THE SMALL CATECHISM
of Dr. Martin Luther
for Ordinary Pastors and Preachers.
Preface of Dr. Martin Luther.
The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately
when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this
Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form. Mercy!
Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the
villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many
pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one
is ashamed to speak of it]. Nevertheless, all maintain that they are
Christians, have been baptized and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet
they [do not understand and] cannot [even] recite either the Lord's Prayer, or
the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational
hogs; and yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse
all liberty like experts.
O ye bishops! [to whom this charge has been committed by God,]
what will ye ever answer to Christ for having so shamefully neglected the
people and never for a moment discharged your office? [You are the persons to
whom alone this ruin of the Christian religion is due. You have permitted men
to err so shamefully; yours is the guilt; for you have ever done anything
rather than what your office required you to do.] May all misfortune flee you!
[I do not wish at this place to invoke evil on your heads.] You command the
Sacrament in one form [but is not this the highest ungodliness coupled with the
greatest impudence that you are insisting on the administration of the
Sacrament in one form only, and on your traditions] and insist on your human
laws, and yet at the same time you do not care in the least [while you are
utterly without scruple and concern] whether the people know the Lord's Prayer,
the Creed, the Ten Commandments, or any part of the Word of God. Woe, woe, unto
you forever!
Therefore I entreat [and adjure] you all for God's sake, my dear
sirs and brethren, who are pastors or preachers, to devote your selves heartily
to your office, to have pity on the people who are entrusted to you, and to
help us inculcate the Catechism upon the people, and especially upon the young.
And let those of you who cannot do better [If any of you are so unskilled that
you have absolutely no knowledge of these matters, let them not be ashamed to]
take these tables, and forms and impress them, word for word, on the people, as
follows:
In the first place, let the preacher above all be careful to
avoid many kinds of or various texts and forms of the Ten Commandments, the
Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, etc., but choose one form to which he
adheres, and which he inculeates all the time, year after year. For [I give
this advice, how. ever, because I know that] young and simple people must be
taught by uniform, settled texts and forms, otherwise they easily become
confused when the teacher to-day teaches them thus, and in a year some other
way, as if he wished to make improvements, and thus all effort and labor [which
has been expended in teaching] is lost.
Also our blessed fathers understood this well; for they all used
the same form of the Tord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments.
Therefore we, too, should [imitate their diligence and be at pains to] teach
the young and simple people these parts in such a way as not to change a
syllable, or set them forth and repeat them one year differently than in
another [no matter how often we teach the Catechism].
Hence, choose whatever form you please, and adhere to it
forever. But when you preach in the presence of learned and intelligent men,
you may exhibit your skill, and may present these parts in as varied and
intricate ways and give them as masterly turns as you are able. But with the
young people stick to one fixed, permanent form and manner, and teach them,
first of all, these parts, namely, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's
Prayer, etc., according to the text, word for word, so that they, too, can
repeat it in the same manner after you and commit it to memory.
But those who are unwilling to learn it should be told that they
deny Christ and are no Christians, neither should they be admitted to the
Sacrament, accepted as sponsors at baptism, nor exercise any part of Christian
liberty, but should simply be turned back to the Pope and his officials, yea,
to the devil himself. Moreover, their parents and employers should refuse them
food and drink, and [they would also do well if they were to] notify them that
the prince will drive such rude people from the country, etc.
For although we cannot and should not force any one to believe,
yet we should insist and urge the people that they know what is right and wrong
with those among whom they dwell and wish to make their living. For whoever
desires to reside in a town must know and observe the town laws, the protection
of which he wishes to enjoy, no matter whether he is a believer or at heart and
in private a rogue or knave.
In the second place, after they have well learned the text, then
teach them the sense also, so that they know what it means, and again choose
the form of these tables, or some other brief uniform method, whichever you
like, and adhere to it, and do not change a single syllable, as was just said
regarding the text; and take your time to it. For it is not necessary that you
take up all the parts at once, but one after the other. After they understand
the First Commandment well, then take up the Second, and so on, otherwise they
will be overwhelmed, so as not to be able to retain any well.
In the third place, after you have thus taught them this Short
Catechism, then take up the Large Catechism, and give them also a richer and
fuller knowledge. Here explain at large every commandment, [article,] petition,
and part with its various works, uses, benefits, dangers, and injuries, as you
find these abundantly stated in many books written about these matters. And
particularly, urge that commandment or part most which suffers the greatest
neglect among your people. For instance, the Seventh Commandment, concerning
stealing, must be strenuously urged among mechanics and merchants, and even
farmers and servants, for among these people many kinds of dishonesty and
thieving prevail. So, too, you must urge well the Fourth Commandment among the
children and the common people, that they may be quiet and faithful, obedient
and peaceable, and you must always adduce many examples from the Scriptures to
show how God has punished or blessed such persons.
