(Articles of Christian Doctrine Concerning Which the Delegates from England Dealt with Doctor Martin in 1536) I. he Ec!

menical Creeds. As far as the first" third" se#enth" and se#enteenth articles of o!r confession are concerned" we confess sim$l%" clearl%" and !nam&ig!o!sl% that we &elie#e" hold" teach" and defend all those things which are in the canon of the 'i&le and in the three s%m&ols" that is" in the A$ostles( )icaean" and Athanasian Creeds" with the #er% sense which those s%m&ols themsel#es intend and in which the tr!e ch!rch fathers em$lo% and defend them. And it is o!r wish that these s%m&ols &e held and considered #er% sacred" immo#a&le" and not s!&*ect to !ncertaint% thro!gh an%one(s a!thorit% or contrar% o$inion. In addition we hold that the articles of faith which are gi#en in them are so necessar% for the sal#ation of so!ls that those $ersons who hold the o$$osite are not a&le to &e mem&ers of the ch!rch" &!t are !tterl% idolatro!s. +!rthermore" we hold that the #er% form!lation of the words in those articles o!ght to &e retained most faithf!ll%" *!st as it e,ists in the s%m&ols themsel#es" and that no retreat sho!ld e#er &e made from the form!lation of the words. herefore we !nanimo!sl% condemn the heresies of the -alentinians" Manichaeans" .amosatenes" Arians" /ne!matomachians" and also all other similar heresies which the ch!rch $re#io!sl% condemned in the fo!r hol% s%nods at )icaea" Constantino$le" E$hes!s" and Chalcedon. II. 0riginal .in. 1es$ecting the second article concerning original sin" we clearl% and !nam&ig!o!sl% hold" teach" and defend what .t. /a!l teaches" and we do this with the !nderstanding which .t. A!g!stine gi#es in his inter$retation and defence against the /elagians and which those others also ha#e had who follow A!g!stine(s !nderstanding" s!ch as Anselm and 'ona#ent!re2 and we hold that this !nderstanding of original sin is tr!e !nderstanding of it and that it was rightl% a$$ro#ed in the s%nods. +!rther" we es$eciall% a$$ro#e Anselm(s definition of original sin. 3e sa%s that original sin is the lac4 of that original righteo!sness which o!ght to &e in man2 for *!st as original righteo!sness consisted not onl% in Adam(s &eing acce$ta&le to 5od &% #irt!e of a rec4oning !nto him of righteo!sness" &!t incl!ded also an integrit% of his own fac!lties" that is" a right will toward 5od" a com$letel% $erfect o&edience to 5od" e#en so" in the o$$osite wa%" original sin is not onl% g!ilt or the im$!tation of g!ilt in the sense that 5od holds !s g!ilt%" &!t original sin is also act!al corr!$tion" that 5od holds !s g!ilt%" which" s!&se6!ent to Adam(s fall" is in all who are engendered according to the co!rse of nat!re. And this corr!$tion is not onl% a lac4 of the rectit!de which had &een in man(s nat!re &efore the +all" namel%" the fact that since the +all we lac4 relia&le 4nowledge of 5od" the !$right will" the $redis$osition toward $erfect o&edience" toward tr!e fear of 5od" toward tr!e faith" toward tr!e lo#e of 5od and of one(s own neigh&o!r2 &!t this corr!$tion is also conc!$iscence" that is" re&ellion against 5od(s law and the inclination to sins of e#er% sort contrar% to the first and second ta&les of 5od(s 7aw. We also hold that all men who are &o!ght forth nat!rall% are &orn with original sin" and that this original sin is tr!l% sin which &rings eternal death e#en now !$on those who are not re&orn thro!gh 'a$tism and the 3ol% .$irit. III. 'a$tism. 1egarding the ninth article" we also o$enl% and !nam&ig!o!sl% confess" teach" and defend what is the !ni#ersal consens!s of the ch!rch concerning 'a$tism" namel%" that 'a$tism was instit!ted &% Christ and is necessar% for sal#ation" and that thro!gh 'a$tism remission of sins and the grace of Christ is offered to infants and ad!lts. We teach that 'a$tism o!ght not &e re$eated and that

