The Augsburg Confession (The Augustana) 

 Articles of Faith and Doctrine

 [I. Concerning God]

In the first place, it is with one accord taught and held, following the decree of the Council of Nicea, that there is one divine essence which is named God and truly is God. But there are three persons in the same one essence, equally powerful, equally eternal: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are one divine essence, eternal, undivided, unending, of immeasurable power, wisdom, and goodness, the creator and preserver of all visible and invisible things. What is understood by the word “person” is not a part nor a quality in another but that which exists by itself, as the Fathers once used the word concerning this issue. Rejected, therefore, are all the heresies that are opposed to this article, such as the Manichaeans, who posited two gods, one good and one evil; the Valentinians, the Arians, the Eunomians, the Mohammedans, and all others like them; also the Samosatenians, old and new, who hold that there is only one person and create a deceitful sophistry about the other two, the Word and the Holy Spirit, by saying that the two need not be two distinct persons since “Word” means an external word or voice and the “Holy Spirit” is a created motion in all creatures.

[II. Concerning Original Sin]

Furthermore, it is taught among us that since the fall of Adam, all human beings who are born in the natural way are conceived and born in sin. This means that from birth they are full of evil lust and inclination and cannot by nature possess true fear of God and true faith in God. Moreover, this same innate disease and original sin is truly sin and condemns to God’s eternal wrath all who are not in turn born anew through baptism and the Holy Spirit. Rejected, then, are the Pelagians and others who do not regard original sin as sin in order to make human nature righteous through natural powers, thus insulting the suffering and merit of Christ.

[III. Concerning the Son of God]

Likewise, it is taught that God the Son became a human being, born of the pure Virgin Mary, and that the two natures, the divine and the human, are so inseparably united in one person that there is one Christ. He is true God and true human being who truly “was born, suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried” in order both to be a sacrifice not only for original sin but also for all other sins and to conciliate God’s wrath. Moreover, the same Christ “descended into hell, truly rose from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, is sitting at the right hand of God” in order to rule and reign forever over all creatures, so that through the Holy Spirit he may make holy, purify, strengthen, and comfort all who believe in him, also distribute to them life and various gifts and benefits, and shield and protect them against the devil and sin. Finally, the same Lord Christ “will come” in full view of all “to judge the living and the dead . . . ,” according to the Apostles’ Creed. Rejected are all heresies that are opposed to this article.

[IV. Concerning Justification]

Furthermore, it is taught that we cannot obtain forgiveness of sin and righteousness before God through our merit, work, or satisfactions, but that we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God out of grace for Christ’s sake through faith when we believe that Christ has suffered for us and that for his sake our sin is forgiven and righteousness and eternal life are given to us. For God will regard and reckon this faith as righteousness in his sight, as St. Paul says in Romans 3[:21–26*] and 4[:5*].

[V. Concerning the Office of Preaching]

To obtain such faith God instituted the office of preaching, giving the gospel and the sacraments. Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith, where and when he wills, in those who hear the gospel. It teaches that we have a gracious God, not through our merit but through Christ’s merit, when we so believe. Condemned are the Anabaptists and others who teach that we obtain the Holy Spirit without the external word of the gospel through our own preparation, thoughts, and works.

[VI. Concerning the New Obedience]

It is also taught that such faith should yield good fruit and good works and that a person must do such good works as God has commanded for God’s sake but not place trust in them as if thereby to earn grace before God. For we receive forgiveness of sin and righteousness through faith in Christ, as Christ himself says [Luke 17:10*]: “When you have done all [things] . . . , say, ‘We are worthless slaves.’ ” The Fathers also teach the same thing. For Ambrose says: “It is determined by God that whoever believes in Christ shall be saved and have forgiveness of sins, not through works but through faith alone, without merit.”

[VII. Concerning the Church]

It is also taught that at all times there must be and remain one holy, Christian church. It is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel. For this is enough for the true unity of the Christian church that there the gospel is preached harmoniously according to a pure understanding and the sacraments are administered in conformity with the divine Word. It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that uniform ceremonies, instituted by human beings, be observed everywhere. As Paul says in Ephesians 4[:4–5*]: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

[VIII. What Is the Church?]

Likewise, although the Christian church is, properly speaking, nothing else than the assembly of all believers and saints, yet because in this life many false Christians, hypocrites, and even public sinners remain among the righteous, the sacraments—even though administered by unrighteous priests—are efficacious all the same. For as Christ himself indicates [Matt. 23:2–3*]: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. . . .” Condemned, therefore, are the Donatists and all others who hold a different view.

[IX. Concerning Baptism]

Concerning baptism it is taught that it is necessary, that grace is offered through it, and that one should also baptize children, who through such baptism are entrusted to God and become pleasing to him. Rejected, therefore, are the Anabaptists who teach that the baptism of children is not right.

[X. Concerning the Lord’s Supper]

Concerning the Lord’s Supper it is taught that the true body and blood of Christ are truly present under the form of bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper and are distributed and received there. Rejected, therefore, is also the contrary teaching.

[XI. Concerning Confession]

Concerning confession it is taught that private absolution should be retained and not abolished. However, it is not necessary to enumerate all misdeeds and sins, since it is not possible to do so. Psalm 19[:12*]: “But who can detect their errors?”

[XII. Concerning Repentance]

Concerning repentance it is taught that those who have sinned after baptism obtain forgiveness of sins whenever they come to repentance and that absolution should not be denied them by the church. Now properly speaking, true repentance is nothing else than to have contrition and sorrow, or terror about sin, and yet at the same time to believe in the gospel and absolution that sin is forgiven and grace is obtained through Christ. Such faith, in turn, comforts the heart and puts it at peace. Then improvement should also follow, and a person should refrain from sins. For these should be the fruits of repentance, as John says in Matthew 3[:8*]: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” Rejected here are those who teach that whoever has once become righteous cannot fall again. However, also condemned are the Novatians, who denied absolution to those who had sinned after baptism. Also rejected are those who do not teach that a person obtains forgiveness of sin through faith but through our own satisfactions. Also rejected are those who teach that “canonical satisfactions” are necessary to pay for eternal torment or purgatory.

[XIII. Concerning the Use of Sacraments]

Concerning the use of sacraments it is taught that the sacraments are instituted not only to be signs by which people may recognize Christians outwardly, but also as signs and testimonies of God’s will toward us in order thereby to awaken and strengthen our faith. That is why they also require faith and are rightly used when received in faith for the strengthening of faith. Rejected, therefore, are those who teach that the sacraments justify ex opere operato without faith and who do not teach that this faith should be added so that the forgiveness of sin (which is obtained through faith and not through work) may be offered there.

[XIV. Concerning Church Government]

Concerning church government it is taught that no one should publicly teach, preach, or administer the sacraments without a proper [public] call.

[XV. Concerning Church Regulations]

Concerning church regulations made by human beings, it is taught to keep those that may be kept without sin and that serve to maintain peace and good order in the church, such as specific celebrations, festivals, etc. However, people are also instructed not to burden consciences with them as if such things were necessary for salvation. Moreover, it is taught that all rules and traditions made by human beings for the purpose of appeasing God and of earning grace are contrary to the gospel and the teaching concerning faith in Christ. That is why monastic vows and other traditions concerning distinctions of foods, days, and the like, through which people imagine they can earn grace and make satisfaction for sin, are good for nothing and contrary to the gospel.