Especially should you here urge magistrates and parents to rule
well and to send their children to school, showing them why it is their duty to
do this, and what a damnable sin they are committing if they do not do it. For
by such neglect, they overthrow and destroy both the kingdom of God and that of
the world, acting as the worst enemies both of God and of men. And make it very
plain to them what an awful harm they are doing if they will not help to train
children to be pastors, preachers, clerks [also for other offices, with which
we cannot dispense in this life], etc., and that God will punish them terribly
for it. For such preaching is needed. [Verily, I do not know of any other topic
that deserves to be treated as much as this.] Parents and magistrates are now
sinning unspeakably in this respect. The devil, too, aims at something cruel
because of these things [that he may hurl Germany into the greatest distress].
Lastly, since the tyranny of the Pope has been abolished, people
are no longer willing to go to the Sacrament and despise it [as something
useless and unnecessary]. Here again urging is necessary, however, with this
—understanding: We are to force no one to believe, or to receive the Sacrament,
nor fix any law, nor time, nor place for it, but are to preach in such a manner
that of their own accord, without our law, they will urge themselves and, as it
were, compel us pastors to administer the Sacrament. This is done by telling
them: Whoever does not seek or desire the Sacrament at least some four times a
year, it is to be feared that he despises the Sacrament and is no Christian,
just as he is no Christian who does not believe or hear the Gospel; for Christ
did not say, This omit, or, This despise, but, This do ye, as oft as ye drink
it, etc. Verily, He wants it done, and not entirely neglected and despised.
This do ye, He says.
Now, whoever does not highly value the Sacrament thereby shows
that he has no sin, no flesh, no devil, no world, 'no death, no danger, no
hell; that is, he does not believe any such things, although he is in them over
head and ears and is doubly the devil's own. On the other hand, he needs no
grace, life, Paradise, heaven, Christ, God, nor anything good. For if he
believed that he had so much that is evil, and needed so much that is good, he
would not thus neglect the Sacrament, by which such evil is remedied and so
much good is bestowed. Neither will it be necessary to force him to the
Sacrament by any law, but he will come running and racing of his own accord,
will force himself and urge you that you must give him the Sacrament.
Hence, you must not make any law in this matter, as the Pope
does. Only set forth clearly the benefit and harm, the need and use, the danger
and the blessing, connected with this Sacrament, and the people will come of
themselves without your compulsion. But if they do not come, let them go and
tell them that such belong to the devil as do not regard nor feel their great
need and the gracious help of God. But if you do not urge this, or make a law
or a bane of it, it is your fault if they despise the Sacrament. How could they
be otherwise than slothful if you sleep and are silent? Therefore look to it,
ye pastors and preachers. Our office is now become a different thing from what
it was under the Pope; it is now become serious and salutary. Accordingly, it
now involves much more trouble and labor, danger and trials, and, in addition
thereto, little reward and gratitude in the world. But Christ Himself will be
our reward if we labor faithfully. To this end may the Father of all grace help
us, to whom be praise and thanks forever through Christ, our Lord! Amen.
I. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS,
as the Head of the Family Should
Teach Them in a Simple Way to His Household.
The First Commandment.
Thou shalt have no other gods.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use
witchcraft, lie, or de ceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble,
pray, praise, and give thanks.
The Third Commandment.
Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day..
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching
and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.
The Fourth Commandment.
Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother [that it may be well
with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth].
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise nor anger
our parents and masters, but give them honor, serve, obey, and hold them in
love and esteem.
The Fifth Commandment.
Thou shalt not kill.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our
neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need [in every
need and danger of life and body].
The Sixth Commandment.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent
life in words and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.
The Seventh Commandment.
Thou shalt not steal.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's
money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to
improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and
his condition is improved].
The Eighth Commandment.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie,
betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well
of him, and put the best construction on everything.
The Ninth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get
our neighbor's inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and]
right, etc., but help and he of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant,
nor his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or
entice away our neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, hut urge them to stay and
[diligently] do their duty.
What Does God Say of All These
Commandments?
Answer.
He says thus [Exod. 20, 5 f.]: 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.
What does this mean?—Answer.
God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments.
Therefore we should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments.
But He promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments.
Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and
diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments.
II. THE CREED,
as the Head of the Family Should
Teach It in the Simplest Way to His Household.
The First Article.
Of Creation.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?—Answer.
