An Explanation of Luthers Small Catechism | Page 4

receive your instructions, tell them plainly that they deny
Christ and are not Christians; such persons shall not be admitted to the
Lord's Table, nor present a child for baptism, nor enjoy any of our
Christian privileges, but are to be sent back to the pope and his agents,
and, indeed, to Satan himself. Their parents and employers should,
besides, refuse to furnish them with food and drink, and notify them
that the government was disposed to banish from the country all
persons of such a rude and intractable character.

For although
we cannot, and should not, compel them to exercise faith, we ought,
nevertheless, to instruct the great mass with all diligence, so that they

may know how to distinguish between right and wrong in their conduct
towards those with whom they live, or among whom they desire to earn
their living. For whoever desires to reside in a city, and enjoy the rights
and privileges which its laws confer, is also bound to know and obey
those laws. God grant that such persons may become sincere believers!
But if they remain dishonest and vicious, let them at least withhold
from public view the vices of their hearts.

In the second place;
when those whom you are instructing have become familiar with the
words of the text, it is time to teach them to understand the meaning of
those words, so that they may become acquainted with the object and
purport of the lesson. Then proceed to another of the following forms,
or, at your pleasure, choose any other which is brief, and adhere strictly
to the same words and forms of expression in the text, without altering
a single syllable; besides, allow yourself ample time for the lessons.
For it is not necessary that you should, on the same occasion, proceed
from the beginning to the end of the several parts; it will be more
profitable if you present them separately, in regular succession. When
the people have, for instance, at length correctly understood the First
Commandment, you may proceed to the Second, and so continue. By
neglecting to observe this mode, the people will be overburdened, and
be prevented from understanding and retaining in memory any
considerable part of the matter communicated to them.

In the
third place; when you have thus reached the end of this Short
Catechism, begin anew with the Large Catechism, and by means of it
furnish the people with fuller and more comprehensive explanations.
Explain here at large every Commandment, every Petition, and, indeed,
every part, showing the duties which they severally impose, and both
the advantages which follow the performance of those duties, and also
the dangers and losses which result from the neglect of them. Insist in
an especial manner on such. Commandments or other parts as seem to
be most of all misunderstood or neglected by your people. It will, for
example, be necessary that you should enforce with the utmost
earnestness the Seventh Commandment, which treats of stealing, when
you are teaching workmen, dealers and even farmers and servants,
inasmuch as many of these are guilty of various dishonest and thievish
practices. So, too, it will be your duty to explain and apply the Fourth
Commandment with great diligence, when you are teaching children

and uneducated adults, and to urge them to observe order, to be faithful,
obedient and peaceable, as well as to adduce numerous instances
mentioned in the Scriptures, which show that God punished such as
were guilty in these things, and blessed the obedient.

Here, too,
let it be your great aim to urge magistrates and parents to rule wisely,
and to educate the children, admonishing them, at the same time, that
such duties are imposed on them, and showing them how grievously
they sin if they neglect them. For in such a case they overthrow and lay
waste alike the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world, acting
as if they were the worst enemies both of God and man. And show
them very plainly the shocking evils of which they are the authors,
when they refuse their aid in training up children to be pastors,
preachers, writers, etc., and set forth that on account of such sins God
will inflict an awful punishment upon them. It is, indeed, necessary to
preach on these things; for parents and magistrates are guilty of sins in
this respect, which are so great that there are no terms in which they
can be described. And truly, Satan has a cruel design in fostering these
evils.

Finally; inasmuch as the people are now relieved from
the tyranny of the pope, they refuse to come to the Lord's Table, and
treat it with contempt. On this point, also, it is very necessary that you
should give them instructions, while,