A simple-minded way to pray.
How to pray? for Master Peter, barber.
Dear Master Peter, I give it to you as good as I have it, and as I myself keep praying. May our Lord God make you and everyone better, amen.
Firstly, when I feel that I have become cold and unwilling to pray because of other people's business or thoughts, as the flesh and the devil always hinder and prevent prayer, I take my psaltery, run into the closet, or, if it is the day and time, into the church to pray at home, and take up the Ten Commandments, the faith, and, after that, I have time to say some of Christ's sayings, Paul's sayings, or Psalms, orally to myself, all as children do. Therefore it is good to let prayer be the first work early in the morning and the last work in the evening, and to beware diligently of these false deceitful thoughts, which say, Wait a little, I will pray over an hour; I must finish this or that beforehand. For with such thoughts one comes from prayer into business, which then hold and surround one, so that nothing comes of the prayer of the day.
(2) And though some works may occur which are as good or better than prayer, especially when necessity requires them, there is a saying under St. Jerome's name: All the works of the faithful are prayer; and a saying: He who works faithfully prays double; which must be spoken for this reason, that a faithful man fears and honors God in his work, and thinks of his commandment; so that he will not do wrong to anyone, nor steal, nor take, nor embezzle, and such thoughts and faith undoubtedly make of his work a prayer and sacrifice of praise for it. Again, on the other hand, it must also be the truth that an unbeliever's deeds
is a vain cursing, and he who works unfaithfully curses double; for the thoughts of his heart must be such in his work that he despises God and transgresses his commandment and intends to do wrong to his neighbor, to steal and to embezzle. Such thoughts, what else are they but vain curses against God and man, by which his work and labor also becomes a twofold curse, so that he curses himself? and that remains beggars and humbuggers at last. Of course Christ says about this constant prayer, Luc. 11, 11: One should pray without ceasing. For one should guard against sins and wrongdoing without ceasing, which cannot happen where one does not fear God and has His commandment before one's eyes, as Psalm 1, 2. says: "Blessed is he who remembers God's commandment day and night" etc.
(3) But we must also see to it that we do not become accustomed to right prayer, and at last imply to ourselves necessary works that are not, and thereby become lazy and slothful, cold and weary of prayer. For the devil is not slothful nor lazy about us, so our flesh is still all too alive and fresh to sin and inclined against the spirit of prayer. Now when the heart is warmed by such verbal conversation and has come to itself, kneel down or stand with fallen hands and eyes toward heaven and speak or think as briefly as you can:
"Oh heavenly Father, dear God, I am an unworthy, poor sinner, not worthy to lift up my eyes or hands to you or to pray. But because you have commanded us all to pray, and have also promised an answer, and have taught us both word and manner through your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, I have come to you.
such thy commandment to be obedient unto thee, and rely upon thy gracious promise, and in the name of my Lord JEsu Christ I pray with all thy holy Christians on earth, as he hath taught me:
Our Father who art in heaven" re.
completely from word to word.
The first request.
4. then repeat a piece, or as much as you like; namely, the first petition: "Hallowed be your name"; and say: "Oh yes, Lord God, dear Father, hallow your name, both in ourselves and in all the world. Destroy and destroy the abominations, idolatries and heresies of the Turk, the Pabst and all false teachers and the red spirits, who falsely lead your name and so shamefully misuse it and blaspheme atrociously, saying and boasting that it is your word and the church's commandment, when it is the devil's lies and deceit, so that under your name they miserably deceive so many poor souls in the whole world and thereby also kill, shed innocent blood and persecute, thinking that they are doing you a service of God. Dear Lord God, here repent and forbid; repent those who are yet to be converted, that they with us, and we with them, may sanctify and glorify your name, both with right, pure doctrine and good holy living. But forbid them that will not be converted, that they may cease to take thy holy name in vain, to profane and dishonor it, and to deceive the poor people, Amen."
The other request.
