第 6 节
作者:津夏      更新:2021-02-21 13:30      字数:9322
  and delight。 For what must be enforced with rods and blows only will
  not develop into a good breed and at best they will remain godly under
  such treatment no longer than while the rod is upon their back。
  But this 'manner of training' so spreads its roots in the heart that
  they fear God more than rods and clubs。 This I say with such
  simplicity for the sake of the young; that it may penetrate their
  minds。 For since we are preaching to children; we must also prattle
  with them。 Thus we have prevented the abuse and have taught the right
  use of the divine name; which should consist not only in words; but
  also in practices and life; so that we may know that God is well
  pleased with this and will as richly reward it as He will terribly
  punish the abuse。
  The Third Commandment。
  Thou shalt sanctify the holy day。
  'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy。'
  The word holy day (Feiertag) is rendered from the Hebrew word Sabbath
  which properly signifies to rest; that is; to abstain from labor。 Hence
  we are accustomed to say; Feierbend machen 'that is; to cease working';
  or heiligen Abend geben 'sanctify the Sabbath'。 Now; in the Old
  Testament; God separated the seventh day; and appointed it for rest;
  and commanded that it should be regarded as holy above all others。 As
  regards this external observance; this commandment was given to the
  Jews alone; that they should abstain from toilsome work; and rest; so
  that both man and beast might recuperate; and not be weakened by
  unremitting labor。 Although they afterwards restricted this too
  closely; and grossly abused it; so that they traduced and could not
  endure in Christ those works which they themselves were accustomed to
  do on that day; as we read in the Gospel just as though the commandment
  were fulfilled by doing no external 'manual' work whatever; which;
  however; was not the meaning; but; as we shall hear; that they sanctify
  the holy day or day of rest。
  This commandment; therefore; according to its gross sense; does not
  concern us Christians; for it is altogether an external matter; like
  other ordinances of the Old Testament; which were attached to
  particular customs; persons; times; and places; and now have been made
  free through Christ。 But to grasp a Christian meaning for the simple as
  to what God requires in this commandment; note that we keep holy days
  not for the sake of intelligent and learned Christians (for they have
  no need of it 'holy days'); but first of all for bodily causes and
  necessities; which nature teaches and requires; for the common people;
  man…servants and maid…servants; who have been attending to their work
  and trade the whole week; that for a day they may retire in order to
  rest and be refreshed。
  Secondly; and most especially; that on such day of rest (since we can
  get no other opportunity) freedom and time be taken to attend divine
  service; so that we come together to hear and treat of God's and then
  to praise God; to sing and pray。
  However; this; I say; is not so restricted to any time; as with the
  Jews; that it must be just on this or that day; for in itself no one
  day is better than another; but this should indeed be done daily;
  however; since the masses cannot give such attendance; there must be at
  least one day in the week set apart。 But since from of old Sunday 'the
  Lord's Day' has been appointed for this purpose; we also should
  continue the same; in order that everything be done in harmonious
  order; and no one create disorder by unnecessary innovation。
  Therefore this is the simple meaning of the commandment: since
  holidays are observed anyhow; such observance should be devoted to
  hearing God's Word; so that the special function of this day should be
  the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people; yet
  that the resting be not so strictly interpreted as to forbid any other
  incidental work that cannot be avoided。
  Accordingly; when asked; What is meant by the commandment: Thou shalt
  sanctify the holy day? answer: To sanctify the holy day is the same as
  to keep it holy。 But what is meant by keeping it holy? Nothing else
  than to be occupied in holy words; works; and life。 For the day needs
  no sanctification for itself; for in itself it has been created holy
  'from the beginning of the creation it was sanctified by its Creator'。
  But God desires it to be holy to you。 Therefore it becomes holy or
  unholy on your account; according as you are occupied on the same with
  things that are holy or unholy。
  How; then; does such sanctification take place? Not in this manner;
  that 'with folded hands' we sit behind the stove and do no rough
  'external' work; or deck ourselves with a wreath and put on our best
  clothes; but (as has been said) that we occupy ourselves with God's
  Word; and exercise ourselves therein。
  And; indeed; we Christians ought always to keep such a holy day; and be
  occupied with nothing but holy things; i。e。; daily be engaged upon
  God's Word; and carry it in our hearts and upon our lips。 But (as has
  been said) since we do not at all times have leisure; we must devote
  several hours a week for the sake of the young; or at least a day for
  the sake of the entire multitude; to being concerned about this alone;
  and especially urge the Ten Commandments; the Creed; and the Lord's
  Prayer; and thus direct our whole life and being according to God's
  Word。 At whatever time; then; this is being observed and practiced;
  there a true holy day is being kept; otherwise it shall not be called a
  Christians' holy day。 For; indeed; non…Christians can also cease from
  work and be idle; just as the entire swarm of our ecclesiastics; who
  stand daily in the churches; singing; and ringing bells but keeping no
  holy day holy; because they neither preach nor practices God's Word;
  but teach and live contrary to it。
  For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries; yea; the
  only one which we Christians know and have。 For though we had the bones
  of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap;
  still that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which
  can sanctify nobody。 But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies
  everything; and by which even all the saints themselves were
  sanctified。 At whatever hour then; God's Word is taught; preached;
  heard; read or meditated upon; there the person; day; and work are
  sanctified thereby; not because of the external work; but because of
  the Word which makes saints of us all。 Therefore I constantly say that
  all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word; if it is
  to be God…pleasing or holy。 Where this is done; this commandment is in
  force and being fulfilled。
  On the contrary; any observance or work that is practiced without
  God's Word is unholy before God; no matter how brilliantly it may
  shine! even though it be covered with relics; such as the fictitious
  spiritual orders which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in
  their own works。 Note; therefore; that the force and power of this
  commandment lies not in the resting but in the sanctifying so that to
  this day belongs a special holy exercise。 For other works and
  occupations are not properly called holy exercises; unless the man
  himself be first holy。 But here a work is to be done by which man is
  himself made holy; which is done (as we have heard ) alone through
  God's Word。 For this; then; fixed places; times; persons; and the
  entire external order of worship have been created and appointed; so
  that it may be publicly in operation。
  Since; therefore; so much depends upon God's Word that without it no
  holy day can be sanctified; we must know that God insists upon a strict
  observance of this commandment; and will punish all who despise His
  Word and are not willing to hear and learn it; especially at the time
  appointed for the purpose。
  Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly
  misuse and desecrate the holy day; as those who on account of their
  greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are
  dead drunk like swine; but also that other crowd; who listen to God's
  Word as to any other trifle; and only from custom come to preaching;
  and go away again; and at the end of the year know as little of it as
  at the beginning。 For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had
  properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read;
  but no one cared for God's Word; as also no one taught it。 Now; while
  we have God's Word we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we suffer
  ourselves to be preached to and admonished; but we listen without
  seriousness and care。
  Know; therefore; that you must be concerned not only about hearing; but
  also about learning and retaining it in memory; and do not think that
  it is optional with you or of no great importance; but that it is God's
  commandment; who will require of you how you have heard; learned; and
  honored His Word。
  Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who; when they
  have heard a sermon or two; find it tedious and dull; thinking that
  they know all that well enough; and need no more instruction。 For just
  that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mort