[XVI. Concerning Public Order and Secular Government]

Concerning public order and secular government it is taught that all political authority, orderly government, laws, and good order in the world are created and instituted by God and that Christians may without sin exercise political authority; be princes and judges; pass sentences and administer justice according to imperial and other existing laws; punish evildoers with the sword; wage just wars; serve as soldiers; buy and sell; take required oaths; possess property; be married; etc. Condemned here are the Anabaptists who teach that none of the things indicated above is Christian. Also condemned are those who teach that Christian perfection means physically leaving house and home, spouse and child, and refraining from the above-mentioned activities. In fact, the only true perfection is true fear of God and true faith in God. For the gospel teaches an internal, eternal reality and righteousness of the heart, not an external, temporal one. The gospel does not overthrow secular government, public order, and marriage but instead intends that a person keep all this as a true order of God and demonstrate in these walks of life Christian love and true good works according to each person’s calling. Christians, therefore, are obliged to be subject to political authority and to obey its commands and laws in all that may be done without sin. But if a command of the political authority cannot be followed without sin, one must obey God rather than any human beings (Acts 5[:29*]).

[XVII. Concerning the Return of Christ to Judgment]

It is also taught that our Lord Jesus Christ will return on the Last Day to judge, to raise all the dead, to give eternal life and eternal joy to those who believe and are elect, but to condemn the ungodly and the devils to hell and eternal punishment. Rejected, therefore, are the Anabaptists who teach that the devils and condemned human beings will not suffer eternal torture and torment. Likewise rejected are some Jewish teachings, which have also appeared in the present, that before the resurrection of the dead saints and righteous people alone will possess a secular kingdom and will annihilate all the ungodly.

[XVIII. Concerning Free Will]

Concerning free will it is taught that a human being has some measure of free will, so as to live an externally honorable life and to choose among the things reason comprehends. However, without the grace, help, and operation of the Holy Spirit a human being cannot become pleasing to God, fear or believe in God with the whole heart, or expel innate evil lusts from the heart. Instead, this happens through the Holy Spirit, who is given through the Word of God. For Paul says (1 Cor. 2[:14*]): “Those who are natural do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit.” In order that it may be recognized that nothing new is taught here, these are the clear words of Augustine concerning free will, quoted here from the third book of the Hypognosticon: “We confess that there is a free will in all human beings. For all have a natural, innate mind and reason—not that they can act in matters pertaining to God, such as loving or fearing God with their whole heart—but they do have the freedom to choose good or evil only in the external works of this life. By ‘good’ I mean what can be done by nature: whether to work in the field or not, whether to eat and drink, whether to visit a friend or not, to dress or undress, to build a home, to marry, to engage in a trade, and to do whatever may be useful and good. To be sure, all of this neither exists nor endures without God, but everything is from him and through him. On the other hand, a human being can by personal choice do evil, such as to kneel before an idol, commit murder, and the like.” Rejected here are those who teach that we can keep the commandments of God without grace and the Holy Spirit. For although we are by nature able to do the external works of the commandments, yet we cannot do the supreme commandments in the heart, namely, truly to fear, love, and believe in God.

[XIX. Concerning the Cause of Sin]

Concerning the cause of sin it is taught among us that although almighty God has created and preserves all of nature, nevertheless the perverted will causes sin in all those who are evil and despise God. This, then, is the will of the devil and of all the ungodly. As soon as God withdrew his hand, it turned from God to malice, as Christ says (John 8[:44*]): “When [the devil] lies, he speaks according to his own nature.”

[XX. Concerning Faith and Good Works]

Our people are falsely accused of prohibiting good works. But their writings concerning the Decalogue99 and other writings demonstrate that they have given good and useful account and admonition concerning proper Christian walks of life and works, about which little had been taught before our time. Instead, for the most part childish, unnecessary works—such as rosaries, the cult of the saints, joining religious orders, pilgrimages, appointed fasts, holy days, brotherhoods, and the like—were emphasized in all sermons. Our opponents also no longer praise such unnecessary works as highly as they once did. Moreover, they have also learned to speak now of faith, about which they did not preach at all in former times. Rather, they now teach that we do not become righteous before God by works alone, but they add faith in Christ, saying that faith and works make us righteous before God. Such talk may offer a little more comfort than the teaching that one should rely on works alone. Because at present the teaching concerning faith, which is the principal part of the Christian life, has not been emphasized for such a long time, as all must admit, but only a doctrine of works was preached everywhere, our people have taught as follows: In the first place, our works cannot reconcile us with God or obtain grace. Instead, this happens through faith alone when a person believes that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who alone is the mediator to reconcile the Father. Now all who imagine that they can accomplish this by works and can merit grace despise Christ and seek their own way to God contrary to the gospel. This teaching about faith is publicly and clearly treated in Paul at many places, especially in Ephesians 2[:8–9*]: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. . . .” That no new interpretation is introduced here can be demonstrated from Augustine, who diligently deals with this matter and also teaches that we obtain grace and become righteous before God through faith in Christ, and not through works. His whole book On the Spirit and the Letter proves it. Now although untested people despise this teaching completely, it is nevertheless the case that it is very comforting and beneficial for timid and terrified consciences. For the conscience cannot find rest and peace through works but by faith alone, when it concludes on its own with certainty that it has a gracious God for Christ’s sake, as Paul says (Rom. 5[:1*]): “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God.” In former times people did not emphasize this comfort but instead drove the poor consciences to their own works. As a result, all sorts of works were undertaken. For the conscience forced some into monasteries, in the hope of obtaining grace there through the monastic life. Some devised other works as a way of earning grace and making satisfaction for sins. Many of them discovered that a person could not obtain peace by such means. That is why it became necessary to preach this teaching concerning faith in Christ and diligently to emphasize it, so that each person may know that God’s grace is grasped by faith alone, without merit. We must also explain that we are not talking here about the faith possessed by the devil and the ungodly, who also believe the story that Christ suffered and was raised from the dead. But we are talking about true faith, which believes that we obtain grace and forgiveness of sin through Christ. All who know that in Christ they have a gracious God call upon him and are not, like the heathen, without God. For the devil and the ungodly do not believe this article about the forgiveness of sin. That is why they are enemies of God, cannot call upon him, and cannot hope for anything good from him. Moreover, as has now been indicated, Scripture talks about faith but does not label it knowledge such as the devil and the ungodly have. For Hebrews 11[:1*] teaches that faith is not only a matter of historical knowledge, but a matter of having confidence in God to receive his promise. Augustine also reminds us that we should understand the word “faith” in Scripture to mean confidence in God—that God is gracious to us—and not merely such knowledge of these stories as the devils also have. Further, it is taught that good works should and must be done, not that a person relies on them to earn grace, but for God’s sake and to God’s praise. Faith alone always takes hold of grace and forgiveness of sin. Because the Holy Spirit is given through faith, the heart is also moved to do good works. For before, because it lacks the Holy Spirit, the heart is too weak. Moreover, it is in the power of the devil who drives our poor human nature to many sins, as we observe in the philosophers who tried to live honestly and blamelessly, but then failed to do so and fell into many great, public sins. That is what happens to human beings when they are separated from true faith, are without the Holy Spirit, and govern themselves through their own human strength alone. That is why this teaching concerning faith is not to be censured for prohibiting good works. On the contrary, it should be praised for teaching the performance of good works and for offering help as to how they may be done. For without faith and without Christ human nature and human power are much too weak to do good works: such as to call on God, to have patience in suffering, to love the neighbor, to engage diligently in legitimate callings, to be obedient, to avoid evil lust, etc. Such lofty and genuine works cannot be done without the help of Christ, as he himself says in John 15[:5*]: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