5. "Thy kingdom come," and say, "O Lord God the Father, thou seest how not only the wisdom and understanding of the world profane thy name, and give thy glory to falsehood and the devil; but all their power, might, riches, and glory, which thou hast given them on earth to rule worldly, and to serve thee thereby, they set and strive against thy kingdom. They are great, mighty, and much, fat, fat, and full, and afflict, hinder, disturb the little multitude of thy kingdom, who are weak, despised, and few, they will
I do not suffer on earth; nevertheless, I think I am doing you a great service. Dear Lord, God the Father, convert and defend. Convert those who are yet to become children and members of your kingdom, that they may serve you with us and we with them in your kingdom in right faith and true love, and that they may come out of this kingdom that has begun into the eternal kingdom; but forbid those who will not let their power and ability be turned away from the destruction of your kingdom, that they, having fallen from the throne and having been humbled, must desist, amen."
The third request.
6. "Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also from earth"; and say: "Oh dear Lord, God the Father, you know how the world, when it cannot completely destroy your name and completely destroy your kingdom, goes about day and night with evil deeds, plotting and strange plots, holding council, murmuring together, comforting and strengthening themselves, threatening and spraying, going against your name, word, kingdom and children full of evil will, as they kill them.
7 "Therefore, dear Lord God the Father, repent and rebuke. Convert those who are yet to recognize your good will, so that they with us and we with them may be obedient to your will and gladly, patiently and cheerfully suffer all adversity, cross and repugnance, and recognize, test and experience your good, gracious, perfect will in this; But forbid those who will not desist from their raging, blustering, hating, threatening, and evil will to do harm, and bring their counsel, evil plots, and practices to nought and to shame, that it may come out upon them, as Psalm 7:15. Sing, Amen."
The fourth request.
8. "Give us this day our daily bread"; and say: "Oh dear Lord, God the Father, give also your blessing in this temporal bodily life. Graciously give us peace. Protect us from war and strife. Give our dear Lord Emperor happiness and salvation against his enemies. Give him wisdom
and understanding, that he may rule his earthly kingdom calmly and blissfully. Give all kings, princes and lords good counsel and will to preserve their lands and people in peace and good law, especially help and guide our dear sovereign N., under whose protection and umbrella you keep us, that he may be protected from all fog, may rule safely and blessedly from false tongues and unfaithful people. Give grace to all subjects to serve faithfully and be obedient. Give all estates, citizens and peasants, that they may become pious and show love and loyalty to one another. Give gracious weather and fruits of the earth. Command also house, farm, wife and child; help that I may govern them well and nourish and educate them in a Christian way. Resist and prevent the corrupter and all evil angels who harm and hinder, amen.
The fifth request.
9. forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and say, "O dear Lord God the Father, do not enter into judgment with us, for no living man is righteous before you. Do not count us as sinners because we are so ungrateful for all your unspeakable benefits, both spiritual and physical, and because we stumble and sin many times a day, more than we know and can realize, Ps. 19:13. But do not look at how pious or wicked we are, but at your causeless mercy, given to us in Christ, your dear Son. Forgive also all our enemies, and all that do us wrong or hurt us, as we also forgive them from the heart. For in this they themselves do the greatest harm, that they provoke thee to anger against us; and we are not helped by their destruction, but would much rather see them blessed with us, amen." And whoever here feels that he cannot forgive well, he may ask for mercy, that he may forgive. But this belongs in the sermon.
The sixth request.
10. "And lead us not into temptation"; and say, "Oh dear Lord, God the Father, keep us brave and fresh, fierce and diligent.
in thy word and service, that we be not secure, lazy, and slothful, as though we had it all now; lest the fierce devil creep upon us, and overtake us, and take away again thy dear word, or cause dissensions and divisions among us, or else lead us into sin and disgrace, both spiritually and bodily; but give us wisdom and power by thy Spirit, that we may resist him chivalrously, and retain the victory, Amen."
The seventh request.
11. "But deliver us from evil"; and say: "Oh dear Lord, God the Father, this wretched life is so full of misery and unhappiness, insecurity, unfaithfulness and wickedness, as St. Paul says: 'The days are evil', that we should be cheaply weary of life and eager for death. But thou, dear Father, knowest our weakness, therefore help us to pass safely through such manifold evils and wickedness, and when the time comes, give us a gracious hour and blessed parting from this pit of misery, that we may not be afraid nor despond before death, but with firm faith commit our souls into thy hands. Amen."
