# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Februar 1856_S56
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

56

(Submitted by A. B.)
Joh. Matthesius's regulae pastorales,
translated into German.

(Taken from the homiletical-liturgical-pedagogical Correspondence-Sheet of
Ch. Ph. H. Brandt.)

Would you be a true Christopher,
And preach so that it takes hold within,
Then let yourself be ordained as is fitting,
And go where the Lord leads you.

Feed the flock that He has entrusted to you,
Search out the Old and the New for their sake,
Sharpen the Law before the Gospel of grace,
Teach faith and works, vigorously and purely.

Consider what is profitable at every season,
Whether comfort or rebuke is to be offered,
What has held good before you in the Church,
Keep order and right in honor.

Preach what suits everyone,
Preach as a little child can grasp it,
Briefly and simply, worthily and freely,
Be modest in gesture and countenance.

Speak not as one speaks before princes,
Nor use the common farmer's speech either;
Boast not, as though you alone were wise,
And leave off taunting others.

A Thersites railing against the great
Should be thrust down from the pulpit;
And just as much as the flatterer counts against you,
So does the railer who forever storms and scolds.

Making jokes does not befit the pastor,
Yet neither a sullen face;
One should not twist one's words,
Nor set out after strife and quarreling.

From the apostles and the prophets
You shall draw your sermons,
With devout teachers and the creeds
Take counsel and seek advice.

Let it be your art to please God;
Do not fish after the favor of the people.
Fear not even the hatred of sinners:
Fear God's judgment, not that of men.

Do not trade in God's Word;
The love of gain drives the blessing away.
Do what you are called to do;
Leave be what is not your office.

Lend not your ear to the slanderer;
Whoever trusts every rumor is a fool.
Keep faith and conscience pure,
Shun ill repute, avoid the appearance of evil.

The Bible, and evil itself, shall teach you,
Restrain pride and envy and wrath in you,
Shall tame the desire for novelty,
Put to shame and lame the urge to enthuse.

You shall be an example to the believers,
Rebuking them with God's Word alone,
Not threatening them with worldly power,
Not saying what you have not well considered.

You shall bear ingratitude and injustice,
Not complain over your poverty,
Not seek the support of powerful men,
Trust God and give thanks for sorrow and
joy alike.

Suffer and be silent when you are wronged;
God lives, who directs all things for the best.
Conquer the desire to avenge yourself,
And let the Lord pronounce the judgment.

Be not the trumpet that calls forth strife,
That wakens the sleeping envy in the heart;
Make not a torch of your tongue and your hand,
To kindle the consuming blaze of wrath.

You shall pray on every path,
Weigh well what you read and hear,
Follow good counsel with joy,
Give thanks to him who has warned you.

The men who once taught you,
Let them be held in high honor by you;
Be agreeable with the brethren in office,
Bear with their faults, pray for them daily.

Love all men, yet trust not all;
Do good also to those who displease you.
Whatever you do, do it earnestly and gladly:
Commit everything else to the Lord.

So you can bear Christ worthily,
Can sing his praise and give him thanks,
And one day receive before His throne
The crown of honor as the reward of grace.