[XXI. Concerning the Cult of the Saints]

Concerning the cult of the saints our people teach that the saints are to be remembered so that we may strengthen our faith when we see how they experienced grace and how they were helped by faith. Moreover, it is taught that each person, according to his or her calling, should take the saints’ good works as an example. For instance, His Imperial Majesty, in a salutary and righteous fashion, may follow the example of David in waging war against the Turk. For both hold a royal office that demands defense and protection of their subjects. However, it cannot be demonstrated from Scripture that a person should call upon the saints or seek help from them. “For there is only one single reconciler and mediator set up between God and humanity, Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 2[:5*]).117 He is the only savior, the only high priest, the mercy seat,118 and intercessor before God (Rom. 8[:34*]). He alone has promised to hear our prayers. According to Scripture, in all our needs and concerns it is the highest worship to seek and call upon this same Jesus Christ with our whole heart. “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous . . .” [1 John 2:1*].

[Conclusion of Part One]

This is nearly a complete summary of what is preached and taught in our churches for proper Christian instruction and the comfort of consciences, as well as for the improvement of believers. For we certainly wish neither to expose our own souls and consciences to grave danger before God by misusing the divine name or Word nor to pass on or bequeath to our children and descendants any other teaching than that which accords with the pure Word of God and Christian truth. Since, then, this teaching is clearly grounded in Holy Scripture and is, moreover, neither against nor contrary to the universal Christian church—or even the Roman church—so far as can be observed in the writings of the Fathers, we think that our opponents cannot disagree with us in the articles set forth above. That is why those who undertake to isolate, reject, and avoid our people as heretics, without having themselves any solid basis in divine command or Scripture, act in a very unfriendly and hasty manner, contrary to all Christian unity and love. For the dissension and quarrel are chiefly over some traditions and abuses. Since, then, there is nothing unfounded or deficient in the principal articles and since this our confession is godly and Christian, the bishops should in all fairness act more leniently even if there were a deficiency in regard to tradition—although we hope to offer solid grounds and reasons why some traditions and abuses have been changed among us. Disputed Articles, Listing the Abuses That Have Been Corrected Nothing contrary to Holy Scripture or to the universal, Christian church is taught in our churches concerning articles of faith. Rather, only some abuses have been corrected that in part have crept in over the years and in part have been introduced by force. Necessity demands that we list them and indicate reasons why correction is permissible in these matters so that Your Imperial Majesty may recognize that we have not acted in an unchristian or sacrilegious manner. On the contrary, we have been compelled by God’s command (which is rightly to be esteemed higher than all custom) to permit such corrections.

[XXII. Concerning Both Kinds of the Sacrament]

Among us both kinds of the sacrament are given to the laity for the following reason. There is a clear order and command of Christ in Matthew 26[:27*]: “Drink from it, all of you.” Concerning the cup Christ here commands with clear words that they all should drink from it. So that no one can contest and interpret these words as if they only applied to priests, Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 11[:21*] that the whole assembly of the Corinthian church used both kinds. Moreover, this usage remained in the church for a long time, as can be demonstrated from the historical accounts and from the writings of the Fathers. Cyprian mentions in many places that the cup was given to the laity in his time. St. Jerome says that the priests who administer the sacrament distribute the blood of Christ to the people. Pope Gelasius himself ordered that the sacrament should not be divided (dist. 2, chap. Concerning Consecration). Not a single canon with the order to receive only one kind can be found. Nobody knows when or through whom this custom of receiving only one kind was introduced, although Cardinal Cusanus mentions when this custom was formally approved. Now it is obvious that this custom, introduced contrary to God’s command and to the ancient canons, is not right. Accordingly, it was not proper to burden the consciences of those who desired to use the sacrament according to Christ’s institution and to compel them to act contrary to the order of our Lord Christ. Furthermore, because dividing the sacrament contradicts Christ’s institution, the customary procession with the sacrament has also been discontinued.

[XXIII. Concerning the Marriage of Priests]

From everyone, both of high and low degree, a mighty, loud complaint has been heard throughout the world about the flagrant immorality and dissolute life of priests who were not able to remain chaste; their vices reached the height of abomination. In order to avoid so much terrible offense, adultery, and other immorality, some priests among us have entered the married state. They give as their reason that they are compelled and moved to do so by the great distress of their consciences, especially since Scripture clearly proclaims that the married state was instituted by God to avoid sexual immorality, as Paul says that to avoid immorality, “Each man should have his own wife” [1 Cor. 7:2*], and again, “For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion” [1 Cor. 7:9b*]. When Christ says, in Matthew 19[:11*], “Not everyone can accept this teaching,” he shows that he knew human nature quite well, namely, that few people have the gift to live a celibate life. For “God created humankind . . . male and female” (Gen. 1[:27*]). Experience has made it all too clear whether human power and ability can improve or change the creation of God, the supreme Majesty, through their own intentions or vows without a special gift or grace of God. What good, honorable, chaste life, what Christian, honest, or upright existence has resulted for many? For it is clear—as many have confessed about their own lives—how much abominable, terrifying disturbance and torment of conscience they experienced at the time of their death. Therefore, because God’s Word and command cannot be changed by any human vow or law, priests and other clergy have taken wives for themselves for these and other reasons and causes. It can also be demonstrated from the historical accounts and from the writings of the Fathers that it was customary in the Christian church of ancient times for priests and deacons to have wives. This is why Paul says in 1 Timothy 3[:2*]: “Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife.” It was only four hundred years ago that priests in Germany were compelled by force to leave the married state and take the vows of celibacy. But they all offered so much serious and strong resistance that an archbishop of Mainz, who had promulgated the new papal decree, was nearly crushed to death during an uprising of the entire clergy. In the beginning, this same prohibition was so hastily and ineptly enforced that the pope at the time prohibited not only future marriages of priests but also broke up existing marriages of long standing. Of course, this was not only contrary to all divine, natural, and civil laws but also was totally opposed and contrary to the canons that the popes themselves had made and to the most renowned councils. Many godly and intelligent people of high standing have also often expressed similar opinions and misgivings that such enforced celibacy and prohibition of marriage (which God himself instituted and left open for individuals to enter) never introduced any good but rather many great and evil vices and much scandal. Moreover, as his biography indicates, one of the popes himself, Pius II, often said and had these words recorded: there may well have been some reason why the clergy was prohibited from marrying; but there were many better, greater, and more important reasons why they should again be free to marry. Undoubtedly, Pope Pius, as an intelligent and wise man, made this statement because of grave misgivings. Therefore, in loyalty to Your Imperial Majesty we are confident that, as a most praiseworthy Christian emperor, Your Majesty will graciously take to heart the fact that now in these last times and days of which Scripture speaks, the world is becoming more wicked and human beings more frail and infirm. Therefore it is most necessary, useful, and Christian to give this situation thorough inspection, so that the prohibition of marriage may not cause worse and more shameful immorality and vices to gain ground in German lands. For no one will ever be able to change or arrange these matters better or more wisely than God himself, who instituted marriage to help human frailty and to prevent sexual immorality. The old canons also state that sometimes severity and rigor must be alleviated and relaxed for the sake of human weakness and to prevent and avoid greater scandal.138 Now that certainly would be Christian and highly necessary in this case. How can the marriage of priests and clergy, especially of the pastors and others who are to serve the church, be disadvantageous to the Christian church as a whole? There may well be a shortage of priests and pastors in the future if this harsh prohibition of marriage should last much longer. Thus, that priests and clergy may marry is based on the divine Word and command. Moreover, the historical accounts demonstrate that priests were married and that the vow of celibacy has caused so much awful, unchristian offense, so much adultery, such terrible, unprecedented immorality and abominable vice that even some of the sincere cathedral clergy and also some courtiers in Rome have often confessed and complained how such abominable and overwhelming vice in the clergy would arouse the wrath of God. It is, therefore, quite deplorable that Christian marriage has not only been prohibited but also most swiftly punished in many places, as if it were a great crime. And yet, God commanded in Holy Scripture to hold marriage in high esteem. Moreover, the marital state is also highly praised in imperial laws and in all monarchies—wherever there has been law and justice. Only in this day and age are people beginning to be tortured without cause, simply because they are married—especially priests who above all should be spared. This is done not only contrary to divine law but also to the canons. In 1 Timothy 4[:1*, 3*] the apostle Paul calls the teaching that prohibits marriage a teaching of the devil. Christ himself says in John 8[:44*] that the devil is a murderer from the beginning. These two statements fit well together. For it certainly must be a teaching of the devil to prohibit marriage and then to dare to maintain such a teaching with the shedding of blood. However, just as no human law can abolish or change God’s command, neither can any vow change God’s command. That is why St. Cyprian advised that women who do not keep the vow of chastity should get married. He says in Epistle 11: “But if they are unwilling or unable to keep their vows of chastity it is better for them to marry than to fall into the fire through their lusts, and they should see to it that they cause no offense to their brothers and sisters.”140 In addition, all the canons show great lenience and fairness toward those who have made vows in their youth, as is the case with large numbers of priests and monks who entered their vocations out of ignorance when they were young.

