A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in…A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in…

Since I am not able to disappoint Satan by any other means, who still labours by writings to traduce or misconstrue both my person and opinions. And truly, I wonder exceedingly, how it came to be imputed to me, that I should reject the Law or ten Commandments, there being extant so many of my own expositions (and those of several sorts) upon the Commandments, which also are daily expounded, and used in our Churches, to say nothing of the Confession and Apology, and other books of ours. Add hereunto the custom we have ^(a)to sing the Commandments in two different tunes; besides the painting, printing, carving, and rehearsing them by children, both morning, noon and evening; So that I know no other way then what we have used, but that we do not (alas!) as we ought, really express and delineate them in our lives and conversations. And I my self as old as I am, use to recite them daily, as a Child, Word for Word; so that if any should have mistaken, what I had written, he might (seeing and feeling as it were▪ how vehemently I use to urge these Catechistical exercises) in reason have been persuaded to call upon me, and demand these or the like questions. What? Good Doctor Luther, d•'st thou press so eagerly the ten Commandments, and yet teachest withal, that they must be rejected? Thus they ought to have dealt with me; and not secretly undermine me behind my back, and then to wait for my death, that so they might afterwards make of me; what themselves▪ pleased. Well, I forgive them, ⟨p. 72⟩if they leave these courses. Verily, I have taught, and still teach, that sinners must be moved to Repentance by the preaching & pondering of the sufferings of Christ, that they may see how great the wrath of God is against sin: and that it cannot be otherwise expiated; but by the death of the Son of God: Which is not mine; but St Bernards doctrine. But why do I mention St Bernard? It is the doctrine of the whole Christian world, and which all the Prophets and Apostles have delivered. But how doth it hence follow,² that therefore the law must be taken away? I find no such inference in my Logic, and I would gladly see or hear that Logician, that would demonstrate the truth of this conclusion. When Isaiah saith, chap. 35, I have smitten him for the sins of my people; I pray tell me; here Christs sufferings are preached, that he was smitten for our sins: