Matth. 5, 1-12.
And when he saw the people, he went up into a mountain, and sat down; and his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are they which are poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, when they lie against you, for my sake. Be glad and of good cheer, for you will be well rewarded in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
This gospel was preached in the papacy on All Saints' Day, and was not ill-intentioned, if only it had been understood correctly and applied to the living saints, that is, to the true Christians here on earth.
2 For the sum of it is this, that our dear Lord Christ here tells us what he has for disciples, how they should fare in the world, and what they should hope for. "Such teaching is not for the dead saints, of whom we have nothing here on earth to enjoy; but for all of us who are still alive here on earth, and have the blessed hope of eternal life still before us; that we may learn how to keep ourselves, and what we should hope for and comfort ourselves. For we must pay special attention to the little word that the evangelist reports: His disciples sat down with the Lord Jesus, and he talked with them. As Lucas especially reports: "The Lord Jesus lifted up his eyes upon his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor" etc. Therefore, whoever hears this gospel, let him learn here, if he wants to be a disciple of Christ, how it must be with him, how he must keep himself and how he must comfort himself. Now Matthew summarizes in eight different qualities that will be found in all Christians, if they want to be true Christians or disciples of Christ
The first property is:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(3) First of all, we must not be mistaken that Lucas merely says: "Blessed are you poor"; but Matthew adds: "you who are poor in spirit"; for it is the same opinion; and it is the same that Christ says Matthew 11:5: "The poor have the gospel preached to them"; and Paul 1 Corinthians 1:27.The poor have the gospel preached to them"; and Paul 1 Cor. 1, 27: "What is foolish in the sight of the world, God hath put to shame; and what is weak in the sight of the world, and despised, God hath put to shame that which is strong. And that which is base in the sight of the world, and that which is despised, God hath chosen, and that which is nothing, to destroy that which is something, that no flesh should glory in his sight." As Christ also says in the parable of the kingdom of heaven, that those who have plots of land and oxen, and send themselves to the care of the house, will not come to the banquet. But the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, who are found in the streets and lanes of the city, come. They are those who are lying on the roads and fences, because they are required to attend this supper.
(4) For the gospel is such a preaching that rich, worldly, mighty men think they have cause not to receive it, because they have had enough before. And because the gospel brings with it the cross and all kinds of hardships, they do not think of putting their own at risk for the sake of such preaching. On the other hand, the poor wretch, who has no other consolation on earth, the wretched wretch,
abandoned, despised, troubled and weary, will be glad to hear in the Gospel that they have a gracious God in heaven, even if they have nothing or even little on earth. These are the poor, as Lucas speaks of them.
5 Now we learn that even among the poor there are many unholy bad boys, who are in a bad way because they are naughty, do not respect God's word, lead a frivolous, angry life, and because of this can never get on a green branch. On the other hand, you can find rich people who are good Christians, who like to hear God's word, who lead a godly life, and who do a lot of good for poor people. Therefore the Lord does not leave it at that, that he says: "Blessed are you poor", but adds: "Blessed are those who are poor in spirit" or "spiritually poor"; "for such is surely", as Christ says here with round words, "the kingdom of heaven".
(6) But what is this spiritual poverty? We can learn it very well from the opposite and from the example of the world: it lives in such a way that everyone must think it is very rich in spirit. For there is the greatest security, as if they should not worry about anyone, even though they live in all kinds of sin and shame. As can be seen from the Pharisees in the Gospel, John and Christ are at loggerheads with them for no other reason than that they let themselves think that they were pious, that they had a gracious God, to whom they sat in the lap etc. Such people are rich in spirit, that is, they make themselves believe that they have everything enough and do not need grace. Therefore they are in good spirits, they do not let anything go to their hearts, they do not live any differently than if they had seals and letters, they would be satisfied with God in all things, and God would be satisfied with them. For this reason they let themselves think that they are happy people. But in truth, they are absolutely wretched people who will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven if they do not convert.
7 But these, says the Lord, belong in heaven who are spiritually poor, that is, who are not secure, who have God before their eyes, who do not live in the wind as the betters do, but take heed to all their doings and to all their actions.
