Luther quotes

“Saint Anthony, the very father of monks and the founder of the monastic life, most wisely and in a Christian manner believed and taught that absolutely nothing should be observed which did not have the authority of Scripture.” Martin Luther, Judgment of Martin Luther on Monastic Vows, Luther's Works, American Edition, 44:253

Patristics

“Moreover, we learn from the Scripture itself, that God gave circumcision, not as the completer of righteousness, but as a sign, that the race of Abraham might continue recognizable.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV, 16:1, ANF, 1:480

Baier's Axioms

Quando quaeris, num hoc illudne dogma sit Lutheranum, hoc cognoscere debes ex symbolis, tumque sunt norma hujus cognitionis. Ubi autem quaeris, num hoc illudne dogma verum an falsum sit, id certe non ex symbolis tanquam norma, sed ex Scriptura sacra cognoscendum est.

When you investigate whether this or that dogma might be Lutheran, this you must learn from the symbols, and then they are the norms of this knowledge. However when you investigate whether this or that dogma might be true or false, that certainly is not known from the symbols as a norm, but it is known from sacred Scripture.

Luther quotes

“But the first and foremost of all on which everything else depends, is the teaching of the Word of God. For we teach with the Word, we consecrate with the Word, we bind and absolve sins by the Word, we baptize with the Word, we sacrifice with the Word, we judge all things by the Word. Therefore, when we grant the Word to anyone, we cannot deny anything to him pertaining to the exercise of his priesthood.” Martin Luther, Concerning the Ministry, Luther's Works, American Edition, 40:21

Latin proverbs

Bestia quaeque suos natos cum laude coronat. (Werner)

Each beast crowns her own chidren with honor.

Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd secular

Septimus Severus, 193-211 AD

- was “African” or “Semitic” - spent first part of his reign eliminating other generals who had been declared emperor - attempted to conquer Mesopotamia, and fought the “savages” of Scotland

- the civil war caused great damage - in order to prevent any more, he expanded the army, raised army pay (more payments “in kind”), soldiers allowed to farm, legally marry - centurions were favored, and the army became the path to success

- all that required much higher taxes - was one of the outstanding imperial builders - during his reign, the worship of the sun becomes important

- deathbed advice to his sons - “Keep on good terms with each other, be generous to the soldiers, and ignore everyone else!”

Imitation of Christ

Quæ rarissime homo in se vel in aliis emendare non valet, debet patienter sustinere, donec Deus aliter ordinet. Cogita quod sic forte melius est pro tua probatione et patientia, sine qua non sunt multum ponderanda merita nostra. Debes tamen pro talibus impedimentis supplicare, ut tibi dignetur Deus subvenire, ut possis benigne portare.

Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought patiently to bear, until God will otherwise ordain. Don't you think that perhaps it is better for your trial and patience, without which our merits are but little worth. Nevertheless you ought, when you find such impediments, to beseech God that He would sustain you, that you might be able to bear them with a good will.

Imitation of Christ, I, 16:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honor from the king. Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king." Ecclesiasticus 7:4-5

Patristics

“And again, the law did not forbid those who are hungry on the Sabbath-days to take food lying ready at hand: it did, however, forbid them to reap and to gather into the barn.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV, 8:3, ANF, 1:471

Baier's Axioms

Quibus argumentis olim persuasi fuerunt auditores, ut crederent apostolicae praedicationi, iisdem argumentis etiam hodie persuadeamur, credere ipsorum scriptis; eadem enim, quae docuerunt, scripserunt.

By the same proofs which formerly persuaded hearers, so that they might believe the preaching of the apostles, by the same proofs we might also be persuaded today to believe the writings of the apostles; for they wrote in the same way they taught.

Luther quotes

“If the church universal receives, reads, and follows this epistle as written for itself in all other respects, why should it not do the same with this portion also? If we admit that any epistle, or any part of any epistle, of Paul does not apply to the church universal, then the whole authority of Paul falls to the ground.” Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, Luther's Works, American Edition, 40:25

Latin proverbs

Non semper aurem facilem habet felicitas. (Pub. Syrus)

Prosperity doesn't always have an accessible ear.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Justin Martyr

- died c. 165 in Rome - wrote an apology in 153, also the Dialogue with Trypho, the first attempt in writing to make clear the difference between Christianity and Judaism

- was lawyer, and saw Christianity as a “new law,” and Christ as a teacher of how to live a moral life - also said that Christians should be punished for crimes (if any) but not for simply bearing the name of “Christian”

