re too full,
too well provided for and have too much peace, as he says,
Deuteronomy xxxii: "My people is waxed rich, full and fat;
therefore has it forsaken its God." [Deut. 32:15] Wherefore also
God let many of its enemies remain and would not drive them out,
in order that they should not have peace and must exercise
themselves in the keeping of God's commandments, as it is
written, Judges iii [Judges 3:1 ff.]. So He deals with us also,
when sends us all kinds of misfortune: so exceedingly careful is
He of us, that He may teach us and drive us to honor and call
upon His Name, to gain confidence and faith toward Him, and so to
fulfil the first two Commandments.

[Sidenote: The Error of Calling on Other Names]

XXVI. Here foolish men run into danger, and especially the
work-righteous saints, and those who want to be more than others;
they teach men to make the sign of the cross; one arms himself
with letters, another runs to the fortune-tellers; one seeks
this, another that, if only they may thereby escape misfortune
and be secure. It is beyond telling what a devilish allurement
attaches to this trifling with sorcery, conjuring and
superstition, all of which is done only that men may not need
God's Name and put no trust in it. Here great dishonor is done
the Name of God and the first two Commandments, in that men look
to the devil, men or creatures for that which should be sought
and found in God alone, through naught but a pure faith and
confidence, and a cheerful meditation of and calling upon His
holy Name.

Now examine this closely for yourself and see whether this is not
a gross, mad perversion: the devil, men and creatures they must
believe, and trust to them for the best; without such faith and
confidence nothing holds or helps. How shall the good and
faithful God reward us for not believing and trusting Him as much
or more than man and the devil, although He not only promises
help and sure assistance, but also commands us confidently to
look for it, and gives and urges all manner of reasons why we
should place such faith and confidence in Him? Is it not
lamentable and pitiable that the devil or man, who commands
nothing and does not urge, but only promises, is set above God,
Who promises, urges and commands; and that more is thought of
them than of God Himself? We ought truly to be ashamed of
ourselves and learn from the example of those who trust the devil
or men. For if the devil, who is a wicked, lying