infants thro!gh 'a$tism o&tain remission of sins and grace and &ecome children of 5od" &eca!se the $romise of grace and of eternal life $ertains not onl% to ad!lts &!t also to infants" and this $romise o!ght to &e administered &% the ministr% in the ch!rch to infants and ad!lts. 'eca!se infants are in fact &orn with original sin" the% ha#e need of the remission of that sin. And that sin is forgi#en in s!ch a manner that the state of g!ilt is ta4en awa% e#en tho!gh the matter of sin" namel%" corr!$tion of nat!re and conc!$iscence" still remain in this life" altho!gh it does &egin to &e healed" &eca!se the 3ol% .$irit is efficacio!s also in infants and in some wa% of 3is own ma4es them neat and clean. +or no one can enter the 4ingdom of hea#en witho!t ha#ing &een re&orn of water and of the 3ol% .$irit. herefore we a$$ro#e the statement of the ch!rch which condemned the /elagians &eca!se the% denied that infants $ossess original sin" and we also condemn the Ana&a$tists who den% that infants are to &e &a$tised. As for ad!lts" we teach that thro!gh 'a$tism the% o&tain remission of sins and grace if the $ersons who are to &e &a$tised tr!l% re$ent" confess the articles of faith" ass!re themsel#es of the $romise which has &een attached to 'a$tism" and &elie#e that in it the% are gi#en remission of sins and *!stification for Christ(s sa4e" as the 5os$el sa%s 8Mar4 16916:9 ;3e that &elie#eth and is &a$tised<= and as /eter sa%s in Acts 8>93?:9 ;1e$ent" and &e &a$tised" e#er%one of %o!" in the name of @es!s Christ for the remission of sins" and %e shall recei#e the gift of the 3ol% 5host.= And when the e!n!ch as4ed to &e &a$tised" /hili$ 8Acts ?93A: said9 ;if tho! &elie#est with all thine heart" tho! ma%est. And he answered and said" I &elie#e that @es!s Christ is the .on of 5od.= And .t. /a!l sa%s" it!s 3" 85:9 ;)ot &% wor4s of righteo!sness which we ha#e done" &!t according to 3is merc% 3e sa#ed !s &% the washing of regeneration and renewing of the 3ol% 5host"= and /eter 81 /eter 39>1: calls 'a$tism the co#enant of a good conscience. I-. 1e$entance and @!stification. 1egarding the fo!rth" si,th" twelfth" and twentieth articles concerning the doctrines of re$entance" *!stification" and good wor4s" we teach and defend the doctrine which is transmitted to !s in the 3ol% .cri$t!res" which the ch!rch fathers Am&rose" A!g!stine" and some others li4e them ha#e ta!ght in the ch!rch" and we *!dge it #er% $rofita&le that this doctrine &e transmitted in the ch!rches" in order that Christ(s glor% ma% &e magnified and 3is fa#o!rs ma% &e rightl% !nderstood" and in order that consciences ma% ha#e steadfast consolation and learn what tr!e worshi$ of 5od is. .ince therefore Christ has clearl% commanded that re$entance and remission of sins &e $reached in 3is name" we also teach that" in order to o&tain sal#ation and eternal life" re$entance and remission of sins are necessar%. +irst" then" regarding re$entance we confess and defend the !nanimo!s statement of the whole ch!rch" which holds" in accordance with the .cri$t!res" that re$entance &% those who fall into sin after 'a$tism is necessar% and that those who