people to confess their sins, citing many examples of how
women who were in perdition and who appeared after death
declare that they were damned because they had neglected the
confession ; and they utter such enormous papistical lies that the
very stones tremble and sweat.
209. If you observe closely these examples which they
adduce, you will discover that only women have been damned
because of neglect of confession and not men ; so that one can
clearly see that a great arch-knave has contrived these ex-
amples who was eager to know the secrets of women's hearts
and who, having seen how the women out of natural faintheart-
edness are naturally more bashful than men, has said to him-
self: I will advise them rightly and through the fear of con-
fession learn to know their hearts ; and by the help of the devil
he was successful. But he has withal entangled and damned
404 LUTHKr's church POSTlt.
many consciences who on account of shame and timidity which
they could not overcome have not confessed and yet have
thereby sinned against their consciences because they beUeved
that it was necessary to confess and yet had not done so. For as
you beheve so God will judge you ; if you believe that it is your
dutv to do something, and you do not do it, you sin. It is my
conviction that such a knave who with such examples entangles
and damns consciences through a false faith, deserves that not
only his body but also his soul be torn and ground by all the
devils into a hundred thousand pieces. What horrible murders
of souls these helHsh traitors and papistical liars commit in all
the world ! Oh, weep, he that can weep, over such lamentable
destruction of poor souls.
210. When poor timid women who are naturally simple
and credulous, and wish to be devout and pious, hear such a
sermon, they suffer themselves to be entraped ; and when they
seek advice and help of their spiritual father, the coarse ass and
blind leader cannot tell them anything about Christ and faith,
but proceeds to teach them that they must atone tor their
sins through satisfactions and works. Then the torturing be-
gins of which St. Paul here speaks ; thus they are always learn-
ing and never come to a knowledge of the truth: therefore
the woman's conscience finds no rest, her sins oppress and tor-
ture her ; she would like to be freed from them and cannot ;
then it follows what St. Paul says, that they are led away by
diverse desires ; then she begins to fast with water and bread,
makes pilgrimages in bare feet to the saints ; some scourge
themselves until the blood flows, some give here to the church
and there to the cup, and their diverse desires have neither end
nor measure ; whatever they hear as being good for the atone-
ment of their sins they try to do in full earnest, but find no rest.
In the meantime the holy spiritual father sits, and rests, having
caught the poor creatures, which are of no more value to him
so many milch cows. And when the women are caught the
men will also be caught before long and what secret confession
imposes upon them must be done.
211. If you would preach free penance correctly, then say
i
EPIPHANY. 405
thus : Dear women, if any one is burdened with sin, let her
confess, if she will; if she confess, or if she do not confess,
let her have a firm faith that Christ w411 forgive her sins, and
let her confess them to him secretly, with entire, sincere con-
fidence in his grace, which he has promised to all who desire
it, never doubting, and then her sins are certainly forgiven.
Then abstain from them and perform good works toward
your neighbors who are in need of them, invite poor people,
wash their feet and humbly serve them. Behold ! this is the
right way to rescue a sinful woman, and it can be done without
burdening the conscience, with good will and delight, as is
pleasing to God. But if this v/ere done these men who murder
souls and frighten spirits would lose the confession penny, the
milch cow would go dry, and the poor consciences would be
freed, not led any more by their endless teaching and preaching.
But this would hurt the holy clergy, yes, they would have to
starve to death. For the apostle has not without reason mention-
ed the women who are laden with sins, for the others who are
innocent they do not trouble with such devilish examples, teach-
ings and incarcerations. In order that this milk may not be
diminished they must urge such fright upon the consciences,
especially such women who are easily misled ; and that par-
ticularly, when they are burdened with an evil, sinful con-
science. For then there is nothing that they would not obey,
and too much can never be imposed upon them. They eventu-
ally become unsteadfast and finally despairing souls, who have
learned to comfort themselves not with the grace of God but
with their own works, and wish to have their sins taken away
not through faith but through satisfaction, and this is impos-
sible.
