Formula Concordiæ (part 1 of 4)

{Die Concordien-Formel.)

The Formula of Concord. A.D. 1576 (1584).

(THE EPITOME.)

[The Formula of Concord was originally written in the German language, 1576, and published at Dresden, 1580. It was translated into Latin by Lucas Osiander, 1680; but the translation was very defective, and was revised by two of the authors—first by Selnecker for the German-Latin edition of the Book of Concord, 1582, then more fully by Chemnitz, 1583; and in this doubly improved form it became the authorized text, published in the first authentic Latin edition of the Book of Concord, Leipzig, 1584. We give this text, with a new English translation made for this work from the German and Latin compared, and adapted to the style of the age of composition. The Epitome contains, in clear and concise form, all that is necessary for this collection; and hence we omit the lengthy Solid Repetition and Declaration, which merely repeats more fully the same articles, and fortifies them by ample quotations from the Scriptures, the fathers, the older Lutheran symbols, and the private writings of Luther, with an appendix of patristic testimonies for the doctrine of the communicatio idiomatum. See Vol. I. § 45, pp.258 sqq.]

EPITOME ARTICULORUM EPITOME OF THE ARTICLES de quibus touching which CONTROVERSIÆ CONTROVERSIES

ortæ sunt inter Theologos Augustanæ Confessionis, qui in repetitione sequenti, secundum verbi Dei præscriptum, pie declarati sunt et conciliati.⁴⁵

have arisen among the divines of the Augsburg Confession, which in the following restatement have been in godly wise, according to the express word of God, set forth and reconciled. De Compendiaria Regula atque Norma, Of the Compendious Rule and Norm,

ad quam omnia dogmata exigenda, et quæ inciderunt certamina, pie declaranda et componenda sunt.

according to which all dogmas ought to be judged, and all controversies which have arisen ought to be piously set forth and settled. I. Credimus, confitemur et docemus, unicam regulam et normam [die einige Regel und Richtschnur], secundum quam omnia dogmata, I. We believe, confess, and teach that the only rule and norm, according to which all dogmas and all doctors ought to be esteemed

omnesque Doctores æstimari et judicari oporteat, nullam omnino aliam esse, quam Prophetica et Apostolica scripta cum Veteris, tum Novi Testamenti, sicut scriptum est (Psa. cxix. 105): 'Lucerna pedibus meis verbum tuum, et lumen semitis meis.' Et Divus Paulus inquit (Gal. i. 8): 'Etiamsi Angelus de coelo aliud prædicet Evangelium, anathema sit.' and judged, is no other whatever than the prophetic and apostolic writings both of the Old and of the New Testament, as it is written (Psalm cxix. 105): 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' And St. Paul saith (Gal. i. 8): 'Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed.' Reliqua vero sive Patrum sive Neotericorum scripta, quocunque veniant nomine, sacris literis nequaquam, sunt æquiparanda, sed universal, illis ita subjicienda sunt, ut alia ratione non recipiantur, nisi testium loco, qui doceant, quod etiam post Apostolorum tempora, et in quibus partibus orbis doctrina illa Prophetarum et Apostolorum sincerior conservata sit.⁴⁶ But other writings, whether of the fathers or of the moderns, with whatever name they come, are in nowise to be equalled to the Holy Scriptures, but are all to be esteemed inferior to them, so that they be not otherwise received than in the rank of witnesses, to show what doctrine was taught after the Apostles' times also, and in what parts of the world that more sound doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles has been preserved. II. Et quia statim post Apostolorum tempora, imo etiam cum adhuc superstites essent, falsi doctores et hæretici exorti sunt, contra quos in primitiva Ecclesia Symbola sunt composita, id est, breves et categoricæ Confessiones, quæ unanimem Catholicæ Christianæ fidei Consensum et Confessionem, Orthodoxorum II. And inasmuch as immediately after the times of the Apostles, nay, even while they were yet alive, false teachers and heretics arose, against whom in the primitive Church symbols were composed, that is to say, brief and explicit confessions, which contained the unanimous consent of the Catholic Christian faith, and the confession

et veræ Ecclesiæ complectebantur (ut sunt Symbolum Apostolicum, Nicænum, et Athanasianum): profitemur publice, nos illa amplecti, et rejicimus omnes hæreses, omniaque dogmata, quæ contra illorum sententiam unquam in Ecclesiam Dei sunt invecta. of the orthodox and true Church (such as are the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds): we publicly profess that we embrace them, and reject all heresies and all dogmas which have ever been brought into the Church of God contrary to their decision. III. Quod vero ad schismata in negotiis fidei attinet, quæ in nostra tempora inciderunt, judicamus, unanimem Consensum et Declarationem, Christianæ nostræ fidei et Confessionis, in primis contra Papatum, et hujus falsos ac idolatricos cultus et superstitiones, et alias sectas, esse nostri temporis Symbolum, Augustanam illam, primam, et non mutatam Confessionem, quæ Imperatori Carolo V. Augustæ anno XXX. in magnis Imperii Comitiis exhibita est; similiter et Apologiam [derselben Apologie]; et Articulos Smalcaldicos anno XXXVII. conscriptos [Artikeln so zu Schmalkalden Anno 37 gestellet], et præcipuorum Theologorum illius temporis subscriptione comprobatos. III. And as concerns the schisms in matters of faith, which have come to pass in our times, we judge the unanimous consent and declaration of our Christian faith, especially against the papacy and its idolatrous rites and superstitions, and against other sects, to be the Symbol of our own age, called The First, Unaltered Augsburg Confession, which in the year 1530 was exhibited to the Emperor Charles the Fifth at the Diet of the Empire; and likewise the Apology [of the Augsburg Confession]; and the Smalcald Articles drawn up in the year 1537, and approved by the subscription of the principal divines of that time. Et quia hæc religionis causa etiam ad Laicos, quos vocant, spectat, eorumque perpetua salus agitur: profitemur publice, nos etiam amplecti Minorem et Majorem D. Lutheri Catechismos And inasmuch as this matter of religion appertains also to the laity, as they are called, and their eternal salvation is at stake, we publicly profess that we also receive Dr. Luther's Smaller and Larger