Luther quotes

“Dear sirs, I dare all doctors and saints to exhaust and completely to expound (gar erholen) one word of Holy Scriptures. I am satisfied not to call Scriptures in question and to understand their meaning a little. The reason: if they are indeed the words (verba) of the Holy Spirit, they are too high for all men.” Martin Luther, Tabletalk, Weimar #1, #1205, Plass 1:71

Imitation of Christ

Qui veram et perfectam charitatem habet, in nulla re se ipsum quærit, sed Dei solummodo gloriam in omnibus fieri desiderat. Nulli etiam invidet, quia nullum privatum gaudium amat, nec in se ipso vult gaudere, sed in Deo super omnia optat bona beatificari. Nemini aliquid boni attribuit, sed totaliter ad Deum refert tota, unde omnia procedunt. In quo finaliter omnes Sancti fruibiliter quiescunt. O qui scintillam haberet veræ charitatis, perfecte omnia terrena sentiret plena vanitatis. 

 

He who has true and perfect charity, in no wise seeks his own good, but desires that God alone be altogether glorified. He envies none, because he longs for no selfish joy; nor does he desire to rejoice in himself, but longs to be blessed in God as the highest good. He ascribes good to none save to God only, the Fountain whence all good proceeds, and the End, the Peace, the joy of all Saints. Oh, he who has but a spark of true charity, has truly learned that all worldly things are full of vanity.

Imitation of Christ, I, 15:3

Ecclesiasticus

"My son, do not sow the furrow of injustice, and you will not  reap a sevenfold crop." Ecclesiasticus 7:3

Retirement

In my years in the ministry, I've seen many different kinds of congregations (after all, I've spent more than 12 years as a circuit counselor), but the kind that presents the most problems may not be the ones  you think. Congregations in conflict would seem to rank high on the list of problems, and they do present their own unique difficulties. Often, though, a little bit of patient listening and some fairness and impartiality can take care of many of the conflicts.

To my mind, the biggest problem is presented by the self-satisfied congregation – by the congregation that is happy with things just the way they are, and has no desire (and usually no willingness) to change. Often such congregations are perceived as being unfriendly and unwelcoming, whether they really are or not. I remember talking to one of the leaders of one such parish and suggesting they improve their parking area (because they had very little off street parking). The response I got from this leader was basically that new people should park blocks away and walk the rest of the way to church – the reason for this? Well, the members of the congregation have done it that way for  80 years, so new people should do it too.

It's unfortunate when congregations get to that point. Often there seems to be very little a new pastor can do to change such a congregation. One district president I've known over the years told me that that the only thing you could do with a congregation like that would be to leave it vacant and hope that people would finally come to their senses. As I said, it's sad when a group of Christians reach that point.

Patristics

“For the law commanded them to abstain from every servile work, that is, from all grasping after wealth which is procured by trading and by other worldly business; but it exhorted them to attend to the exercises of the soul, which consist in reflection, and to addresses of a beneficial kind for their neighbors benefit. And therefore the Lord reproved those who unjustly blamed Him for having healed upon the Sabbath-days. For He did not make void, but fulfilled the law, by performing the offices of the high priest,....” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV, 8:2, ANF, 1:471

Baier's Axioms

Quisquis adhuc prodigia inquirit, ut credat, magnum ipse prodigium est, cum toto mundo credente non credat.

Whoever searches for signs even now, so that he might believe, that sign must be great [that] he won't believe with the whole believing world.

Luther quotes

“The Holy Scripture is God's Word, written and, so to speak, lettered and put into the form of a letter (gebuchstabet und in Buchstaben gebildet), just as Christ, the eternal Word of God, is clothed in humanity. And men regard and treated the written Word of God in this world just as they to Christ. It is a worm and notebook compared with other books; for the honor people accord other writings of men by studying, reading, preaching, keeping, and using them they do not accord Scripture.” Martin Luther, comment on Psalm 22:6, Plass 1:71, SL 9:1770

Latin proverbs

Virum bonum natura, non ordo, facit. (Pub. Syrus)

Nature, not rank, makes a man good.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Epistle of Barnabas
- condemns abortion and equates it with murdering a child after birth

The Shepherd of Hermas

- c. 150, a story about Hermas, an old man bothered by sins - very clear picture of what the church in Rome was like in the second century, the good and bad of it

- maintains that there is forgiveness only once after baptism, otherwise no forgiveness for sin - for the first time talked of difference between “commandments” and “counsels,” the former being things all Christians had to do, and the latter what the 'better' Christians will do (celibacy, fasting, martyrdom, etc.)