212. They request that we should spare the clergy, and not
scold and reprove, but honor and excuse them. Yes, if they
alone were evil and if they would ruin only themselves, I could
well be silent; but their rule destroys the whole world. He
who remains silent to this, and does not hazard his body and
life, is no true Christian, and does not love his neighbor's sal-
vation as his own. If I were only able to tear the souls out of
hellish jaws, I would then scold more temperately. They set
406 i^uther's church postii..
the city on fire and say I should not cry, fire! nor quencfi
the flames. ''Cursed be he," says Jeremiah, chapter 48, 10, "that
doeth the work of Jehovah negligentl}', and cursed be he that
keepeth back his sword from blood." God desires us to strike
vigorously with our swords, that the blood may flow ; he that
does the work unfaithfully is accursed. They however wish to
be treated leniently and with much indulgence. Not thus, dear
man!
213. St. Paul says further: "And even as Jannes and
Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the
truth." Here he does not speak of the mendicant orders only,
but also of the aforesaid members of the clergy, who withstand
the truth, and will not suffer the people to be led out of their
rule of fear to the knowledge of free faith. Every one can
now see that they fear that their rule and tyranny will be sup-
pressed. Thus, when the children of Israel were oppressed in
Egypt by King Pharaoh, and God sent Moses to deliver them.
Moses performed two miracles, to prove that God had sent
him ; then two of King Pharaoh's magicians, Jannes and Jam-
bres, performed the same miracles, thereby detaining the king
and rendering Moses' miracles ineffectual so that the Israelites
had to remain until the third miracle was performed : This
the magicians could not perform and then it was known that
they were wrong and that Moses was right.
214. Thus it always is, the tyrants among God's people
have always had a pretense, they act as though they were
the true saints. Thus they hinder and retard the simple, that
they cannot become free ; for they are weak in conscience and
cannot clearly distinguish between show and reality, between
pretense and truth. Therefore the people will always be en-
trapped through show and pretense, and the truth is hindered
and retarded. Thus the wise men were detained at Jerusalem
through Herod who pretended to search the Scriptures. And
now the clerical pageantry also prevents people from coming
to faith and the truth, because it has a good appearance and
is so much like the true worship. St. Paul says further :
215. "Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the
faith." Here you can see what they really are; their mind
EPIPHANY. 407
and their imagination are corrupted. For they insist that what
they do is right and that there is nothing else, and yet they
know nothing about faith. True faith alone can make un-
corrupted minds and spiritual virgins. He teaches a correct
imagination and a good mind who insists that the grace of
God alone is our comfort. He who is not of this mind is a
Christian like the harlot is a virgin, though he may perform
the good works of all the saints. Where there is such a cor-
rupted mind there is little hope that they will ever come to
true faith; especially not when they have gone so far as to
oppose true faith and wdien they suffer themselves to be cor-
rupted after true faith had been planted in them by baptism.
216. Further, ''But they shall proceed no further; for
their folly shall be evident unto all men." Thus also the pope
and our clergy will fare ; the truth will remain and will be so
strong against them that their empty show and knavery must
be exposed ; though they rage and storm and have four thous-
and Turkish emperors on their side. Show and lie cannot
obtain in the end, for that is impossible, although they may
save themselves and remain for a time. Let this now suffice
concerning St. Paul's text, and let us return to the Gospel
and its interpretation.
217. That Herod called the wise men and inquired of
them secretly as to when the star appeared, indicates that the
spiritual Herods do not deny the Gospel outwardly, but learn
it from the true Christians, however, only, with this intention
that they will use it to do mischief; just as Herod here intend-
ed to use the time the star appeared, to kill Christ and confirm
his own kingdom. Thus also now, when we hold up the
Gospel to our clergy they do not deny that it is the Gospel,
they hear and accept it. They deny, however, that this is not
the correct meaning, that it has a gloss and an interpretation
which we shall get from no one but them, and that every one
must acknowledge their interpretation. Thus they do not
deny the Gospel, but rob it of its power, and under the name
and appearance of the Gospel they teach their own dreams.
