Heidelberg Catechism

That I with body and soul, both in life and death,¹ am not my own,² but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;³ who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins,⁴ and delivered me from all the power of the devil;⁵ and so preserves me⁶ that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;⁷ yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,⁸ and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,⁹ and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.¹⁰

Three;¹ the first, how great my sins and miseries are;² the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries;³ the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.⁴

Out of the law of God.¹

Christ teaches us that briefly, Matt. 22:37-40, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and the great commandment; and the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."¹

In no way;¹ for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbor.²

By no means; but God created man good,¹ and after his own image,² in true righteousness and holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him and live with him in eternal happiness to glorify and praise him.³

From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise;¹ hence our nature is become so corrupt, that we are all conceived and born in sin.²

Indeed we are;¹ unless we are regenerated by the Spirit of God.²

Not at all;¹ for God made man capable of performing it; but man, by the instigation of the devil,² and his own willful disobedience,³ deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.

By no means; but is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual sins;¹ and will punish them in his just judgment temporally and eternally,² as he has declared, "Cursed is everyone that continues not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them."³

God is indeed merciful,¹ but also just;² therefore his justice requires, that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.

God will have his justice satisfied:¹ and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.²

By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.¹

None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed;¹ and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.²

For one who is very man,¹ and perfectly righteous;² and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.³

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin;¹ and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.²

That he might, by the power of his Godhead¹ sustain in his human nature,² the burden of God's wrath;³ and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.⁴

Our Lord Jesus Christ:⁴ "who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."⁵

From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise;¹ and afterwards published by the patriarchs² and prophets,³ and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law;⁴ and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son.⁵

No;¹ only those who are grafted into him and receive all his benefits, by a true faith.²

True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word,¹ but also an assured confidence,² which the Holy Spirit³ works by the gospel in my heart;⁴ that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation,⁵ are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.⁶

All things promised us in the gospel,¹ which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us.

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: 2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary: 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell: 5. The third day he rose again from the dead: 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7. From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead: 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit: 9. I believe a holy catholic church: the communion of saints: 10. The forgiveness of sins: 11. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting.

Into three parts; the first is of God the Father, and our creation; the second of God the Son, and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification.

Because God has so revealed himself in his word,² that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;¹ who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence)² is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father;³ on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body⁴ and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage;⁵ for he is able to do it, being Almighty God,⁶ and willing, being a faithful Father.⁷

The almighty and everywhere present power of God;¹ whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures;² so that herbs and grass, rain and drought,³ fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness,⁴ riches and poverty,⁵ yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.⁶

That we may be patient in adversity;¹ thankful in prosperity;² and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father,³ that nothing shall separate us from his love;⁴ since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.⁵

Because he saves us, and delivers us from our sins;¹ and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.²

They do not; for though they boast of him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Savior;¹ for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Savior; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Savior, must find all things in him necessary to their salvation.²

Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit,¹ to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,² who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;³ and to be our only High Priest,⁴ who by the one sacrifice of his body, has redeemed us,⁵ and makes continual intercession with the Father for us;⁶ and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us.⁷

Because I am a member of Christ by faith,² and thus am partaker of his anointing;³ that so I may confess his name,⁴ and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him:⁵ and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life⁶ and afterwards I reign with him eternally, over all creatures.⁷

Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God;¹ but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake.²

Because he has redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with silver or gold, but with his precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us his own property.¹

That God's eternal Son,¹ who is, and continues true and eternal God,² took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,³ by the operation of the Holy Spirit;⁴ that he might also be the true seed of David,⁵ like unto his brethren in all things,⁶ sin excepted.⁷

That he is our Mediator;¹ and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth.²

That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind:¹ that so by his passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice,² he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation,³ and obtain for us the favor of God, righteousness and eternal life.⁴

That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge,¹ might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed.²

Yes there is; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me;¹ for the death of the cross was accursed of God.²

Because with respect to the justice and truth of God,¹ satisfaction for our sins could not be made otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God.²

Thereby to prove that he was really dead.¹

Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins,¹ but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life.²

That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him;¹ that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us;² but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.³

That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings,¹ but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell.²

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death;¹ secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life;² and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.³

That Christ, in sight of his disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven;¹ and that he continues there for our interest,² until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.³

Christ is very man and very God; with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth;² but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, he is at no time absent from us.³

Not at all, for since the Godhead is unlimited and omnipresent,¹ it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed,² and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it.

