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there might be less of the filthy； dissolute； disorderly doings which
now run riot the world over in open prostitution and other shameful
vices arising from disregard of married life。 Therefore it is the duty
of parents and the government to see to it that our youth be brought up
to discipline and respectability； and when they have come to years of
maturity； to provide for them ＇to have them married＇ in the fear of God
and honorably； He would not fail to add His blessing and grace； so that
men would have joy and happiness from the same。
Let me now say in conclusion that this commandment demands not only
that every one live chastely in thought； word； and deed in his
condition； that is； especially in the estate of matrimony； but also
that every one love and esteem the spouse given him by God。 For where
conjugal chastity is to be maintained； man and wife must by all means
live together in love and harmony； that one may cherish the other from
the heart and with entire fidelity。 For that is one of the principal
points which enkindle love and desire of chastity； so that； where this
is found； chastity will follow as a matter of course without any
command。 Therefore also St。 Paul so diligently exhorts husband and wife
to love and honor one another。 Here you have again a precious； yea；
many and great good works； of which you can joyfully boast； against all
ecclesiastical estates； chosen without God's Word and commandment。
The Seventh Commandment。
Thou shalt not steal。
After your person and spouse temporal property comes next。 That also
God wishes to have protected； and He has commanded that no one shall
subtract from； or curtail； his neighbor's possessions。 For to steal is
nothing else than to get possession of another's property wrongfully；
which briefly comprehends all kinds of advantage in all sorts of trade
to the disadvantage of our neighbor。 Now； this is indeed quite a
wide…spread and common vice； but so little regarded and observed that
it exceeds all measure； so that if all who are thieves； and yet do not
wish to be called such； were to be hanged on gallows the world would
soon be devastated and there would be a lack both of executioners and
gallows。 For； as we have just said； to steal is to signify not only to
empty our neighbor's coffer and pockets； but to be grasping in the
market； in all stores； booths； wine… and beer…cellars； workshops； and；
in short； wherever there is trading or taking and giving of money for
merchandise or labor。
As； for instance； to explain this somewhat grossly for the common
people； that it may be seen how godly we are： When a manservant or
maid…servant does not serve faithfully in the house； and does damage；
or allows it to be done when it could be prevented； or otherwise ruins
and neglects the goods entrusted to him； from indolence idleness； or
malice； to the spite and vexation of master and mistress； and in
whatever way this can be done purposely （for I do not speak of what
happens from oversight and against one's will）； you can in a year
abscond thirty； forty florins； which if another had taken secretly or
carried away； he would be hanged with the rope。 But here you ＇while
conscious of such a great theft＇ may even bid defiance and become
insolent； and no one dare call you a thief。
The same I say also of mechanics； workmen； and day…laborers； who all
follow their wanton notions； and never know enough ways to overcharge
people； while they are lazy and unfaithful in their work。 All these are
far worse than sneak…thieves； against whom we can guard with locks and
bolts； or who； if apprehended； are treated in such a manner that they
will not do the same again。 But against these no one can guard； no one
dare even look awry at them or accuse them of theft； so that one would
ten times rather lose from his purse。 For here are my neighbors； good
friends； my own servants； from whom I expect good ＇every faithful and
diligent service＇； who defraud me first of all。
Furthermore； in the market and in common trade likewise； this practice
is in full swing and force to the greatest extent； where one openly
defrauds another with bad merchandise； false measures； weights； coins；
and by nimbleness and queer finances or dexterous tricks takes
advantage of him； likewise； when one overcharges a person in a trade
and wantonly drives a hard bargain； skins and distresses him。 And who
can recount or think of all these things？ To sum up； this is the
commonest craft and the largest guild on earth； and if we regard the
world throughout all conditions of life； it is nothing else than a
vast； wide stall； full of great thieves。
Therefore they are also called swivel…chair robbers； land… and
highway…robbers； not pick…locks and sneak…thieves who snatch away the
ready cash； but who sit on the chair ＇at home＇ and are styled great
noblemen； and honorable； pious citizens； and yet rob and steal under a
good pretext。
Yes； here we might be silent about the trifling individual thieves if
we were to attack the great； powerful arch…thieves with whom lords and
princes keep company； who daily plunder not only a city or two； but all
Germany。 Yea； where should we place the head and supreme protector of
all thieves； the Holy Chair at Rome with all its retinue； which has
grabbed by theft the wealth of all the world； and holds it to this day？
This is； in short； the course of the world： whoever can steal and rob
openly goes free and secure； unmolested by any one； and even demands
that he be honored。 Meanwhile the little sneak…thieves； who have once
trespassed； must bear the shame and punishment to render the former
godly and honorable。 But let them know that in the sight of God they
are the greatest thieves； and that He will punish them as they are
worthy and deserve。
Now； since this commandment is so far…reaching ＇and comprehensive＇； as
just indicated； it is necessary to urge it well and to explain it to
the common people； not to let them go on in their wantonness and
security； but always to place before their eyes the wrath of God； and
inculcate the same。 For we have to preach this not to Christians； but
chiefly to knaves and scoundrels； to whom it would be more fitting for
judges； jailers； or Master Hannes ＇the executioner＇ to preach。
Therefore let every one know that it is his duty； at the risk of God's
displeasure； not only to do no injury to his neighbor； nor to deprive
him of gain； nor to perpetrate any act of unfaithfulness or malice in
any bargain or trade； but faithfully to preserve his property for him；
to secure and promote his advantage； especially when one accepts money；
wages； and one's livelihood for such service。
He now who wantonly despises this may indeed pass along and escape the
hangman； but he shall not escape the wrath and punishment of God； and
when he has long practiced his defiance and arrogance； he shall yet
remain a tramp and beggar； and； in addition； have all plagues and
misfortune。 Now you are going your way ＇wherever your heart's pleasure
calls you＇ while you ought to preserve the property of your master and
mistress； for which service you fill your crop and maw； take your wages
like a thief； have people treat you as a nobleman； for there are many
that are even insolent towards their masters and mistresses； and are
unwilling to do them a favor or service by which to protect them from
loss。
But reflect what you will gain when； having come into your own
property and being set up in your home （to which God will help with all
misfortunes）； it ＇your perfidy＇ will bob up again and come home to you；
and you will find that where you have cheated or done injury to the
value of one mite； you will have to pay thirty again。
Such shall be the lot also of mechanics and day…laborers of whom we are
now obliged to hear and suffer such intolerable maliciousness； as
though they were noblemen in another's possessions； and every one were
obliged to give them what they demand。 Just let them continue
practicing their exactions as long as they can； but God will not forget
His commandment； and will reward them according as they have served；
and will hang them； not upon a green gallows； but upon a dry one so
that all their life they shall neither prosper nor accumulate anything。
And indeed； if there were a well…ordered government in the land； such
wantonness might soon be checked and prevented； as was the custom in
ancient times among the Romans； where such characters were promptly
seized by the pate in a way that others took warning。
No more shall all the rest prosper who change the open free market into
a carrion…pit of extortion and a den of robbery； where the poor are
daily overcharged； new burdens and high prices are imposed； and every
one uses the market according to his caprice； and is even defiant and
brags as though it were his fair privilege and right to sell his goods
for as high a price as he please； and no one had a right to say a word
against it。 We will indeed look on and let these people skin； pinch；
and hoard； but we will trust in God who will； however； do this of
His own accord； that； after you have been skinning and scraping for
a long time； He will pronounce s