[zu dem Kleinen und Grossen Katechismo Doctor Luthers], ut ii Tomis Lutheri sunt inserti: quod eos quasi Laicorum Biblia [Laienbibel] esse censeamus, in quibus omnia illa breviter comprehenduntur, quæ in Sacra Scriptura fusius tractantur, et quorum cognitio homini Christiano ad æternam salutem est necessaria. Catechisms as they are included in Luther's works, because we judge them to be, as it were, the Bible of the laity, in which all those things are briefly comprehended which in the Holy Scripture are treated more at length, and the knowledge of which is necessary to a Christian man for his eternal salvation. Ad has rationes, paulo ante monstratas, omnis doctrina in religionis negotio conformanda est, et, si quid iis contrarium esse deprehenditur, id rejiciendum atque damnandum est: quippe quod cum unanimi fidei nostræ declaratione pugnet. To these principles, as set forth a little above, every religions doctrine ought to be conformed; and, if any thing is discovered to be contrary to them, that is to be rejected and condemned, as being at variance with the unanimous declaration of our faith. Hoc modo luculentum discrimen inter sacras Veteris et Novi Testamenti literas, et omnia aliorum scripta retinetur: et sola Sacra Scriptura judex, norma et regula [der einige Richter, Regel und Richtschnur] agnoscitur, ad quam, ceu ad Lydium lapidem [als dem einigen Probierstein], omnia dogmata exigenda sunt et judicanda, an pia, an impia, an vera, an vero falsa sint. In this way a clear distinction is retained between the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and all other writings; and Holy Scripture alone is acknowledged as the [only] judge, norm, and rule, according to which, as by the [only] touchstone, all doctrines are to be examined and judged, as to whether they be godly or ungodly, true or false. Cætera autem Symbola, et alia scripta, quorum paulo ante mentionem fecimus, non obtinent autoritatem judicis; hæc enim dignitas solis sacris literis debetur: sed duntaxat pro religione But the other symbols and other writings, of which we made mention a little while ago, do not possess the authority of a judge—for this dignity belongs to Holy Scripture alone; but merely give testimony

nostra testimonium dicunt eamque explicant, ac ostendunt, quomodo singulis temporibus sacræ literæ in articulis controversis in Ecclesia Dei a Doctoribus, qui tum vixerunt, intellectæ et explicatæ fuerint, et quibus rationibus dogmata cum Sacra Scriptura pugnantia rejecta et condemnata sint.sint. to our religion, and set it forth to show in what manner from time to time the Holy Scriptures have been understood and explained in the Church of God by the doctors who then lived, as respects controverted articles, and by what arguments, dogmas at variance with the Holy Scriptures have been rejected and condemned. Art. I. Art. I. DE PECCATO ORIGINIS. CONCERNING ORIGINAL SIN. Status Controversiæ. Statement of the Controversy. An peccatum originale sit proprie et absque omni discrimine ipsa hominis corrupti natura, substantia et essentia, aut certe principalis et præstantissima pars ipsius substantiæ; utpote ipsa rationalis anima in summo suo gradu et in summis ipsius viribus considerata? An vero inter hominis substantiam, naturam, essentiam, corpus et animam, etiam post lapsum humani generis, et inter originale peccatum aliquod sit discrimen, ita, ut aliud sit ipsa natura, et aliud ipsum peccatum originis, quod in natura corrupta hæret, et naturam etiam depravat? Whether Original Sin is properly and without any distinction the very nature, substance, and essence of corrupt man, or at the least the principal and preeminent part of his substance, namely, the rational soul itself, considered in its highest degree and in its chief powers? Or whether between the substance, nature, essence, body, and soul of man, even after the fall of mankind on the one hand, and Original Sin on the other, there be some distinction, so that the nature itself is one thing, and Original Sin another thing, which adheres in the corrupt nature, and also corrupts the nature?

Affirmativa. Affirmative.

Sincera doctrina, fides et confessio, cum superiore norma et compendiosa declaratione consentiens.

The pure doctrine, faith and confession, agreeing with our above-stated norm and compendious declaration. I. Credimus, docemus et confitemur, quod sit aliquod discrimen inter ipsam hominis naturam, non tantum, quemadmodum initio a Deo purus, et sanctus, et absque peccato homo conditus est, verum etiam, qualem jam post lapsum naturam illam habemus, discrimen, inquam, inter ipsam naturam, quæ etiam post lapsum est permanetque Dei creatura, et inter peccatum originis, et quod tanta sit illa naturæ et peccati originalis differentia, quanta est inter opus Dei, et inter opus Diaboli. I. We believe, teach, and confess that there is a distinction between the nature of man itself, not only as man was created of God in the beginning pure and holy and free from sin, but also as we now possess it after our nature has fallen; a distinction, namely, between the nature itself, which even after the fall is and remains God's creature, and Original Sin; and that this difference between nature and Original Sin is as great as between the work of God and the work of the devil. II. Credimus, docemus et confitemur, quod summo studio hoc discrimen sit conservandum propterea quod illud dogma, nullum videlicet inter naturam hominis corrupti et inter peccatum originis esse discrimen, cum præcipuis Fidei nostræ articulis (de creatione, de redemtione, de sanctificatione et resurrectione carnis nostræ) pugnet, neque salvis hisce articulis stare possit. II. We believe, teach, and confess that this distinction should be maintained with the greatest care, because the dogma that there is no distinction between the nature of fallen man and Original Sin is inconsistent with the chief articles of our faith (of Creation, of Redemption, of Sanctification, and the Resurrection of our flesh), and can not be maintained except by impugning these articles. Deus enim non modo Adami et Hevæ corpus et animam ante lapsum, verum etiam corpora et animas nostras post lapsum creavit; etsi hæc jam aunt corrupta. For God not only created the body and soul of Adam and Eve before the fall, but has also created our bodies and souls since the fall, although these are now corrupt.

Et sane hodie Dominus animus et corpora nostra creaturas et opus suum esse agnoscit, sicut scriptum est (Job x. 8): 'Manus tuæ fecerunt me, et plasmaverunt me totum in circuitu.' And to-day no less God acknowledges our minds and bodies to be his creatures and work; as it is written (Job x. 8): 'Thy hands have made me and fashioned me together round about.' Et Filius Dei unione personali illam humanam naturam, sed sine peccato, assumsit, et non alienam, sed nostram carnem sibi adjungens arctissime copulavit, ejusque assumtæ carnis ratione vere frater noster factus est; ut Scriptura testatur (Heb. ii. 14): 'Posteaquam pueri commercium habent cum carne et sanguine, et ipse similiter particeps factus est eorundem.' Item (ii. 16): 'Non Angelos assumit, sed semen Abrahæ assumit, unde et debuit per omnia fratribus assimilari, excepto peccato.' And the Son of God, by a personal union, has assumed this nature, yet without sin; and uniting not other flesh, but our flesh to himself, hath most closely conjoined it, and in respect of this flesh thus assumed he has truly become our brother; as the Scripture bears witness (Heb. ii. 14): 'Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.' Also (ii. 16): 'For verily he took not on him angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, yet without sin.' Eandem humanam nostram naturam (opus videlicet suum) Christus redemit, eandem,(quæ ipsius opus est) sanctificat, eandem a mortuis resuscitat, et ingenti gloria (opus videlicet suum) ornat: peccatum autem originale non creavit, non assumsit, non redemit, non sanctificat, non resuscitabit in electis, neque unquam gloria cælesti ornabit aut salvabit, sed in beata illa resurrectione plane This same human nature of ours (that is his own work) Christ has redeemed, the same (inasmuch as it is his own work) he sanctifies, the same doth he raise from the dead, and with great glory (as being his own work) doth he crown it. But Original Sin he has not created, has not assumed, has not redeemed, doth not sanctify, will not raise again in the elect, nor will ever save and crown with heavenly

abolitum erit [sondern in der Auferstehung gar vertilget sein wird]. glory, but in that blessed resurrection it shall be utterly abolished and done away. Ex his, quæ a nobis allata sunt, discrimen inter corruptam naturam, et inter corruptionem, quæ naturæ infixa est, et per quam natura est corrupta, facile agnosci potest. From these considerations which have been advanced by us, the distinction between our corrupt nature and the corruption which is implanted in the nature, and through which the nature is corrupt, can be easily discerned.

