met her, +questioned and disputed with her whether she thought to get +something to eat at the fountain. She said, "Yea, why not? for all +things are possible to God and easy to be done; he that fed the +great multitude of the people of Israel forty years with manna in +the wilderness, he can also preserve me and mine with drinking of +water." Now, as she remained steadfast in that mind, the man said +unto her, "Behold! seeing thou art so confident in faith, go home, +and thou shalt find three bushels of meal," etc. And according to +the man's word, so she found it. + + +That Faith is the only Rule in Divinity. + +There is but one only rule and article in divinity. He that knoweth +not well the same is no divine: namely, upright faith and +confidence in Christ. Out of this article all the others do flow +and issue forth, and without this article the others are nothing. +The devil, said Luther, hath opposed this article from the beginning +of the world, and would long since willingly have rooted it out, and +instead thereof have laughed in his fist. Sorrowful, broken, +tormented, and vexed hearts, said Luther, do well relish this +article, and they only understand the same. + + +Of the Consequences of Faith. + +Believest thou? then thou wilt speak boldly. Speakest thou boldly? +then thou must suffer. Sufferest thou? then thou shalt be +comforted. For, said Luther, faith, the confession thereof, and the +cross do follow one after another. + + +That the Enemies of the Gospel must bear Witness to the Doctrine of +Faith, that thereby we only are justified before God. + +John Frederick, Prince Elector of Saxony, told me himself, said +Luther, that as Prince John, the eldest son of Prince George, was +near the time of his death, he desired to receive the communion +under both kinds. But when his father was informed thereof, he +caused an Austin Friar to be called to his son, to give him good +instructions for his soul's health, and to advise him to receive the +Sacrament sub una specie, or under one kind, and that he should tell +his son he was the same Friar who was privately acquainted with +Martin Luther, and was very conversant with him; and, the better to +make the Prince believe him, the Friar said that Luther himself +lately had advised certain persons to receive the communion under +one kind. Now, when this good and godly Prince was thus pitifully +induced to give credit to the Friar's false information, he then +received the communion under one kind. + +But when the Prince, his father, saw that his son drew near to his +last gasp, and must needs die, then he comforted his son with the +article of justification by faith in Christ, and put him in mind to +have regard only to the Saviour of the world, and utterly to forget +all his own works and deserts, and also that he should banish out of +his heart the invocating of the saints. + +Now, when the son in his conscience felt great solace and comfort by +these his father's admonitions, he asked his father why he did not +cause the same comfortable doctrine to be preached openly through +all his countries. His father answered and said, "Loving child, we +must say thus only to those that are dying, and not to the sound and +healthful." + +Whereupon, said Luther, I told the Prince Elector that his Highness +might perfectly discern how wilfully our adversaries do oppose the +known truth. Albert, Bishop of Mentz, and Prince George do know and +confess that our doctrine is according to God's Word, and yet, +because it proceedeth not from the Pope, they refuse it; but their +own consciences do strike them down to the ground, therefore, said +Luther, I fear them not. + + +Of the Love towards the Neighbour. + +The love towards the neighbour, said Luther, must be like a pure and +chaste love between bride and bridegroom, where all faults are +connived at, covered, and borne with, and only their virtues +regarded. + +Respecting ceremonies and ordinances, the kingdom of love must have +the precedency and govern, and not tyranny. It must be a willing +love, and not a halter love; it must altogether be directed and +construed for the good and profit of the neighbour; and the greater +he be that doth govern, the more, said Luther, he ought to serve +according to love. + + +Of that Sentence, "Give, and it shall be given unto you." + +This is a true speech which maketh people poor and rich; it is that +which maintaineth my house. I ought not to boast, said Luther, but +I well know what I give in the year. If my gracious lord and +master, the Prince Elector, should give a gentleman two thousand +guilders, yet he should hardly maintain my housekeeping one year, +and I have but three hundred guilders pension per annum; yet God +giveth sufficient and blesseth it. + +There is in Austria a monastery which in former time was very rich, +and remained rich so long as it willingly gave to the poor; but when +it ceased in giving, then it became poor, and is so to this day. It +fell out that, not long since, a poor man came thither and desired +alms, which was denied. The poor man demanded the cause why they +refused to give for God's sake. The porter belonging to the +monastery answered and said, "We are become poor;" whereupon the +poor man said, "The cause of your poverty is this: ye have had in +this monastery two brethren; the one ye have thrust out, and the +other is gone secretly away of himself. For after the one brother, +'Give' (Date), was put out and cashiered, so hath the other brother, +'So shall be given' (Dabitur), also lost himself." + +And indeed the world is bound to help the neighbour three manner of +ways-with giving, lending, and selling. But no man giveth, but +robbeth, scrapeth, and draweth all to himself; would willingly take +and steal, but give nothing; neither will any man lend but upon +usury. No man selleth but he over-reacheth his neigbbour, therefore +Dabitur is gone, and our Lord God will bless no more so richly. +Beloved, said Luther, he that intendeth to have anything, the same +must also give; a liberal hand was never in want nor empty. + + +That giving must be done with a free Heart, without expecting a +Requital. + +In an evening, Luther, walking abroad to take the air, gave alms to +the poor. Doctor Jonas, being with him, gave also something, and +said, "Who knoweth whether God will give it me again or no?" +Whereat Luther, smiling, answered him and said, "You speak as if God +had not given you this which you have now given to the poor. We +must give freely and willingly." + + +Of the expounding of the Prophet Isaiah's Speech: "In Quietness and +in Confidence shall be your Strength." + +This sentence was expounded by Luther in this way: If thou +intendest to vanquish the greatest, the most abominable and +wickedest enemy, who is able to do thee mischief both in body and +soul, and against whom thou preparest all sorts of weapons, but +canst not overcome, then know that there is a sweet and loving +physical herb which serveth for the same, and that herb is named +Patientia. + +But thou wilt say, "How may I attain to this physic?" Answer-Take +unto thee faith, who saith; "No creature can do me mischief without +the will of God." Now, in case thou receivest hurt and mischief by +thine enemy, the same is done by the sweet and gracious will of God, +in such sort that the enemy hurteth himself a thousand times more. +From hence floweth unto me, a Christian, the love which saith, "I +will, instead of the evil which mine enemy doth unto me, do him all +the good I can; I will heap coals of fire upon his head." This, +said Luther, is the Christian armour and weapon, wherewith to beat +and overcome those enemies that seem to be like huge mountains. In +a word, love teacheth to suffer and endure all things. + + +Of Comfort against Envy. + +A certain honest and God-fearing man at Wittemberg lately told me, +said Luther, he lived peaceably with every one, hurt no man, but was +still and quiet; yet notwithstanding, said he, many people were +enemies unto him. I comforted him in this manner, and said: Arm +yourself with patience, and give them no cause of envy. I pray, +what cause do we give the devil? What aileth him to be so great an +enemy unto us? but only because he hath not that which God hath. I +know none other cause of his vehement hatred towards us. Therefore +when God giveth thee to eat, then eat; when he causeth thee to fast, +have patience; giveth he honour, take it; hurt or shame, endure it; +casteth he thee into prison, murmur not; will he make thee a lord, +follow him: casteth he thee down again, so care thou not for it, +nor regard it. + + +That Patience is necessary in every Particular. + +I, said Luther, must have patience with the Pope; I must have +patience with heretics and seducers; I must have patience with the +roaring courtiers; I must have patience with my servants: I must +have patience with Kate my wife; to conclude, the patiences are so +many, that my whole life is nothing but patience. The Prophet +Isaiah saith, "In being silent and hoping consisteth our strength;" +that is, have patience under sufferings: hope, and despair not. + + + +OF PRAYER. + + + +What Power Prayer hath. + +No human creature can believe, said Luther, how powerful prayer is, +and what is it able to effect, but only those that have learned it +by experience. + +It is a great matter when in extreme need, as then one can take hold +on prayer. I know, as often as I have earnestly prayed, that I have +been richly heard, and have obtained more than I prayed for; indeed, +God sometimes deferred, but notwithstanding he came. + +Ecclesiasticus saith, "The prayer of a good and godly Christian +availeth more to health, than the physician's physic." + +O how great and upright and godly Christian's prayer is! how +powerful with God; that a poor human creature should speak with +God's high majesty in heaven, and not be affrighted, but, on the +contrary, knoweth that God smileth upon him for Christ's sake, his +dearly beloved Son. The heart and conscience, in this act of +praying, must not fly and recoil backwards by reason of our sins and +unworthiness, and must not stand in doubt, nor be scared away. We +must not do, said Luther, as the Bavarian did, who with great +devotion called upon St. Leonard, an idol, set up in a church in +Bavaria, behind which idol stood one who answered the Bavarian and +said, "Fie on thee, Bavarian"; and in that sort oftentimes was +repulsed, and could not be heard: at last, the Bavarian went away, +and said, "Fie on thee, Leonard." + +But when we pray, we must not let it come to, fie upon thee; but +must certainly hold, conclude, and believe, that we are already +heard in that for which we pray with faith in Christ. Therefore the +ancients finely described prayer, namely, that it is, Ascensus +mentis ad Deum, a climbing up of the heart unto God, that is, +lifteth itself up, crieth and sigheth to God: neither I myself, +said Luther, nor any other that I know, have rightly understood the +definition of this Ascensus. Indeed, we have boasted and talked +much of the climbing up of the heart; but we failed in Syntaxi, we +could not bring thereunto the word Deum; nay, we flew from God, we +were afraid to draw near unto him, and to pray through Christ, in +whom the strength of prayer wholly consisteth; we always prayed in +Popedom conditionaliter, conditionally, and therefore uncertainly. + +But let us pray in heart, and also with our lips; for prayer, by our +loving God, supporteth the world; otherwise, without prayer, it +would stand in a far more lamentable state. + + +Of the Power of Prayer, and of the Lord's Prayer. + +Our Saviour Christ, said Luther, most excellently, and with very few +words, comprehended, in the Lord's Prayer, all things both needful +and necessary; but without trouble, trials, and vexations, prayer +cannot rightly be made. Therefore God saith, "Call on me in the +time of trouble," etc., without trouble it is only a cold prattling, +and goeth not from the heart; the common saying is "Need teacheth to +pray." And although the Papists say that God well understandeth all +the words of those that pray, yet St. Bernard is far of another +opinion, where he saith, "God heareth not the words of one that +prayeth, unless he that prayeth heareth them first himself." The +Pope is a mere tormentor of the conscience. The assembly of his +greased and religious crew in praying was altogether like the +croaking of frogs, which edified nothing at all. It was mere +sophistry, and deceiving, fruitless, and unprofitable. + +Prayer is a strong wall, and a fort of the church; it is a godly +Christian's weapon, which no man knoweth nor findeth, but only he +who hath the spirit of grace and of prayer. + +The three first petitions in our Lord's prayer do comprehend such +great and celestial things, that no heart is able to search them +out. The fourth petition containeth the whole policy and economy, +or the temporal and house-government, and all things necessary for +this life. The fifth prayer striveth and fighteth against our own +evil consciences, against original and actual sins, which trouble +the same, etc. Truly they were penned by wisdom itself; none but +God could have done the like. + +We cannot pray without faith in Christ the Mediator. The Turks, the +Jews, and the ungodly may rehearse and speak the words of prayer +after one, but they cannot pray. And although the Apostles were +taught this prayer by Christ, and prayed often, yet they prayed not +as they should have prayed: for Christ saith, "Hitherto ye have not +prayed in my name;" whereas, doubtless, they had prayed much, and +spoken the words. But when the Holy Ghost came, then they prayed +aright in the name of Christ. If praying and reading of prayer be +but only a bare work, as the Papists hold it to be, then the +righteousness of the law is nothing worth. The upright prayer of a +godly Christian is a strong hedge, as God himself saith, "And I +sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand +in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but +I found none," etc. Therefore, said Luther, when others do +blaspheme, let us pray. David saith, "He doth the will of them that +fear Him, and heareth their prayers." + + +That we must daily go on in Praying. + +I, said Luther, have every day enough to do to pray. And when I lay +me down to rest, I pray the Lord's Prayer, and afterwards take hold +on two or three sentences out of the Bible, and so betake myself to +sleep, then I am well satisfied. + + +That Preachers ought to join their Prayers together. + +Dr. Aepinus, Superintendent of Hambrough, coming to Wittemberg to +speak with Luther, who, after his dispatch, and at his taking leave, +said, I commend myself and our church at Hambrough to your prayers. +Luther answered him, and said, Loving Aepine, the cause is not ours, +but God's: let us join our prayers together, as then the cause will +be holpen. I will pray against the Pope and the Turk as long as I +live: and I like it well that you take such course at Hambrough, +earnestly to pray against Mahomet and the Pope. + + +Of the Power of Prayer. + +God always giveth more than we pray for; when we truly pray for a +piece of bread, so giveth God a whole acre of land. When my wife, +said Luther, was sick, I prayed to God that she might live, so he +not only granted that request, but also therewith he hath given us a +goodly farm at Zolfdorf, and hath blessed us with a fruitful year. +At that time my wife said unto me, Sir! how is it, that in Popedom +they pray so often with great vehemence, but we are very cold and +careless in praying? I answered her, the devil driveth on his +servants continually; they are diligent, and take great pains in +their false worshipping, but we, indeed, are ice cold therein, and +negligent. + + +Of Luther's Prayer for a gracious Rain. + +In the year 1532, throughout all Germany was a great drought, the +corn in the fields in a lamentable way began to wither. On the +ninth of June the same year, Luther called together the whole +assembly into the church, and directed his prayer, with deep sighs, +to God in the manner following: "O Lord, behold our prayers for thy +promise sake; we have prayed, and our hearts have sighed, but the +covetousness of the rich farmers doth hinder and hem in thy +blessing; for seeing that through thy gospel they are unbridled, +they think it free for them to live and do what they please; they +now fear neither death nor hell, but say, 'I believe, therefore I +shall be saved;' they become haughty spiteful Mammonists, and +accursed covetous cut-throats, that suck out land and people. +Moreover, also, the usurers among the gentry in every place deal +wickedly, insomuch, as it seemeth, thou, O God, wilt now visit us, +together with them, with the rod; yet, nevertheless, thou hast still +means whereby to maintain those that are thine, although thou +sufferest no rain to fall among the ungodly." + +After he had said thus, he lifted up his eyes towards heaven, and +said, "Lord God, thou hast through the mouth of thy servant David +said, 'The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him faithfully; he +doth the will of those that fear him, and heareth their prayers, and +helpeth them in their distress.' How is it, Lord, that thou givest +no rain, seeing we have cried and prayed so long unto thee? 'Thy +will be done,' O Lord! we know that although thou givest not rain, +yet, notwithstanding, thou wilt give us something better, a still, a +quiet, and a peaceable life. Now we pray, O Lord, from the bottom +of our hearts. If thou, O Lord, wilt not be pleased to hear and +give us rain, then the ungodly will say, Christ thy only Son is a +liar. For he saith, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye +pray the Father in my name, the same he will give unto you,' etc. +Insomuch that they will give thy Son the lie. I know, O Lord, that +we do cry unto thee from our hearts, with yearning and sighing, why +then dost thou not hear us?" Now, even the same day, and within the +space of half an hour after the people went from church, it began to +rain so sweet and mildly, which continued for a whole fortnight, so +that the grounds thereby were changed and refreshed in a most +miraculous manner. This happened June 9, 1532. + + +Of Papistical Prayer. + +The praying in Popedom, is a mere tormenting of the consciences, it +is only a prating and tongue threshing, no praying, but a work of +obedience. From thence proceeded a confused sea-full of Horas +Canonicas, the howling and babbling in cells and monasteries, where +they read and sang the psalms and collects without all spiritual +devotion, insomuch that they neither understood the words, +sentences, nor the meaning. + +In what manner, and how I tormented myself, said Luther, with those +Horis Canonicis before the Gospel came, which, by reason of many +businesses I often intermitted, I am not able to express. On the +Saturdays I used to lock myself up in my cell, and accomplish what +the whole week I had neglected. But at last I was troubled with so +many affairs, that I was fain oftentimes to omit also my Saturday's +devotions. At length, when I saw that Amsdorff and others derided +such manner of devotion, then I quite left it off. + +It was a great torment, from which we are now delivered by the +Gospel. Although, said Luther, I had done no more but only freed +people from that torment, yet they might well give me thanks for it. +Innumerable laws and works were taught and imposed upon people +without the spirit, as in the book, Rationale Divinorum, many +abominable things are written. + + +To Pray for Peace. + +Luther receiving a letter written unto him, from the Imperial +Assembly, by Philip Melancthon, after the reading of it, he said, +What Philip Melancthon writeth hath hands and feet, hath authority +and gravity, it is of weight, contained in a few words, as always I +have found by his letters. But, I perceive, we must have wars; for +the Papists would willingly go on, but they want a good stomach, +neither may we endure the case to stand upon these terms. Let it +therefore proceed in nomine Domini; I will commit all things to God, +and will be Crito in the play. I will pray that God would convert +our adversaries. We have a good cause on our side. Who would not +fight and venture body and blood, pro Sacris, for the Holidom, which +is God's Word? And, besides, the temporal laws and statutes of +policy do also concur and agree with our proceedings; for we always +have desired and called for peace, but our Princes are provoked and +drawn to defend themselves and their subjects, and of necessity must +resist their power; our adversaries will not suffer us to live in +peace. This letter, said Luther, was written ten days since; by +this time it is concluded what shall be done. The everlasting +merciful God give His grace thereunto! Let us watch and pray, for +Satan sleepeth not. + + +Of Temporal Peace. + +Worldly and outward peace is one of the highest gifts of God; but we +abuse it too much; every one liveth after his own will and pleasure, +against God and the Magistrate. Oh, how soundly will our gentry and +farmers, in Germany, pay for this before one hundred and fifty years +come to an end, as already they have done in Hungary and in Austria; +but afterwards God will restore them again, and beat down Popedom. +Let us not cease to pray. + + +Of Unity and Concord. + +Through concord small things and wealth do increase, as the Heathen +said; but dissension is dangerous and hurtful, especially in +schools, in professions, high arts, and in the professors thereof, +wherein the one ought to reach the hand to the other-should kiss and +embrace each other. But when we bite and devour one another, then +let us take heed lest we be swallowed up together. Therefore let us +pray and strive; for the word of faith, and the prayers of the just, +are the most powerful weapons; moreover, God himself sendeth his +holy angels round about them that fear him. We ought valiantly to +fight, for we are under a Lord of Hosts, and a Prince of War; +therefore with one hand we must build, and in the other hand take +the sword-that is, we must both teach and resist. + +It is now time to watch, for we are the mark they shoot at; our +adversaries intend to make a confederacy with the Turk; they aim at +us, we must venture it; for Antichrist will war and get the victory +against the saints of God, as Daniel saith. We, said Luther, stand +outwardly in the greatest danger, by reason of treachery and +treason; the Papists endeavour with money to grease and corrupt our +captains and officers. An ass laden with money may do anything, as +Cornelius Tacitus writeth of us Germans; we have taught them to take +money; there is neither fidelity nor truth on earth. + + +Of the Power of Prayer. + +The prayer of the heart, said Luther, and the sighs of the poor and +oppressed, do make such an alarum and cry in heaven, that God and +all the angels must hear the same. O, our Lord God hath a sharp +listening ear. + + +Of the Sighing of the Heart. + +When Moses, with the children of Israel, came to the Red Sea, then +he cried with trembling and quaking, yet he opened not his mouth, +neither was his voice heard on earth by the people: doubtless, said +Luther, he cried and sighed in his heart, and said, "Ah, Lord God! +what course shall I now take? Which way shall I now turn myself? +How am I come to this strait? No help nor counsel can save us: +before us is the sea; behind us are our enemies the Egyptians; on +both sides high and huge mountains; I am the cause that all this +people shall now be destroyed," etc. Then answered God, and said, +"Wherefore criest thou unto me?" As if God should say, "What an +alarum, a shrieking, and a loud crying dost thou make, that the +whole heavens must ring therewith!" etc. But, alas! said Luther, we +read such examples as dead letters; human reason is not able to +search this passage out. The way through the Red Sea is full as +broad, and wider far (if not further than Wittenberg lieth from +Coburg, that is thirty Dutch miles, 120 English at least: doubtless +the people were constrained in the night season to rest, to bait and +eat therein; for six hundred thousand men, besides women and +children, would require a good time to pass through, although they +went one hundred and fifty in rank and file. + + +God's hearing Prayer. + +It is impossible that God should not hear the prayers which with +faith are made in Christ, although God giveth not according to the +measure, manner, and time which we dictate unto him; he will not be +tied. In such sort dealt God with the mother of St. Austin. She +prayed to God that her son Austin might be converted, but, as yet, +it would not be; then she ran to the learned, entreating them to +persuade and advise him thereunto. At last, she propounded unto him +a marriage with a Christian virgin, that thereby he might be drawn +back, and brought to the Christian faith; but all would not do as +yet. But when our Lord God came thereto, he came to purpose, and +made of him such an Austin, that he became a great light to the +Church. St. James saith, "Pray one for another, for the prayer of +the righteous availeth much," etc. Prayer, said Luther, is a +powerful thing; for God hath bound and tied himself thereunto. +Christ taught the Lord's Prayer according to the manner of the Jews- +that is, he directed it only to the Father; whereas they that pray +in the same manner, are heard for the Son's sake. This was done +because Christ would not be praised before his death. + + +Of the Power of Prayer. + +As the King of Persia, said Luther, laid siege to the city Nasili, +the bishop that was therein saw that he was too weak (by man's help) +to defend the city against so mighty a king; wherefore he went upon +the wall, lifted up his hands to Heaven, and prayed, in the sight of +his enemies. Whereupon immediately the eyes of the horses in the +whole army in such sort were pestered with an innumerable multitude +of flies stinging them, that with their riders they ran away, and so +raised the siege, whereby the city was preserved. In such a manner +could God divert the wicked enterprises of the Papists against us, +if we would diligently pray. + + +That a True Christian Prayeth Always. + +The prayers of upright Christians are without ceasing; though they +pray not always with their mouth, yet their hearts do pray +continually, sleeping and waking; for the sigh of a true Christian +is a prayer. As the Psalm saith, "Because of the deep sighing of +the poor, I will up, saith the Lord," etc. In like manner a true +Christian always carrieth the cross, though he feeleth it not +always. + + +Of the Strength of the Lord's Prayer. + +The Lord's Prayer, said Luther, bindeth the People together, and +knitteth them one to another, insomuch that one prayeth for another, +and together one with another; and it is so strong and powerful that +it even driveth away the fear of death. + + + +OF THE CONFESSION AND CONSTANCY OF THE DOCTRINE. + + + +The word and article of justification (how we are justified and +saved before God) expelleth and overcometh all sorrow, all +perplexities, misfortunes, and adversities; and without this article +there is neither help nor advice. + +We read in the histories of the Church, said Luther, that Julian the +Emperor forced his servants and soldiers to deny Christ; but when +many of them refused to do the same, he caused them to be executed +with the sword, and they went joyfully to their deaths. Among them +was a proper youth, for whom earnest intercession was made, that he +might be the first to die. But Julian commanded to release him, in +order to try whether he would remain constant or no. Now, when he +kneeled down and offered his neck to the block, the executioner was +charged not to strike, but to let him rise again. Then the youth +stood up, and said, "Ah, sweet Jesu! am I not worthy to suffer for +thy sake?" These were words of a great faith, which overcometh the +fear of death. + +When governors and rulers are enemies to God's Word, then our duty +is to depart, to sell and forsake all we have, to fly from one place +to another, as Christ commandeth. We must make and prepare no +uproars nor tumults by reason of the Gospel, but we must suffer all +things. + + +What Christ Requireth of us. + +Christ requireth nothing more of us, than that we should confess +him, and speak freely and undauntedly of him. But here thou wilt +say, "Yea, if I do so, then I shall be struck on the lips." Christ +answereth thereunto, and saith, "Call upon me in the time of +trouble, so I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise me." And "He +shall call upon me, and I will hear him, yea, I am with him in +trouble, I will deliver him, and bring him to honour," etc. + +There is no lighter nor more easy work on earth than the upright and +true service of God, to do what God commandeth in his Word; we +should only believe and speak, but then certain it is that we shall +suffer and be humbled with persecutions; but Christ hath promised to +be with us, and to help us. + + +That every Christian is Bound to Confess Christ. + +Every Christian, especially those in offices, should always be ready +(when need requireth) boldly to stand up and confess his Saviour +Christ, to maintain his faith and always be armed against the world, +the sectaries, the devil, and what else he were able to produce. +But no man will do this, except he be so sure of his doctrine and +religion, that, although I myself should play the fool, and should +recant and deny this my doctrine and religion, which God forbid, he +notwithstanding would not yield, but say, if Luther, or an angel +from heaven, should teach otherwise, "Let him be accursed." + + + +OF IMPERIAL DIETS. + + + +Of Imperial Diets and Assemblies in Causes of Religion. + +In the year 1518, the 9th of July, when I, said Luther, was cited +and summoned, I came and appeared: Frederick Prince Elector of +Saxony having appointed me a great and strong convoy and safe- +conduct. I was warned in any case not to have conversation with the +Italians, nor to repose any trust or confidence in them. I was +three whole days in Augsburg without the Emperor's safe-conduct. In +the mean time, an Italian came unto me, and carried me to the +Cardinal Cajetan; and by the way he earnestly persuaded me to revoke +and recant; I should, said he, need to speak but only one word +before the Cardinal, namely, Revoco, and then the Cardinal would +recommend me to the Pope's favour so that with honour I might return +safely again to my master, the Prince Elector. After three days the +Bishop of Trier came, who, in the Emperor's name, showed and +declared to the Cardinal my safe-conduct. Then I went unto him in +all humility, fell down first upon my knees; secondly, all along +upon the ground; thirdly, when I had remained awhile so lying, then +the Cardinal three times bade me arise; whereupon I stood up. This +pleased him well, hoping I would consider, and better bethink +myself. + +The next day, when I came before him again, and would revoke nothing +at all, then he said unto me, "What? thinkest thou that the Pope +careth for Germany? or dost thou think that the Princes will raise +arms and armies to maintain and defend thee? Oh, no; where wilt +thou remain in safety?" I said, Under Heaven. After this the Pope +humbled himself, and wrote to our church, yea, he wrote even to the +Prince Elector's chaplain, and to one of his counsellors, Spalatine +and Pfeffinger, that they would surrender me into his hands, and +procure that his pleasure and command might be put in execution. +And the Pope wrote also to the Prince Elector himself after the +following manner: + +"Although, as touching my person, thou art to me unknown, yet I have +seen thy father, Prince Ernestus, at Rome, who was altogether an +obedient son to the Church; he visited and frequented our religion +with great devotion, and held the same in highest honour. I wish +and would that thy illustrious serenity would also tread in his +footsteps," etc. + +But the Prince Elector well marked the Pope's unaccustomed humility, +and his evil conscience; he was also acquainted with the power and +operation of the Holy Scriptures. Therefore he remained where he +was, and returned thanks to the Pope for his affection towards him. + +My books, said Luther, in a short time went, yea, flew throughout +Europe; therefore the Prince Elector was confirmed and strengthened, +insomuch that he utterly refused to execute the Pope's commands, but +subjected himself under the acknowledgment of the Scriptures. + +If the Cardinal had handled me with more discretion at Augsburg, and +had dealt kindly with me when I fell at his feet, then it had never +come thus far; for at that time I saw very few of the Pope's errors +which now I see. Had he been silent, so had I lightly held my +peace. The style and custom of the Romish court in dark and +confused cases, was this: that the Pope said, We by papal power do +take these causes unto us; we quench them out and destroy them. I +am persuaded that the Pope willingly would give three Cardinals, on +condition that it were still in that vessel wherein it was before he +began to meddle with me. + + +Of Luther's Journey and Proceedings at the Imperial Diet at Worms, +Anno 1520. + +On Tuesday in the Passion week, said Luther, I was cited by the +herald to appear at the Diet; he brought with him a safe-conduct +from the Emperor, and many other Princes, but the safe-conduct was +soon broken, even the next day (Wednesday), at Worms, where I was +condemned, and my books burned. Now, when I came to Erfurt, I +received intelligence that I was cast and condemned at Worms, yea, +and that in all cities and places thereabout it was published and +spread abroad; insomuch that the herald asked me, whether I meant to +go to Worms, or no? + +Although I was somewhat astonished at the news, yet I answered the +herald, and said, although in Worms there were as many devils as +there are tiles on the houses, yet, God willing, I will go thither. + +When I came to Oppenheim, in the Palatinate, not far from Worms, +Bucer came unto me, and dissuaded me from entering into the town; +for, said he, Sglapian, the Emperor's confessor, had been with him, +and had entreated him to warn me not to go thither, for I should be +burned; but rather that I should go to a gentleman there near at +hand, Francis Von Sickingen, and remain with him, who willingly +would receive and entertain me. This plot the wicked wretches, said +Luther, had devised against me, to the end I should not appear; for +if I had contracted the time, and staid away three days, then my +safe-conduct had been expired, and then they would have locked the +town-gates, and without hearing, I should have been condemned and +made away. But I went on in all simplicity, and when I saw the +city, I wrote presently to Spalatine, and gave him notice of my +coming, and desired to know where I should be lodged. Then they all +wondered at my coming, which was so far from their expectation; for +they verily thought I would have stayed away, as scared through +their threatenings. There were two worthy gentlemen (John Von +Hirschfeld, and St. John Schott), who received me by the Prince +Elector's command, and brought me to their lodging. + +No Prince came unto me, but only Earls and gentlemen, who earnestly +looked upon me, and who had exhibited four hundred articles to his +Imperial Majesty against those of the spirituality, and desired a +redress and a removing of those their grievances, otherwise they +themselves should be constrained to remedy the same; from all which +grievances they are now delivered through the Gospel, which I (God +be praised) have brought again to light. The Pope at that time +wrote to the Emperor, that he should not perform the safe-conduct; +for which end all the Bishops also pressed the Emperor; but the +Princes and States of the Empire would not consent thereunto: for +they alleged that a great tumult thereupon would arise. I received +of them a great deal of courtesy, insomuch that the Papists were +more afraid of me than I was of them. + +For the Landgrave of Hesse (being then but a young Prince) desired +that I might be heard, and he said openly unto me, "Sir, is your +cause just and upright, then I beseech God to assist you." Now +being in Worms, I wrote to Sglapian, and desired him to make a step +unto me, but he would not. Then being called, I appeared in the +Senate House before the Council and State of the whole Empire, where +the Emperor, and the Princes Electors in person were assembled. + +Then Dr. Eck (the Bishop of Trier's fiscal) began, and said unto me, +"Martin, thou art called hither to give answer, whether thou +acknowledgest these writings to be thy books or no?" (The books lay +on a table which he showed unto me.) I answered and said, "I +believe they be mine." But Hierome Schurfe presently thereupon +said, "Let the titles of them be read." Now when the same were +read, then I said, "Yea, they are mine." Then he said, "Will you +revoke them?" I answered and said, "Most gracious Lord and Emperor, +some of my books are books of controversies, wherein I touch my +adversaries: some, on the contrary, are books of doctrine; the same +I neither can nor will revoke. But if in case I have in my books of +controversies been too violent against any man, then I am content +therein to be better directed, and for that end I desire respite of +time." Then they gave me one day and one night. The next day I was +cited by the Bishops and others, who were appointed to deal with me +touching my revocation. Then I said, "God's Word is not my word, +therefore I know not how to give it away; but in whatsoever is +therein, besides the same, I will show obedience." Then Marquis +Joachim said unto me "Sir Martin, so far as I understand, you are +content to be instructed, excepting only what may concern the Holy +Writ." I said, "Yea;" then they pressed me to refer the cause to +His Imperial Majesty; I said, I durst not presume so to do. Then +they said, "Do you not think that we are also Christians, who with +all care and diligence would finish and end such causes? You ought +to put so much trust and confidence in us, that we would conclude +uprightly." To that I answered and said, "I dare not trust you so +far, that you should conclude against yourselves, who even now have +cast and condemned me, being under safe-conduct; yet, nevertheless, +that ye may see what I will do, I will yield up into your hands my +safe-conduct, and do with me what ye please." Then all the Princes +said, "Truly, he offereth enough, if not too much." Afterwards they +said, "Yield unto us yet in some articles." I said, "In God's name, +such articles as concern not the Holy Scriptures I will not stand +against." Presently hereupon, two Bishops went to the Emperor, and +showed him that I had revoked. Then the Emperor sent another Bishop +unto me, to know if I had referred the cause to him, and to the +Empire. I said, I had neither done it, nor intended so to do. In +this sort, said Luther, did I alone resist so many, insomuch that my +Doctor, and divers others of my friends, were much offended and +vexed by reason of my constancy; yea, some of them said, if I had +referred the articles to their consideration, they would have +yielded, and given way to those articles which in the council at +Costnitz had been condemned. Then came Cocleus upon me, and said, +"Sir Martin, if you will yield up your safe-conduct, then I will +enter into dispute with you." I, for my part, said Luther, in my +simplicity, would have accepted thereof. But Hieronimus Schurfe +earnestly entreated me not to do the same, and in derision and +scorn, answered Cocleus and said, "O brave offer, if a man were so +foolish as to entertain it!" + +Then came a Doctor unto me, belonging to the Marquis of Baden, +essaying, with a strain of high-carried words, to move me, +admonished me, and said: "Truly, Sir Martin, you are bound to do +much, and to yield for the sake of fraternal love, and to the end +that peace and tranquillity among the people may be preserved, lest +tumults and insurrections should be occasioned and raised. Besides, +it were also greatly befitting you to show obedience to the Imperial +Majesty, and diligently to beware of causing offences in the world; +therefore I would advise you to revoke." Whereupon, said Luther, I +said: "For the sake of brotherly love and amity I could and would +do much, so far as it were not against the faith and honour of +Christ." When all these had made their vain assaults, then the +Chancellor of Trier said unto me, "Martin Luther, you are +disobedient to the Imperial Majesty; therefore you have leave and +licence to depart again with your safe-conduct." In this sort I +again departed from Worms with a great deal of gentleness and +courtesy, to the wondering of the whole Christian world, insomuch +that the Papists wished they had left me at home. After my +departure, that abominable edict of proscribing was put in execution +at Worms, which gave occasion to every man to revenge himself upon +his enemies, under the name and title of Protestant heresy. But the +tyrants, not long after, were constrained to recall the same again. + + +Of the Imperial Diet at Augsburg, Anno 1530. + +The Imperial Diet held at Augsburg, 1530, is worthy of all praise; +for then and from thence came the Gospel among the people in other +countries, contrary to the wills and expectations both of Emperor +and Pope; therefore, said Luther, what hath been spent there should +be grievous to no man. God appointed the Imperial Diet at Augsburg, +to the end the Gospel should be spread further abroad and planted. +They over-climbed themselves at Augsburg, for the Papists openly +approved there of our doctrine. Before that Diet was held, the +Papists had made the Emperor believe that our doctrine was +altogether frivolous; and when he came to the Diet, he should see +that they would put us all to silence, insomuch that none of us +should be able to speak a word in defence of our religion; but it +fell out far otherwise; for we openly and freely confessed the +Gospel before the Emperor and the whole Empire. And at that Diet we +confounded our adversaries in the highest degree. The Imperial Diet +at Augsburg was invaluable, by reason of the Confession of Faith, +and of God's Word, which on our part was there performed: for there +the adversaries were constrained to confess that our Confession was +upright and true. + + +Of the Confession and Apology which at Augsburg was exhibited to the +emperor. + +The Emperor, said Luther, censured understandingly and discreetly, +and carried himself princely in this cause of religion; he found our +Confession to be far otherwise than the Papists had informed him- +namely, that we were most ungodly people, and led most wicked and +detestable kind of lives; and that we taught against the first and +second tables of the Ten Commandments of God. For this cause, the +Emperor sent our Confession and Apology to all the universities; his +council also delivered their opinions, and said: "In case their +doctrine were against the holy Christian faith, then they thought +fitting that His Imperial Majesty should seek to suppress it with +all his power. But if it be only against ceremonies and abuses (as +now it appeareth to be) then to refer it to the consideration and +censure of learned people," etc. This, said Luther, was good and +wise counsel. + +Dr. Eck confessed openly, and said: "The Protestants cannot be +confuted and opposed out of Holy Scriptures." Therefore the Bishop +of Mainz said unto him, "Oh, how finely our learned Divines do +defend us and our doctrine!" "The Bishop of Mainz," said Luther, +"holdeth our doctrine to be upright and true, but he only courteth +the Pope, otherwise long before this time he would have played +strange pranks with his Holiness." + + +Of the Strength and Profit of the Confession and Apology of +Augsburg. + +God's Word is powerful; the more it is persecuted the more and +further it spreadeth itself abroad. Behold the Imperial Diet at +Augsburg, which doubtless is the last trumpet before the dreadful +Day of Judgment. How raged the world there against the Word! Oh, +said Luther, how were we there fain to pray the Pope and Papists, +that they would be pleased to permit and suffer Christ to live +quietly in heaven! There our doctrine broke through into the light +in such sort, that by the Emperor's strict command the same was sent +to all Kings, Princes, and Universities. This our Doctrine +forthwith enlightened many excellent people, dispersed here and +there in Princes' courts, among whom some of God were chosen to take +hold on this our doctrine, like unto tinder, and afterwards kindled +the same also in others. + +Our Apology and Confession with great honour came to light; the +Papists' confutations are kept in darkness, and do stink. Oh, said +Luther, how willingly would I that their confutations might appear +to the world; then I would set upon that old torn and tattered skin, +and in such sort would baste it, that the flitches thereof should +fly about here and there; but they shun the light. This time +twelvemonths no man would have given a farthing for the Protestants, +so sure the ungodly Papists were of us. For, said Luther, when my +most gracious Lord and master, the Prince Elector of Saxony, before +other Princes came to the Diet, the Papists marvelled much thereat, +for they verily believed that he would not have appeared, by reason +(as they imagined) his cause was too bad and foul to be brought +before the light. But what fell out? Even this, that in their +greatest security they were overwhelmed with the greatest fear and +affrightments. Because the Prince Elector, like an upright Prince, +appeared so early at Augsburg, then the other Popish princes swiftly +posted away from Augsburg to Innsbruck, where they held serious +counsel with Prince George and the Marquis of Baden, all of them +wondering what the Prince Elector's so early approach to the Diet +should mean, insomuch that the Emperor himself thereat was +astonished, and doubted whether he might come and go in safety or +not. Whereupon the princes were constrained to promise, that they +would set up body, goods, and blood by the Emperor, the one offering +to maintain 6,000 horse, another so many thousands of foot-soldiers, +etc., to the end His Majesty might be the better secured. There was +a wonder among wonders to be seen, in that God struck with fear and +cowardliness the enemies of the truth. And although at that time +the Prince Elector of Saxony was alone, and but only the hundredth +sheep, while the others were ninety-and-nine, yet, notwithstanding, +it so fell out that they all trembled and were afraid. Now when +they came to the point, and began to take the business in hand, then +there appeared but a very small heap that stood by God's Word. + +But, said Luther, we brought with us a strong and mighty King, a +King above all Emperors and Kings, namely, Christ Jesus, the +powerful Word of God. Then all the Papists cried out, and said, +"Oh, it is insufferable that so small and silly a heap should set +themselves against the Imperial power." But, said Luther, the Lord +of Hosts frustrateth the councils of Princes. Pilate had power to +put our blessed Saviour to death, but willingly he would not; Annas +and Caiaphas willingly would have done it, but could not. + +The Emperor, for his own part, is good and honest; but the Popish +Bishops and Cardinals are undoubtedly knaves. And forasmuch as the +Emperor now refuseth to bathe his hands in innocent blood, therefore +the frantic Princes do bestir themselves, do scorn and contemn the +good Emperor in the highest degree. The Pope also for anger is +ready to burst in pieces, because the Diet, in this sort, without +shedding of blood, should be dissolved; therefore he sendeth the +sword to the Duke of Bavaria, to proceed therewith, and intendeth to +take the crown from the Emperor's head, and to set it upon the head +of Bavaria; but he shall not accomplish it. In this manner ordered +God the business, that Kings, Princes, yea, and the Pope himself, +fell from the Emperor, and that we joined with him, which was a +great wonder of God's providence, in that he whom the devil intended +to use against us, even the same, God taketh, maketh and useth for +us. Oh, wonder, said Luther, above all wonders! + + +Of the Assembly of the Princes at Brunswick, 1531. + +When the Princes (professing the Augustinian Confession) held an +assembly at Brunswick, then Luther received three letters, wherein +was shown that the Prince Elector of Saxony journeyed five days +through the Marquisate of Brandenburg, whereas Prince Henry of +Brunswick would neither give him convoy nor permit him to go through +his country. But the Prince Elector of Brandenburg, in his country, +gave him princely entertainment in every place, and many went out of +Brunswick to meet and to receive him. But the Landgrave of Hessen +went on the other side, through Goslar, without a convoy. +Christianus, King of Denmark, the second day of the assembly, +delivered up the Confession of his Faith, and was held and esteemed +a second David. Whereupon Luther said, God of his mercy assist him +for the sanctifying of his name. But, said he, the pride of the +Duke of Brunswick may easily redound to his own hurt and prejudice, +who, contrary to all law and equity, denied a safe convoy to one of +his best and truest friends. Moses likewise desired a safe convoy +to the King of the Amorites; but being denied, he thereby took +occasion to raise war against him. The Lord of Heaven grant us +peace. The same day other letters came to Luther from Brunswick, +showing that the King of Denmark in person, the Ambassadors of +England and France, and of many Imperial cities, were arrived there, +among whom, some carried themselves very strangely towards those of +the Protestant League. Luther said, under the name and colour of +the Gospel, they seek their own particular advantages, but in the +least danger they are afraid. These politic and terrestrial leagues +and unions have no hand nor share in the Gospel: God alone +preserveth and defendeth the same in times of persecution. Let us +put trust and confidence in him, and with him; let us erect and +establish an everlasting league, for the world is the world, and +will remain the world. + + +Of the Convention and Assembly of the Protestant State at Frankfort- +on-the-Main, 1539. + +God, of his infinite mercy, said Luther, assist them at Frankfort- +on-the-Main, that they may Christian-like consult and conclude, to +the end that God's honour, the good and profit of the commonwealth +may be furthered. Indeed, it is a very small assembly; it hath a +strange aspect to be held in an Imperial city; but forasmuch as they +are thereunto constrained by the adversaries, they must be content. + +The Papists, void of shame, do unwisely undertake to possess +themselves of the cities, and by fraud to draw thereunto their +adherents; then they make show of keeping peace, but in the meantime +they contrive how to separate and confuse the whole body, and of the +members to make a massacre; they secretly fall upon Hamburg, upon +Minden, and Frankfort. They might more wisely go to work, if by +open wars they assailed us. At Augsburg they openly condemned us; +and if those of our party had not been patient, it had presently +gone on at that time. Anno 1539, the 16th of February, Luther +commanded public prayers to be made for the day at Frankfort, that +peace might be confirmed. For if the Landgrave be incensed, then +all resistance will be in vain. The Landgrave neither provoketh nor +giveth occasion to wars; but, on the contrary, when he is provoked, +he still seeketh peace; whereas, notwithstanding, he is better +furnished and provided for wars than his adversary is, by 2,000 +horse, for Hessen and Saxon are horsemen; when they are set in the +saddle, they are then not so easily hoisted out again. As for the +high-country horsemen, they, said Luther, are dancing gentlemen. +God preserve the Landgrave; for a valiant man and Prince is of great +importance. Augustus Caesar was wont to say, "I would rather be in +an army of stags, where a lion is general, than to be in an army of +lions where a stag is general." + +The 25th of February, Luther prayed again with great devotion for +peace, and for the day at Frankfort, that through civil wars (which +are most hurtful), the religion, policy, and God's Word might not be +sophisticated and torn in pieces. Wars are pleasing to those that +have had no trial or experience of them; God bless us from wars. + + + +Footnotes: + +{1} Whatsoever was pretended, yet the true cause of the Captain's +commitment was because he was urgent with the Lord Treasurer for his +Arrears; which, amounting to a great sum, he was not willing to pay; +and to be freed from his clamours he clapped him up into prison. + +{2} The name of a rich family. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, TABLE TALK OF MARTIN LUTHER *** + +This file should be named tlhr10.txt or tlhr10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlhr11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlhr10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/old/tlhr10.zip b/old/tlhr10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed80c8e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tlhr10.zip diff --git a/old/tlhr10h.htm b/old/tlhr10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b6f217 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tlhr10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3548 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII" /> +<title>Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther</title> +</head> +<body> +<h2> +<a href="#startoftext">Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther, by Martin Luther</a> +</h2> +<pre> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther +by Martin Luther + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther + +Author: Martin Luther + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9841] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII +</pre> +<p><a name="startoftext"></a></p> +<p>This etext was prepared by Les Bowler, St. Ives, Dorset.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h1>SELECTIONS FROM THE TABLE TALK OF MARTIN LUTHER.</h1> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<p>TRANSLATED BY CAPTAIN HENRY BELL.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<p>CONTENTS.</p> +<p>Introduction by Professor Henry Morley.<br />The testimony of Jo. +Aurifaber, Doctor in Divinity.<br />Captain Henry Bell’s narrative.<br />A +copy of the order from the House of Commons.<br />Selections from Table-Talk:—<br /> Of +God’s Word.<br /> Of God’s +Works.<br /> Of the Nature of the +World.<br /> Of the Lord Christ.<br /> Of +Sin and of Free-will.<br /> Of the +Catechism.<br /> Of the Law and the +Gospel.<br /> Of Prayer.<br /> Of +the Confession and Constancy of the Doctrine.<br /> Of +Imperial Diets.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>Martin Luther died on the 18th of February, 1546, and the first publication +of his “Table Talk”—<i>Tischreden</i>—by his +friend, Johann Goldschmid (Aurifaber), was in 1566, in a substantial +folio. The talk of Luther was arranged, according to its topics, +into eighty chapters, each with a minute index of contents. The +whole work in a complete octavo edition, published at Stuttgart and +Leipzig in 1836, occupies 1,390 closely printed pages, equivalent to +2,780 pages, or full fourteen volumes, of this Library.</p> +<p>The nearest approach to a complete and ungarbled translation into +English was that of Captain Henry Bell, made in the reign of Charles +the First, under the circumstances set forth by himself; but even that +was not complete. Other English versions have subjected Luther’s +opinions to serious manipulation, nothing being added, but anything +being taken away that did not chance to agree with the editor’s +digestion. Even the folio of Captain Bell’s translation, +from which these Selections have been printed, has been prepared for +reprint by some preceding editor, whose pen has been busy in revision +of the passages he did mean to reprint. In these Selections every +paragraph stands unabridged, exactly as it was translated by Captain +Bell; and there has been no other purpose governing the choice of matter +than a resolve to make it as true a presentment as possible of Luther’s +mind and character. At least one other volume of <i>Selections +from the Table-Talk of Martin Luther</i> will be given in this Library.</p> +<p>Johann Goldschmid, the Aurifaber, and thereby true worker in gold, +who first gave Luther’s Table-Talk to the world, was born in 1519. +He was a disciple of Luther, thirty-six years younger than his master. +Luther was born at Eisleben in 1483, and his father, a poor miner, presently +settled at Mansfeld, the town in which Goldschmid afterwards was born. +Johann Goldschmid was sent by Count Albrecht of Mansfeld, in 1537, to +the University of Wittenberg, where Luther had been made, in 1508, Professor +of Philosophy, and where, on the 31st of October, 1517, he had nailed +his ninety-five propositions against indulgences to the church door +at the castle. Luther had completed his translation of the Bible +three years before Johann Goldschmid went to Wittenberg. In 1540 +Goldschmid was recalled from the University to act as tutor to Count +Albrecht’s children. In 1544 Goldschmid was army chaplain +with the troops from Mansfeld in the French war; but in 1545 he was +sent back to Wittenberg for special study of theology. It was +then that he attached himself to Luther as his <i>famulus</i> and house-companion +during the closing months of Luther’s life, began already to collect +from surrounding friends passages of his vigorous “Table Talk,” +and remained with Luther till the last, having been present at his death +in Eisleben in 1546. He then proceeded steadily with the collection +of Luther’s sayings and opinions expressed among his friends. +He was army chaplain among the soldiers of Johann Friedrich, of Saxony; +he spent half a year also in a Saxon prison. He became, in 1551, +court preacher at Weimar; but in 1562 was deprived of his office, and +then devoted himself to the forming of an Eisleben edition of those +works of Luther, which had not already been collected. In 1566 +he was called to a pastorate at Erfurt, where he had many more troubles +before his death. Aurifaber died on the 18th of November, 1575.<br /> H. +M.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>THE TESTIMONY OF JO. AURIFABER, DOCTOR IN DIVINITY, CONCERNING LUTHER’S +DIVINE DISCOURSES.</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>And whereas hitherto I have caused certain tomes of the Books, Sermons, +Writings, and Missives of Luther to be printed at Eisleben, so have +I also now finished this tome of his Discourses, and have ordered the +same to be printed, which at the first were collected together out of +the Manuscripts of these Divine Discourses, which that Reverend Father +Anthony Lauterbach himself noted and wrote out of the holy mouth of +Luther, and afterwards the same by me were collected into sure and certain +Loci Communes, or Common-places, and distributed.</p> +<p>And whereas I, Joannes Aurifaber, in the years 1545 and 1546, before +the death of that most famous Divine, Luther, was much with and about +him, and with all diligence writ and noted down many most excellent +Histories and Acts, and other most necessary and useful things which +he related: I have therefore set in order and brought the same also +into this tome.</p> +<p>Now, forasmuch as very excellent declaration is made in this tome +of all the Articles and chief points of Christian Religion, Doctrine, +and Faith; and also therein are found necessary Rules, Questions and +Answers, many fair Histories, all sorts of Learnings, Comforts, Advices, +Prophecies, Warnings, and Admonitions: I have therefore thought it a +thing fitting to dedicate the same to your Highnesses, Graces, Honours +and Worships, etc., as special favourers, protectors, and defenders +of the Doctrines which God, through Luther, hath cleared again, to the +end that by diligent reading therein, you may be president, and give +good examples to others, to your subjects, citizens, etc., diligently +to love, to read, to affect the same, and to make good use thereof, +as being fragments that fell from Luther’s Table, and therewith +may help to still, to slake, and to satisfy the spiritual hunger and +thirst of the soul. For these most profitable Discourses of Luther, +containing such high spiritual things, we should in nowise suffer to +be lost, but worthily esteem thereof, whereout all manner of learning, +joy, and comfort may be had and received.<br /> DR. +AURIFABER, in his Preface to the Book.</p> +<p><i>Given at Eisleben, July 7th, 1569.</i></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>CAPTAIN HENRY BELL’S NARRATIVE:</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>OR,</p> +<p>RELATION OF THE MIRACULOUS PRESERVING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER’S +BOOK, ENTITLED “COLLOQUIA MENSALIA,” OR, “HIS DIVINE +DISCOURSES AT HIS TABLE,” HELD WITH DIVERS LEARNED MEN AND PIOUS +DIVINES; SUCH AS WERE PHILIP MELANCTHON, CASPARUS CRUCIGER, JUSTUS JONAS, +PAULUS EBERUS, VITUS DIETERICUS, JOANNES BUGENHAGEN, JOANNES FORSTERUS, +AND OTHERS:</p> +<p>CONTAINING</p> +<p><i>Divers Discourses touching Religion, and other Main Points of +Doctrine; as also many notable Histories, and all sorts of Learning, +Comforts, Advices, Prophecies, Admonitions, Directions, and Instructions; +and how the same Book was, by God’s Providence, discovered lying +under the Ground, where it had lain hid Fifty-two Years; and was a few +years since sent over to the said Captain Henry Bell, and by him translated +out of the High German into the English Tongue.</i></p> +<p>“I, CAPTAIN HENRY BELL, do hereby declare, both to the present +age, and also to posterity, that being employed beyond the seas in state +affairs divers years together, both by King James, and also by the late +King Charles, in Germany, I did hear and understand, in all places, +great bewailing and lamentation made, by reason of the destroying and +burning of above fourscore thousand of Martin Luther’s books, +entitled <i>His Last Divine Discourses.</i></p> +<p>“For after such time as God stirred up the spirit of Martin +Luther to detect the corruptions and abuses of Popery, and to preach +Christ, and clearly to set forth the simplicity of the Gospel, many +Kings, Princes, and States, Imperial Cities, and Hans-Towns fell from +the Popish Religion, and became Protestants, as their posterities still +are, and remain to this very day.