Joachim Magdeburg.

These, however, are right and proper good works, which God Himself demands of us in His Holy Word and law. Therefore, if we want to do right and proper good works, we must turn to the Holy Ten Commandments of God and to God's Word, and learn from them what God wants us to have done or left undone, and render obedience and follow the same, and call upon and pray to God the Lord that He may grant His Holy Spirit and grace.

X. How one should do good works.

Concerning the tenth, it must be noted here how we should do these same good works—which God Himself has ordained and commanded—rightly and well.

Some good works that God has commanded are such general works that they concern all people in general, and each individual specifically, regardless of his station or rank. Such are all those that God demands in the Holy Ten Commandments and others besides. Every Christian should let these be commended to him and keep them diligently.

Some good works are specialia special/specific, or works of office and calling, such as that a government should protect all the pious with the sword and earnestly punish the wicked (Romans 13), and that the elected and confirmed preachers should faithfully teach and shepherd their entrusted congregation through the Word of God and administer the high and holy sacraments in the congregation. These works should be commended to those who are called to such offices, and they should do them diligently. But if anyone were to undertake such works of his own outside and beyond his calling,