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esteemed and taught hitherto under the papacy。 These are simple and
easy words； and everybody thinks he knew them a fore； therefore men
pass them lightly by； are gaping after other matters； and do not see
and believe that God is so greatly offended if they be disregarded； nor
that one does a work so well pleasing and precious if he follows them。
In this commandment belongs a further statement regarding all kinds of
obedience to persons in authority who have to command and to govern。
For all authority flows and is propagated from the authority of
parents。 For where a father is unable alone to educate his ＇rebellious
and irritable＇ child； he employs a schoolmaster to instruct him； if he
be too weak； he enlists the aid of his friends and neighbors； if he
departs this life； he delegates and confers his authority and
government upon others who are appointed for the purpose。 Likewise； he
must have domestics； man…servants and maid…servants； under himself for
the management of the household； so that all whom we call masters are
in the place of parents and must derive their power and authority to
govern from them。 Hence also they are all called fathers in the
Scriptures； as those who in their government perform the functions of a
father； and should have a paternal heart toward their subordinates。 As
also from antiquity the Romans and other nations called the masters and
mistresses of the household patres… et matresfamiliae that is；
housefathers and housemothers。 So also they called their national
rulers and overlords patres patriae； that is fathers of the entire
country； for a great shame to us who would be Christians that we do not
likewise call them so； or； at least do not esteem and honor them as
such。
Now； what a child owes to father and mother； the same owe all who are
embraced in the household。 Therefore man…servants and maid…servants
should be careful not only to be obedient to their masters and
mistresses but also to honor them as their own fathers and mothers； and
to do everything which they know is expected of them； not from
compulsion and with reluctance； but with pleasure and joy for the cause
just mentioned； namely that it is God's command and is pleasing to Him
above all other works。 Therefore they ought rather to pay wages in
addition and be glad that they may obtain masters and mistresses to
have such joyful consciences and to know how they may do truly golden
works； a matter which has hitherto been neglected and despised； when；
instead； everybody ran in the devil's name； into convents or to
pilgrimages and indulgences； with loss ＇of time and money＇ and with an
evil conscience。
If this truth； then； could be impressed upon the poor people； a
servant…girl would leap and praise and thank God； and with her tidy
work for which she receives support and wages she would acquire such a
treasure as all that are esteemed the greatest saints have not
obtained。 Is it not an excellent boast to know and say that； if you
perform your daily domestic task； this is better than all the sanctity
and ascetic life of monks？ And you have the promise； in addition； that
you shall prosper in all good and fare well。 How can you lead a more
blessed or holier life as far as your works are concerned？ For in the
sight of God faith is what really renders a person holy； and alone
serves Him； but the works are for the service of man。 There you have
everything good； protection and defense in the Lord； a joyful
conscience and a gracious God besides； who will reward you a
hundredfold； so that you are even a nobleman if you be only pious and
obedient。 But if not； you have； in the first place； nothing but the
wrath and displeasure of God； no peace of heart； and afterwards all
manner of plagues and misfortunes。
Whoever will not be influenced by this and inclined to godliness we
hand over to the hangman and to the skeleton…man。 Therefore let every
one who allows himself to be advised remember that God is not making
sport； and know that it is God who speaks with you and demands
obedience。 If you obey Him； you are His dear child； but if you despise
to do it； then take shame； misery； and grief for your reward。
The same also is to be said of obedience to civil government； which （as
we have said） is all embraced in the estate of fatherhood and extends
farthest of all relations。 For here the father is not one of a single
family； but of as many people as he has tenants； citizens； or subjects。
For through them； as through our parents； God gives to us food； house
and home； protection and security。 Therefore since they bear such name
and title with all honor as their highest dignity； it is our duty to
honor them and to esteem them great as the dearest treasure and the
most precious jewel upon earth。
He； now； who is obedient here； is willing and ready to serve； and
cheerfully does all that pertains to honor； knows that he is pleasing
God and that he will receive joy and happiness for his reward。 If he
will not do it in love； but despises and resists ＇authority＇ or rebels；
let him also know； on the other hand； that he shall have no favor nor
blessing； and where he thinks to gain a florin thereby； he will
elsewhere lose ten times as much； or become a victim to the hangman；
perish by war； pestilence； and famine； or experience no good in his
children； and be obliged to suffer injury； injustice； and violence at
the hands of his servants； neighbors； or strangers and tyrants； so that
what we seek and deserve is paid back and comes home to us。
If we would ever suffer ourselves to be persuaded that such works are
pleasing to God and have so rich a reward； we would be established in
altogether abundant possessions and have what our heart desires。 But
because the word and command of God are so lightly esteemed； as though
some babbler had spoken it； let us see whether you are the man to
oppose Him。 How difficult； do you think； it will be for Him to
recompense you！ Therefore you would certainly live much better with the
divine favor； peace； and happiness than with His displeasure and
misfortune。 Why； think you； is the world now so full of unfaithfulness；
disgrace； calamity； and murder； but because every one desires to be his
own master and free from the emperor； to care nothing for any one； and
do what pleases him？ Therefore God punishes one knave by another； so
that； when you defraud and despise your master； another comes and deals
in like manner with you； yea； in your household you must suffer ten
times more from wife； children； or servants。
Indeed； we feel our misfortune； we murmur and complain of
unfaithfulness； violence； and injustice； but will not see that we
ourselves are knaves who have fully deserved this punishment； and yet
are not thereby reformed。 We will have no favor and happiness；
therefore it is but fair that we have nothing but misfortune without
mercy。 There must still be somewhere upon earth some godly people
because God continues to grant us so much good！ On our own account we
should not have a farthing in the house nor a straw in the field。 All
this I have been obliged to urge with so many words； in hope that some
one may take it to heart；