12. Finally, notice that you must make the Amen strong in every way and not doubt that God will certainly listen to you with all graces and say yes to your prayer, and remember that you do not kneel and stand there alone, but all of Christendom or all devout Christians with you, and you among them in unanimous prayer, which God cannot despise; and do not leave the prayer, because you have said or thought: Well, this prayer is heard by God, I know it for certain, and truly, it is called Amen.
Thirteen also know that I do not wish to have spoken all these words in prayer, for then they would end up as babble and vain babble, read out of the book or letter, as the rosaries of the laity and the prayers of the priests and monks have been; but rather I wish to have provoked the heart and instructed it as to what thoughts it should take up in the Lord's Prayer. Such thoughts, however, can the heart, if it is properly warmed and is happy to pray, well with much
I do not bind myself to such words and syllables, but speak the words today like this, tomorrow like that, after which I am warm and happy. Nevertheless, as near as I always can, I stay with the same thought and sense; it often happens that in one piece or request I stroll into such rich thoughts that I leave the other six standing in line. And when such rich good thoughts come, one should let the other prayers go and give room to such thoughts and listen with silence and by no means hinder, because there the Holy Spirit himself is preaching. And one word of his sermon is far, far better than a thousand of our prayers. And I have also often learned more in one prayer than I could have gotten from much reading and writing.
(14) Therefore the greatest power lies in the heart making itself free and joyful for prayer, as also Ecclesiastes, chap. 4, 17, says: "Prepare your heart before prayer, lest you tempt God." What is it but to tempt God when the mouth is chattering and the heart is scattered elsewhere? As that priest prayed in this way: Deus in adjutorium meum intende (O God, take heed of my help); Servant, hast thou stretched forth? Domine ad adjuvandum me festina (Lord, hasten to help me); Maid go, milk the cow; Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto (Glory be to God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit);*) Run, knave, that the ride may shake thee etc. Which prayers I have heard and experienced much in my days in the papacy, and are almost all their prayers of the kind. With this, God is only mocked, and it would be better if they played for it, if they could not or would not do anything better. For I myself have prayed such Horas Canonicas (ecclesiastically prescribed hourly prayers, daily times) of my days much, unfortunately, that the Psalm
or daytime was over before I realized whether I had started or was in the middle.
(15) And though they do not all go out orally like the aforesaid priest, throwing business and prayer among themselves, yet they do so in their hearts with their thoughts: throwing the hundredth into the thousandth, and when it is over, they do not know what they have done or where they have come from. Lift up Laudate, in a flash they are in the land of milk and honey; that I think so: no ridiculous jiggery-pokery should occur to anyone, for if he would see the thoughts that a cold, unsuspicious heart drives among itself in prayer. But now I see, praise God, that prayer is not fine if one forgets what he has said. For a right prayer remembers all words and thoughts from the beginning to the end of the prayer.
16 As a good, diligent barber, he must direct his thoughts, mind and eyes precisely to the clippers and the hair, and not forget where he is in the stroke or cut; but where he wants to chat a lot or think or look elsewhere, he should cut off the mouth or nose, the throat. So every thing, if it is to be done well, wants to have the man whole with all senses and limbs, as one says: Pluribus intentus, minor est ad singula sensus: he who thinks many things thinks nothing, does nothing good; how much more does prayer want to have the heart united, whole and alone, if it is to be a good prayer otherwise!
17 This is briefly said about the Lord's Prayer or prayer, as I myself use to pray; for even today I suck on the Pater noster (Lord's Prayer) like a child, drink and eat like an old man, cannot get full of it, and it is also the very best prayer for me above the Psalter, which I love very much. Truly, it is found that the right master has made it and taught it, and it is a pity upon a pity that such a prayer of such a master should be rattled and clattered all over the world without any devotion. Many pray perhaps several thousand Pater noster in the year, and if they should pray a thousand years in this way, they would not have tasted or prayed a single letter or tittle of it.