[XXIV. Concerning the Mass]

Our people have been unjustly accused of having abolished the Mass. But it is obvious, without boasting, that the Mass is celebrated among us with greater devotion and earnestness than among our opponents. The people are instructed more regularly and with the greatest diligence concerning the holy sacrament, to what purpose it was instituted, and how it is to be used, namely, as a comfort to terrified consciences. In this way, the people are drawn to Communion and to the Mass. At the same time, they are also instructed about other, false teaching concerning the sacrament. Moreover, no noticeable changes have been made in the public celebration of the Mass, except that in certain places German hymns are sung alongside the Latin responses for the instruction and exercise of the people. For after all, all ceremonies should serve the purpose of teaching the people what they need to know about Christ. Now, because previously the Mass was misused in many ways (as has come to light) by turning it into a fair, by buying and selling it, and, for the most part, by celebrating it in all churches for money, such misuse was repeatedly rebuked by learned and upright people—even before our time. Now the preachers among us preached about this, and the priests were reminded of the terrible responsibility, which should properly concern every Christian, that whoever uses the sacrament unworthily is “answerable for the body and blood” of Christ [1 Cor. 11:27*]. Consequently, such mercenary Masses and private Masses, which had up to now been celebrated under compulsion for the sake of money and stipends, were discontinued in our churches. At the same time, an abominable error was also rebuked, namely, the teaching that our Lord Jesus Christ had made satisfaction by his death only for original sin and had instituted the Mass as a sacrifice for other sins. Thus, the Mass was made into a sacrifice for the living and the dead for the purpose of taking away sin and appeasing God. Thereupon followed a debate as to whether one Mass celebrated for many people merited as much as a special Mass celebrated for an individual. This resulted in the countless multiplication of Masses, and with this work people wanted to obtain from God everything they needed. Meanwhile, faith in Christ and true worship of God were forgotten. That is why instruction was given, clearly of necessity, so that everyone would know how to use the sacrament properly. In the first place, Scripture demonstrates in many places that there is no other sacrifice for original sin or any other sin than the one death of Christ. For it is written in Hebrews [9:28*; 10:10*, 14*] that Christ offered himself once and thereby made satisfaction for all sins. It is an unprecedented novelty in church doctrine that Christ’s death should have made satisfaction only for original sin and not for other sins as well. Consequently, we hope everyone understands that such error is not unjustly rebuked.146 In the second place, St. Paul teaches that we obtain grace before God through faith and not through works. Clearly contrary to this is the misuse of the Mass where people imagine that they may obtain grace through performing this work. For everyone knows that the Mass is used for removing sin and obtaining grace and all benefits from God—not only for the priest himself but also for the whole world and for others, living or dead. And this takes place through performing the work, ex opere operato, without faith. In the third place, the holy sacrament was not instituted to provide a sacrifice for sin—for the sacrifice has already occurred—but to awaken our faith and comfort our consciences. The sacrament makes them aware that they are promised grace and forgiveness of sin by Christ. That is why this sacrament requires faith and without faith is used in vain. Now since the Mass is not a sacrifice for others, living or dead, to take away their sins but should be a Communion where the priest and others receive the sacrament for themselves, we celebrate it in this fashion. On holy days and at other times when communicants are present, Mass is celebrated, and those who desire it receive the sacrament. Thus, the Mass remains among us in its proper use, as it was observed formerly in the church. This can be demonstrated from St. Paul (1 Cor. 11[:23–33*]) and from many writings of the Fathers. For Chrysostom tells how the priest stands every day and invites some to receive the sacrament, but forbids others to approach. The ancient canons also indicate that one priest officiated and gave the sacrament to the other priests and deacons. For the words of the Nicene canon read: “After the priests, the deacons shall receive the sacrament from the bishop or priest in order.” No novelty has been introduced that did not exist in the church in days of old. No noticeable change has occurred in the public liturgy of the Mass, except that other, unnecessary Masses, which perhaps through misuse were celebrated besides the parish Mass, have been discontinued. Therefore this way of celebrating Mass should, in all fairness, not be condemned as heretical or unchristian. For in former times, Mass was not celebrated every day in the large churches where there were many people, even on days the people assembled. As the Tripartite History, Book 9, indicates, in Alexandria Scripture was read and interpreted on Wednesday and Friday, and all these worship services were held without the Mass.