Let it be, let it be fine against the word, and see how the nature is so corrupted by sin that it will nowhere follow with right obedience. Before we look around, we are in anger, hatred, envy, impatience, and all kinds of spiritual misery. When the punishment comes, as it does not remain outside, then it arises first of all that one laments, fears and worries, and would like to have a merciful God, and to be free of both sins and punishment. Such a heart that has neither day nor night rest for the sake of its sins and the future judgment of God is called a poor spirit, or a spiritually poor heart; there is not much joy and laughter in it. That is why the betting judges it to be a wicked, unholy thing. Again, it considers it a blessed thing where there is no such fear and anguish, since mens soluta curis (a carefree spirit) is.
008 But Christ saith, My disciples shall be such men as have foolish, weak, and anxious hearts. They see what they ought to do, but it will not come to pass, and every day, yea, almost every hour and moment, a new evil is found, that now the devil is here, now there he falleth them. This, says the Lord, does no harm; let the bet be safe and go on as if no water had ever made it turbid. But you, my Christians, if you go along thinking as if you were the greatest sinners, good for you, for you are on the right path to heaven. For he who knows his sin desires mercy; he who fears death and hell rejoices in life and heaven. Therefore you are blessed people, but those who live so securely are unblessed. So to be spiritually poor is nothing else than to have a broken and troubled heart and spirit because of sins and inherent weakness. God wants to dwell there, as Isaiah chapter 66 says, that is, He wants to comfort with His grace, not to make people despondent in such distresses, but to let the Lord Christ shine into such hearts through His holy gospel, so that they may have comfort and joy and inherit the kingdom of heaven.
(9) Now this is the first characteristic of Christians, or true disciples of Christ, that they are spiritually poor, that is, they live in God's
fear, are not sure, would like to be pious; and yet see that the devil and the flesh are always in their way: this makes them stupid, frightened and fainthearted. Do not be afraid of this, says Christ. You may think yourselves wretched people, who have to carry such sorrow and grief in your hearts day and night; but believe me: blessed are you, yours is the kingdom of heaven; while others must go down to hell to the devil, who live in all security, like cattle, and would not even think about how they would stand with God, and could give an account of their life, deeds and omissions on the last day. Therefore, it is not a bad sign if you stand in the fear of God, recognize your sin, would like to be pious, worry about your sin and disobedience, yes, you are blessed. Therefore, beware that you would think otherwise, for it says here that the disciples of Christ are such people who are poor in spirit, that is, who have anxious, sorrowful hearts because of their sins. Whereas all the world, though drowned in the midst of sins, passes through freely and securely, caring for nothing: therefore they are wretched people. This is the first comfort and the first characteristic of Christ's disciples.
The other feature is:
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
10. to bear sorrow does not mean, as we commonly use, to dress in black, where a dear friend, wife, child etc. has passed away with death; but it means to be sorrowful, to weep, to be miserable, and to have misfortune because of a particular accident that happens to the body, to the property, to the wife, child, servants, and others. For this is how Lucas explains it: "Blessed are you who weep here, for you will laugh.
(11) Now this is another characteristic of Christians, that they not only have a frightened, stupid heart, but also wet eyes, because they encounter all kinds of accidents. For since both the devil and the world are fiercely hostile to the Christians, it is not possible that such enmity could pass off without all harm. There the devil shoots with pestilence and other diseases; there with fire,
with waters, with hail, because mischief follows from the food; there he arouses evil people, who do such damage also to the body and property. In sum, no one can tell what evil the devil and evil men do to Christians. Now they are human beings, having flesh and blood; therefore it is not possible that they should laugh at this. They are tormented, forced and driven so long that their eyes go out. For be it harm to body or goods, it hurts, the flesh does not leave its kind.
(12) Then the world again judges Christians to be wretched people, that they must suffer and be tortured. Again, the world considers them blessed people, who have no offense at all, who are strong and have a healthy body, who are well fed, who find abundance everywhere, and have all the pleasure of wife, child and servants, as it says in the 144th Psalm. So the world likes it, so it also wants to have it; and honestly strives for it, where it would go differently, that it could create advice for itself.
