Confessio Augustana (part 3 of 3)

Christo, et a gratia excidunt. Nam et hi, qui votis tribuunt justificationem, tribuunt propriis operibus hoc, quod proprie ad gloriam Christi pertinet. Neque vero negari potest, quin monachi docuerint, se per vota et observationes suas justificari et mereri remissionem peccatorum, imo affinxerunt absurdiora, dixerunt se aliis mutuari sua opera. Hæc si quis velit odiose exaggerare, quam multa possit colligere, quorum jam ipsos monachos pudet. justified by vows, are made void of Christ, and fall from grace. For they also who attribute justification to their vows, attribute to their own works what properly belongs to the glory of Christ. Nor truly can it be denied that the monks taught that they are justified by their vows and observances, and merit the remission of sins; nay, they invented yet greater absurdities, and said they could transfer their good works to others. If any man wished to expand these things, so as to excite odium, how many things might he rehearse whereof the monks themselves are now ashamed! Ad hæc persuaserunt hominibus, facticias religiones esse statum Christianæ perfectionis. An non est hoc justificationem tribuere operibus? Non est leve scandalum in Ecclesia, populo proponere certum cultum ab hominibus excogitatum sine mandato Dei, et docere, quod talis cultus justificet homines: quia justitia fidei, quam maxime oportet tradi in Ecclesia, obscuratur, cum illæ mirificæ religiones angelorum, simulatio paupertatis et humilitatis, et cælibatus offunduntur oculis hominum. Moreover, they would persuade men that these invented religious orders are a state of Christian perfection. Or is this not attributing justification to works? It is no light offense in the Church to propound unto the people a certain service devised by men, without the commandment of God, and to teach that such a service doth justify men; because that the righteousness of faith, which ought especially to be taught in the Church, is obscured when those marvelous religions of angels, the pretense of poverty and humility, and of celibacy, are cast before men's eyes. Præterea obscurantur præcepta Moreover, the commandments of

Dei et verus cultus Dei, cum audiunt homines, solos monachos esse in statu perfectionis, quia perfectio Christiana est serio timere Deum, et rursus concipere magnam fidem, et confidere propter Christum, quod habeamus Deum placatum, petere a Deo, et certo expectare auxilium in omnibus rebus gerendis, juxta vocationem; interim foris diligenter facere bona opera, et servire vocationi. In his rebus est vera perfectio et verus cultus Dei, non est in cælibatu, aut mendicitate, aut veste sordida. God, and the true worship of God, are obscured when men hear that monks alone are in that state of perfection; because that Christian perfection is this, to bear God sincerely, and again, to conceive great faith, and to trust assuredly that God is pacified towards us, for Christ's sake; to ask, and certainly to look for, help from God in all our affairs, according to our calling; and outwardly to do good works diligently, and to attend to our vocation. In these things doth true perfection and the true worship of God consist: it doth not consist in singleness of life, in beggary, or in vile apparel. Verum populus concipit multas perniciosas opiniones ex illis falsis preconiis vitæ monasticæ. Audit sine modo laudari cælibatum: ideo cum offensione conscientiæ versatur in conjugio. Audit solos mendicos esse perfectos: ideo cum offensione conscientiæ versatur in conjugio. Audit solos mendicos esse perfectos: ideo cum offensione conscientæ retinet possessiones, negotiatur. Audit consilium Evangelicum esse de non vindicando: ideo alii in privata vita non verentur ulcisci, audiunt enim consilium esse, non præceptum. Alii omnes magistratus et civilia officia judicant indigna esse Christianis. The people doth also conceive many pernicious opinions from these false commendations of the monastic life. They hear celibacy praised above measure; therefore with offense of conscience they live in marriage. They hear that mendicants only are perfect; therefore with offense of conscience they keep their possessions, and buy and sell. They hear that the Gospel only giveth counsel not to take revenge; therefore some in private life are not afraid to avenge themselves; for they hear that it is a counsel, not a commandment. Others do think that all magistracy and civil offices are unworthy of Christian men.

