to
pardon. I will here refrain from saying more; we see more of it
than is good; greed holds the reins, and just what should be
forbidden is taught; and it is clearly seen that the spiritual
estate is in all things more worldly than the worldly estate
itself. Meanwhile Christendom must be ruined, and this
Commandment perish.

If there were a bishop who would zealously provide for all these
classes, supervise, make vitiations and be faithful as he ought,
truly, one city would be too much for him. For in the time of
the Apostles, when Christendom was at its best estate, each city
had a bishop, although the smallest part of the inhabitants were
Christians. How may things go when one bishop wants to have so
much, another so much, this one the whole world, that one the
fourth of it.

It is time that we pray God for mercy. Of spiritual power we have
much; but of spiritual government nothing or little. Meanwhile
may he help who can, that endowments, monastic houses, parishes
and schools be well established and managed; and it would also be
one of the works of the spiritual authority that it lessen the
number of endowments, monastic houses and schools, where they
cannot be cared for. It is much better that there be no monastic
house or endowment than that there be evil government in them,
whereby God is the more provoked to anger.[41]

[Sidenote: Abuses in the Church]

IX. Since, then, the authorities so entirely neglect their work,
and are perverted, it must assuredly follow that they misuse
their power, and undertake other and evil works, just as parents
do when they give some command contrary to God. Here we must be
wise; for the Apostle has said, that those times shall be
perilous in which such authorities shall rule. [1 Tim. 4:1 ff.]
For it seems as if we resisted their power if we do not do and
leave undone all that they prescribe. [2 Tim. 3:1 ff.] Therefore
we must take hold of the first three Commandments and the First
Table, and be certain that no man, neither bishop, nor pope, nor
angel, may command or determine anything that is contrary to or
hinders these three Commandments, or does not help them; and if
they attempt such things, it is not valid and amounts to nothing;
and we also sin if we follow and obey, or even tolerate such
acts.

From this it is easy to understand that the commands of fasting
do not include the sick, the pregnant women, or those who for
other reasons cannot fast without injury. And,