</p> +<p>“And for the further advancement of the great work of Reformation +then begun, the aforesaid Princes and the rest did then order that the +said Divine Discourses of Luther should forthwith be printed; and that +every parish should have and receive one of the aforesaid printed books +into every Church throughout all their principalities and dominions, +to be chained up, for the common people to read therein.</p> +<p>“Upon which divine work, or Discourses, the Reformation, begun +before in Germany, was wonderfully promoted and increased, and spread +both here in England and other countries besides.</p> +<p>“But afterwards it so fell out that the Pope then living, viz. +Gregory XIII., understanding what great hurt and prejudice he and his +Popish religion had already received, by reason of the said Luther’s +Divine Discourses, and also fearing that the same might bring further +contempt and mischief upon himself and upon the Popish Church, he therefore, +to prevent the same, did fiercely stir up and instigate the Emperor +then in being, viz. Rudolphus II., to make an Edict throughout the whole +Empire, that all the aforesaid printed books should be burned; and also +that it should be death for any person to have or keep a copy thereof, +but also to burn the same: which Edict was speedily put in execution +accordingly, insomuch that not one of all the said printed books, nor +so much as any one copy of the same, could be found out nor heard of +in any place.</p> +<p>“Yet it pleased God that, anno 1626, a German gentleman, named +Casparus Van Sparr, with whom, in the time of my staying in Germany +about King James’s business, I became very familiarly known and +acquainted, having occasion to build upon the old foundation of a house, +wherein his grandfather dwelt at that time when the said Edict was published +in Germany for the burning of the aforesaid books; and digging deep +into the ground, under the said old foundation, one of the said original +books was there happily found, lying in a deep obscure hole, being wrapped +in a strong linen cloth, which was waxed all over with beeswax, within +and without; whereby the book was preserved fair, without any blemish.</p> +<p>“And at the same time Ferdinandus II. being Emperor in Germany, +who was a severe enemy and persecutor of the Protestant religion, the +aforesaid gentleman and grandchild to him that had hidden the said books +in that obscure hole, fearing that if the said Emperor should get knowledge +that one of the said books was yet forthcoming, and in his custody, +whereby not only himself might be brought into trouble, but also the +book in danger to be destroyed, as all the rest were so long before; +and also calling me to mind, and knowing that I had the High Dutch Tongue +very perfect, did send the said original book over hither into England +unto me; and therewith did write unto me a letter, wherein he related +the passages of the preserving and finding out the said book.</p> +<p>“And also he earnestly moved me in his letter, that for the +advancement of God’s glory, and of Christ’s Church, I would +take the pains to translate the said book, to the end that that most +excellent divine work of Luther might be brought again to light.</p> +<p>“Whereupon I took the said book before me, and many times began +to translate the same, but always I was hindered therein, being called +upon about other business, insomuch that by no possible means I could +remain by that work. Then, about six weeks after I had received +the said book, it fell out that I being in bed with my wife one night, +between twelve and one of the clock, she being asleep, but myself yet +awake, there appeared unto me an ancient man, standing at my bedside, +arrayed all in white, having a long and broad white beard hanging down +to his girdle-stead, who, taking me by my right ear, spake these words +following unto me:—‘Sirrah! will not you take time to translate +that book which is sent unto you out of Germany? I will shortly +provide for you both place and time to do it;’ and then he vanished +away out of my sight.</p> +<p>“Whereupon, being much thereby affrighted, I fell into an extreme +sweat, insomuch that my wife awaking, and finding me all over wet, she +asked me what I ailed. I told her what I had seen and heard; but +I never did heed nor regard visions nor dreams; and so the same fell +soon out of my mind.</p> +<p>“Then about a fortnight after I had seen that vision, on a +Sunday, I went to Whitehall to hear the sermon, after which ended I +returned to my lodging, which was then in King Street, at Westminster, +and sitting down to dinner with my wife, two Messengers were sent from +the whole Council-board, with a warrant to carry me to the keeper of +the Gatehouse, Westminster, there to be safely kept until further order +from the Lords of the Council, which was done without showing me any +cause <a name="citation1"></a><a href="#footnote1">{1}</a> at all wherefore +I was committed. Upon which said warrant I was kept there ten +whole years close prisoner, where I spent five years thereof about the +translating of the said book; insomuch as I found the words very true +which the old man, in the aforesaid vision, did say unto me: ‘I +will shortly provide for you both place and time to translate it.’</p> +<p>“Then, after I had finished the said translation in the prison, +the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Laud, understanding that I had +translated such a book, called <i>Martin Luther’s Divine Discourses</i>, +sent unto me his chaplain, Dr. Bray, into the prison, with this Message +following:—</p> +<p>“‘Captain BELL,<br /> “‘My +Lord Grace of Canterbury hath sent me unto you, to tell you that his +Grace hath understood that you have translated a book of Luther’s, +touching which book his Grace, many years before, did hear of the burning +of so many thousands in Germany by the then Emperor. His Grace +therefore doth desire you, that you would send unto him the said original +book in Dutch, and also your translation; which, after his Grace hath +perused, shall be returned safely unto you.’</p> +<p>“Whereupon I told Dr. Bray that I had taken a great deal of +pains in translating the said book, and was very loth to part with it +out of my hands, and therefore I desired him to excuse me to his Grace, +that I could not part from it; with which answer he at that time returned +again to his master.</p> +<p>“But the next day after he sent him unto me again, and bade +him tell me that, upon his honour, the book should be as safe in his +custody, if not safer than in mine own; for he would lock it up in his +own cabinet, to the end no man might come unto it, but only himself. +Thereupon I, knowing it would be a thing bootless for me to refuse the +sending of them, by reason he was then of such great power that he would +have them, <i>nolens volens</i>, I sent them both unto him. Then, +after he had kept them in his custody two months, and had daily read +therein, he sent the said Doctor unto me, to tell me that I had performed +a work worthy of eternal memory, and that he had never read a more excellent +divine work; yet saying that some things therein were fitting to be +left out; and desired me not to think long that he did not return them +unto me so soon again. The reason was because that the more he +did read therein, the more desire he had to go on therewith; and so, +presenting me with ten livres in gold, he returned back again.</p> +<p>“After which, when he had them in his custody one whole year, +and that I understood he had perused it all over, then I sent unto his +Grace, and humbly desired that his Grace would be pleased to return +me my books again. Whereupon he sent me word by the said Dr. Bray, +that he had not as yet perused them so thoroughly over as he desired +to do; then I stayed yet a year longer before I sent to him again.</p> +<p>“In which time I heard for certain that it was concluded by +the King and Council that a Parliament should forthwith be called; at +which news I did much rejoice. And then I sent unto his Grace +an humble petition, and therein desired the returning of my book again; +otherwise I told him I should be enforced to make it known, and to complain +of him to the Parliament, which was then coming on. Whereupon +he sent unto me again safely both the said original book and my translation, +and caused his Chaplain, the said Doctor, to tell me that he would make +it known unto his Majesty what an excellent piece of work I had translated, +and that he would procure an order from his Majesty to have the said +translation printed, and to be dispersed throughout the whole kingdom, +as it was in Germany, and as he had heard thereof; and thereupon he +presented me again with forty livres in gold.</p> +<p>“And presently after I was set at liberty by warrant from the +whole House of Lords, according to his Majesty’s direction in +that behalf; but shortly afterwards the Archbishop fell into his troubles, +and was by the Parliament sent unto the Tower, and afterwards beheaded; +insomuch that I could never since hear anything touching the printing +of my book.</p> +<p>“The House of Commons having then notice that I had translated +the aforesaid book, they sent for me, and did appoint a Committee to +see it and the translation, and diligently to make inquiry whether the +translation did agree with the original or no; whereupon they desired +me to bring the same before them, sitting then in the Treasury Chamber. +And Sir Edward Dering, being Chairman, said unto me that he was acquainted +with a learned minister beneficed in Essex, who had lived long in England, +but was born in High Germany, in the Palatinate, named Mr. Paul Amiraut, +whom the Committee sending for, desired him to take both the original +and my translation into his custody, and diligently to compare them +together, and to make report unto the said Committee whether he found +that I had rightly and truly translated it according to the original: +which report he made accordingly, and they, being satisfied therein, +referred it to two of the Assembly, Mr. Charles Herle and Mr. Edward +Corbet, desiring them diligently to peruse the same, and to make report +unto them if they thought it fitting to be printed and published.</p> +<p>“Whereupon they made report, dated the 10th of November, 1646, +that they found it to be an excellent Divine Work, worthy the light +and publishing, especially in regard that Luther, in the said Discourses, +did revoke his opinion, which he formerly held, touching Consubstantiation +in the Sacrament. Whereupon the House of Commons, the 24th of +February, 1646, did give order for the printing thereof.</p> +<p>“Thus, having been lately desired to set down in writing the +relation of the passages above-said concerning the said book, as well +for the satisfaction of judicious and godly Christians, as for the conservation +of the perpetual memory of God’s extraordinary providence in the +miraculous preservation of the aforesaid Divine Discourses, and now +bringing them again to light: I have done the same according to the +plain truth thereof, not doubting but they will prove a notable advantage +of God’s glory, and the good and edification of the whole Church, +and an unspeakable consolation of every particular member of the same.<br /> “Given +under my hand the 3rd day of July, 1650.<br /> “HENRY +BELL.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>A COPY OF THE ORDER FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.<br /><i> 24th +February, 1646</i>.</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>WHEREAS Captain Henry Bell hath strangely discovered and found a +Book of Martin Luther’s, called his Divine Discourses, which was +for a long time very marvellously preserved in Germany: the which book +the said Henry Bell, at his great costs and pains, hath translated into +the English out of the German Tongue, which Translation and substance +thereof is approved by Reverend Divines of the Assembly, as appears +by a Certificate under their hands:</p> +<p>It is Ordered and Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in +Parliament, that the said Henry Bell shall have the sole disposal and +benefit of Printing the said Book translated into English by him as +aforesaid, for the space of fourteen years, to commence from the date +hereof. And that none do Print or Re-print the same but such as +shall be licensed by the said Captain by Authority under his hand.<br /> HENRY +ELSYNG.<br />(Vera Copia.)</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h2>LUTHER’S TABLE-TALK.</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF GOD’S WORD.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Word of God; or the Holy Scriptures contained in the Bible.</i></p> +<p>The Bible, or Holy Scripture, said Luther, is like a fair and spacious +orchard, wherein all sorts of trees do grow, from which we may pluck +divers kinds of fruits; for in the Bible we have rich and precious comforts, +learnings, admonitions, warnings, promises, and threatenings, etc. +There is not a tree in this orchard on which I have not knocked, and +have shaken at least a couple of apples or pears from the same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Proofs that the Bible is the Word of God.</i></p> +<p>That the Bible is the Word of God, said Luther, the same I prove +as followeth. All things that have been and now are in the world, +also how it now goeth and standeth in the world, the same was written +altogether particularly at the beginning, in the First Book of Moses +concerning the Creation. And even as God made and created it, +even so it was, even so it is, and even so doth it stand to this present +day. And although King Alexander the Great, the kingdom of Egypt, +the empire of Babel, the Persian, Grecian, and Roman Monarchs, the Emperors +Julius and Augustus, most fiercely did rage and swell against this Book, +utterly to suppress and destroy the same, yet notwithstanding, they +could prevail nothing; they are all gone and vanished; but this Book, +from time to time, hath remained, and will remain unremoved, in full +and ample manner, as it was written at the first. But who kept +and preserved it from such great and raging power; or, Who defendeth +it still? Truly, said Luther, no human creature, but only and +alone God himself, who is the right Master thereof; and it is a great +wonder that it hath been so long kept and preserved, for the devil and +the world are great enemies unto it. The devil doubtless hath +destroyed many good books in the Church, as he hath rooted out and slain +many saints, concerning whom we have now no knowledge. But, no +thanks unto him, the Bible he was fain to leave unmeddled with. +In like manner Baptism, the Sacrament, and the Office of Preaching have +remained among us against the power of many tyrants and heretics that +have opposed the same. These our Lord God hath kept and maintained +by his special strength. Homer, Virgil, and suchlike are profitable +and ancient books; but, in comparison of the Bible, they are nothing +to be regarded.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>By whom and at what Times the Bible was translated.</i></p> +<p>Two hundred and forty-one years before the humanity of Christ, the +Five Books of Moses, and the Prophets, were translated out of the Hebrew +into the Greek tongue by the Septuagint Interpreters, the seventy doctors +or learned men then at Jerusalem, in the time of Eleazar the High-priest, +at the request of Ptolemeus Philadelphus, King of Egypt, which King +allowed great charges and expenses for the translating of the same.</p> +<p>Then, one hundred and twenty-four years after the birth of Christ, +his death and passion, the Old Testament was translated out of Hebrew +into Greek by a Jew, named Aquila (being converted to the Christian +faith), in the time of Hadrian the Emperor.</p> +<p>Fifty and three years after this Aquila, the Bible was also translated +by Theodosius.</p> +<p>In the three-and-thirtieth year after Theodosius, it was translated +by Symmachus, under the Emperor Severus.</p> +<p>Eight years after Symmachus, the Bible was also translated by one +whose name is unknown, and the same is called the Fifth Translation.</p> +<p>Afterwards the Bible was translated by Hieronymus (who first amended +and corrected the Seventy Interpreters) out of Hebrew into the Latin +tongue, which translation we use to this day in the Church. And +truly, said Luther, he did enough for one man. <i>Nulla enim privata +persona tantum efficere potuisset</i>. But he had not done amiss +if he had taken one or two learned men to his translation besides himself, +for then the Holy Ghost would more powerfully have been discerned, according +to Christ’s saying, “Where two or three be gathered together +in my name, there will I be in the midst of them.” And, +indeed, said Luther, translators or interpreters ought not to be alone, +for good and apt words do not always fall to one single man. And +so long as the Bible was in the Church of the Gentiles, it was never +yet in such perfection, that it could have been read so exactly and +significantly without stop, as we have prepared the same here at Wittemberg, +and, God be praised, have translated it out of Hebrew into the High +German tongue.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Differences between the Bible and other Books</i>.</p> +<p>The Holy Scripture, or the Bible, said Luther, is full of divine +gifts and virtues. The books of the Heathen taught nothing of +Faith, Hope, and Love; nay, they knew nothing at all of the same; their +books aimed only at that which was present, at that which, with natural +wit and understanding, a human creature was able to comprehend and take +hold of; but to trust in God and hope in the Lord, nothing was written +thereof in their books. In the Psalms and in Job we may see and +find how those two books do treat and handle of Faith, of Hope, of Patience, +and Prayer.</p> +<p>To be short, the Holy Scripture, said Luther, is the best and highest +book of God, full of comfort in all manner of trials and temptations; +for it teacheth of Faith, Hope, and Love far otherwise than by human +reason and understanding can be comprehended. And in times of +troubles and vexations, it teacheth how these virtues should light and +shine; it teacheth, also, that after this poor and miserable life there +is another which is eternal and everlasting.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>What we ought chiefly to seek for in the Bible, and how we ought +to study and learn the Holy Scriptures.</i></p> +<p>The chief lesson and study in Divinity, said Luther, is well and +rightly to learn to know Christ, for he is therein very friendly and +familiarly pictured unto us. From hence St. Peter saith, “Grow +up in the knowledge of Christ;” and Christ himself also teacheth +that we should learn to know him only out of the Scriptures, where he +saith, “Search the Scriptures, for they do testify of me.”</p> +<p>We ought not, said Luther, to measure, censure, and understand the +Scriptures according to our own natural sense and reason, but we ought +diligently by prayer to meditate therein, and to search after the same. +The devil and temptations also do give occasion unto us somewhat to +learn and understand the Scriptures by experience and practice. +Without trials and temptations we should never understand anything thereof; +no, not although we diligently read and heard the same. The Holy +Ghost must be the only master and tutor to teach us therein, and let +youth and scholars not be ashamed to learn of this tutor. When +I find myself in temptation, then I quickly lay hold and fasten on some +text in the Bible which Christ Jesus layeth before me, namely, <i>that +he died for me</i>, from whence I have and receive comfort.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That we should diligently read the Texts of the Bible, and stay +ourselves upon it as the only true Foundation.</i></p> +<p>Whoso layeth a good foundation, and is a substantial Text-man, that +is, he that is well grounded in the Text, the same hath whereupon he +surely may keep footing, and runneth not lightly into error. And +truly, said Luther, the same is most necessary for a Divine; for with +the texts and grounds of the Holy Scriptures I dazzled, astonished, +and overcame all my adversaries; for they approach dreamingly and lazily; +they teach and write according to their natural sense, reason, and understanding, +and they think the Holy Scripture is a slight and a simple thing; like +the Pharisee, who thought a business soon done when our Saviour Christ +said unto him, “Do that, and thou shalt live.” The +sectaries and seducing spirits understand nothing in the Scriptures; +but with their fickle, inconstant, and uncertain books which they have +devised, they run themselves into error.</p> +<p>Whoso is armed with the Text, the same is a right pastor; and my +best advice and counsel is, said Luther, that we draw water out of the +true fountain, that is, diligently to read in the Bible. He is +a learned Divine that is well grounded in the Text; for one text and +sentence out of the Bible is of far more esteem and value than many +writings and glosses, which neither are strong, sound, nor armour of +proof. As when I have that text before me of St. Paul, where he +saith, “All the creatures of God are good, if they be received +with thanksgiving.” This text showeth that what God hath +made is good. Now, eating, drinking, marrying, etc., are of God’s +making, therefore they are good. But the glosses of the Primitive +Fathers are against this text, for St. Bernard, Basil, Dominicus, Hieronymus, +and others have written far otherwise of the same. But I prefer +the Text before them all, and it is far more to be esteemed of than +all their glosses; yet, notwithstanding, in Popedom the glosses of the +Fathers were of higher regard than the bright and clear text of the +Bible, through which great wrong oftentimes is done to the Holy Scriptures; +for the good Fathers, as Ambrose, Basil, and Gregory, have ofttimes +written very cold things touching the Divine word.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the Bible is the Head of all Arts</i>.</p> +<p>Let us not lose the Bible, said Luther, but with all diligence and +in God’s fear read and preach the same; for if that remaineth, +flourisheth, and be taught, then all is safe. She is the head +and empress of all faculties and arts. If Divinity falleth, then +whatsoever remaineth besides is nothing worth.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Art of the School Divines in the Bible</i>.</p> +<p>The art of the School Divines, said Luther, with their speculations +in the Holy Scriptures, are merely vain and human reasonings, spun out +of their own natural wit and understanding, of which I have read much +in Bonaventura, but he had almost made me deaf. I fain would have +learned and understood out of that book how God and my sinful soul had +been reconciled together; but of that there was nothing to be found +therein. They talk much of the union of the will and understanding, +but all is mere phantasy and folly. The right and true speculation +is this: “Believe in Christ; do what thou oughtest to do in thy +vocation,” etc. This is the only practice in Divinity. +Also, <i>Mystica Theologia Dionysii</i> is a mere fable, and a lie, +like to Plato’s Fables. <i>Omnia sunt non ens, et omnia +sunt ens</i>—All is something, and all is nothing; and so he leaveth +all hanging in frivolous and idle sort.</p> +<p>True and upright Divinity consisteth in the practice, use, and exercise; +her foundation is Christ; she taketh hold by faith on his passion, death, +and resurrection. All those, said Luther, that concur not with +us, and have not this doctrine before their eyes, the same do feign +unto themselves but only a speculated Divinity, according to their carnal +sense and reason, and according as they use to censure in temporal causes; +for no man can divert them from these opinions, namely, “Whoso +doth good works, and liveth an honest and civil kind of life, the same +is an upright Christian, and he is well and safe;” but they are +therein far deceived; for this is the truth indeed, “Whoso feareth +God and trusteth in him, the same most surely will be well and safe +at last.”</p> +<p>Therefore, said Luther, these speculating Divines belong directly +to the devil in hell. They follow their own opinions, and what +with their five senses they are able to comprehend; and such is also +Origen’s divinity. But David is of another mind; he acknowledgeth +his sins, and saith, “<i>Miserere mei Domini</i>,” God be +merciful to me a sinner. At the hands of these sophisticated Divines, +God can scarcely obtain that he is God alone; much less can he find +this favour of them, that they should allow only him to be good and +just; nay, very hardly will they yield that he is an immortal God.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The Depths of the Bible.</i></p> +<p>The wise of the world, and the great ones, said Luther, understand +not God’s Word; but God hath revealed it to the poor contemned +simple people, as our Saviour Christ witnesseth, where he saith, “I +thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid +these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto +babes,” etc.; from whence St. Gregory says well and rightly, that +the Holy Scripture is like a water, wherein an “elephant swimmeth, +but a little sheep goeth therein upon his feet.”</p> +<p>I remember a Fable, said Luther, which fitteth very well for these +times, and for this purpose, discoursed of before. A Lion, said +he, making a great feast, invited all the beasts thereunto, and with +them also he invited swine. Now, as all manner and sorts of dainties +were brought and set before the guests, the swine demanded if Brewer’s +grains might be had for them. Even so, in these days it is with +our Epicures; we Preachers bring and set before them in the Church the +most dainty and costly dishes, as Everlasting Salvation, Remission of +Sins, and God’s Grace; but they, like swine, cast up their snouts, +and root after Dollars, Crowns, and Ducats; and, indeed, said Luther, +“what should a cow do with nutmegs?” She would rather +content herself with oat-straw.</p> +<p>When we have God’s Word pure and clear, then we are secure, +we are negligent and regard it not, we think it will always so remain; +we do not watch and pray against the devil, who is ready to tear the +Word out of our hearts. It goeth with us as with travellers, who, +so long as they are on the right way, are secure and careless; but when +they go astray into woods or by-ways, then they are careful which way +to take, whether this or that way be the right: even so are we secure +by the pure doctrine of the Gospel; we are sleepy and negligent; we +stand not in God’s fear, nor defend ourselves with prayer against +the devil. But those that entertain errors are highly busied, +yea, they are very careful and diligent how to keep and maintain the +same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the future Want of upright and true Preachers of God’s +Word.</i></p> +<p>In a short time, said Luther, will be such want of upright Preachers +and Ministers, that people would be glad to scratch out of the earth +these good and godly Teachers now living, if they might but get them; +then they will see what they have done in molesting and contemning the +Preachers and Ministers of God’s Word. Of Physicians and +Lawyers there are enough, if not too many, to serve the world; but a +country hath need of two hundred Ministers where one Lawyer is sufficient. +My most gracious Lord, said Luther, the Prince Elector of Saxony, hath +enough of twenty Lawyers in all his territories, but he must have near +six thousand Preachers and Ministers.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That People, out of mere Wilfulness, do set themselves against +God’s Word.</i></p> +<p>Had I known, said Luther, when I first began to write, what I now +see and find, namely, that people had been such enemies to God’s +Word, and so fiercely had set themselves against the same, truly I had +held my peace; for I never should have been so courageous as to have +fallen upon the Pope, and to have angered him, and almost the whole +Christian world with him. I thought at first that people had sinned +ignorantly, and out of human weakness, and not of set purpose and wittingly +to endeavour to suppress God’s Word; but it pleased God to lead +me on in the mouth of the cannon, like a bar-horse that hath his eyes +blinded, and seeth not who runneth upon him. Even so was I, as +it were, tugged by my hair to the office of preaching; but had I then +known what now I know, ten horses should scarce have drawn me to it. +Moses and Jeremiah also complained that they were deceived.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Archbishop of Mentz, one of the Spiritual Princes Electors, +his Censure of the Bible.</i></p> +<p>Anno 1530, at the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, Albertus, Bishop +of Mentz, by chance had got into his hands the Bible, and for the space +of four hours he continued reading therein; at last, one of his Council +on a sudden came into his bed-chamber unto him, who, seeing the Bible +in the Bishop’s hand, was much amazed thereat, and said unto him, +“what doth your Highness with that book?” The Archbishop +thereupon answered him, and said, “I know not what this book is, +but sure I am, all that is written therein is quite against us.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the Bible is hated of the Worldly-wise and of the Sophists.</i></p> +<p>Doctor Ussinger, an Austin Friar, with me in the Monastery at Erfurt, +said once unto me, as he saw that I diligently read and affected the +Bible, “Brother Martin, what is the Bible? Let us,” +said he, “read the ancient Teachers and Fathers, for they have +sucked the juice and truth out of the Bible. The Bible is the +cause of all dissension and rebellion.”</p> +<p>This, said Luther, is the censure of the world concerning God’s +Word; therefore we must let them run on their course towards that place +which is prepared for them.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Errors which the Sectaries do hold concerning the Word +of God.</i></p> +<p>Bullinger said once in my hearing, said Luther, that he was earnest +against the sectaries, as contemners of God’s Word, and also against +those who attributed too much to the literal Word; for, said he, such +do sin against God and his almighty power, as the Jews did in naming +the ark “God.” But, said he, whoso holdeth a mean +between both, the same is taught what is the right use of the Word and +Sacraments.