An Explanation of Luthers Small Catechism | Page 5

at the same time, you are to be
guided by the following principles: That we are to compel no one to
believe, or to receive the Lord's Supper; that we are not to establish any
laws on this point, or appoint the time and place; but that we should so
preach as to influence the people, without any law adopted, by us, to
urge, and, as it were, to compel us who are pastors, to administer the
Lord's Supper to them. Now this object may be attained, if we address
them in the following manner; It is to be feared that he who does not
desire to receive the Lord's Supper at least three or four times during
the year, despises the Sacrament, and is no Christian. So, too, he is no
Christian, who neither believes nor obeys the Gospel; for Christ did not
say: "Omit or despise this," but "This do ye, as oft as ye drink it," etc.
He commands that this should be done, and by no means be neglected
and despised. He says: "This do."

Now he who does not highly
value the Sacrament, shows thereby that he has no sin, no flesh, no
devil, no world, no death, no danger, no hell; that is to say, he does not
believe that such evils exist, although he may be deeply immersed in

them, and completely belong to the devil. On the other hand, he needs
no grace, no life, no Paradise, no heaven, no Christ, no God, no good
thing. For if he believed that he was involved in such evils, and that he
was in need of such blessings, he could not refrain from receiving the
Sacrament, wherein aid is afforded against such evils, and, again, such
blessings are bestowed. It will not be necessary to compel him by the
force of any law to approach the Lord's Table; he will hasten to it of his
own accord, will compel himself to come, and indeed urge you to
administer the Sacrament to him.

Hence, you are by no means
to adopt any compulsory law in this case, as the Pope has done. Let it
simply be your aim to set forth distinctly the advantages and losses, the
wants and the benefits, the dangers and the blessings, which are to be
considered in connection with the Sacrament; the people will, doubtless,
then seek it without urgent demands on your part. If they still refuse to
come forward, let them choose their own ways, and tell them that those
who do not regard their own spiritual misery, and do not desire the
gracious help of God, belong to Satan. But if you do not give such
solemn admonitions, or if you adopt odious compulsory laws on the
subject, it is your own fault if the people treat the Sacrament with
contempt. Will they not necessarily be slothful, if you are silent and
sleep? Therefore consider the subject seriously, ye Pastors and
Preachers! Our office has now assumed a very different character from
that which it bore under the Pope; it is now of a very grave nature, and
is very salutary in its influence. It consequently subjects us to far
greater burdens and labors, dangers and temptations, while it brings
with it an inconsiderable reward, and very little gratitude in the world.
But Christ himself will be our reward, if we labor with fidelity. May He
grant such mercy unto us who is the Father of all grace, to whom be
given thanks and praises through Christ, our Lord, for ever! Amen.

WITTENBERG, A.D. 1529.

 

 

 

 

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THE SMALL
CATECHISM

 

 

 

 

PART I.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

In the plain
form in which they are to be taught by the head of a family.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

I am the Lord
thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

[Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor
serve them; 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.]

What is
meant by this Commandment?

Answer. We should
fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

THE
SECOND COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not take the
Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.

What is meant by
this Commandment?