Project Gutenberg Etext of The Large Catechism, by Martin Luther

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It is, therefore, a pernicious delusion of those who pray in such a manner that they dare not from the heart say yea and positively conclude that God hears them, but remain in doubt and say, How should I be so bold as to boast that God hears my prayer For I am but a poor sinner, etc. The reason for this is, they regard not the promise of God, but their own work and worthiness, whereby they despise God and reproach Him with lying, and therefore they receive nothing. As St. James says [1, 6]: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. Behold, such importance God attaches to the fact that we are sure we do not pray in vain, and that we do not in any way despise our prayer. Part Fourth. OF BAPTISM. We have now finished the three chief parts of the common Christian doctrine. Besides these we have yet to speak of our two Sacraments instituted by Christ, of which also every Christian ought to have at least an ordinary, brief instruction, because without them there can be no Christian; although, alas! hitherto no instruction concerning them has been given. But, in the first place, we take up Baptism, by which we are first received into the Christian Church. However, in order that it may be readily understood we will treat of it in an orderly manner, and keep only to that which it is necessary for us to know. For how it is to be maintained and defended against heretics and sects we will commend to the learned. In the first place, we must above all things know well the words upon which Baptism is founded, and to which everything refers that is to be said on the subject, namely, where the Lord Christ speaks in the last chapter of Matthew, v. 19: Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Likewise in St. Mark, the last chapter, v. 16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned . In these words you must note, in the first place, that here stand 88
God's commandment and institution, lest we doubt that Baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as I can say, No man has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself, so also I can boast that Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God Himself, moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, lest any one regard it as a trifling matter, like putting on a new red coat. For it is of the greatest importance that we esteem Baptism excellent, glorious, and exalted, for which we contend and fight chiefly, because the world is now so full of sects clamoring that Baptism is an external thing, and that external things are of no benefit. But let it be ever so much an external thing here stand God's Word and command which institute, establish, and confirm Baptism. But what God institutes and commands cannot be a vain, but must be a most precious thing, though in appearance it were of less value than a straw. If hitherto people could consider it a great thing when the Pope with his letters and bulls dispensed indulgences and confirmed altars and churches, solely because of the letters and seals, we ought to esteem Baptism much more highly and more precious, because God has commanded it, and, besides, it is performed in His name. For these are the words, Go ye baptize; however, not in your name, but in the name of God. For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God's own work. From this fact every one may himself readily infer that it is a far higher work than any work performed by a man or a saint. For what work greater than the work of God can we do But here the devil is busy to delude us with false appearances, and lead us away from the work of God to our own works. For there is a much more splendid appearance when a Carthusian does many great and difficult works and we all think much more of that which we do and merit ourselves. But the Scriptures teach thus: Even though we collect in one mass the works of all the monks, however splendidly they may shine, they would not be as noble and good as if God should pick up a straw. Why Because the person is nobler and better. Here, then, we must not estimate the person according to the works, but the works according to the person, from whom they must derive their nobility. But insane reason will not regard this, and because Baptism does not shine like the works which we do, it is to be esteemed as nothing. From this now learn a proper understanding of the subject, and how to answer the question what Baptism is, namely thus, that it is not mere ordinary water, but water comprehended in God's Word and command, and 89
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Project Gutenberg Etext of The Larg
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For these and other matters, please
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But for the "Right of Replacement o
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*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DO
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they despise both their office and
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entire Holy Scriptures; and yet the
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2. And in Jesus Christ, His only So
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as they have heard it, and, when as
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ichly all good things. Lo, here you
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may take it to heart and retain it:
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nowhere felt secure of his life; ye
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the world, which, like a great delu
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saints. This would be more pleasing
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[external] work, or deck ourselves
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and pure thoughts. For these words
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pleasing to their fathers and mothe
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parents have done for him and he wi
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Now, what a child owes to father an
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Page 39 and 40: train men by whom land and people m
Page 41 and 42: Secondly, under this commandment no
Page 43 and 44: only this, but that we also make re
Page 45 and 46: men would have joy and happiness fr
Page 47 and 48: Now, since this commandment is so f
Page 49 and 50: and haughtiness turn him off to who
Page 51 and 52: e careful to deal truly and upright
Page 53 and 54: only evil and harm, and nevertheles
Page 55 and 56: virtue for one always to explain ad
Page 57 and 58: Likewise also in common trade where
Page 59 and 60: girl tends a little child and faith
Page 61 and 62: Word, but gladly to learn, hear, an
Page 63 and 64: Article I. I believe in God the Fat
Page 65 and 66: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son,
Page 67 and 68: congregation, and places us in the
Page 69 and 70: until the last day, the Holy Ghost
Page 71 and 72: yet know not what His mind towards
Page 73 and 74: commandment He gives us plainly to
Page 75 and 76: and name which he desires; if not,
Page 77 and 78: shame, but honor and praise from us
Page 79 and 80: death, and hell shall be exterminat
Page 81 and 82: whatever we pray concerns only us,
Page 83 and 84: the devil. For all his thought and
Page 85 and 86: trespasses, your heavenly Father wi
Page 87: acknowledge themselves conquered. E
Page 91 and 92: For do you think it was a jest that
Page 93 and 94: Thus you see plainly that there is
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Page 99 and 100: Now, it is true, as we have said, t
Page 101 and 102: prepared to receive forgiveness of
Page 103 and 104: Therefore, if you cannot feel it, a
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