That is, whoever wants to learn the Scriptures should understand them. In Hebrew, this means that he should pay attention to it. So in German we say: Mark what you read; or: If you want to read, mark well what you read. For thou readest not the word of man, but the word of God, the Most High, who desires to have disciples who diligently observe and mark what he saith. And if it is well said that one should read the letters of princes three times, so that they may speak carefully and not be considered fools, how much more should one read God's letters, that is, the holy Scriptures, three, four, ten, a hundred, a thousand and a thousand times. For he speaks thoughtfully and importantly; yes, he is the eternal wisdom himself. He who does this becomes more learned and better from the Scriptures. He who does not, learns nothing, even becomes worse from it.
From the Evangelio St. Marci.
Cap. 10, 14. 2)
Christ says: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven.
You do not baptize infants, as you say, because they do not believe: why then do you preach the word to the aged, who are without faith, but in time might become believers? Surely you do it only because it is commanded by God. For if you baptize me so that I can say these words, "I believe," you baptize me in nothing else but in myself and in my name. Therefore, since you do not know whether the one being baptized is a believer or an unbeliever, such baptism is only done by God's command or commandment.
For this reason, infants should not be excluded from baptism, because, according to common rule or command, you should baptize everyone without distinction, whether he believes or not,
1) This year is only in Walch.
2) Marginal note of the Jena edition: This piece (like several others) is copied from AI. Georgii Rorarii sel. Gedächtnißbüchlein and Hiezu gethan.
communicate. It would also be terrible that I should be baptized on my confession. And what would you do if you secretly knew that he who publicly desired baptism or the sacrament was unbelieving? You cannot deny it to him, and yet you know that there is no faith, just as Christ also administered the sacrament to Judas. Therefore, everyone must be allowed to come to baptism if he has been publicly consecrated, and his faith and salvation must be commanded to God.
From the Gospel of St. Luke.
Cap. 10, 16.