第 9 节
作者:
津夏 更新:2021-02-21 13:30 字数:9321
to do everything which they know is expected of them; not from
compulsion and with reluctance; but with pleasure and joy for the cause
just mentioned; namely that it is God's command and is pleasing to Him
above all other works。 Therefore they ought rather to pay wages in
addition and be glad that they may obtain masters and mistresses to
have such joyful consciences and to know how they may do truly golden
works; a matter which has hitherto been neglected and despised; when;
instead; everybody ran in the devil's name; into convents or to
pilgrimages and indulgences; with loss 'of time and money' and with an
evil conscience。
If this truth; then; could be impressed upon the poor people; a
servant…girl would leap and praise and thank God; and with her tidy
work for which she receives support and wages she would acquire such a
treasure as all that are esteemed the greatest saints have not
obtained。 Is it not an excellent boast to know and say that; if you
perform your daily domestic task; this is better than all the sanctity
and ascetic life of monks? And you have the promise; in addition; that
you shall prosper in all good and fare well。 How can you lead a more
blessed or holier life as far as your works are concerned? For in the
sight of God faith is what really renders a person holy; and alone
serves Him; but the works are for the service of man。 There you have
everything good; protection and defense in the Lord; a joyful
conscience and a gracious God besides; who will reward you a
hundredfold; so that you are even a nobleman if you be only pious and
obedient。 But if not; you have; in the first place; nothing but the
wrath and displeasure of God; no peace of heart; and afterwards all
manner of plagues and misfortunes。
Whoever will not be influenced by this and inclined to godliness we
hand over to the hangman and to the skeleton…man。 Therefore let every
one who allows himself to be advised remember that God is not making
sport; and know that it is God who speaks with you and demands
obedience。 If you obey Him; you are His dear child; but if you despise
to do it; then take shame; misery; and grief for your reward。
The same also is to be said of obedience to civil government; which (as
we have said) is all embraced in the estate of fatherhood and extends
farthest of all relations。 For here the father is not one of a single
family; but of as many people as he has tenants; citizens; or subjects。
For through them; as through our parents; God gives to us food; house
and home; protection and security。 Therefore since they bear such name
and title with all honor as their highest dignity; it is our duty to
honor them and to esteem them great as the dearest treasure and the
most precious jewel upon earth。
He; now; who is obedient here; is willing and ready to serve; and
cheerfully does all that pertains to honor; knows that he is pleasing
God and that he will receive joy and happiness for his reward。 If he
will not do it in love; but despises and resists 'authority' or rebels;
let him also know; on the other hand; that he shall have no favor nor
blessing; and where he thinks to gain a florin thereby; he will
elsewhere lose ten times as much; or become a victim to the hangman;
perish by war; pestilence; and famine; or experience no good in his
children; and be obliged to suffer injury; injustice; and violence at
the hands of his servants; neighbors; or strangers and tyrants; so that
what we seek and deserve is paid back and comes home to us。
If we would ever suffer ourselves to be persuaded that such works are
pleasing to God and have so rich a reward; we would be established in
altogether abundant possessions and have what our heart desires。 But
because the word and command of God are so lightly esteemed; as though
some babbler had spoken it; let us see whether you are the man to
oppose Him。 How difficult; do you think; it will be for Him to
recompense you! Therefore you would certainly live much better with the
divine favor; peace; and happiness than with His displeasure and
misfortune。 Why; think you; is the world now so full of unfaithfulness;
disgrace; calamity; and murder; but because every one desires to be his
own master and free from the emperor; to care nothing for any one; and
do what pleases him? Therefore God punishes one knave by another; so
that; when you defraud and despise your master; another comes and deals
in like manner with you; yea; in your household you must suffer ten
times more from wife; children; or servants。
Indeed; we feel our misfortune; we murmur and complain of
unfaithfulness; violence; and injustice; but will not see that we
ourselves are knaves who have fully deserved this punishment; and yet
are not thereby reformed。 We will have no favor and happiness;
therefore it is but fair that we have nothing but misfortune without
mercy。 There must still be somewhere upon earth some godly people
because God continues to grant us so much good! On our own account we
should not have a farthing in the house nor a straw in the field。 All
this I have been obliged to urge with so many words; in hope that some
one may take it to heart; that we may be relieved of the blindness and
misery in which we are steeped so deeply; and may truly understand the
Word and will of God; and earnestly accept it。 For thence we would
learn how we could have joy; happiness; and salvation enough; both
temporal and eternal。
Thus we have two kinds of fathers presented in this commandment;
fathers in blood and fathers in office; or those to whom belongs the
care of the family; and those to whom belongs the care of the country。
Besides these there are yet spiritual fathers; not like those in the
Papacy; who have indeed had themselves called thus; but have performed
no function of the paternal office。 For those only are called spiritual
fathers who govern and guide us by the Word of God; as St。 Paul boasts
his fatherhood 1 Cor。 4; 15; where he says: In Christ Jesus I hove
begotten you through the Gospel。 Now; since they are fathers they are
entitled to their honor; even above all others。 But here it is bestowed
least; for the way which the world knows for honoring them is to drive
them out of the country and to grudge them a piece of bread and; in
short; they must be (as says St。 Paul 1 Cor。 4; 13) as the filth of the
world and everybody's refuse and footrag。
Yet there is need that this also be urged upon the populace; that
those who would be Christians are under obligation in the sight of God
to esteem them worthy of double honor who minister to their souls; that
they deal well with them and provide for them。 For that; God is willing
to add to you sufficient blessing and will not let you come to want。
But in this matter every one refuses and resists; and all are afraid
that they will perish from bodily want; and cannot now support one
respectable preacher; where formerly they filled ten fat paunches。 In
this we also deserve that God deprive us of His Word and blessing; and
again allow preachers of lies to arise to lead us to the devil; and; in
addition; to drain our sweat and blood。
But those who keep in sight God's will and commandment have the
promise that everything which they bestow upon temporal and spiritual
fathers; and whatever they do to honor them; shall be richly
recompensed to them; so that they shall have; not bread; clothing; and
money for a year or two; but long life; support; and peace; and shall
be eternally rich and blessed。 Therefore only do what is your duty; and
let God take care how He is to support you and provide for you
sufficiently。 Since He has promised it; and has never yet lied; He will
not be found lying to you。
This ought indeed to encourage us; and give us hearts that would melt
in pleasure and love toward those to whom we owe honor; so that we
would raise our hands and joyfully thank God who has given us such
promises; for which we ought to run to the ends of the world 'to the
remotest parts of India'。 For although the whole world should combine;
it could not add an hour to our life or give us a single grain from the
earth。 But God wishes to give you all exceeding abundantly according to
your heart's desire。 He who despises and casts this to the winds is not
worthy ever to hear a word of God。 This has now been stated more than
enough for all who belong under this commandment。
In addition; it would be well to preach to the parents also; and such
as bear their office; as to how they should deport themselves toward
those who are committed to them for their government。 For although this
is not expressed in the Ten Commandments; it is nevertheless abundantly
enjoined in many places in the Scriptures。 And God desires to have it
embraced in this commandment when He speaks of father and mother。 For
He does not wish to have in this office and government knaves and
tyrants; nor does He assign to them this honor; that is; power and
authority to govern; that they should have themselves worshiped; but
they should consider that they are under obligations of obedience to
God; and that; first of all; they should earnestly and faithfully
discharge their office; not only to