faith makes all works good, yea, it must do
them and be the master-workman.

XIX. On the other hand, the masters and mistresses should not rule
their servants, maids and workingmen roughly, not look to all things
too closely, occasionally overlook something, and for peace' sake make
allowances. For it is not possible that everything be done perfectly at
all times among any class of men, as long as we live on earth in
imperfection. Of this St. Paul says, Colossians iv, "Masters, do unto
your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a
Master in heaven." Therefore as the masters do not wish God to deal too
sharply with them, but that many things be overlooked through grace,
they also should be so much the more gentle toward their servants, and
overlook some things, and yet have a care that the servants do right
and learn to fear God.

But see now, what good works a householder and a mistress can do, how
finely God offers us all good works so near at hand, so manifold, so
continuously, that we have no need of asking after good works, and
might well forget the other showy, far-off, invented works of men, such
as making pilgrimages, building churches, seeking indulgence, and the
like.

Here I ought naturally also to say how a wife ought to be obedient,
subject to her husband as to her superior, give way to him, keep silent
and give up to him, where it is a matter not contrary to God's
commands. On the other hand, the husband should love his wife, overlook
a little, and not deal strictly with her, of which matter St. Peter and
St. Paul have said much. But this has its place in the further
explanation of the Ten Commandments, and is easily inferred from these
passages.

XX. But all that has been said of these works is included in these two,
obedience and considerateness. Obedience is the duty of subjects,
considerateness that of masters, that they take care to rule their
subjects well, deal kindly with them, and do everything whereby they
may benefit and help them. That is their way to heaven, and these are
the best works they can do on earth; with these they are more
acceptable to God than if without these they did nothing but miracles.
So says St. Paul, Romans xii: "He that ruleth, let him do it with
diligence"; as who should say: "Let him not allow himself to be led
astray by what other people or classes of people do; let him not look
to this work or to that, whether it be splendid or obscure; bu