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they know all that well enough； and need no more instruction。 For just
that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins； and
is called _achedia_； i。e。； torpor or satiety； a malignant； dangerous
plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many；
that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us。
For let me tell you this； even though you know it perfectly and be
already master in all things； still you are daily in the dominion of
the devil； who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you；
to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the
foregoing and all the commandments。 Therefore you must always have
God's Word in your heart； upon your lips； and in your ears。 But where
the heart is idle； and the Word does not sound； he breaks in and has
done the damage before we are aware。 On the other hand； such is the
efficacy of the Word； whenever it is seriously contemplated heard； and
used； that it is bound never to be without fruit； but always awakens
new understanding； pleasure； and devoutness； and produces a pure heart
and pure thoughts。 For these words are not inoperative or dead； but
creative； living words。 And even though no other interest or necessity
impel us； yet this ought to urge every one thereunto； because thereby
the devil is put to flight and driven away； and； besides； this
commandment is fulfilled； and ＇this exercise in the Word＇ is more
pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy； however brilliant。
The Fourth Commandment。
Thus far we have learned the first three commandments； which relate to
God。 First that with our whole heart we trust in Him； and fear and love
Him throughout all our life。 Secondly； that we do not misuse His holy
name in the support of falsehood or any bad work； but employ it to the
praise of God and the profit and salvation of our neighbor and
ourselves。 Thirdly； that on holidays and when at rest we diligently
treat and urge God's Word； so that all our actions and our entire life
be ordered according to it。 Now follow the other seven； which relate to
our neighbor among which the first and greatest is：
Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother。
To this estate of fatherhood and motherhood God has given the special
distinction above all estates that are beneath it that He not simply
commands us to love our parents； but to honor them。 For with respect to
brothers； sisters； and our neighbors in general He commands nothing
higher than that we love them； so that He separates and distinguishes
father and mother above all other persons upon earth； and places them
at His side。 For it is a far higher thing to honor than to love one；
inasmuch as it comprehends not only love； but also modesty； humility；
and deference as to a majesty there hidden； and requires not only that
they be addressed kindly and with reverence； but； most of all that both
in heart and with the body we so act as to show that we esteem them
very highly； and that； next to God； we regard them as the very highest。
For one whom we are to honor from the heart we must truly regard as
high and great。
We must； therefore impress it upon the young that they should regard
their parents as in God's stead； and remember that however lowly； poor；
frail； and queer they may be； nevertheless they are father and mother
given them by God。 They are not to be deprived of their honor because
of their conduct or their failings。 Therefore we are not to regard
their persons； how they may be； but the will of God who has thus
created and ordained。 In other respects we are； indeed； all alike in
the eyes of God； but among us there must necessarily be such inequality
and ordered difference； and therefore God commands it to be observed；
that you obey me as your father； and that I have the supremacy。
Learn； therefore； first； what is the honor towards parents required by
this commandment to wit； that they be held in distinction and esteem
above all things； as the most precious treasure on earth。 Furthermore；
that also in our words we observe modesty toward them； do not accost
them roughly； haughtily； and defiantly； but yield to them and be silent
even though they go too far。 Thirdly； that we show them such honor also
by works； that is； with our body and possessions； that we serve them；
help them； and provide for them when they are old； sick； infirm； or
poor； and all that not only gladly； but with humility and reverence； as
doing it before God。 For he who knows how to regard them in his heart
will not allow them to suffer want or hunger； but will place them above
him and at his side； and will share with them whatever he has and
possesses。
Secondly； notice how great； good； and holy a work is here assigned
children； which is alas！ utterly neglected and disregarded； and no one
perceives that God has commanded it or that it is a holy； divine Word
and doctrine。 For if it had been regarded as such； every one could have
inferred that they must be holy men who live according to these words。
Thus there would have been no need of inventing monasticism nor
spiritual orders； but every child would have abided by this
commandment； and could have directed his conscience to God and said：
〃If I am to do good and holy works； I know of none better than to
render all honor and obedience to my parents； because God has Himself
commanded it。 For what God commands must be much and far nobler than
everything that we may devise ourselves； and since there is no higher
or better teacher to be found than God； there can be no better
doctrine； indeed； than He gives forth。 Now； He teaches fully what we
should do if we wish to perform truly good works； and by commanding
them； He shows that they please Him。 If； then； it is God who commands
this； and who knows not how to appoint anything better； I will never
improve upon it。〃
Behold； in this manner we would have had a godly child properly
taught； reared in true blessedness； and kept at home in obedience to
his parents and in their service； so that men should have had blessing
and joy from the spectacle。 However； God's commandment was not
permitted to be thus ＇with such care and diligence＇ commended； but had
to be neglected and trampled under foot； so that a child could not lay
it to heart； and meanwhile gaped ＇like a panting wolf＇ at the devices
which we set up； without once ＇consulting or＇ giving reverence to God。
Let us； therefore； learn at last； for God's sake； that； placing all
other things out of sight； our youths look first to this commandment；
if they wish to serve God with truly good works； that they do what is
pleasing to their fathers and mothers； or to those to whom they may be
subject in their stead。 For every child that knows and does this has；
in the first place； this great consolation in his heart that he can
joyfully say and boast （in spite of and against all who are occupied
with works of their own choice）： 〃Behold； this work is well pleasing to
my God in heaven that I know for certain。〃 Let them all come together
with their many great； distressing； and difficult works and make their
boast； we will see whether they can show one that is greater and
nobler than obedience to father and mother； to whom God has appointed
and commanded obedience next to His own majesty； so that if God's Word
and will are in force and being accomplished nothing shall be esteemed
higher than the will and word of parents； yet so that it； too； is
subordinated to obedience toward God and is not opposed to the
preceding commandments。
Therefore you should be heartily glad and thank God that He has chosen
you and made you worthy to do a work so precious and pleasing to Him。
Only see that； although it be regarded as the most humble and despised
you esteem it great and precious； not on account of our worthiness； but
because it is comprehended in； and controlled by； the jewel and
sanctuary； namely； the Word and commandment of God。 Oh； what a high
price would all； Carthusians； monks； and nuns pay； if in all their
religious doings they could bring into God's presence a single work
done by virtue of His commandment； and be able before His face to say
with joyful heart： 〃Now I know that this work is well pleasing to
Thee。〃 Where will these poor wretched persons hide when in the sight of
God and all the world they shall blush with shame before a young child
who has lived according to this commandment； and shall have to confess
that with their whole life they are not worthy to give it a drink of
water？ And it serves them right for their devilish perversion in
treading God's commandment under foot that they must vainly torment
themselves with works of their own device； and； in addition； have scorn
and loss for their reward。
Should not the heart； then； leap and melt for joy when going to work
and doing what is commanded； saying： Lo； this is better than all
holiness of the Carthusians； even though they kill themselves fasting
and praying upon their knees without ceasing？ For here you have a sure
text and a divine testimony that He has enjoined this； but concerning
the other He did not command a word。 But this is the plight and
miserable blindness of th