Leguntur exempla hominum, qui deserto conjugio, deserta reipublicæ administratione, abdiderunt se in monasteria. Id vocabant fugere ex mundo, et quærere vitæ genus, quod Deo magis placeret, nec videbant, Deo serviendum esse in illis mandatis, quæ ipse tradidit, non in mandatis, quæ sunt excogitata ab hominibus. Bonum et perfectum vitæ genus est, quod habet mandatum Dei. De his rebus necesse est admonere homines. Et ante hæc tempora reprehendit Gerson errorem monachorum de perfectione, et testatur, suis temporibus novam vocem fuisse, quod vita monastica sit status perfectionis. We read examples of men who, forsaking wedlock, and leaving the government of the commonwealth, have hid themselves in monasteries. This they called flying out of the world, and seeking a kind of life which is more acceptable to God: neither did they see that God is to be served in those commandments which he himself hath delivered, not in the commandments which are devised by men. That is a good and perfect kind of life which hath the commandment of God for it. It is necessary to admonish men of these things. And before these times Gerson did reprehend this error of the monks concerning perfection; and witnesseth, that in his time this was a new saying, that the monastical life is a state of perfection. Tam multæ impiæ opiniones hærent in votis, quod justificent, quod sint perfectio Christiana, quod servent consilia et præcepta, quod habeant opera supererogationis. Hæc omnia cum sint falsa et inania, faciunt vota irrita. Thus many wicked opinions do cleave fast unto vows: as that they merit remission of sins and justification, that they are Christian perfection, that they do keep the counsels and commandments, that they have works of supererogation. All these things (seeing they be false and vain) do make vows to be of none effect. Art. VII.—De Potestate Ecclesiastica. Art. VII.—Of Ecclesiastical Power. Magnæ disputationes fuerunt de potestate Episcoporum, in There have been great controversies touching the power of Bishops;

quibus nonnulli incommode commiscuerunt potestatem Ecclesiasticam et potestatem gladii. in which many have incommodiously mingled together the Ecclesiastical power and the power of the sword. Et ex hac confusione maxima bella, maximi motus extiterunt, dum Pontifices, freti potestate clavium, non solum novos cultus instituerunt reservatione casuum, violentis excommunicationibus conscientias oneraverunt, sed etiam regna mundi transferre et imperatoribus adimere imperium conati sunt. And out of this confusion there have sprung very great wars and tumults, while that the Pontiffs, trusting in the power of the keys, have not only appointed new kinds of service, and burdened men's consciences by reserving of cases, and by violent excommunications; but have also endeavored to transfer worldly kingdoms from one to another, and to despoil emperors of their power and authority. Hæc vitia multo ante reprehenderunt in Ecclesia homines pii et eruditi. Itaque nostri ad consolandas conscientias coacti sunt ostendere discrimen ecclesiasticæ potestatis et potestatis gladii, et docuerunt utramque propter mandatum Dei religiose venerandam et honore afficiendam esse, tanquam summa Dei beneficia in terris. These faults did godly and learned men long since reprehend in the Church; and for that cause our teachers were compelled, for the comfort of men's consciences, to show the difference between the ecclesiastical power and the power of the sword. And they have taught that both of them, because of God's commandment, are dutifully to be reverenced and honored, as the chiefest blessings of God upon earth. Sic autem sentiunt, potestatem clavium seu potestatem Episcoporum, juxta Evangelium, potestatem esse seu mandatum Dei, prædicandi Evangelii, remittendi et retinendi peccata, et administrandi Sacramenta. Nam cum Now their judgment is this: that the power of the keys, or the power of the Bishops, by the rule of the Gospel, is a power or commandment from God, of preaching the Gospel, of remitting or retaining sins, and of administering the Sacraments.

hoc mandata Christus mittit Apostolos (John xx. 21 sqq.): 'Sicut misit me Pater, ita et ego mitto vos. Accipite Spiritum Sanctum: quorum remiseritis peccata, remittuntur eis, et quorum retinueritis peccata, retenta sunt.' Mark xvi. 15: 'Ite, prædicate Evangelium omni creaturæ,' etc. For Christ doth send his Apostles with this charge: 'As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained' (John xx. 21-23). 'Go and preach the Gospel to every creature,' etc. (Mark xvi. 15). Hæc potestas tantum exercetur docendo seu prædicando verbum, et porrigendo Sacramenta, vel multis vel singulis juxta vocationem, quia conceduntur non res corporales, sed res æternæ, justitia æterna, Spiritus Sanctus, vita æterna. Hæc non possunt contingere nisi per ministerium verbi et Sacramentorum; sicut Paulus dicit (Rom. i. 16): 'Evangelium est potentia Dei ad salutem omni credenti.' This power is put in execution only by teaching or preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments, either to many or to single individuals, in accordance with their call. For thereby not corporal things, but eternal, are granted; as an eternal righteousness, the Holy Ghost, life everlasting. These things can not be got but by the ministry of the Word and of the Sacraments, as Paul saith, 'The Gospel is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth' (Rom. i. 16). Itaque cum potestas ecclesiastica concedat res æternas, et tantum exerceatur per ministerium verbi: non impedit politicam administrationem; sicut ars canendi nihil impedit politicam administrationem. Nam politica administration versatur circa alias res, quam Evangelium: magistratus defendit non mentes, sed corpora et res corporales Seeing, then, that the ecclesiastical power concerneth things eternal, and is exercised only by the ministry of the Word, it hindereth not the political government any more than the art of singing hinders political government. For the political administration is occupied about other matters than is the Gospel. The magistracy defends not the minds, but the bodies, and

