But the fact that we see the very saintly patriarchs hand down and receive these goods with such sure faith, while we have such a cold and indifferent attitude toward our own blessing in the New Testament—this is great and deplorable wretchedness. I certainly am greatly ashamed of myself and chagrined whenever I compare myself with them. For look at this woman Rebecca, who lives in flesh and blood just as we do; and look at Isaac and Jacob. But with what a sure, living, and firm faith they are carried along to those future goods, so that they do not concern themselves about the presence of the flesh! Indeed, they seem to be sleeping and snoring in this physical life in view of the things that are promised to them for the future.
"We have a richer gift, or surely one that is no smaller in measure and abundance. But we do not have the same faith; we snore, we are half-dead, our eyes are dimsighted, our ears are hard of hearing, our hearts falter and waver; they have, and they do not bother about what they have. For to pronounce absolution, to administer the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and to proclaim the forgiveness of sins from the Gospel is something far greater than if Isaac blesses Jacob. For it is just as if I were saying: “I give you the kingdom of heaven, power over the devil, and no matter how much you die, I keep you from perishing.” Of course, we do not do this with our own strength; but we do it by virtue of the authority and command of God, who has given men the power to lead one another to eternal life through the priesthood of Christ."
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