Martin Luther on Psalms 129:7

Verſe 7. Whereof the Mower filleth not his hand, neither the Gleaner his Lap. Here the Holy Ghoſt maketh a compariſon between Graſs which yieldeth no fruit, and true corn which is fruitful; that thereby he may the better commend unto us the former ſimilitude, and withdraw our minds from the falſe dread and terror which that vain and counterfeit ſhew bringeth. Fruitful corn (ſaith he) is ſuch, that he which moweth it ſhall fill his hand, and he that gathereth the ſheaves ſhall have plenty to carry into his barn. Here ye ſee, is a truth, and not a vain ſhew. But graſs on the houſe tops maketh a ſhew of that which is not true, becauſe it is fruitleſs. So the Pope and his Prelates, with other Tyrants and Perſecutors, have a reſemblance and a counterfeit ſhew that they are the Church. They hold and enjoy Dignities, Prebends, Benefices, as graſs hath his ſtalk and ear; but indeed they are none of the Chrrch, like as graſs is no Corn: for it withereth away before it can bring forth fruit. For this is the chiefeſt argument wherewith they fight againſt us, that for this glorious ſhew whereof I ſpeak, they uſurp and challenge to themſelves the title of the Church. But we are commanded to take heed that we be not deceived by outward ſhews. Yea and we are admoniſhed alſo that ſuch ſhews are oftentimes occaſions of great calamities. Beware (ſaith our Saviour Chriſt) of Falſe Prophets, which come to you in Sheeps-cloathing. Alſo By their fruits ye ſhall know them. Whereas then they challenge unto themſelves the name of the Church, and for a goodly ſhew (which the graſs alſo that groweth on the houſe tops hath as well as they,) will be counted good Corn: this will not we grant them. For if they be good Corn, let them fill the hand of the Mower, but this they do not. They are unprofitable Graſs, yea worſe then graſs. For in that filthineſs of their wicked luſts and fleſhly pleaſures wherewith they are horribly polluted, and that cruelty which they exerciſe againſt the true Church, they retain not ſo much as the outward ſhew which they pretend. Wherefore, ſince there is nothing to be found in our adverſaries but a naked and an hypocritical ſhew, and the ſame alſo miſerably and many ways deformed and defaced; ſince (I ſay) there is nothing elſe in them but meer hypocriſy, we judge and denounce them not to be the Church of Chriſt, but of Satan. Wherefore they are prepared as chaff and ſtubble to the fire, although under a ſhevv and colour of the Church, they afflict and Perſecute us never ſo much.