  

Athenagoras of Athens

- c. 177, also wrote a defense of Christianity to Marcus Aurelius - as to the charge that Christians were cannibals, eating flesh and drinking blood, he pointed out that Christians regarded abortion as murder

Luther quotes

“For Scripture alone is the true lord and master of all writing and teaching on earth. If this is not to be, of what use is Scripture to us? Then we had better reject it and be satisfied with men's books and human teachers.” Martin Luther, Defense against the Papal Bull, Plass 1:75, SL 15:1481

Imitation of Christ

Pro nulla re mundi, et pro nullius hominis dilectione aliquod malum est faciendum. Sed pro utilitate indigentis bonum opus aliquando intermittendum aut quandoque pro meliori mutandum. Hoc nam facto opus bonum non destruitur, sed in melius commutatur. Sine charitate opus externum non prodest quemquam. Quicquid autem ex charitate agitur quantumcumque etiam parvum sit, et despectum totum efficitur fructuosum. Magis si quidem Deus pensat ex quanto quis agit, quam quantum quis facit. 

For no worldly good whatever, and for the love of no man, must anything be done which is evil, but for the help of the suffering a good work must sometimes be postponed, or be changed for a better; for herein a good work is not destroyed, but improved. Without charity no work profits, but whatsoever is done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, brings forth good fruit; for truly God considers what a man is able to do, more than the greatness of what he does.

Imitation of Christ, I, 15:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Do no evil, and evil will never befall you. Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you." Ecclesiasticus 7:1-2

Retirement

We had our regular winkle this past Thursday and I got a surprise there. If I understood what was said correctly, one of the congregations in my circuit (or some people in that congregation) decided to give me a gift on my retirement/leaving circuit counselor office after eight years. It wasn't much, of course, they found a book at an estate sale, an old German Bible for five bucks, and decided to get it for me.

It really blew me away for a couple of reasons. First of all, I've never heard of any circuit counselor being 'rewarded' for his service, not even a thank you. I know I helped this particular congregation in a very difficult situation, but I certainly never expected them to remember it.

Second, while there are indeed congregations that will have presentations of some sort for their own pastor who retires, I've never heard of a congregation, or the people of a congregation, having a presentation on the retirement of a pastor from a different congregation.

I have two responses to their gift – first, it makes me think that this must be a tremendous congregation committed Christians do something like this. Then, I wonder what it was that I  did right.

Patristics

“For the law never hindered them from believing in the Son of God; nay, but it even exhorted them so to do, saying that men can be saved in no other way from the old wound of the serpent then by believing in Him who, in the likeness of sinful flesh, is lifted up from the earth upon the tree of martyrdom, and draws all things to Himself, and vivifies the dead.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV, 2:7, ANF, 1:465

Baier's Axioms

Was ich verstehe, ist vortrefflich; ich schliesse daher ebenso auf dasjenige, was ich nicht verstehe.

What I understand is excellent; therefore I understand from this what I do not understand.

Luther quotes

“The devil is a greater rascal than you think he is. You do as yet not know what sort of fellow he is and what a desperate rogue you are. His definite design is to give you tired of the Word and in this way to draw you away from it. This is his name.” Martin Luther, sermon on Easter Monday, 4/18/1530, Plass 1:79, SL 12: 1610f

Latin proverbs

Habet suum venenum blanda oratio. (Pub. Syrus)

Smooth speech contains its own poison.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Papias of Hieropolis

- student of John the apostle, friend of Polycarp - recorded some of the teachings of the apostles - Mark recorded the Gospel that Peter preached, Luke recorded Paul's, Matthew took notes on what Jesus had said, in Hebrew, and others used his notes, Papias took down John's dictation of the Gospel

Luther quotes

“That the Holy Scriptures cannot be penetrated by study and talent is most certain. Therefore your first duty is to begin to pray to this effect that if it please God to accomplish something for His glory– not for yours or any other person's – He very graciously grant you a true understanding of His words. For no master of the divine words exists except the Author of these words, as He says: 'They shall be all taught of God' (John 6:45). You must, therefore, completely despair of your own industry and ability and rely solely on the inspiration of the Spirit.” Martin Luther, letter to Spalatin 1/18/1518, Plass 1:77, SL 18:1977f.

Imitation of Christ

Sed semper aliquid ab intra latet, vel etaim ab extra concurrit, quod nos etiam pariter trahit. Multi occulte se ipsos quærunt in rebus, quas agunt, et nesciunt. Videntur etiam in bona pace stare, quum res pro eorum velle fiunt. Propter diversitatem sensuum, et opinionum satis frequenter oriuntur diffensiones inter amicos et cives, inter religiosos et devotos. 
 