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has
given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason, and all my
senses, and still preserves them; in addition thereto, clothing and shoes, meat
and drink, house and homestead, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my
goods; that He provides me richly and daily with all that I need to support
this body and life, protects me from all danger, and guards me and preserves me
from all evil; and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy,
without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank,
praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
The Second Article.
Of Redemption.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by
the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose
again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of
God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the
dead,
What does this mean?—Answer.
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, hegotten of the Father
from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has
redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won [delivered] me
from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or
silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and
death, in order that I may be [wholly] His own, and live under Him in His
kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and
blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all
eternity. This is most certainly true.
The Third Article.
Of Sanctification.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and
the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?—Answer.
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in
Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the
Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true
faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole
Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true
faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me
and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and
will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most
certainly true.
III. THE LORD'S PRAYER,
as the Head of the Family Should
Teach It in the Simplest Way to His Household.
Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean?—Answer.
God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge
us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so
that we may ask Him confidently, with all assurance, as dear children ask their
dear father.
The First Petition.
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?—Answer.
God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this
petition that it may become holy among us also.
How is this done?—Answer.
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we
as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end
help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than
God's Word teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us,
Heavenly Father.
The Second Petition.
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?—Answer.
The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself;
but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.
How is this done?—Answer.
When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by
His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and
yonder in eternity.
The Third Petition.
Thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
What does this mean?—Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our
prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done?—Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which
would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the
will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us
steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good
will.
The Fourth Petition.
Give us this day our daily
bread.
What does this mean?—Answer.
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked
men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to
receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?—Answer.
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body,
such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money,
goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful
magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor,
good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
The Fifth Petition.
And
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not
look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are
worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them;
but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and
indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also
heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.
The Sixth Petition.
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?—Answer.
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that
God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may
not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame
and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome
and gain the victory.
The Seventh Petition.
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?—Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in
heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and
honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and
graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.
Amen.
What does this mean?—Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to
our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and
has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be
so.
IV. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY
BAPTISM,
as the Head of the Family Should
Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household.
First.
What is Baptism?—Answer.
Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water
comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.
Which is that word of God?—Answer.
Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye
into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Secondly.
What does Baptism give or
profit?—Answer.
It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil,
and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises
of God declare.
Which are such words and
promises of God?—Answer.
Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that
believeth and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be
damned.
Thirdly.
How can water do such great
things?—Answer.
It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God
which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the
water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptiam.
But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and
a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter
three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He
shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified
by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying.
Fourthly.
What does such baptizing with
water signify?—Answer.
It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition
and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a
new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness
and purity forever.
Where is this written?—Answer.
St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by
Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
V. HOW THE UNLEARNED SHOULD BE
TAUGHT TO CONFESS.
[What is Confession?—Answer.]
Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our
sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the
confessor, as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that
our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.
What sins should we confess?—[Answer.]
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those
which we do not know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the confessor
we should confess those sins alone which we know and feel in our hearts.
Which are these?—[Answer.]
Here consider your station according to the Ten Commandments,
whether you are a father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, a
man-servant or maid-servant; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful,
slothful; whether you have grieved any one by words or deeds; whether you have
stolen, neglected, or wasted aught, or done other injury.
Pray, Propose to Me a Brief Form
of Confession.
Answer.
You should speak to the confessor thus: Reverend and dear sir, I
beseech you to hear my confession, and to pronounce forgiveness to me for God's
sake.
Proceed!
I, a poor sinner, confess myself before God guilty of all sins;
especially I confess before you that I am a man-servant, a maidservant, etc.
But, alas, I serve my master unfaithfully; for in this and in that I have not
done what they commanded me; I have provoked them, and caused them to curse,
have been negligent [in many things] and permitted damage to be done; have also
been immodest in words and deeds, have quarreled with my equals, have grumbled
and sworn at my mistress, etc. For all this I am sorry, and pray for grace; I
want to do better.
A master or mistress may say
thus:
In particular I confess before you that I have not faithfully
trained my children, domestics, and wife [family] for God's glory. I have
cursed, set a bad example by rude words and deeds, have done my neighbor
harm and spoken evil of him, have overcharged and given false ware and
short measure.
And whatever else he has done against God's command and his
station, etc.
But if any one does not find himself burdened with such or
greater sins, he should not trouble himself or search for or invent other sins,
and thereby make confession a torture, but mention one or two that he knows.
Thus: In particular I confess that I once cursed; again, I once used improper
words, I have once neglected this or that, etc. Let this suffice.
But if you know of none at all (which, however, is scarcely
possible), then mention none in particular, but receive the forgiveness upon
the general confession which you make before God to the confessor.
