Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day,as those who on account of their greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead drunk like swine;but also that other crowd,who listen to God's Word as to any other trifle,and only from custom come to preaching,and go away again,and at the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning.For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read;but no one cared for God's Word,as also no one taught it.Now,while we have God's Word we nevertheless do not correct the abuse;we suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished,but we listen without seriousness and care.
Know,therefore,that you must be concerned not only about hearing,but also about learning and retaining it in memory,and do not think that it is optional with you or of no great importance,but that it is God's commandment,who will require of you how you have heard,learned,and honored His Word.
Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who,when they have heard a sermon or two,find it tedious and dull,thinking that they know all that well enough,and need no more instruction.For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins,and is called _achedia_,i.e.,torpor or satiety,a malignant,dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many,that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us.
For let me tell you this,even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things,still you are daily in the dominion of the devil,who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you,to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments.Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart,upon your lips,and in your ears.But where the heart is idle,and the Word does not sound,he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware.On the other hand,such is the efficacy of the Word,whenever it is seriously contemplated heard,and used,that it is bound never to be without fruit,but always awakens new understanding,pleasure,and devoutness,and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts.For these words are not inoperative or dead,but creative,living words.And even though no other interest or necessity impel us,yet this ought to urge every one thereunto,because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away,and,besides,this commandment is fulfilled,and [this exercise in the Word]is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy,however brilliant.
The Fourth Commandment.
Thus far we have learned the first three commandments,which relate to God.First that with our whole heart we trust in Him,and fear and love Him throughout all our life.Secondly,that we do not misuse His holy name in the support of falsehood or any bad work,but employ it to the praise of God and the profit and salvation of our neighbor and ourselves.Thirdly,that on holidays and when at rest we diligently treat and urge God's Word,so that all our actions and our entire life be ordered according to it.Now follow the other seven,which relate to our neighbor among which the first and greatest is:
Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother.
To this estate of fatherhood and motherhood God has given the special distinction above all estates that are beneath it that He not simply commands us to love our parents,but to honor them.For with respect to brothers,sisters,and our neighbors in general He commands nothing higher than that we love them,so that He separates and distinguishes father and mother above all other persons upon earth,and places them at His side.For it is a far higher thing to honor than to love one,inasmuch as it comprehends not only love,but also modesty,humility,and deference as to a majesty there hidden,and requires not only that they be addressed kindly and with reverence,but,most of all that both in heart and with the body we so act as to show that we esteem them very highly,and that,next to God,we regard them as the very highest.
For one whom we are to honor from the heart we must truly regard as high and great.
We must,therefore impress it upon the young that they should regard their parents as in God's stead,and remember that however lowly,poor,frail,and queer they may be,nevertheless they are father and mother given them by God.They are not to be deprived of their honor because of their conduct or their failings.Therefore we are not to regard their persons,how they may be,but the will of God who has thus created and ordained.In other respects we are,indeed,all alike in the eyes of God;but among us there must necessarily be such inequality and ordered difference,and therefore God commands it to be observed,that you obey me as your father,and that I have the supremacy.
Learn,therefore,first,what is the honor towards parents required by this commandment to wit,that they be held in distinction and esteem above all things,as the most precious treasure on earth.Furthermore,that also in our words we observe modesty toward them,do not accost them roughly,haughtily,and defiantly,but yield to them and be silent even though they go too far.Thirdly,that we show them such honor also by works,that is,with our body and possessions,that we serve them,help them,and provide for them when they are old,sick,infirm,or poor,and all that not only gladly,but with humility and reverence,as doing it before God.For he who knows how to regard them in his heart will not allow them to suffer want or hunger,but will place them above him and at his side,and will share with them whatever he has and possesses.
