Collected Works of Martin Luther

by Martin Luther

  When we have our sweet and loving Saviour Christ, then we are rich and happy more than enough, we care nothing for their state, honour, and wealth. But we often lose our Saviour Christ, and little think that he is in us, and we in him; that he is ours, and we are his. And although he hideth himself from us, as we think, in the time of need for a moment, yet are we comforted in his promise, where he saith, “I am daily with you to the world’s end;” the same is our best and richest treasure.

  Of the Name Jesus Christ.

  I know nothing of Jesus Christ, said Luther, but only his name; I neither have heard nor seen him corporeally; yet notwithstanding I have, God be praised, learned so much out of the Scriptures that I am well and thoroughly satisfied; therefore, I desire neither to see nor to hear him corporeally. And besides this, when I was left and forsaken of all men, in my highest weakness, in trembling and in fear of death, when I was persecuted of the wicked world, then I oftentimes felt most evidently the divine power which this name (Christ Jesus) communicated unto me; this name (Christ Jesus) oftentimes delivered me when I was in the midst of death, and made me alive again. It comforted me in the greatest despair, and particularly at the Imperial Assembly at Augsburg, anno 1530, when I was forsaken of every man; insomuch that, by God’s grace, I will live and die for that name.

  And rather than I will yield, or through silence endure that Erasmus Roterodamus, or any other whosoever he be, should too nearly touch my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus with his ungodly false doctrine, how fairly coloured soever it be trimmed or garnished, I say I will rather die; yea, it should be more tolerable for me, with wife and children, to undergo all plagues and torments, and at last to die the most shameful death, than that I should give way thereunto.

  That Christ and the Pope are set on, the one against the other.

  I, said Luther, have set Christ and the Pope together by the ears, therefore I trouble myself no further; and although I come between the door and the hinges and be squeezed, it is no matter, though I go to the ground; yet notwithstanding Christ will go through with it.

  Of the Pre-eminence of God’s Word.

  Christ once appeared visible here on earth, and showed his glory, and, according to the divine counsel and purpose of God, he finished the work of redemption and the deliverance of mankind. I do not desire that he should come once more, neither would I that he should send an angel unto me; and although an angel should come and appear before mine eyes from heaven, yet would I not believe him; for I have of my Saviour Christ Jesus bond and seal; that is, I have his Word and Spirit; thereon I do depend, and desire no new revelations. And, said Luther, the more steadfastly to confirm me in the same resolution, and to remain by God’s Word, and not to give credit to any visions or revelations, I shall relate the following circumstance: — I being on Good Friday last in my inner chamber, in fervent prayer, contemplating with myself how Christ my Saviour hung on the Cross, how he suffered and died for our sins, there suddenly appeared upon the wall a bright shining vision, and a glorious form of our Saviour Christ, with the five wounds, steadfastly looking upon me, as if it had been Christ himself corporeally. Now, at the first sight, I thought it had been some good Revelation: yet I recollected that surely it must needs be the juggling of the devil, for Christ appeareth unto us in his word, and in a meaner and more humble form; therefore I spake to the vision in this manner: “Avoid, thou confounded devil; I know no other Christ than he who was crucified, and who in his Word is pictured unto me.” Whereupon the image vanished.

  That Christ is the Health and Wisdom of the Faithful.

  Alas! said Luther, what is our wit and wisdom? for before we understand anything as we ought, we lie down and die; therefore the devil hath good striving with us. When one is thirty years old, so hath he as yet Stultitias carnales; yea, also Stultitias spirituales; yet it is much to be admired that, in such our imbecility and weakness, we achieve and accomplish so much and such great matters; but it is God that giveth it. God gave to Alexander the Great, Sapientiam et fortunam, Wisdom and good success; yet, notwithstanding, he calleth him, in the Prophet Jeremiah, Juvenem, a youth, where he saith, “Quis excitabit juvenem” (A young raw milksop boy shall perform it: he shall come and turn the city Tyrus upside-down). But yet Alexander could not leave off his foolishness, for oftentimes he swilled himself drunk, and in his drunkenness he stabbed his best and worthiest friends; yea, afterwards he drank himself to death at Babel. Neither was Solomon above twenty years old when he was made King, but he was well instructed by Nathan, and desired wisdom, which was pleasing to God, as the text saith. But now chests full of money are desired. “Oh!” say we now, “if I had but money, then I would do so-and-so.”

  OF SINS AND OF FREE-WILL.

  Of the Fall of the Ungodly, and how they are surprised in their Ungodliness and False Doctrine.

  OUR LORD GOD, said Luther, suffereth the ungodly to be surprised and taken captive in very slight and small things, when they think not of it, when they are most secure, and live in delight and pleasure, in springing and leaping for joy. In such a manner was the Pope surprised by me, in and about his indulgences and pardons, which was altogether a slight thing. The Venetians, likewise, were taken napping by Emperor Maximilian.

  That which falleth in Heaven is devilish, but that which stumbleth on earth is human.

  Of the Acknowledgment of Sins.

