Martin Luthers Large Catechism | Page 4

negligent and lazy as we were under the Papacy?
To this there is added the shameful vice and secret infection of security
and satiety, that is, that many regard the Catechism as a poor, mean
teaching, which they can read through at one time, and then
immediately know it, throw the book into a corner, and be ashamed, as
it were, to read in it again.
Yea, even among the nobility there may be found some louts and
scrimps, who declare that there is no longer any need either of pastors
or preachers; that we have everything in books, and every one can
easily learn it by himself; and so they are content to let the parishes
decay and become desolate, and pastors and preachers to suffer distress
and hunger a plenty, just as it becomes crazy Germans to do. For we
Germans have such disgraceful people, and must endure them.
But for myself I say this: I am also a doctor and preacher, yea, as
learned and experienced as all those may be who have such
presumption and security; yet I do as a child who is being taught the
Catechism, and every morning, and whenever I have time, I read and
say, word for word, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's
Prayer, the Psalms, etc. And I must still read and study daily, and yet I
cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and pupil of the
Catechism, and am glad so to remain. And yet these delicate, fastidious

fellows would with one reading promptly be doctors above all doctors,
know everything and be in need of nothing. Well, this, too, is indeed a
sure sign that they despise both their office and the souls of the people,
yea, even God and His Word. They do not have to fall, they are already
fallen all too horribly, they would need to become children, and begin
to learn their alphabet, which they imagine that they have long since
outgrown.
Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be
persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so
learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume
that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or
know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they
know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it
perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are
manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and
practiced in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present
in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new
and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and
appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18, 20: Where two or three
are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world,
and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God,
and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares
those blessed who meditate upon the law of God day and night.
Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation
against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments
and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is
indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by
which he may be driven away.
Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and
treat of these things if you had no other profit and fruit from them than
that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he
cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some
other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul
says, Rom. 1, 16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God
which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and
helps us beyond measure.

And what need is there of many words ? If I were to recount all the
profit and fruit which God's Word produces, whence would I get
enough paper and time? The devil is called the master of a thousand
arts. But what shall we call God's Word, which drives away and brings
to naught this master of a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It
must indeed be the master of more than a hundred thousand arts. And
shall we frivolously despise such power, profit, strength, and fruit -- we,
especially, who claim to be pastors and preachers? If