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this I have been obliged to urge with so many words； in hope that some
one may take it to heart； that we may be relieved of the blindness and
misery in which we are steeped so deeply； and may truly understand the
Word and will of God； and earnestly accept it。 For thence we would
learn how we could have joy； happiness； and salvation enough； both
temporal and eternal。
Thus we have two kinds of fathers presented in this commandment；
fathers in blood and fathers in office； or those to whom belongs the
care of the family； and those to whom belongs the care of the country。
Besides these there are yet spiritual fathers； not like those in the
Papacy； who have indeed had themselves called thus； but have performed
no function of the paternal office。 For those only are called spiritual
fathers who govern and guide us by the Word of God； as St。 Paul boasts
his fatherhood 1 Cor。 4； 15； where he says： In Christ Jesus I hove
begotten you through the Gospel。 Now； since they are fathers they are
entitled to their honor； even above all others。 But here it is bestowed
least； for the way which the world knows for honoring them is to drive
them out of the country and to grudge them a piece of bread and； in
short； they must be （as says St。 Paul 1 Cor。 4； 13） as the filth of the
world and everybody's refuse and footrag。
Yet there is need that this also be urged upon the populace； that
those who would be Christians are under obligation in the sight of God
to esteem them worthy of double honor who minister to their souls； that
they deal well with them and provide for them。 For that； God is willing
to add to you sufficient blessing and will not let you come to want。
But in this matter every one refuses and resists； and all are afraid
that they will perish from bodily want； and cannot now support one
respectable preacher； where formerly they filled ten fat paunches。 In
this we also deserve that God deprive us of His Word and blessing； and
again allow preachers of lies to arise to lead us to the devil； and； in
addition； to drain our sweat and blood。
But those who keep in sight God's will and commandment have the
promise that everything which they bestow upon temporal and spiritual
fathers； and whatever they do to honor them； shall be richly
recompensed to them； so that they shall have； not bread； clothing； and
money for a year or two； but long life； support； and peace； and shall
be eternally rich and blessed。 Therefore only do what is your duty； and
let God take care how He is to support you and provide for you
sufficiently。 Since He has promised it； and has never yet lied； He will
not be found lying to you。
This ought indeed to encourage us； and give us hearts that would melt
in pleasure and love toward those to whom we owe honor； so that we
would raise our hands and joyfully thank God who has given us such
promises； for which we ought to run to the ends of the world ＇to the
remotest parts of India＇。 For although the whole world should combine；
it could not add an hour to our life or give us a single grain from the
earth。 But God wishes to give you all exceeding abundantly according to
your heart's desire。 He who despises and casts this to the winds is not
worthy ever to hear a word of God。 This has now been stated more than
enough for all who belong under this commandment。
In addition； it would be well to preach to the parents also； and such
as bear their office； as to how they should deport themselves toward
those who are committed to them for their government。 For although this
is not expressed in the Ten Commandments； it is nevertheless abundantly
enjoined in many places in the Scriptures。 And God desires to have it
embraced in this commandment when He speaks of father and mother。 For
He does not wish to have in this office and government knaves and
tyrants； nor does He assign to them this honor； that is； power and
authority to govern； that they should have themselves worshiped； but
they should consider that they are under obligations of obedience to
God； and that； first of all； they should earnestly and faithfully
discharge their office； not only to support and provide for the bodily
necessities of their children； servants； subjects； etc。； but； most of
all； to train them to the honor and praise of God。 Therefore do not
think that this is left to your pleasure and arbitrary will； but that
it is a strict command and injunction of God； to whom also you must
give account for it。
But here again the sad plight arises that no one perceives or heeds
this； and all live on as though God gave us children for our pleasure
or amusement； and servants that we should employ them like a cow or
ass； only for work； or as though we were only to gratify our wantonness
with our subjects； ignoring them； as though it were no concern of ours
what they learn or how they live； and no one is willing to see that
this is the command of the Supreme Majesty； who will most strictly call
us to account and punish us for it； nor that there is so great need to
be so seriously concerned about the young。 For if we wish to have
excellent and apt persons both for civil and ecclesiastical government
we must spare no diligence； time； or cost in teaching and educating our
children； that they may serve God and the world； and we must not think
only how we may amass money and possessions for them。 For God can
indeed without us support and make them rich； as He daily does。 But for
this purpose He has given us children； and issued this command that we
should train and govern them according to His will； else He would have
no need of father and mother。 Let every one know therefore； that it is
his duty； on peril of losing the divine favor； to bring up his
children above all things in the fear and knowledge of God； and if they
are talented； have them learn and study something； that they may be
employed for whatever need there is ＇to have them instructed and
trained in a liberal education； that men may be able to have their aid
in government and in whatever is necessary＇。
If that were done； God would also richly bless us and give us grace to
train men by whom land and people might be improved and likewise well
educated citizens； chaste and domestic wives； who afterwards would rear
godly children and servants。 Here consider now what deadly injury you
are doing if you be negligent and fail on your part to bring up your
child to usefulness and piety； and how you bring upon yourself all sin
and wrath； thus earning hell by your own children； even though you be
otherwise pious and holy。 And because this is disregarded； God so
fearfully punishes the world that there is no discipline； government；
or peace； of which we all complain； but do not see that it is our
fault； for as we train them； we have spoiled and disobedient children
and subjects。 Let this be sufficient exhortation； for to draw this out
at length belongs to another time。
The Fifth Commandment。
Thou shalt not kill。
We have now completed both the spiritual and the temporal government；
that is； the divine and the paternal authority and obedience。 But here
now we go forth from our house among our neighbors to learn how