This St. Paul, 2 Tim. 2, 5, calls : ''Holding a form of godli-
ness, but having denied the power thereof.' He does not sa}
408 luthejr's church postil.
they have the power of the divine essence, although that Is
true also; but he says much more forcibly, that they deny it.
Thereby he gives us to understand clearly, that they are god-
less not only in their life and walk, but also in their doctrine
and government; that they lead themselves with their lives,
and others with their doctrine away from the Gospel and
salvation. This the pope and the clergy now do in all their
sermons. Though they cry loudly : Gospel ! Gospel ! Yet they
deny, damn and curse everything that is in the Gospel with
all its contents. Just as Herod learned of the star, but en-
deavored to destroy everything the star signified. We will
now consider a few of their doctrines, and guard against them.
218. The Gospel teaches that salvation is by faith alone.
This they hear and do not deny; nevertheless, they destroy
all its power by saying that faith without works is useless.
Thus they secretly depart from faith to works, and publicly
condemn faith and ascribe everything to works. Therefore
they retain the little word faith only in appearance, and deny,
condemn and curse everything of the nature of faith, and
begin to divide it into many parts ; some say there is a natural
faith, others a spiritual, some a common, some others a par-
ticular, some a simple, others a complex, and they themselves,
these blind leaders, know less of what they are juggling, than
any natural fool. The Gospel knows nothing of their mani-
fold faith, has but the one, which is founded upon the pure
grace of God, without any merit of works, of this they have
not the faintest idea, yes, condemn it as the worst heresy,
and yet they say that they will defend the Gospel and the
Chrisian faith.
219. Again the Gospel says that Christ is our Saviour;
this they hear, but then losen and weaken every natural work,
manner, and attribute of Christ inasmuch as they publicly teach
that man can, through natural strength and works, earn
the grace of God, therefore they condemn Christ and all his
works, as St. Peter, (2 Pet. 2,1,) has prophesied of them:
''There shall be false teachers among you denying even the
Master that bought them." For if nature itself can attain the
grace of God, as now all high schools, instituions, and
EPIPHANY. 409
cloisters, hold and teach in harmony with the pope, then Christ
was born and died to no purpose. Why should Christ have
shed his blood to acquire grace for us, if we through our
nature could have acquired ourselves? Yet they wish to be
Christians, and raise aloft the name of Christ, under the ap-
pearance of which they revile and condemn as heresy the en-
tire Christian essence.
220. Again, the Gospel teaches that the law of God is
spiritual and cannot possibly be fulfilled by nature; but that
the Spirit of God must fulfil it in us through faith, Rom. 8, 2-3.
Therefort they deny neither the Spirit nor the law, but they
nevertheless destroy all its power, and teach that man, with-
out the help of the Spirit, can fulfil the law naturally in all
its works, although he cannot thereby earn heaven. This
is nothing less than denying the power of the law and of the
Spirit, retaining only the name.
221. Then they proceed and tear the law of God asunder
where they think it too difficult for nature, making super-
fluous, unnecessary things of it; as for example, that it is
neither necessary nor commanded that we should love God
with the entire heart, that we give the cloak with the coat;
again, that we should not go to court ; again, that we should
loan and give to everybody, without profit or gain. Again,
that we should suffer evil and do good unto our enemies, etc.
Thus they have destroyed the true nature of Christianity,
which consists alone in this that we suffer wrong and do
good to everybody. And then they institute in its stead their
own command, that they wear tonsures and caps, eat no meat,
eggs, butter, and milk, make a great noise in the church ; that
nothing remains now of the law of God.
222. Again, the Gospel praises the pure grace of God as
pardoning and destroying sin. Now they do not deny the
little word grace, but hold it seemingly in high esteem ; besides
this, however, they teach a multiplicity of satisfactions for
sin, payments of money, orders, divisions of repentance in
order to purchase from God the forgiveness of sin, and to
pay him for his grace. Therefore the nature and work of
410 luthkr's church postil.
grace are destroyed and condemned to the very foundation;
for grace is pure grace or nothing at all.