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Summa, the Pater noster is the greatest martyr - as well as the name and word of God - on earth, because everyone plagues it and abuses it; few comfort it and make it merry in right custom.
How to consider one-string the ten commandments.
18. But if I have time and space before the Pater noster, I also do the same with the ten commandments and take one piece after the other, so that I am completely free, as much as it is possible, for prayer, and make a fourfold or a fourfold twisted wreath out of each commandment: I take each commandment, first, as a teaching, as it is in itself, and think what our Lord God so earnestly requires of me in it; second, I make a thanksgiving out of it; third, a confession; fourth, a prayer, namely, thus or with such thoughts and words:
19 [I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt from the house of service.
The First Commandment]
You shall not have other gods besides me etc.
Here I think, first of all, that God demands of me and teaches me heartfelt trust in Him in all things, and that He is most earnest in wanting to be my God. And for this I shall hold him in loss of eternal blessedness, and that my heart should neither build nor trust in anything else, be it good, honor, wisdom, power, holiness or any creature.
On the other hand, I thank His causeless mercy that He so fatherly lowers Himself to me, a lost man, and offers Himself to me, unasked, unsought, undeserved, to be my God, to take care of me, and to be my consolation, protection, shell and strength in all hardships. Yet we poor, blind people have sought so many different gods and still have to seek them, if he would not let himself be heard so publicly and offer himself to us in our human language that he wants to be our God. Who can thank him enough for this always and forever?
(20) Thirdly, I confess and acknowledge my great sin and ingratitude, that I have so shamefully despised such a beautiful teaching and gift throughout my life, and have so grievously provoked his wrath with innumerable idolatries, for which I am sorry, and ask for mercy.
Fourthly, I pray and say: "O my God and Lord, help me by Your grace that I may learn and understand Your commandment better every day and do it with heartfelt confidence. Take care of my heart, so that I no longer become so forgetful and ungrateful, nor seek other gods, nor comfort on earth, nor in all creatures, but remain pure and pure in you, my one God. Amen, dear Lord God the Father, amen."
21 Then, if I am willing or if I have time, I will turn the other commandment into four, in this way:
The other commandment.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
First, I learn that I should keep God's name glorious, holy and beautiful, not swearing, cursing, lying, not being hopeful, nor seeking my own honor or name, but humbly calling on his name, worshiping, praising and glorifying, and let this be all my honor and glory, that he is my God, and I am his poor creature and unworthy servant.
Secondly, I give thanks for the glorious gifts that he has revealed and given me his name, so that I can boast of his name and be called God's servant, Creature etc., that his name is my refuge, like a strong fortress, as Solomon says, Proverbs 18:10, to which the righteous flees and is protected.
Thirdly, I confess and acknowledge my grave and shameful sin, which I have committed against this commandment all my life, since I have not only left his holy name uncalled for, unglorified and unhonored, but have also been ungrateful for such a gift and have abused it to all kinds of shame and sin by swearing, lying and deceiving, which I am sorry for, and ask for mercy and forgiveness.
Fourth, I pray for help and strength, that I may henceforth learn such a commandment well, and beware of such shameful ingratitude, abuse, and sins against his holy name, but that I may be found grateful and in right fear and honor of his name.
22. and as I said above in the Lord's Prayer, so I urge again, if the Holy Spirit comes under such thoughts and begins to preach into your heart with rich, enlightened thoughts, give Him the glory, let go of these preconceived thoughts, be quiet and listen to Him who knows better than you; and what He preaches, mark and write it down, and you will experience miracles, as David says, in the law of God.
The third commandment.
You shall sanctify the holiday.
