subtlety, screwed words, or enlargements. Christ taught the people
by plain and simple parables. In like manner, those are the best
Hearers that willingly do hear and believe God's Word simply and
plainly, and although they be weak in faith, yet so long as they
doubt not of the doctrine they are to be holpen forward; for God can
and will bear with weakness if it be but acknowledged, and that we
creep again to the Cross and pray to God for grace, and amend
ourselves.

David saith, "I hate them that imagine evil things, but thy law do I
love," and will show therewith that we ought diligently to regard
the strength of the Word of God, and not to contemn it, as the
enthusiasts do, for God will deal with us by such means, and by the
same will also work in us. Therefore the ancient Fathers say well
touching this point, namely, that we ought not to look to the person
baptizing or ministering the Sacrament, but we must look to God's
Word.

Our Lord God electeth from hearts, to whom he revealeth his Word,
and therewithal he giveth them mouths to speak it; preserveth and
maintaineth it, not by sword, but through his Divine Power.


That we ought to direct all our Actions and Lives according to God's
Word.

God, said Luther, hath his measuring-lines, and his canons, which
are called the Ten Commandments; they are written in our flesh and
blood. The contents of them is: "What thou wouldest have done to
thyself, the same thou oughtest also to do to another." For God