adversus manifestas injurias, et coërcet homines gladio et corporalibus pænis, ut justitiam civilem et pacem retineat. bodily things, against manifest injuries; and coerces men by the sword and corporal punishments, that it may uphold civil justice and peace. Non igitur commiscendæ sunt potestates ecclesiastica et civilis: ecclesiastica suum mandatum habet Evangelii docendi et administrandi Sacramenta. Non irrumpat in alienum officium, non transferat regna mundi, non abroget leges magistratuum, non tollat legitimam obedientiam, non impediat judicia de ullis civilibus ordinationibus aut contractibus, non præscribat leges magistratibus de forma rei publicæ; sicut dicit Christus (John xviii. 36): 'Regnum meum non est de hoc mundo.' Item (Luke xii. 14): 'Quis constituit me judicem aut divisiorem super vos?' Et Paulus ait (Phil. iii. 20): 'Nostra politia in coelis est.' 2 Cor. x. 4: 'Arma militiæ nostræ non sunt carnalia, sed potentia Dei, ad destruendas cogitationes,' etc. Ad hunc modum discernunt nostri utriusque potestatis officia, et jubent utramque honore afficere et agnoscere, utramque Dei donum et beneficium esse. Wherefore the ecclesiastical and civil powers are not to be confounded. The ecclesiastical power hath its own commandment to preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments. Let it not by force enter into the office of another; let it not transfer worldly kingdoms; let it not abrogate the magistrates' laws; let it not withdraw from them lawful obedience; let it not hinder judgments toughing any civil ordinances or contracts; let it not prescribe laws to the magistrate touching the form of the republic; as Christ saith, 'My kingdom is not of this world' (John xviii. 36). Again, 'Who made me a judge or a divider over you?' (Luke xii. 14). And Paul saith, 'Our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven' (Phil. iii. 20). 'The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but might through God, casting down imaginations,' etc. (2 Cor. x. 4). In this way do our teachers distinguish between the duties of each power one from the other, and do warn all men to honor both powers, and to acknowledge both to be the [highest] gift and blessing of God. Si quam habent Episcopi potestatem If so be that the Bishops have

gladii, hanc non habent Episcopi ex mandato Evangelii, sed jure humano donatam a regibus et imperatoribus, ad administrationem civilem suorum bonorum. Hæc interim alia functio est, quam ministerium Evangelii. any power of the sword, they have it not as Bishops by the commandment of the Gospel, but by man's law given unto them of kings and emperors, for the civil government of their goods. This, however, is a kind of function diverse from the ministry of the gospel. Cum igitur de jurisdictione Episcoporum quæritur, discerni debet imperium ab ecclesiastica jurisdictione. Porro secundum Evangelium, seu, ut loquuntur, de jure divino, nulla jurisdictio competit Episcopis, ut Episcopis, hoc est, his, quibus est commissum ministerium Verbi et Sacramentorum, nisi remittere peccata, item, cognoscere doctrinam, et doctrinam ab Evangelio dissentientem rejicere, et impios, quorum nota est impietas, excludere a communione Ecclesiæ, sine vi humana, sed Verbo. Hic necessario et de jure divino debent eis Ecclesiæ præstare obedientiam, juxta illud (Luke x. 16): 'Qui vos audit, me audit.' Therefore, when the question touches the jurisdiction of Bishops, government must be distinguished from ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Again, by the Gospel, or, as they term it, by divine right, Bishops, as Bishops—that is, those who have the administration of the Word and Sacraments committed to them—have no other jurisdiction at all, but only to remit sin, also to take cognizance of [to judge in regard to] doctrine, and to reject doctrine inconsistent with the Gospel, and to exclude from the communion of the Church, without human force, but by the Word [of God], those whose wickedness is known. And herein of necessity the churches ought by divine right to render obedience unto them; according to the saying of Christ, 'He that heareth you heareth me' (Luke x. 16). Verum cum aliquid contra Evangelium docent aut statuunt, tunc habent Ecclesiæ mandatum Dei, quod obedientiam prohibet (Matt. vii. 15): 'Cavete a Pseudo-prophetis.' But when they teach or determine any thing contrary to the Gospel, then have the churches a commandment of God, which forbiddeth obedience to them: 'Beware

