Modern Luxury

Whereto serve or profit such superfluity, such show, such ostentation, such extraordinary luxurious kind of life as is now come upon us?  If Adam were to return to earth, and see our mode of living, our food, drink, and dress, how would he marvel.  He would say:  “Surely this is not the world I was in?” For Adam drank water, ate fruit from the trees, and, if he had any house at all, ’twas a hut supported by four wooden forks; he had no knife or iron, and he wore simply a coat of skin.  Now we spend immense sums in eating and drinking, now we raise sumptuous palaces, and decorate them with a luxury beyond all comparison.  The ancient Israelites lived in great moderation and quiet.  Boaz says:  “Dip thy bread in vinegar and refresh thyself therewith.”

Ministers and Matrimony

I advise in everything that ministers interfere not in matrimonial questions.  First, because we have enough to do in our own office; secondly, because these affairs concern not the church, but are temporal things, pertaining to temporal magistrates; thirdly, because such cases are in a manner innumerable; they are very high, broad, and deep, and produce many offences, which may tend to the shame and dishonour of the Gospel.  Moreover, we are therein ill dealt with—­they draw us into the business, and then, if the issue is evil, the blame is laid altogether upon us.  Therefore, we will leave them to the lawyers and magistrates.

Miscellaneous Topics

Philip Melancthon showing Luther a letter from Augsburg wherein he was informed that a very learned divine, a papist of that city, was converted, and had received the Gospel, Luther said, “I like best those that do not fall off suddenly, but ponder the case with considerate discretion, compare together the writing and arguments of both parties, and lay them on the gold balance, and in God’s fear search after the upright truth; and of such fit people are made, able to stand in controversy.  Such a man was St. Paul, who at first was a strict Pharisee and man of works, who stiffly and earnestly defended the law; but afterwards preached Christ in the best and purest manner against the whole nation of the Jews.”

As all people feel they must die, each seeks immortality here on earth, that he may be had in everlasting remembrance.  Some great princes and kings seek it by raising great columns of stone and high pyramids, great churches, costly and glorious palaces and castles.  Soldiers hunt after praise and honour by obtaining famous victories.  The learned seek an everlasting name by writing books.  With these and such like things people think to be immortal.  But as to the true everlasting and incorruptible honour and eternity of God, no man thinks or looks after these things.

When two goats meet on a narrow bridge over deep waters how do they behave?  Neither of them can turn back again, and neither can pass the other because the bridge is too narrow.  If they should thrust one another they might both fall into the water and be drowned.  Nature, then, has taught them that if one lays himself down and permits the other to go over him both remain without hurt.  Even so, people should endure to be trod upon rather than to fall into discord with one another.