III. Vicissim autem credimus, docemus atque confitemur, peccatum originis non esse levem, sed tam profundam humanæ naturæ corruptionem, quæ nihil sanum, nihil incorruptum, in corpore et anima hominis, atque adeo in interioribus et exterioribus viribus ejus reliquit. Sicut Ecclesia canit: 'Lapsus Adæ vi pessima humana tota massa, natura et ipsa essentia corrupta, luce cassa,' [47] etc. Hoc quantum sit malum, verbis revera est inexplicabile, neque humanæ rationis acumine indagari, sed duntaxat per verbum Dei revelatum agnosci potest. Et sane affirmamus, quod hanc naturæ corruptionem ab ipsa natura nemo, nisi solus Deus, separare queat; id quod per mortem in beata illa resurrectione

III. But, on the other hand, we believe, teach, and confess that Original Sin is no trivial corruption, but is so profound a corruption of human nature as to leave nothing sound, nothing uncorrupt in the body or soul of man, or in his mental or bodily powers. As reads the hymn of the Church:

'Through Adam's fall is all corrupt,

Nature and essence human.' [48]

How great this evil is, is in truth not to be set forth in words, nor can it be explored by the subtlety of human reason, but can only be discerned by means of the revealed word of God. And we indeed affirm that no one is able to dissever this corruption of the nature from the nature itself, except God alone, which will fully come to pass by means of death in the resurrection

plene fiet. Ibi enim ea ipsa natura nostra, quam nunc circumferimus, absque peccato originis, et ab eodem omnino separata et remota resurget, et æterna felicitate fruetur. Sic enim scriptum est (Job xix. 26): 'Pelle mea circumdabor, et in carne mea videbo Deum, quem ego visurus sum mihi, et oculi mei eum conspecturi sunt.' unto blessedness. For then that very same nature of ours, which we now bear about, will rise again free from Original Sin, and wholly severed and disjoined from the same, and will enjoy eternal felicity. For thus it is written (Job xix. 26): 'I shall be compassed again with my skin, and in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.' Negativa. Negative.

Rejectio falsorum dogmatum, quæ commemoratæ sanæ doctrinæ repugnant.

Rejection of false dogmas, which are opposite to the sound doctrine as set forth above. I. Rejicimus ergo et damnamus dogma illud, quo asseritur, peccatum originale tantummodo reatum et debitum esse, ex alieno delicto, absque ulla naturæ nostræ corruptione, in nos derivatum. I. We therefore reject and condemn that dogma by which it is asserted that Original Sin is merely the liability and debt of another's transgression, transmitted to us apart from any corruption of our nature. II. Item, concupiscentias pravas non esse peccatum, sed concreatas naturæ conditiones, et proprietates quasdam essentiales: aut defectus illos, et malum ingens a nobis paulo ante commemoratum, non esse peccatum, propter quod homo, Christo non insertus, sit filius iræ. II. Also, that depraved concupiscences are not sin, but certain concreate conditions and essential properties of the nature, or that those defects and that huge evil just set forth by us is not sin on whose account man, if not grafted into Christ, is a child of wrath. III. Rejicimus etiam Pelagianam hæresin, qua asseritur, hominis naturam post lapsum incorruptam esse, et quidem in spiritualibus III. We also reject the Pelagian heresy, in which it is asserted that the nature of man after the fall is incorrupt, and that, moreover, in

rebus totam bonam et puram in viribus suis naturalibus mansisse. spiritual things it has remained wholly good and pure in its natural powers. IV. Item, peccatum, originis externum, levem, et nullius prope momenti esse nævum, aut aspersam quandam maculam, sub qua nihilominus natura bonas suas vires etiam in rebus spiritualibus retinuerit. IV. Also, that Original Sin is an external, trivial, and almost insignificant birth-mark, or a certain stain dashed upon the man, under the which, nevertheless, nature hath retained her powers unimpaired even in spiritual things. V. Item, peccatum originale tantum esse externum impedimentum bonarum spiritualium virium, et non esse despoliationem et defectum earundem, sicuti cum magnes allii succo illinitur, vis ejus naturalis attrahendi ferrum non tollitur, sed tantum impeditur, aut sicut macula de facie, aut color de pariete abstergi facile potest. V. Also, that Original Sin is only an external impediment of sound spiritual powers, and is not a despoliation and defect thereof, even as, when a magnet is smeared with garlic-juice, its natural power of drawing iron is nor taken away, but is only impeded; or as a stain can be easily wiped off from the face, or paint from a wall. VI. Item, hominis naturam et essentiam non prorsus esse corruptam: sed aliquid boni adhuc in homine reliquum, etiam in rebus spiritualibus, videlicet, bonitatem, capacitatem, aptitudinem, facultatem, industriam, aut vires, quibus in rebus spiritualibus inchoare aliquid boni, operari, aut cooperari valeat. VI. Also, that man's nature and essence are not utterly corrupt, but that there is something of good still remaining in man, even in spiritual things, to wit, goodness, capacity, aptitude, ability, industry, or the powers by which in spiritual things he has strength to undertake, effect, or co-effect somewhat of good. VII. Contra autem rejicimus etiam, falsum dogma Manichæorum, cum docetur, peccatum originis tanquam quiddam essentiale atque substantiale a Satana in naturam esse infusum, et cum eadem VII. But, on the other hand, we reject also the false dogma of the Manichæans, where it is taught that Original Sin is, as it were, something essential and substantial, infused by Satan into the nature, and mingled