Gal. i. 8: 'Si Angelus de coelo aliud Evangelium evangelizaverit, anathema sit.' 2 Cor. xiii. 8: 'Non possumus aliquid contra veritatem, sed pro veritate,' Item (10): 'Data est nobis potestas ad ædificationem, non ad destructionem.' Sic et Canones præcipiunt (II. Quæst. VII. Cap. Sacerdotes, et Cap. Oves). Et Augustinus contra Petiliani Epistolam inquit: 'Nec Catholicis Episcopis consentiendum est, sicubi forte falluntur, aut contra Canonicas Dei Scripturas aliquid sentiunt.' of false prophets' (Matt. vii. 15). 'If an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel, let him be accursed' (Gal. i. 8). 'We can not do any thing against the truth, but for the truth' (2 Cor. xiii. 8). Also, 'This power is given us to edify, and not to destroy' (2 Cor. xiii. 10). So do the Canons command (II. Quæst. 7, Cap. Sacerdotes, and Cap. Oves). And Augustine, in his Treatise against Petilian's Epistle, saith, 'Neither must we subscribe to Catholic Bishops, if they chance to err, or determine any thing contrary to the canonical divine Scriptures.' Si quam habent aliam vel potestatem, vel jurisdictionem in cognoscendis certis causis, videlicet matrimonii, aut decimarum, etc., hanc habent humano jure; ubi cessantibus Ordinariis coguntur Principes, vel inviti, suis subditis jus dicere, ut pax retineatur. If so be that they have any other power or jurisdiction, in hearing and understanding certain cases, as namely, of Matrimony, and Tithes, etc., they hold it by human right. But when the ordinaries fail [to attend to this office], princes are constrained, whether they wish to do so or not, to declare the law to their subjects, for maintaining of peace. Præter hæc disputatur, utrum Episcopi seu Pastores habeant jus instituendi ceremonias in Ecclesia, et leges de cibis, feriis, gradibus ministrorum, seu ordinibus, etc., condendi. Hoc jus qui tribuunt Episcopis, allegant testimonium (John xvi. 12): 'Adhuc Besides these things, there is a controversy whether Bishops or Pastors have power to institute ceremonies in the Church, and to make laws concerning meats, and holidays, and degrees, or orders of ministers, etc. They that ascribe this power to the Bishops allege this

multa habeo vobis dicere, sed non potestis portare modo. Cum autem venerit ille Spiritus veritatis, docebit vos omnem veritatem.' Allegant etiam exemplum Apostolorum, qui prohibuerunt abstinere a sanguine et suffocato. Allegant Sabbatum mutatum in diem Dominicum, contra Decalogum ut videtur. Nec ullum exemplum magis jactatur, quam mutatio Sabbati. Magnam contendunt Ecclesiæ potestatem esse, quod dispensaverit de præcepto Decalogi. testimony for it: 'I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now; but when that Spirit of truth shall come, he shall teach you all truth' (John xvi 12, 13). They allege also the examples of the Apostles, who commanded to abstain from blood, and that which was strangled (Acts xv. 29). They allege the change of the Sabbath into the Lord's day, contrary, as it seemeth, to the Decalogue; and they have no example more in their mouths than the change of the Sabbath. They will needs have the Church's power to be very great, because it hath dispensed with a precept of the Decalogue. Sed de hac quæstione nostri sic docent, quod Episcopi non habent poststatem statuendi aliquid contra Evangelium, ut supra ostensum est, docent idem Canones IX. Distinct. Porro contra Scripturam est, traditiones condere aut exigere, ut per eam observationem satis faciamus pro peccatis, aut mereamur gratiam et justitiam. Leditur enim Gloria meriti Christi, cum talibus observationibus conamur mereri justificationem. Constat autem propter hanc persuasionem, in Ecclesia pene in infinitum crevisse traditiones, oppressa interim doctrina de fide But of this question ours do thus teach: that the Bishops have no power to ordain any thing contrary to the Gospel, as was showed before. The same also do the Canons teach: Distinct. 9. Moreover, it is against the Scripture to ordain or require the observation of any traditions, to the end that we may merit remission of sins, and satisfy for sins by them. For the glory of Christ's merit suffers when we seek by such observances to merit justification. And it is very apparent, that through this persuasion traditions grew into an infinite number in the Church. In the mean while, the doctrine concerning faith, and the