</p> +<p>Whereupon, said Luther, I answered him and said, “Bullinger, +you err: you know neither yourself nor what you hold; I mark well your +tricks and fallacies. Zuinglius and Œcolampadius likewise +proceeded too far in this your ungodly meaning; but when Brentius withstood +them, they then lessened their opinions, alleging they did not reject +the literal Word, but only condemned certain gross abuses. By +this your error,” said Luther to Bullinger, “you cut in +sunder and separate the Word and the Spirit; you separate those that +preach and teach the Word from God who worketh the same; you also separate +thereby the Ministers that baptize from God who commandeth it; and you +think that the Holy Ghost is given and worketh without the Word; which +Word, you say, is an external sign and mark that findeth the Spirit, +which already and before possesseth the heart. Insomuch, according +to your falsities, that if the Word findeth not the Spirit, but an ungodly +person, then it is not God’s Word; whereby you define and hold +the Word, not according to God who speaketh it, but according as people +do entertain and receive it. You will only grant that such is +God’s Word which purifieth and bringeth peace and life; but seeing +it worketh not in the ungodly, therefore it is not God’s Word. +You teach that the outward Word is like an object or a picture, which +signifieth and presenteth something; you measure the use thereof only +according to the matter, like as a human creature speaketh for himself; +you will not yield that God’s Word is an instrument through which +the Holy Ghost worketh and accomplisheth his work, and prepareth a beginning +to righteousness or justification. In these errors are you drowned, +so that you neither see nor understand yourselves.</p> +<p>“A man might vex himself to death against the devil, who, in +the Papists, is such an enemy to God’s Word. The devil seeth +and feeleth that the external Word and preaching in the Church doth +him great prejudice, therefore he rageth and worketh these errors against +the same; but I hope God ere long will look into it, and will strike +down the devil with these seducers.</p> +<p>“A true Christian,” said Luther, “must hold for +certain, and must say, That Word which is delivered and preached to +the wicked, to the dissemblers, and to the ungodly, is even as well +God’s Word as that which is preached to the good and godly upright +Christians. As also, the true Christian Church is among sinners, +where good and bad are mingled together. And that Word, whether +it produceth fruit or not, is nevertheless God’s strength, which +saveth all that believe thereon. And again, it will also judge +the ungodly, as St. John saith in chap. v., otherwise they might plead +a good excuse before God, that they neither ought to be nor could be +condemned; for then they might truly allege that they have not had God’s +Word, and so consequently could not receive the same. But,” +said Luther, “I say, teach and acknowledge that the Preacher’s +words, his absolutions, and the sacraments, are not his words nor works, +but they are God’s words, works, cleansing, absolving, binding, +etc.; we are but only the instruments, fellow-workers, or God’s +assistants, through whom God worketh and finisheth his work. We,” +said Luther to Bullinger, “will not endure these your metaphysical +and philosophical distinctions and differences, which merely are spun +and hammered out of human and natural sense and reason. You say, +It is a man that preacheth, that reproveth, that absolveth, comforteth, +etc., and that the Holy Ghost worketh; you say, likewise, the Minister +baptiseth, absolveth, and administereth the sacraments, but it is God +that cleanseth the hearts, and forgiveth sins, etc. Oh, no,” +said Luther, “but I conclude thus: God himself preacheth, threateneth, +reproveth, affrighteth, comforteth, absolveth, administereth the sacraments, +etc. As our Saviour Christ saith, ‘Whoso heareth you, heareth +me; and what ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,’ etc. +Likewise, ‘It is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father +which speaketh in you.’”</p> +<p>“I am sure and certain,” said Luther, “when I go +up to the pulpit, or to the cathedral, to preach or read, that it is +not my word which I speak, but my tongue is the pen of a ready writer, +as the Psalmist saith. God speaketh in the Prophets and men of +God, as St. Peter in his Epistle saith: ‘The holy men of God spake +as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ Therefore we must +not separate nor part God and man according to our natural reason and +understanding. In like manner, every hearer must conclude and +say, I hear not St. Paul, St. Peter, or a man speak; but I hear God +himself speak, baptize, absolve, excommunicate, and administer the holy +sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, etc.”</p> +<p>Bullinger, attentively hearkening to this discourse of that holy +man, Luther, fell down flat on his face to the ground, and uttered these +words following: “Oh, happy be the time that brought me hither +to hear the divine discourse of this man of God” (Martin Luther), +“a chosen vessel of the Lord to declare his truth! And now +I abjure and utterly renounce these my former errors, finding them convinced +and beaten down through God’s infallible Word which out of his +divine mouth” (Martin Luther), “hath touched my heart, and +won me to his glory.” After he had uttered these words lying +on the ground, he arose and clasped his arms about Luther’s neck, +both of them shedding joyful tears.</p> +<p>Ah, God! said Luther at that time, what an unspeakable comfort a +poor, weak, and sorrowful conscience might have and receive, if it could +but believe that such words and comforts were the words and comforts +of God himself, as in truth they are; therefore we conclude, short and +round, that God through the Word worketh, which is an instrument whereby +we are instructed to know him in heart, as by this present and happy +example of the conversion of this our loving brother, Bullinger, we +apparently see and find.</p> +<p>But whereas, said Luther, the Word produceth not fruit everywhere +alike, but worketh severally, the same is God’s judgment, and +his secret will, which from us is hid; we ought not to desire to know +it. For “the wind bloweth where it listeth,” as Christ +saith; we must not grabble nor search after the same.</p> +<p>If, said Luther, I were addicted to God’s Word at all times +alike, and always had such love and desire thereunto as sometimes I +have, then should I account myself the most blessed man on earth. +But the loving Apostle St. Paul failed also thereof, as he complains +with sighs of heart, saying, “I see another law in my members, +warring against the law of my mind,” etc. Should the Word +be false because it bringeth not always fruit? Truly this art +of determining and knowing the Word hath been in great danger from the +beginning of the world, and hath endured much: few people there are +that can hit it, except God, through his Holy Spirit, teacheth it them +in their hearts. The Sectaries understand not the strength of +God’s Word. I do wonder, said Luther, that they do write +and teach so much of God’s Word, seeing they so little regard +the same.</p> +<p>Ferdinand, Prince Elector of Saxony, used to say he had well discerned +that nothing could be propounded by human reason and understanding, +were it never so wise, cunning, or sharp, but that a man, even out of +the selfsame proposition, might be able to confute and overthrow it; +but God’s Word only stood fast and sure, like a mighty wall which +neither can be battered nor beaten down.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Which are the best Preachers and the best Hearers.</i></p> +<p>I, said Luther, esteem those to be the best Preachers which teach +the common people and youth most plainly and simply, without subtlety, +screwed words, or enlargements. Christ taught the people by plain +and simple parables. In like manner, those are the best Hearers +that willingly do hear and believe God’s Word simply and plainly, +and although they be weak in faith, yet so long as they doubt not of +the doctrine they are to be holpen forward; for God can and will bear +with weakness if it be but acknowledged, and that we creep again to +the Cross and pray to God for grace, and amend ourselves.</p> +<p>David saith, “I hate them that imagine evil things, but thy +law do I love,” and will show therewith that we ought diligently +to regard the strength of the Word of God, and not to contemn it, as +the enthusiasts do, for God will deal with us by such means, and by +the same will also work in us. Therefore the ancient Fathers say +well touching this point, namely, that we ought not to look to the person +baptizing or ministering the Sacrament, but we must look to God’s +Word.</p> +<p>Our Lord God electeth from hearts, to whom he revealeth his Word, +and therewithal he giveth them mouths to speak it; preserveth and maintaineth +it, not by sword, but through his Divine Power.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That we ought to direct all our Actions and Lives according to +God’s Word.</i></p> +<p>God, said Luther, hath his measuring-lines, and his canons, which +are called the Ten Commandments; they are written in our flesh and blood. +The contents of them is: “What thou wouldest have done to thyself, +the same thou oughtest also to do to another.” For God presseth +upon that point, and saith, “Such measure as thou metest, the +same shall be measured to thee again.” With this measuring-line, +or measure, hath God marked the whole world. They that live and +do thereafter, well it is with them, for God doth richly reward them +in this life; and a Turk or a Heathen may as well be partaker of such +rewards as a Christian.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Where God’s Word is loved, there dwelleth God.</i></p> +<p>Upon these words of Christ, “If a man loveth me, he will keep +my Word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and +make our abode with him,” I say thus, said Luther: Heaven and +earth, the castles and palaces of all Emperors, Kings, and Princes, +are no way sufficient to make a dwelling-place for God; yet, in a silly +human creature that keepeth his Word he will dwell. Isaiah calleth +heaven his “seat,” and earth his “footstool,” +but not his dwelling; therefore, when we long to seek after God, we +shall be sure to find him with them that hear and keep his Word, as +Christ saith, “He that keepeth my Word, I will come and dwell +with him.”</p> +<p>A man could not speak more simply and childishly than Christ spake, +and yet he confounded therewith all the wisdom of the worldly-wise. +To speak in such a manner, said Luther, is not <i>in sublimi, sed humili +genere</i>: if I should teach a child, I would teach him in this sort: +“He that loves me, will keep my Word.” Here we see +that Christ saith not, Abstain from flesh, from marrying, from housekeeping, +etc., as the Papists teach, for that were even to invite the devil and +all his fellows to a feast.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That true and upright Christians are ready to suffer Death and +all manner of Torments for the Gospel’s sake, but Hypocrites do +shun the Cross.</i></p> +<p>Not long since, said Luther, I invited to my table, at Wittemberg, +an Hungarian Divine, named Matthias de Vai, who told me that, as he +came first to be a Preacher in Hungary, he chanced to fall out with +a Papistical Priest. Now, he was complained of by that Priest +to a Friar that was brother to the Vaivoda, or Governor of Buda, and +they were both summoned to appear before him. The one much accusing +the other, insomuch that the Friar could not reconcile nor take up the +controversy between them, at last, and after long debate, the Friar +said, “I know a way soon to discover the truth of this cause,” +and commanded that two barrels of gunpowder should be set in the midst +of the market-place at Buda, and said unto the parties, “He that +will maintain his Doctrine to be right, and the true Word of God, let +him sit upon one of these barrels, and I will give fire unto it, and +he that remaineth living and unburned, his Doctrine is right.” + Then Matthias de Vai leaped presently upon one of the barrels and sat +himself down thereon; but the Papist Priest would not up to the other +barrel, but slunk away. Then the Friar said, “Now I see +and know that the Faith and Doctrine of Matthias de Vai is the right, +and that our Papistical Religion is false.” And thereupon +he punished and fined the Papist, with his assistants, for wronging +De Vai, in four thousand Hungarian ducats, and compelled him for a certain +time to maintain one hundred soldiers at his own charge; but he licensed +Matthias de Vai openly to preach the Gospel. The Friar himself, +recanting his religion, was converted and became a Protestant; whereupon +Luther said, Never yet would any Papist burn for religion, but our people +go with joy to the fire, as heretofore hath been well seen on the holy +Martyrs.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>By what God preserveth his Word.</i></p> +<p>God will keep his Word, said Luther, through the writing-pen upon +earth; the Divines are the heads or quills of the pens, but the Lawyers +are the stumps. If, now, the world will not keep the heads and +quills—that is, if they will not hear the Divines—then they +must keep the stumps—that is, they must hear the Lawyers, who +will teach them manners.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That in Causes of Religion we must not judge according to human +Wisdom, but according to God’s Word.</i></p> +<p>When the Pope and Emperor, said Luther, cited me to appear at Worms, +Anno Domini 1521, at the Imperial Assembly, they pressed and earnestly +advised me to refer the determining of my cause to his Imperial Majesty; +but I answered the three spiritual Electors, Maintz, Tryer, and Cologne, +and said, “I will rather surrender up to his Majesty his letters +of safe-conduct which he hath given me than to put this cause to the +determining of any human creature whatsoever.” Whereupon +my master, the Prince Elector of Saxony, said also unto them, “Truly +no man could offer more.” But as they still insisted and +urged me touching that point, I said, I did not dare to presume, without +great danger of running myself into God’s wrath, and of the loss +of my soul’s health, to refer this Cause, which is none of mine, +but God’s Cause, to the censure of earthly counsel; for the same, +before all ages, hath been had in consultation, hath been determined, +censured, concluded, and confirmed by the great Council in Heaven, to +be and remain the infallible, most certain and true Word of the High +Majesty of God; and therefore altogether needless, yea, most presumptuous +now it were, either to receive or to deliver it to the determination +and censure of human and natural sense, wit, and wisdom, which is subject +to nothing more than to error, especially in and concerning God’s +Word and divine matters. And I told them flat and plain, I would +rather expose myself to endure all the torments that this world, flesh, +and the devil were able to devise and prepare than to give my consent +thereunto.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That in former Times it was dangerous studying the Holy Scriptures.</i></p> +<p>In times past, as also in part of our time, said Luther, it was dangerous +studying, when divinity and all good arts were contemned; and when fine, +expert, and prompt wits were plagued with sophistry. Aristotle, +the Heathen, was held in such repute and honour, that whoso undervalued +or contradicted him was held, at Cologne, for the greatest heretic; +whereas they themselves understood not Aristotle. The Sophists +did much more darken Aristotle than illustrate him; like as that Friar +did, who wasted two whole hours in a sermon about Christ’s Passion, +and concerning this question: <i>Utrùm quantitas realiter distincta +sit à substantia</i>—whether the quantity in itself were +divided from the substance? He showed this example, and said, +“My head might well creep through, but the bigness of my head +could not;” insomuch that, like an idiot, he divided the head +from the bigness thereof. A silly grammarian might easily have +solved the same, and said, The bigness of the head, that is, the big +or great head.</p> +<p>With such and the like fopperies were petty brains troubled, said +Luther, and were instructed neither in good arts nor in divinity. +Antipho, Chusa, Bovillus, and others were likewise miserably molested +and plagued about bringing a thing which was round into four square, +and to compare a straight line with a crooked. But we, God be +praised, have now happy times; and it were to be wished that the youth +made good use thereof, and spent their studying diligently in such arts +as at this time are green, and flourish.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the Jews have better Teachers and Writers of the Holy Scriptures +than the Gentiles.</i></p> +<p>When I read in the Psalter, said Luther, I do much admire that David +had such a spirit. Oh, what high enlightened people were among +the Jews! This David was a married man; he was a king, a soldier, +and a preacher; he was busy in temporal affairs, yet nevertheless he +wrote such an excellent surpassing book. The New Testament was +written also by men that were Jews, and the Apostles themselves were +Jews: God would signify thereby that we should adore his Word, we should +preciously esteem thereof, reverence, and love the same. We Gentiles +have no book that ruleth in the Church, therefore we are not comparable +to the Jews; from hence it is that St. Paul maketh a very fine distinction +or difference between Sarah and Hagar, and the two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. +Hagar was also a wife, but nothing near like Sarah; therefore it is +a great pride, presumption, and wilfulness of the Pope, in that he, +being but a human creature, will presume, without Scripture, to set +himself against the Scripture, and will exalt himself above the same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Luther’s Complaint of the Multitude of Books</i>.</p> +<p>The multitude of books, said Luther, is much to be lamented; no measure +nor end is held in writing; every one will write books; some out of +ambition to purchase praise thereby, and to raise them names; others +for the sake of lucre and gain, and by that means further much evil. +Therefore the Bible, by so many comments and books, will be buried and +obscured, so that the Text will be nothing regarded. I could wish +that all my books were buried nine ells deep in the ground, for evil +example’s sake, in that every one will imitate me with writing +many books, thereby to purchase praise. But Christ died not for +the sake of our ambition and vain-glory, but he died only to the end +that his name might be sanctified.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God’s Word will not be truly understood without Trials +and Temptations.</i></p> +<p>I, said Luther, did not learn my divinity at one only time, but I +was constrained to search deeper and deeper, to which my temptations +brought me; for no man, without trials and temptations, can attain to +the true understanding of the Holy Scriptures. St. Paul had a +devil that beat him with fists, and with temptations drove him diligently +to study the Holy Scripture. I, said Luther, had cleaving and +hanging on my neck the Pope, the Universities, all the deep-learned, +and with them the devil himself; these hunted me into the Bible, where +I diligently read, and thereby, God be praised, at length I attained +to the true understanding of the same. Without such a devil, we +are but only speculators of divinity, and according to our vain reasoning +we dream that so-and-so it must be, as the Monks and Friars in monasteries +do. The Holy Scripture of itself is certain and true enough; but +God grant me the grace that I may catch hold on the right use thereof; +for when Satan disputeth with me in this sort, namely, whether God be +gracious unto me or no? then I must not meet him with this text: “Whoso +loveth God with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his strength, +the same shall inherit the kingdom of God;” for then the devil +presently objecteth, and hitteth me in the teeth, and saith, “Thou +hast not loved God with all thy heart,” etc., which, indeed, is +true, and my own conscience therein witnesseth against me; but at such +a time I must arm myself and encounter him with this text, namely: “That +Jesus Christ died for me, and through him I have a gracious God and +Father; Christ hath made an atonement for me,” as St. Paul saith, +“He is of God given unto us for wisdom, for righteousness, for +holiness, and for redemption.”</p> +<p>Tyrants, sectaries, seducers, and heretics do nothing else but drive +us into the Bible, to make us read more diligently therein, and with +more fervency to sharpen our prayers.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Advice of the Bishop of Salzburg, how to qualify the Controversy +between the Protestants and Papists, propounded to Luther shortly before +his Death; touching which, Luther discoursed as followeth:</i></p> +<p>At the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, in the year 1530, the Bishop +of Salzburg said unto me, “Four ways and means there are to make +a reconciliation or union between us and you Protestants. One +is, that ye yield unto us. To that you say you cannot. The +second is, that we yield unto you; but that we will not do. The +third is, that the one party, by force, should be compelled to yield +to the other; but thereupon a great combustion and tumult might be raised. +Therefore the fourth way or means were to be applauded and used, namely, +that now being here assembled together, the one party should strive +to thrust out the other, and that party which shall have the advantage, +and be the stronger, the same should put the other party into a bag +and expel them.” Whereupon I, said Luther, answered him +and said, “This, indeed, were a very substantial course to settle +unity and peace, wonderful wisely considered of, found out and expounded +by such a holy and Christian-like Bishop as you are.” And +thereupon I took letters out of my pocket, which shortly before I had +received from Rome, and gave the same to the Bishop to read, which letter +related a pretty passage that fell out there five weeks before, between +some Cardinals and the Pope’s Fool, written as followeth:—</p> +<p>The said Cardinals had been in serious consultation how, and by what +means, the Protestants in Germany might be convinced touching their +error, and suppressed; but they saw the difficulty of it, in that the +Protestants, in their books and writings, powerfully against the Papists, +cited the sacred Scripture, and especially they opposed and withstood +them with the doctrine of St. Paul, which were great blocks in the Papists’ +way, insomuch that they found it a business not so easily to be accomplished. +Then said the Fool unto the Cardinals, “I know how to give you +herein an advice, whereby you easily may be rid and quitted of St. Paul, +that his doctrines shall not be approved of; as thus: The Pope,” +said the Fool, “hath power to make Saints; therefore let St. Paul +be taken out of the number of the Apostles, and preferred to be a Saint, +as then his <i>dicta</i>, or sayings, which are against you, shall no +more be held for apostolical.” “This and your proposition,” +said Luther to the Bishop, “are of equal value.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF GOD’S WORKS.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>That human Sense and Reason cannot comprehend nor understand God’s +Works.</i></p> +<p>In all things, and in the least creatures, yea, also in their members, +God’s almighty power and great wonderful works do clearly shine. +For what man, how powerful, wise, and holy soever, can make out of one +fig, a fig-tree or another fig? or, out of one cherry-stone, can make +a cherry or a cherry-tree? or what man can know how God createth and +preserveth all things and maketh them grow?</p> +<p>And truly we find and see printed the Holy Trinity in all good arts +and creatures, as the almighty power of God the Father, the wisdom of +God the Son, and the goodness of God the Holy Ghost. Neither can +we conceive or know how the apple of the eye doth see, or how understanding +words are spoken distinctly and plainly when only the tongue is moved +and stirred in the mouth, all which are natural things, as we daily +see and act. How then should we be able to comprehend or understand +the secret counsel of God’s Majesty, or search it out with our +sense, wit, reason, or understanding?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That no Man understands God’s Works.</i></p> +<p>No man, said Luther, is able to imagine, much less to understand, +what God hath done, and still doth without ceasing. Although we +laboured and sweated blood to write but only three lines in such manner +as St. John did write, yet were we never able to perform it. What, +then, should we any way admire or wonder at our wisdom? I, for +my part, said Luther, will be a fool, and will yield myself captive.</p> +<p>When one asked where God was before Heaven was created, St. Austin +made answer thereunto and said, He was in himself. And as another, +said Luther, asked me the same question, I said, He was building Hell +for such idle, presumptuous, fluttering spirits and inquisitors. +After he had created all things, he was everywhere, and yet he was nowhere; +for I cannot fasten nor take hold of him without the Word. But +he will be found there where he hath bound himself to be. The +Jews found him at Jerusalem by the Throne of Grace (Exodus xxv.). +We find him in the Word and Faith, in Baptism and Sacraments; but in +his Majesty he is nowhere to be found.</p> +<p>It was a special grace in the Old Testament, when God bound himself +to a certain place where he would be found, namely, in that place where +the Tabernacle was, towards which they prayed; as first in Shiloh and +Shechem, afterwards at Gibeon, and lastly at Jerusalem in the Temple.</p> +<p>The Greeks and Heathens in after-times, said Luther, did imitate +the same, and did build temples for their idols in certain places, as +at Ephesus for Diana, at Delphos for Apollo, etc. For where God +built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel. They +imitated the Jews also in this, namely, that as the most holy was dark +and had no light, even so and after the same manner did they make their +places dark where the devil made answer, as at Delphos and elsewhere. +In such sort is the devil always God’s ape.</p> +<p>But, said Luther, whereas the most holy must be dark, the same did +signify that the Kingdom of Christ no other way was to be taken hold +of and fastened, but only by the Word and by Faith.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the Superfluity of temporal Wealth doth hinder the Faith.</i></p> +<p>God, said Luther, could be rich soon and easily if he would be more +provident, and would deny us the use of his creatures. If he would +but keep back the sun, that it should not shine, or lock up the air, +detain the water, or quench out the fire—ah! then would we willingly +give all our money and wealth to have the use of his creatures again.</p> +<p>But seeing God so liberally heapeth his gifts upon us, we therefore +will claim them as by right, in despite of him, and let him deny them +us if he dare. Therefore the unspeakable multitude of his innumerable +benefits do hinder and darken the faith of the believers, much more +of the ungodly.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God doth purchase nothing but Unthankfulness with his Benefits.</i></p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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!</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of God’s Power in our Weakness.</i></p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Thus goeth it always with God’s power in our weakness; for +when he is weakest in us, then is he strongest.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Howsoever God dealeth with us, it is always unacceptable.</i></p> +<p>How, said Luther, should God deal with us? Good days we cannot +bear, evil we cannot endure. Giveth he riches unto us? then are +we proud, so that no man can live by us in peace; nay, we will be carried +upon hands and shoulders, and will be adored as gods. Giveth he +poverty unto us? then are we dismayed, we are impatient, and murmur +against him. Therefore nothing were better for us than soon to +be conveyed to the last dance, and covered with shovels.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the acknowledging of Nature.</i></p> +<p>Adam had no need of books, said Luther, for he had the Book of Nature; +and all the Patriarchs and Prophets, Christ and his Apostles, do cite +much out of that book; as, touching the sorrows of women bearing children, +of the fellowship and community of the members of man’s body, +as St. Paul relateth such parables, and saith that one member cannot +miss another: if the eyes did not see, whither then would the feet go? +how would they stumble and fall? If the hands did not fasten and +take hold, how then should we eat? If the feet went not, where +then would the hands get anything? Only the maw, that lazy drone, +lies in the midst of the body, and is fatted like a swine. This +parable, said Luther, teacheth us that mankind should love one another; +as also the Greeks’ pictures do teach concerning two men, the +one lame and the other blind, who showed kindness the one to the other, +as much as in them lay. The lame guided the blind in the way, +which else he neither knew nor saw, and the blind carried the lame, +that else could not go; so that they both were helped and came forward.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of God’s Goodness, if we could but trust unto him.</i></p> +<p>Once, towards evening, came flying into Luther’s garden two +birds, and made a nest therein, but they were oftentimes scared away +by those that passed by. Then said Luther, O ye loving pretty +birds! fly not away; I am heartily well contented with you, if ye could +but trust unto me. Even so it is with us: we neither can trust +in God, who, notwithstanding, showeth and wisheth us all goodness.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God made all Things for Mankind.</i></p> +<p>God’s power is great, said Luther, who holdeth and nourisheth +the whole world, and maintaineth it; and it is a hard article where +we say and acknowledge, “I believe in God the Father.” +He hath created all things sufficiently for us. All the seas are +our cellars, all woods are our huntings; the earth is full of silver +and gold, and of innumerable fruits, which are created all for our sakes, +and the earth is a corn-house and a larder for us, etc.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God’s creatures are used, or rather abused, for the +most part by the Ungodly.</i></p> +<p>The wicked and ungodly, said Luther, do enjoy and use the most part +of God’s creatures; for the tyrants have the greatest power, lands, +and people in the world; the usurers have the money; the farmers have +eggs, butter, corn, barley, oats, apples, pears, etc.; but good and +godly Christians must suffer, be persecuted, must sit in dungeons where +they can see neither sun nor moon, must be thrust out into poverty, +must be banished, and plagued, etc. But certainly it must be better +one day; it cannot always so remain; let us have but patience, and steadfastly +remain by the pure doctrine, and, notwithstanding all this misery, let +us not fall away from the same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God, and not Money, preserves the World.