[XXV. Concerning Confession]

Confession has not been abolished by the preachers on our side. For the custom has been retained among us of not administering the sacrament to those who have not previously been examined and absolved. At the same time, the people are diligently instructed how comforting the word of absolution is and how highly and dearly absolution is to be esteemed. For it is not the voice or word of the person speaking it, but it is the Word of God, who forgives sin. For it is spoken in God’s stead and by God’s command. Great diligence is used to teach about this command and power of the keys, and how comforting and necessary it is for terrified consciences. It is also taught how God requires us to believe this absolution as much as if it were God’s voice resounding from heaven and that we should joyfully find comfort in the absolution, knowing that through such faith we obtain forgiveness of sin. In former times, the preachers, while teaching much about confession, never mentioned a single word about these necessary matters but instead only tormented consciences with long enumerations of sins, with satisfactions, with indulgences, with pilgrimages, and the like. Moreover, many of our opponents themselves confess that our side has written about and dealt with true Christian repentance more appropriately than had been done in a long time. Concerning confession, it is taught that no one should be compelled to enumerate sins in detail. For this is impossible, as the psalm [19:12*] says: “But who can detect their errors?” And Jeremiah [17:9*] says: “The human heart is so devious that no one can understand it.” Miserable human nature is so mired in sins that it cannot see or know them all. If we were absolved only from those sins that we can enumerate, we would be helped but little. That is why it is not necessary to compel people to enumerate sins in detail. This was also the view of the Fathers, as one finds it in dist. 1 of Concerning Confession where these words of Chrysostom are quoted: “I do not say that you should offer yourself up in public, or accuse yourself, or plead guilty before another person. Instead obey the prophet who says, ‘Reveal your way to the Lord’ [Ps. 37:5*, Vulgate]. Therefore confess to the Lord God, the true judge, in your prayer. Do not speak your sin with the tongue, but in your conscience.” Here one can clearly see that Chrysostom does not force anyone to enumerate sins in detail. The marginal note in the Decretum, Concerning Confession, dist. 5, also teaches that confession is not commanded in Scripture but was instituted by the church. Nevertheless, the preachers on our side diligently teach that confession is to be retained because of absolution (which is confession’s principal and foremost part) for the comfort of terrified consciences and because of other reasons.

[XXVI. Concerning the Distinction among Foods]

In former times it was taught, preached, and written that distinction among foods and similar traditions instituted by human beings serve to earn grace and make satisfaction for sin. For this reason, new fasts, new ceremonies, new monastic orders, and the like were invented daily. They were fervently and strictly promoted, as if such things were a necessary service of God whereby people earned grace if they observed them or committed a great sin if they did not. Many harmful errors in the church have resulted from this. In the first place, the grace of Christ and the teaching concerning faith are thereby obscured. The gospel holds these things up to us with great earnestness and strongly insists that everyone regard the merit of Christ as sublime and precious and know that faith in Christ is to be esteemed far above all works. For this reason, St. Paul fought vehemently against the Law of Moses and against human tradition so that we should learn that we do not become righteous before God by our works but that it is only through faith in Christ that we obtain grace for Christ’s sake. Such teaching has been almost completely extinguished by the instruction to earn grace with prescribed fasts, distinction among foods, dress, etc. In the second place, such traditions have also obscured God’s commands. For these traditions are placed far above God’s commands. This alone was considered the Christian life: whoever observed festivals this way, prayed in this way, fasted in this way, and was dressed in this way was said to live a spiritual, Christian life. On the other hand, other necessary good works were considered secular, unspiritual ways of life: that each person is obliged to act according to his or her calling—for example, that the father of a family works to support his wife and children and raises them in the fear of God; that the mother of a family bears children and looks after them; that a prince or rulers govern a country; etc. Such works, commanded by God, had to be a “secular and imperfect” way of life, while the traditions had to have impressive names, so that only they were called “holy and perfect” works. That is why there was no end or limit in the making of such traditions. In the third place, such traditions turned out to be a heavy burden to consciences. For it was not possible to keep all the traditions, and yet people thought that keeping them was required for true service to God. Gerson writes that many fell into despair doing this. Some even committed suicide because they had heard nothing about the comfort of Christ’s grace. For reading the summists and theologians discloses how consciences became confused when these people tried to collate the traditions and sought fairness in order to help consciences. They were so occupied with such efforts that in the meantime they ignored all wholesome Christian teaching concerning more important matters, such as faith, comfort in spiritual trials, and the like. Many upright and learned people before our time have also complained a lot about the fact that such traditions cause much quarreling in the church and thereby prevent devout people from coming to a right understanding of Christ. Gerson and others complained bitterly about this. In fact, Augustine also was displeased that consciences were burdened with so many traditions. That is why in this connection he gives instruction that no one should regard them as necessary. Consequently, our people have not taught about these matters out of malice or contempt toward ecclesiastical authority. But dire need has necessitated instruction about the above-mentioned matters, which have arisen from a misunderstanding of tradition. For the gospel demands that in the church one should and must emphasize the teaching concerning faith. But this cannot be understood if people imagine that grace is earned through self-chosen works. Concerning this the following is taught. No one can earn grace, become reconciled with God, or make satisfaction for sin by observing the aforesaid human traditions. That is why they should not be made into a necessary service of God. Reasons for this are cited from Scripture. In Matthew 15[:9*] Christ defends the apostles for not observing customary traditions, saying: “In vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” Since he calls them “vain worship” they must not be necessary. Then soon thereafter he says: “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person” [Matt. 15:11*]. Likewise, Paul says in Romans 14[:17*]: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink,” and in Colossians 2[:16*]: “Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing . . . sabbaths.” Peter says in Acts 15[:10–11*]: “Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Here Peter forbids the burdening of consciences with additional external ceremonies, whether from Moses or others. In 1 Timothy 4[:1–3*] such prohibitions as forbidding food, marriage, and the like are called teachings of the devil. For it is directly opposed to the gospel to institute or perform such works for the purpose of earning forgiveness of sin through them or to suppose that no one may be a Christian without such service. But the accusation that our people, like Jovinian, prohibit mortification and discipline will not be found in their writings, which reveal something quite different. For concerning the holy cross they have always taught that Christians are obliged to suffer, and that this is proper and real, not contrived, mortification. In addition, it is also taught that all are obliged to conduct themselves regarding bodily discipline, such as fasting and other work, in such a way as not to give occasion to sin, but not as if they earned grace by such works. Such bodily discipline should not be limited only to specific days but should be maintained continually. Christ speaks about this in Luke 21[:34*]: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation,” and [Mark 9:29*:] “This kind [of demon] can come out only through prayer and fasting.” Paul says that he punished his body and enslaved it [1 Cor. 9:27*], indicating that mortification should not serve the purpose of earning grace but of keeping the body in a condition that does not prevent performing the duties required by one’s calling. So fasting in itself is not rejected. Instead, we reject making it a required service with prescribed days and foods, for this confuses the consciences. Our side also retains many ceremonies and traditions, such as the order of the Mass and other singing, festivals, and the like, which serve to preserve order in the church. At the same time, however, the people are taught that such external worship of God does not make them righteous before God and that it is to be observed without burdening consciences, that is, no one sins by omitting it without causing offense. The ancient Fathers also maintained such liberty with respect to external ceremonies. For in the East the festival of Easter was celebrated at a date different from that in Rome. When some wanted to divide the church over this difference, others admonished them that there was no need to have uniformity in such customs. As Irenaeus says: “Diversity in fasting does not dissolve unity in faith.” Furthermore, concerning such diversity in human ordinances, dist. 12 also states that they are not in conflict with the unity of Christendom. The Tripartite History, Book 9, gathers many examples of diverse church customs and establishes a useful Christian saying: “It was not the intention of the apostles to institute festivals but to teach faith and love.”