et justitia fidei, quia subinde plures feriæ factæ sunt, jejunia indicta, ceremoniæ novæ, novi honores sanctorum instituti sunt, quia arbitrabantur se autores talium rerum his operibus mereri gratiam. Sic olim creverunt Canones poenitentiales, quorum adhuc in satisfactionibus vestigial quædam videmus. righteousness of faith, was quite suppressed, for thereupon there were new holidays made, new fasts appointed, new ceremonies, new worships for saints, instituted; because that the authors of such things supposed by these works to merit grace. After the same manner heretofore did the Penitential Canons increase, whereof we still see some traces in satisfactions. Item, autores traditionum faciunt contra mandatum Dei, cum collocant peccatum in cibis, in diebus et similibus rebus, et onerant Ecclesiam servitute legis, quasi oporteat apud Christianos ad promerendam justificationem cultum esse similem Levitico, cujus ordinationem commiserit Deus Apostolis et Episcopis. Sic enim scribunt quidam, et videntur Pontifices aliqua ex parte exemplo legis Mosaicæ decepti esse. Hinc sunt illa onera, quod peccatum mortale sit, etiam sine offensione aliorum, in feriis laborare minibus, quod sit peccatum mortale omittere horas Canonicas, quod certi cibi polluant conscientiam, quod jejunia sint opera placantia Deum, quod peccatum in casu reservato non posit remitti, nisi accesserit autoritas reservantis, cum quidem ipsi Canones non de reservatione Moreover, the authors of traditions do contrary to the command of God when they find matters of sin in foods, in days, and like things, and burden the Church with the servitude of the law, as if there ought to be among Christians, in order to merit justification, a service like the Levitical, the ordination of which God has committed to the Apostles and Bishops. For this some of them write, and the Pontiffs in some measure seem to be misled by the example of the Law of Moses. From hence are those burdens, that it is mortal sin, even without offense to others, to do manual labor on the festivals, that it is a mortal sin to omit the Canonical Hours, that certain foods defile the conscience, that fastings are works which appease God; that sin, in a reserved case, can not be pardoned, but by the authority of him that reserved it: whereas the Canons speak only of

culpæ, sed de reservatione poenæ ecclesiasticæ loquantur. reserving of ecclesiastical penalty, and not of the reserving of the fault. Unde habent jus episcopi has traditiones imponendi Ecclesiis ad illaqueandas conscientias, quum Petrum (Acts xv. 10) vetet 'imponere jugum discipulis,' quum Paulus (2 Cor. xiii. 10) dicat, potestatem ipsis datam esse 'ad ædificationem, non ad destructionem.' Cur igitur augent peccata per has traditiones? Whence, then, have the Bishops power and authority of imposing these traditions upon the churches, for the ensnaring of men's consciences, when Peter forbids (Acts xv. 10) 'to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples,' and St. Paul says (2 Cor. xiii. 10) that the power given him was to edification, not to destruction? Why, therefore do they increase sins by these traditions? Verum extant clara testimonia, quæ prohibent condere tales traditiones ad promerendam gratiam, aut tanquam necessarias ad salutem. Paulus (Col. ii. 16): 'Nemo vos judicet in cibo, potu, parte diei festi, novilunio aut Sabbatis.' Item (20): 'Si mortui estis cum Christo ab elementis mundi, quare tanquam viventes in mundo, decreta facitis? Non attingas, non gustes, non contrectes; quæ omnia pereunt usu, et sunt mandata et doctrinæ hominum, quæ habent speciem sapientiæ.' Item, ad Titum (i. 14) aperte prohibet traditiones: 'Non attendentes Judaicis fabulis et mandatis hominum aversantium veritatem.' Et Christus (Matt. xv. 14) inquit de his, qui exigent traditions: 'Sinite illos, cæci sunt et duces For there are divers clear testimonies which prohibit the making of such traditions, either to merit grace, or as things necessary to salvation. Paul saith to the Colossians, 'Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holiday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days' (Col. ii. 16). Again, 'If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (Touch not, taste not, handle not; which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things indeed have a show of wisdom' (Col. ii. 20-23). And to Titus he doth plainly forbid traditions; for he saith, 'Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and to commandments of men, that turn from the truth' (Tit. i. 14). And Christ saith of them

cæcorum.' Et improbat tales cultus (13): 'Omnis plantatio, quam non plantavit Pater meus cælestis, eradicabitur.' which urge traditions, 'Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind' (Matt. xv. 14). And he condemneth such services: 'Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up' (ver. 13). Si jus habent Episcopi onerandi ecclesias infinitis traditionibus, et illaqueandi conscientias, cur toties prohibet Scriptura condere et audire traditiones? Cur vocat eas (1 Tim. iv. 1) doctrinas dæmoniorum? Num frustra hæc præmonuit Spiritus Sanctus? If Bishops have authority to burden the churches with innumerable traditions, and to snare men's consciences, why doth the Scripture so oft forbid to make and to listen to traditions? Why doth it call them the doctrines of devils? (1 Tim. iv. 1.) Hath the Holy Ghost warned us of them to no purpose? Relinquitur igitur, cum ordinationes institutæ tanquam necessariæ, aut cum opinione promerendæ gratiæ, pungent cum Evangelio, Quod non liceat ullis Episcopis tales cultus instituere aut exigere. Necesse est enim in ecclesiis [in der Christenheit] retineri doctrinam de liberate Christiana, quod non sit necessaria servitus legis ad justificationem; sicut in Galatis scriptum est (v. 1): 'Nolite iterum jugo servitutis subjici.' Necesse est retineri præcipuum Evangelii locum, quod gratiam per fidem in Christum, gratis consequamur, non propter certas observationes, aut propter cultus ab hominibus institutos. It remaineth, then, that (seeing ordinances, instituted as necessary, or with the opinion of meriting grace, are repugnant to the Gospel) it is not lawful for any Bishops to institute or exact such worship. For it is necessary that the doctrine of Christian liberty should be maintained in the church [Christendom]: that the bondage of the law is not necessary unto justification, as it is written to the Galatians: 'Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage' (Gal. v. 1). It necessary that the chiefest point of all the Gospel should be holden fast, that we do freely obtain grace, by faith in Christ, not because of certain observances, or of services devised by men.