</i></p> +<p>God only, said Luther, and not money and wealth, maintains and preserves +the world; for riches and much money do make proud and lazy people: +as at Venice, where the richest people are, a horrible dearth fell among +them in our memory, so that they were driven to call upon the Turks +for help, who sent twenty-four galleys laden with corn, all which, as +they almost were arrived, went down into the sea and sank before their +eyes.</p> +<p>Therefore, said Luther, great wealth and money cannot still the hunger, +but rather occasioneth more dearth; for where rich people are, there +it is always dear, and things are at high rates. Moreover, money +maketh no man right merry, but much more pensive and full of sorrow; +for they are thorns which do prick people, as Christ calls riches; yet +is the world so mad that they will set thereupon all their joy and felicity.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God’s corporeal Gifts are but little regarded.</i></p> +<p>One evening, Luther saw cattle going in the fields, in a pasture, +and said: Behold, there go our preachers, our milk-bearers, butter-bearers, +cheese and wool-bearers, which do daily preach unto us the faith towards +God, that we should trust in him, as in our loving Father; he careth +for us, and will maintain and nourish us.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God nourisheth all the Beasts.</i></p> +<p>No man, said Luther, can account the great charges which God is at +only in maintaining the birds and such creatures, which in a manner +are nothing or little worth. I am persuaded, said he, that it +costeth God yearly more to maintain only the sparrows than the yearly +revenue of the French King amounteth unto. What then shall we +say of all the rest of his creatures?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God is skilful in all Manner of Trades.</i></p> +<p>God, said Luther, is skilful in all occupations and trades, in a +most perfect and excellent manner; for, like a skilful tailor, he makes +such a coat for the stag, which he wears nine hundred years together, +and of itself it is not torn; also, like a good shoemaker, he gives +him shoes on his feet, that last longer than the stag himself, etc.</p> +<p>God gives this world, with all his works, to those people who, as +he knows before, will anger, contemn, and blaspheme him. What, +then, may we think, will he give to those that through faith are justified, +and do know that they, so justified, shall live and remain with him +everlastingly?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God will be praised in all Languages.</i></p> +<p>“All that hath breath, praise the Lord,” saith the Psalm; +thence it followeth that in all and every language, speeches, and tongues +we should preach and praise the Lord. Why then, said Luther, have +the Pope and the Emperor forbidden to sing and pray in the German tongue?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God is willing we should make use of his Creatures.</i></p> +<p>Our loving Lord God is willing that we eat, drink, and be merry, +and make use of his creatures, for therefore he hath created them. +He will not have that we should complain, as if he had not given sufficient, +or that he could not maintain our poor carcases; only that we do acknowledge +him for our God, and thank him for his gifts.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God fills the Bellies of the Ungodly, but he gives the Kingdom +of Heaven to the Good and Godly.</i></p> +<p>We believe, said Luther, that God will give to us no better things +than he giveth to the rich ungodly wretches in this world, to whom he +gives an overplus, and the fill of good wine, money, wealth, power, +honour, and all things that they would have or can desire. But +the best wealth and treasure, which they do not desire, he denies them, +namely, himself. But he that hath not God, let him have else what +he will, so is he, notwithstanding, more miserable than was Lazarus, +that lay at the rich man’s gate and was starved to death. +But it will go even so with them as it went with the glutton, that they +everlastingly must hunger and want, and shall not have in all their +power so much as the least drop of water, etc.</p> +<p>If, then, said Luther, the almighty and liberal God in such wise +doth heap blessings upon his worst enemies and blasphemers, with all +manner of temporal goods and wealth, and gives to some also kingdoms, +principalities, etc., then may we, that are his children, easily conceive +what he will give unto us, who, for his sake must suffer—yea, +what he hath already given us. He hath given unto us his only-begotten +Son, and with him hath bestowed all things upon us, so that through +him we are God’s children, and also heirs of his celestial treasure, +and are co-heirs with Christ according to hope.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Court Cards.</i></p> +<p>God regards ungodly great Potentates, Kings, and Princes even as +children regard playing at cards. While they play, and have good +cards, they hold them in their hands; then, afterwards, when they have +bad cards, they are weary of them, and throw them under the bench. +Just so doth God with great Potentates. While they are in the +government, and rule well, he holds them for good; but so soon as they +do exceed, and govern ill, then he throws them down from their seat, +as Mary sings, and there he lets them lie. <i>Ut Regem Daniœ</i>.</p> +<p>The Queen of Denmark, that was sister to the Emperor Charles and +King Ferdinand, died at that time when her husband, King Christian, +was taken prisoner, who was kept in prison twenty years. And his +son, who was the only heir of the kingdom, and was in the Court of the +Emperor, died also at the Imperial Diet held at Ratisbon the same year, +1541. God hath taken up and gathered together a fine and glorious +game at cards, all of mighty Potentates, as Emperors, Kings, Princes, +etc.; they scuffle and fight one with another; touching which, said +Luther, I could show many examples done in our time, etc.</p> +<p>“The Pope,” said Melancthon, “for the space of +these certain hundred years, hath been held for the principal Head of +all Christendom. When he did but wink or hold up one finger, so +must the Emperors, Kings, and Princes have humbled themselves and feared; +insomuch that he was Lord of all Lords, King of all Kings on earth; +yea, he was an earthly god. But now comes Almighty God, throws +down the Pope, and wins that great king with the ace (Luther), and there +he lies. This is God’s government, as Mary sings in her +Magnificat: <i>Deposuit potentes</i>—He puts down the mighty from +their seat, etc.</p> +<p>“If I were rich,” said Melancthon, “I would have +artificially made me a game at cards, and a chess-board all of gold +and silver, in a remembrance of God’s game at cards, which are +all great and mighty Emperors, Kings, and Princes, where he always thrusteth +one out through another. N. is the four of diamonds, the Pope +is the six of diamonds, the Turk is the eight of diamonds, the Emperor +is the king in the game.</p> +<p>“At last comes our Lord God, divides the game, beats the Pope +with Luther (he is the ace). But the Pope is not yet quite dead; +Christ hath begun to slay him with the spirit of his mouth, so that +he is dead in the hearts of believing Christians. I hope it is +almost come so far that, in less than two hundred years, God will quite +make an end of him, and of that antichristian idolatry, by his glorious +coming.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Whoso from his Heart can humble himself before God, he hath gained.</i></p> +<p>Whoso can earnestly humble himself from his heart before God, he +hath gained. For God can do nothing but to be merciful towards +them that humble themselves. For if God should always be stern +and angry, so should I, said Luther, be afraid of him as of the executioner. +And seeing that I must stand in fear of the Pope, of the Emperor, of +the Papistical Bishops, and of other tyrants, which are God’s +enemies, to whom then should I fly and take my refuge, if I should also +be afraid of God?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That God preserves Nurture and Discipline.</i></p> +<p>God’s works and actions will be where good nurture and discipline +is maintained, especially in wars, where a good government is settled; +otherwise it goeth strangely, dissolutely, and ill, as in this time +we see too well.</p> +<p>When God will confound the wisdom of the wise, he makes them first +mad and furious in their proceedings, as he dealt with the Popish Princes +and Bishops at the Imperial Diet held at Augsburg.</p> +<p>Let the adversaries rage and swell their fills, said Luther, and +as long as they can. God hath set the sea her bounds; he suffers +the same to beat and rage with her waves, as if they would over-run, +cover, and drown everything; yet, notwithstanding, they must not pass +the shore and banks, although God keeps the waters in their compass, +not with iron, but with weak walls of sand. This discourse Luther +held at that time when letters were written unto him from the Assembly +at Frankfort, concerning the Papists, with their practices and exploits, +intending to fall upon the Protestants in all parts.</p> +<p>The second Psalm, said Luther, is one of the best Psalms. I +love that Psalm with my heart. It strikes and slashes valiantly +amongst the Kings, Princes, Counsellors, Judges, etc. If it be +true what this Psalm saith, then are the allegations of the Papists +stark lies. If I were as our Lord God, and had committed the government +to my son, as he hath done to his Son, and that these angry gentlemen +were so disobedient as they now are, I would, said Luther, throw the +world into a lump.</p> +<p>Mary, the poor child-maid of Nazareth, also combateth with these +great Kings, Princes, etc., as she sings, “He hath put down the +mighty from their seat,” etc. No doubt, said Luther, she +had an excellent undaunted voice. I, for my part, dare not sing +so. The tyrants say, “Let us break their bonds asunder.” +What that is, said he, present experience teacheth us; for we see how +they drown, how they hang, burn, behead, strangle, banish, and torture; +and all this they do in despite of God. “But he sits above +in heaven, and laugheth them to scorn.” If, said Luther, +God would be pleased to give me a little time and space, that I might +expound a couple of small Psalms, I would bestir myself so boldly that, +Samson-like, I would take all the Papists away with me.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>By reason of our stiff-necked Hardness, God must be both harsh +and good too.</i></p> +<p>I was, said Luther, very lately sharply reprimanded and taxed by +a Popish flattering Courtier, a Priest, because with such passion I +had written, and so vehemently had reproved the people. But I +answered him and said, “Our Lord God must first send a sharp pouring +shower, with thunder and lightning, and afterwards cause it mildly to +rain, as then it wetteth finely through. In like manner, a willow +or a hazel wand I can easily cut with my trencher-knife, but for a hard +oak a man must have and use axes, bills, and such-like, and all little +enough to fell and to cleave it.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>What that is, God is nothing, and yet he is all Things.</i></p> +<p>Plato, the Heathen, disputed of God, that God is nothing, and yet +he is all things; him followed Dr. Eck, and the Sophists, who understood +nothing thereof, as their words do show, which no man could understand. +But, said Luther, we must understand and speak of it in this manner: +God is incomprehensible and invisible, therefore what may be seen and +comprehended, that is not God. And thus a man may speak also in +another manner and wise: As God is either visible or invisible; visible +he is in his Word and Works, but where his Word and Works are not, there +a man should not desire to have him, for he will be found nowhere else +than where he hath revealed himself. But these and such-like will +find and take hold of him with their speculations, so that instead of +God they take hold of the devil, and find him, for he will be also a +god. But I do truly admonish and warn every one that they abstain +from such speculations, and not to flutter too high, but remain by the +manger, and by the swaddling-clothes wherein Christ doth lie (in the +Holy Scriptures), “in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead +bodily,” as St. Paul saith (Col. ii.). There a man cannot +fail of God, but finds and hits upon him most certainly. I would +willingly that this rule might be observed after my death, namely: Human +comfort and Divine comfort are of two sorts: human comfort consisteth +in external visible help, which a man may see, hold, and feel; but Divine +comfort consisteth only in words and promises, where there is neither +seeing, hearing, nor feeling.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Children are God’s special Blessings and Creatures.</i></p> +<p>Dr. Jonas, inviting Luther to a dinner, had caused a bough, with +ripe cherries, to be hung up over the table where they dined, in remembrance +of the creation, thereby to put his guests in mind to praise the glorious +God in his blessing and creating such fruits, etc. But Luther +asked him why he did not rather remember the same by his children that +were the fruit of his body. For, said he, they surpass and are +far more excelling creatures of God than all the fruits of trees. +By them we see God’s Power, Wisdom, and Art, who hath made them +all out of nothing, hath given them in one year life and all members, +so exquisitely hath created and will maintain and preserve them. +Yet, notwithstanding, we do not much regard it; nay, we are in such +gifts of God blind and covetous, as commonly it falleth out that people +when they have got children grow worse and more covetous; they rake +and rend all they can, to the end enough may be left for their children. +They do not know that before a child comes to the world, and is born, +it hath its lot; and already is ordained and determined what and how +much it shall have, and what shall be thereout. In the state of +matrimony we learn and find that begetting and bearing of children stands +and consists not in our wills and pleasures, for the parents can neither +see nor know whether they be fruitful or no, nor whether God will give +them a son or a daughter. All this is done without our ordaining, +thinking, or foreknowledge. My father and mother did not think +that they should have brought a superintendent into the world; it is +only God’s Creation which we cannot rightly understand nor conceive. +I believe, said Luther, that in the life to come we shall have nothing +else to do than to meditate of our Creator, and of his celestial creatures, +and wonder at the same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF THE NATURE OF THE WORLD.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the World, and of the Manner thereof.</i></p> +<p>The world, said Luther, will neither have nor hold God for God, nor +the devil for the devil. And if a man were left to himself, and +should be suffered to do after his own kind and nature, then would he +willingly throw our Lord God out at the window; for the world regards +God nothing at all, as the Psalm saith, <i>Dixit impius in corde suo, +non est Deus</i>. On the contrary, the god of the world is riches, +pleasure, and pride, wherewith they abuse all the creatures and gifts +of God.</p> +<p>The Monks and Friars, in times past, boasted much of their contemning +of the world, and they made use of that speech of St. Paul (Rom. xii.), +“Be not conformed to this world;” from whence they would +touch no money, as if it were against God to make use of riches, money, +and wealth; whereas St. Paul and the whole Scriptures forbid but only +the abuse of heart, wicked lust, desire, and inclination; as there is +ambition, incontinency, revenge, etc., which lusts do hang on the world; +yea, they altogether flow and flourish.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Manner of People in Eating.</i></p> +<p>We have the nature and manner of all wild beasts in eating. +The wolves eat sheep; we also. The foxes eat hens, geese, etc.; +we also. The hawks and kites eat fowl and birds; we also. +Pikes do eat other fish; we also. With oxen, horse, and kine, +we also eat sallets, grass, etc.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The Unthankfulness of Husbandmen and Farmers</i>.</p> +<p>The husbandmen and rich farmers, said Luther, are not worthy of so +many benefits and fruits which the earth doth bear and bring unto them. +I give more thanks to our Lord God for one tree or bush than all rich +farmers and husbandmen do for their large and fruitful grounds. +Yet, said he, we must except some husbandmen, as Adam, Noah, Abraham, +and Isaac, who went out to see their grounds, to the end they might +remember God’s gifts in his creatures. (Gen. xxiv.)</p> +<p>The world will have night owls, said Luther, that is, sectaries, +seducers, and unbelievers, about whom the birds do fly; that is, the +world wonders at them, entertains them with great honour, and gives +them money and wealth enough.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The Gospel discovereth the Wickedness of Mankind</i>.</p> +<p>As the cold, said Luther, is always greater and more piercing in +winter when the days begin to lengthen, and when the sun draws near +unto us, for that maketh the cold thicker, and presseth it together: +just so the wickedness of mankind is greater, that is, more visible, +and breaks out when the Gospel is preached; for the Holy Ghost reproveth +the world of sin, which the world neither can nor will endure.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World’s Unthankfulness towards the Servants of God.</i></p> +<p>He must be of a high and great spirit that undertaketh to serve the +people both in body and soul, and nevertheless must suffer the utmost +danger and highest unthankfulness. Therefore Christ said to Peter, +Simon, etc., “Lovest thou me?” and repeated it three times +together. Afterwards he said, “Feed my sheep,” as +if he would say, “Wilt thou be an upright Minister and a Shepherd? +then love must only do it; thy love to me must do the deed, otherwise +it is impossible.” For who can endure unthankfulness? to +study away his wealth and health, and afterwards to lay himself open +to the highest danger and unthankfulness of the wicked world? +Therefore he saith, “It is very needful that thou lovest me.”</p> +<p>The Pope and Turk, said Luther, have thoroughly revenged our cause, +and have done to the world a great deal of right, as by scourging experience +they have thoroughly been taught, for so the world will have it. +Upright and true servants of God they will not endure, nay, they murder +them, therefore they must have such fellows, yea, and moreover, they +must maintain and hold them in great honour and esteem, and yet nevertheless +must by them be cursed and deceived.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World must have stern and fierce Rulers.</i></p> +<p>The world, said Luther, cannot be without such stern Governors, by +whom they must be ruled. King Ferdinand, with his Popish tyranny, +is even a fine liquorish bit for the world; therefore said God, through +the Prophet Samuel, to his people of Israel that prayed for a King, +He would give them a King, but this shall be his rule: “He will +take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and +to be his horsemen, and will take your daughters to be cooks,” +etc. As Ferdinand, the Prince Elector of Saxony, returned home +from the election of the Emperor Charles at Cologne, he asked me how +I liked the news, that they had elected Charles, King of Spain, to be +Roman Emperor. I answered him and said, “The ravens must +have a kite.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World’s highest Wisdom.</i></p> +<p>The highest wisdom of the world is, said Luther, to trouble themselves +with temporal, earthly, and vanishing things; and as it happeneth and +falleth out with those things, they say, “<i>Non putâram</i>” +(I had not thought it). For faith is a certain and a sure expectation +of that which a man hopeth for, and maketh no doubt of that which he +seeth not, as the Epistle to the Hebrews saith: Faith looks to that +which is to come, and not to that which is already present. Therefore +a true Christian doth not say, “<i>Non putâram</i>” +(I had not thought it); but he is most certain that the beloved Cross +is near at hand, and will surely come upon him; therefore he is not +afraid when it goeth evil with him, and he is tormented. But the +world, and those that live securely in the world, cannot brook misfortunes; +they go on continually leaping and dancing in pleasure and delight, +like the rich Glutton in the Gospel. He could not spare the scraps +to poor Lazarus, but Lazarus belonged to Christ, and he took his part.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The Language and Doings of the World.</i></p> +<p>Albertus, Bishop of Mentz, had a physician attending on his person +who was a Protestant, and therefore the less in the Bishop’s favour; +the same, being covetous and puffed up with ambition, recanted his religion +and fell to Popery, uttering these words: “I will, for awhile, +set Christ behind the door, until I be grown rich, and then I will take +him to me again.” Such and the like blasphemous words do +deserve the highest punishments, as befell that wicked dissembling wretch, +for the same night he was found in his bed in a most fearful manner, +with his tongue torn out of his mouth, as black as a coal, and his neck +wrung in twain. Myself, said Luther, at that time coming from +Frankfort to Mentz, was an eye-witness of that just judgment of God. +If, said he, a man could bring to pass, and at his pleasure could set +God behind the door, and take him again when he listed, then was God +his prisoner. They were words of a damned Epicure, and so accordingly +he was rewarded.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Luther’s Comparison of the World.</i></p> +<p>The world seems to me like unto a decayed house. David and +the Prophets are the spars; Christ is the main pillar in the midst that +supporteth all.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World seeketh Immortality with their Pride.</i></p> +<p>Whereas all people do feel and acknowledge, yea, do see, that they +must die and vanish away, every one therefore seeketh here on earth +immortality, that he may be had in everlasting remembrance. Sometimes +great Princes and Kings sought it by causing great columns of marble +stone and exceedingly high pyramids, buildings, and pillars four square +to be erected, as at this time they do with building great churches, +costly and glorious palaces and castles, etc. Soldiers do look +and hunt after great praise and honour by overcoming and obtaining famous +victories. The learned seek an everlasting name in writing books, +as in our time is to be seen. With these and such-like, people +do think to be immortal. But on the true, everlasting, and incorruptible +honour and eternity of God, no man thinketh nor looketh after the same. +Ah! we are poor, silly, and miserable people!</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>What is to be considered in the executing of Offices.</i></p> +<p>If, said Luther, the great pains and labour which I take sprang not +from love and for the sake of him that died for me, the world could +not give me money enough to write only one book, or to translate the +Bible. I desire not to be rewarded and paid of the world for my +book; the world is too poor and simple to give me satisfaction. +I have not desired the value of one penny of my master the Prince Elector +of Saxony, so long as I have been in this place. The whole world +is nothing else but a turned-about <i>Decalogus</i>, or the Ten Commandments +backwards, a wizard, and a picture of the devil. All contemners +of God, all blasphemers, all disobedient; whoredom, pride, theft, murder, +etc., are now almost ripe for the slaughter; neither is the devil idle, +with Turk and Pope, heresies and other erroneous sects. Every +man draws the Christian liberty only to carnal excess, as if now they +had free liberty and power to do what they list; therefore the kingdom +of the devil and Pope is the best government for the world, for therewith +they will be governed with strict laws and rights, with superstition, +unbelief, etc.</p> +<p>The world grows worse through the doctrine of God’s Grace and +preaching of the Gospel; for when they hear that after this life there +is another, they are well enough content with this life, and that God +should keep the other to himself; if they may have here but only good +days, honour, and wealth, that is all they care for or desire.</p> +<p>At the time of my being in Rome, said Luther, there died a Cardinal +very rich, and left behind him great store of money; shortly before +his death he made his will, and laid it in a chest where the money was. +After his death the chest was opened, and therein, by the money, was +found lying a bull, written on parchment, with these words:</p> +<p><i> Dum potui, rapui; rapiatis, quando potestis.<br /></i>(I +extorted and oppressed as long as I was able; while ye have power, get +what you can.)</p> +<p>Oh! said Luther, how finely, think you, must this Cardinal have departed +and died?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World is full of Dissemblers and Blasphemers: How many Sorts +there be.</i></p> +<p>Luther discoursing, in the presence of the Prince Elector of Saxony +and other Princes, of the many sorts and differences of wicked persons, +said: Colax, Sycophanta, Cacoëthes; these sins and blasphemies +are almost alike the one to the other, only that they go one after another, +as a man going up the stairs and steps ascends from one to another.</p> +<p>Colax, in my opinion, is he that in Terence they name Gnatho, an +ear-scratcher, a dissembler, a trencher-licker, one that talketh for +his belly’s sake, and is altogether a man-pleaser. This +is a sin of mankind, whose intent is to get all they can though others +are hurt thereby.</p> +<p>Sycophanta is such a dissembler, traitor, and backbiter that would +earn a grey coat. This sin is nearer allied to the devil than +to mankind. Gnatho acts his part in the comedies, but Sycophanta +in the tragedies. Phormio, in Terence, is a very honest person, +nothing, or very little, stained with the other two vices.</p> +<p>Cacoëthes is a wicked villain, that wittingly and wilfully prepareth +mischief.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Wealth and Treasure of the World.</i></p> +<p>The Fuggars <a name="citation2"></a><a href="#footnote2">{2}</a> +of Augsburg, on a sudden, said Luther, are able to levy one hundred +tons of gold (one ton of gold is one hundred thousand rix dollars, making, +in English money, two-and-twenty thousand pounds sterling, and more), +which neither the Emperor nor King of Spain is able to perform. +One of the Fuggars, after his death, left eighty tons of gold. +The Fuggars and the money-changers in Augsburg lent the Emperor at one +time eight-and-twenty tons of gold for the maintaining of his wars before +Padua.</p> +<p>The Cardinal of Brixen, who died at Rome very rich, left no great +sum of ready money behind him, but only there was found in his sleeve +a little note of a finger’s length. This note was brought +to Pope Julius, who presently imagined it was a note of money, and therefore +sent for the Fuggars’ factor that was then at Rome, and asked +him if he knew that writing. The factor said, “Yea, it was +the debt which the Fuggars did owe to that Cardinal, which was the sum +of forty hundred thousand rix dollars.” The Pope asked him +how soon he could pay that sum of money. He answered and said, +“Every day, or, if need required, at an hour’s warning.” +Then the Pope called for the Ambassadors of France and England, and +asked them if either of their Kings, in one hour’s space, were +able to satisfy and pay forty tons of gold. They answered, “No.” +“Then,” said the Pope, “one citizen of Augsburg can +do it.” And the Pope got all that money. One of the +Fuggars being warned by the Senate of Augsburg to bring in and to pay +his taxation, said, “I know not how much I have, nor how rich +I am, therefore I cannot be taxed;” for he had his money out in +the whole world—in Turkey, in Greece, at Alexandria, in France, +Portugal, England, Poland, and everywhere, yet he was willing to pay +his tax of that which he had in Augsburg.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Covetousness is a Sign of Death; we must not rely on Money and +Wealth.</i></p> +<p>Whoso hath money, said Luther, and depends thereon, as is usual, +it neither proceeds nor prospers well with that person. The richest +monarchs have had bad fortune, and lamentably have been destroyed and +slain in the wars; on the contrary, poor and unable people, that have +had but small store of money, have overcome and had great fortune and +victory. As Emperor Maximilian overcame the Venetians, and continued +wars ten years with them, who were exceedingly rich and powerful. +Therefore we ought not to trust in money and wealth, nor to depend thereon. +I hear, said Luther, that the Prince Elector, George, begins to be covetous, +which is a sign of his death very shortly. When I saw Dr. Goad +begin to count his puddings hanging in the chimney, I told him he would +not live long, which fell out accordingly; and when I begin to trouble +myself about brewing, malting, and cooking, etc., then shall not I drive +it long, but soon die.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The Popes’ Covetousness.</i></p> +<p>The covetousness of the Popes has exceeded all others’, therefore, +said Luther, the devil made choice of Rome to be his habitation; for +which cause the ancients have said, “Rome is a den of covetousness, +a root of all wickedness.” I have also read in a very old +book this verse following:</p> +<p><i> Versus</i> Amor, <i>Mundi +Caput est, et Bestia Terræ</i>.</p> +<p>That is (when the word Amor is turned and read backward, then it +is Roma), Rome, the head of the world, a beast that sucketh out and +devoureth all lands. Truly at Rome is an abominable trading with +covetousness, for all is raked to their hands without preaching or church-service, +but only with superstition, idolatry, and with selling their good works +to the poor ignorant lay-people for money; therefore St. Peter describeth +such covetousness with express and clear words when he saith, “They +have an heart exercised with covetous practices.” I am persuaded +a man cannot acknowledge the disease of covetousness unless he knoweth +Rome; for the deceits and jugglings in other parts are nothing in comparison +of those at Rome; therefore, anno 1521, at the Imperial Diet held at +Worms, the State of the whole Empire made supplication against such +covetousness, and desired that his Imperial Majesty would be pleased +to suppress the same.</p> +<p>At that time, said Luther, my book was presented to the German nobility, +which Dr. Wick showed unto me. Then the Gospel began to go on +well, but the Pope’s power, together with the Antinomians, gave +it a great blow, and yet, notwithstanding, through God’s Providence, +it was thereby furthered.