But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some outward circumstance, turns us aside. Many are secretly seeking their own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They seem to live in good peace of mind so long as things go well with them, and according to their desires, but if their desires be frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between religious and godly men.

Imitation of Christ, I, 14:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Keep yourself far away from your enemies, and be on guard toward your friends." Ecclesiasticus 6:13

Retirement

One of the biggest problems about retiring, especially if you're burnt out, is trying to keep up with your duties and responsibilities. It becomes difficult because when you start counting down the weeks, when you're looking forward to retirement, when the congregation is looking forward to getting a new pastor, it gets harder to have the energy to do the things you've been doing over the past years.

Part of it can be explained in a good way – because you don't want to start anything new, you don't want to cause any problems for a new pastor, you want to clean up all the messes that you can. But, on the other hand, it can be explained in bad ways as well: you're just too tired after all the battles of the past to start a new one; it gets to the point you don't care if the situation gets resolved (because all your efforts in the past have not resolved it). Sometimes, you can't even tell whether you have good or bad reasons for doing, or not doing, things you do.

It's at times like those that Christians must hang very firmly on to the hope of forgiveness that we have in Christ. It's true for so many things in our lives that we may not know whether they are good or bad, whether we have good or bad intentions. It is really doesn't matter in the end, because all our righteousness is like filthy rags – what is important is the cross of Christ and the forgiveness that he gives to us.

Patristics

“The Lord, brethren, stands in need of nothing; and He desires nothing of any one, except that confession be made to Him.” 1 Clement, LII, ANF, 1:19

Baier's Axioms

Johannes par esse putavit, tam praesentibus, tam futuris hujus evangelii conscriptione consulere.

John considered it to be appropriate, whether for the present or the future, to consult by the

writing of this gospel.

Luther quotes

“Since Holy Writ once to be dealt with in fear and humility and penetrated more by studying (studio) with pious prayer than with keenness of intellect, therefore it is impossible for those who rely only on their intellect (nudo ingenio) and rush into Scripture with dirty feet, like pigs, as though Scripture were merely a sort of human knowledge not to harm themselves and others whom they instruct.” Martin Luther, Sermon on the eighth Commandment 1517, Plass 1:78, SL 3:1328

Latin proverbs

Etiam capillus unus habet umbram suam. (Pub. Syrus)

Even a single hair casts its shadow.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Polycarp of Smyrna

- bishop of Smyrna (Turkey), executed (burned alive) for Christianity c. 156 AD - had studied with John the Apostle

- “When the Proconsul Statius Quadratus ordered Polycarp: 'Swear and I will release you; curse Christ!' he replied: 'For eighty-six years I have been serving Him, and He has done no wrong to me; how, then, dare I blaspheme my King who has saved me!'”

Patristics

“Content with the provisions which God had made for you, and carefully attending to His words, ye were inwardly filled with His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and ye had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all.” 1 Clement, II, ANF 1:5

Imitation of Christ

Ad te ipsum oculos reflecte et aliorum facta caveas judicare. In judicando alios homo frustra laborat, sæpius errat, et leviter peccat. Se ipsum vero judicando et discutiendo semper fructuose laborat. Sicut nobis res cordi est, sic de ea frequenter judicamus. Nam verum judicium propter privatum amorem faciliter perdimus. Si Deus semper esset pura intentio desiderii nostri, non tam faciliter turbaremur pro resistentia sensus nostri. 

 

Look well to yourself, and beware that you judge not the doings of others. In judging others a man labors in vain; he often errs, and easily falls into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always labors to good purpose. According as a matter touchs our fancy, so oftentimes do we judge of it; for easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own personal feeling. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our fancy.

Imitation of Christ I, 13:1

Ecclesiasticus

"When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily. For there is a friend who is  such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble." Ecclesiasticus 6:7-8

Retirement

In my ministry, I had the opportunity to be vacancy pastor on a couple of occasions, and, as circuit counselor, I've helped guide the number of congregations through the calling process. It's a little bit different this time, because the congregation in helping now is my own. When I took a call in the past, I was gone so fast that I never had the chance to see a congregation go through the process close at hand. When I helped out congregations in the past, I was helping out with the calling process, but wasn't close enough to the congregation to see all the ins and outs.

