文档介绍：The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther
The Large Catechism by
Dr. Martin Luther
Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau
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The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther
Preface
A Christian, Profitable, and Necessary Preface and Faithful, Earnest
Exhortation of Dr. Martin Luther to All Christians, but Especially to All
Pastors and Preachers, that They Should Daily Exercise Themselves in the
Catechism, which is a Short Summary and Epitome of the Entire Holy
Scriptures, and that they May Always Teach the Same.
We have no slight reasons for treating the Catechism so constantly [in
Sermons] and for both desiring and beseeching others to teach it, since we
see to our sorrow that many pastors and preachers are very negligent in
this, and slight both their office and this teaching; some from great and
high art [giving their mind, as they imagine, to much higher matters], but
others from sheer laziness and care for their paunches, assuming no other
relation to this business than if they were pastors and preachers for their
bellies' sake, and had nothing to do but to [spend and] consume their
emoluments as long as they live, as they have been accustomed to do
under the Papacy.
And although they have now everything that they are to preach and
teach placed before them so abundantly, clearly, and easily, in so many
[excellent and] helpful books, and the true Sermones per se loquentes,
Dormi secure, Paratos et Thesauros, as they were called in former times;
yet they are not so godly and honest as to buy these books, or even when
they have them, to look at them or read them. Alas! they are altogether
shameful gluttons and servants of their own bellies who ought to be more
properly swineherds and dog-tenders than care-takers of souls and pastors.
And now that they are delivered from the unprofitable and
burdensome babbling of the Seven Canonical Hours, oh, that, instead
thereof, they would only, morning, noon, and evening, read a page or two
in