ha#e fallen" &!t do not re$ent in this life" certainl% will &e damned2 con#ersel%" howe#er" we hold that those who ha#e fallen tr!l% o&tain remission of sins whene#er and as often as the% re$ent and are con#erted" and we hold that the ch!rch sho!ld grant a&sol!tion to s!ch $ersons. herefore we condemn the )o#atians" who ha#e ta!ght otherwise. '!t in order that the nat!re of re$entance ma% &e clearl% !nderstood" we confess clearl% and o$enl%" in accordance with the 3ol% .cri$t!res and the ch!rch fathers" that the tr!e and gen!ine re$entance which Christ commands em&races the following three $arts9 contrition" faith or tr!st in the merc% of 5od that is $romised for Christ(s sa4e" and newness of life or new o&edience. )ow contrition occ!rs when a conscience which has &een acc!sed &% 5od(s Word recogniBes its sin" tr!l% realiBes that 5od is angr% with the sin" is gen!inel% terrorCstric4en" and grie#es at ha#ing sinned" that is" when s!ch a conscience is tr!l% ashamed and realiBes that it is !na&le to ma4e an% h!man wor4s or merits stand !$ against 5od(s wrath. his contrition is commended and

descri&ed &% means of man% e,am$les and statements in .cri$t!res" as in the /salm 83?9D:9 ;)either is there an% rest in m% &ones &eca!se of m% sin" = and in Acts 8>93A:9 ;)ow when the% heard this" the% were $ric4ed in their heart<= o those afflicted &% these terrors and this sorrow it is necessar% that the doctrine concerning faith in Christ and the remission of sins &e $resented. When therefore faith is added" this dread and these sorrows &ecome filial fear" good wor4s worshi$ of 5od" and the 4ind of sacrifice concerning which the /salm 85191A: sa%s9 ; he sacrifices of 5od are a &ro4en s$irit2 a &ro4en and contrite heart" 0 5od" ho! wilt not des$ise.= herefore the second element of re$entance m!st &e faith &% which we &elie#e that o!r sins are forgi#en to !s &% 5od and that we are *!stified and acco!nted *!st and &ecome children of 5od not &eca!se of the worthiness of o!r contrition or of other wor4s &!t freel% for Christ(s sa4e. '% this faith terrified consciences are lifted !$ and hearts are made tran6!il and are freed from the terrors of sin and of death" as /a!l sa%s 81om. 591:9 ;'eing *!stified &% faith" we ha#e $eace with 5od.= +or if we were to set !$ o!r worthiness as a recom$ense for sin &efore the *!dgement seat of 5od" and o!r merits as a satisfaction for sin" the $romise of reconciliation wo!ld &ecome !ncertain for !s" and o!r consciences wo!ld &e dri#en to des$air" as .t. /a!l sa%s 81om. D915:9 ; he 7aw wor4eth wrath.= What o!ght to &e set !$ as the satisfaction for sin is Christ(s merit and the free $romise of merc% which is gi#en for Christ(s sa4e" as /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. 15956f.:9 ; he sting of death is sin" and the strength of sin is the 7aw. '!t than4s &e to 5od" which gi#eth !s the #ictor% thro!gh o!r 7ord @es!s Christ.= And faith which" as was said" comforts terrified hearts is engendered and strengthened &% the $reaching of the 5os$el and &% a&sol!tion" which a$$lies the $romise of grace to indi#id!als se#erall%. When consciences raise themsel#es !$ in this wa% thro!gh the $reaching of the 5os$el and thro!gh a&sol!tion (which is itself a $reaching of the 5os$el)" the% also recei#e the 3ol% .$irit" as /a!l teaches in 5alatians 8391D:9 ;that we might recei#e the $romise of the .$irit thro!gh faith"= and also 81om. 1E91A:9 ;+aith cometh &% hearing=. And since the 3ol% .