permixtum, quemadmodum venenum et vinum miscentur. with the same, as wine and poison are mixed. VIII. Item, non ipsum animalem hominem, sed aliquid aliud, et peregrinum quiddam, quod sit in homine, peccare, ideoque non ipsam naturam, sed tantummodo peccatum originale, in natura existens, accusari. VIII. Also, that it is not the natural man himself, but something alien and strange, which is in man, that sins, and that therefore not his nature itself, but only Original Sin existing in his nature is liable to arraignment. IX. Rejicimus etiam atque damnamus, ut Manichæum errorem, quando docetur, originale peccatum proprie, et quidem nullo posito discrimine, esse ipsam hominis corrupti substantiam, naturam et essentiam, ita ut inter naturam corruptam post lapsum, per se ipsam consideratam, et inter peccatum originis nulla prorsus sit differentia, neque ulla distinctio cogitari, aut saltem peccatum illud a natura cogitatione discerni possit. IX. We reject also and condemn, as a Manichæan error, the teaching that Original Sin is properly, and without any distinction, the very substance, nature, and essence of fallen man, so that between his corrupt nature after the fall, considered in itself, and Original Sin there is no difference at all, and that no distinction can be conceived by which Original Sin can be distinguished from man's nature even in thought. X. D. Lutherus quidem, originis illud malum, peccatum naturæ, personale, essentiale vocat: sed non eam ob causam, quasi natura, persona, aut essentia hominis, absque omni discrimine, sit ipsum peccatum originis: sed ideo ad hunc modum loquitur, ut hujusmodi phrasibus discrimen inter peccatum originale, quod humanæ naturæ infixum est, et inter alia peccata, quæ actualia vocantur, melius intelligi possit. X. Dr. Luther, it is true, calls this original evil a sin of nature, personal, essential; but not for the reason that the nature, person, or essence of man, without any distinction, is itself Original Sin, but he speaks after this manner in order that by phrases of this sort the distinction between Original Sin, which is infixed in human nature, and other sins, which are called actual, may be better understood.

XI. Peccatum enim originis non est quoddam delictum, quod actu perpetratur, sed intime inhæret infixum ipsi naturæ, substantiæ et essentiæ hominis. Et quidem, si maxime nulla unquam prava cogitatio in corde hominis corrupti exoriretur, si nullum verbum otiosum proferretur, si nullum malum opus aut facinus designaretur: tamen natura nihilominus corrupta est per originate peccatum, quod nobis ratione corrupti seminis agnatum est, quod ipsum etiam scaturigo est omnium aliorum actualium peccatorum, ut sunt pravæ cogitationes, prava colloquia, prave et scelerate facta. Sic enim scriptum legimus (Matt. xv. 19): 'Ex corde oriuntur cogitationes malæ.' Et alibi (Gen. vi. 5; viii. 21): 'Omne figmentum cordis tantummodo malum est, a pueritia.' XI. For Original Sin is not a particular transgression which is perpetrated in act, but intimately inheres, being infixed in the very nature, substance, and essence of man. And, indeed, if no depraved thought at all should ever arise in the heart of fallen man, if no idle word were uttered, if no evil work or deed were perpetrated by him: yet, nevertheless, the nature is corrupted by Original Sin, which is innate in ns by reason of the corrupted seed from which we spring, and is, moreover, a fountain of all other actual sins, such as evil thoughts, evil discoursings, evil and abominable deeds. For thus it is written, as we read in Matthew xv. 19: 'For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts.' And elsewhere (Gen. vi. 5; viii. 21): 'Every imagination of the thought of man's heart is only evil from his youth.' XII. Est etiam diligenter observanda varia significatio vocabuli 'naturæ' cujus æquivocatione Manichæi abutentes, errorem suum occultant, multosque simplices homines in errorem inducunt. Quandoque enim 'natura' ipsam hominis substantiam significat, ut, cum dicimus: Deus humanam naturam creavit. Interdum vero vocabulum naturæ, intelligitur XII. We must also diligently observe the various significations of the word nature, which equivocal meaning the Manichæans abusing, thereby disguise their error, and lead many simple men astray. For sometimes nature signifies the very substance of man, as when we say: God created human nature. Sometimes, on the other hand, by the word nature there is understood

ingenium, conditio, defectus, aut vitium alicujus rei, in ipsa natura insitum et inhærens, ut cum dicimus: Serpentis natura est icere, hominis natura est peccare et peccatum. Et in hac posteriore significatione vocabulum (naturæ) non ipsam hominis substantiam, sed aliquid, quod in natura aut substantia fixum inhæret, denotat. the temper, condition, defect, or vice of any thing implanted and inhering in the nature, as when we say: The serpent's nature is to strike, man's nature is to sin and is sin. And in this latter signification the word nature denotes, not the very nature of man, but something which inheres and is fixed in his nature or substance. XIII. Quod vero ad Latina vocabula substantiæ et accidentis attinet, cum ea non sint Scripturæ Sacræ vocabula, præterea etiam a plebe non intelligantur, abstinendum est ab illis in publicis sacris concionibus, ubi indocta plebs docetur; et hac in re simplicium et rudiorum merito habenda est ratio. XIII. But as respects the Latin words substantia and accidens, since these are not expressions of Holy Scripture, and moreover are not understood by the common people, we ought to abstain from them in public preaching devoted to the instruction of the unlearned multitude, and in this matter account should rightly be taken of the more simple and untaught. In scholis autem, et apud homines doctos (quibus horum vocabulorum significatio nota est, et qui iisdem recte atque citra abusum uti possunt, proprie discernentes essentiam alicujus rei ab eo, quod aliunde ei accidit et per accidens inhæret) in disputatione de peccato originis retinenda sunt. But in schools and among learned men (to whom the signification of these words is known, and who can use them correctly and without danger of misuse, properly discriminating the essence of any thing from that which has been added to it from without, and inheres in it by way of accident) they are to be retained in the discussion concerning Original Sin. Nam hisce vocabulis discrimen inter opus Dei, et inter opus Diaboli quam maxime perspicue For by means of these terms the distinction between the work of God and the work of the devil can

explicari potest. Diabolus enim substantiam nullam creare, sed tantummodo per accidens, permittente Domino, substantiam a Deo creatam depravare potest. be set forth with the greatest clearness. For the devil can not create any substance, but can only, by way of accident, under the permission of the Lord, deprave a substance created by God. Art. II. Art. II. DE LIBERO ARBITRIO. OF FREE WILL. Status Controversiæ. Statement of the Controversy. Cum hominis voluntas quadruplicem habeat considerationem [in vier ungleichen Ständen]: primo, ante lapsum; secundo, post lapsum; tertio, post regenerationem y quarto, post resurrectionem carnis: nunc quæstio præcipua est tantum de voluntate et viribus hominis in secundo statu, quasnam vires post lapsum primorum parentum nostrorum, ante regenerationem, ex seipso habeat, in rebus spiritualibus: an propriis viribus, antequam per Spiritum Dei fuerit regeneratus, possit sese ad gratiam Dei applicare et præparare [sich zur Gnade Gottes schicken und bereiten],⁴⁹ et num gratiam divinam (quæ illi per Spiritum Sanctum in verbo et Sacramentis divinitus institutis offertur) accipere et apprehendere possit, nec ne. Since the will of man is to be considered under a fourfold view [in four dissimilar states]: first, before the fall; secondly, since the fall; thirdly, after regeneration; fourthly, after the resurrection of the body: the chief present inquiry regards the will and powers of man in the second state, what manner of powers since the fall of our first parents he has of himself in spiritual things antecedently to regeneration : whether by his own proper powers, before he has been regenerated by the Spirit of God, he can apply and prepare himself unto the grace of God, and whether he can receive and apprehend the divine grace (which is offered to him through the Holy Ghost in the word and sacraments divinely instituted), or not?

