_The Large Catechism_
                          by Dr. Martin Luther
                 Translated by F. Bente and  W. H. T. Dau
                              Published in:
                 _Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books
                         of the Ev. Lutheran Church._
        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 565-773
                                 Part 9
 

        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.
         
        
 
       _________________________________________________________________ 
 
       This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by 
       Allen Mulvey and is in the public domain.  You may freely 
       distribute, copy or print this text.  Please direct any comments 
       or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at 
       Concordia Theological Seminary. 
 
                        E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu 
          Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft.  Wayne, IN 46825 USA 
       Phone: (260) 481-2123                        Fax: (260) 481-2126 
       ________________________________________________________________


       file: /pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism: cat-09.txt

       .