$irit wor4eth with $ower" 3e then creates new $rom$tings in o!r hearts" stirrings which agree with 5od(s 7aw" namel%" faith" the lo#e of 5od" the fear of 5od" hatred of sin" the steadfast $!r$ose of a#oiding sin" and the other good fr!its in accordance with the $assage 8@er. 31933:9 ;I will $!t M% 7aw in their hearts.= herefore *!stification" which comes a&o!t thro!gh faith in the manner descri&ed" is renewal and regeneration. his is the #iew &oth of the .cri$t!re and of the ch!rch fathers concerning the remission of sins and faith. +or 'ernard also s$ea4s th!s" ;Fo! m!st a&o#e all things &elie#e that %o! cannot ha#e remission of sins e,ce$t &% 5od(s forgi#eness2 &!t %o! m!st add this9 that %o! also &elie#e that %o!r own sins are forgi#en &% the same 5od. his is the testimon% which the 3ol% .$irit &rings home to %o!r heart" sa%ing" ; h% sins are forgi#en thee(2 for th!s the a$ostle concl!des that man is *!stified &% grace thro!gh faith.= hese are the words of .t. 'ernard in his .ermon on the Ann!nciation" and man% clear statements of this 4ind are fo!nd here and there in the foremost ch!rch fathers. his faith of which we are s$ea4ing is not onl% a matter of 4nowledge in a $erson(s intellect" &!t it is also tr!st in a $erson(s heart" &% means of which o!r heart desires and recei#es Christ(s &enefits" and thro!gh Christ &ecomes f!ll of $eace" stri#es against do!&t" con6!ers the terrors of sin and death" and draws the concl!sion with all certaint% that on acco!nt of o!r Mediator Christ we are now dealing with a $lacated and gracio!s 5od and that we are 3is children. herefore this faith em&races all articles of faith and among them also this article concerning the

remission of sins since this is the good goal to which all the other articles concerning Christ are $ointed. It is for this reason that 5od(s .on &ecame man" s!ffered" rose again" etc." that we might ha#e remission of sins and life eternal for 3is sa4e. herefore we are not s$ea4ing of s!ch ;faith= as the wic4ed and the de#ils ha#e. +or the% do not &elie#e all the articles of faith" &eca!se the% do not &elie#e in the remission of sins" &!t we are s$ea4ing of this f!ndamental faith which &elie#es &oth the other articles of faith and this article that the remission of sins is gi#en to !s for Christ(s sa4e. In addition to these things we clearl% and distinctl% teach that in o!r entire life these two things o!ght to &e con*oined9 contrition and faith. +or this faith cannot e,ist in those who in carnal sec!rit% contemn 5od(s *!dgement" gi#e $lace to #ile affections" and ha#e not the contrition s$o4en of &% Isaiah 8669>:9 ; o whom shall I ha#e res$ect if not him who is $oor in s$irit and of a contrite heart and trem&leth at M% WordG= Again" contrition witho!t this faith &ecomes des$air. herefore the ch!rch m!st &e ta!ght that this faith or tr!st which &elie#es o!r sins are forgi#en and that we are acco!nted righteo!s for Christ(s sa4e is what 5od commands" since it has &een commanded that we &elie#e 5od(s $romise. +or a $romise re6!ires faith (1om. D). And @ohn sa%s 81 @ohn 591E:9 ;3e that &elie#eth on 3im ma% ha#e e#erlasting life.= -. 5ood Wor4s. he third $art of re$entance is newness of life or the new o&edience" as @ohn the 'a$tist sa%s 87!4e 39?:9 ;'ring forth fr!its worth% of re$entance"= and Isaiah 81916:9 ;Cease to do e#il"<= +or we confess that !$on o!r reconciliation there o!ght necessaril% to follow on o!r $art o&edience !nto 5od" that is" the good wor4s commanded !s &% 5od. +or altho!gh o!r acce$tance into eternal life is &o!nd !