Then shall the confessor say:
God be merciful to thee and strengthen thy faith! Amen.
Furthermore:
Dost thou believe that my forgiveness is God's forgiveness?
Answer.
Yes, dear sir.
Then let him say:
As thou believest, so be it done unto thee. And by the command
of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive thee thy sins, in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Depart in peace.
But those who have great burdens upon their consciences, or are
distressed and tempted, the confessor will know how to comfort and to encourage
to faith with more passages of Scripture. This is to be merely a general form
of confession for the unlearned.
VI. THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR,
as the Head of a Family Should
Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household.
What is the Sacrament of the
Altar?—Answer.
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under
the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ
Himself.
Where is this written?—Answer.
The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul, write
thus:
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same
night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He
brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My hody,
which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.
After the same manner also He
took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is
shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of Me.
Whhat is the benefit of such
eating and drinking?—Answer.
That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for
the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life,
and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness
of sins, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and
drinking do such great things?—Answer.
It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but
the words which stand here, namely: Given, and shed for you, for the remission
of sins. Which words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief
thing in the Sacrament; and he that helieves these words has what they say and
express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
Who, then, receives such
Sacrament worthily?—Answer.
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward
training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these
words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins.
But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy
and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts,
[Appendix I.]
HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
Should Teach His Household to
Bless Themselves in the Morning and in the Evening.
Morning Prayer.
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the
holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's
Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear
Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray
Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and
life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul,
and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no
power over me. Amen.
Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten
Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.
Evening Prayer.
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself
with the holy cross and Bay:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's
Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear
Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me
all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For
into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy
angel be with me, that the Wicked Foc may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
Should Teach His Household to
Ask a. Blessing and Return Thanks.
[Asking a Blessing.]
The children and servants shall go to the table with folded
hands and reverently, and say:
The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them
their meat in due season; Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of
every living thing.
Note.
To satisfy the desire means that all ani mals receive so much to
eat that they are on this account joyful and of good cheer; for care and
avarice hinder such satisfaction.
Then the Lord's Prayer, and the prayer here following:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts, which
we take from Thy hountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Returning Thanks.
Likewise also after the meal they shall reverently and with
folded hands say:
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy
endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh; He giveth to the beast his food,
and to the young ravens which ery. He delighteth not in the strength of the
horse; He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in
them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.
Then the Lord's Prayer and the prayer here following:
We thank Thee, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
[Appendix II.]
TABLE OF DUTIES,
Consisting of Certain Passages
of Scripture for Various Holy Orders and Stations, Whereby These are to be
Admonished, as by a Special Lesson, Regarding Their Office and Service.
For Bishops, Pastors, and
Preachers.
A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant,
sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine,
no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; not a novice; holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught,
that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the
gainsayers. 1 Tim. 3, 2 ff.; Titus 1, 6.
[What the Hearers Owe to Their
Pastors,
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel
should live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9, 14. Let him that is tanght in the Word
communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6, 6. Let the
elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who
labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle
the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1
Tim. 5, 17. 18. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves;
for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do
it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13, 17.]
Concerning Civil Government.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power
which exists anywhere is ordained "of God. Whosoever resisteth the power
resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13,
1-4.
What Subjects Owe to the
Magistrates.
Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's. Matt. 22, 21.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. Wherefore ye must needs
be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this
cause pay ye trihute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually
upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom
honor. Rom. 13, 1. 5 ff. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all
men, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. 2, 1 f. Put them in mind to
be subject to principalities and powers, etc. Titus 3, 1. Submit yourselves to
every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it he to the king as
supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him, etc. 1 Pet. 2, 13
f.]
For Husbands.
Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge,
giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3, 7.
And he not bitter against them. Col. 3, 9.
For Wives.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are,
as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3, 6; Eph.
5, 22.
For Parents.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6, 4.
For Children.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.
Honor thy father and mother which is the first commandment with promise: that
it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6, 1-3.
For Male and Female Servants,
Hired Men, and Laborers.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service as to the
Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the
same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Eph. 6, 5 ff.;
Col. 3, 22.
For Masters and Mistresses.
Ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing
threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with Him. Eph. 6, 9; Col. 4, 1.
For Young Persons in General.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves,
therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. 1
Pet. 5, 5. 6.
For Widows.
She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and
continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in
pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5, 5. 6.
For All in Common.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended
all the commandments. Rom. 13, 8 ff. And persevere in prayer for all men. 1
Tim. 2, 1. 2.
Let
each his lesson learn with care,
And all the household well shall fare.
