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They looked on the works and words； and held them up to God's
Commandment； no matter whether big John or little Nick said it；
or whether they had done it in God's Name or in man's。 And for
this they had to die； and of such dying there would be much more
to say in our time； for things are much worse now。 But Christ and
St。 Peter and Paul must cover all this with their holy names； so
that no more infamous cover for infamy has been found on earth
than the most holy and most blessed Name of Jesus Christ！
One might shudder to be alive； simply because of the misuse and
blasphemy of the holy Name of God； through which； if it shall
last much longer； we will； as I fear； openly worship the devil
as a god； so completely do the spiritual authorities and the
learned lack all understanding in these things。 It is high time
that we pray God earnestly that He hallow His Name。 But it will
cost blood； and they who enjoy the inheritance of the holy
martyrs and are won with their blood； must again make martyrs。
Of this more another time。
I。 We have now seen how many good works there are in the Second
Commandment； which however are not good in themselves； unless
they are done in faith and in the assurance of divine favor； and
how much we must do； if we take heed to this Commandment alone；
and how we； alas！ busy ourselves much with other works； which
have no agreement at all with it。 Now follows the Third
Commandment： 〃Thou shalt hallow the day of rest。〃 In the First
Commandment is prescribed our heart's attitude toward God in
thoughts； in the Second； that of our mouth in words； in this
Third is prescribed our attitude toward God in works； and it is
the first and right table of Moses； on which these three
Commandments are written； and they govern man on the right side；
namely； in the things which concern God； and in which God has to
do with man and man with God； without the mediation of any
creature。
The first works of this Commandment are plain and outward； which
we commonly call worship； such as going to mass； praying； and
hearing a sermon on holy days。 So understood there are very few
works in this Commandment； and these； if they are not done in
assurance of and with faith in God's favor； are nothing； as was
said above。 Hence it would also be a good thing if there were
fewer saint's days； since in our times the works done on them are
for the greater part worse than those of the work days； what with
loafing； gluttony； and drunkenness； gambling and other evil
deeds； and then； the mass and the sermon are listened to without
edification； the prayer is spoken without faith。 It almost
happens that men think it is sufficient that we look on at the
mass with our eyes； hear the preaching with our ears； and say the
prayers with our mouths。 It is all so formal and superficial！ We
do not think that we might receive something out of the mass into
our hearts； learn and remember something out of the preaching；
seek； desire and expect something in our prayer。 Although in this
matter the bishops and priests； or they to whom the work of
preaching is entrusted； are most at fault； because they do not
preach the Gospel； and do not teach the people how they ought to
look on at mass； hear preaching and pray。 Therefore； we will
briefly explain these three works。
II。 In the mass it is necessary that we attend with our a hearts
also； and we do attend； when we exercise faith in our hearts。
Here we must repeat the words of Christ； when He institutes the
mass and says； 〃Take and eat； this is My Body； which is given for
you〃； in like manner over the cup； 〃Take and drink ye all of it：
this is a new； everlasting Testament in My Blood； which is shed
for you and for many for the remission of sins。 This shall ye do；
as oft as ye do it； in remembrance of Me。〃 In these words Christ
has made for Himself a memorial or anniversary； to be daily
observed in all Christendom； and has added to it a glorious；
rich； great testament； in which no interest； money or temporal
possessions are bequeathed and distributed； but the forgiveness
of all sins； grace and mercy unto eternal life； that all who come
to this memorial shall have the same testament； and then He died；
whereby this testament has become permanent and irrevocable。 In
proof and evidence of which； instead of letter and seal； He has
left with us His own Body and Blood under the bread and wine。
Here there is need that a man practise the first works of this
Commandment right well； that he doubt not that what Christ has
said is true； and consider the testament sure； so that he make
not Christ a liar。 For if you are present at mass and do not
consider nor believe that here Christ through His testament has
bequeathed and given you forgiveness of all your sins； what else
is it； than as if you said： 〃I do not know or do not believe that
it is true that forgiveness of my sins is here bequeathed and
given me〃？ Oh； how many masses there are in the world at present！
but how few who hear them with such faith and benefit！ Most
grievously is God provoked to anger thereby。 For this reason also
no one shall or can reap any benefit from the mass except he be
in trouble of soul and long for divine mercy； and desire to be
rid of his sins； or； if he have an evil intention； he must be
changed during the mass； and come to have a desire for this
testament。 For this reason in olden times no open sinner was
allowed to be present at the mass。
When this faith is rightly present； the heart must be made joyful
by the testament； and grow warm and melt in God's love。 Then will
follow praise and thanksgiving with a pure heart； from which the
mass is called in Greek Eucharistia； that is； 〃thanksgiving；〃
because we praise and thank God for this comforting； rich；
blessed testament； just as he gives thanks； praises and is
joyful； to whom a good friend has presented a thousand and more
gulden。 Although Christ often fares like those who make several
persons rich by their testament； and these persons never think
of them； nor praise or thank them。 So our masses at present are
merely celebrated； without our knowing why or wherefore； and
consequently we neither give thanks nor love nor praise； remain
parched and hard； and have enough with our little prayer。 Of this
more another time。
III。 The sermon ought to be nothing else than the proclamation
of this testament。 But who can hear it if no one preaches it？
Now； they who ought to preach it； themselves do not know it。 This
is why the sermons ramble off into other unprofitable stories；
and thus Christ is forgotten； while we fare like the man in II。
Kings vii： we see our riches but do not enjoy them。 Of which the
Preacher also says； 〃This is a great evil； when God giveth a man
riches； and giveth him not power to enjoy them。〃 So we look on
at unnumbered masses and do not know whether the mass be a
testament； or what it be； just as if it were any other common
good work by