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Scriptures tell you； which everywhere give this praise and testimony to
the world。
Besides this； you will also have the devil about you； whom you will not
entirely tread under foot； because our Lord Christ Himself could not
entirely avoid him。 Now； what is the devil？ Nothing else than what the
Scriptures call him； a liar and murderer。 A liar； to lead the heart
astray from the Word of God； and to blind it； that you cannot feel your
distress or come to Christ。 A murderer； who cannot bear to see you live
one single hour。 If you could see how many knives； darts； and arrows
are every moment aimed at you； you would be glad to come to the
Sacrament as often as possible。 But there is no reason why we walk so
securely and heedlessly； except that we neither think nor believe that
we are in the flesh； and in this wicked world or in the kingdom of the
devil。
Therefore； try this and practice it well； and do but examine yourself；
or look about you a little； and only keep to the Scriptures。 If even
then you still feel nothing； you have so much the more misery to lament
both to God and to your brother。 Then take advice and have others pray
for you； and do not desist until the stone be removed from your heart。
Then； indeed； the distress will not fail to become manifest； and you
will find that you have sunk twice as deep as any other poor sinner；
and are much more in need of the Sacrament against the misery which
unfortunately you do not see； so that； with the grace of God； you may
feel it more and become the more hungry for the Sacrament； especially
since the devil plies his force against you； and lies in wait for you
without ceasing； to seize and destroy you； soul and body； so that you
are not safe from him one hour。 How soon can he have brought you
suddenly into misery and distress when you least expect it！
Let this； then； be said for exhortation； not only for those of us who
are old and grown； but also for the young people； who ought to be
brought up in the Christian doctrine and understanding。 For thereby the
Ten Commandments； the Creed； and the Lord's Prayer might be the more
easily inculcated to our youth； so that they would receive them with
pleasure and earnestness； and thus would practice them from their youth
and accustom themselves to them。 For the old are now well…nigh done
for； so that these and other things cannot be attained； unless we train
the people who are to come after us and succeed us in our office and
work； in order that they also may bring up their children successfully
that the Word of God and the Christian Church may be preserved。
Therefore let every father of a family know that it is his duty by the
injunction and command of God； to teach these things to his children；
or have them learn what they ought to know。 For since they are baptized
and received into the Christian Church； they should also enjoy this
communion of the Sacrament； in order that they may serve us and be
useful to us； for they must all indeed help us to believe； love； pray；
and fight against the devil。
End