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neighbor's property； that is； aiming at possession of it； enticing it
away from him without his will； and being unwilling to see him enjoy
what God has granted him。 And although the judge and every one must
leave you in possession of it； yet God will not leave you therein； for
He sees the deceitful heart and the malice of the world； which is sure
to take an ell in addition wherever you yield to her a finger's
breadth； and at length public wrong and violence follow。
Therefore we allow these commandments to remain in their ordinary
meaning； that it is commanded； first； that we do not desire our
neighbor's damage； nor even assist； nor give occasion for it； but
gladly wish and leave him what he has； and； besides； advance and
preserve for him what may be for his profit and service； as we should
wish to be treated。 Thus these commandments are especially directed
against envy and miserable avarice； God wishing to remove all causes
and sources whence arises everything by which we do injury to our
neighbor； and therefore He expresses it in plain words： Thou shalt not
covet； etc。 For He would especially have the heart pure； although we
shall never attain to that as long as we live here； so that this
commandment will remain； like all the rest； one that will constantly
accuse us and show how godly we are in the sight of God！
Conclusion of the Ten Commandments。
Thus we have the Ten Commandments； a compend of divine doctrine； as to
what we are to do in order that our whole life may be pleasing to God；
and the true fountain and channel from and in which everything must
arise and flow that is to be a good work； so that outside of the Ten
Commandments no work or thing can be good or pleasing to God； however
great or precious it be in the eyes of the world。 Let us see now what
our great saints can boast of their spiritual orders and their great
and grievous works which they have invented and set up； while they let
these pass； as though they were far too insignificant； or had long ago
been perfectly fulfilled。
I am of opinion indeed； that here one will find his hands full； ＇and
will have enough＇ to do to observe these； namely； meekness； patience；
and love towards enemies； chastity； kindness； etc。； and what such
virtues imply。 But such works are not of value and make no display in
the eyes of the world； for they are not peculiar and conceited works
and restricted to particular times； places； rites； and customs； but are
common； every…day domestic works which one neighbor can practice toward
another； therefore they are not of high esteem。
But the other works cause people to open their eyes and ears wide； and
men aid to this effect by the great display； expense； and magnificent
buildings with which they adorn them； so that everything shines and
glitters。 There they waft incense； they sing and ring bells； they light
tapers and candles； so that nothing else can be seen or heard。 For when
a priest stands there in a surplice embroidered with gilt； or a layman
continues all day upon his knees in church； that is regarded as a most
precious work which no one can sufficiently praise。 But when a poor
girl tends a little child and faithfully does what she is told that is
considered nothing； for else what should monks and nuns seek in their
cloisters？
But see； is not that a cursed presumption of those desperate saints who
dare to invent a higher and better life and estate than the Ten
Commandments teach； pretending （as we have said） that this is an
ordinary life for the common man； but that theirs is for saints and
perfect ones？ And the miserable blind people do not see that no man can
get so far as to keep one of the Ten Commandments as it should be kept；
but both the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer must come to our aid
（as we shall hear）； by which that ＇power and strength to keep the
commandments＇ is sought and prayed for and received continually。
Therefore all their boasting amounts to as much as if I boasted and
said： To be sure； I have not a penny to make payment with； but I
confidently undertake to pay ten florins。
All this I say and urge in order that men might become rid of the sad
misuse which has taken such deep root and still cleaves to everybody；
and in all estates upon earth become used to looking hither only； and
to being concerned about these matters。 For it will be a long time
before they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to the Ten
Commandments； because they are so high that no one can attain to them
by human power； and whoever does attain to them is a heavenly； angelic
man far above all holiness of the world。 Only occupy yourself with
them； and try your best； apply all power and ability and you will find
so much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem any other work or
holiness。
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。
Just this is also the meaning and true interpretation of the first and
chief commandment； from which all the others must flow and proceed； so
that this word： Thou shalt have no other gods before Me； in its
simplest meaning states nothing else than this demand： Thou shalt fear；
love； and trust in Me as thine only true God。 For where there is a
heart thus disposed towards God； the same has fulfilled this and all
the other commandments。 On the other hand； whoever fears and loves
anything else in heaven and upon earth will keep neither this nor any。
Thus the entire scriptures have everywhere preached and inculcated this
commandment； aiming always at these two things： fear of God and trust
in Him。 And especially the prophet David throughout the Psalms； as when
he says ＇Ps。 147；11＇： The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him；
in those that hope in His mercy。 As if the entire commandment were
explained by one verse； as much as to say： The Lord taketh pleasure in
those who have no other gods。
Thus the First Commandment is to shine and impart its splendor to all
the others。 Therefore you must let this declaration run through all the
commandments； like a hoop in a wreath； joining the end to the beginning
and holding them all together； that it be continually repeated and not
forgotten； as； namely； in the Second Commandment； that we fear God and
do not take His name in vain for cursing； lying； deceiving； and other
modes of leading men astray； or rascality； but make proper and good use
of it by calling upon Him in prayer； praise； and thanksgiving； derived
from love and trust according to the First Commandment。 In like manner
such fear； love； and trust is to urge and force us not to despise His
Word； but gladly to learn； hear； and esteem it holy； and honor it。
Thus continuing through all the following commandments towards our
neighbor likewise； everything is to proceed by virtue of the First
Commandment； to wit； that we honor father and mother； masters； and all
in authority and be subject and obedient to them； not on their own
account； but for God's sake。 For you are not to regard or fear father
or mother； or from love of them do or omit anything。 But see to that
which God wou