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which one can get many things into his possession by such specious
pretexts？ This the world does not consider wrong ＇nor is it punished by
laws＇； and will not see that the neighbor is thereby placed at a
disadvantage； and must sacrifice what he cannot spare without injury。
Yet there is no one who wishes this to be done to him； from which we
can easily perceive that such devices and pretexts are false。
Thus it was done formerly also with respect to wives： they knew such
devices that if one were pleased with another woman； he personally or
through others （as there were many ways and means to be invented）
caused her husband to conceive a displeasure toward her； or had her
resist him and so conduct herself that he was obliged to dismiss her
and leave her to the other。 That sort of thing undoubtedly prevailed
much under the Law； as also we read in the （Gospel of King Herod that
he took his brother's wife while he was yet living； and yet wished to
be thought an honorable； pious man； as St。 Mark also testifies of him。
But such an example； I trust； will not occur among us； because in the
New Testament those who are married are forbidden to be divorced；
except in such a case where one ＇shrewdly＇ by some stratagem takes away
a rich bride from another。 But it is not a rare thing with us that one
estranges or alienates another's man…servant or maid…servant； or
entices them away by flattering words。
In whatever way such things happen； we must know that God does not wish
that you deprive your neighbor of anything that belongs to him so that
he suffer the loss and you gratify your avarice with it； even if you
could keep it honorably before the world； for it is a secret and
insidious imposition practiced under the hat； as we say； that it may
not be observed。 For although you go your way as if you had done no one
any wrong； you have nevertheless injured your neighbor； and if it is
not called stealing and cheating； yet it is called coveting your
neighbor's property； that is； aiming at possession of it； enticing it
away from him without his will； and being unwilling to see him enjoy
what God has granted him。 And although the judge and every one must
leave you in possession of it； yet God will not leave you therein； for
He sees the deceitful heart and the malice of the world； which is sure
to take an ell in addition wherever you yield to her a finger's
breadth； and at length public wrong and violence follow。
Therefore we allow these commandments to remain in their ordinary
meaning； that it is commanded； first； that we do not desire our
neighbor's damage； nor even assist； nor give occasion for it； but
gladly wish and leave him what he has； and； besides； advance and
preserve for him what may be for his profit and service； as we should
wish to be treated。 Thus these commandments are especially directed
against envy and miserable avarice； God wishing to remove all causes
and sources whence arises everything by which we do injury to our
neighbor； and therefore He expresses it in plain words： Thou shalt not
covet； etc。 For He would especially have the heart pure； although we
shall never attain to that as long as we live here； so that this
commandment will remain； like all the rest； one that will constantly
accuse us and show how godly we are in the sight of God！
Conclusion of the Ten Commandments。
Thus we have the Ten Commandments； a compend of divine doctrine； as to
what we are to do in order that our whole life may be pleasing to God；
and the true fountain and channel from and in which everything must
arise and flow that is to be a good work； so that outside of the Ten
Commandments no work or thing can be good or pleasing to God； however
great or precious it be in the eyes of the world。 Let us see now what
our great saints can boast of their spiritual orders and their great
and grievous works which they have invented and set up； while they let
these pass； as though they were far too insignificant； or had long ago
been perfectly fulfilled。
I am of opinion indeed； that here one will find his hands full； ＇and
will have enough＇ to do to observe these； namely； meekness； patience；
and love towards enemies； chastity； kindness； etc。； and what such
virtues imply。 But such works are not of value and make no display in
the eyes of the world； for they are not peculiar and conceited works
and restricted to particular times； places； rites； and customs； but are
common； every…day domestic works which one neighbor can practice toward
another； therefore they are not of high esteem。
But the other works cause people to open their eyes and ears wide； and
men aid to this effect by the great display； expense； and magnificent
buildings with which they adorn them； so that everything shines and
glitters。 There they waft incense； they sing and ring bells； they light
tapers and candles； so that nothing else can be seen or heard。 For when
a priest stands there in a surplice embroidered with gilt； or a layman
continues all day upon his knees in church； that is regarded as a most
precious work which no one can sufficiently praise。 But when a poor
girl tends a little child and faithfully does what she is told that is
considered nothing； for else what should monks and nuns seek in their
cloisters？
But see； is not that a cursed presumption of those desperate saints who
dare to invent a higher and better life and estate than the Ten
Commandments teach； pretending （as we have said） that this is an
ordinary life for the common man； but that theirs is for saints and
perfect ones？ And the miserable blind people do not see that no man can
get so far as to keep one of the Ten Commandments as it should be kept；
but both the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer must come to our aid
（as we shall hear）； by which that ＇power and strength to keep the
commandments＇ is sought and prayed for and received continually。
Therefore all their boasting amounts to as much as if I boasted and
said： To be sure； I have not a penny to make payment with； but I
confidently undertake to pay ten florins。
All this I say and urge in order that men might become rid of the sad
misuse which has taken such deep root and still cleaves to everybody；
and in all estates upon earth become used to looking hither only； and
to being concerned about these matters。 For it will be a long time
before they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to the Ten
Commandments； because they are so high that no one can attain to them
by human power； and whoever does attain to them is a heavenly； angelic
man far above all holiness of the world。 Only occupy yourself with
them； and try your best； apply all power and ability and you will find
so much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem any other work or
holiness。
Let this be sufficient concerning the first part of the common
Christian doctrine； both for teaching and urging what is necessary。 In
conclusion； however； we must repeat the text which belongs here； of
which we have treated already in the First Commandment； in order that
we may learn what pains God requires to the end we may learn to
inculcate and practice the Ten Commandments：
For I the Lord