God's Name should
not be dishonored where it is not rightly honored. For although it be
honored with the lips, bending of the knees, kissing and other
postures, if this is not done in the heart by faith, in confident trust
in God's grace, it is nothing else than an evidence and badge of
hypocrisy.

See now, how many kinds of good works a man can do under this
Commandment at all times and never be without the good works of this
Commandment, if he will; so that he truly need not make a long
pilgrimage or seek holy places. For, tell me, what moment can pass in
which we do not without ceasing receive God's blessings, or, on the
other hand, suffer adversity? But what else are God's blessings and
adversities than a constant urging and stirring up to praise, honor,
and bless God, and to call upon His Name? Now if you had nothing else
at all to do, would you not have enough to do with this Commandment
alone, that you without ceasing bless, sing, praise and honor God's
Name? And for what other purpose have tongue, voice, language and mouth
been created? As Psalm li. says: "Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth
shall show forth Thy praise." Again: "My tongue shall sing aloud of Thy
mercy."

What work is there in heaven except that of this Second Commandment? As
it is written in Psalm lxxxiv: "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy
house: they will be for ever praising Thee." So also David says in
Psalm xxxiv: "God's praise shall be continually in my mouth." And St.
Paul, I. Corinthians x: "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Also Colossians iii:
"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father." If we were to observe this
work, we would have a heaven here on earth and always have enough to
do, as have the saints in heaven.

XX. On this is based the wonderful and righteous judgment of God, that
at times a poor man, in whom no one can see many great works, in the
privacy of his home joyfully praises God when he fares well, or with
entire confidence calls upon Him when he fares ill, and thereby does a
greater and more acceptable work than another, who fasts much, prays
much, endows churches, makes pilgrimages, and burdens himself with
great deeds in this place and in that. Such a fool opens wide his
mouth, looks for great works to do, and is so blinded that he does not
at all notice this greatest work, and praising God is in