$ with o!r *!stification (that is" with the remission of sins and o!r reconciliation with 5od) and altho!gh good wor4s are not the $a%ment for eternal life" ne#ertheless the% are necessar% for sal#ation" &eca!se the% are a de&t which o!ght of necessit% to follow o!r reconciliation" as /a!l sa%s 81om. ?91>:9 ;We are de&tors<= and Christ sa%s 8Matt. 1H91A:9 ;If tho! wilt enter into life" 4ee$ the commandments"= and /a!l sa%s concerning e#il wor4s 85al. 59>1:9 ; he% which do s!ch things shall not inherit the 4ingdom of 5od.= It is necessar% that the ch!rch &e often admonished to $!t this doctrine concerning good wor4s o!t into the clear light of da%. It m!st teach clearl% what 4inds of wor4s are demanded2 secondl%" how the% can come a&o!t2 thirdl%" how the% $lease 5od2 fo!rthl%" concerning mortal sins &% which im$enitent sinners $erish from the grace of 5od2 fifthl%" how necessar%" worth%" or meritorio!s" good wor4s are. herefore we teach" in the first $lace" that the wor4s which are commanded &% 5od are demanded2 and that these commanded wor4s are not onl% e,ternal" ci#il wor4s &!t also s$irit!al acti#ities" namel%" the fear of 5od" faith" $ra%er" lo#e" $atience" hatred of sin" the steadfast $!r$ose of a#oiding sin" and similar s$irit!al acti#ities and #irt!es" for the fo!ndation of the 7aw of 5od o!ght to &e laid in o!r hearts according to the $assage 8@er. 31933:9 ;I will $!t M% 7aw in their hearts"= and Christ sa%s 8Matt. 59>E:9 ;E,ce$t %o!r righteo!sness shall e,ceed the righteo!sness of the scri&es and /harisees" %e shall not enter into the 4ingdom of hea#en.= his means that we o!ght not onl% to do e,ternal" ci#il good wor4s" &!t we o!ght also to e,$erience inner s$irit!al $rom$tings which agree with 5od(s 7aw" namel%" the fear of 5od" faith" $ra%er" as /a!l sa%s 81om. ?91D:9 ;As man% are led &% the .$irit of 5od" the% are the sons of 5od.= his newness merel% &egins in this life" &!t it o!ght to increase" and we o!ght to &ecome more and more hol%" as /a!l sa%s 8> Cor. 59>"3:9 ;Desiring to &e clothed !$on< if so &e that &eing clothed" we shall not &e fo!nd na4ed.= herefore in those who are to &e sa#ed there o!ght to &e this inci$ient newness of life" and it o!ght to &e strengthened and grow. Concerning the second $oint" we teach that s!ch #irt!es as calling on 5od" lo#ing 3im" and the li4e cannot e,ist in !s !nless o!r hearts are first raised !$ &% faith thro!gh the 5os$el" since as long as the% feel 5od(s wrath" the% do not &elie#e that their $ra%ers are heard" and the% do not

lo#e 5od" as it is written 81om 1E91D:9 ;3ow then shall the% call on 3im in whom the% ha#e not &elie#edG= herefore faith m!st &e $resentI faith &% means of which we not onl% are raised !$ and recogniBe that 5od has &een reconciled to !s" and where&%" as /a!l sa%s 81om. ?915:" ;we cr%" A&&a" +ather=2 &!t &% which we finall% reall% call on 5od and lo#e 3im. his #er% faith is the foremost wor4 and the foremost worshi$ of 5od" &eca!se it recogniBes Christ as o!r Mediator. 'e%ond that" we ha#e said that it was in order that these #irt!es might &e effected in !s that the 3ol% .$irit was gi#en" who thro!gh the Word is recei#ed &% faith" as has &een said2 for these #irt!es are wro!ght in !s &% the acti#it% and aid of the 3ol% .