</p> +<p>The Pope’s power was above all Kings and Emperors, which power +I opposed with my little book; and therewith also I assaulted the Bull +on the Pope, and, by God’s assistance, overthrew it. I did +not write that book on purpose against the Pope, but only against the +abuses of Popedom; yet nevertheless it startled them quickly, for their +consciences accused them.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Princes do draw and tear Spiritual Livings unto them.</i></p> +<p>The proverb is, said Luther, “Priests’ livings are catching +livings,” and that “Priests’ goods never prosper.” +This we know to be true by experience, for such as have drawn spiritual +livings unto them are grown poor thereby, and become beggars, therefore +this Fable I like very well:</p> +<p>There was an Eagle that made amity and friendship with the Fox; they +agreed to dwell peaceably together. Now when the Fox expected +from the Eagle all manner of good offices and turns, he brought his +young ones and laid them under the tree on which the Eagle had his nest +and young ones; but the friendship between them lasted not long, for +so soon as the Eagle wanted meat for his young (the Fox being out of +the way), he flew down and took the young Foxes and carried them into +his nest, and therewith fed his young Eagles. When, therefore, +the old Fox returned, and saw that his young were taken away, he made +his complaint to the great god Jupiter, desiring that he would revenge +and punish that injury of <i>Jus violati hospitii</i>. Not long +after, as the Eagle again wanted meat to feed his young, he saw that +on a place in the field they sacrificed to Jupiter. The Eagle +flew thither, and quickly snatched away a piece of roast from the altar +and brought the same to his young, and flew again to fetch more; but +it happened that a hot coal hung to one of the pieces; the same, falling +into the Eagle’s nest, set it on fire; the young Eagles, not able +to fly, were burned with the nest and fell to the ground. Even +so it usually fareth with those that rake and rend spiritual livings +unto them, which are given to the maintaining of God’s honour +and service; such at last must lose their nests, that is, they must +be left destitute of their temporal goods and livings, and besides, +must sustain hurt of body and soul. Spiritual livings have in +them the nature of Eagle’s feathers, for when they are laid to +other feathers they devour the same. Even so, when men will mingle +spiritual livings (<i>per fas aut nefas</i>) with other goods, so must +the same likewise be consumed, insomuch that at last nothing will be +left.</p> +<p>I have seen a pretty dog, at Lintz, in Austria that was taught to +go with a hand-basket to the butcher’s shambles for meat; now, +when other dogs came about him, and would take the meat out of the basket, +he set it down, bit and fought lustily with the other dogs; but when +he saw they would be too strong for him, then he himself would snatch +out the first piece of meat, lest he should lose all. Even so +doth now our Emperor Charles, who, after he hath a long time defended +the spiritual livings, and seeth that every Prince taketh and raketh +the monasteries unto himself, doth also now take possession of bishoprics, +as newly he hath snatched to himself the bishoprics of Utrich and Luttich, +to the end he may get also <i>partem de tunica Christi.</i></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>A fearful Example of Covetousness.</i></p> +<p>A covetous farmer, well known at Erfurt, said Luther, carried his +corn to sell there in the market; but holding it at too dear a rate, +no man would buy of him nor give him his price; he being thereby moved +to anger, said, “I will not sell it cheaper, but will rather carry +it home again and give it to the mice.” As he came home +therewith, an innumerable number of mice and rats flocked about his +house and devoured up all his corn. And the next day following, +going out to see his grounds, which were newly sown, he found that all +the seed was eaten up, and no hurt at all done upon the grounds belonging +to his neighbours. This certainly, said Luther, was a just punishment +from God, and a token of his wrath against the unthankful world.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Wealth is the least Gift of God.</i></p> +<p>Riches, said Luther, is the smallest thing on earth, and the least +gift that God hath bestowed on mankind. What is it in comparison +of God’s Word? yea, what is it to be compared with corporeal gifts, +as beauty, health, etc.? nay, what is it to the gifts of the mind, as +understanding, art, wisdom, etc.? Yet are men so eager after it +that no labour, travel, nor danger is regarded in the getting of riches; +there is in it neither <i>Materialis, formalis, efficiens et finalis +causa</i>, nor anything else that is good; therefore our Lord God commonly +giveth riches to such from whom he withholds all Spiritual good.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Giving to the Poor that truly stand in need of our Help.</i></p> +<p>St. John saith, “He that hath this world’s goods, and +seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion +from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” And Christ +saith, “He that desireth of thee, give to him;” that is, +to him that hath need and is in want. He saith not to every idle, +lazy, and wasteful companion, which commonly are the greatest beggars, +to whom although one gave much and often, yet were they nothing helped +thereby. In this town, said Luther, no men are in greater want +than the students and scholars. The poverty here indeed is great, +but idleness and laziness are far greater. A man can scarcely +get a poor body to work for money, and yet they will all beg. +There is, said he, no good government. Though I were able, yet +I would not give to those idle beggars, for the more one helpeth and +giveth them, the more and oftener they come. I will not cut my +bread away from my wife and children, and give it to such; but when +one is truly poor, to him I will give with all my heart, according to +my ability. And no man should forget that Scripture which saith, +“He that hath two coats, let him part with one,” etc.; for +the Holy Scripture, in naming a coat, meaneth all manner of apparel +that one hath need of, according to his state and calling, as well for +credit as for necessity. As, also, by “the daily bread” +is understood all maintenance necessary for the body, therefore “a +coat,” in Scripture, is signified to be all usual apparel.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>The World will always have new Things.</i></p> +<p>Before I translated the New Testament out of the Greek, said Luther, +every one longed after it, to read therein, but when it was done their +longing lasted scarce four weeks. Then they desired the Books +of Moses; when I had translated those, they had enough thereof in a +short time. After that they would have the Psalter; of the same +they were soon weary; when it was translated, then they desired other +books.</p> +<p>In like manner, said he, will it be with the Book of Ecclesiasticus, +which they now long for, and about which I have taken great pains in +the translating thereof. All are acceptable, so long and until +our giddy brains be satisfied; afterwards they let them lie, and seek +after new things; therefore in the end there must come errors among +us.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF THE LORD CHRIST.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>That Christ warreth with great Potentates.</i></p> +<p>On the 18th of August, 1535, Luther, receiving letters from Frankfort +relating to the great preparations of the Emperor against the Protestants, +said: Our Saviour Christ will not wage wars with beggars, but with great +and powerful Kings and Princes, as it is written, “Kings of the +earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, +and against his anointed.” Well, on, said Luther, they will +find their counsels altogether vain and frivolous, for Christ shall +win the field. We see also how the Prophets contended and strove +with Kings, as the Kings of Babel and Assyria, etc. In like manner +Daniel, one of the chief Prophets, wrestled and strove with Kings, and +they again resisted the Prophets. All those Kings are gone, and +lie in the ashes, but Christ remaineth, still, and will remain a King +for ever.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That it doth not follow because Christ did this and that, therefore +we must also do the same.</i></p> +<p>At this time, said Luther, there are those that allege Christ by +force drove the buyers and sellers out of the temple; therefore we also +may use the like power against the Popish bishops and enemies of God’s +Word, as Muntzer and other seducers, in the time of the common rebellion, +anno 1525. Christ did many things which we neither may nor can +do after him. He went upon the water, he fasted forty days and +forty nights, he raised Lazarus from death after he had lain four days +in the grave, etc. Such and the like must we leave undone. +Much less will Christ have that we by force should set against the enemies +of the truth, but he commanded the contrary, “Love your enemies, +pray for them that vex and persecute you,” etc. But we ought +to follow him in such works where he hath annexed an open command, as, +“Be merciful, as your Father is merciful;” likewise, “Take +my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and humble in heart,” +etc., also, “He that will follow me, let him deny himself, take +up his cross and follow me.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the weak in Faith do also belong to the Kingdom of Christ.</i></p> +<p>The weak in faith, said Luther, do also belong to the kingdom of +Christ, otherwise the Lord would not have said to Peter, “Strengthen +thy brethren,” Luke xxii.; and Rom. xiv., “Receive the weak +in faith;” also 1 Thess. v., “Comfort the feeble-minded, +support the weak.” If the weak in faith should not belong +to Christ, where then would the Apostles have been, whom the Lord oftentimes +(also after his resurrection, Mark xvi.) reproved because of their unbelief?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Christ is the only Physician against Death, whom notwithstanding +very few do desire.</i></p> +<p>A cup of water, said Luther, if a man can have no better, is good +to quench the thirst. A morsel of bread stilleth the hunger, and +he that hath need seeketh earnestly thereafter. So Christ is the +best, surest, and only physic against the most fearful enemy of mankind, +the devil, but they believe it not with their hearts. If they +knew a physician who lived above one hundred miles off, that could prevent +or drive away temporal death, oh, how diligently would he be sent for! +No money nor cost would be spared. Hence it appears how abominably +human nature is spoiled and blinded; yet, notwithstanding, the small +and little heap do stick fast to the true Physician, and by this art +do learn that which the holy old Simeon well knew, from whence he joyfully +sang, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for +mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” etc., therefore death became +his sleep; but from whence came his great joy? Because that with +spiritual and corporeal eyes he saw the Saviour of the world—he +saw the true Physician against sin and death. Therefore it is +a great trouble to behold how desirous a thirsty body is of drink, or +one that is hungry of food, whereas a cup of water, a morsel of bread, +can still hunger and thirst no longer than two or three hours, but no +man, or very few, are desirous, or do long after the most precious Physician, +although he lovingly calleth and allureth all to come unto him, and +saith, “He that is athirst, let him come to me and drink” +(John vii.); so, “He that believeth in me, from his body shall +flow streams of living water.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Temple of all the Gods (except Christ), at Rome, called +Pantheon.</i></p> +<p>In the year 606, Emperor Phocas, the murderer of that good and godly +Emperor Mauritius, and the first erector of the Pope’s primacy, +gave this temple Pantheon to Pope Boniface the Third, to make thereof +what he pleased. He gave it another name, and instead of All-Idols +he named it the Church of All-Saints; he did not number Christ among +them, from whom all saints have their sanctity, but erected a new idolatry, +the Invocation of Saints.</p> +<p>In my chronicle, said Luther, I expound the name of Bonifacius thus: +Bonifacius is a Popish name, that is, a good form, fashion, or show, +for under the colour of a good form and show he acted all manner of +mischief against God and man.</p> +<p>As I was at Rome, said Luther, I saw this church; it had no windows, +but only a round hole on the top, which gave some light. It was +vaulted high, and had pillars of marble stone so thick that two of us +could scarcely fathom one about. Above, on the vault, were portrayed +all the gods of the heathen, Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, Venus, and how +else they are called. These gods were at a union, to the end they +might fool and deceive the whole world; but Christ they cannot endure, +for he hath whipped them out. Now are the Popes come, and have +driven Christ away again; but who knoweth how long it will continue?</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the World knoweth not Christ, nor those that are his.</i></p> +<p>Even as Christ is now invisible and unknown to the world, so are +we Christians also invisible and unknown therein. “Your +life,” saith St. Paul (Coloss. iii.), “is hid with Christ +in God.” Therefore, said Luther, the world knoweth us not, +much less do they see Christ in us. And John the Apostle saith, +“Behold, what love the Father hath showed unto us, that we shall +be called God’s children” (1 John iii). Therefore +we and the world are easily parted; they care nothing for us, so we +care less for them; yea, through Christ the world is crucified unto +us, and we to the world. Let them go with their wealth, and leave +us to our minds and manners.</p> +<p>When we have our sweet and loving Saviour Christ, then we are rich +and happy more than enough, we care nothing for their state, honour, +and wealth. But we often lose our Saviour Christ, and little think +that he is in us, and we in him; that he is ours, and we are his. +And although he hideth himself from us, as we think, in the time of +need for a moment, yet are we comforted in his promise, where he saith, +“I am daily with you to the world’s end;” the same +is our best and richest treasure.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Name Jesus Christ.</i></p> +<p>I know nothing of Jesus Christ, said Luther, but only his name; I +neither have heard nor seen him corporeally; yet notwithstanding I have, +God be praised, learned so much out of the Scriptures that I am well +and thoroughly satisfied; therefore, I desire neither to see nor to +hear him corporeally. And besides this, when I was left and forsaken +of all men, in my highest weakness, in trembling and in fear of death, +when I was persecuted of the wicked world, then I oftentimes felt most +evidently the divine power which this name (Christ Jesus) communicated +unto me; this name (Christ Jesus) oftentimes delivered me when I was +in the midst of death, and made me alive again. It comforted me +in the greatest despair, and particularly at the Imperial Assembly at +Augsburg, anno 1530, when I was forsaken of every man; insomuch that, +by God’s grace, I will live and die for that name.</p> +<p>And rather than I will yield, or through silence endure that Erasmus +Roterodamus, or any other whosoever he be, should too nearly touch my +Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus with his ungodly false doctrine, how fairly +coloured soever it be trimmed or garnished, I say I will rather die; +yea, it should be more tolerable for me, with wife and children, to +undergo all plagues and torments, and at last to die the most shameful +death, than that I should give way thereunto.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Christ and the Pope are set on, the one against the other.</i></p> +<p>I, said Luther, have set Christ and the Pope together by the ears, +therefore I trouble myself no further; and although I come between the +door and the hinges and be squeezed, it is no matter, though I go to +the ground; yet notwithstanding Christ will go through with it.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Pre-eminence of God’s Word.</i></p> +<p>Christ once appeared visible here on earth, and showed his glory, +and, according to the divine counsel and purpose of God, he finished +the work of redemption and the deliverance of mankind. I do not +desire that he should come once more, neither would I that he should +send an angel unto me; and although an angel should come and appear +before mine eyes from heaven, yet would I not believe him; for I have +of my Saviour Christ Jesus bond and seal; that is, I have his Word and +Spirit; thereon I do depend, and desire no new revelations. And, +said Luther, the more steadfastly to confirm me in the same resolution, +and to remain by God’s Word, and not to give credit to any visions +or revelations, I shall relate the following circumstance:— I +being on Good Friday last in my inner chamber, in fervent prayer, contemplating +with myself how Christ my Saviour hung on the Cross, how he suffered +and died for our sins, there suddenly appeared upon the wall a bright +shining vision, and a glorious form of our Saviour Christ, with the +five wounds, steadfastly looking upon me, as if it had been Christ himself +corporeally. Now, at the first sight, I thought it had been some +good Revelation: yet I recollected that surely it must needs be the +juggling of the devil, for Christ appeareth unto us in his word, and +in a meaner and more humble form; therefore I spake to the vision in +this manner: “Avoid, thou confounded devil; I know no other Christ +than he who was crucified, and who in his Word is pictured unto me.” +Whereupon the image vanished.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Christ is the Health and Wisdom of the Faithful.</i></p> +<p>Alas! said Luther, what is our wit and wisdom? for before we understand +anything as we ought, we lie down and die; therefore the devil hath +good striving with us. When one is thirty years old, so hath he +as yet <i>Stultitias carnales</i>; yea, also <i>Stultitias spirituales</i>; +yet it is much to be admired that, in such our imbecility and weakness, +we achieve and accomplish so much and such great matters; but it is +God that giveth it. God gave to Alexander the Great, <i>Sapientiam +et fortunam</i>, Wisdom and good success; yet, notwithstanding, he calleth +him, in the Prophet Jeremiah, <i>Juvenem</i>, a youth, where he saith, +“<i>Quis excitabit juvenem</i>” (A young raw milksop boy +shall perform it: he shall come and turn the city Tyrus upside-down). +But yet Alexander could not leave off his foolishness, for oftentimes +he swilled himself drunk, and in his drunkenness he stabbed his best +and worthiest friends; yea, afterwards he drank himself to death at +Babel. Neither was Solomon above twenty years old when he was +made King, but he was well instructed by Nathan, and desired wisdom, +which was pleasing to God, as the text saith. But now chests full +of money are desired. “Oh!” say we now, “if +I had but money, then I would do so-and-so.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF SINS AND OF FREE-WILL.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Fall of the Ungodly, and how they are surprised in their +Ungodliness and False Doctrine.</i></p> +<p>Our Lord God, said Luther, suffereth the ungodly 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.</p> +<p>That which falleth in Heaven is devilish, but that which stumbleth +on earth is human.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Acknowledgment of Sins.</i></p> +<p>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 God’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 God! I am such-and-such a sinner,” etc.</p> +<p>And although thou hadst not committed this or that sin, yet nevertheless +thou art an ungodly 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 God, because for the space of fifteen years together +I was a Friar, and have blasphemed God with celebrating that abominable +idol the Mass. 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.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>What our Free-will doth effect</i>.</p> +<p>I, said Luther, oftentimes have been directly resolved to live uprightly, +and to lead a true godly 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.</p> +<p>I will not lie nor dissemble before my God, but will freely confess +I am not able to effect that good which I do intend, but must expect +the happy hour when God shall be pleased to meet me with his grace.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF THE CATECHISM.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Virtues and Vices ooncerning the Ten Commandments.</i></p> +<p>The <i>Decalogus</i>, that is, the Ten Commandments of God, are a +looking-glass, and a brief sum of all virtues and doctrines, both how +we ought to behave towards God and also towards our neighbour, that +is, towards all mankind.</p> +<p>There never was at any time written a more excellent, complete, nor +compendious book of virtues.</p> +<p>The duty of the First and Second Commandment is to fear God, to love +and to trust in him; the contrary is sin and vice, an ungodly life, +contemning of God, hatred, despair, etc.</p> +<p>The duty of the Third Commandment is to acknowledge and to preach +the doctrine of God’s Word; the contrary is blaspheming of God, +to be silent and not to confess the truth when need requireth.</p> +<p>The duty of the Fourth Commandment is the external service of God, +as the preaching of God’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 God’s Word and the outward service of God, +as the Holy Sacraments.</p> +<p>The duty of the Fifth Commandment is obedience towards parents, tutors, +and magistrates in those things which are not against God; the contrary +is disobedience and rebellion.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>The duty of the Seventh Commandment is continency and chastity; against +the same is lasciviousness, immodest behaviour, adultery, etc.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>The duty of the Tenth Commandment is righteousness, to let every +one possess his own; the contrary is to be miserable and unjust.</p> +<p>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 lustings 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.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>BRIEF SENTENCES OF THE CATECHISM, ACCORDING AS LUTHER USED TO TEACH +AND INSTRUCT HIS FAMILY AT HOME.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Ten Commandments of God.</i></p> +<p>As the Faith is, so is also God.</p> +<p>God stayeth not quite away, though he stayeth long.</p> +<p>Despair maketh Priests and Friars.</p> +<p>God careth and provideth for us, but we must labour.</p> +<p>God will have the heart only and alone.</p> +<p>Idolatry is the imagination of the heart.</p> +<p>God giveth by creatures.</p> +<p>God’s Word placeth before our eyes the world, to the end we +may see what a fine spark it is.</p> +<p>God’s Word is our sanctification, and maketh everything happy.</p> +<p>Works of obedience must highly be regarded.</p> +<p>All that govern are called Fathers.</p> +<p>Shepherds of Souls are worthy of double honour.</p> +<p>Magistrates belong not to the fifth Commandment.</p> +<p>Wrath is forbidden in every man, except in the magistrates.</p> +<p>All occasions of death are forbidden.</p> +<p>Matrimony proceedeth freely in every state and calling.</p> +<p>Matrimony is necessary and commanded.</p> +<p>Matrimony forbidden and disallowed is against God’s command.</p> +<p>Matrimony is a blessed state, and pleasing to God.</p> +<p>To steal is what one taketh unjustly.</p> +<p>Unfaithfulness is also stealing.</p> +<p>Thieving is the most common trade in the world.</p> +<p>Great thieves go scot-free, as the Pope and his crew.</p> +<p>Falseness and covetousness prosper not.</p> +<p>Backbiting is meddling with God’s judgment.</p> +<p>Censuring, and to speak evil behind one’s back, belongeth only +to the magistrates.</p> +<p>We must censure and reprove no man behind his back.</p> +<p>We must judge charitably in everything.</p> +<p>There are no good works without the Ten Commandments.</p> +<p>To fear God, and to trust in him, is the fulfilling of all the Commandments.</p> +<p>The first Commandment driveth on all the rest.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Creed.</i></p> +<p>The Creed teacheth to know God, and what a God we have.</p> +<p>In all cases we must make use of faith.</p> +<p>God giveth himself unto us with all creatures.</p> +<p>We must always drive on the article of Jesus Christ.</p> +<p>The Holy Ghost bringeth Christ home unto us; he must reveal him.</p> +<p>Where the Holy Ghost preacheth not, there is no Church.</p> +<p>The works of the Holy Ghost are wrought continually.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Lord’s Prayer.</i></p> +<p>To pray is to call upon God in all need, which is made precious through +God’s command, and necessity stirreth up earnest and devout prayers, +which are our weapons against the devil.</p> +<p>The devil, the world, and our flesh is against God’s Will.</p> +<p>The devil hindereth and destroyeth the daily bread and all the gifts +of God.</p> +<p>God careth for our bodies daily.</p> +<p>No man can live in the world without sin.</p> +<p>No man can bring his own righteousness before God.</p> +<p>We must forgive, as God forgiveth us.</p> +<p>To forgive our neighbour, assureth us fully that God hath forgiven +us.</p> +<p>We are tempted three manner of ways—of the devil, of the world, +and of our flesh.</p> +<p>Temptations serve against the secureness of our flesh.</p> +<p>Temptations are not overcome through our own strength.</p> +<p>The devil would hinder all that we pray for.</p> +<p>The devil goeth about to bring us into all manner of need.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Baptism.</i></p> +<p>Faith is annexed to Baptism.</p> +<p>Faith must have before it some external thing.</p> +<p>Faith maketh the person worthy.</p> +<p>Baptism is not our work, but God’s.</p> +<p>Baptism is right, although no man believeth.</p> +<p>No man must build upon his faith.</p> +<p>Unbelief weakeneth not God’s Word.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Lord’s Supper.</i></p> +<p>The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is of God’s ordaining.</p> +<p>The Word maketh a Sacrament.</p> +<p>Christ in the Sacrament is spiritual food for the soul.</p> +<p>Remission of sins is obtained only through the Word.</p> +<p>Faith receiveth the forgiveness of sins.</p> +<p>The Sacrament consisteth not in our worthiness.</p> +<p>Faith and human understanding are one against another.</p> +<p>Faith dependeth on the Word.</p> +<p>As we hold of Christ, even so we have him.</p> +<p>Faith is a Christian’s treasure.</p> +<p>The Gospel is the power of God.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Good Works.</i></p> +<p>Good works are nameless.</p> +<p>A Christian’s work standeth for the good of the neighbour.</p> +<p>Faith in Christ destroyeth sin.</p> +<p>The Holy Scriptures only give comfort, they forbid not good works.</p> +<p>Christ is a general good.</p> +<p>Christians do pray for and desire the last Day of Judgment.</p> +<p>The Church heareth none but Christ.</p> +<p>Christ is of a mean estate and small repute.</p> +<p>In adversities we should show ourselves like men, and pluck up good +spirits.</p> +<p>Our whole life should be manly; we should fear God and put our trust +in him.</p> +<p>Faith maketh us Christ’s heritage.</p> +<p>We should aim at celestial honour, and not regard the contemning +of men.</p> +<p>Christ spareth us out of mere grace through the Word.</p> +<p>The Gospel is altogether joyful.</p> +<p>Grace condemneth all people’s own righteousness.</p> +<p>Salvation is purchased and given unto us without our deserts.</p> +<p>Regeneration is the work only of the Holy Ghost.</p> +<p>Human reason cannot comprehend nor understand the goodness and benefits +of God.</p> +<p>Good works are the seals and proofs of faith; for, even as a letter +must have a seal to strengthen the same, even so faith must have good +works.</p> +<p>Faith hath regard to the Word, and not to the Preacher.</p> +<p>The Preacher and the Word are two Persons.</p> +<p>This natural life is a little piece of the life everlasting.</p> +<p>Own imaginations and conceits spoil all things.</p> +<p>The Gospel cometh of God, it showeth Christ, and requireth Faith.</p> +<p>The Gospel is a light in the world, which lighteneth mankind, and +maketh children of God.</p> +<p>False Preachers are worse than deflowerers of virgins.</p> +<p>Righteousness is obtained through faith, and not through works. +Works make faith strong.</p> +<p>A Preacher is made good through temptations.</p> +<p>A Prince is venison in heaven.</p> +<p>A person must be good before his works can be good.</p> +<p>We must not be dejected, but believe and pray.</p> +<p>No State or Calling is of any value to make one good before God.</p> +<p>Faith endureth no human traditions in the conscience.</p> +<p>The Saints oftentimes erred like men.</p> +<p>We must distinguish offices from the persons.</p> +<p>We hate punishment, but we love sin.</p> +<p>God preserveth the sanctified, yea, even in the midst of errors.</p> +<p>No great Saint lived without errors.</p> +<p>A Christian’s life consisteth of three points—of faith, +love, and the cross.</p> +<p>We command a Christian in nothing, he is only admonished.</p> +<p>We must curb ourselves in our own wills and minds.</p> +<p>All revenge among Christians is taken away; they must grow up and +increase in the fruits of the spirit, among which love is the greatest, +for she goeth about with the people.</p> +<p>Human reason comprehendeth not, nor understandeth that Christ is +our brother.</p> +<p>Christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and works.</p> +<p>Christ cometh unto us by preaching, so that he is in the midst of +us.</p> +<p>Without the Cross we cannot attain to glory.</p> +<p>The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult.</p> +<p>The Holy Ghost maketh one not instantly complete, but he must grow +and increase.</p> +<p>We lose nothing by the Gospel, therefore we should venture thereupon +all we have.</p> +<p>To believe the Gospel, delivereth from sins.</p> +<p>Works belong to the neighbour, faith to God.</p> +<p>Those that censure and judge others, condemn themselves.</p> +<p>Such as is the Faith, such is also the benefit.</p> +<p>To doubt is sin and everlasting death.</p> +<p>We know Christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts, and +breaketh bread unto us.</p> +<p>God’s Word kindleth Faith in the heart.</p> +<p>Faith is to build certainly on God’s mercy.</p> +<p>Christ requireth no seeming godliness, no hypocrisy nor dissembling, +but the godliness of the heart.</p> +<p>We are saved merely by grace and mercy, if we trust thereupon, but +God must alter our hearts.</p> +<p>The Law is nothing but a looking-glass.</p> +<p>Christ carrieth us upon his back before his Father.