Conclusion of the Ten Commandments.
Thus we have the Ten Commandments, a compend of
divine doctrine, as to what we are to do in order that our whole life may be
pleasing to God, and the true fountain and channel from and in which everything
must arise and flow that is to be a good work, so that outside of the Ten
Commandments no work or thing can be good or pleasing to God, however great or
precious it be in the eyes of the world. Let us see now what our great saints
can boast of their spiritual orders and their great and grievous works which
they have invented and set up, while they let these pass, as though they were
far too insignificant, or had long ago been perfectly fulfilled.
I am of opinion indeed, that here one will find
his hands full, [and will have enough] to do to observe these, namely,
meekness, patience, and love towards enemies, chastity, kindness, etc., and
what such virtues imply. But such works are not of value and make no display in
the eyes of the world; for they are not peculiar and conceited works and
restricted to particular times, places, rites, and customs, but are common,
every-day domestic works which one neighbor can practise toward another;
therefore they are not of high esteem.
But the other works cause people to open their
eyes and ears wide, and men aid to this effect by the great display, expense,
and magnificent buildings with which they adorn them, so that everything shines
and glitters. There they waft incense, they sing and ring bells, they light
tapers and candles, so that nothing else can be seen or heard. For when a
priest stands there in a surplice embroidered with gilt, or a layman continues
all day upon his knees in church, that is regarded as a most precious work
which no one can sufficiently praise. But when a poor girl tends a little child
and faithfully does what she is told that is considered nothing; for else what
should monks and nuns seek in their cloisters?
But see, is not that a cursed presumption of
those desperate saints who dare to invent a higher and better life and estate
than the Ten Commandments teach, pretending (as we have said) that this is an
ordinary life for the common man, but that theirs is for saints and perfect
ones? And the miserable blind people do not see that no man can get so far as
to keep one of the Ten Commandments as it should be kept, but both the
Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer must come to our aid (as we shall hear),
by which that [power and strength to keep the commandments] is sought and
prayed for and received continually. Therefore all their boasting amounts to as
much as if I boasted and said: To be sure, I have not a penny to make payment
with, but I confidently undertake to pay ten florins.
All this I say and urge in order that men might
become rid of the sad misuse which has taken such deep root and still cleaves
to everybody, and in all estates upon earth become used to looking hither only,
and to being concerned about these matters. For it will be a long time before
they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to the Ten Commandments, because
they are so high that no one can attain to them by human power; and whoever
does attain to them is a heavenly, angelic man far above all holiness of the
world. Only occupy yourself with them, and try your best, apply all power and
ability and you will find so much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem
any other work or holiness.
Let this be sufficient concerning the first part
of the common Christian doctrine, both for teaching and urging what is
necessary. In conclusion, however, we must repeat the text which belongs here,
of which we have treated already in the First Commandment, in order that we may
learn what pains God requires to the end we may learn to inculcate and practise
the Ten Commandments:
For I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of
them that love Me and keep My commandments.
Although (as we have heard above) this appendix
was primarily attached to the First Commandment, it was nevertheless [we cannot
deny that it was] laid down for the sake of all the commandments, as all of
them are to be referred and directed to it. Therefore I have said that this,
too, should be presented to and inculcated upon the young, that they may learn
and remember it, in order to see what is to urge and compel us to keep these
Ten Commandments. And it is to be regarded as though this part were specially
added to each, so that it inheres in, and pervades, them all.
Now, there is comprehended in these words (as
said before) both an angry word of threatening and a friendly promise to
terrify and warn us, and, moreover to induce and encourage us to receive and
highly esteem His Word as a matter of divine earnestness, because He Himself
declares how much He is concerned about it, and how rigidly He will enforce it,
namely, that He will horribly and terribly punish all who despise and
transgress His commandments; and again, how richly He will reward, bless, and
do all good to those who hold them in high esteem, and gladly do and live
according to them. Thus He demands that all our works proceed from a heart
which fears and regards God alone, and from such fear avoids everything that is
contrary to His will, lest it should move Him to wrath; and, on the other hand,
also trusts in Him alone, and from love to Him does all He wishes, because he
speaks to us as friendly as a father, and offers us all grace and every
good.