13 But what does Christ say? First of all, it is decided that the true disciples of Christ will not be people who always laugh; there will be so much misfortune that their eyes will glaze over, that is decided. Therefore, whoever wants to be a Christian may willingly enter into such a journey. But whoever wants to have good days, always laugh and be happy and not cry, let him stop being a Christian in time, because Christians are supposed to cry.
14 But beware with all diligence, that thou thinkest Christians wretched because they mourn: but hear what Christ thinketh of them, saying, Blessed are they that mourn and weep. How may this come? For where there is evil, where there is weeping and mourning, there can never be blessedness. Blessedness means joy; but where there is weeping, there is nothing but sorrow. This is true, says Christ, but only for a time. For it shall be so with my Christians: if they weep here, and are sorrowful and sad, it shall not remain so long; they shall be comforted again. Therefore, it is not right to look at the present. Whoever wants to judge rightly about Christians and unbelievers, must look to the future:
The world has joy, but it is not only a short, bad joy that can soon vanish, but such joy is followed by eternal sorrow. What will you now judge of the world? Will you consider it blessed for the sake of its laughter and short dance? No, truly. Again, the Christians bear sorrow, they weep, they are in misery: but look to the future, it is said, "Blessed are they; for they shall be comforted." As we see in the Lazaro and rich man. The rich man was considered by all the world to be a blessed man, for he had everything his heart desired. But how long did it last? Since he died, such laughter and joy was followed by eternal weeping and sorrow. Lazarus, on the other hand, took evil here, as Abraham says, it was very bad for him; but he was comforted afterwards for eternity.
(15) So we should judge not by what is present, but by what is to come; then the cross and suffering would become small to us. Nor would we consider ourselves wretched people because we have to suffer much tribulation and misfortune here; but, as Christ says here, we would consider ourselves blessed people, yes, we would give thanks that he so fatherly visits us and gives us cause, through temporal misfortune, to think of the future and eternal consolation. Others, on the other hand, who have enough here and no offense, forget such eternal consolation and are truly wretched people, with all the honors and goods they have. This is the other characteristic of Christ's disciples, that they not only suffer and weep because of sin, God's wrath and judgment; but they also have wet eyes because of all kinds of bodily accidents and adversities. By these two characteristics, Christians are easily recognized.
Now follows the third :
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The Lord has summed it up very well and precisely, how it is with real Christians, how it is with them, and how they should comfort themselves. The world does the same: when it is in a bad way, it can't help it, its eyes glaze over and it feels bad. But through
search your heart, and see what thoughts you find there. There you will find such weeping, which is nothing but malice or weeping in anger; which comes not because the hurt hurts so much, but because she cannot avenge herself nor cool her temper as she would like. Such an angry, vengeful heart, says Christ here, you will not find among my disciples. They weep, like the pious little children, only because their harm hurts them. But on the other hand, they have a gentle heart, they do not intend to take revenge, they command God and let it go that way; because God has decreed it, they will gladly suffer it until he provides counsel and help.
(17) But what follows where such a heart is? This, that they will possess the earth; that is, because they place all vengeance in God's hands, God will protect them and guard them, and will place His blessing on them in such a way that the pride and arrogance of the wicked will not harm them. As can be seen in examples. Joseph's brothers were very angry with him, and all their attempts were to oppress him so that he would not get over himself. What did the pious child do? He could not and would not take revenge, so he ordered God to do so and patiently suffered what God had told him to suffer. God looked upon him and exalted him, so that he became lord over all his brothers, and God gave him a rich and great inheritance. This would not have happened if he had not suffered such opposition from his brothers. So the people of Israel in Egypt were greatly afflicted and oppressed by the tyrant Pharaoh, who intended to subdue them so that they would no longer be above him. But Pharaoh and Egypt had to go down; the poor oppressed people, whom God commanded to take vengeance, had to come forth, and the Gentiles to strike out for the land and possess the earth.
18 The Lord also comforts us here: "You, my disciples, must be oppressed in the world, but beware that you do not become disobedient, but keep a gentle heart and bring vengeance home to me. In this way, your enemies who want to oppress you will perish, but you will remain my heirs and lords in the land.
