However, this noble word naturally brings with it a burning hunger and unquenchable thirst that can never be filled. Even though many thousands of people believed in it, we would still desire that no person would want for it. Such thirst is ever active and knows no rest, but impels us to speak, as David states in Psalm 116 [:10], “I believe, therefore I speak.” And (as St. Paul declares in II Corinthians 4 [:13]), “We have the same spirit of faith, therefore we, too, speak,” until we include and incorporate everyone with us and make them one communion with us, wherever this is possible.  (Luther’s Works, v.43, p.62)

Picture:  At the top of each of the seven branches is a burning candle.
[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]

It is the nature of the divine word to be heartily received by a few, but to be persecuted ruthlessly by many. Wolves and bears and lions do not persecute it, but men do, all men do, Christ says. Is it any wonder, then, that the world is full of people, that is, full of persecutors of Christ? What is the world other than people? But the word makes gods of men, as Psalm 71 [82:6] says, “I have said, you are gods, children of the Most High, all of you.” Christ himself interprets this statement in John 10 [:34, 35], saying, “Scripture calls them gods to whom the word of God came.” And in John 1 [:12], “To those who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” Thus it ever remains true that men persecute God’s word and God’s children.  (Luther’s Works, v.43, p.62)

Picture:  At the end of the rays coming from the dove are the seven branches of the lampstand with three roundlets designating the first 21 articles of the Augsburg Confession.
One: XVI, XVII, XVIII
Two: X, XI, XII
Three: IIII, V, VI
Four: I, II, III
Five: VII, VIII, IX
Six: XIII, XIIII, XV
Seven: XIX, XX, XXI

[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]