223. Again, the Gospel teaches that through original sin
all men are under wrath and disfavor, and that all their works
are thereby rendered sinful. They do not deny the expression,
original sin, but destroy its force by saying that nature is still
good, and its works are not sinful, and can as yet well pre-
pare itself, yet for grace. They say also that original sin did
not injure nature so that it should be condemned, but simply
weakened it towards the good, and disposed it to evil. If it
does not follow its inclination, which of itself it does not
need to do, it does not deserve hell, and can also acquire the
grace of God. Behold, this is as much as to say: original sin
is not original sin; and under this name they deny the work
and nature of sin.
224. Again, the Gospel teaches : that love does not seek
its own, but serves others only. Now they indeed hold to the
little word love, but curtail its entire nature, in as much as
they teach, ordinary love begins with itself and loves itself
first and most. Then they say, it is loving enough if, one
simply wishes another well, it is not necessary to add the deed
of serving him ; for it would be dishonest for the pope to hum-
ble himself and serve his subject, but he permits his feet to
be kissed, and thinks it enough simply to say: I wish every-
body well except my enemies. Behold ! here lie in ruins, the
nature and power of love, and nothing remains but the simple
empty name.
225. Again, the Gospel teaches how hope builds alone
upon pure divine revelation; they confess the little word,
hope, teach, however, that hope does not rest upon divine re-
velation, but upon its own merits.
226. Again, the Gospel teaches how God's providence is
eternally sure ; they, however, teach that it rests upon the
free will and is uncertain.
227. In short, they confess God and his name, but root
out and condemn as the worst heresy whatever God orders,
wills, does, establishes, and executes, from which we can clearly
see how Christ's suffering is now spiritually fulfilled under
EPIPHANY. 411
the rule of the pope. Behold, see they have in their teaching
the appearance of faith, of hope, of love, of grace, of sin, of
the law, of Christ, of God, of the Gospel; yet they deny all
strength and nature of the same, and even condemn it all
as the worst heresy. On this account the apostle spoke so
sharply when he said : They deny the power of the whole
divine worship and life, and live only the pretence of it. Oh,
Lord God of heaven, where are the streams of water, yes, of
blood that rightly should flow from our eyes in this last terrible
and dreadful time of the unspeakable, immeasurable wrath of
God upon the world because of its sin and thanklessness.
228. Further, Herod sends the wise men to Bethlehem
and commands them diligently to seek the child, pretending
that he also wished to come and worship him. Here our He-
rodians are shown another thing, namely, that they ought
to live as they preach. Teaching and living are with them emp-
ty show and denial of the truth, for the life must be as the
teaching directs. However the pope and the religious orders
now do allow Christians to be pious, and command them to
seek Christ and the truth; yet with this addition, that they
must be his betrayers, and serve the priesthood in thus seek-
ing Chcist. For the pope now shamelessly and eagerly de-
clares this to all the world : Anyone is allowed to seek Christ
and to live righteously ; but, if he does not also obey the pope's
orders and command, and serve him, with all his good life, be
subject to his authority, he still cannot be saved. The people
are thus made to think that more, or at least just as much,
depends upon obedience to the pope than upon God's com-
mands.
229. See, this is Herod's addition, that he not only sends
the wise men to Bethlehem, but also holds them subject to
himself and feels bound treacherously to destroy Christ. For
what do all who thus hold that obedience to the pope is necess-
ary to salvation, and that whoever does not hold it is con-
demned, do, except betray and surrender Christ that Herod
may find and kill him. For Christian faith cannot exist beside
such obedience or such conscience, as has often been said.
For faith alone must save, and such obedience be counted use-
412 luthkr's church posth..
fill and permitted, faith must perish, and Herod reign in
Christ's stead. That means then really to surrender and be-
tray Christ and one's faith.
230. But, when Herod says: I too will come and worship
him, everyone sees that he lies, that these are mere words and
a clear pretence, beneath which he is still planning something
quite different, namely to kill Christ and to destroy his king-
dom. Here you have in Herod the image of all unbelieving
saints well and briefly set forth. In the first place Herod does
not pretend any common thing : he does not say that he wishes
to give him gold or myrrh, neither that he wishes to help
him or to be his true friend ; but undertakes the very highest
and best thing that there is in the service of God, namely, hu-
mility and worship. I will come, he says, as a lowly one, and
show the highest honor, even worship.