First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven;¹ secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members;² thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest,³ by whose power we "seek the things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God, and not things on earth."⁴

Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that he might appear as head of his church,¹ by whom the Father governs all things.²

First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly graces upon us his members;¹ and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.²

That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven¹: who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation,² but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory.³

First, that he is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son;¹ secondly, that he is also given me,² to make me by a true faith, partaker of Christ and all his benefits,³ that he may comfort me⁴ and abide with me forever.⁵

That the Son of God¹ from the beginning to the end of the world,² gathers, defends, and preserves³ to himself by his Spirit and word,⁴ out of the whole human race,⁵ a church chosen to everlasting life,⁶ agreeing in true faith;⁷ and that I am and forever shall remain,⁸ a living member thereof.⁹

First, that all and every one, who believes, being members of Christ, are in common, partakers of him, and of all his riches and gifts;¹ secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty, readily and cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members.²

That God, for the sake of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, neither my corrupt nature, against which I have to struggle all my life long;¹ but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ,² that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God.³

That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its head;¹ but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ.²

That since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy,¹ after this life, I shall inherit perfect salvation, which "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man" to conceive, and that to praise God therein forever.²

That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.¹

Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ;¹ so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them,² and am still inclined to all evil;³ notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine,⁴ but only of mere grace,⁵ grants and imputes to me,⁶ the perfect satisfaction,⁷ righteousness and holiness of Christ;⁸ even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yes, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me;⁹ inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.¹⁰

Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God;¹ and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.²

Because the righteousness, which can be approved of before the tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect,¹ and in all respects conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.²

This reward is not of merit, but of grace.¹

By no means: for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.¹

From the Holy Spirit,¹ who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it by the use of the sacraments.²

The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof, he may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel, that is, that he grants us freely the remission of sin, and life eternal, for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross.¹

Yes, indeed: for the Holy Spirit teaches us in the gospel, and assures us by the sacraments, that the whole of our salvation depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ which he offered for us on the cross.

Two: namely, holy baptism, and the holy supper.

Thus: That Christ appointed this external washing with water,¹ adding thereto this promise,² that I am as certainly washed by his blood and Spirit from all the pollution of my soul, that is, from all my sins,³ as I am washed externally with water, by which the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.

It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ's blood, which he shed for us by his sacrifice upon the cross;¹ and also to be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and blameless lives.²

In the institution of baptism, which is thus expressed: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", Matt. 28:19.¹ And "he that believes, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that does not believe, shall be damned." (Mark 16:16).² This promise is also repeated, where the scripture calls baptism "the washing of regeneration" and the washing away of sins. Tit.3:5, Acts 22:16.³

Not at all:¹ for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.²

God speaks thus not without great cause, that is, not only thereby to teach us, that as the filth of the body is purged away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ;¹ but especially that by this divine pledge and sign he may assure us, that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really, as we are externally washed with water.²

Yes: for since they, as well as the adult,² are included in the covenant and church of God¹ and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult;³ they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the Christian church; and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers⁴ as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision,⁵ instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant.⁶

Thus: That Christ has commanded me and all believers, to eat of this broken bread, and to drink of this cup, in remembrance of him, adding these promises:¹ first, that his body was offered and broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes, the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated to me; and further, that he feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life, with his crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly as I receive from the hands of the minister, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ.

It is not only to embrace with believing heart all the sufferings and death of Christ and thereby to obtain the pardon of sin, and life eternal;¹ but also, besides that, to become more and more united to his sacred body,² by the Holy Spirit, who dwells both in Christ and in us; so that we, though Christ is in heaven³ and we on earth, are notwithstanding "flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone"⁴ and that we live, and are governed forever by one spirit,⁵ as members of the same body are by one soul.