[XXVII. Concerning Monastic Vows]

In speaking of monastic vows, it is necessary, first of all, to consider how they were viewed earlier, what kind of life there was in the monasteries, and how much happened in them daily that was contrary not only to God’s Word but also to papal canons. For at the time of St. Augustine monastic vocations were voluntary. Later, when proper discipline and teaching became corrupted, monastic vows were contrived. With them, as in a prison of their own devising, people wanted to restore discipline. In addition to monastic vows many other things were introduced, and a great number of bonds and burdens were laid on many even before they had attained an appropriate age. Many persons also entered monastic life in ignorance. Although they were not too young, they nevertheless did not sufficiently estimate and understand their capabilities. All of those who were entangled and ensnared in this way were forced and compelled to remain in such bondage, in spite of the fact that even papal canons would have set many of them free. It was more difficult in nunneries than in monasteries, even though it would have been seemly to spare the women as the weaker gender. Such rigor and severity also displeased many devout people in former times. For they certainly noticed that both boys and girls had been stuck away in monasteries for the sake of keeping them alive. They certainly also noticed how badly this arrangement turned out and what offense and burdening of consciences it caused. Many people complained that the canons were not respected at all. In addition, monastic vows have such a reputation that even many monks with little understanding were clearly displeased. It was pretended that monastic vows would be equal to baptism, and that through monastic life one could earn forgiveness of sin and justification before God. Indeed, they added that one earns through monastic life not only righteousness and innocence, but also that through it one keeps the commands and counsels written in the gospel. In this way monastic vows were praised more highly than baptism. It was also said that one could obtain more merit through the monastic life than through all other walks of life, which had been ordered by God, such as the office of pastor or preacher, the office of ruler, prince, lord, and the like. (These all serve in their vocations according to God’s command, Word, and mandate without any contrived spiritual status.) None of these things can be denied, for one can find them in their own books. Furthermore, whoever was so ensnared and ended up in the monastery learned little about Christ. At one time there were schools of Holy Scripture and other disciplines useful for the Christian church in the monasteries, so that pastors and bishops were taken from the monasteries. But now the picture is quite different. In former times, people adopted the monastic life in order to study Scripture. Now they pretend that the monastic life is of such a nature that through it a person may earn God’s grace and righteousness before God—indeed that it is a state of perfection, far above all other walks of life instituted by God. All this is mentioned, without any disrespect intended, in order that everyone may better grasp and understand what and how our people teach and preach. In the first place, it is taught among us concerning those who are inclined to marry, that all those who are not suited for celibacy have the power, authority, and right to marry. For vows cannot annul God’s order and command. Now God’s command reads (1 Cor. 7[:2*]): “But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” Not only God’s command urges, compels, and insists upon this, but also God’s creation and order direct all to the state of marriage who are not blessed with the gift of virginity by a special work of God, according to God’s own Word (Gen. 2[:18*]): “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” What objections can be raised against this? People may praise the vow and obligation as highly as they want, but they still cannot force the abrogation of God’s command. The teachers say that vows made contrary to papal law are not even binding.189 How much less should they be binding or have legal standing when they are contrary to God’s command! If there were no reasons for allowing the annulment of the binding vows, popes would also not have given dispensation and release from them. For no human being has the right to break an obligation derived from divine laws. That is why the popes were well aware that some balance should be used in regard to this obligation and have often given dispensation, as in the case of the king of Aragon190 and many others. If, then, dispensations were granted for the maintenance of temporal interests, how much more fairly should dispensations be granted for the sake of the souls’ needs. Next, why do our opponents insist so strongly that vows must be kept without first ascertaining whether a vow has integrity? For in matters within human power a vow should not be forced but voluntary. However, it is well known to what degree perpetual chastity lies within human power and ability. Moreover, there are few—men or women—who have taken monastic vows on their own, willingly and after due consideration. They were talked into taking monastic vows before they understood what was involved. At times, they were also forced and driven to do so. Accordingly, it is not right to argue so rashly and insistently about the obligation of vows, in view of the fact that everyone confesses it is against the nature and integrity of a vow to be taken by force, but rather it should be taken with good counsel and due consideration. Some canons and papal laws annul vows made under the age of fifteen years. For they take into consideration that before this age a person does not have sufficient understanding to decide how possibly to determine or arrange an entire life. Another canon concedes still more years to human frailty, for it forbids taking monastic vows before the eighteenth year. This provides an excuse and reason for a great many to leave the monasteries. For a majority entered the monastery in childhood before attaining such age. Finally, even if the breaking of monastic vows might be censured, it could not be concluded from this that the marriage of those who broke them should be dissolved. For St. Augustine, cited in Marriage Matters (q. 27, chap. 1),195 says that such a marriage should not be dissolved. Now St. Augustine certainly does not have a low reputation in the Christian church, even though some have subsequently differed from him. Although God’s command concerning marriage frees and releases many from monastic vows, our people offer still more reasons why monastic vows are null and void. For all service of God instituted and chosen by human beings without God’s command and authority to obtain righteousness and God’s grace is contrary to God, the holy gospel, and God’s decree, as Christ himself says (Matt. 15[:9*]): “In vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” St. Paul also teaches everywhere that righteousness is not to be sought in our precepts and services of God contrived by human beings, but that righteousness and innocence before God come from faith and trust, when we believe that God receives us in grace for the sake of Christ, his only Son. Now it is quite evident the monks have taught and preached that their contrived spiritual status makes satisfaction for sin and obtains God’s grace and righteousness.196 What is this but to diminish the glory and praise of the grace of Christ and to deny the righteousness of faith? It follows from this that the customary vows have been improper and false services of God. That is why they are also not binding. For a godless vow, made contrary to God’s command, is null and void, just as the canons also teach that an oath should not bind a person to sin. St. Paul says in Galatians 5[:4*]: “You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Therefore, those who want to be justified by vows are also cut off from Christ and fall away from the grace of God. For they rob Christ, who alone justifies, of his honor and give such honor to their vows and monastic life. No one can deny that the monks also taught and preached that they become righteous and earn forgiveness of sins through their vows and monastic life. In fact, they have contrived an even more useless and absurd claim, saying that they imparted their good works to others. Now if someone wanted to take all this to an extreme and bring accusation against them, how many items could be assembled that the monks themselves are now ashamed of and wish had never occurred! Besides all this, they persuaded the people that these humanly contrived spiritual orders were states of Christian perfection. Surely this means to praise works as the means of becoming righteous. Now it is no small offense in the Christian church to present to the people a service of God, which human beings have contrived without God’s command, teaching that such service of God makes people innocent and righteous before God. For righteousness of faith, which ought to be emphasized most, is obscured when people are bedazzled with this strange angelic spirituality and false pretense of poverty, humility, and chastity. In addition, the commands of God and proper, true service of God are obscured when people hear that only monks must be in the state of perfection. For Christian perfection is to fear God earnestly with the whole heart and yet also to have a sincere confidence, faith, and trust that we have a gracious, merciful God because of Christ; that we may and should pray for and request from God whatever we need and confidently expect help from him in all affliction, according to each person’s vocation and walk of life; and that meanwhile we should diligently do external good works and attend to our calling. This is true perfection and true service of God—not being a mendicant or wearing a black or gray cowl, etc. However, the common people form many harmful opinions from false praise of the monastic life, such as when they hear the state of celibacy praised above all measure. For it follows that their consciences are troubled because they are married. When the common people hear that only mendicants may be perfect, they cannot know that they may keep possessions and transact business without sin. When the people hear that it is only a “counsel” [of the gospel] not to take revenge, some will conclude that it is not sinful to take revenge outside their office. Still others think that revenge is not right for Christians at all, even on the part of political authority. Many examples are recorded of people leaving wife and child—even their civil office—and putting themselves into a monastery. This, they said, is fleeing from the world and seeking a life that is more pleasing to God than the other life. They were unable to realize that one should serve God by observing the commandments he has given and not through the commandments contrived by human beings. Now the life supported by God’s command is certainly a good and perfect state, but the life not supported by God’s command is a dangerous state. It has been necessary to keep people well informed about such matters. In former times, Gerson also rebuked the errors of the monks about perfection. He showed that it was an innovation in his day to speak of monastic life as a state of perfection. There are so many ungodly notions and errors attached to monastic vows: that they justify and make righteous before God; that they must be Christian perfection; that through them a person may keep both the counsels of the gospel and the commandments; that they contain works of supererogation, beyond what is owed to God. Since, then, all of this is false, useless, and humanly contrived, monastic vows are null and void.

