If this truth, then, could be impressed upon the poor people, a
servant-girl would leap and praise and thank God; and with her tidy
work for which she receives support and wages she would acquire such a
treasure as all that are esteemed the greatest saints have not
obtained. Is it not an excellent boast to know and say that, if you
perform your daily domestic task, this is better than all the sanctity
and ascetic life of monks? And you have the promise, in addition, that
you shall prosper in all good and fare well. How can you lead a more
blessed or holier life as far as your works are concerned? For in the
sight of God faith is what really renders a person holy, and alone
serves Him, but the works are for the service of man. There you have
everything good, protection and defense in the Lord, a joyful
conscience and a gracious God besides, who will reward you a
hundredfold, so that you are even a nobleman if you be only pious and
obedient. But if not, you have, in the first place, nothing but the
wrath and displeasure of God, no peace of heart, and afterwards all
manner of plagues and misfortunes.

Whoever will not be influenced by this and inclined to godliness we
hand over to the hangman and to the skeleton-man. Therefore let every
one who allows himself to be advised remember that God is not making
sport, and know that it is God who speaks with you and demands
obedience. If you obey Him, you are His dear child; but if you despise
to do it, then take shame, misery, and grief for your reward.

The same also is to be said of obedience to civil government, which (as
we have said) is all embraced in the estate of fatherhood and extends
farthest of all relations. For here the father is not one of a single
family, but of as many people as he has tenants, citizens, or subjects.