(23) In this I learn first of all that the holiday is not set apart for idleness, nor for carnal pleasure, but that it is to be sanctified by us; but by our works and deeds it is not sanctified, for our works are not holy, but by the word of God, which alone is wholly pure and holy, and sanctifies all that pertains to it, whether it be time, place, person, work, rest etc. For by the word our works also become holy, as St. Paul, 1 Tim. 4:5, says: "That all creatures also may be sanctified by the word and prayer." Therefore, I recognize in this that on the holiday I should first hear and consider God's word, then give thanks in the same word, praise God for all His good deeds, and pray for myself and all the world. He who thus observes the holiday sanctifies the holiday; he who does not, does worse than those who work on it.
(24) Secondly, in this commandment I give thanks for the great and beautiful blessing and grace of God, that He has given us His word and His sermon and has commanded us to practice them especially on the feast day, which treasure no human heart can sufficiently consider. For his word is the only light in the darkness of this life and a word of life, comfort and all blessedness, and where the dear healing word is not there, there is vile darkness.
The devil's own tyranny, as we see before our eyes every day, is all misery, error, mobs, death, and misfortune.
(25) Thirdly, I confess and acknowledge my great sin and shameful ingratitude, that I have spent the holidays so blasphemously all my life, and have so miserably despised his precious word, and have been so lazy, unenthusiastic and weary of hearing it, let alone heartily desiring it or ever thanking him for it. So I have let my dear God preach to me in vain and let the noble treasure go, and walked on it with my feet, which he tolerated from me with vain divine kindness and therefore did not cease to preach to me and to call to my soul's bliss with all fatherly divine love and faithfulness. I am sorry for this and ask for mercy and forgiveness.
(26) Fourthly, I pray for myself and for all the world that the dear Father would keep us by his holy word and not take it away from us because of our sin, ingratitude and laziness. May he protect us from the spirits of the wicked and false teachers, but send us faithful and true laborers in his harvest, that is, faithful and pious pastors and preachers. Give us all grace to humbly hear, accept and honor the same word as his own word, and to give thanks and praise for it from the heart etc.
The fourth commandment.
You shall honor your father and mother.
27. First of all, I learn to recognize God, my Creator, how wonderfully he created me with body and soul, gave me life from my parents, and gave them the heart that they, as the fruit of their bodies, served me with all their strength, gave birth to me, nourished me, They nurtured me, cared for me and brought me up with great diligence, care, danger, toil and work, and until this hour have protected me, his creature, in body and soul from innumerable dangers and hardships, and have also often helped me out, as if he were creating me anew every hour; for the devil does not allow us to live for a moment.
28 Secondly, I thank the rich,
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kind Creator for me and for all the world, that in this commandment he has established and preserved the increase and preservation of the human race, that is, domestic and urban life, or oeconomiam and politiam, for without
The world could not stand for a year without these two beings or regiments, because without a worldly regiment there is no peace; where there is no peace, there can be no domesticity; where there is no domesticity, there can be neither children conceived nor educated; and fatherhood and motherhood would have to cease altogether. But this commandment stands for it and keeps and preserves both, the household and the city, commands obedience to the children and subjects, and also keeps it in mind that it must be done. Or, if it is not done, he does not let it go unpunished, otherwise the children would have long since torn apart and desolated all the household through disobedience, and the subjects would have torn apart and desolated the city through rebellion: because there is much more of them than of the parents and rulers. That is why such charity is unspeakable.
(29) Thirdly, I confess and acknowledge my grievous disobedience and sin, that contrary to this commandment of my God, I have not honored my parents, nor been obedient, often angering and offending them, impatiently accepting their fatherly punishment, grumbling against them, despising their faithful admonition, but rather following loose company and bad boys. God Himself curses such disobedient children and denies them long life, and many of them perish shamefully and perish before they become men. For he who disobeys his father and mother must obey the executioner or else perish evil by God's wrath. I am sorry for all this and ask for mercy and forgiveness.