</p> +<p>Love regardeth not unthankfulness.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>That we ought to beware of Sophistry.</i></p> +<p>If, said Luther, we diligently mark the world and the course thereof, +we shall find that it is governed merely by weenings or conceits, <i>Mundus +regitur opinionibus</i>. Therefore sophistry, hypocrisy, and tyranny +do rule and have the government in the world.</p> +<p>The upright, pure, and clear Divine Word must be their handmaid, +and be by them controlled; this the world will have. Therefore +let us beware of sophistry, which consisteth not only in a double tongue, +in doubtful and screwed words, which may be construed any way, but also +it blossometh, and flourisheth in all arts and vocations; it will likewise +have room and place in religion; it hath usurped and got a fine painted +colour, under the name of holy writ.</p> +<p>Nothing is more pernicious or hurtful than Sophistry; every one knoweth +it not; moreover, we are by nature prone and willing to believe lies +rather than the truth. Few people do know what an evil sophistry +is. Plato, the Heathen writer, made thereof a wonderful definition. +For my part, said Luther, I compare it with a lie, which is like to +a snowball, the longer it is rolled the greater it becomes.</p> +<p>Therefore I do not approve of such persons as do pervert everything, +do under-value and find fault with other men’s opinions, although +they be good and sound; I like not such brains which can dispute on +both sides, and yet conclude nothing certain. Such sophistications, +said Luther, are nothing but crafty and subtle inventions and contrivances +to cozen and deceive people.</p> +<p>But I like and love an honest and a well-affected mind, that seeketh +after truth simply and plainly, not to go about with phantasies and +cheating tricks.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Whether we should preach only of God’s Grace and Mercy, +or not.</i></p> +<p>Philip Melancthon demanded of Luther whether the opinion of Calixtus +were to be approved of, namely, that the Gospel of God’s Grace +ought to be continually preached. For thereby, doubtless, said +Melancthon, people would grow worse and worse. Luther answered +him and said: We must preach <i>Gratiam</i>, notwithstanding, because +Christ hath commanded it. And although we long and often preach +of grace, yet when people are at the point of death they know but little +thereof. Nevertheless we must also drive on with the Ten Commandments +in due time and place.</p> +<p>The ungodly, said Luther, out of the Gospel do suck only a carnal +freedom, and become worse thereby; therefore not the Gospel, but the +Law belongeth to them. Even as when my little son John offendeth: +if then I should not whip him, but call him to the table unto me, and +give him sugar and plums, thereby, indeed, I should make him worse, +yea, should quite spoil him.</p> +<p>The Gospel is like a fresh, mild, and cool air in the extreme heat +of summer, that is, a solace and comfort in the anguish of the conscience. +But as this heat proceedeth from the rays of the sun, so likewise the +terrifying of the conscience must proceed from the preaching of the +Law, to the end we may know that we have offended against the Laws of +God.</p> +<p>Now, said Luther, when the mind is refreshed and quickened again +by the cool air of the Gospel, then we must not be idle, lie down and +sleep; that is, when our consciences are settled in peace, quieted and +comforted through God’s spirit, then we must show also and prove +our faith by such good works which God hath commanded. But so +long as we live in this vale of misery, we shall be plagued and vexed +with flies, with beetles, and with vermin, etc., that is, with the devil, +with the world, and with our own flesh; yet we must press through, and +not suffer ourselves to recoil.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Against the Opposers of the Law.</i></p> +<p>I do much condemn, said Luther, the Antinomians, who, void of all +shame, reject the doctrine of the Law, whereas the same is both necessary +and profitable. But they see not the effect, the need, and the +fruit thereof. St. Austin did picture the strength, the office +and operation of the Law, by a very fit similitude, namely, that it +discovereth our sins, and God’s wrath against sin, and placeth +them in our sight; for the Law is not in fault, but our evil and wicked +nature, even as a heap of lime is still and quiet until water be poured +thereon, but then it beginneth to smoke and to burn, not that it is +the fault of the water, but it is the nature and kind of the lime, which +will not endure water; but if oil be poured upon it, then it lieth still +and burneth not. Even so it is with the Law and Gospel. +It is an exceedingly fair similitude.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Children’s Faith.</i></p> +<p>The little children, said Luther, do stand on the best terms with +God Almighty concerning their lives and faith. We old doting fools +do torment ourselves and have sorrow of heart with our disputings, touching +the Word, whether it be true or not: “How can it be possible?” +etc. But the children with simple pure faith do hold the same +to be certain and true, without all doubting.</p> +<p>Now, if we intend to be saved, we must, according to their example, +give ourselves only to the Word. But the wicked and crafty spirit, +before we be aware, can, master-like, draw the same away from us, by +presenting new dealings and business to keep us in action. Therefore +best it were for us soon to die, and to be covered over with shovels.</p> +<p>The loving children do live innocently, they know of no sins, they +are without malice, wrath, covetousness, and unbelief, etc. Therefore +they are merry and possess a good conscience; they fear no danger, whether +wars, pestilence, or death.</p> +<p>They will take an apple rather than a crown; what they hear concerning +Christ, of the life to come, etc., the same do they believe simply and +plainly, and prattle joyfully thereof. From whence Christ speaketh +unto us old ones earnestly to follow their examples, where he saith, +“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child +shall in no wise enter therein.” For the children believe +aright, and Christ loveth them with their childish sports. On +the contrary, he is an enemy to the wisdom of the world (Matt. xi.).</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of an Example of Faith in the Time of Dearth.</i></p> +<p>At Eisleben, said Luther, I was well acquainted with a godly matron, +who, in the time of the last dearth, with two children, had suffered +extreme want and need. Now, when she had spent all her provision, +and had nothing more to live upon, she trimmed herself with her children, +and went towards a well or fountain to drink. In her going she +prayed that God would be pleased to preserve and keep her in that fierce +time of dearth. Upon the way a man met her, questioned and disputed +with her whether she thought to get something to eat at the fountain. +She said, “Yea, why not? for all things are possible to God and +easy to be done; he that fed the great multitude of the people of Israel +forty years with manna in the wilderness, he can also preserve me and +mine with drinking of water.” Now, as she remained steadfast +in that mind, the man said unto her, “Behold! seeing thou art +so confident in faith, go home, and thou shalt find three bushels of +meal,” etc. And according to the man’s word, so she +found it.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Faith is the only Rule in Divinity.</i></p> +<p>There is but one only rule and article in divinity. He that +knoweth not well the same is no divine: namely, upright faith and confidence +in Christ. Out of this article all the others do flow and issue +forth, and without this article the others are nothing. The devil, +said Luther, hath opposed this article from the beginning of the world, +and would long since willingly have rooted it out, and instead thereof +have laughed in his fist. Sorrowful, broken, tormented, and vexed +hearts, said Luther, do well relish this article, and they only understand +the same.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Consequences of Faith.</i></p> +<p>Believest thou? then thou wilt speak boldly. Speakest thou +boldly? then thou must suffer. Sufferest thou? then thou shalt +be comforted. For, said Luther, faith, the confession thereof, +and the cross do follow one after another.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That the Enemies of the Gospel must bear Witness to the Doctrine +of Faith, that thereby we only are justified before God.</i></p> +<p>John Frederick, Prince Elector of Saxony, told me himself, said Luther, +that as Prince John, the eldest son of Prince George, was near the time +of his death, he desired to receive the communion under both kinds. +But when his father was informed thereof, he caused an Austin Friar +to be called to his son, to give him good instructions for his soul’s +health, and to advise him to receive the Sacrament <i>sub una specie</i>, +or under one kind, and that he should tell his son he was the same Friar +who was privately acquainted with Martin Luther, and was very conversant +with him; and, the better to make the Prince believe him, the Friar +said that Luther himself lately had advised certain persons to receive +the communion under one kind. Now, when this good and godly Prince +was thus pitifully induced to give credit to the Friar’s false +information, he then received the communion under one kind.</p> +<p>But when the Prince, his father, saw that his son drew near to his +last gasp, and must needs die, then he comforted his son with the article +of justification by faith in Christ, and put him in mind to have regard +only to the Saviour of the world, and utterly to forget all his own +works and deserts, and also that he should banish out of his heart the +invocating of the saints.</p> +<p>Now, when the son in his conscience felt great solace and comfort +by these his father’s admonitions, he asked his father why he +did not cause the same comfortable doctrine to be preached openly through +all his countries. His father answered and said, “Loving +child, we must say thus only to those that are dying, and not to the +sound and healthful.”</p> +<p>Whereupon, said Luther, I told the Prince Elector that his Highness +might perfectly discern how wilfully our adversaries do oppose the known +truth. Albert, Bishop of Mentz, and Prince George do know and +confess that our doctrine is according to God’s Word, and yet, +because it proceedeth not from the Pope, they refuse it; but their own +consciences do strike them down to the ground, therefore, said Luther, +I fear them not.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Love towards the Neighbour.</i></p> +<p>The love towards the neighbour, said Luther, must be like a pure +and chaste love between bride and bridegroom, where all faults are connived +at, covered, and borne with, and only their virtues regarded.</p> +<p>Respecting ceremonies and ordinances, the kingdom of love must have +the precedency and govern, and not tyranny. It must be a willing +love, and not a halter love; it must altogether be directed and construed +for the good and profit of the neighbour; and the greater he be that +doth govern, the more, said Luther, he ought to serve according to love.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of that Sentence, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.”</i></p> +<p>This is a true speech which maketh people poor and rich; it is that +which maintaineth my house. I ought not to boast, said Luther, +but I well know what I give in the year. If my gracious lord and +master, the Prince Elector, should give a gentleman two thousand guilders, +yet he should hardly maintain my housekeeping one year, and I have but +three hundred guilders pension per annum; yet God giveth sufficient +and blesseth it.</p> +<p>There is in Austria a monastery which in former time was very rich, +and remained rich so long as it willingly gave to the poor; but when +it ceased in giving, then it became poor, and is so to this day. +It fell out that, not long since, a poor man came thither and desired +alms, which was denied. The poor man demanded the cause why they +refused to give for God’s sake. The porter belonging to +the monastery answered and said, “We are become poor;” whereupon +the poor man said, “The cause of your poverty is this: ye have +had in this monastery two brethren; the one ye have thrust out, and +the other is gone secretly away of himself. For after the one +brother, ‘Give’ (<i>Date</i>), was put out and cashiered, +so hath the other brother, ‘So shall be given’ (<i>Dabitur</i>), +also lost himself.”</p> +<p>And indeed the world is bound to help the neighbour three manner +of ways—with giving, lending, and selling. But no man giveth, +but robbeth, scrapeth, and draweth all to himself; would willingly take +and steal, but give nothing; neither will any man lend but upon usury. +No man selleth but he over-reacheth his neigbbour, therefore <i>Dabitur</i> +is gone, and our Lord God will bless no more so richly. Beloved, +said Luther, he that intendeth to have anything, the same must also +give; a liberal hand was never in want nor empty.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That giving must be done with a free Heart, without expecting +a Requital.</i></p> +<p>In an evening, Luther, walking abroad to take the air, gave alms +to the poor. Doctor Jonas, being with him, gave also something, +and said, “Who knoweth whether God will give it me again or no?” +Whereat Luther, smiling, answered him and said, “You speak as +if God had not given you this which you have now given to the poor. +We must give freely and willingly.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the expounding of the Prophet Isaiah’s Speech: “In +Quietness and in Confidence shall be your Strength.”</i></p> +<p>This sentence was expounded by Luther in this way: If thou intendest +to vanquish the greatest, the most abominable and wickedest enemy, who +is able to do thee mischief both in body and soul, and against whom +thou preparest all sorts of weapons, but canst not overcome, then know +that there is a sweet and loving physical herb which serveth for the +same, and that herb is named <i>Patientia</i>.</p> +<p>But thou wilt say, “How may I attain to this physic?” +Answer—Take unto thee faith, who saith; “No creature can +do me mischief without the will of God.” Now, in case thou +receivest hurt and mischief by thine enemy, the same is done by the +sweet and gracious will of God, in such sort that the enemy hurteth +himself a thousand times more. From hence floweth unto me, a Christian, +the love which saith, “I will, instead of the evil which mine +enemy doth unto me, do him all the good I can; I will heap coals of +fire upon his head.” This, said Luther, is the Christian +armour and weapon, wherewith to beat and overcome those enemies that +seem to be like huge mountains. In a word, love teacheth to suffer +and endure all things.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Comfort against Envy.</i></p> +<p>A certain honest and God-fearing man at Wittemberg lately told me, +said Luther, he lived peaceably with every one, hurt no man, but was +still and quiet; yet notwithstanding, said he, many people were enemies +unto him. I comforted him in this manner, and said: Arm yourself +with patience, and give them no cause of envy. I pray, what cause +do we give the devil? What aileth him to be so great an enemy +unto us? but only because he hath not that which God hath. I know +none other cause of his vehement hatred towards us. Therefore +when God giveth thee to eat, then eat; when he causeth thee to fast, +have patience; giveth he honour, take it; hurt or shame, endure it; +casteth he thee into prison, murmur not; will he make thee a lord, follow +him: casteth he thee down again, so care thou not for it, nor regard +it.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Patience is necessary in every Particular.</i></p> +<p>I, said Luther, must have patience with the Pope; I must have patience +with heretics and seducers; I must have patience with the roaring courtiers; +I must have patience with my servants: I must have patience with Kate +my wife; to conclude, the patiences are so many, that my whole life +is nothing but patience. The Prophet Isaiah saith, “In being +silent and hoping consisteth our strength;” that is, have patience +under sufferings: hope, and despair not.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF PRAYER.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>What Power Prayer hath.</i></p> +<p>No human creature can believe, said Luther, how powerful prayer is, +and what is it able to effect, but only those that have learned it by +experience.</p> +<p>It is a great matter when in extreme need, as then one can take hold +on prayer. I know, as often as I have earnestly prayed, that I +have been richly heard, and have obtained more than I prayed for; indeed, +God sometimes deferred, but notwithstanding he came.</p> +<p>Ecclesiasticus saith, “The prayer of a good and godly Christian +availeth more to health, than the physician’s physic.”</p> +<p>O how great and upright and godly Christian’s prayer is! how +powerful with God; that a poor human creature should speak with God’s +high majesty in heaven, and not be affrighted, but, on the contrary, +knoweth that God smileth upon him for Christ’s sake, his dearly +beloved Son. The heart and conscience, in this act of praying, +must not fly and recoil backwards by reason of our sins and unworthiness, +and must not stand in doubt, nor be scared away. We must not do, +said Luther, as the Bavarian did, who with great devotion called upon +St. Leonard, an idol, set up in a church in Bavaria, behind which idol +stood one who answered the Bavarian and said, “Fie on thee, Bavarian”; +and in that sort oftentimes was repulsed, and could not be heard: at +last, the Bavarian went away, and said, “Fie on thee, Leonard.”</p> +<p>But when we pray, we must not let it come to, fie upon thee; but +must certainly hold, conclude, and believe, that we are already heard +in that for which we pray with faith in Christ. Therefore the +ancients finely described prayer, namely, that it is, <i>Ascensus mentis +ad Deum</i>, a climbing up of the heart unto God, that is, lifteth itself +up, crieth and sigheth to God: neither I myself, said Luther, nor any +other that I know, have rightly understood the definition of this <i>Ascensus</i>. +Indeed, we have boasted and talked much of the climbing up of the heart; +but we failed in <i>Syntaxi</i>, we could not bring thereunto the word +<i>Deum</i>; nay, we flew from God, we were afraid to draw near unto +him, and to pray through Christ, in whom the strength of prayer wholly +consisteth; we always prayed in Popedom <i>conditionaliter</i>, conditionally, +and therefore uncertainly.</p> +<p>But let us pray in heart, and also with our lips; for prayer, by +our loving God, supporteth the world; otherwise, without prayer, it +would stand in a far more lamentable state.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Power of Prayer, and of the Lord’s Prayer.</i></p> +<p>Our Saviour Christ, said Luther, most excellently, and with very +few words, comprehended, in the Lord’s Prayer, all things both +needful and necessary; but without trouble, trials, and vexations, prayer +cannot rightly be made. Therefore God saith, “Call on me +in the time of trouble,” etc., without trouble it is only a cold +prattling, and goeth not from the heart; the common saying is “Need +teacheth to pray.” And although the Papists say that God +well understandeth all the words of those that pray, yet St. Bernard +is far of another opinion, where he saith, “God heareth not the +words of one that prayeth, unless he that prayeth heareth them first +himself.” The Pope is a mere tormentor of the conscience. +The assembly of his greased and religious crew in praying was altogether +like the croaking of frogs, which edified nothing at all. It was +mere sophistry, and deceiving, fruitless, and unprofitable.</p> +<p>Prayer is a strong wall, and a fort of the church; it is a godly +Christian’s weapon, which no man knoweth nor findeth, but only +he who hath the spirit of grace and of prayer.</p> +<p>The three first petitions in our Lord’s prayer do comprehend +such great and celestial things, that no heart is able to search them +out. The fourth petition containeth the whole policy and economy, +or the temporal and house-government, and all things necessary for this +life. The fifth prayer striveth and fighteth against our own evil +consciences, against original and actual sins, which trouble the same, +etc. Truly they were penned by wisdom itself; none but God could +have done the like.</p> +<p>We cannot pray without faith in Christ the Mediator. The Turks, +the Jews, and the ungodly may rehearse and speak the words of prayer +after one, but they cannot pray. And although the Apostles were +taught this prayer by Christ, and prayed often, yet they prayed not +as they should have prayed: for Christ saith, “Hitherto ye have +not prayed in my name;” whereas, doubtless, they had prayed much, +and spoken the words. But when the Holy Ghost came, then they +prayed aright in the name of Christ. If praying and reading of +prayer be but only a bare work, as the Papists hold it to be, then the +righteousness of the law is nothing worth. The upright prayer +of a godly Christian is a strong hedge, as God himself saith, “And +I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand +in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but +I found none,” etc. Therefore, said Luther, when others +do blaspheme, let us pray. David saith, “He doth the will +of them that fear Him, and heareth their prayers.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That we must daily go on in Praying.</i></p> +<p>I, said Luther, have every day enough to do to pray. And when +I lay me down to rest, I pray the Lord’s Prayer, and afterwards +take hold on two or three sentences out of the Bible, and so betake +myself to sleep, then I am well satisfied.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That Preachers ought to join their Prayers together.</i></p> +<p>Dr. Aepinus, Superintendent of Hambrough, coming to Wittemberg to +speak with Luther, who, after his dispatch, and at his taking leave, +said, I commend myself and our church at Hambrough to your prayers. +Luther answered him, and said, Loving Aepine, the cause is not ours, +but God’s: let us join our prayers together, as then the cause +will be holpen. I will pray against the Pope and the Turk as long +as I live: and I like it well that you take such course at Hambrough, +earnestly to pray against Mahomet and the Pope.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Power of Prayer.</i></p> +<p>God always giveth more than we pray for; when we truly pray for a +piece of bread, so giveth God a whole acre of land. When my wife, +said Luther, was sick, I prayed to God that she might live, so he not +only granted that request, but also therewith he hath given us a goodly +farm at Zolfdorf, and hath blessed us with a fruitful year. At +that time my wife said unto me, Sir! how is it, that in Popedom they +pray so often with great vehemence, but we are very cold and careless +in praying? I answered her, the devil driveth on his servants +continually; they are diligent, and take great pains in their false +worshipping, but we, indeed, are ice cold therein, and negligent.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Luther’s Prayer for a gracious Rain.</i></p> +<p>In the year 1532, throughout all Germany was a great drought, the +corn in the fields in a lamentable way began to wither. On the +ninth of June the same year, Luther called together the whole assembly +into the church, and directed his prayer, with deep sighs, to God in +the manner following: “O Lord, behold our prayers for thy promise +sake; we have prayed, and our hearts have sighed, but the covetousness +of the rich farmers doth hinder and hem in thy blessing; for seeing +that through thy gospel they are unbridled, they think it free for them +to live and do what they please; they now fear neither death nor hell, +but say, ‘I believe, therefore I shall be saved;’ they become +haughty spiteful Mammonists, and accursed covetous cut-throats, that +suck out land and people. Moreover, also, the usurers among the +gentry in every place deal wickedly, insomuch, as it seemeth, thou, +O God, wilt now visit us, together with them, with the rod; yet, nevertheless, +thou hast still means whereby to maintain those that are thine, although +thou sufferest no rain to fall among the ungodly.”</p> +<p>After he had said thus, he lifted up his eyes towards heaven, and +said, “Lord God, thou hast through the mouth of thy servant David +said, ‘The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him faithfully; +he doth the will of those that fear him, and heareth their prayers, +and helpeth them in their distress.’ How is it, Lord, that +thou givest no rain, seeing we have cried and prayed so long unto thee? +‘Thy will be done,’ O Lord! we know that although thou givest +not rain, yet, notwithstanding, thou wilt give us something better, +a still, a quiet, and a peaceable life. Now we pray, O Lord, from +the bottom of our hearts. If thou, O Lord, wilt not be pleased +to hear and give us rain, then the ungodly will say, Christ thy only +Son is a liar. For he saith, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto +you, Whatsoever ye pray the Father in my name, the same he will give +unto you,’ etc. Insomuch that they will give thy Son the +lie. I know, O Lord, that we do cry unto thee from our hearts, +with yearning and sighing, why then dost thou not hear us?” +Now, even the same day, and within the space of half an hour after the +people went from church, it began to rain so sweet and mildly, which +continued for a whole fortnight, so that the grounds thereby were changed +and refreshed in a most miraculous manner. This happened June +9, 1532.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Papistical Prayer.</i></p> +<p>The praying in Popedom, is a mere tormenting of the consciences, +it is only a prating and tongue threshing, no praying, but a work of +obedience. From thence proceeded a confused sea-full of <i>Horas +Canonicas</i>, the howling and babbling in cells and monasteries, where +they read and sang the psalms and collects without all spiritual devotion, +insomuch that they neither understood the words, sentences, nor the +meaning.</p> +<p>In what manner, and how I tormented myself, said Luther, with those +<i>Horis Canonicis</i> before the Gospel came, which, by reason of many +businesses I often intermitted, I am not able to express. On the +Saturdays I used to lock myself up in my cell, and accomplish what the +whole week I had neglected. But at last I was troubled with so +many affairs, that I was fain oftentimes to omit also my Saturday’s +devotions. At length, when I saw that Amsdorff and others derided +such manner of devotion, then I quite left it off.</p> +<p>It was a great torment, from which we are now delivered by the Gospel. +Although, said Luther, I had done no more but only freed people from +that torment, yet they might well give me thanks for it. Innumerable +laws and works were taught and imposed upon people without the spirit, +as in the book, <i>Rationale Divinorum</i>, many abominable things are +written.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>To Pray for Peace.</i></p> +<p>Luther receiving a letter written unto him, from the Imperial Assembly, +by Philip Melancthon, after the reading of it, he said, What Philip +Melancthon writeth hath hands and feet, hath authority and gravity, +it is of weight, contained in a few words, as always I have found by +his letters. But, I perceive, we must have wars; for the Papists +would willingly go on, but they want a good stomach, neither may we +endure the case to stand upon these terms. Let it therefore proceed +<i>in nomine Domini</i>; I will commit all things to God, and will be +<i>Crito</i> in the play. I will pray that God would convert our +adversaries. We have a good cause on our side. Who would +not fight and venture body and blood, <i>pro Sacris</i>, for the Holidom, +which is God’s Word? And, besides, the temporal laws and +statutes of policy do also concur and agree with our proceedings; for +we always have desired and called for peace, but our Princes are provoked +and drawn to defend themselves and their subjects, and of necessity +must resist their power; our adversaries will not suffer us to live +in peace. This letter, said Luther, was written ten days since; +by this time it is concluded what shall be done. The everlasting +merciful God give His grace thereunto! Let us watch and pray, +for Satan sleepeth not.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Temporal Peace.</i></p> +<p>Worldly and outward peace is one of the highest gifts of God; but +we abuse it too much; every one liveth after his own will and pleasure, +against God and the Magistrate. Oh, how soundly will our gentry +and farmers, in Germany, pay for this before one hundred and fifty years +come to an end, as already they have done in Hungary and in Austria; +but afterwards God will restore them again, and beat down Popedom. +Let us not cease to pray.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Unity and Concord.</i></p> +<p>Through concord small things and wealth do increase, as the Heathen +said; but dissension is dangerous and hurtful, especially in schools, +in professions, high arts, and in the professors thereof, wherein the +one ought to reach the hand to the other—should kiss and embrace +each other. But when we bite and devour one another, then let +us take heed lest we be swallowed up together. Therefore let us +pray and strive; for the word of faith, and the prayers of the just, +are the most powerful weapons; moreover, God himself sendeth his holy +angels round about them that fear him. We ought valiantly to fight, +for we are under a Lord of Hosts, and a Prince of War; therefore with +one hand we must build, and in the other hand take the sword—that +is, we must both teach and resist.</p> +<p>It is now time to watch, for we are the mark they shoot at; our adversaries +intend to make a confederacy with the Turk; they aim at us, we must +venture it; for Antichrist will war and get the victory against the +saints of God, as Daniel saith. We, said Luther, stand outwardly +in the greatest danger, by reason of treachery and treason; the Papists +endeavour with money to grease and corrupt our captains and officers. +An ass laden with money may do anything, as Cornelius Tacitus writeth +of us Germans; we have taught them to take money; there is neither fidelity +nor truth on earth.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Power of Prayer.</i></p> +<p>The prayer of the heart, said Luther, and the sighs of the poor and +oppressed, do make such an alarum and cry in heaven, that God and all +the angels must hear the same. O, our Lord God hath a sharp listening +ear.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Sighing of the Heart.