[XXVIII. Concerning the Power of Bishops]

Many and various things have been written in former times concerning the power of bishops. Some have improperly mixed the power of bishops with the secular sword, and such careless mixture has caused many extensive wars, uprisings, and rebellions. For the bishops, under the guise of power given to them by Christ, have not only introduced new forms of worship and burdened consciences with reserved cases and with forcible use of the ban, but they also took it upon themselves to set up and depose emperors and kings according to their pleasure. Such outrage has long since been condemned by learned and devout people in Christendom. That is why our people have been compelled, for the sake of comforting consciences, to indicate the difference between spiritual and secular power, sword, and authority. They have taught that, for the sake of God’s command, everyone should honor and esteem with all reverence both authorities and powers as the two highest gifts of God on earth. Our people teach as follows. According to the gospel the power of the keys or of the bishops is a power and command of God to preach the gospel, to forgive or retain sin, and to administer and distribute the sacraments. For Christ sent out the apostles with this command (John 20[:21–23*]): “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” The same power of the keys or of the bishops is used and exercised only by teaching and preaching God’s Word and by administering the sacraments to many persons or to individuals, depending on one’s calling. Not bodily but eternal things and benefits are given in this way, such as eternal righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. These benefits cannot be obtained except through the office of preaching and through the administration of the holy sacraments. For St. Paul says [Rom. 1:16*]: “The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.” Now inasmuch as the power of the church or of the bishops bestows eternal benefits and is used and exercised only through the office of preaching, it does not interfere at all with public order and secular authority. For secular authority deals with matters altogether different from the gospel. Secular power does not protect the soul but, using the sword and physical penalties, it protects the body and goods against external violence. That is why one should not mix or confuse the two authorities, the spiritual and the secular. For spiritual power has its command to preach the gospel and to administer the sacraments. It should not invade an alien office. It should not set up and depose kings. It should not annul or disrupt secular law and obedience to political authority. It should not make or prescribe laws for the secular power concerning secular affairs. For Christ himself said [John 18:36*]: “My kingdom is not from this world.” And again [Luke 12:14*]: “Who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And St. Paul in Philippians 3[:20*]: “Our citizenship is in heaven.” And in 2 Corinthians 10[:4–5*]: “For the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds . . . arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God.” In this way our people distinguish the offices of the two authorities and powers and direct that both be honored as the highest gifts of God on earth. However, where bishops possess secular authority and the sword, they possess them not as bishops by divine right but by human, imperial right, given by Roman emperors and kings for the secular administration of their lands. That has nothing at all to do with the office of the gospel. Consequently, according to divine right it is the office of the bishop to preach the gospel, to forgive sin, to judge doctrine and reject doctrine that is contrary to the gospel, and to exclude from the Christian community the ungodly whose ungodly life is manifest—not with human power but with God’s Word alone. That is why parishioners and churches owe obedience to bishops, according to this saying of Christ (Luke 10[:16*]): “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” But whenever they teach, institute, or introduce something contrary to the gospel, we have God’s command in such a case not to be obedient (Matt. 7[:15*]): “Beware of false prophets.” And St. Paul in Galatians 1[:8*]: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!” And in 2 Corinthians 13[:8*]: “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” And again [2 Cor. 13:10*]: “. . . using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.” Canon law also commands the same in Part II, Question 7, in the chapters entitled “Priests” and “Sheep.” And St. Augustine writes in the letter against Petilian that one should not obey bishops, even if they have been regularly elected, when they err or teach and command something contrary to the holy, divine Scripture. Whatever other power and jurisdiction bishops have in various matters, such as marriage or tithes, they have them by virtue of human right. However, when bishops neglect such duties, the princes are obligated—whether they like it or not—to administer justice to their subjects for the sake of peace, in order to prevent discord and great unrest in their lands. Furthermore, it is also debated whether bishops have the power to establish ceremonies in the church as well as regulations concerning food, festivals, and the different orders of the clergy. For those who grant bishops this power cite this saying of Christ (John 16[:12–13*]): “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” They also cite the example in Acts 15[:20*, 29*] where the eating of blood and what is strangled was prohibited. They appeal as well to the transference of the sabbath to Sunday—contrary to the Ten Commandments, as they view it. No other example is so strongly emphasized and quoted as the transference of the sabbath. Thereby they want to maintain that the power of the church is great, because it has dispensed with and altered part of the Ten Commandments. Concerning this question, our people teach that bishops do not have the power to institute or establish something contrary to the gospel, as is indicated above and as is taught by canon law throughout the ninth distinction. Now it is patently contrary to God’s command and Word to make laws out of opinions or to require that by observing them a person makes satisfaction for sin and obtains grace. For the honor of Christ’s merit is slandered when we take it upon ourselves to earn grace through such ordinances. It is also obvious that, because of this notion, human ordinances have multiplied beyond calculation while the teaching concerning faith and the righteousness of faith have been almost completely suppressed. Daily new festivals and new fasts have been commanded; new ceremonies and new venerations of the saints have been instituted in order that by such works grace and everything good might be earned from God. Moreover, those who institute human ordinances also act contrary to God’s command when they attach sin to food, days, and similar things and burden Christendom with bondage to the law, as if in order to earn God’s grace there had to be such service of God among Christians like the Levitical service, which God supposedly commanded the apostles and bishops to establish, as some have written. It is quite believable that some bishops have been deceived by the example of the Law of Moses. This is how countless ordinances came into being: for example, that it is supposed to be a mortal sin to do manual labor on festivals, even when it offends no one else; that it is a mortal sin to omit the seven hours; that some foods defile the conscience; that fasting is a work that appeases God; that in a reserved case sin is not forgiven unless one first asks to be forgiven by the person for whom the case is reserved—despite the fact that canon laws do not speak of the reservation of guilt but only of the reservation of church penalties. Where, then, did the bishops get the right and power to impose such ordinances on Christendom and to ensnare consciences? For in Acts 15[:10*] St. Peter prohibits placing the yoke on the necks of the disciples. And St. Paul tells the Corinthians [2 Cor. 10:8*] that they have been given authority for building up and not for tearing down. Why then do they increase sin with such ordinances? Indeed, clear sayings of divine Scripture prohibit the establishment of such ordinances for the purpose of earning God’s grace or as if they were necessary for salvation. St. Paul says in Colossians 2[:16–17*]: “Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Again [Col. 2:20–23*]: “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch?’ All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom. . . .” Again, in Titus 1[:14*] St. Paul clearly prohibits paying attention to Jewish myths or human commandments, which obstruct the truth. In Matthew 15[:14*] Christ himself also speaks of those who drive the people to human commandments: “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.” And he rejects such service of God, saying [Matt. 15:13*]: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” If, then, bishops have the power to burden the churches with innumerable ordinances and to ensnare consciences, why does divine Scripture so frequently prohibit the making and keeping of human ordinances? Why does it call them teachings of the devil? Could the Holy Spirit possibly have warned against all this in vain? Inasmuch as it is contrary to the gospel to establish such regulations as necessary to appease God and earn grace, it is not at all proper for the bishops to compel observation of such services of God. For in Christendom the teaching of Christian freedom must be preserved, namely, that bondage to the law is not necessary for justification, as Paul writes in Galatians 5[:1*]: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” For the chief article of the gospel must be maintained, that we obtain the grace of God through faith in Christ without our merit and do not earn it through service of God instituted by human beings. How, then, should Sunday and other similar church ordinances and ceremonies be regarded? Our people reply218 that bishops or pastors may make regulations for the sake of good order in the church, but not thereby to obtain God’s grace, to make satisfaction for sin, or to bind consciences, nor to regard such as a service of God or to consider it a sin when these rules are broken without giving offense. So St. Paul prescribed in Corinthians that women should cover their heads in the assembly [1 Cor. 11:5*], and that preachers in the assembly should not all speak at once, but in order, one after the other [1 Cor. 14:30–33*]. Such regulation belongs rightfully in the Christian assembly for the sake of love and peace, to be obedient to bishops and pastors in such cases, and to keep such order to the extent that no one offends another—so that there may not be disorder or unruly conduct in the church. However, consciences should not be burdened by holding that such things are necessary for salvation or by considering it a sin when they are violated without giving offense to others; just as no one would say that a woman commits a sin if, without offending people, she leaves the house with her head uncovered. The same applies to the regulation of Sunday, Easter, Pentecost, or similar festivals and customs. For those who think that the sabbath had to be replaced by Sunday are very much mistaken. For Holy Scripture did away with the sabbath, and it teaches that after the revelation of the gospel all ceremonies of the old law may be given up. Nevertheless, the Christian church instituted Sunday because it became necessary to set apart a specific day so that the people might know when to assemble; and the church was all the more pleased and inclined to do this so that the people might have an example of Christian freedom and so that everyone would know that neither the keeping of the sabbath nor any other day is necessary. There are many faulty debates about the transformation of the law, the ceremonies of the New Testament, and the change of the sabbath. They have all arisen from the false and erroneous opinion that in Christianity one would have to have services of God that correspond to the Levitical or Jewish ones, and that Christ commanded the apostles and the bishops to invent new ceremonies that were necessary for salvation. Christianity has been permeated with these kinds of errors because the righteousness of faith was not taught or preached with purity and sincerity. Some argue that although Sunday cannot be kept on the basis of divine law, it must be kept almost as if it were divine law; and they prescribe the kind and amount of work that may be done on the day of rest. But what else are such debates except snares of conscience? For although they presume to moderate and mitigate human ordinances, there certainly cannot be any mitigation and moderation as long as the opinion remains and prevails that they are necessary. Now this opinion will persist as long as no one knows anything about the righteousness of faith and Christian freedom. The apostles directed that one should abstain from blood and from what is strangled. But who observes this now? Yet those who do not observe it commit no sin. For the apostles themselves did not want to burden consciences with such bondage, but prohibited such eating for a time to avoid offense. For in this ordinance one must pay attention to the chief part of Christian doctrine which is not abolished by this decree. Hardly any of the ancient canons are observed according to the letter. Many of their rules fall daily into complete disuse, even among those who observe such ordinances most diligently. Consciences can neither be counseled nor helped unless we keep this moderation in mind: that such ordinances are not to be considered necessary, and even disregarding them does no harm to consciences. Bishops could easily foster obedience if they did not insist on the observance of ordinances that cannot be observed without sin. However, now they engage in prohibiting both kinds of the holy sacrament or prohibiting marriage for the clergy; they admit no one to the ministry who refuses to swear an oath not to preach this doctrine, even though it is undoubtedly in accord with the holy gospel. Our churches do not desire that the bishops restore peace and unity at the expense of their honor and dignity (even though it is incumbent on the bishops to do this, too, in an emergency). They ask only that the bishops relax certain unreasonable burdens which did not exist in the church in former times and which were adopted contrary to the custom of the universal Christian church. Perhaps there were some reasons for introducing them, but they are not in tune with our times. Nor can it be denied that some ordinances were adopted without being understood. Accordingly, the bishops should be so gracious as to temper these ordinances, since such change does not harm the unity of the Christian church. For many ordinances devised by human beings have fallen into disuse with the passing of time and need not be observed, as papal law itself testifies. If, however, this is impossible and permission cannot be obtained from them to moderate and abrogate such human ordinances as cannot be observed without sin, then we must follow the apostolic rule which commands us to obey God rather than any human beings [Acts 5:29*]. St. Peter prohibits the bishops to rule as if they had the power to force the churches to do whatever they desired [1 Peter 5:2*]. Now the question is not how to take power away from the bishops. Instead, we desire and ask that they would not force consciences into sin. But if they will not do so and despise this request, let them consider how they will have to answer to God, since by their obstinacy they cause division and schism, which they should rightly help to prevent.

