Martin Luther's Large Catechism, translated by Bente and DauLuther, Martin
ReligionChristian
Martin Luther's Large Catechism, translated by Bente and Dau
Luther, Martin
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms -- English
Let this be sufficient concerning the first part of the common
Christian doctrine, both for teaching and urging what is necessary. In
conclusion, however, we must repeat the text which belongs here, of
which we have treated already in the First Commandment, in order that
we may learn what pains God requires to the end we may learn to
inculcate and practice the Ten Commandments:
For I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them
that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and
keep My commandments.
Although (as we have heard above) this appendix was primarily attached
to the First Commandment, it was nevertheless [we cannot deny that it
was] laid down for the sake of all the commandments, as all of them are
to be referred and directed to it. Therefore I have said that this,
too, should be presented to and inculcated upon the young, that they
may learn and remember it, in order to see what is to urge and compel
us to keep these Ten Commandments. And it is to be regarded as though
this part were specially added to each, so that it inheres in, and
pervades, them all.
Now, there is comprehended in these words (as said before) both an
angry word of threatening and a friendly promise to terrify and warn
us, and, moreover to induce and encourage us to receive and highly
esteem His Word as a matter of divine earnestness, because He Himself
declares how much He is concerned about it, and how rigidly He will
enforce it, namely, that He will horribly and terribly punish all who
despise and transgress His commandments; and again, how richly He will
reward, bless, and do all good to those who hold them in high esteem,
and gladly do and live according to them. Thus He demands that all our
works proceed from a heart which fears and regards God alone, and from
such fear avoids everything that is contrary to His will, lest it
should move Him to wrath; and, on the other hand, also trusts in Him
alone, and from love to Him does all He wishes, because he speaks to us
as friendly as a father, and offers us all grace and every good.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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