登陆注册
20011000000027

第27章 The Ten Commandments(22)

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 Iconfidently 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,thy God,am a jealous God,visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me,and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

Although (as we have heard above)this appendix was primarily attached to the First Commandment,it was nevertheless [we cannot deny that it was]laid down for the sake of all the commandments,as all of them are to be referred and directed to it.Therefore I have said that this,too,should be presented to and inculcated upon the young,that they may learn and remember it,in order to see what is to urge and compel us to keep these Ten Commandments.And it is to be regarded as though this part were specially added to each,so that it inheres in,and pervades,them all.

Now,there is comprehended in these words (as said before)both an angry word of threatening and a friendly promise to terrify and warn us,and,moreover to induce and encourage us to receive and highly esteem His Word as a matter of divine earnestness,because He Himself declares how much He is concerned about it,and how rigidly He will enforce it,namely,that He will horribly and terribly punish all who despise and transgress His commandments;and again,how richly He will reward,bless,and do all good to those who hold them in high esteem,and gladly do and live according to them.Thus He demands that all our works proceed from a heart which fears and regards God alone,and from such fear avoids everything that is contrary to His will,lest it should move Him to wrath;and,on the other hand,also trusts in Him alone,and from love to Him does all He wishes,because he speaks to us as friendly as a father,and offers us all grace and every good.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 窑器说

    窑器说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 不死者之王第十卷

    不死者之王第十卷

    不死者之王overlord第十卷(同人)王国的义勇军此文在贴吧历时三月连载完成
  • 传说三十三重天

    传说三十三重天

    恒古以来无数人妖魔鬼怪仙神都想永生。可是通向永生的道路千万万,一切道路都逃不出以下四种。修阳魄成仙修阴魂成神修心灵成圣修物质成主佛道儒兵鬼毒法神怪仙妖魔邪恶等三千先天大道入住三十三重天。随之修行战斗合作阴谋背叛爱情亲情英雄枭雄乱世降临谁主宰三十三重天。
  • 大小姐的妖孽保镖

    大小姐的妖孽保镖

    特种兵王回归都市,意外成为大小姐的贴身保镖.依靠着自己强大的能力,混迹在都市中,各路权贵、诸多势力,富可敌国的财富,祸国殃民的美人……为了守护,为了变强,步步为营,重新打造自己的豪门。
  • 医生教您提高宝宝免疫力

    医生教您提高宝宝免疫力

    本书分五部分,首先介绍免疫力相关知识,又依次阐述了儿童合理饮食与免疫力提高、儿童微量元素和维生素摄取与免疫力提高、预防接种与免疫力提高、日常生活保健与提高免疫力。
  • 炎怒九洲

    炎怒九洲

    上古九洲百族林立,人族弱小。在人族将灭的时候出现了九位武神,九位武神夺天地之造化帮助人族挺过了危机,创造了九洲大地。后来一位少年.......
  • 和鬼王约会

    和鬼王约会

    深夜时分,黑云遮星月。校园很阴森,街道几无人,冷风瑟瑟中,蛰伏黑暗的一个个鬼影,幽然浮现了。少女凌月,孤苦无依,一边打工一边上学,虽然很辛苦,但她很开心,因为她的男友很爱自己。这一夜,男友约她半夜后操场见,说准备了一份精心大礼。她怀揣着激动期待的心情前往,迎接她的竟是……一不小心,凌月和鬼王约会了……
  • 黎牙仙录

    黎牙仙录

    蚂蚁脚踩大地,仰望天空,那里很美。于是,一天,蚂蚁做了个梦,它一拳把天空上的苍鹰打了下来,然后飞到了月亮之上,在上面使劲咬了一口。一天,蚂蚁做了个梦,它捉住了只凤凰。还有一天,蚂蚁做了个梦,它打死了一只大鹏……蚂蚁喜欢做梦,但又是个现实主义者。于是它一拳打死了苍鹰,然后飞到了月亮之上咬了一下,捉住了只凤凰然后又放掉,然后去寻找大鹏……
  • 虞初新志

    虞初新志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 异界霸主在都市

    异界霸主在都市

    见过穿越异界凭金手指称王称霸的,但那异界霸主穿越都市巧遇金手指开始成就非凡人生的你见过嘛?只有想不到没有做不到!