231. Thus do now also the Herodians, the priests, who
do not undertake any ordinary work, but the very highest,
the service of God. This they appropriate to themselves, in that
they exercise themselves, saying openly that the life of other
men is temporal and worldly, but that they are in the service
of God day and night, and, while others labor, they pray and
serve God for the poor people.
Do you not believe this? Well then, ask the bells about
it which ring for their worship. To this they go in humble
manner, let themselves be proclaimed God's servants before
all men, fattening their bellies right well in so doing, gather
for themselves riches out of all the world, and build houses, as
if they expected to live here forever. Accordingly we must here
note the difference between true and false worship, that we
may recognize and avoid the spirit of the villain Herod.
The True And False Worship Of God.
232. No better distinction is to be had here than God's
Word. The worship which is there taught must surely be
the true worship ; but that which is set up beside God's Word
or outside of it, as invented by men, must certainly be the
false Herod-worship. Now the worship of God is nowhere
EPIPHANY. 413
established, except in his commandments. For without doubt
he alone serves God who keeps his commandments ; just as
a servant in the house is said to serve his master only
when he does, and attends to, whatever his master bids him
to do. However, if he does not do this, even if he otherwise
does the will of the whole town he is not said to serve his
master. So then, whoever does not keep God's command-
ments, does not serve God, even though he keeps the teachings
and commandments of all men.
233. Xow the worship of God consists in this that you
confess, honor and love God with your whole heart, put all
your trust and confidence in him, never doubt his goodness,
either in life or in death, either in sins or in right living, as
the first commandment teaches. To this we can attain through
the merit and blood of Christ alone, who has gained for us
and gives us such a heart, if we hear and believe his word;
for our nature cannot have such a heart of itself. Behold,
this is the chief worship of God and the greatest thing, to wit,
an upright Christian faith and love to God through Christ.
Therefore the first commandment is fulfilled by us through the
precious blood of Christ, and God is faithfully served from the
heart.
234. In the second place, if you honor God's name, and
call upon it in need, and openly confess it before the tyrants
and persecutors of this true worship, not fearing them, but
punishing the Herodians and guarding, as much as you can,
that they do not dishonor God's name with their false life
and teaching, set forth under God's name, which is truly a
great thing and takes the burdens of the world upon itself.
See, this is the second article of worship which is kept in the
commandment.
235. Thirdly, if you bear the holy cross, and must suffer
much because of such faith and confession, that you must
risk for it body and life, goods and honor, friend and favor;
this means rightly keeping and hallowing the Sabbath, since
it is not you, but God only who works in you, for you are but
a suffering, persecuted man. This is the third article of wor-
ship, and is included in the third commandment. See, here
414 Luther's church postil.
is the first table with the first three commandments, which
are contained in the three articles, faith, confession, and suf-
fering. By this the present life and the world are renounced
and God alone is praised.
236. Fourthly, we come into the second table, and hence-
forth you serve God, if you honor father and mother, are sub-
ject and obedient to them, and help them where they need it
before all mankind, and if you do not without their consent,
go into orders, when they are in need of your services in some
other way.
237. Fifthly, that you injure no one in body, but show
kindness to everyone, even to your enemies, that you visit the
sick and prisoners, and give a helping hand to all needy, and
have a. good, kind heart for all men.
238. Sixthly, that you live chastely and temporately, or
always honor your marriage vow, and help others to honor
theirs.
239. Seventhly, that you do not deceive or injure anyone4
or take advantage in business; but that you lend and give to
everyone or exchange with him, as far as you can, and pro-
tect your neighbor against injury.
240. Eighthly, that you guard your tongue, and injure,
slander, or belie no one, but defend, excuse and spare everyone.
241. Ninthly and tenthly, that you do not covet any man's
wife or property.
242. See, these are the parts of truly good worship. This
and nothing else God requires of you ; if you do anything
more, he does not value it. This is also clear and easy to be