  It can be hurtful to none, said Luther, to acknowledge and confess their sins. Have we done this or that sin, what then? Let us freely in God’s name acknowledge the same, and not deny it; let us not be ashamed to confess, but let us from our hearts say, “O Lord God! I am such-and-such a sinner,” etc.

  And although thou hadst not committed this or that sin, yet nevertheless thou art an ungodly creature; and if thou hast not done that sin which another hath done, so hath he not committed that sin which thou hast done; therefore cry quittance one with another. It is even as one said that had young wolves to sell; he was asked which of them was the best. He answered and said, “If one be good, then they are all good; they are like one another.” If, said Luther, thou hast been a murderer, an adulterer, or a drunkard, etc., so have I been a blasphemer of God, because for the space of fifteen years together I was a Friar, and have blasphemed God with celebrating that abominable idol the Mass. It had been better for me that I had been a partaker of other great wickednesses instead of the same; but what is done cannot be undone; he that hath stolen, let him henceforward steal no more.

  What our Free-will doth effect.

  I, said Luther, oftentimes have been directly resolved to live uprightly, and to lead a true godly life, and to set everything aside that would let or hinder; but it was far from being put in execution, even as it was with Peter, when he swore he would lay down his life for Christ.

  I will not lie nor dissemble before my God, but will freely confess I am not able to effect that good which I do intend, but must expect the happy hour when God shall be pleased to meet me with his grace.

  OF THE CATECHISM.

  Of the Virtues and Vices concerning the Ten Commandments.

  THE DECALOGUS, THAT is, the Ten Commandments of God, are a looking-glass, and a brief sum of all virtues and doctrines, both how we ought to behave towards God and also towards our neighbour, that is, towards all mankind.

  There never was at any time written a more excellent, complete, nor compendious book of virtues.

  The duty of the First and Second Commandment is to fear God, to love and to trust in him; the contrary is sin and vice, an ungodly life, contemning of God, hatred, despair, etc.

  The duty of the Third Commandment is to acknowledge and to preach the doctrine of God’s Word; the contrary is blaspheming of God, to be silent and not to confess the truth when need requireth.

  The duty of the Fourth Commandment is the external service of God, as the preaching of God’s Word, hearing, reading, and meditating on the same, to the end we may make proof of our faith; the contrary is the despising of God’s Word and t
he outward service of God, as the Holy Sacraments.

  The duty of the Fifth Commandment is obedience towards parents, tutors, and magistrates in those things which are not against God; the contrary is disobedience and rebellion.

  The duty of the Sixth Commandment is meekness, not to be desirous of revenge, not to bear malice; against this is tyranny, rage, hatred, envy, etc.

  The duty of the Seventh Commandment is continency and chastity; against the same is lasciviousness, immodest behaviour, adultery, etc.

  The duty of the Eighth Commandment is to do good, to give and lend willingly, to be liberal; the contrary is covetousness, stealing, usury, fraud, and to wrong in trading and dealing.

  The duty of the Ninth Commandment is to love the truth, not to backbite and slander, to speak well of all men; the contrary is lying, backbiting, and to speak evil of another.

  The duty of the Tenth Commandment is righteousness, to let every one possess his own; the contrary is to be miserable and unjust.

  The duty of this Commandment is to be without all covetous desires in the heart, to be content with that which one hath; against that are the lustings of the heart. St. Paul saith the end of the Commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

  BRIEF SENTENCES OF THE CATECHISM, ACCORDING AS LUTHER USED TO TEACH AND INSTRUCT HIS FAMILY AT HOME.

  Of the Ten Commandments of God.

  AS THE FAITH is, so is also God.

  God stayeth not quite away, though he stayeth long.

  Despair maketh Priests and Friars.

  God careth and provideth for us, but we must labour.

  God will have the heart only and alone.

  Idolatry is the imagination of the heart.

  God giveth by creatures.

  God’s Word placeth before our eyes the world, to the end we may see what a fine spark it is.

  God’s Word is our sanctification, and maketh everything happy.

  Works of obedience must highly be regarded.

  All that govern are called Fathers.

  Shepherds of Souls are worthy of double honour.

  Magistrates belong not to the fifth Commandment.

  Wrath is forbidden in every man, except in the magistrates.

  All occasions of death are forbidden.

  Matrimony proceedeth freely in every state and calling.

  Matrimony is necessary and commanded.

  Matrimony forbidden and disallowed is against God’s command.

  Matrimony is a blessed state, and pleasing to God.

  To steal is what one taketh unjustly.

  Unfaithfulness is also stealing.

  Thieving is the most common trade in the world.

  Great thieves go scot-free, as the Pope and his crew.

  Falseness and covetousness prosper not.

  Backbiting is meddling with God’s judgment.

  Censuring, and to speak evil behind one’s back, belongeth only to the magistrates.

  We must censure and reprove no man behind his back.

  We must judge charitably in everything.

  There are no good works without the Ten Commandments.

  To fear God, and to trust in him, is the fulfilling of all the Commandments.

  The first Commandment driveth on all the rest.

  Of the Creed.

  The Creed teacheth to know God, and what a God we have.

  In all cases we must make use of faith.

  God giveth himself unto us with all creatures.