Affirmativa. Affirmative.

Sincera doctrina de hoc articulo, cum immota regula verbi divini congruens.

The sound doctrine concerning this article, agreeable to the steadfast rule of the divine Word. I. De hoc negotio hæc est fides, doctrina et confessio nostra: quod videlicet hominis intellectus et ratio in rebus spiritualibus prorsus sint cæca, nihilque propriis viribus intelligere possint. Sicut scriptum est(1 Cor. ii. 14): 'Animalis homo non percipit ea, quæ sunt Spiritus; stultitia illi est, et non potest intelligere, quia de spiritualibus examinatur' [wann er wird von geistlichen Sachen gefraget].⁵⁰ I. Concerning this matter, the following is our faith, doctrine, and confession, to wit: that the understanding and reason of man in spiritual things are wholly blind, and can understand nothing by their proper powers. As it is written (1 Cor. ii. 14): 'The natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because he is examined concerning spiritual things.'⁵¹ II. Credimus, docemus et confitemur etiam, voluntatem hominis nondum renatam, non tantum a Deo esse aversam, verum etiam, inimicam Deo factam, ita, ut tantummodo ea velit et cupiat, iisque delectetur, quæ mala sunt et voluntati divinæ repugnant. Scriptum est enim (Gen. viii. 21): 'Sensus et cogitatio humani cordis in malum prona sunt ab adolescentia sua.' Item (Rom. viii. 7): 'Affectus carnis inimicitia est adversus Deum, neque II. We believe, teach, and confess, moreover, that the yet unregenerate will of man is not only averse from God, but has become even hostile to God, so that it only wishes and desires those things, and is delighted with them, which are evil and opposite to the divine will. For it is written (Gen. viii. 21): 'For the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth.' Also (Rom. viii. 7): 'The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not

enim legi subjicitur, ac ne potest id quidem.' subject to the law, neither indeed can be.' Itaque credimus, quantum abest, ut corpus mortuum seipsum vivificare, atque sibiipsi corporalem vitam restituere possit, tantum abesse, ut homo, qui ratione peccati spiritualiter mortuus est, seipsum in vitam spiritualem revocandi ullam facultatem habeat; sicut scriptum est (Eph. ii. 5): 'Cum essemus mortui in peccatis, convivificavit nos cum Christo,' etc. (2 Cor. iii. 5): 'Itaque etiam ex nobismetipsis, tanquam ex nobis, non sumus idonei, ut aliquid boni [etwas Guts]⁵² cogitemus; quod vero idonei sumus, id ipsum a Deo est.' Therefore we believe that by how ranch it is impossible that a dead body should vivify itself and restore corporal life to itself, even so impossible is it that man, who by reason of sin is spiritually dead, should have any faculty of recalling himself into spiritual life; as it is written ( Eph. ii. 5): 'Even when we were dead in sins, he hath quickened us together with Christ.' (2 Cor. iii. 5): 'Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing good⁵³ as of ourselves; but that we are sufficient is itself of God.' III. Conversionem autem hominis operatur Spiritus Sanctus non sine mediis, sed ad eam efficiendam uti solet prædicatione et auscultatione verbi Dei, sicut scriptum est (Rom. i. 16): 'Evangelion est potentia Dei ad salutem omni credenti? Et (Rom. x. 17): 'Fides est ex auditu verbi Dei.' Et sane vult Dominus, ut ipsius verbum audiatur, neque ad illius prædicationem aures obdurentur (Psa. xcv. 8). Huic verbo adest præsens Spiritus Sanctus, et corda hominum aperit, ut, sicut Lydia in Actis III. Nevertheless the Holy Spirit effects the conversion of man not without means, but is wont to use for effecting it preaching and the hearing of the Word of God, as it is written ( Rom. i. 16): 'The gospel is a power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' And ( Rom. x. 17): 'Faith cometh by hearing of the Word of God.' And without question it is the will of the Lord that his Word should be heard, and that our ears should not be stopped when it is preached ( Psa. xcv. 8). With this Word is present the Holy Spirit, who opens

Apostolicis (xvi. 14), diligenter attendant, et ita convertantur, sola gratia et virtute Spiritus Sancti, cujus unius et solius opus est hominis conversio. Si enim Spiritus Sancti gratia absit (Rom. ix. 16), nostrum velle et currere (1 Cor. iii. 7), nostrum plantare, seminare et rigare, prorsus frustranea sunt; si videlicet ille incrementum non largiatur, sicut Christus inquit (John xv. 5): 'Sine me nihil potestis facere.' Et his quidem paucis verbis Christus libero arbitrio omnes vires derogat, omniaque gratiæ divinæ adscribit (1 Cor. i. 29; 2 Cor. xii. 5; Jer. ix. 23): 'Ne quis coram Deo habeat, de quo glorietur.' the hearts of men, in order that, as Lydia did (Acts xvi. 14), they may diligently attend, and thus may be converted by the sole grace and power of the Holy Spirit, whose work, and whose work alone, the conversion of man is. For if the grace of the Holy Spirit is absent, our willing and running, our planting, sowing, and watering, are wholly in vain (Rom. ix. 16; 1 Cor. iii. 7); if, that is, he do not give the increase, as Christ says (John xv. 5): 'Without me ye can do nothing.' And, indeed, in these few words Christ denies to free-will all power whatever, and ascribes all to divine grace, 'that no one may have whereof he may glory before God' (1 Cor. i. 29; 2 Cor. xii. 5; Jer. ix. 23). Negativa. Negative. Rejectio contrariæ et falsæ doctrinæ. Rejection of contrary and false doctrine. Repudiamus igitur et damnamus omnes, quos recitabimus, errores, cum verbi divini regula non congruentes. We repudiate, therefore, and condemn all the errors which we will now recount, as not agreeing with the rule of the divine word: I. Primo delirum Philosophorum Stoicorum dogma, quemadmodum et Manichæorum furorem, qui docuerunt, omnia, quæ eveniant, necessario fieri, et aliter fieri prorsus non posse, et hominem omnia coactum facere, etiam ea, quæ in rebus externis agat, eumque ad designanda mala I. First, the insane dogma of the Stoic philosophers, as also the madness of the Manichæans, who taught that all things which come to pass take place by necessity, and can not possibly be otherwise; and that man does all things by constraint, even those things which he transacts in outward matters, and that he is

