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perish in misfortune。
It is just as if I saw some one navigating and laboring in deep water
＇and struggling against adverse winds＇ or one fallen into fire； and
could extend to him the hand to pull him out and save him； and yet
refused to do it。 What else would I appear； even in the eyes of the
world； than as a murderer and a criminal？
Therefore it is God's ultimate purpose that we suffer harm to befall no
man； but show him all good and love； and； as we have said it is
specially directed toward those who are our enemies。 For to do good to
our friends is but an ordinary heathen virtue as Christ says Matt。 5；
46。
Here we have again the Word of God whereby He would encourage and urge
us to true noble and sublime works； as gentleness patience； and； in
short； love and kindness to our enemies； and would ever remind us to
reflect upon the First Commandment； that He is our God； that is； that
He will help； assist； and protect us； in order that He may thus quench
the desire of revenge in us。
This we ought to practice and inculcate and we would have our hands
full doing good works。 But this would not be preaching for monks； it
would greatly detract from the religious estate； and infringe upon the
sanctity of Carthusians； and would even be regarded as forbidding good
works and clearing the convents。 For in this wise the ordinary state of
Christians would be considered just as worthy； and even worthier； and
everybody would see how they mock and delude the world with a false；
hypocritical show of holiness； because they have given this and other
commandments to the winds； and have esteemed them unnecessary； as
though they were not commandments but mere counsels； and have at the
same time shamelessly proclaimed and boasted their hypocritical estate
and works as the most perfect life； in order that they might lead a
pleasant； easy life； without the cross and without patience； for which
reason； too； they have resorted to the cloisters； so that they might
not be obliged to suffer any wrong from any one or to do him any good。
But know now that these are the true； holy； and godly works； in which；
with all the angels He rejoices； in comparison with which all human
holiness is but stench and filth； and besides； deserves nothing but
wrath and damnation。
The Sixth Commandment。
Thou shalt not commit adultery。
These commandments now ＇that follow＇ are easily understood from ＇the
explanation of＇ the preceding； for they are all to the effect that we
＇be careful to＇ avoid doing any kind of injury to our neighbor。 But
they are arranged in fine ＇elegant＇ order。 In the first place； they
treat of his own person。 Then they proceed to the person nearest him；
or the closest possession next after his body namely； his wife； who is
one flesh and blood with him； so that we cannot inflict a higher injury
upon him in any good that is his。 Therefore it is explicitly forbidden
here to bring any disgrace upon him in respect to his wife。 And it
really aims at adultery； because among the Jews it was ordained and
commanded that every one must be married。 Therefore also the young were
early provided for ＇married＇； so that the virgin state was held in
small esteem； neither were public prostitution and lewdness tolerated
（as now）。 Therefore adultery was the most common form of unchastity
among them。
But because among us there is such a shameful mess and the very dregs
of all vice and lewdness； this commandment is directed also against all
manner of unchastity； whatever it may be called； and not only is the
external act forbidden； but also every kind of cause； incitement； and
means； so that the heart； the lips； and the whole body may be chaste
and afford no opportunity； help； or persuasion to unchastity。 And not
only this； but that we also make resistance； afford protection and
rescue wherever there is danger and need； and again； that we give help
and counsel； so as to maintain our neighbor's honor。 For whenever you
omit this when you could make resistance； or connive at it as if it did
not concern you； you are as truly guilty as the one perpetrating the
deed。 Thus； to state it in the briefest manner； there is required this
much； that every one both live chastely himself and help his neighbor
do the same； so that God by this commandment wishes to hedge round
about and protect ＇as with a rampart＇ every spouse that no one trespass
against them。
But since this commandment is aimed directly at the state of matrimony
and gives occasion to speak of the same； you must well understand and
mark； first； how gloriously God honors and extols this estate； inasmuch
as by His commandment He both sanctions and guards it。 He has
sanctioned it above in the Fourth Commandment： Honor thy father and thy
mother； but here He has （as we said ） hedged it about and protected it。
Therefore He also wishes us to honor it； and to maintain and conduct it
as a divine and blessed estate； because； in the first place； He has
instituted it before all others； and therefore created man and woman
separately （as is evident）； not for lewdness； but that they should
＇legitimately＇ live together； be fruitful； beget children； and nourish
and train them to the honor of God。
Therefore God has also most richly blessed this estate above all
others； and； in addition； has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it
everything in the world； to the end that this estate might be well and
richly provided for。 Married life is therefore no jest or presumption；
but it is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness。 For it
is of the highest importance to Him that persons be raised who may
serve the world and promote the knowledge of God； godly living； and all
virtues； to fight against wickedness and the devil。
Therefore I have always taught that this estate should not be despised
nor held in disrepute； as is done by the blind world and our false
ecclesiastics； but that it be regarded according to God's Word； by
which it is adorned and sanctified； so that it is not only placed on an
equality with other estates； but that it precedes and surpasses them
all； whether they be that of emperor； princes； bishops； or whoever they
please。 For both ecclesiastical and civil estates must humble
themselves and all be found in this estate as we shall hear。 Therefore
it is not a peculiar estate； but the most common and noblest estate；
which pervades all Christendom； yea which extends through all the
world。
In the second place； you must know also that it is not only an
honorable； but also a necessary state； and it is solemnly commanded by
God that； in general； in all conditions； men and women； who were
created for it； shall be found in this estate； yet with some exceptions
（although few） whom God has especially excepted； so that they are not
fit for the married estate； or whom He has released by a high；
supernatural gift that they can maintain chastity without this estate。
For where nature has its course； as it is implanted by God； it is not
possible to remain chaste without marriage。 For flesh and blood remain
flesh and blood； and the natural inclination and excitement have their
course without let or hindrance； as everybody sees and feels。 In
order； therefore； that it may be the more easy in some degree to avoid
unchastity； God has commanded the estate of matrimony； that every one
may have his proper portion and be satisfied therewith； although God's
grace besides is required in order that the heart also may be pure。
From this you see how this popish rabble； priests； monks； and nuns；
resist God's order and commandment； inasmuch as they despise and forbid
matrimony； and presume and vow to maintain perpetual chastity； and；
besides； deceive the simple…minded with lying words and appearances
＇impostures＇。 For no one has so little love and inclination to chastity
as just those who because of great sanctity avoid marriage； and either
indulge in open and shameless prostitution； or secretly do even worse；
so that one dare not speak of it； as has； alas！ been learned too fully。
And； in short； even though they abstain from the act； their hearts are
so full of unchaste thoughts and evil lusts that there is a continual
burning and secret suffering； which can be avoided in the married life。
Therefore all vows of chastity out of the married state are condemned
by this commandment； and free permission is granted； yea； even the
command is given； to all poor ensnared consciences which have been
deceived by their monastic vows to abandon the unchaste state and enter
the married life； considering that even if the monastic life were
godly； it would nevertheless not be in their power to maintain
chastity； and if they remain in it； they must only sin more and more
against this commandment。
Now； I speak of this in order that the young may be so guided that they
conceive a liking for the married estate； and know that it is a blessed
estate and pleasing to God。 For in this way we might in the course of
time bring it about that married life be restored to honor； and that
there might be less of the filthy； dissolute； disorderly doings which
now run riot the world over in open prostitution and other shameful
vices