it seldom happens that such perverse people die a natural or timely
death.

But the godly and obedient have this blessing, that they live long in
pleasant quietness and see their children's children (as said above) to
the third and fourth generation. Thus experience also teaches, that
where there are honorable, old families who fare well and have many
children, they owe their origin to the fact, to be sure, that some of
them were brought up well and were regardful of their parents. On the
other hand, it is written of the wicked, Ps. 109,13: Let his posterity
be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted
out. Therefore heed well how great a thing in God's sight obedience is
since He so highly esteems it, is so highly pleased with it, and
rewards it so richly, and besides enforces punishment so rigorously on
those who act contrariwise.

All this I say that it may be well impressed upon the young. For no one
believes how necessary this commandment is, although it has not been
esteemed and taught hitherto under the papacy. These are simple and
easy words, and everybody thinks he knew them a fore; therefore men
pass them lightly by, are gaping after other matters, and do not see
and believe that God is so greatly offended if they be disregarded, nor
that one does a work so well pleasing and precious if he follows them.

In this commandment belongs a further statement regarding all kinds of
obedience to persons in authority who have to command and to govern.
For all authority flows and is propagated from the authority of
parents. For where a father is unable alone to educate his [rebellious
and irritable] child, he employs a schoolmaster to instruct him; if he
be too weak, he enlists the aid of his friends and neighbors; if he