</i></p> +<p>When Moses, with the children of Israel, came to the Red Sea, then +he cried with trembling and quaking, yet he opened not his mouth, neither +was his voice heard on earth by the people: doubtless, said Luther, +he cried and sighed in his heart, and said, “Ah, Lord God! what +course shall I now take? Which way shall I now turn myself? +How am I come to this strait? No help nor counsel can save us: +before us is the sea; behind us are our enemies the Egyptians; on both +sides high and huge mountains; I am the cause that all this people shall +now be destroyed,” etc. Then answered God, and said, “Wherefore +criest thou unto me?” As if God should say, “What +an alarum, a shrieking, and a loud crying dost thou make, that the whole +heavens must ring therewith!” etc. But, alas! said Luther, +we read such examples as dead letters; human reason is not able to search +this passage out. The way through the Red Sea is full as broad, +and wider far (if not further than Wittenberg lieth from Coburg, that +is thirty Dutch miles, 120 English at least: doubtless the people were +constrained in the night season to rest, to bait and eat therein; for +six hundred thousand men, besides women and children, would require +a good time to pass through, although they went one hundred and fifty +in rank and file.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>God’s hearing Prayer.</i></p> +<p>It is impossible that God should not hear the prayers which with +faith are made in Christ, although God giveth not according to the measure, +manner, and time which we dictate unto him; he will not be tied. +In such sort dealt God with the mother of St. Austin. She prayed +to God that her son Austin might be converted, but, as yet, it would +not be; then she ran to the learned, entreating them to persuade and +advise him thereunto. At last, she propounded unto him a marriage +with a Christian virgin, that thereby he might be drawn back, and brought +to the Christian faith; but all would not do as yet. But when +our Lord God came thereto, he came to purpose, and made of him such +an Austin, that he became a great light to the Church. St. James +saith, “Pray one for another, for the prayer of the righteous +availeth much,” etc. Prayer, said Luther, is a powerful +thing; for God hath bound and tied himself thereunto. Christ taught +the Lord’s Prayer according to the manner of the Jews—that +is, he directed it only to the Father; whereas they that pray in the +same manner, are heard for the Son’s sake. This was done +because Christ would not be praised before his death.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Power of Prayer.</i></p> +<p>As the King of Persia, said Luther, laid siege to the city Nasili, +the bishop that was therein saw that he was too weak (by man’s +help) to defend the city against so mighty a king; wherefore he went +upon the wall, lifted up his hands to Heaven, and prayed, in the sight +of his enemies. Whereupon immediately the eyes of the horses in +the whole army in such sort were pestered with an innumerable multitude +of flies stinging them, that with their riders they ran away, and so +raised the siege, whereby the city was preserved. In such a manner +could God divert the wicked enterprises of the Papists against us, if +we would diligently pray.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That a True Christian Prayeth Always.</i></p> +<p>The prayers of upright Christians are without ceasing; though they +pray not always with their mouth, yet their hearts do pray continually, +sleeping and waking; for the sigh of a true Christian is a prayer. +As the Psalm saith, “Because of the deep sighing of the poor, +I will up, saith the Lord,” etc. In like manner a true Christian +always carrieth the cross, though he feeleth it not always.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Strength of the Lord’s Prayer.</i></p> +<p>The Lord’s Prayer, said Luther, bindeth the People together, +and knitteth them one to another, insomuch that one prayeth for another, +and together one with another; and it is so strong and powerful that +it even driveth away the fear of death.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF THE CONFESSION AND CONSTANCY OF THE DOCTRINE.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>The word and article of justification (how we are justified and saved +before God) expelleth and overcometh all sorrow, all perplexities, misfortunes, +and adversities; and without this article there is neither help nor +advice.</p> +<p>We read in the histories of the Church, said Luther, that Julian +the Emperor forced his servants and soldiers to deny Christ; but when +many of them refused to do the same, he caused them to be executed with +the sword, and they went joyfully to their deaths. Among them +was a proper youth, for whom earnest intercession was made, that he +might be the first to die. But Julian commanded to release him, +in order to try whether he would remain constant or no. Now, when +he kneeled down and offered his neck to the block, the executioner was +charged not to strike, but to let him rise again. Then the youth +stood up, and said, “Ah, sweet Jesu! am I not worthy to suffer +for thy sake?” These were words of a great faith, which +overcometh the fear of death.</p> +<p>When governors and rulers are enemies to God’s Word, then our +duty is to depart, to sell and forsake all we have, to fly from one +place to another, as Christ commandeth. We must make and prepare +no uproars nor tumults by reason of the Gospel, but we must suffer all +things.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>What Christ Requireth of us.</i></p> +<p>Christ requireth nothing more of us, than that we should confess +him, and speak freely and undauntedly of him. But here thou wilt +say, “Yea, if I do so, then I shall be struck on the lips.” +Christ answereth thereunto, and saith, “Call upon me in the time +of trouble, so I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise me.” +And “He shall call upon me, and I will hear him, yea, I am with +him in trouble, I will deliver him, and bring him to honour,” +etc.</p> +<p>There is no lighter nor more easy work on earth than the upright +and true service of God, to do what God commandeth in his Word; we should +only believe and speak, but then certain it is that we shall suffer +and be humbled with persecutions; but Christ hath promised to be with +us, and to help us.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>That every Christian is Bound to Confess Christ.</i></p> +<p>Every Christian, especially those in offices, should always be ready +(when need requireth) boldly to stand up and confess his Saviour Christ, +to maintain his faith and always be armed against the world, the sectaries, +the devil, and what else he were able to produce. But no man will +do this, except he be so sure of his doctrine and religion, that, although +I myself should play the fool, and should recant and deny this my doctrine +and religion, which God forbid, he notwithstanding would not yield, +but say, if Luther, or an angel from heaven, should teach otherwise, +“Let him be accursed.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h3>OF IMPERIAL DIETS.</h3> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Imperial Diets and Assemblies in Causes of Religion.</i></p> +<p>In the year 1518, the 9th of July, when I, said Luther, was cited +and summoned, I came and appeared: Frederick Prince Elector of Saxony +having appointed me a great and strong convoy and safe-conduct. +I was warned in any case not to have conversation with the Italians, +nor to repose any trust or confidence in them. I was three whole +days in Augsburg without the Emperor’s safe-conduct. In +the mean time, an Italian came unto me, and carried me to the Cardinal +Cajetan; and by the way he earnestly persuaded me to revoke and recant; +I should, said he, need to speak but only one word before the Cardinal, +namely, <i>Revoco</i>, and then the Cardinal would recommend me to the +Pope’s favour so that with honour I might return safely again +to my master, the Prince Elector. After three days the Bishop +of Trier came, who, in the Emperor’s name, showed and declared +to the Cardinal my safe-conduct. Then I went unto him in all humility, +fell down first upon my knees; secondly, all along upon the ground; +thirdly, when I had remained awhile so lying, then the Cardinal three +times bade me arise; whereupon I stood up. This pleased him well, +hoping I would consider, and better bethink myself.</p> +<p>The next day, when I came before him again, and would revoke nothing +at all, then he said unto me, “What? thinkest thou that the Pope +careth for Germany? or dost thou think that the Princes will raise arms +and armies to maintain and defend thee? Oh, no; where wilt thou +remain in safety?” I said, Under Heaven. After this +the Pope humbled himself, and wrote to our church, yea, he wrote even +to the Prince Elector’s chaplain, and to one of his counsellors, +Spalatine and Pfeffinger, that they would surrender me into his hands, +and procure that his pleasure and command might be put in execution. +And the Pope wrote also to the Prince Elector himself after the following +manner:</p> +<p>“Although, as touching my person, thou art to me unknown, yet +I have seen thy father, Prince Ernestus, at Rome, who was altogether +an obedient son to the Church; he visited and frequented our religion +with great devotion, and held the same in highest honour. I wish +and would that thy illustrious serenity would also tread in his footsteps,” +etc.</p> +<p>But the Prince Elector well marked the Pope’s unaccustomed +humility, and his evil conscience; he was also acquainted with the power +and operation of the Holy Scriptures. Therefore he remained where +he was, and returned thanks to the Pope for his affection towards him.</p> +<p>My books, said Luther, in a short time went, yea, flew throughout +Europe; therefore the Prince Elector was confirmed and strengthened, +insomuch that he utterly refused to execute the Pope’s commands, +but subjected himself under the acknowledgment of the Scriptures.</p> +<p>If the Cardinal had handled me with more discretion at Augsburg, +and had dealt kindly with me when I fell at his feet, then it had never +come thus far; for at that time I saw very few of the Pope’s errors +which now I see. Had he been silent, so had I lightly held my +peace. The style and custom of the Romish court in dark and confused +cases, was this: that the Pope said, We by papal power do take these +causes unto us; we quench them out and destroy them. I am persuaded +that the Pope willingly would give three Cardinals, on condition that +it were still in that vessel wherein it was before he began to meddle +with me.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of Luther’s Journey and Proceedings at the Imperial Diet +at Worms, Anno 1520.</i></p> +<p>On Tuesday in the Passion week, said Luther, I was cited by the herald +to appear at the Diet; he brought with him a safe-conduct from the Emperor, +and many other Princes, but the safe-conduct was soon broken, even the +next day (Wednesday), at Worms, where I was condemned, and my books +burned. Now, when I came to Erfurt, I received intelligence that +I was cast and condemned at Worms, yea, and that in all cities and places +thereabout it was published and spread abroad; insomuch that the herald +asked me, whether I meant to go to Worms, or no?</p> +<p>Although I was somewhat astonished at the news, yet I answered the +herald, and said, although in Worms there were as many devils as there +are tiles on the houses, yet, God willing, I will go thither.</p> +<p>When I came to Oppenheim, in the Palatinate, not far from Worms, +Bucer came unto me, and dissuaded me from entering into the town; for, +said he, Sglapian, the Emperor’s confessor, had been with him, +and had entreated him to warn me not to go thither, for I should be +burned; but rather that I should go to a gentleman there near at hand, +Francis Von Sickingen, and remain with him, who willingly would receive +and entertain me. This plot the wicked wretches, said Luther, +had devised against me, to the end I should not appear; for if I had +contracted the time, and staid away three days, then my safe-conduct +had been expired, and then they would have locked the town-gates, and +without hearing, I should have been condemned and made away. But +I went on in all simplicity, and when I saw the city, I wrote presently +to Spalatine, and gave him notice of my coming, and desired to know +where I should be lodged. Then they all wondered at my coming, +which was so far from their expectation; for they verily thought I would +have stayed away, as scared through their threatenings. There +were two worthy gentlemen (John Von Hirschfeld, and St. John Schott), +who received me by the Prince Elector’s command, and brought me +to their lodging.</p> +<p>No Prince came unto me, but only Earls and gentlemen, who earnestly +looked upon me, and who had exhibited four hundred articles to his Imperial +Majesty against those of the spirituality, and desired a redress and +a removing of those their grievances, otherwise they themselves should +be constrained to remedy the same; from all which grievances they are +now delivered through the Gospel, which I (God be praised) have brought +again to light. The Pope at that time wrote to the Emperor, that +he should not perform the safe-conduct; for which end all the Bishops +also pressed the Emperor; but the Princes and States of the Empire would +not consent thereunto: for they alleged that a great tumult thereupon +would arise. I received of them a great deal of courtesy, insomuch +that the Papists were more afraid of me than I was of them.</p> +<p>For the Landgrave of Hesse (being then but a young Prince) desired +that I might be heard, and he said openly unto me, “Sir, is your +cause just and upright, then I beseech God to assist you.” +Now being in Worms, I wrote to Sglapian, and desired him to make a step +unto me, but he would not. Then being called, I appeared in the +Senate House before the Council and State of the whole Empire, where +the Emperor, and the Princes Electors in person were assembled.</p> +<p>Then Dr. Eck (the Bishop of Trier’s fiscal) began, and said +unto me, “Martin, thou art called hither to give answer, whether +thou acknowledgest these writings to be thy books or no?” +(The books lay on a table which he showed unto me.) I answered +and said, “I believe they be mine.” But Hierome Schurfe +presently thereupon said, “Let the titles of them be read.” +Now when the same were read, then I said, “Yea, they are mine.” +Then he said, “Will you revoke them?” I answered and +said, “Most gracious Lord and Emperor, some of my books are books +of controversies, wherein I touch my adversaries: some, on the contrary, +are books of doctrine; the same I neither can nor will revoke. +But if in case I have in my books of controversies been too violent +against any man, then I am content therein to be better directed, and +for that end I desire respite of time.” Then they gave me +one day and one night. The next day I was cited by the Bishops +and others, who were appointed to deal with me touching my revocation. +Then I said, “God’s Word is not my word, therefore I know +not how to give it away; but in whatsoever is therein, besides the same, +I will show obedience.” Then Marquis Joachim said unto me +“Sir Martin, so far as I understand, you are content to be instructed, +excepting only what may concern the Holy Writ.” I said, +“Yea;” then they pressed me to refer the cause to His Imperial +Majesty; I said, I durst not presume so to do. Then they said, +“Do you not think that we are also Christians, who with all care +and diligence would finish and end such causes? You ought to put +so much trust and confidence in us, that we would conclude uprightly.” +To that I answered and said, “I dare not trust you so far, that +you should conclude against yourselves, who even now have cast and condemned +me, being under safe-conduct; yet, nevertheless, that ye may see what +I will do, I will yield up into your hands my safe-conduct, and do with +me what ye please.” Then all the Princes said, “Truly, +he offereth enough, if not too much.” Afterwards they said, +“Yield unto us yet in some articles.” I said, “In +God’s name, such articles as concern not the Holy Scriptures I +will not stand against.” Presently hereupon, two Bishops +went to the Emperor, and showed him that I had revoked. Then the +Emperor sent another Bishop unto me, to know if I had referred the cause +to him, and to the Empire. I said, I had neither done it, nor +intended so to do. In this sort, said Luther, did I alone resist +so many, insomuch that my Doctor, and divers others of my friends, were +much offended and vexed by reason of my constancy; yea, some of them +said, if I had referred the articles to their consideration, they would +have yielded, and given way to those articles which in the council at +Costnitz had been condemned. Then came Cocleus upon me, and said, +“Sir Martin, if you will yield up your safe-conduct, then I will +enter into dispute with you.” I, for my part, said Luther, +in my simplicity, would have accepted thereof. But Hieronimus +Schurfe earnestly entreated me not to do the same, and in derision and +scorn, answered Cocleus and said, “O brave offer, if a man were +so foolish as to entertain it!”</p> +<p>Then came a Doctor unto me, belonging to the Marquis of Baden, essaying, +with a strain of high-carried words, to move me, admonished me, and +said: “Truly, Sir Martin, you are bound to do much, and to yield +for the sake of fraternal love, and to the end that peace and tranquillity +among the people may be preserved, lest tumults and insurrections should +be occasioned and raised. Besides, it were also greatly befitting +you to show obedience to the Imperial Majesty, and diligently to beware +of causing offences in the world; therefore I would advise you to revoke.” +Whereupon, said Luther, I said: “For the sake of brotherly love +and amity I could and would do much, so far as it were not against the +faith and honour of Christ.” When all these had made their +vain assaults, then the Chancellor of Trier said unto me, “Martin +Luther, you are disobedient to the Imperial Majesty; therefore you have +leave and licence to depart again with your safe-conduct.” +In this sort I again departed from Worms with a great deal of gentleness +and courtesy, to the wondering of the whole Christian world, insomuch +that the Papists wished they had left me at home. After my departure, +that abominable edict of proscribing was put in execution at Worms, +which gave occasion to every man to revenge himself upon his enemies, +under the name and title of Protestant heresy. But the tyrants, +not long after, were constrained to recall the same again.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Imperial Diet at Augsburg, Anno 1530.</i></p> +<p>The Imperial Diet held at Augsburg, 1530, is worthy of all praise; +for then and from thence came the Gospel among the people in other countries, +contrary to the wills and expectations both of Emperor and Pope; therefore, +said Luther, what hath been spent there should be grievous to no man. +God appointed the Imperial Diet at Augsburg, to the end the Gospel should +be spread further abroad and planted. They over-climbed themselves +at Augsburg, for the Papists openly approved there of our doctrine. +Before that Diet was held, the Papists had made the Emperor believe +that our doctrine was altogether frivolous; and when he came to the +Diet, he should see that they would put us all to silence, insomuch +that none of us should be able to speak a word in defence of our religion; +but it fell out far otherwise; for we openly and freely confessed the +Gospel before the Emperor and the whole Empire. And at that Diet +we confounded our adversaries in the highest degree. The Imperial +Diet at Augsburg was invaluable, by reason of the Confession of Faith, +and of God’s Word, which on our part was there performed: for +there the adversaries were constrained to confess that our Confession +was upright and true.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Confession and Apology which at Augsburg was exhibited +to the emperor.</i></p> +<p>The Emperor, said Luther, censured understandingly and discreetly, +and carried himself princely in this cause of religion; he found our +Confession to be far otherwise than the Papists had informed him—namely, +that we were most ungodly people, and led most wicked and detestable +kind of lives; and that we taught against the first and second tables +of the Ten Commandments of God. For this cause, the Emperor sent +our Confession and Apology to all the universities; his council also +delivered their opinions, and said: “In case their doctrine were +against the holy Christian faith, then they thought fitting that His +Imperial Majesty should seek to suppress it with all his power. +But if it be only against ceremonies and abuses (as now it appeareth +to be) then to refer it to the consideration and censure of learned +people,” etc. This, said Luther, was good and wise counsel.</p> +<p>Dr. Eck confessed openly, and said: “The Protestants cannot +be confuted and opposed out of Holy Scriptures.” Therefore +the Bishop of Mainz said unto him, “Oh, how finely our learned +Divines do defend us and our doctrine!” “The Bishop +of Mainz,” said Luther, “holdeth our doctrine to be upright +and true, but he only courteth the Pope, otherwise long before this +time he would have played strange pranks with his Holiness.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Strength and Profit of the Confession and Apology of Augsburg.</i></p> +<p>God’s Word is powerful; the more it is persecuted the more +and further it spreadeth itself abroad. Behold the Imperial Diet +at Augsburg, which doubtless is the last trumpet before the dreadful +Day of Judgment. How raged the world there against the Word! +Oh, said Luther, how were we there fain to pray the Pope and Papists, +that they would be pleased to permit and suffer Christ to live quietly +in heaven! There our doctrine broke through into the light in +such sort, that by the Emperor’s strict command the same was sent +to all Kings, Princes, and Universities. This our Doctrine forthwith +enlightened many excellent people, dispersed here and there in Princes’ +courts, among whom some of God were chosen to take hold on this our +doctrine, like unto tinder, and afterwards kindled the same also in +others.</p> +<p>Our Apology and Confession with great honour came to light; the Papists’ +confutations are kept in darkness, and do stink. Oh, said Luther, +how willingly would I that their confutations might appear to the world; +then I would set upon that old torn and tattered skin, and in such sort +would baste it, that the flitches thereof should fly about here and +there; but they shun the light. This time twelvemonths no man +would have given a farthing for the Protestants, so sure the ungodly +Papists were of us. For, said Luther, when my most gracious Lord +and master, the Prince Elector of Saxony, before other Princes came +to the Diet, the Papists marvelled much thereat, for they verily believed +that he would not have appeared, by reason (as they imagined) his cause +was too bad and foul to be brought before the light. But what +fell out? Even this, that in their greatest security they were +overwhelmed with the greatest fear and affrightments. Because +the Prince Elector, like an upright Prince, appeared so early at Augsburg, +then the other Popish princes swiftly posted away from Augsburg to Innsbruck, +where they held serious counsel with Prince George and the Marquis of +Baden, all of them wondering what the Prince Elector’s so early +approach to the Diet should mean, insomuch that the Emperor himself +thereat was astonished, and doubted whether he might come and go in +safety or not. Whereupon the princes were constrained to promise, +that they would set up body, goods, and blood by the Emperor, the one +offering to maintain 6,000 horse, another so many thousands of foot-soldiers, +etc., to the end His Majesty might be the better secured. There +was a wonder among wonders to be seen, in that God struck with fear +and cowardliness the enemies of the truth. And although at that +time the Prince Elector of Saxony was alone, and but only the hundredth +sheep, while the others were ninety-and-nine, yet, notwithstanding, +it so fell out that they all trembled and were afraid. Now when +they came to the point, and began to take the business in hand, then +there appeared but a very small heap that stood by God’s Word.</p> +<p>But, said Luther, we brought with us a strong and mighty King, a +King above all Emperors and Kings, namely, Christ Jesus, the powerful +Word of God. Then all the Papists cried out, and said, “Oh, +it is insufferable that so small and silly a heap should set themselves +against the Imperial power.” But, said Luther, the Lord +of Hosts frustrateth the councils of Princes. Pilate had power +to put our blessed Saviour to death, but willingly he would not; Annas +and Caiaphas willingly would have done it, but could not.</p> +<p>The Emperor, for his own part, is good and honest; but the Popish +Bishops and Cardinals are undoubtedly knaves. And forasmuch as +the Emperor now refuseth to bathe his hands in innocent blood, therefore +the frantic Princes do bestir themselves, do scorn and contemn the good +Emperor in the highest degree. The Pope also for anger is ready +to burst in pieces, because the Diet, in this sort, without shedding +of blood, should be dissolved; therefore he sendeth the sword to the +Duke of Bavaria, to proceed therewith, and intendeth to take the crown +from the Emperor’s head, and to set it upon the head of Bavaria; +but he shall not accomplish it. In this manner ordered God the +business, that Kings, Princes, yea, and the Pope himself, fell from +the Emperor, and that we joined with him, which was a great wonder of +God’s providence, in that he whom the devil intended to use against +us, even the same, God taketh, maketh and useth for us. Oh, wonder, +said Luther, above all wonders!</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Assembly of the Princes at Brunswick, 1531.</i></p> +<p>When the Princes (professing the Augustinian Confession) held an +assembly at Brunswick, then Luther received three letters, wherein was +shown that the Prince Elector of Saxony journeyed five days through +the Marquisate of Brandenburg, whereas Prince Henry of Brunswick would +neither give him convoy nor permit him to go through his country. +But the Prince Elector of Brandenburg, in his country, gave him princely +entertainment in every place, and many went out of Brunswick to meet +and to receive him. But the Landgrave of Hessen went on the other +side, through Goslar, without a convoy. Christianus, King of Denmark, +the second day of the assembly, delivered up the Confession of his Faith, +and was held and esteemed a second David. Whereupon Luther said, +God of his mercy assist him for the sanctifying of his name. But, +said he, the pride of the Duke of Brunswick may easily redound to his +own hurt and prejudice, who, contrary to all law and equity, denied +a safe convoy to one of his best and truest friends. Moses likewise +desired a safe convoy to the King of the Amorites; but being denied, +he thereby took occasion to raise war against him. The Lord of +Heaven grant us peace. The same day other letters came to Luther +from Brunswick, showing that the King of Denmark in person, the Ambassadors +of England and France, and of many Imperial cities, were arrived there, +among whom, some carried themselves very strangely towards those of +the Protestant League. Luther said, under the name and colour +of the Gospel, they seek their own particular advantages, but in the +least danger they are afraid. These politic and terrestrial leagues +and unions have no hand nor share in the Gospel: God alone preserveth +and defendeth the same in times of persecution. Let us put trust +and confidence in him, and with him; let us erect and establish an everlasting +league, for the world is the world, and will remain the world.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p><i>Of the Convention and Assembly of the Protestant State at Frankfort-on-the-Main, +1539.</i></p> +<p>God, of his infinite mercy, said Luther, assist them at Frankfort-on-the-Main, +that they may Christian-like consult and conclude, to the end that God’s +honour, the good and profit of the commonwealth may be furthered. +Indeed, it is a very small assembly; it hath a strange aspect to be +held in an Imperial city; but forasmuch as they are thereunto constrained +by the adversaries, they must be content.</p> +<p>The Papists, void of shame, do unwisely undertake to possess themselves +of the cities, and by fraud to draw thereunto their adherents; then +they make show of keeping peace, but in the meantime they contrive how +to separate and confuse the whole body, and of the members to make a +massacre; they secretly fall upon Hamburg, upon Minden, and Frankfort. +They might more wisely go to work, if by open wars they assailed us. +At Augsburg they openly condemned us; and if those of our party had +not been patient, it had presently gone on at that time. Anno +1539, the 16th of February, Luther commanded public prayers to be made +for the day at Frankfort, that peace might be confirmed. For if +the Landgrave be incensed, then all resistance will be in vain. +The Landgrave neither provoketh nor giveth occasion to wars; but, on +the contrary, when he is provoked, he still seeketh peace; whereas, +notwithstanding, he is better furnished and provided for wars than his +adversary is, by 2,000 horse, for Hessen and Saxon are horsemen; when +they are set in the saddle, they are then not so easily hoisted out +again. As for the high-country horsemen, they, said Luther, are +dancing gentlemen. God preserve the Landgrave; for a valiant man +and Prince is of great importance. Augustus Cæsar was wont +to say, “I would rather be in an army of stags, where a lion is +general, than to be in an army of lions where a stag is general.”</p> +<p>The 25th of February, Luther prayed again with great devotion for +peace, and for the day at Frankfort, that through civil wars (which +are most hurtful), the religion, policy, and God’s Word might +not be sophisticated and torn in pieces. Wars are pleasing to +those that have had no trial or experience of them; God bless us from +wars.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>Footnotes:</p> +<p><a name="footnote1"></a><a href="#citation1">{1}</a> <i>Whatsoever +was pretended, yet the true cause of the Captain’s commitment +was because he was urgent with the Lord Treasurer for his Arrears; which, +amounting to a great sum, he was not willing to pay; and to be freed +from his clamours he clapped him up into prison.</i></p> +<p><a name="footnote2"></a><a href="#citation2">{2}</a> <i>The +name of a rich family.</i></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<p>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, TABLE TALK OF MARTIN LUTHER ***</p> +<pre> + +******This file should be named tlhr10h.htm or tlhr10h.zip****** +Corrected EDITIONS of our EBooks get a new NUMBER, tlhr11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlhr10ah.htm + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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