It is very curious. My congregation now has basically realized that I'm leaving, and they're beginning to understand that they're looking for a new pastor, even though it's strange to say that since I announced my retirement back in May. Right now, they're at the point of thinking through, as individuals, what they think they should have for a new pastor, and what direction the congregation needs to go in. The next step is to get them talking together with each other and come to an agreement about those things.

The interesting thing is looking at some of the self study surveys that have come in already. Much like any congregation, there is a wide variety of opinion about what kind of pastors needed here next. Some of the people think that there are changes ahead in the future that require new way of looking at things (my personal opinion as well), and some of the people want the exact same thing that they had 50 years ago (in the sense of style of ministry). It's going to be very interesting over the next few months to see how, or if, they come to an agreement about what's needed here next.

Patristics

“Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them.” 1 Clement, XLV, ANF 1:17

Baier's Axioms

Ad omnes apostoli scripserunt, dum ad quosdam.

The apostles write to all when they write to certain ones.

Luther quotes

“We are to search, says He, not to sit in judgment; not to be masters, but principals; not to inject our notions into this Scripture, but get Christ's testimony out of it; and as long as Christ is not found aright in it, it is also not being searched aright.” Martin Luther, Bible inscription on John 5:39, Plass 1:80, SL 9:1819

Latin proverbs

Numquam periculum sine periculo vincitur. (Pub. Syrus)

Danger is never overcome without further danger.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Quadratus

- c. 125, wrote a defense of Christianity to the Emperor Hadrian

The Didache

- written c. 125, talks about the “way of life” (Christianity) versus the “way of death” (unbelief) - earliest mention of how to baptize, (1) running water, (2) 'other' water, (3) pour water - Christians were to fast on Wednesday and Friday (because Jews fasted on Monday and Thursday) - the Lord's Prayer was to be said three times a day - you were supposed to confess your sins before communion - people were told to “elect for themselves” bishop and deacons

Aristides

- c. 140, wrote a defense of Christianity to Antoninus Pius

Luther quotes

“But so it always is; where there are no plain and sure testimonies of Scripture, impertinent and presumptuous men think they are at liberty to imagine and invent whatever they please.” Genesis Lectures (Gen. 1:6), Plass 1:85-86, SL 1:27

Imitation of Christ

Initium omnium malarum tentationum inconstantia animi est, et parva ad Deum confidentia, quia sicut navis sine gubernaculo hinc inde a fluctibus impellitur, ita homo remissus, et suum propositum deferens varie tentatur. Ignis probat ferrum, et tentatio hominem justum. Nescimus sæpe quid possumus, sed tentatio aperit quid sumus. Vigilandum tum præcipue circa initium tentationis, quia tunc facilius hostis vincitur, si ostium mentis nullatenus intrare finitur, sed extra limen statim ut pulsaverit illi obviatur. Unde quidam dixit, Principiis obsta, sero medicina paratur. Nam primo occurrit menti simplex cogitatio, deinde fortis imaginatio, postea delectatio, et motus pravus, et assensio, sicque paulatim hostis malignus ex toto ingreditur, dum illi non resistitur in pricipio. Et quanto diutius ad resistendum quis torpuerit, tanto in se quotidie debilior fit, et hostis contra eum potentior. 
 

The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and want of trust in God; for even as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, so is a man who is careless and infirm of purpose tempted, now on this side, now on that. As fire tests iron, so temptation tests the upright man. Oftentimes we know not what strength we have; but temptation reveals to us what we are. Nevertheless, we must watch, especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he has knocked. Wherefore someone says,

       Check the beginnings; once thou might'st have cured,

       But now 'tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured.

For first comes to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little by little the enemy enters in altogether, because he was not resisted at the beginning. And the longer a man delays his resistance, the weaker he grows, and the stronger the enemy grows against him.

Imitation of Christ,  I, 13:5

Ecclesiasticus

"Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand." Ecclesiasticus 6:6

Retirement

There are less than nine months to go before I retire from full-time ministry. I think the congregation is starting to realize that fact and take it to heart, because there has been a little flurry of activity recently. In trying to come up with data for the self-study, the congregation has realized that they haven't done anything with their membership list for a number of years. They've realized that there are people on the list that really should not be there, and they want to take care of it before the new pastor arrives, whenever that may be. (Of course, they have not yet dealt with the problem of why they didn't want to have anything to do with cleaning up that list for the last 10 years.)