(30) Fourthly, I pray for myself and for all the world, that God will bestow His grace upon us and pour out His blessing abundantly on both the household and the city: that we may henceforth be pious, keep our parents honorable, be obedient to the rulers, resist the devil and not follow his charms to disobedience and discord, and thus by doing so help to improve the house and the country and keep the peace to praise and honor God, and to benefit ourselves and all that is good;
and that we recognize such gifts and give thanks for them. Here also the prayer for the parents and overlords should go down, that God may grant them understanding and wisdom to preside and rule over us peacefully and blessedly. He will protect them from tyranny, rage and fury and turn them away from honoring God's word, from persecuting or doing injustice to anyone. For such high gifts must be obtained by prayer, as St. Paul teaches; otherwise the devil is the chief abbot of the court, and evil and desolate things are done.
(31) And though thou be father and mother, yet now is the time that thou forget not thyself, nor thy children and thy servants; but earnestly beseech that the dear Father, who hath set thee in the honor of his name and office, and hath also called thee father and honored thee, grant thee grace and blessing to govern and nourish thy wife, thy child, and thy servants in a godly and Christian manner. Give you wisdom and strength to educate them well, and a good heart and will to follow your teachings and be obedient. For God's gifts are both children and their prosperity; both to be well-bred and to abide well. Otherwise, a house becomes no different than a pigsty, is a boys' school; as you can see with the godless, rude people.
The fifth commandment.
You shall not kill.
32 First of all, I learn that God wants me to love my neighbor, so that I do him no harm in his body, neither with words nor with deeds; not to take revenge on him or harm him through anger, impatience, envy, hatred or any malice, but to know that I am obligated to help and advise him in all his physical needs. For with this commandment he commanded me to preserve my neighbor's body, and again, he commanded my neighbor to preserve my body. And as Sirach says, "He has commanded each of us his neighbor."
(33) Secondly, I give thanks to such unspeakable love, care and faithfulness toward me that he has placed such a great strong guard and wall around my body. So that all people should be guilty of looking after me.
spare and guard me, and again, I also against all men. Keeps also over it; and where it does not happen, he has commanded the sword for the punishment of those who do not do it. Otherwise, if it were not for his commandment and foundation, the devil would make such a killing among us people that no one would be able to live safely for an hour, as happens when God is angry and punishes the disobedient and ungrateful world.
Thirdly, I confess and complain here about my wickedness and the wickedness of the world, that we are not only so horribly ungrateful for his fatherly love and care for us, but that it is especially shameful that we cannot learn such commandments and teachings, nor do we want to learn them, but despise them as if they did not concern us, or as if we had nothing to do with them. We are sure to do this, and do not make ourselves conscience-stricken by despising, forsaking, even persecuting and injuring our neighbor against this commandment, or even killing him in our heart, following our anger, wrath and all malice, as if we were doing right and well. Verily, here is the time of lamentation and crying over us bad boys and blind, wild, unkind people, who, like fierce beasts, kick, push, scratch, tear, bite and devour one another, and fear nothing such serious commandment of God etc.
(35) Fourthly, I pray that he, the dear Father, would teach us to know his holy commandment and help us to keep and live by it: protect us all from the murderer, who is the master of all murder and harm, and give his abundant grace that people, and we with them, may become kind, gentle, and gentle toward one another; heartily forgive one another, and bear one another's faults and infirmities in a Christian and brotherly manner, and thus live in right peace and unity; as this commandment teaches and requires of us.
The sixth commandment.
You shall not commit adultery.
(36) Here I learn again what God thinks of me and what He wants me to do: namely, to live chastely and chastely and temperately, both in thought, word and deed.
and works, and to leave each man's wife, daughter and maidservant unharmed; but to help save, protect and do everything that serves to preserve their honor and discipline; also to help stop the useless mouths that cut off or steal their honor. For I owe all these things, and God wills it of me, not only to leave my neighbor's wife and his undefiled, but also to help preserve and keep his discipline and honor, as I would have my neighbor do against me, and to practice this commandment on me and mine.
37 Secondly, I thank the dear, faithful Father for his grace and benevolence in taking my husband, son, servant, wife, daughter and maidservant under his protection and protection with this commandment; and he forbids so severely that they should not be disgraced. For he gives me safe conduct; he also keeps it and does not let it go unpunished, even if he should do it himself, where someone transgresses and breaks such command and conduct. No one escapes from him; he must either pay for it here or atone for such lust in the hellish fire at last; for he wants to have chastity and not suffer adultery. As we see every day in all impenitent, nefarious people, God's wrath finally seizes them and executes them shamefully; otherwise it would not be possible to keep one's wife, child and servants in discipline and honor before the unclean devil. There would be vain dog marriages and beastly creatures out of it; as it goes, where God removes his hand in anger and lets it go over and over.