We should hold on to such comfort and not be so afraid of the tyrants who want to take life and limb, goods and everything. They should leave it alone, if we only look to God, who can save and protect us. But they must go down, for they are wicked people.
20 Here learn and consider what a miserable, harmful thing it is for a vengeful heart. Otherwise, when you patiently entrust your cause to God, God would save and protect you and make your cause the best: through such vengefulness, you stand in your own light, and willingly deprive yourself of the treasure you could have from God.
(21) Therefore the judgment is reversed here: Those who have great power and authority, and can defend themselves and protect themselves, the world considers to be blessed. But they are wretched. If they have something, let them have it; they will not possess the earth. On the other hand, those who have a gentle heart, suffer in patience what God sends them, and wait for God's vengeance, until He looks in and forbids the wicked: they are the ones (the tyrants do what they want about them) who shall nevertheless inherit the earth; as we have heard from Joseph and the poor Jews in Egypt.
22 We see the same example in David. He was chased away from the land by his biological son. David saw well the punishment he had earned; therefore he suffered it patiently and waited for God's help. The help did not fail to come, so that David returned to the land; but the rebellious Absalom fell to the ground with his people. This is the third characteristic of Christ's disciples, that they are not vengeful, but wait in patience, with a gentle heart, for God's help in suffering.
The fourth property is:
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
(23) Here also Lucas leaves it badly, as above, that he says, "Blessed are ye that hunger here: for ye shall be filled." And is easy to understand; for it has just the opinion, as Mary sings in the Magnificat, "The hungry he filleth with goods, and the rich he leaveth empty." It concludes
But the gloss that Matthew adds to this is a fine one. For it is evident that there are many poor people who have barely enough dry bread; God leaves them in poverty so that they deserve it, and they themselves give cause for it, ask nothing about the sermon, are industrious in their work, and lead an annoying life. In this way they waste God's blessing, so that He cannot help them, even though He would like to; but must always continue with the punishment longer and harder, so that poverty, sickness and other misfortunes increase. Of such poor the Lord does not say that they are blessed or that they shall be filled. They are poor and wretched people, and must remain poor and wretched here and there, if they do not improve and become more pious.
(24) But these poor are blessed, whom God does not want to suffer hunger and thirst all the time, who are God-fearing and would like everything to be right and good everywhere; it grieves them that things are so bad in the world and that so little improvement follows among the people. For this is what we experience in the world every day: whoever is pious and keeps himself well and Christian, very seldom enjoys his good fortune in the world and must always have more disadvantages. On the other hand, what is fast and directed to all kinds of mischievousness, that comes to money, to honor, to good, then luck strikes with heaps.
(25) The Lord looks at this kind of trouble and warns his Christians against it. As if he wanted to say: Do not let yourselves be seduced by the examples of the world; continue in piety, be godly, and do not let yourselves be hindered that others come forward, become rich and mighty, but you must always follow behind and remain poor beggars. Believe me, you are blessed people, but those are wretched people, and both have this before you: those with all their money and goods, because they are not God-fearing, must have all misfortune and go out alone; but you shall find my blessing abundantly in its time, also here on earth, and afterwards have all fullness in eternity.
(26) So this little piece is for pious Christians, who are generally poor and miserable in the world, and have scarcely their daily bread. They should not let this happen to them.
But stop with piety and the fear of God, and hope that God will not remain on the outside with His blessing.
The fifth characteristic of Christ's disciples:
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
27 The piece is easy, and especially Luca explained it in the 6th chapter to Christ according to the length, what kind of mercy is the mercy of the Christians, which does not only go against friends and such people, whose we can enjoy, but also against the enemies, since we can expect nothing from them. For God is merciful in this way, that he gives to friends and enemies, good and evil, his sunshine, rain and everything they need. Although this may be unpleasant, for the old Adam cannot soon forget his loss and is therefore unwilling to prove all the good he has done to those who have caused him all the misfortune, we should nevertheless look to the great comfort that is given here and not follow the old Adam.
