II. So far we have treated of the first work and of the First
Commandment, but very briefly, plainly and hastily, for very much might
be said of it. We will now trace the works farther through the
following Commandments.

The second work, next to faith, is the work of the Second Commandment,
that we shall honor God's Name and not take it in vain. This, like all
the other works, cannot be done without faith; and if it is done
without faith, it is all sham and show. After faith we can do no
greater work than to praise, preach, sing and in every way exalt and
magnify God's glory, honor and Name.

And although I have said above, and it is true, that there is no
difference in works where faith is and does the work, yet this is true
only when they are compared with faith and its works. Measured by one
another there is a difference, and one is higher than the other. Just
as in the body the members do not differ when compared with health, and
health works in the one as much as in the other; yet the works of the
members are different, and one is higher, nobler, more useful than the
other; so, here also, to praise God's glory and Name is better than the
works of the other Commandments which follow; and yet it must be done
in the same faith as all the others.

But I know well that this work is lightly esteemed, and has indeed
become unknown. Therefore we must examine it further, and will say no
more about the necessity of doing it in the faith and confidence that
it pleases God. Indeed there is no work in which confidence and faith
are so much experienced and felt as in honoring God's Name; and it
greatly helps to strengthen and increase faith, although all works also
help to do this, as St. Peter says, II. Peter i: "Wherefore the
rather, brethren, give diligence through good works to make your
calling and election sure."

XIX. The First Commandment forbids us to have other gods, and thereby
commands that we have a God, the true God, by a firm faith, trust,
confidence, hope and love, which are the only works whereby a man can
have, honor and keep a God; for by no other work can one find or lose
God except by faith or unbelief, by trusting or doubting; of the other
works none reaches quite to God. So also in the Second Commandment we
are forbidden to use His Name in vain. Yet this is not to be enough,
but we are thereby also commanded to honor, call upon, glorify, preach
and praise His Name. And indeed it is impossible that