opera et scelera {qualia sunt libidines vagæ, rapinæ, cædes, furta, et similia) cogi. compelled to the committing of evil works and crimes, such as unlawful lusts, acts, rapine, murders, thefts, and the like. II. Repudiamus etiam crassum illum Pelagianorum errorem, qui asserere non dubitarunt, quod homo propriis viribus, sine gratia Spiritus Sancti, sese ad Deum convertere, Evangelio credere, legi divinæ ex animo parere, et hac ratione peccatorum remissionem ac vitam æternam ipse promereri valeat. II. We repudiate, also, that gross error of the Pelagians, who have not hesitated to assert that man by his own powers, without the grace of the Holy Spirit, has ability to convert himself to God, to believe the gospel, to obey the divine law from his heart, and in this way to merit of himself the remission of sins and eternal life. III. Præter hos errores rejicimus et Semipelagianorum falsum dogma, qui docent, hominem propriis viribus inchoare posse suam conversionem: absolvere autem sine Spiritus Sancti gratia non posse. III. Besides these errors, we reject also the false dogma of the Semi-Pelagians, who teach that man by his own powers can commence his conversion, but can not fully accomplish it without the grace of the Holy Spirit. IV. Item, cum docetur, licet homo non renatus, ratione liberi arbitrii, ante sui regenerationem infirmior quidem sit, quam ut conversionis suæ initium facere, atque propriis viribus sese ad Deum convertere, et legi Dei toto corde parere valeat: tamen, si Spiritus Sanctus prædicatione verbi initium fecerit, suamque gratiam in verbo homini obtulerit, tum hominis voluntatem, propriis et naturalibus suis viribus quodammodo aliquid, licet id modiculum, infirmum et languidum IV. Also the teaching that, although unregenerate man, in respect of free-will, is indeed, antecedently to his regeneration, too infirm to make a beginning of his own conversion, and by his own powers to convert himself to God, and obey the law of God with all his heart; yet if the Holy Spirit, by the preaching of the word, shall have made a beginning, and offered his grace in the word to man, that then man, by his own proper and natural powers, can, as it were, give some assistance and co-operation, though it be but

admodum sit, conversionem adjuvare, atque cooperari, et seipsam ad gratiam applicare, præparare, eam apprehendere, amplecti, et Evangelio credere posse. slight, infirm, and languid, towards his conversion, and can apply and prepare himself unto grace, apprehend it, embrace it, and believe the gospel. V. Item, hominem, post regenerationem, legem Dei perfecte observare atque implere posse, eamque impletionem esse nostrum coram Deo justitiam, qua vitam æternam promereamur. V. Also that man, after regeneration, can perfectly observe and fulfill the law of God, and that this fulfilling is our righteousness before God, whereby we merit eternal life. VI. Rejicimus etiam damnamusque Enthusiastarum⁵⁴ errorem, qui fingunt, Deum immediate, absque verbi Dei auditu, et sine Sacramentorum usu, homines ad se trahere, illuminare, justificare et salvare. VI. We also reject and condemn the error of the Enthusiasts,⁵⁵ who feign that God immediately, apart from the hearing of the Word of God, and without the use of the sacraments, draws men to himself, enlightens them, justifies and saves them. VII. Item, Deum in conversione et regeneratione hominis substantiam et essentiam veteris Adami, et præcipue animam rationalem penitus abolere, novamque animas essentiam ex nihilo, in illa conversione et regeneratione creare. VII. Also, that God in the regeneration of man utterly abolishes the substance and essence of the old Adam, and especially the rational soul, and creates from nothing in that conversion and regeneration a new essence of the soul. VIII. Item, cum hi sermones citra declarationem usurpantur, quod videlicet hominis voluntas, ante conversionem, in ipsa conversione, et post conversionem, Spiritui Sancto repugnet, et quod VIII. Also, when such statements as these are used without explanation, that the will of man, before conversion, in conversion itself, and after conversion, is set against the Holy Ghost, and that the Holy

Spiritus Sanctus iis detur, qui ex proposito et pertinaciter ipsi resistunt. Nam Deus in conversione ex nolentibus volentes facit, et in volentibus habitat, ut Augustinus loqui solet. Ghost is given to those who of set purpose and obstinately resist him. For God in conversion of unwilling men makes willing men, and dwells in the willing, as Augustine is wont to speak. Quod vero ad dicta quædam, tum Patrum, tum Neotericorum quorundam Doctorum attinet: Deus trahit, sed volentem trahit: et hominis voluntas in conversione non est otiosa, sed agit aliquid: judicamus hæc formæ sanorum verborum non esse analoga. Afferuntur enim hæc dicta ad confirmandam falsam opinionem, de viribus humani arbitrii in hominis conversione, contra doctrinam, quæ soli gratiæ divinæ id opus attribuit. Ideoque ab ejusmodi sermonibus, quando de conversione hominis ad Deum agitur, abstinendum censemus. But as concerns certain dicta, both of the Fathers and of certain modern doctors, such as the following: God draws, but draws a willing man, and man's will in conversion is not idle, but effects somewhat—we judge that these are not agreeable to the form of sound words. For these dicta are advanced for the confirming of the false opinion of the powers of the human will in the conversion of man, contrary to the doctrine which attributes that work to divine grace alone. And therefore we judge that we ought to abstain from expressions of such sort in treating of the conversion of man to God. Contra autem recte docetur, quod Dominus in conversione, per Spiritus Sancti tractionem (id est, motum et operationem) ex hominibus repugnantibus et nolentibus volentes homines faciat, et quod post conversionem in quotidianis poenitentiæ exercitiis hominis renati voluntas non sit otiosa, sed omnibus Spiritus Sancti operibus, quæ ille per nos efficit, etiam cooperetur. But, on the other hand, it is rightly taught that the Lord in conversion, through the drawing (that is, the movement and operation) of the Holy Spirit, of resisting and unwilling makes willing men, and that after conversion, in the daily exercises of penitence the will of man is not idle, but co-operates also with all the works of the Holy Spirit which he effects through us.