The Lord comforted us before: If we have a gentle heart, and offer all vengeance to him, he will give us abundant blessings and gracious protection. Here he leads us higher, not only wanting us to forgive, but also to do good to those who have shown us evil, if they need it and we are able. And the promise is attached to it: "Just as we are merciful and accept the needs of poor people, even if they are our worst enemies, and gladly help them, so God will also accept our needs, gladly forgive and forget everything, and grant us all grace and mercy.
(29) Say, therefore, whether these are not blessed people to whom God will be merciful; with whom God will not be angry, but will show them all mercy. Well then, whoever desires this, let him become a Christian, that is, let him believe in Christ and then be merciful to his neighbor; then God will also be merciful to him. But wretched and wretched people are those who do not respect such comfort and pursue their anger: that they could help poor, miserable people, but they do not want to.
Now comes the sixth property:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(30) A "pure heart" means in the most simple way such a heart that looks only at God's word and will, and does not (like the world) hang on money, goods, honor, power and splendor. For these are unclean hearts, as Luke 8 says, since God's word cannot bear fruit; just as a field is unclean when it is full of stones, thistles and thorns and other weeds. But where men are so disposed that they possess money, goods and other things as if they did not have them, and let themselves be most concerned about the word and kingdom of God, these are right, good and pure hearts, since the fruit grows from day to day, the longer the more, so that they learn to recognize God, take comfort in His grace and rejoice in His help.
(31) These are also blessed people, as Christ boasts in John 17:3: "This is life eternal, that they know thee, that thou only art true God, and whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the others, with all the good they have, are wretched people, because they either do not have the word, or do not take it to heart and do not let it be their highest comfort and treasure. For they never come to see or know God. Therefore, when death approaches and Christians then have all comfort, joy and hope in God, they must fear God more than the devil. Then an unhappy, miserable death must follow. Therefore, we should diligently adhere to the word, let it alone dwell and shine in our hearts, then we would see God rightly, and be certain that He is a gracious, kind God; and although no one is innocent before Him, that He nevertheless forgives our sin and for Christ's sake wants to make us eternally blessed.
If anyone wants to interpret a pure heart, as Matthew 15 says, as having no evil thoughts, no murder, no adultery, no fornication, no theft, no false testimony, and no blasphemy inside, this is also interpreted correctly. But such a heart is only judged by the Holy Spirit through the Word. Therefore,
1010 DS. 224-226. on the twenty-seventh Sunday after Trinity. W. xm, 2334-2336. 1011
When I say: A pure heart, which always looks to the word and the will of God, with the same I include all such virtues. For from such a single source they must come; otherwise, where the word and faith are not first in the heart, the heart remains impure and impure works also follow.
The seventh property:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God.
33) To be "peaceable" means to help and advise for peace and atonement, to prevent anger, discord, ill will and other things in all places. This is also a special Christian virtue, which is gloriously praised here. But it is not thought that this alone should be called peaceable, when two quarrel, stab and beat each other, that one should run in, take peace and tear them from each other.
(34) This virtue can and should be practiced in all classes and among all people, to prevent anger and help atone for it. In the home, one sees that husband and wife do not always move in with each other at the same time; but what is the devil to do? For him it is a desired game, where he can make married couples quarrel. For there he has a thousand and one thousand ways to instigate all kinds of misfortune. That is why he agitates and incites, so that no one should keep a secret from the other, so that it goes according to the will and desire of the devil. But what does Christ say? You husband, you wife, if you are my disciple, know that my disciples are peaceable people, they have no desire to quarrel, to scold, to curse; and even if they are sometimes overtaken by anger, so that they go out with an evil word, they soon come to their senses, are sorry, and think how the matter can be brought back to good ways and to unity. So do thou also: give no cause that ill will should break in; seek cause that unity may become new and whole again; then do thou like a Christian, and art a blessed man, for thou art a child of God. Man, for you are a child of God.