Just this is also the meaning and true
interpretation of the first and chief commandment, from which all the others
must flow and proceed, so that this word: Thou shalt have no other gods before
Me, in its simplest meaning states nothing else than this demand: Thou shalt
fear, love, and trust in Me as thine only true God. For where there is a heart
thus disposed towards God, the same has fulfilled this and all the other
commandments. On the other hand, whoever fears and loves anything else in
heaven and upon earth will keep neither this nor any. Thus the entire
scriptures have everywhere preached and inculcated this commandment, aiming
always at these two things: fear of God and trust in Him. And especially the
prophet David throughout the Psalms, as when he says [Ps. 147,11]: The Lord
taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. As if
the entire commandment were explained by one verse, as much as to say: The Lord
taketh pleasure in those who have no other gods.
Thus the First Commandment is to shine and impart
its splendor to all the others. Therefore you must let this declaration run
through all the commandments, like a hoop in a wreath, joining the end to the
beginning and holding them all together, that it be continually repeated and
not forgotten; as, namely, in the Second Commandment, that we fear God and do
not take His name in vain for cursing, lying, deceiving, and other modes of
leading men astray, or rascality, but make proper and good use of it by calling
upon Him in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, derived from love and trust
according to the First Commandment. In like manner such fear, love, and trust
is to urge and force us not to despise His Word, but gladly to learn, hear, and
esteem it holy, and honor it.
Thus continuing through all the following
commandments towards our neighbor likewise, everything is to proceed by virtue
of the First Commandment, to wit, that we honor father and mother, masters, and
all in authority and be subject and obedient to them, not on their own account,
but for God's sake. For you are not to regard or fear father or mother, or from
love of them do or omit anything. But see to that which God would have you do,
and what He will quite surely demand of you; if you omit that, you have an
angry Judge, but in the contrary case a gracious Father.
Again, that you do your neighbor no harm, injury,
or violence, nor in any wise encroach upon him as touching his body, wife,
property, honor, or rights, as all these things are commanded in their order,
even though you have opportunity and cause to do so and no man would reprove
you; but that you do good to all men, help them, and promote their interest,
howsoever and wherever you can, purely from love of God and in order to please
Him, in the confidence that He will abundantly reward you for everything. Thus
you see how the First Commandment is the chief source and fountainhead which
flows into all the rest, and again, all return to that and depend upon it, so
that beginning and end are fastened and bound to each other.
This (I say) it is profitable and necessary
always to teach to the young people, to admonish them and to remind them of it,
that they may be brought up not only with blows and compulsion, like cattle,
but in the fear and reverence of God. For where this is considered and laid to
heart that these things are not human trifles, but the commandments of the
Divine Majesty, who insists upon them with such earnestness, is angry with, and
punishes those who despise them, and, on the other hand, abundantly rewards
those who keep them, there will be a spontaneous impulse and a desire gladly to
do the will of God. Therefore it is not in vain that it is commanded in the Old
Testament to write the Ten Commandments on all walls and corners, yes, even on
the garments, not for the sake of merely having them written in these places
and making a show of them, as did the Jews, but that we might have our eyes
constantly fixed upon them, and have them always in our memory, and that we
might practise them in all our actions and ways, and every one make them his
daily exercise in all cases, in every business and transaction, as though they
were written in every place wherever he would look, yea, wherever he walks or
stands. Thus there would be occasion enough, both at home in our own house and
abroad with our neighbors, to practise the Ten Commandments, that no one need
run far for them.
From this it again appears how highly these Ten
Commandments are to be exalted and extolled above all estates, commandments,
and works which are taught and practised aside from them. For here we can boast
and say: Let all the wise and saints step forth and produce, if they can, a
[single] work like these commandments, upon which God insists with such
earnestness, and which He enjoins with His greatest wrath and punishment, and,
besides, adds such glorious promises that He will pour out upon us all good
things and blessings. Therefore they should be taught above all others, and be
esteemed precious and dear, as the highest treasure given by God.