In the institution of the supper, which is thus expressed:¹ "The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying: this cup is the new testament in my blood; this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For, as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come." 1 Cor.11:23-26. This promise is repeated by the holy apostle Paul, where he says "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." 1 Cor.10:16,17.

Not at all:¹ but as the water in baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ, neither is the washing away of sin itself, being only the sign and confirmation thereof appointed of God;² so the bread in the Lord's supper is not changed into the very body of Christ;³ though agreeably to the nature and properties of sacraments,⁴ it is called the body of Christ Jesus.

Christ speaks thus, not without great reason, namely, not only thereby to teach us, that as bread and wine support this temporal life, so his crucified body and shed blood are the true meat and drink, whereby our souls are fed to eternal life;¹ but more especially by these visible signs and pledges to assure us, that we are as really partakers of his true body and blood by the operation of the Holy Spirit as we receive by the mouths of our bodies these holy signs in remembrance of him;² and that all his sufferings and obedience are as certainly ours, as if we had in our own persons suffered and made satisfaction for our sins to God.

The Lord's supper testifies to us, that we have a full pardon of all sin by the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself has once accomplished on the cross;¹ and, that we by the Holy Spirit are grafted into Christ,² who, according to his human nature is now not on earth, but in heaven, at the right hand of God his Father,³ and will there be worshipped by us.⁴ But the mass teaches, that the living and dead have not the pardon of sins through the sufferings of Christ, unless Christ is also daily offered for them by the priests; and further, that Christ is bodily under the form of bread and wine, and therefore is to be worshipped in them; so that the mass, at bottom, is nothing else than a denial of the one sacrifice and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and an accursed idolatry.⁵

For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves.¹

No; for by this, the covenant of God would be profaned, and his wrath kindled against the whole congregation;¹ therefore it is the duty of the Christian church, according to the appointment of Christ and his apostles, to exclude such persons, by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, till they show amendment of life.

The preaching of the holy gospel, and christian discipline, or excommunication out of the christian church; by these two, the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers, and shut against unbelievers.

Thus: when according to the command of Christ, it is declared and publicly testified to all and every believer, that, whenever they receive the promise of the gospel by a true faith, all their sins are really forgiven them of God, for the sake of Christ’s merits; and on the contrary, when it is declared and testified to all unbelievers, and such as do not sincerely repent, that they stand exposed to the wrath of God, and eternal condemnation, so long as they are unconverted:¹ according to which testimony of the gospel, God will judge them, both in this, and in the life to come.

Thus: when according to the command of Christ, those, who under the name of Christians, maintain doctrines, or practices inconsistent therewith, and will not, after having been often brotherly admonished, renounce their errors and wicked course of life, are complained of to the church, or to those, who are thereunto appointed by the church; and if they despise their admonition, are by them forbidden the use of the sacraments; whereby they are excluded from the Christian church, and by God himself from the kingdom of Christ; and when they promise and show real amendment, are again received as members of Christ and his church.¹

Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings,¹ and that he may be praised by us;² also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith,³ by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ.⁴

By no means; for the holy scripture declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God.¹

Of two parts; of the mortification of the old, and the quickening of the new man.¹

It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.¹

It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ,¹ and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.²

Only those which proceed from a true faith,¹ are performed according to the law of God,² and to his glory;³ and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.⁴

God spoke all these words, Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, saying: I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 1st commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. 2nd commandment: You shall not make for you any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 3rd commandment: You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. 4th commandment: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: therefore, the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 5th commandment: Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God gives you. 6th commandment: You shall not murder. 7th commandment: You shall not commit adultery. 8th commandment: You shall not steal. 9th commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.¹

Into two tables;¹ the first of which teaches us how we must behave towards God; the second, what duties we owe to our neighbor.²

That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry,¹ sorcery, soothsaying, superstition,² invocation of saints, or any other creatures;³ and learn rightly to know the only true God;⁴ trust in him alone,⁵ with humility⁶ and patience submit to him;⁷ expect all good things from him only;⁸ love,⁹ fear,¹⁰ and glorify him with my whole heart;¹¹ so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will.¹²

Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God, who has manifested himself in his word, to contrive, or have any other object, in which men place their trust.¹

That we in no wise represent God by images,¹ nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his word.²

God neither can, nor may be represented by any means:¹ but as to creatures; though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.²

No: for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have his people taught, not by dumb images,¹ but by the lively preaching of his word.²

That we, not only by cursing¹ or perjury,² but also by rash swearing,³ must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others;⁴ and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence;⁵ so that he may be rightly confessed⁶ and worshipped by us,⁷ and be glorified in all our words and works.⁸

It undoubtedly is,¹ for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God, than the profaning of his name; and therefore he has commanded this sin to be punished with death.²

Yes: either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm a fidelity and truth to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbor: for such an oath is founded on God's word,¹ and therefore was justly used by the saints, both in the Old and New Testament.²

No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows the heart, that he will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely;¹ which honor is due to no creature.²

First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained;¹ and that I, especially on the sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the church of God,² to hear his word,³ to use the sacraments,⁴ publicly to call upon the Lord,⁵ and contribute to the relief of the poor.⁶ Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by his Holy Spirit in me: and thus begin in this life the eternal sabbath.⁷

That I show all honor, love and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience;¹ and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities,² since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.³

That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another:¹ but that I lay aside all desire of revenge:² also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger.³ Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.⁴

In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as envy,¹ hatred,² anger,³ and desire of revenge; and that he accounts all these as murder.⁴

No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves;¹ to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him,² and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies;³ and that we do good, even to our enemies.⁴

That all uncleanness is accursed of God:¹ and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same,² and live chastely and temperately,³ whether in holy wedlock, or in single life.⁴

Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Spirit, he commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words,¹ thoughts, desires,² and whatever can entice men thereto.³

God forbids not only those thefts,¹ and robberies,² which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor:³ whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise,⁴ false coins, usury,⁵ or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness,⁶ all abuse and waste of his gifts.⁷

That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others:¹ further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.²

That I bear false witness against no man,¹ nor falsify any man's words;² that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;³ that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard;⁴ but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil,⁵ unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God;⁶ likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it;⁷ also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honour and good character of my neighbor.⁸

That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness.¹

No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience;¹ yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God.²

First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature,¹ and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ;² likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.³

Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us:¹ and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them.²

First, that we from the heart pray to the one true God only,¹ who has manifested himself in his word,² for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him;³ secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery,⁴ that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty;⁵ thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer,⁶ as he has promised us in his word.⁷, ⁸

All things necessary for soul and body;¹ which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself has taught us.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike reverence for, and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer: namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in true faith, than our parents will refuse us earthly things.¹

Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God's heavenly majesty,¹ and that we may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for soul and body.²

"Hallowed be your name"; that is, grant us, first, rightly to know you,¹ and to sanctify, glorify and praise you,² in all your works, in which your power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that your name may never be blasphemed, but rather honored and praised on our account.³

"Your kingdom come"; that is, rule us so by your word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to you;¹ preserve and increase your church;² destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against you; and also all wicked counsels devised against your holy word;³ till the full perfection of your kingdom take place,⁴ wherein you shall be all in all.⁵

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"; that is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will,¹ and without murmuring obey your will, which is only good;² that every one may attend to, and perform the duties of his station and calling,³ as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven.⁴

"Give us this day our daily bread"; that is, be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for the body,¹ that we may thereby acknowledge you to be the only fountain of all good,² and that neither our care nor industry, nor even your gifts, can profit us without your blessing;³ and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in you.⁴

"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"; that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us;¹ even as we feel this evidence of your grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor.²

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"; that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment;¹ and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil,² the world,³ and our own flesh,⁴ cease not to assault us, do you therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare,⁵ but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory.⁶

"For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever"; that is, all these we ask of you, because you, being our King and almighty, are willing and able to give us all good;¹ and all this we pray for, that thereby not we, but your holy name, may be glorified forever.²

"Amen" signifies, it shall truly and certainly be: for my prayer is more assuredly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him.¹