$irit. In the third $lace stands the 6!estion how this o&edience" that is" newness of life and good wor4s" $leases 5od. +or it is #er% im$ortant and necessar% that the ch!rch &e correctl% ta!ght on this $oint" in order that it ma% !nderstand &oth matters" namel%" on the one hand" that no one 4ee$s the 7aw satisfactoril% and also" on the other hand" wh% o&edience $lease 5od" e#en tho!gh it &e far from $erfect. he fathers of the ch!rch ha#e diligentl% disc!ssed &oth 6!estions" &!t more recent teachers ha#e in#ented man% a&s!rd ideas a&o!t them. herefore we hold that the o&edience which is &eg!n in the saints does not $erfectl% satisf% the 7aw of 5od. We also hold that in this life conc!$iscence still adheres to the saints" and e#en tho!gh it has &eg!n to &e mortified" ne#ertheless" it has not &een entirel% a&olished. )ow" conc!$iscence is &% its #er% nat!re sin" e#en tho!gh it is not im$!ted to those who &elie#e and stri#e against it. In addition" this conc!$iscence &egets e#il l!sts. +or how often do not e#en the saints do!&t that 5od ta4es an% notice of themG 3ow often does not faith &egin to totterG Who fears 5od as m!ch as he o!ghtG Who lo#es 5od with s!fficient strengthG Who s!&mits to ad#ersities with s!fficient $atienceG Whose heart do not hatred and other e#il desires occasionall% in#adeG Who satisfies the demands of his callingG 3ow often do the saints not m!rm!r when the% see the wic4ed and t%rants flo!rishing and en*o%ing all the ad#antages of life" while the% are se#erel% tried &% all manner of calamitiesG .!ch shortcomings are not to &e minimiBed" &!t are &% their nat!re act!all% sins2 &!t the% are not im$!ted to &elie#ers. And &eca!se the de#il is so $owerf!l" how often does not o!r wea4 nat!re fall into his snaresG herefore the .cri$t!re clearl% &ears witness to the fact that the saints do not satisf% the demands of the 7aw and that the% ha#e sin. 1 @ohn 189?: states9 ;If we sa% we ha#e no sin" we decei#e o!rsel#es.= A!g!stine and @erome teach the same thing at length. herefore it is clear that o!r o&edience does not satisf% the demands of the 7aw2 nor can consciences find rest and s!$$ort for themsel#es in o&edience2 nor can we set this o&edience !$ against the *!dgement of 5od" as if it were the f!lfilment of the 7awI a f!lfilment which does not $ermit an% acc!sations of im$erfection or of the nat!ral wea4ness that hinders !s from good wor4s. It is necessar% that this doctrine &e ta!ght in the ch!rch in order to a#oid false tr!st in wor4s and in o!r own worthiness" e#en as some ha#e imagined that the% $ossessed s!$erfl!o!s merits and ha#e granted these merits to others in order that others might &e sa#ed &eca!se of those deeds. 7et the saints learn tr!e h!milit% and flee to 5od(s merc% according to the $assage 81om. 1193>:9 ;5od hath concl!ded them all in !n&elief" that 3e might ha#e merc% !$on all=" and also the $assage 8/s. 1D39>:9 ;Enter not into *!dgement with h% ser#ant2 for in h% sight shall no man li#ing &e *!stified.= .ince therefore it is esta&lished that the saints do not satisf% the demands of the 7aw &!t ha#e sin" it is again necessar% that tr!e and firm consolation &e set &efore them. herefore let o!r conscience firml% hold that we are *!st" that is" ha#e the remission of sins" or ha#e &een reconciled and acce$ted into eternal life" freel% thro!gh grace for the sa4e of Christ" the Mediator" e#en tho!gh we are not worth%. '!t let !s also &elie#e thereafter that the inci$ient o&edience is necessar% and that" e#en tho!gh it is far from $erfectl% f!lfilling the 7aw" ne#ertheless it is $leasing to 5od &eca!se we are in Christ" for whose sa4e the sin which still remains in !s is remitted.

