s._ With such great show
as they exhibit in their knavish life, as going through with mass,
begging, singing, &c., do they allure and draw light-minded and
unstable souls, who are without faith, to imagine that everything is
spiritual; and all is shaped to this end, that men may think that in
that estate every one shall have enough, and good times besides, and,
moreover, that he shall reach heaven; and yet it is all done only to
this end, that they may fill their bellies and their dirt-bag.

_They have a heart penetrated with covetousness._ This vice is so
gross and open among the ecclesiastics, that even the common people
have complained of it. Yet he says not, they are covetous, but, they
have a heart penetrated with covetousness, and especially exercised
therein. This may be seen in the fact that they have invented so many
swindling and cunning stories that it is impossible to count them, by
which they bring all the world's wealth to themselves.

All that this class practices and pursues is simple, pure
covetousness, and must all be worth money enough. They show it also
most plainly of all, as they are equipped and prepared on all sides
to call on men for their gold; so that St. Peter was certainly not a
liar.

_They are children of cursing._ That is, in the Hebrew, as much as to
say, they are cursed children, subject to the curse of God, so that
before God they have no favor or salvation, and only become more
wicked from day to day, and continually, also, greater blasphemers of
God; so that they surely lade themselves full enough with the wrath
and terrible judgment of God. That is surely spoken severely and
fearfully enough; while it is high time that whoever can flee and
run, should flee and run forth from this cursed state. Should we bear
such a _title_, _that_ is certainly pitiful; but if the High Majesty
also arraigns, curses, and condemns,--who will endure it?

V. 15. _They have forsaken the right way, and gone in error._ They
should have taught the right way,--how we must cleave to Christ, and
come to God by faith, and through love to our neighbor; and
thereafter bear the holy cross, and endure whatever meets us
therefor. But they preach no more than this, "go hither and
thither,--be monk and priest,--found churches, masses, &c., &c.;" and
they lead away the people from faith to their own works, which yet
are such as are of no use to their neighbor.

V. 15, 16. _And have followed the way of Bala