Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther Part 8

To steal is what one taketh unjustly.

Unfaithfulness is also stealing.

Thieving is the most common trade in the world.

Great thieves go scot-free, as the Pope and his crew.

Falseness and covetousness prosper not.

Backbiting is meddling with G.o.d's judgment.

Censuring, and to speak evil behind one's back, belongeth only to the magistrates.

We must censure and reprove no man behind his back.

We must judge charitably in everything.

There are no good works without the Ten Commandments.

To fear G.o.d, and to trust in him, is the fulfilling of all the Commandments.

The first Commandment driveth on all the rest.

Of the Creed.

The Creed teacheth to know G.o.d, and what a G.o.d we have.

In all cases we must make use of faith.

G.o.d giveth himself unto us with all creatures.

We must always drive on the article of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost bringeth Christ home unto us; he must reveal him.

Where the Holy Ghost preacheth not, there is no Church.

The works of the Holy Ghost are wrought continually.

Of the Lord's Prayer.

To pray is to call upon G.o.d in all need, which is made precious through G.o.d's command, and necessity stirreth up earnest and devout prayers, which are our weapons against the devil.

The devil, the world, and our flesh is against G.o.d's Will.

The devil hindereth and destroyeth the daily bread and all the gifts of G.o.d.

G.o.d careth for our bodies daily.

No man can live in the world without sin.

No man can bring his own righteousness before G.o.d.

We must forgive, as G.o.d forgiveth us.

To forgive our neighbour, a.s.sureth us fully that G.o.d hath forgiven us.

We are tempted three manner of ways-of the devil, of the world, and of our flesh.

Temptations serve against the secureness of our flesh.

Temptations are not overcome through our own strength.

The devil would hinder all that we pray for.

The devil goeth about to bring us into all manner of need.

Of Baptism.

Faith is annexed to Baptism.

Faith must have before it some external thing.

Faith maketh the person worthy.

Baptism is not our work, but G.o.d's.

Baptism is right, although no man believeth.

No man must build upon his faith.

Unbelief weakeneth not G.o.d's Word.

Of the Lord's Supper.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is of G.o.d's ordaining.

The Word maketh a Sacrament.

Christ in the Sacrament is spiritual food for the soul.

Remission of sins is obtained only through the Word.

Faith receiveth the forgiveness of sins.