38. thirdly, I confess and acknowledge my sin to all the world, how I have sinned against this commandment, be it with thoughts, words and deeds of my lifetime, and have not only been ungrateful for such a beautiful teaching and gift, but have also grumbled against God, that he has commanded such discipline and chastity, and has not left all kinds of fornication and lewdness free and unpunished, and has despised, mocked and condemned the marriage state etc. How then this commandment's sins are above all others the grossest and most recognizable, having neither cover nor adornment. I am sorry for that etc.
39. fourth, I pray for myself and for all the world: that God would give us grace to keep His commandment with joy and love, so that we not only live chastely, but also help and advise others to do so.
(40) So I continue with the other commandments, if I have time and a while, or if I have a desire; for, as I have said, I will not bind any man to these my words or thoughts, but have set my example, which may be followed by whosoever will, or corrected by whosoever can, and at once take before him all the commandments, or as much as is open to him. For the soul, when it comes upon a thing, whether it be evil or good, and is in earnest, can think more in a moment than the tongue can speak in ten hours, and the pen can write in ten days. Such a nimble, subtle and powerful thing is the soul or spirit. Therefore it has the ten commandments by all four pieces very soon aligned, if it wants to do it and her is serious.
The seventh commandment.
You shall not steal.
First, I learn here that I should not take or have my neighbor's goods contrary to his will, either secretly or openly; that I should not be unfaithful or false in my actions, service or work, lest I gain mine thievishly; but that I should nourish myself with the sweat of my brow and eat my own bread with all faithfulness. Item, that I should help that my neighbor, as well as myself, is not deprived of his own by the above-mentioned pieces. I also learn that God, by such a commandment, pacifies and protects my property out of fatherly care and great earnestness; because he forbids that one should not steal anything from me; and where one does not do it, he puts the punishment on it, orders the gallows and the rope for Master Hans, or where he cannot, he punishes himself, so that they must become beggars in the end; as one says: He who likes to steal when young, goes begging in old age; item: Unjust property does not deceive (prosper); and: Evil gained, evil lost.
Secondly, I thank his faithfulness and goodness that he has given me and all the world such good teaching and thus also protection and protection.
For where he did not protect, not a penny nor morsel of bread would remain in anyone's house.
43. third, I confess all my sin and ingratitude, where I have wronged and shortchanged or unfaithful to anyone all my life etc.
44. fourthly, I pray that he will grant grace that I and all the world may learn and consider such a commandment of his, and also amend it, so that stealing, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, and injustice may be less; and in a little while, by the last day, when all the saints and creatures will pray, Rom. 8:19, there will be an end, amen.
The eighth commandment.
You shall not speak false witness against your neighbor.
45 First of all, this teaches us to be truthful with one another and to avoid all kinds of lies and slander, to be glad to speak and hear the best of others; and thus a wall and protection is created for our reputation and innocence against evil mouths and false tongues, which God also does not leave unpunished, as said of other commandments. We should thank him for this, both for the teaching and protection that he so graciously gives us herewith.
46 Third, confess and ask for mercy, because we have spent our lives so ungratefully and sinfully, with lies and false and evil mouths against our neighbor, to whom we owe the salvation of all his honor and innocence, as we ourselves would like.
47. fourth, we ask for help to keep such a commandment henceforth, and for a wholesome tongue.
The ninth and tenth commandments.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. Item his wife etc.
48 This teaches us, first of all, how we should not, with any semblance of justice, take away, turn away, or wrest from our neighbor's goods and what is his, but help him to keep it, as we ourselves would like to happen to us. And this is also a little protection against the sharp little schemes and intrigues of the wise men of the world, who also get their punishment in the end.
