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the Jews； why should it not also be possible among Christians？
Nay； if it is possible in villages； towns and some cities； as we
all see； why should it not be possible everywhere？
But the trouble is； there is no real government in the world。 No
one wants to work； therefore the mechanics must give their
workmen holiday： then they are free and no one can tame them。 But
if there were a rule that they must do as they are bid； and no
one would give them work in other places； this evil would to a
large extent be mended。 God help us！ I fear that here the wish
is far greater than the hope； but this does not excuse us。
Now see； here only a few works of magistrates are indicated； but
they are so good and so many； that they have superabundant good
works to do every hour and could constantly serve God。 But these
works； like the others； should also be done in faith； yea； be an
exercise of faith； so that no one expect to please God by the
works； but by confident trust in His favor do such works only to
the honor and praise of his gracious God； thereby to serve and
benefit his neighbor。
XVIII。 The fourth work of this Commandment is obedience of
servants and workmen toward their lords and ladies； masters and
mistresses。 Of this St。 Paul says； Titus ii： 〃Thou shalt exhort
servants that they highly honor their masters； be obedient； do
what pleases them； not cheating them nor opposing them〃； for this
reason also： because they thereby bring the doctrine of Christ
and our faith into good repute； that the heathen cannot complain
of us and be offended。 St。 Peter also says： 〃Servants； be subject
to your masters； for the fear of God； not only to the good and
gentle； but also to the froward and harsh。 For this is acceptable
with God； if a man suffers harshness； being innocent。〃
Now there is the greatest complaint in the world about servants
and working men； that they are disobedient； unfaithful；
unmannerly； and over…reaching； this is a plague sent of God。 And
truly； this is the one work of servants whereby they may be
saved； truly they need not make pilgrimages or do this thing or
the other； they have enough to do if their heart is only set on
this； that they gladly do and leave undone what they know pleases
their masters and mistresses； and all this in a simple faith； not
that they would by their works gain much merit； but that they do
it all in the confidence of divine favor （in which all merits are
to be found）； purely for nothing； out of the love and good…will
toward God which grows out of such confidence。 And all such works
they should think of as an exercise and exhortation ever to
strengthen their faith and confidence more and more。 For； as has
now been frequently said； this faith makes all works good； yea；
it must do them and be the master…workman。
XIX。 On the other hand； the masters and mistresses should not
rule their servants； maids and workingmen roughly； not look to
all things too closely； occasionally overlook something； and for
peace' sake make allowances。 For it is not possible that
everything be done perfectly at all times among any class of men；
as long as we live on earth in imperfection。 Of this St。 Paul
says； Colossians iv； 〃Masters； do unto your servants that which
is just and equal； knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven。〃
Therefore as the masters do not wish God to deal too sharply with
them； but that many things be overlooked through grace； they also
should be so much the more gentle toward their servants； and
overlook some things； and yet have a care that the servants do
right and learn to fear God。
But see now； what good works a householder and a mistress can do；
how finely God offers us all good works so near at hand； so
manifold； so continuously； that we have no need of asking after
good works； and might well forget the other showy； far…off；
invented works of men； such as making pilgrimages； building
churches； seeking indulgence； and the like。
Here I ought naturally also to say how a wife ought to be
obedient； subject to her husband as to her superior； give way to
him； keep silent and give up to him； where it is a matter not
contrary to God's commands。 On the other hand； the husband should
love his wife； overlook a little； and not deal strictly with her；
of which matter St。 Peter and St。 Paul have said much。 But this
has its place in the further explanation of the Ten Commandments；
and is easily inferred from these passages。
XX。 But all that has been said of these works is included in
these two； obedience and considerateness。 Obedience is the duty
of subjects； considerateness that of masters； that they take care
to rule their subjects well； deal kindly with them； and do
everything whereby they may benefit and help them。 That is their
way to heaven； and these are the best works they can do on earth；
with these they are more acceptable to God than if without these
they did nothing but miracles。 So says St。 Paul； Romans xii： 〃He
that ruleth； let him do it with diligence〃； as who should say：
〃Let him not allow himself to be led astray by what other people
or classes of people do； let him not look to this work or to
that； whether it be splendid or obscure； but let him look to his
own position； and think only how he may benefit those who are
subject to him； by this let him stand； nor let himself be torn
from it； although heaven stood open before him； nor be driven
from it； although hell were chasing him。 This is the right road
that leads him to heaven。〃
Oh； if a man were so to regard himself and his position； and
attended to its duties alone； how rich in good works would he be
in a short time； so quietly and secretly that no one would notice
it except God alone！ But now we let all this go； and one runs to
the Carthusians； another to this place； a third to that； just as
if good works and God's Commandments had been thrown into corners
and hidden； although it is written in Proverbs i； that divine
wisdom crieth out her commandments publicly in the streets； in
the midst of the people and in the gates of the cities； which
means that they are present in profusion in all places； in all
stations of life and at all times； and we do not see them； but
in our blindness look for them elsewhere。 This Christ declared；
Matthew xxiv： 〃If they shall say unto you： Lo； here is Christ；
or there； believe it not。 If they shall say： Behold； He is in the
desert； go not forth； behold； He is in the secret chambers；
believe it not； they are false prophets and false Christs。〃
XXI。 Again； obedience is the duty of subjects； that they direct
all their diligence and effort to do and to leave undone what
their over…lords desire of them； that they do not allow
themselves to be torn or driven from this； whatever another do。
Let no man think that he lives well or does good works； whether
it be prayer or fasting； or by whatever name it may be called；
if he does not earnestly and diligently