Baptism is, indeed, so great a thing that if you turn again from sins and appeal to the covenant of baptism, your sins are forgiven. Only see to it, if you thus wickedly and wantonly sin, presuming on God's grace, that the judgment does not lay hold upon you and anticipate your turning back; and beware lest, even if you then desired to believe or to trust in your baptism, your trial be, by God's decree, so great that your faith is not able to stand. If they scarcely remain who do do sin or who fall because of sheer weakness, where shall your wickedness remain, which has tempted and mocked God's grace? [1 Pet. 4:18] Let us, therefore, walk with carefulness and fear, that with a firm faith we may hold fast the riches of God's grace, and joyfully give thanks to His mercy forever and ever. Amen. [Eph. 5:15] FOOTNOTES [1] Literally, "lifted or raised out of baptism"; in common usage simply "baptised." Cf. "aus der Taufe beben," "to stand sponsor." [2] See above, p.56, note 1. [3] Luther habitually quoted the Vulgate and quoted from memory; hence the many variations from the familiar test of Scripture. [4] See above, p. 58. [5] See above, p. 57. [6] See above, p. 57. [7] Good works prescribed as "penances" upon confession to the priest. [8] Literally, "lifted up out of it." See above, p. 57, note 1. [9] See above, p.58. [10] Luther here refers to his Treatise on the Sacrament of Penance, which was published just before the present treatise on baptism, in 1519. See Weimar Ed., II, pp. 709 ff and p. 724. [11] The power to forgive and retain sin, belonging, according to Roman teaching, to the priest, and normally exercised in the sacrament of penance. [12] Cf. Fourteen of Consolation, Part II, ch. II; below, pp. 146 ff. [13] See above, p. 59. [14] See above, p. 67. [15] The "spiritual estate" or "spiritual order" includes all those who have deserted the world and worldly pursuits for the religious life. It includes monks and friars and nuns, as well as priests, etc. A DISCUSSION OF CONFESSION (CONFITENDI RATIO) 1520