49 Secondly, we should give thanks for it.
Third, confess our sin with repentance and sorrow.
51) Fourth, ask for help and strength to become devout and keep such God's commandment.
(52) These are the Ten Commandments, divided into four parts: a book of doctrine, a book of thanksgiving, a book of confession, and a book of prayer. From this a heart should come into itself and become warm for prayer: But see thou take it not all, or too much, before thee, lest the spirit be weary. Item, a good prayer should not be long; nor be drawn up long, but be frequent and fervent. It is enough if you can get a piece or half a piece, so that you can stir up a little fire in your heart. Well, the spirit will and must give and continue to teach in the heart, when it is thus cleared with God's word and is freed from strange business and thoughts.
A simple-minded way to look at faith.
If anyone has time to spare or is otherwise merry, he may do likewise with the faith and make a four-twisted wreath out of it. The faith has three major parts or articles, according to the three persons of divine majesty, as they are also divided in the Catechism.
The first article. From the creation.
I believe in God the Father, Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a great light shines into your heart, if you want it, and teaches you in short words what cannot be said or written with all tongues and many books. Namely, what you are, where you come from, where heaven and earth come from. For thou art God's creature, estate, creature and work: that is, of thyself and in thyself thou art nothing, canst nothing, knowest nothing, canst nothing. For what were you a thousand years ago? What were heaven and earth six thousand years ago? Just as nothing is, as nothing is.
so never shall be created. But what you are, know, are able to do, that is called God's creature; as you confess here with your mouth. Therefore you have nothing to boast of before God, but that you are nothing at all, and that he is your creator and can destroy you at any moment. Reason knows nothing of such light; many great men have sought what heaven and earth, man and creature are, but have not found it. Faith says: God created everything from nothing. Here is the soul's pleasure garden, to walk in God's works; but it is too long to write about it here.
55. secondly, one should give thanks here that we are created from nothing by God's goodness and are preserved from nothing daily, such a fine creature, which has body and soul, reason, five senses etc. and has set us as lords over the earth, fish, birds, animals etc. Here belongs Genesis 1, 2, 3 Cap.
56 Third, confess and lament our unbelief and ingratitude, that we have not taken these things to heart, believed, considered, or known them, worse than the unreasoning animals etc.
57) Fourth, ask for right and certain faith, that we may sincerely believe and keep God as our Creator from now on, as this article says.
The other article. From the redemption.
And to Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord etc.
Here again such great light shines and teaches us how we have been redeemed from death through Christ, the Son of God, into which we fell after creation through Adam's sin and had to perish eternally. And here it is time, just as in the first article you must count yourself one of God's creatures and not doubt it; so here you must also count yourself one of the redeemed and not doubt it, and in all words put the first word "ours"; as Jesus Christ our Lord. So also ours who suffered, ours who died, ours who rose from the dead, that he may be ours and be counted among us, and that you may be among these ours, as the word itself says.
59 Secondly, give heartfelt thanks for such great grace and rejoice in such salvation.
60 Third, bitterly lament and confess the shameful unbelief or doubt in such grace. Oh, what will you think here, how much idolatry you have practiced against this with so much holy service and countless works of your own that have resisted such salvation.
61) Fourthly, pray that God may keep you in the right pure faith in Christ your Lord until the end.
The third article. About sanctification.
And to the Holy Spirit etc.
62) This is the third great light that teaches us where such Creator and Redeemer is located.
The church is to be found outwardly on earth, and where it will remain in the end. There is much to be said about this; and the summary is brief: where the holy Christian church is, there one finds God Creator, God Redeemer and God Holy Spirit, that is, who sanctifies daily through the forgiveness of sin etc. But there is the church where God's word of such faith is rightly preached.
Here again you have much to think of all that the Holy Spirit practices daily in the church etc. Therefore, think here that you also came and were called to such a church. Confess and complain about your unbelief and ingratitude, that you did not consider all these things, and ask for right firm faith, which will wait and remain until you come to the place where it will all remain forever, that is, after the resurrection of the dead in eternal life, amen.