(35) The devil's way is that he likes to cause dissension, for he is a murderer and an enemy of life. Such kind follow
His children, who like to scold and quarrel, and who like to cause dissension. But such people do not belong in God's kingdom. Therefore, if you want to be my disciples and true children of God, think peaceably, calm down anger and quarrels where you can; do not reproach again, do not curse again, think that a good word finds a good place; so happiness and salvation shall be with you; whereas all misfortune is with those who give cause for discord. As can be seen in the disobedient, peevish servants, who can do nothing but bite and scratch one another like dogs and cats, neither wanting to listen to a word the other has to say. Everyone wants to scold again, curse again, beat again. This is a sign that they are not God's children, but the devil's, because they follow his ways and thus take pleasure in strife and discord.
(36) If this virtue is so highly needed in the household, how much more is it needed in the regiment and in the high estates, that one should not provoke to anger, but, wherever possible, instruct great lords to gentleness and peace! For where there is violence and great power, the devil takes special pains to see whether he can stir up discord. Therefore it would be necessary that this text should be written in all princes' council chambers and law offices: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. So that in great matters such people would remember, and not do the devil a court service, and help to discord, where one should advise and help to peace.
(37) As the papists of this day do honestly, who without ceasing provoke and drive kings and princes, let them put to the sword and scourge our churches; that it may be clearly seen that they are the children of devils, who follow their father the devil, and would rather counsel strife, bloodshed, and murder than peace and unity. These are wicked people, and they will find their reward in their time, let no one doubt.
The eighth property:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men persecute you for my sake.
And they shall revile and persecute you, and shall speak all manner of evil against you, when they lie against you. Be glad and of good cheer, for you will be well rewarded in heaven; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is the last characteristic by which Christians are recognized. Christians can be recognized that they are harmless and unpleasant people in their life and conduct. But the world does not like their teachings and therefore persecutes them. This also seems to be a poor bargain, that the Christians should not enjoy their doctrine before the world in any other way, than that therefore all misfortune is put upon them, they are chased away, theirs is taken away, and finally they are strangled over it. But be not deceived, saith Christ; blessed are ye. For first of all you suffer, and yet for the world you do not deserve it. Therefore you suffer for my sake. Be satisfied, and I will reward you well and pay you abundantly in heaven. For what is on earth would be far too little for that. The dear prophets who were before you also suffered in this way, and you consider them to be blessed people. So you also must come to the place where they are. Woe to you, you mean well with the world, you would like to help it to become eternally blessed, but for this it persecutes and blasphemes you; you must let yourselves be scolded as the worst of boys. It does not hurt, they lie to you. Therefore be of good cheer, the kingdom of heaven is yours, you cannot lose it. But look where such persecutors and blasphemers will finally remain. For if the kingdom of heaven is yours, you who are persecuted, there will be no lack of hellfire for those who persecute you for my name's sake.
39 Thus we see how our dear Lord Christ paints his Christians, that they are first of all people who are not secure, like the world; they have a stupid heart, are afraid of God's wrath and judgment, and would like to be pious. After that, their bodies and food are in such a state that there is not much laughter. And yet, even though the world holds them in contempt, they keep a kind and gentle heart and are not moved to anger and impatience. They are pious and live without all aversions. But at the same time they must suffer hunger and thirst. They are merciful, and take everyone's need to heart, and help where they can. They are peaceable and prevent anger and strife where they can. Nevertheless, the world will not tolerate them, but persecutes them for the word's sake. All this seems to be a miserable and wretched being; but see how Christ comforts: the kingdom of heaven is for such people, God wants to comfort them, protect and preserve them, provide enough for them with His blessing, be gracious and reveal Himself to them; they shall be called children of God, all things shall be richly rewarded for them in heaven etc.: - so one will find, as the Lord certainly says, that Christians are to be held for what they will, that they are blessed people.
40 For this reason we should all consider these things carefully, practice good works, and not be afraid of the cross and the ingratitude of the world, so that we may know that we are also disciples of our dear Lord Christ, and through him have the hope of eternal life. May our dear Father in heaven, through his Holy Spirit, grant this to us all for the sake of Christ Jesus, his Son, our Savior, amen.
End of the house mail through the year, on Sundays.
To God the Father, to God the Son, and to God the Holy Spirit, the one true God, be praise and glory forever, for these and all His benefits, Amen.