IX. Item, quod D. Lutherus scripsit, hominis voluntatem in conversione pure passive se habere: id recte et dextre est accipiendum, videlicet, respectu divinæ gratiæ in accendendis novis motibus, hoc est, de eo intelligi oportet, quando Spiritus Dei per verbum auditum, aut per usum Sacramentorum hominis voluntatem aggreditur, et conversionem atque regenerationem in homine operatur. Postquam enim Spiritus hoc ipsum jam operatus est atque effecit, hominisque voluntatem sola sua divina virtute et operatione immutavit atque renovavit: tunc revera hominis nova illa voluntas instrumentum est et organon Dei Spiritus Sancti, ut ea non modo gratiam apprehendat, verum etiam in operibus sequentibus Spiritui Sancto cooperetur. IX. Also, whereas Dr. Luther has written that the will of man in conversion is purely passive, that is to be received rightly and fitly, to wit: in respect of divine grace in kindling new motions, that is, it ought to be understood of the moment when the Spirit of God, through the hearing of the Word or through the use of the sacraments, lays hold of the will of man, and works conversion and regeneration in man. For after the Holy Spirit has already wrought and effected this very thing, and has changed and renewed the will of man by his own divine virtue and working alone, then, indeed, this new will of man is the instrument and organ of God the Holy Ghost, so that it not only lays hold of grace, but also co-operates, in the works which follow, with the Holy Spirit. Relinquuntur igitur ante conversionem hominis duæ tantum efficientes causæ (ad conversionem efficaces), nimirum Spiritus Sanctus, et verbum Dei, quod est instrumentum Spiritus Sancti, quo conversionem hominis efficit.⁵⁶ Hoc verbum homo certe audire debet, sed tamen ut illud ipsum There are, therefore, left before the conversion of man two efficient causes only (efficacious to conversion), that is to say, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, which is the instrument of the Holy Spirit whereby he effects the conversion of man.⁵⁷ This Word man is, without question, bound to hear; but,

vera fide amplectatur, nequaquam suis viribus propriis, sed sola gratia et operatione Dei Spiritus Sancti obtinere potest. nevertheless, he is in nowise by his own powers able to obtain the benefit of embracing it in true faith, but only by the grace and working of God the Holy Ghost. Art. III. Art. III. DE JUSTITIA FIDEI CORAM DEO. OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH BEFORE GOD. Status Controversiæ. Statement of the Controversy. Unanimi consensu {ad normam verbi divini, et sententiam Augustanæ Confessionis) in Ecclesiis nostris docetur, nos peccatores longe miserrimos sola in Christum fide coram Deo justificari et salvari, ita ut Christus solus nostra sit justitia. Hic autem Jesus Christus, Salvator noster, et justitia nostra, verus Deus est et verus homo: etenim divina et humana naturæ in ipso sunt personaliter unitæ. Quæsitum igitur fuit: secundum quam naturam Christus nostra sit justitia? Et hoc occasione duo errores, et quidem inter se pugnantes, Ecclesias quasdam perturbarunt. By unanimous consent (according to the rule of the divine Word and the judgment of the Augsburg Confession), it is taught in our churches that we most wretched sinners are justified before God and saved alone by faith in Christ, so that Christ alone is our righteousness. Now this Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our righteousness, is true God and true man; for the divine and human natures in him are personally united (Jer. xxiii. 6; 1 Cor. i. 30; 2 Cor. v. 21). It has therefore been asked: According to which nature is Christ our righteousness? And by occasion of this, two errors, and these contrary the one to the other, have disturbed certain churches. Una enim pars sensit, Christum tantummodo secundum divinam naturam, esse nostram justitiam, si videlicet ille per fidem in nobis habitet: etenim omnia For one part has held that Christ is our righteousness only according to the divine nature, if, that is, he dwell by faith in us; for that all the sins of men, compared

hominum peccata, collata nimirum cum illa per fidem inhabitante Divinitate, esse instar unius guttulæ aquæ, cum magno mari comparatæ. Contra hanc opinionem alii quidam asseruerunt, Christum esse nostram coram Deo justitiam, duntaxat secundum humanam naturam. with that Godhead thus indwelling by faith, are like one drop of water compared with the broad sea. Against this opinion others, indeed, have asserted that Christ is our righteousness before God, only according to his human nature. Affirmativa. Affirmative. Sincera doctrina piarum Ecclesiarum, utrique commemorato errori opposita. The sound doctrine of godly churches opposed to both of the fore-mentioned errors. I. Ad refellendum utrumque errorem, credimus, docemus et confitemur unanimiter, quod Christus vere sit nostra justitia, sed tamen neque secundum solam divinam naturam, neque secundum solam humanam naturam: sed totus Christus, secundum utramque naturam, in sola videlicet obedientia sua, quam Patri ad mortem usque absolutissimam Deus et homo præstitit, eaque nobis peccatorum omnium remissionem et vitam æternam promeruit. Sicut scriptum est: 'Sicut per inobedientiam unius hominis peccatores constituti sunt multi: ita et per unius obedientiam justi constituentur multi.' (Rom. v. 19). I. To overthrow both errors we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that Christ is truly our righteousness, but yet neither according to the divine nature alone, nor according to the human nature alone, but the whole Christ according to both natures, to wit: in his sole, most absolute obedience which he rendered to the Father even unto death, as God and man, and thereby merited for us the remission of all our sins and eternal life. As it is written: 'As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous' (Rom. v. 19). II. Credimus igitur, docemus et confitemur, hoc ipsum nostram esse coram Deo justitiam, quod II. We believe, therefore, teach, and confess that this very thing is our righteousness before God, namely,

Dominus nobis peccata remittit, ex mera gratia, absque ullo respectu præcedentium, præscentium, aut consequentium nostrorum operum, dignitatis, aut rneriti. Ille enim donat atque imputat nobis justitiam obedientiæ Christi; propter eam, justitiam, a Deo in gratiam recipimur, et justi reputamur. that God remits to us oar sins of mere grace, without any respect of our works, going before, present, or following, or of our worthiness or merit. For he bestows and imputes to us the righteousness of the obedience of Christ; for the sake of that righteousness we are received by God into favor and accounted righteous. III. Credimus etiam, docemus et confitemur, solam fidem esse illud medium et instrumentum, quo Christum Salvatorem, et ita in Christo justitiam illam, quæ coram judicio Dei consistere potest, apprehendimus: propter Christum enim fides illa nobis ad justitiam imputatur (Rom. iv. 5). III. We believe, also, teach, and confess that Faith alone is the means and instrument whereby we lay hold on Christ the Saviour, and so in Christ lay hold oil that righteousness which is able to stand before the judgment of God; for that faith, for Christ's sake, is imputed to us for righteousness (Rom. iv. 5). IV. Credimus præterea, docemus et confitemur, fidem illam justificantem non esse nudam notitiam historiæ de Christo, sed ingens atque tale Dei donum, quo Christum, Redemtorem nostrum, in verbo Evangelii recte agnoscimus, ipsique confidimus: quod videlicet propter solam ipsius obedientiam, ex gratia, remissionem peccatorum habeamus, sancti et justi coram Deo Patre reputemur, et æternam salutem consequamur. IV. We believe, moreover, teach, and confess that this justifying faith is not a bare knowledge of the history of Christ, but such and so great a gift of God as that by it we rightly recognize Christ our Redeemer in the word of the gospel, and confide in him: to wit, that for his obedience' sake alone we have by grace the remission of sins, are accounted holy and righteous before God the Father, and attain eternal salvation. V. Credimus, docemus et confitemur, vocabulum 'justificare' V. We believe, teach, and confess that the word justify in this