  We must always drive on the article of Jesus Christ.

  The Holy Ghost bringeth Christ home unto us; he must reveal him.

  Where the Holy Ghost preacheth not, there is no Church.

  The works of the Holy Ghost are wrought continually.

  Of the Lord’s Prayer.

  To pray is to call upon God in all need, which is made precious through God’s command, and necessity stirreth up earnest and devout prayers, which are our weapons against the devil.

  The devil, the world, and our flesh is against God’s Will.

  The devil hindereth and destroyeth the daily bread and all the gifts of God.

  God careth for our bodies daily.

  No man can live in the world without sin.

  No man can bring his own righteousness before God.

  We must forgive, as God forgiveth us.

  To forgive our neighbour, assureth us fully that God hath forgiven us.

  We are tempted three manner of ways — of the devil, of the world, and of our flesh.

  Temptations serve against the secureness of our flesh.

  Temptations are not overcome through our own strength.

  The devil would hinder all that we pray for.

  The devil goeth about to bring us into all manner of need.

  Of Baptism.

  Faith is annexed to Baptism.

  Faith must have before it some external thing.

  Faith maketh the person worthy.

  Baptism is not our work, but God’s.

  Baptism is right, although no man believeth.

  No man must build upon his faith.

  Unbelief weakeneth not God’s Word.

  Of the Lord’s Supper.

  The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is of God’s ordaining.

  The Word maketh a Sacrament.

  Christ in the Sacrament is spiritual food for the soul.

  Remission of sins is obtained only through the Word.

  Faith receiveth the forgiveness of sins.

  The Sacrament consisteth not in our worthiness.

  Faith and human understanding are one against another.

  Faith dependeth on the Word.

  As we hold of Christ, even so we have him.

  Faith is a Christian’s treasure.

  The Gospel is the power of God.

  Good Works.

  Good works are nameless.

  A Christian’s work standeth for the good of the neighbour.

  Faith in Christ destroyeth sin.

  The Holy Scriptures only give comfort, they forbid not good works.

  Christ is a general good.

  Christians do pray for and desire the last Day of Judgment.

  The Church heareth none but Christ.

  Christ is of a mean estate and small repute.

  In adversities we should show ourselves like men, and pluck up good spirits.

  Our whole life should be manly; we should fear God and put our trust in him.

  Faith maketh us Christ’s heritage.

  We should aim at celestial honour, and not regard the contemning of men.

  Christ spareth us out of mere grace through the Word.

  The Gospel is altogether joyful.

  Grace condemneth all people’s own righteousness.

  Salvation is purchased and given unto us without our deserts.

  Regeneration is the work only of the Holy Ghost.

  Human reason cannot comprehend nor understand the goodness and benefits of God.

  Good works are the seals and proofs of faith; for, even as a letter must have a seal to strengthen the same, even so faith must have good works.

  Faith hath regard to the Word, and not to the Preacher.

  The Preacher and the Word are two Persons.

  This natural life is a little piece of the life everlasting.

  Own imaginations and conceits spoil all things.

  The Gospel cometh of God, it showeth Christ, and requireth Faith.

  The Gospel is a light in the world, which lighteneth mankind, and maketh children of God.

  False Preachers are worse than deflowerers of virgins.

  Righteousness is obtained through faith, and not through works. Works make faith strong.

  A Preacher is made good through temptations.

  A Prince is venison in heaven.

  A person must be good before his works can be good.

  We must not be dejected, but believe and pray.

  No State or Calling is of
any value to make one good before God.

  Faith endureth no human traditions in the conscience.

  The Saints oftentimes erred like men.

  We must distinguish offices from the persons.

  We hate punishment, but we love sin.

  God preserveth the sanctified, yea, even in the midst of errors.

  No great Saint lived without errors.

  A Christian’s life consisteth of three points — of faith, love, and the cross.

  We command a Christian in nothing, he is only admonished.

  We must curb ourselves in our own wills and minds.

  All revenge among Christians is taken away; they must grow up and increase in the fruits of the spirit, among which love is the greatest, for she goeth about with the people.

  Human reason comprehendeth not, nor understandeth that Christ is our brother.

  Christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and works.

  Christ cometh unto us by preaching, so that he is in the midst of us.

  Without the Cross we cannot attain to glory.

  The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult.

  The Holy Ghost maketh one not instantly complete, but he must grow and increase.

  We lose nothing by the Gospel, therefore we should venture thereupon all we have.

  To believe the Gospel, delivereth from sins.

  Works belong to the neighbour, faith to God.

  Those that censure and judge others, condemn themselves.

  Such as is the Faith, such is also the benefit.

  To doubt is sin and everlasting death.

  We know Christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts, and breaketh bread unto us.

  God’s Word kindleth Faith in the heart.

  Faith is to build certainly on God’s mercy.

  Christ requireth no seeming godliness, no hypocrisy nor dissembling, but the godliness of the heart.

  We are saved merely by grace and mercy, if we trust thereupon, but God must alter our hearts.

  The Law is nothing but a looking-glass.

  Christ carrieth us upon his back before his Father.