And this o&edience in those who are reconciled &% faith is now rec4oned as righteo!sness and as a 4ind of f!lfilment of the 7aw" not indeed as if it co!ld &e made to stand against 5od(s *!dgement" according to the $assage 81 Cor. D9D:9 ;I 4now nothing &% m%self" %et am I not here&% *!stified"= &!t it $leases 5od &eca!se we are in Christ" as /a!l teaches 1omans 6891D:9 ;)ow %e are not !nder the 7aw &!t !nder grace"= that is" the 7aw no longer acc!ses %o!" e#en tho!gh %o! are not a&le to satisf% its demands" &!t now %o! are 5od(s children" and therefore it does not acc!se %o!" and as /a!l teaches 1omans ?891:9 ; here is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ @es!s.= /a!l does not sa% that the% ha#e no sin" &!t that the% now are not condemned &eca!se thro!gh Christ the% are made children. +or he adds 81om. ?93:9 ;When it was im$ossi&le for the 7aw to *!stif% !s" the .on was sent<= And so the statement that the 7aw is made $ossi&le thro!gh grace is correct and &eneficial" &!t this statement incl!des two things9 &oth that we are aided &% the 3ol% 5host and that the o&edience &eg!n in !s $leased 5od" not &eca!se it is $erfect &!t &eca!se of grace. herefore we need to ha#e this faith in o!r entire life2 this faith o!ght to shine $er$et!all%2 it o!ght to comfort !s against the wea4ness of o!r nat!re and la% hold on Christ" the Mediator" and draw the concl!sion that we reall% $ossess the remission of sin and are children of 5od for 3is sa4e. E,$erienced consciences can easil% *!dge that this doctrine and consolation is #er% necessar% for the ch!rch. +or Christians wo!ld &e dri#en to des$air if the% had to thin4 that onl% then do the% $lease 5od when the% satisf% the demands of the 7aw. herefore the sin that still remains in &elie#ers is not im$!ted to them" &eca!se in re$entance" that is" in the recognition of their own wea4ness and in tr!e contrition" the% la% hold of the Mediator Christ" as /a!l sa%s 81om. ?933:9 ;Who shall la% an%thing to the charge of 5od(s electG It is 5od that *!stifieth.= '!t now we m!st add a disc!ssion of the fo!rth $oint. When $eo$le ind!lge in sinf!l $assions and gi#e $lace to deeds which are contrar% to 5od(s 7aw" the% do not remain in grace. hese la$ses are mortal sins" concerning which we teach what the common consens!s of the ch!rch catholic teaches and what /a!l sa%s 85al. 59>1:9 ;the% which do s!ch things will not inherit the 4ingdom of 5od.= It is necessar% therefore that those who ha#e &een re&orn retain" together with tr!e faith and at the same time" the righteo!sness of a good conscience2 and it is necessar% that the% resist sinf!l $assions and o&e% 5od(s 7aw. herefore /a!l sa%s 8> Cor. 191>:9 ;0!r re*oicing is this" the testimon% of o!r conscience"= and 81 im. 195:9 ;)ow the end of the commandment is charit% o!t of a $!re heart and of a good conscience and of faith !nfeigned"= and 1omans ?8913:9 ;If %e mortif% the deeds of the flesh" %e shall li#e.= 1egarding the fifth $oint" ch!rches o!ght to &e ta!ght the necessit% and worthiness of this o&edience" that" altho!gh o!r o&edience or the righteo!sness of a good conscience is not the $a%ment for the sa4e of which eternal life is gi#en (*!st as no one of the saints can concl!de that an% good wor4 of his is a worth% deed on acco!nt of which he ma% ha#e remission of sins and &e acce$ted &% 5od into eternal life" as also the /salm 81D>9>: sa%s9 ;In h% sight shall no man li#ing &e *!stified=)" ne#ertheless" this o&edience or righteo!sness of a good conscience is necessar% &eca!se it is a de&t or d!t% which m!st follow reconciliation" as /a!l sa%s 81om. ?91>:9 ;We are de&tors"= and also 8> Cor. 593:9 ;Desiring to &e clothed !$on" if so &e that" &eing clothed" we will not &e fo!nd na4ed.= herefore this inci$ient newness of life is necessar% in those who are to &e sa#ed2 also" since this is most certainl% the commandment of Christ9 ;1e$ent"= and ;7o#e %e one another"= it is certainl% a &o!nden d!t%. Moreo#er" since renewal comes into &eing in *!stification" this new life is o&edience to 5od. herefore" *!stification cannot &e retained !nless this inci$ient o&edience is retained" according to the $assage 81 @ohn 391E:9 ;Whoe#er doeth not righteo!sness is not of 5od"= and 81 @ohn 39?:9 ;3e that committeth sin is of the de#il.= )ow the #al!e of this inci$ient o&edience is great" for" altho!gh it is im$erfect" ne#ertheless