It's good to see even that little bit of activity in the congregation, even though it's coming about because we are leaving. I'm spending part of the time over the next few months making up some lists of what the congregation needs to be responsible for. I'm surprised how long that list is getting, because I thought I was doing a good job of trying to encourage the people here to be more involved. Instead, now that the last few months are upon us, I find that I took way too much upon myself (partly because it seemed that no one else was willing to do anything) and, as I told the district president, I found that I've become more of a workaholic than I ever thought I would be.

That's part of the reason why I'm looking forward to retirement. The district president recently told me and a few other circuit counselors that after a year of being district president, he said finding out that the stress is much less in his life, even though he gets saddled with all of the bad situations in the district. I thought it was an interesting comment, to be able to say that the parish pastorate is so much more stressful than being a district president. I would've thought it would've been the other way around.

Patristics

“For as He became man in order to undergo temptation, so also was He the Word that He might be glorified; the Word remaining quiescent, that He might be capable of being tempted, dishonored, crucified, and of suffering death, but the human nature being swallowed up in it (the divine), when it conquered, and endured [without yielding], and performed acts of kindness, and rose again, and was received up [into heaven]. He therefore, the Son of God, our Lord, being the Word of the Father, and the Son of man, since He had a generation as to His human nature from Mary – who was descended from mankind, and to us yourselves a human being – was made the Son of man.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, III:19:3, ANF, 1:449

Baier's Axioms

Prophetae et apostoli sic arguere solent reprehensibiles in aliquo populo, quasi omnes arguantur, et sic alloqui laudabiles, quasi omnes ibi laudentur.

The prophets and apostles also are accustomed to condemn the blameworthy among some people, as if all were condemned, and thus some praiseworthy, as if all were to be praised.

Luther quotes

“It is not the Word of God because the church says so; but that the Word of God might be spoken, therefore the church comes into being. The church does not make the Word, but it is made by the Word.” Misuse of the Mass, January 1522, Plass 1:87, SL 19:1081

Latin proverbs

Nemo sine vitio est. (Seneca the Elder)

No one is without fault.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd sacred

Ignatius of Antioch

- bishop of Antioch around 100, was sentenced to be thrown to wild animals under Trajan because he was a Christian - wrote a series of letters to the Christian churches he passed on his journey to Rome

- saw his death as a “perfect imitation” of Jesus and asked people not to try and help him - the letters show that the bishop/pastor was definitely in charge of the church, everything was done by him or with his approval

Luther quotes

“Therefore we let bishops and councils decide and establish whatever they please. But if we have God's Word before us, we, and not they, are to decide whether it is right or wrong.” Martin Luther, Letter to the church in Leisnig, Plass 1:89, SL 10:1541

Imitation of Christ

Sunt tamen tentationes hominibus valde utiles, licet molestæ sint et graves, quia in his homo humiliatur, purgatur et eruditur. Omnes Sancti per multas tribulationes et tentationes transierunt et profecerunt, et qui tentationes sustinere nequiverunt, reprobi facti sunt, et defecerunt. Non est aliquis ordo tam sanctus, et locus tam secretus, ubi non sint tentationes et adversitates.

Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn out greatly for our profit, even though they are great and hard to bear; for through them we are humbled, purified, instructed. All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation, and have profited by it. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so secret, that it is without temptations and adversities.

Imitation of Christ, I, 13:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not winnow with every wind, nor follow every path; the double-tongued sinner does that. Be steadfast in your understanding, and let your speech be consistent." Ecclesiasticus 5:9-10

Patristics

“For Christ did not at that time descend upon Jesus, neither was Christ one and Jesus another: but the Word of God – who is the Savior of all, and the ruler of heaven and earth, who is Jesus, as I have pointed out, who did also take up on Him flesh, and was anointed by the Spirit from the Father – was made Jesus Christ,....” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, III:9:3, ANF, 1: 423

Baier's Axioms

QeÒpneusij est Scripturae s. anima, a qua habet suum esse divinum ac aÙtÒpiston.

The spirit of holy Scripture is God-breathed, from which it has its own divine and self-testifying being.

Luther quotes

“Bishops, the pope, the learned, and all have the right to teach; but the sheep are to judge whether they are teaching what Christ says or what a stranger says.” Martin Luther, Letter to the church in Leisnig, Plass 1:89, SL 10:1541

Latin proverbs

Vitio forma perit, vino corrumpitur aetas. (anon)

By vice beauty perishes, by wine youth is corrupted.

Murphysboro Centuries, 2nd secular

Didius Julianus, 193 AD

- “outbid” another man for the 'throne' by promising the biggest gift to the praetorians - when the army from Upper Panonia (Austria) arrived, was killed, after 64 days