[Conclusion]

These are the chief articles that are regarded as controversial. For although many more abuses and errors could have been added, we listed only the principal ones in order to avoid prolixity and undue length. The others can easily be assessed in the light of these. In the past, there were many complaints about indulgences, pilgrimages, and the misuse of the ban. Moreover, pastors had endless quarrels with monks about hearing confession, funerals, sermons on special occasions, and countless other matters. All this we have passed over, being as considerate as we could, so that the chief points at issue may be better discerned. Moreover, it must not be thought that anything has been said or introduced out of hatred or effrontery. On the contrary, we have listed only matters that we thought needed to be brought up and reported on. We did this in order to make it quite clear that among us nothing in doctrine or ceremonies has been accepted that would contradict either Holy Scripture or the universal Christian church. For it is manifest and obvious that we have very diligently and with God’s help (to speak without boasting) prevented any new and godless teaching from insinuating itself into our churches, spreading, and finally gaining the upper hand. In keeping with the summons, we have desired to present the above articles as a declaration of our confession and the teaching of our people. Anyone who should find it defective shall willingly be furnished with an additional account based on divine Holy Scripture. Your Imperial Majesty’s most humble, obedient [servants] JOHN, duke of Saxony, elector GEORGE, margrave of Brandenburg[-Ansbach] ERNEST, duke of Lüneburg PHILIP,

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Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical. Lutheran Church. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000.