Note 230 — Chapter XXXV · (Continued) LUTHER’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIETY AND EDUCATION (continued 2)

Ib., p. 37 f.=81, on the words of Christ, Matt. v. 40 f., that, to him who takes our coat we should leave our cloak also: “Many fancy this is not commanded or to be observed by every Christian, but is merely a voluntary counsel of perfection, and, like virginity and chastity, counselled not commanded.” But “these are the artifices whereby the teaching and example of our dear Lord Jesus Christ as given in the holy Gospel, together with that of all His Martyrs and Saints, is reversed, neglected and altogether suppressed.… God will blind and disgrace those who turn His clear and holy Word into darkness.… No excuse is of any avail, it is simply a command which we are bound to observe.” He continues: As true Christians we have to observe it, but, as members of a commonwealth we enjoy a divine institution whereby “the secular sword” protects us from any injury to our possessions.