Quid igitur sentiendum est de die Dominico et similibus ritibus templorum? Ad hæc respondent [die Unsern], quod liceat Episcopis seu Pastoribus facere ordinationes, ut res ordine gerantur in Ecclesia, non ut per illas mereamur gratiam, aut satis faciamus pro peccatis, aut obligentur conscientiæ, ut judicent esse necessarios cultus, ac sentient se peccare, cum sine offensione aliorum violant. Sic Paulus ordinat (1 Cor. xi. 15) 'ut in congregatione mulieres velent capita' (1 Cor. xiv. 30), 'ut ordine audiantur in Ecclesia interpretes,' etc. What is, then to be thought of the Lord's day, and of like rites of temples? Hereunto they [ours] answer, that it is lawful for Bishops or Pastors to make ordinances, whereby things may be done in order in the Church; not that by them we may merit grace, or satisfy for sins, or that men's consciences should be bound to esteem them as necessary services, and think that they sin when they violate them, without the offense of others. So Paul ordained, 'that women should cover their heads in the congregation' (1 Cor. xi. 6); 'that the interpreters of Scriptures should be heard in order in the Church' (1 Cor. xiv. 27), etc. Tales ordinations convenit ecclesias propter caritatem et tranquillitatem servare eatenus, ne alius alium offendat, ut ordine et sine tumultu omnia fiant in ecclesiis (1 Cor. xiv. 40, comp. Phil. ii. 14): verum ita, ne conscientiæ onerentur, ut ducant res esse necessarias ad salutem, ac judicent se peccare, cum violant eas sine aliorum offensione, sicut nemo dixerit peccare mulierem, quæ in publicum non velato capite procedit, sine offensione hominum. Such ordinances it behooveth the churches to keep for charity and quietness' sake, so that one offend not another, that all things may be done in order, and without tumult in the churches (1 Cor. xiv. 40 and Phil. ii. 14), but so that consciences be not burdened, so as to account them as things necessary to salvation, and think they sin when they violate them, without offense of others; as no one would say that a woman sins if she went into public with her head uncovered, provided it were without the offense of men. Talis est observatio diei Dominici, Such is the observation of the

Paschatis, Pentecostes et similium feriarum et rituum. Nam qui judicant Ecclesiæ autoritate pro Sabbato institutam esse diei Dominici observationem, tanquam necessariam, longe errant. Scriptura abrogavit Sabbatum, quæ docet omnes ceremonias Mosaicas, post revelatum Evangelium omitti posse. Et tamen, quia opus erat constituere certum diem, ut sciret populus, quando convenire deberet, apparet Ecclesiam [die christliche Kirche] ei rei destinasse diem Dominicum, qui ob hanc quoque causam videtur magis placuisse, ut haberent homines exemplum Christianæ libertatis, et scirent, nec Sabbati nec alterius diei observationem necessariam esse [dass weder die Haltung des Sabbaths, noch eines andern Tages vonnöthen sei].²⁶ Lord's day, of Easter, of Pentecost, and like holidays and rites. For they that think that the observation of the Lord's day was appointed by the authority of the Church, instead of the Sabbath, as necessary, are greatly deceived. The Scripture, which teacheth that all the Mosaical ceremonies can be omitted after the Gospel is revealed, has abrogated the Sabbath. And yet, because it was requisite to appoint a certain day, that the people might know when they ought to come together, it appears that the [Christian] Church did for that purpose appoint the Lord's day: which for this cause also seemed to have been pleasing, that men might have an example of Christian liberty, and might know that the observation, neither of the Sabbath, nor of another day, was of necessity. Extant prodigiosæ disputationes de mutatione legis, de ceremoniis novæ legis, de mutatione Sabbati, quæ omnes ortæ sunt There are certain marvelous disputations touching the changing of the law, and the ceremonies of the new law, and the change of the Sabbath:

