The Large Catechism

Martin Luther

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About this book

Martin Luther's Large Catechism — instruction on the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Sacraments.

37 Parts
44,753 words
≈ 344 min
English

Table of Contents

1saint, worshiped him, and called for help to him in distress. Here belong those also, as, e.g.,2founded, and which concerns the conscience alone that seeks in its own works help, consol-3it cleaves to anything else, of which it expects more good and help than of God, and does 4begins, they become mad and foolish so as to fairly merit wrath, as now we see daily in 5straightforward and use all the blessings which God gives no farther than as a shoemaker 6Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.7one turn his heart from Him, as little will He suffer His name to be employed for dressing 8saints often swore. The explanation is briefly this: We are not to swear in support of evil,9has bestowed on me!" etc., as formerly the children were accustomed to fast and pray to St.10Thou shalt sanctify the holy day. [Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.]11Accordingly, when asked, What is meant by the commandment: Thou shalt sanctify 12Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting 13voutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative 14Thus far we have learned the first three commandments, which relate to God. First that 15Secondly, notice how great, good, and holy a work is here assigned children, which is 16sanctuary, namely, the Word and commandment of God. Oh, what a high price would all;17so that giving of alms and every other good work toward our neighbor are not equal to this.18you will not obey father and mother and submit to their discipline, then obey the hangman;19patres patriae, that is fathers of the entire country, for a great shame to us who would be 20their highest dignity, it is our duty to honor them and to esteem them great as the dearest 21of the paternal office. For those only are called spiritual fathers who govern and guide us 22they should consider that they are under obligations of obedience to God; and that, first of 23Thou shalt not kill.24to strike him in the neck [makes imprecations, which if fulfilled with respect to any one, he 25out and save him, and yet refused to do it. What else would I appear, even in the eyes of the 26Thou shalt not commit adultery.27to Him that persons be raised who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God,28Now, I speak of this in order that the young may be so guided that they conceive a liking 29Thou shalt not steal.30Therefore they are also called swivel-chair robbers, land- and highway-robbers, not 31possessions, and every one were obliged to give them what they demand. Just let them 32But beware of this: When the poor man comes to you (of whom there are so many now)33Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.34neighbor. For wherever there are godly preachers and Christians, they must bear the sentence 35make accusation to regular judges? Ah, I cannot prove it publicly, and hence I might be si-36The same you can learn also from the daily government of the household. For when the 37Even nature teaches the same thing in our own bodies, as St. Paul says, 1 Cor. 12, 22:

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