按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
And； in short； even though they abstain from the act； their hearts are
so full of unchaste thoughts and evil lusts that there is a continual
burning and secret suffering； which can be avoided in the married life。
Therefore all vows of chastity out of the married state are condemned
by this commandment； and free permission is granted； yea； even the
command is given； to all poor ensnared consciences which have been
deceived by their monastic vows to abandon the unchaste state and enter
the married life； considering that even if the monastic life were
godly； it would nevertheless not be in their power to maintain
chastity； and if they remain in it； they must only sin more and more
against this commandment。
Now； I speak of this in order that the young may be so guided that they
conceive a liking for the married estate； and know that it is a blessed
estate and pleasing to God。 For in this way we might in the course of
time bring it about that married life be restored to honor； and that
there might be less of the filthy； dissolute； disorderly doings which
now run riot the world over in open prostitution and other shameful
vices arising from disregard of married life。 Therefore it is the duty
of parents and the government to see to it that our youth be brought up
to discipline and respectability； and when they have come to years of
maturity； to provide for them ＇to have them married＇ in the fear of God
and honorably； He would not fail to add His blessing and grace； so that
men would have joy and happiness from the same。
Let me now say in conclusion that this commandment demands not only
that every one live chastely in thought； word； and deed in his
condition； that is； especially in the estate of matrimony； but also
that every one love and esteem the spouse given him by God。 For where
conjugal chastity is to be maintained； man and wife must by all means
live together in love and harmony； that one may cherish the other from
the heart and with entire fidelity。 For that is one of the principal
points which enkindle love and desire of chastity； so that； where this
is found； chastity will follow as a matter of course without any
command。 Therefore also St。 Paul so diligently exhorts husband and wife
to love and honor one another。 Here you have again a precious； yea；
many and great good works； of which you can joyfully boast； against all
ecclesiastical estates； chosen without God's Word and commandment。
The Seventh Commandment。
Thou shalt not steal。
After your person and spouse temporal property comes next。 That also
God wishes to have protected； and He has commanded that no one shall
subtract from； or curtail； his neighbor's possessions。 For to steal is
nothing else than to get possession of another's property wrongfully；
which briefly comprehends all kinds of advantage in all sorts of trade
to the disadvantage of our neighbor。 Now； this is indeed quite a
wide…spread and common vice； but so little regarded and observed that
it exceeds all measure； so that if all who are thieves； and yet do not
wish to be called such； were to be hanged on gallows the world would
soon be devastated and there would be a lack both of executioners and
gallows。 For； as we have just said； to steal is to signify not only to
empty our neighbor's coffer and pockets； but to be grasping in the
market； in all stores； booths； wine… and beer…cellars； workshops； and；
in short； wherever there is trading or taking and giving of money for
merchandise or labor。
As； for instance； to explain this somewhat grossly for the common
people； that it may be seen how godly we are： When a manservant or
maid…servant does not serve faithfully in the house； and does damage；
or allows it to be done when it could be prevented； or otherwise ruins
and neglects the goods entrusted to him； from indolence idleness； or
malice； to the spite and vexation of master and mistress； and in
whatever way this can be done purposely （for I do not speak of what
happens from oversight and against one's will）； you can in a year
abscond thirty； forty florins； which if another had taken secretly or
carried away； he would be hanged with the rope。 But here you ＇while
conscious of such a great theft＇ may even bid defiance and become
insolent； and no one dare call you a thief。
The same I say also of mechanics； workmen； and day…laborers； who all
follow their wanton notions； and never know enough ways to overcharge
people； while they are lazy and unfaithful in their work。 All these are
far worse than sneak…thieves； against whom we can guard with locks and
bolts； or who； if apprehended； are treated in such a manner that they
will not do the same again。 But against these no one can guard； no one
dare even look awry at them or accuse them of theft； so that one would
ten times rather lose from his purse。 For here are my neighbors； good
friends； my own servants； from whom I expect good ＇every faithful and
diligent service＇； who defraud me first of all。
Furthermore； in the market and in common trade likewise； this practice
is in full swing and force to the greatest extent； where one openly
defrauds another with bad merchandise； false measures； weights； coins；
and by nimbleness and queer finances or dexterous tricks takes
advantage of him； likewise； when one overcharges a person in a trade
and wantonly drives a hard bargain； skins and distresses him。 And who
can recount or think of all these things？ To sum up； this is the
commonest craft and the largest guild on earth； and if we regard the
world throughout all conditions of life； it is nothing else than a
vast； wide stall； full of great thieves。
Therefore they are also called swivel…chair robbers； land… and
highway…robbers； not pick…locks and sneak…thieves who snatch away the
ready cash； but who sit on the chair ＇at home＇ and are styled great
noblemen； and honorable； pious citizens； and yet rob and steal under a
good pretext。
Yes； here we might be silent about the trifling individual thieves if
we were to attack the great； powerful arch…thieves with whom lords and
princes keep company； who daily plunder not only a city or two； but all
Germany。 Yea； where should we place the head and supreme protector of
all thieves； the Holy Chair at Rome with all its retinue； which has
grabbed by theft the wealth of all the world； and holds it to this day？
This is； in short； the course of the world： whoever can steal and rob
openly goes free and secure； unmolested by any one； and even demands
that he be honored。 Meanwhile the little sneak…thieves； who have once
trespassed； must bear the shame and punishment to render the former
godly and honorable。 But let them know that in the sight of God they
are the greatest thieves； and that He will punish them as they are
worthy and deserve。
Now； since this commandment is so far…reaching ＇and comprehensive＇； as
just indicated； it is necessary to urge it well and to explain it to
the common people； not to let them go on in their wantonness and
security； but always to place before their eyes the wrath of God； and
inculcate the same。 For we have to preach this not to Christians； but
chiefly to knaves and scoundrels；