ex falsa persuasione, quod oporteat in Ecclesia cultum esse similem Levitico, et quod Christus commiserit Apostolis et Episcopis excogitare novas ceremonias, quæ sint ad salutem necessariæ. Hi errores serpserunt in Ecclesiam, cum justitia fidei non satis clare doceretur. Aliqui disputant, diei Dominici observationem non quidem juris divini esse, sed quasi juris divini; præscribunt de feriis, quatenus liceat operari. Hujusmodi disputationes quid sunt aliud, nisi laquei conscientiarum? Quanquam enim conentur epiikeizare [zu lindern und epiiciren] traditiones, tamen nunquam potest æquitas deprehendi [so kann man doch kein epieikeian oder Linderung treffen], donec manet opinio necessitatis, quam manere necesse est, ubi ignorantur justitia fidei et libertas Christiana. which all arose from the false persuasion, that there should be a service in the Church, like to the Levitical; and that Christ committed to the Apostles and Bishops the devising new ceremonies, which should be necessary to salvation. These errors crept into the Church, when the righteousness of faith was not plainly enough taught. Some dispute that the observation of the Lord's day is not indeed of the law of God, but as it were of the law of God; and touching holidays, they prescribe how far it is lawful to work in them. What else are such disputations but snares for men's consciences? For though they seek to moderate traditions, yet the equity of them can never be perceived so long as the opinion of necessity remaineth; which must needs remain, where the righteousness of faith and Christian liberty are not know. Apostoli jusserrunt (Acts xv. 20) 'abstinere a sanguine.' Quis nunc observat? Neque tamen peccant, qui non observant, quia ne ipsi quidem Apostoli voluerunt onerare conscientias tali servitute, sed ad tempus prohibuerunt propter scandalum. Est enim perpetuo voluntas Evangelii [das Hauptstück christlicher Lehre] consideranda in decreto. The Apostles commanded 'to abstain from blood' (Acts xv. 20). Who observeth that nowadays? And yet they do not sin that observe it not. For the Apostles themselves would not burden men's consciences with such a servitude; but they forbade it for a time, because of scandal. For in the decree, the will of the Gospel is always to be considered

Vix ulli Canones servantur accurate, et multi quotidie exotescunt apud illos etiam, qui diligentissime defendunt traditiones. Nec potest conscientiis consuli, nisi hæc æquitas servetur [wo diese Linderung nicht gehalten wird], ut sciamus eos sine opinione necessitatis servari, nec lædi conscientias, etiamsi traditiones exolescant. Scarcely any canons are precisely kept; and many grow out of use daily, yea, even among them that do most busily defend traditions. Neither can there be sufficient care had of men's consciences, except this equity be kept, that men should know that such rites are not to be observed with any opinion of necessity, and that men's consciences are not hurt, though traditions grow out of use. Facile autem possent Episcopi legitimam obedientiam retinere, si non urgerent servare traditiones, quæ bona conscientia servari non possunt. Nunc imperant cælibatum, nullos recipiunt, nisi jurent se puram Evangelii doctrinam nolle docere. Non petunt Ecclesiæ, ut Episcopi honoris sui jactura sarciant concordiam, quod tamen decebat bonos Pastores facere. Tantum petunt, ut injusta onera remittant, quæ nova sunt, et præter consuetudinem Ecclesiæ Catholicæ [wider den Gebrauch der christlichen gemeinen Kirchen] recepta. Fortassis initio quædam constitutiones habuerunt probabiles causas, quæ tamen posterioribus temporibus non congruent. Apparet etiam quasdam errore receptas esse; quare Pontificiæ clementiæ esset, The Bishops might easily retain lawful obedience, if they would not urge men to observe such traditions as can not be kept with a good conscience. Now they command single life; and they admit none, except they will swear not to teach the pure doctrine of the Gospel. The churches do not desire of the Bishops that they would repair peace and concord with the loss of their honor (which yet good pastors ought to do): they only desire that they would remit unjust burdens, which are both new and received contrary to the custom of the Catholic [Christian Universal] Church. It may well be that some constitutions had some probable reasons when they began, which yet will not agree to latter times. It is evident that some were received through error. Wherefore it were a matter for the pontifical