phrasi Scripturæ Sacræ, in hoc articulo, idem significare, quod absolvere a peccatis, ut ex dicto Salomonis (Prov. xvii. 15) intelligi potest: 'Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.' Item (Rom. viii. 33): 'Quis accusabit electos Dei? Deus est qui justificat.' article, conformably to the usage of Holy Scripture, signifies the same as to absolve from sin, as may be understood by the word of Solomon (Prov. xvii. 15): 'He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.' Also (Rom. viii. 33): 'Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.' Et, si quando pro vocabulo justificationis vocabula regenerationis et vivificationis usurpantur (quod in Apologia Augustanæ Confessionis factum est), sunt ea in illa superiore significatione accipienda. Nam alias eæ voces de hominis renovatione intelligendæ sunt, quæ a fidei justificatione recte discernitur. And if at any time for the word Justification the words Regeneration and Vivification are used (as is done in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession), these words are to be taken in the above-stated signification. For elsewhere these words are to be understood of the renewing of man, which is rightly distinguished from the justification of faith. VI. Credimus, docemus et confitemur etiam, etsi vere in Christum credentes et renati multis infirmitatibus et nævis usque ad mortem sunt obnoxii: non tamen illis vel de justitia, quæ per fidem, ipsis imputatur, vel de æterna salute esse dubitandum, quin potius firmiter illis statuendum esse [vor gewiss halten sollen], quod propter Christum, juxta promissionem et immotum verbum Evangelii, Deum sibi placatum habeant. VI. We believe, teach, and confess, moreover, that, although they that truly believe in Christ and are born again are even to the hour of death obnoxious to many infirmities and stains, yet they ought not to doubt either of the righteousness which is imputed to them through faith or concerning their eternal salvation, but rather are they firmly to be convinced that, for Christ's sake, according to the promise and unshaken word of the gospel, they have God reconciled to them.

VII. Credimus, docemus et confitemur, quod ad conservandam puram doctrinam de justitia fidei coram Deo, necessarium sit, ut particulæ exclusivæ (quibus Apostolus Paulus Christi meritum ab operibus nostris prorsus separat, solique Christo eam, gloriam tribuit) quam diligentissime retineantur, ut cum Paulus scribit: ex gratia, gratis, sine meritis, absque lege, sine operibus, non ex operibus. Quæ omnia hoc ipsum dicunt: 'Sola fide in Christum justificamur et salvamur' (Eph. ii. 8; Rom. i. 17; ii. 24; iv. 3 sqq.; Gal. iii. 11; Heb. xi.). VII. We believe, teach, and confess that, for the preserving of the pure doctrine of the righteousness of faith before God, it is necessary that the exclusive particles (by which the apostle Paul separates the merit of Christ utterly from our works, and attributes that glory to Christ alone) should be most diligently retained, as when Paul writes: 'Of grace, freely, without our deserts, without law, without works, not of works.' All which expressions amount to this: 'By faith in Christ alone are we justified and saved' (Eph. ii. 8; Rom. i. 17; ii. 24; iv. 3 sqq.; Gal. iii. 11; Heb. xi.). VIII. Credimus, docemus et confitemur, etsi antecedens contritio et subsequens nova obedientia ad articulum justificationis coram Deo non pertinent: non tamen talem fidem justificantem esse fingendam, quæ una cum malo proposito peccandi, videlicet, et contra conscientiam agendi, esse et stare possit. Sed postquam homo per fidem est justificatus, tum, veram illam et vivam fidem esse per caritatem efficacem (Gal. v. 6), et bona opera semper fidem justificantem sequi, et una cum ea, si modo vera et viva fides est, certissime deprehendi. Fides enim vera nunquam sola est, quin caritatem et spem semper secum habeat. VIII. We believe, teach, and confess that, although antecedent contrition and subsequent new obedience do not appertain to the article of justification before God, yet we are not to imagine any such justifying faith as can exist and abide with a purpose of evil, to wit: of sinning and acting contrary to conscience. But after that man is justified by faith, then that true and living faith works by love (Gal. v. 6), and good works always follow justifying faith, and are most certainly found together with it, provided only it be a true and living faith. For true faith is never alone, but hath always charity and hope in its train.

Antithesis, seu Negativa. Antithesis, or Negative. Rejectio contrariæ et falsæ doctrinæ. Rejection of opposite and false doctrine. Repudiamus ergo et damnamus omnia falsa dogmata, quæ jam recitabimus. We repudiate, therefore, and condemn all the false dogmas, which we will now recount: I. Christum, esse justitiam nostram solummodo secundum divinam naturam. I. That Christ is our righteousness only according to his divine nature. II. Christum esse justitiam, nostram tantummodo juxta humanam naturam. II. That Christ is our righteousness only according to his human nature. III. In dictis Propheticis et Apostolicis, ubi de justificatione fidei agitur, vocabula 'justificare' et 'justificari' non idem, esse ac a peccatis absolvere et absolvi, et remissionem peccatorum consequi: sed nos per caritatem, a Spiritu Sancto infusam, per virtutes et per opera, quæ a caritate promanant, reipsa coram Deo justos fieri. III. That in the prophetic and apostolic declarations, which treat of the righteousness of faith, the words justify and to be justified are not the same as to absolve and be absolved from sins, and to obtain remission of sins, but that we, through love infused by the Holy Ghost, through the virtues and through the works which flow forth from charity, become in very deed righteous before God. IV. Fidem, non respicere in solam Christi obedientiam, sed in divinam ejus naturam; quatenus videlicet ea in nobis habitet atque efficax sit, ut per eam inhabitationem peccata nostra tegantur. IV. That faith does not have respect to the sole obedience of Christ, but to his divine nature, so far as that dwells and is efficacious in us, so that by that indwelling our sins are covered. V. Fidem esse talem fiduciam in obedientiam Christi, quæ possit in eo etiam homine permanere et consistere, qui vera poenitentia careat, et ubi caritas non sequatur, sed qui contra conscientiam in peccatis perseveret. V. That faith is such a confidence in the obedience of Christ as can abide and have a being even in that man who is void of true repentance, and in whom it is not followed by charity, but who contrary to conscience perseveres in sins.