Held on the day of St. Martin.
Whoever wants to read the Bible must take care that he does not go astray, for the Scriptures can be stretched and guided,
*) Löscher I, 269 ff.; Erl. A. opp. vsr. sr^. I, 87 sq. D. Red.
But let no man lead them according to his own desire, but let him lead them to the fountain, that is, to the cross of Christ, and he shall surely meet with it, and not fail. Preach one thing, the wisdom of the cross. That is, that man is not with, nor able, and so he learns in himself
despairing of themselves, and hoping in Christ. Also, those who want to read the Bible do not have to look at blood and flesh, and bride and bridegroom, as described in the Song of Songs of the man and woman, from the crown of the head to the heel; but the Holy Spirit, who leads man through the flesh into the spirit. Just like the bailiff, who puts the carrion (bait) under the ropes: so also Christ, as soon as he brings man into the flesh, so soon he brings him out of it into the spirit, as it is said in the Song of Songs: Your two breasts are like two young deer twins etc. As soon as man remembers the breast and carnal desire, Christ brings him out of it.
and leads him into the spirit, saying, That the breast may be the holy scripture, like as a forest etc.
(2) Of Noah, who had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. When Noah was drunk with wine, and slept uncovered, he was mocked by his son Ham; for he showed the nakedness of the father to the rest, and the rest covered the father. The covering means the preaching of the naked and crucified Christ, so that man might learn to hope and trust even in this way in despair and adversity. But to uncover Noah means to serve his desires and the flesh.