In it the greatest main pieces of a Christian life are decided.
Held on August 7, 1524.
How human nature is poisoned. - About the Christian faith. - Of the diabolical state of monks, nuns and priests etc. - Of the holy conjugal state. - Of the worldly sword. - How and when to be obedient to the secular authorities. - Of the baptism of children. - How and when women may baptize children.
(1) First, that human nature is poisoned and implanted by nature with a love of sin, which, though it may adorn itself and be concealed in some for a time, yet is stirred up when it has room, place, and cause. Therefore no man is so holy in whom the desire to sin does not stir, who does not have an innate inclination to sin, in whom something of the flesh does not also rule; and this is evident in all Scripture, of which St. Paul says to the Romans, "They are all resolved under sin, there is none of them pious, not even one"; and Gen. 8:21: "Man's nature is evil."
Secondly: Now this infirmity no one can help, neither in heaven, nor on earth, except one; not that which is human can absolve and deliver us from these sins; and this is now the law, which accuseth all, and condemneth all, from whence we cannot do enough unto it.
Thirdly: Since God saw this, He finally took care of us and had mercy on us, sent down His only begotten Son to us, that He might be pure, to be born of a virgin before and after birth, with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, without male seed, so that He might give us a way and teach us to do right. The same Jesus Christ who, to atone for our sins, was crucified and died, by which death he gave us a new life.
He took us out of the devil's jaws and redeemed us, then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, sending down the Holy Spirit from heaven to rule us all spiritually. Now Christ alone, and no one else, neither in heaven nor on earth, has redeemed us, he takes away all our sins, to whom we cry out: O Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. If we believe that he has destroyed and overcome sin, death, hell, and the devil, and thus must do enough for sin alone, then we gain such love for God that neither the devil, nor the world, nor any creature can overcome. Now we see that the sum of all is based on faith in Jesus Christ; if we depart from this and rely on works, we are in vain, for faith alone makes us blessed, as Paul says to the Romans: "They are justified without all works, by faith alone"; where the same faith exists, good works come from it. For the good tree cannot leave off, it must bring forth good fruit; even an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit: so also a man that believeth not, and is not godly before, cannot do good works, but must first believe that Christ died for us, and hath finished all things, and so hath done enough for sin, as is said above; so then come good works afterward.
Fourthly, since we are to live here on this earth for a while, if we want to be Christians in any other way, we must adopt such a state that is pleasing to God. Now he does not like that which he has not commanded; therefore the state of all monks, nuns and priests is devilish and damnable, for they walk thus in their own invented works.
(5) Now there is no estate which God has ordained to be general, which He has also commanded and created us for, except the marital estate; for which reason He has made everything male and female. In this state we are to live, in this state we have the word of God, this state we may also answer to God, for He has commanded it. With this, no one who has the grace to be chaste shall be forced into the marital state; but these are few, among thousands one can hardly find one.
Sixth, the fifth: That we may live unanimously and peaceably among ourselves, and not each do as he pleases, God has appointed the temporal sword in both the New and Old Testaments. New and Old Testament; in the Old in the book of creation at the 9th chapter, v. 6: "Whoever sheds human blood, his blood shall be shed again by a man"; and Matth. 26,52: "Everyone who takes the sword will perish with the sword", Paul to the Romans at the 13th chapter. There the worldly sword is founded. For, God grant that the authorities, be they evil or good, we are to be subject to them, if they command otherwise over bodily things. But if it also wants to rule over spiritual things, then God takes hold of it in his judgment and sits on his throne, so that one should not follow it or be obedient to it.
(7) Now in these five pieces is founded the right whole Christian life, so that we also should not be led by it, if we should burn over it. And because this is the right way, Christ has warned us that false prophets will come, who will lead us on a different way than the one we have long felt, and who, because they can hardly break in, want to bother us with sharp questions that are useless.
and thus lead them away from the right path.
(8) Those who otherwise cannot cover their blindness with anything say, Let not the firstborn children be baptized, for baptism is of no use to them, as water washes the soul? To them, then, you must answer: there are two kinds of water, plain water and God's water. The plain water cannot wash the soul, but the water of God takes away sin and washes the soul; but this is the water of God, since His word and He through the word are within. This is the word that he has spoken and given us, that is, when he says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." This is the right word, by this word the soul is washed. Then the false prophets lift up and say: Yes, the water of God does not make anyone clean, because a man believes beforehand; now the children do not believe, because they cannot speak or confess the faith. Then you should say, there is nothing wrong with them, if they cannot speak; for when a Christian sleeps, God preserves for him the faith that he promised to God in baptism before the congregation of the Christian church as a testimony, even if he does not confess God in baptism or in sleep, yet his word preserves him. Furthermore, we have a sure word and promise from God, which Christ the Lord testifies to us, that they believe, even though they cannot speak, when he says, "Let the little children come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Then they go against the saying, if they are wicked, they will have to keep silent.
Now it often happens that women baptize children when they are still halfway through their mother's womb. This is not right, it should not be baptized, because God does not want it; if he wanted it to be baptized, he would probably let it come out completely. But the women are concerned that if they die in this way, they will be guilty of it. This is not so, but God alone is guilty of it, he wants it so, he makes it as he pleases. But that the women also baptize the children when they are weak, that is well done, for so it is necessary.
If the child is baptized by a woman, they have power. But after that they should not baptize it again, it has its just enough if it is baptized once by a woman; because this must be done only if the child is very weak and has no delay. With such questions they will come in, we should not keep on it, only
cling to Christ alone; if we have him, we cannot err.
(10) Therefore, when you have lately concluded in one summa the greatest principal things which are in the holy scriptures, which are also necessary to a Christian life, stand fast, and let no man deceive you therefrom.