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and delight。 For what must be enforced with rods and blows only will
not develop into a good breed and at best they will remain godly under
such treatment no longer than while the rod is upon their back。
But this ＇manner of training＇ so spreads its roots in the heart that
they fear God more than rods and clubs。 This I say with such
simplicity for the sake of the young； that it may penetrate their
minds。 For since we are preaching to children； we must also prattle
with them。 Thus we have prevented the abuse and have taught the right
use of the divine name； which should consist not only in words； but
also in practices and life； so that we may know that God is well
pleased with this and will as richly reward it as He will terribly
punish the abuse。
The Third Commandment。
Thou shalt sanctify the holy day。
＇Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy。＇
The word holy day （Feiertag） is rendered from the Hebrew word Sabbath
which properly signifies to rest； that is； to abstain from labor。 Hence
we are accustomed to say； Feierbend machen ＇that is； to cease working＇；
or heiligen Abend geben ＇sanctify the Sabbath＇。 Now； in the Old
Testament； God separated the seventh day； and appointed it for rest；
and commanded that it should be regarded as holy above all others。 As
regards this external observance； this commandment was given to the
Jews alone； that they should abstain from toilsome work； and rest； so
that both man and beast might recuperate； and not be weakened by
unremitting labor。 Although they afterwards restricted this too
closely； and grossly abused it； so that they traduced and could not
endure in Christ those works which they themselves were accustomed to
do on that day； as we read in the Gospel just as though the commandment
were fulfilled by doing no external ＇manual＇ work whatever； which；
however； was not the meaning； but； as we shall hear； that they sanctify
the holy day or day of rest。
This commandment； therefore； according to its gross sense； does not
concern us Christians； for it is altogether an external matter； like
other ordinances of the Old Testament； which were attached to
particular customs； persons； times； and places； and now have been made
free through Christ。 But to grasp a Christian meaning for the simple as
to what God requires in this commandment； note that we keep holy days
not for the sake of intelligent and learned Christians （for they have
no need of it ＇holy days＇）； but first of all for bodily causes and
necessities； which nature teaches and requires； for the common people；
man…servants and maid…servants； who have been attending to their work
and trade the whole week； that for a day they may retire in order to
rest and be refreshed。
Secondly； and most especially； that on such day of rest （since we can
get no other opportunity） freedom and time be taken to attend divine
service； so that we come together to hear and treat of God's and then
to praise God； to sing and pray。
However； this； I say； is not so restricted to any time； as with the
Jews； that it must be just on this or that day； for in itself no one
day is better than another； but this should indeed be done daily；
however； since the masses cannot give such attendance； there must be at
least one day in the week set apart。 But since from of old Sunday ＇the
Lord's Day＇ has been appointed for this purpose； we also should
continue the same； in order that everything be done in harmonious
order； and no one create disorder by unnecessary innovation。
Therefore this is the simple meaning of the commandment： since
holidays are observed anyhow； such observance should be devoted to
hearing God's Word； so that the special function of this day should be
the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people； yet
that the resting be not so strictly interpreted as to forbid any other
incidental work that cannot be avoided。
Accordingly； when asked； What is meant by the commandment： Thou shalt
sanctify the holy day？ answer： To sanctify the holy day is the same as
to keep it holy。 But what is meant by keeping it holy？ Nothing else
than to be occupied in holy words； works； and life。 For the day needs
no sanctification for itself； for in itself it has been created holy
＇from the beginning of the creation it was sanctified by its Creator＇。
But God desires it to be holy to you。 Therefore it becomes holy or
unholy on your account； according as you are occupied on the same with
things that are holy or unholy。
How； then； does such sanctification take place？ Not in this manner；
that ＇with folded hands＇ we sit behind the stove and do no rough
＇external＇ work； or deck ourselves with a wreath and put on our best
clothes； but （as has been said） that we occupy ourselves with God's
Word； and exercise ourselves therein。
And； indeed； we Christians ought always to keep such a holy day； and be
occupied with nothing but holy things； i。e。； daily be engaged upon
God's Word； and carry it in our hearts and upon our lips。 But （as has
been said） since we do not at all times have leisure； we must devote
several hours a week for the sake of the young； or at least a day for
the sake of the entire multitude； to being concerned about this alone；
and especially urge the Ten Commandments； the Creed； and the Lord's
Prayer； and thus direct our whole life and being according to God's
Word。 At whatever time； then； this is being observed and practiced；
there a true holy day is being kept； otherwise it shall not be called a
Christians' holy day。 For； indeed； non…Christians can also cease from
work and be idle； just as the entire swarm of our ecclesiastics； who
stand daily in the churches； singing； and ringing bells but keeping no
holy day holy； because they neither preach nor practices God's Word；
but teach and live contrary to it。
For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries； yea； the
only one which we Christians know and have。 For though we had the bones
of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap；
still that would help us nothing； for all that is a dead thing which
can sanctify nobody。 But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies
everything； and by which even all the saints themselves were
sanctified。 At whatever hour then； God's Word is taught； preached；
heard； read or meditated upon； there the person； day； and work are
sanctified thereby； not because of the external work； but because of
the Word which makes saints of us all。 Therefore I constantly say that
all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word； if it is
to be God…pleasing or holy。 Where this is done； this commandment is in
force and being fulfilled。
On the contrary； any observance or work that is practiced without
God's Word is unholy before God； no matter how brilliantly it may
shine！ even though it be covered with relics； such as the fictitious
spiritual orders which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in
their own works。 Note； therefore； that the force and power of this
commandment lies not in the resting but in the sanctifying so that to
this day belongs a special holy exercise。 For other works and
occupations are not properly called holy exercises； unless the man
himself be first holy。 But here a work is to be done by which man is
himself made holy； which is done （as we have heard ） alone through
God's Word。 For this； then； fixed places； times； persons； and the
entire external order of worship have been created and appointed； so
that it may be publicly in operation。
Since； therefore； so much depends upon God's Word that without it no
holy day can be sanctified； we must know that God insists upon a strict
observance of this commandment； and will punish all who despise His
Word and are not willing to hear and learn it； especially at the time
appointed for the purpose。
Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly
misuse and desecrate the holy day； as those who on account of their
greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are
dead drunk like swine； but also that other crowd； who listen to God's
Word as to any other trifle； and only from custom come to preaching；
and go away again； and at the end of the year know as little of it as
at the beginning。 For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had
properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read；
but no one cared for God's Word； as also no one taught it。 Now； while
we have God's Word we nevertheless do not correct the abuse； we suffer
ourselves to be preached to and admonished； but we listen without
seriousness and care。
Know； therefore； that you must be concerned not only about hearing； but
also about learning and retaining it in memory； and do not think that
it is optional with you or of no great importance； but that it is God's
commandment； who will require of you how you have heard； learned； and
honored His Word。
Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who； when they
have heard a sermon or two； find it tedious and dull； thinking that
they know all that well enough； and need no more instruction。 For just
that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mort