illas nunc mitigare, quia talis mutatio non labefacit Ecclesiæ unitatem. Multæ enim traditiones humanæ tempore mutatæ sunt, ut ostendunt ipsi Canones. Quod si non potest impetrari, ut relaxentur observationes, quæ sine peccato non possunt præstari, oportet nos regulam Apostolicam sequi (Acts v. 29), quæ præcipit, 'Deo magis obedire, quam hominibus.' gentleness to mitigate them now; for such a change would not overthrow the unity of the Church. For many human traditions have been changed in time, as the Canons themselves declare. But if it can not be obtained that those observances may be relaxed which can not be kept without sin, then must we follow the Apostles' rule, which willeth 'to obey God rather than men' (Acts v. 29). Petrus (1 Pet. v. 3) vetat Episcopos dominari, et ecclesiis imperare. Nunc non id agitur, ut dominatio eripiatur Episcopis, sed hoc unum petitur, ut patiantur Evangelium pure doceri, et relaxent paucas quasdam observationes, quæ sine peccato servari non possunt. Quod si nihil remiserint, ipsi viderint, quomodo Deo rationem reddituri sint, quod pertinacia sua causam schismati præbent [Spaltung und Schisma, das sie doch billig sollen verhüten helfen]. Peter forbiddeth Bishops to be lords, and to be imperious over the churches (1 Pet. v. 3). Now our meaning is not to have rule taken from the Bishops; but this one thing only is requested at their hands, that they would suffer the Gospel to be purely taught, and that they would relax a few observances, which can not be held without sin. But if they will remit none, let them look how they will give account to God for this, that by their obstinacy they afford cause of schism [division and schism, which it were yet fit they should aid in avoiding]. Epilogus. Conclusion. Hi sunt præcipui articuli, qui videntur habere controversiam. Quanquam enim de pluribus abusibus dici poterat, tamen, ut fugeremus prolixitatem, præcipua complexi sumus, ex quibus coetera facile judicari possunt. Magnæ querelæ fuerunt de indulgentiis, de peregrinationibus, de abusu excommunicationis. These are the principal articles which seem to be matters of controversy. For although we might speak of more abuses, yet that we may avoid undue length we have embraced a few, whereby it is easy to judge of the others. Great have been the complaints about indulgences, about pilgrimages, about the abuse of

Parochiæ multipliciter vexabantur per Stationarios. Infinitæ contentiones erant pastoribus cum monachis, de jure parochiali, de confessionibus, de sepulturis, de extraordinariis concionibus, et de aliis innumerabilibus rebus. Hujusmodi negotia prætermisimus, ut illa, quæ sunt in hac causa præcipua, breviter proposita, facilius cognosci possent. Neque hic quicquam ad ullius contumeliam dictum aut collectum est. Tantum ea recitata sunt, quæ videbantur necessario dicenda esse, ut intelligi posit in doctrina ac ceremoniis apud nos nihil esse receptum contra Scripturam aut Ecclesiam Catholicam [gemeiner christlichen Kirchen], quia manifestum est, nos diligentissime cavisse, ne qua nova et impia dogmata in ecclesias nostras serperent [sich einflechte, einreisse und überhand nehme]. excommunication. The parishes have been vexed in manifold ways by the stationarii. Endless contentions have arisen between the pastors and the monks about parochial law, about confession, about burials, about sermons on extraordinary occasions, and about other things without number. Things of this sort we pass over, that those which are chief in this matter, being briefly set forth, may more easily be noted. Nor has any thing been here said or adduced for the purpose of casting reproach on any one. Those things only have been enumerated which it seem necessary to say, that it might be understood that in doctrine and ceremonials among us there is nothing received contrary to Scripture or to the Catholic [Universal Christian] Church, inasmuch as it is manifest that we have diligently taken heed that no new and godless doctrines should creep into our churches. Hos articulos supra scriptos voluimus exhibere juxta edictum C. M. in quibus confessio nostra exstaret, et eorum, qui apud nos docent, doctrinæ summa cerneretur. Si quid in hac confessione desiderabitur, parati sumus latiorem informationem, Deo volente, juxta Scripturas exhibere [der daran Mangel halt, dem ist man ferner Bericht mit Grund göttlicher heiliger Schrift zu thun erbötig]. In accordance with the Edict of His Imperial Majesty, we wish to present these articles above written, in which is our Confession, and in which is seen a summary of the doctrine of those who teach among us. If any thing be lacking in this Confession, we are prepared, God willing, to present ampler information, in accordance with the Scriptures. Cæsareæ Majestatis Vestræ, Your Imperial Majesty's fideles et subditi: most faithful and humble, Joannes, Dux Saxoniæ, Elector. John, Duke of Saxony, Elector.

Georgius, Marchio Brandenburgensis. George, Margrave of Brandenburg. Ernestus, Dux Luneburgensis. Ernest, Duke of Luneburg. Philippus, Landgravius Hessorum. Philip, Landgrave of Hesse. Joannes Fridericus, Dux Saxoniæ. John Frederick, Duke of Saxony. Franciscus, Dux Luneburgensis. Francis, Duke of Luneburg. Volfgangus, Princeps ab Anhalt. Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt.

Senatus Magistratusque Nurnbergensis.

Senate and Magistracy of Nuremberg. Senatus Reutlingensis. Senate of Reutlingen.