&eca!se the $ersons concerned are in Christ" this o&edience is rec4oned to &e a 4ind of f!lfilment of the 7aw and is righteo!sness" e#en as the .cri$t!re often calls it th!s9 8/s. 11H91>1:9 ;I ha#e done *!dgement and *!stice"= and @ohn sa%s 81 @ohn 39A:9 ;3e that doeth righteo!sness is righteo!s=" and @ames 8>9>D:9 ;We are *!stified not &% faith onl% &!t &% wor4s.= his last $assage o!ght not to &e !nderstood as if we o&tain remission of sins and reconciliation on acco!nt of o!r wor4s" &!t the meaning is that each of the two righteo!sness is necessar%. +irst" faith is necessar%" for &% means of it we are *!stified &efore 5od" that is" &% it we o&tain remission of sins and reconciliation" or &% it we are re&orn and made children of 5od2 and then also that other righteo!sness is necessar% and owed as a de&t" the righteo!sness of wor4s" or the righteo!sness of a good conscience. And when Christ sa%s 8Matt.1H91A:9 ;If tho! wilt enter into life" 4ee$ the commandments"= 3e is teaching that this o&edience is a 4ind of f!lfilment of the 7aw. '!t inter$retation m!st &e added to this $assage" for from other $laces in the .cri$t!re it is e#ident that no one can satisf% the 7aw of 5od. herefore what m!st also &e ta!ght is how this $hrase ;4ee$ the commandments= is to &e !nderstood. +or the 5os$el concerning Christ m!st &e ta4en into consideration" namel%" that the first *!stification m!st &e so!ght &% faith in Christ and that thereafter this inci$ient o&edience $leases 5od and is considered a 4ind of f!lfilment of the 7aw" as @ohn 81 @ohn 39H:9 ;Whosoe#er is &orn of 5od doth not commit sin"= that is" that the 3ol% .$irit &rings forth good wor4s. And those good wor4s $lease 5od" not &eca!se there is no trace of sin in man(s nat!re" &!t &eca!se we are now in Christ. In order" therefore" that we ma% 4now that s!ch o&edience in Christians" al&eit im$erfect" $leases 5od" good wor4s are glorified &% the 3ol% 5host with the most no&le recommendations 8in the .cri$t!res: and are called sacrifices and worshi$ of 5od. In addition to this" good wor4s are meritorio!s according to that wellC4nown $assage 81 Cor. 39?:9 ;E#er% man shall recei#e his own reward according to his la&o!r.= +or altho!gh the conscience is !na&le to concl!de that eternal life is gi#en on acco!nt of the worthiness of the wor4s &!t 4nows that we are re&orn as sons and heirs of 5od &% grace and merc%" ne#ertheless these wor4s in those who are children of 5od are deser#ing of rewards" &oth &odil% and s$irit!al" and of degrees of reward. +or if faith" which recei#es the forgi#eness of sins and the gift of eternal life" leans for s!$$ort on the worthiness of the deeds" then it &ecomes !ncertain" and consciences are dri#en to des$air2 &!t now faith m!st de$end on Christ" the Mediator. herefore /a!l sa%s 81om. 69>3:9 ;+or the gift of 5od is eternal life thro!gh @es!s Christ" o!r 7ord.= '!t since it is &% means of this faith that hearts are 6!ic4ened and renewed" therefore this inci$ient o&edience is added to it and is indeed a d!t% and de&t. And since faith is also a wor4 and since inci$ient o&edience m!st &e added to it" the .cri$t!re sa%s" s$ea4ing in a legal manner" that 5od will render to each one according to his wor4s" that is" according to righteo!sness and !nrighteo!sness. )e#ertheless" faith e#en tho!gh it is a wor4" recei#es reconciliation" not on acco!nt of o!r worthiness" &!t on acco!nt of 5od(s merc%. -I. he 7ord(s .!$$er. As far as the tenth article of o!r confession is concerned" we firml% &elie#e and teach that in the sacrament of the 7ord(s &od% and &lood Christ(s &od% and &lood and tr!l%" s!&stantiall%" and reall% $resent !nder the s$ecies of &read and wine" and that !nder the same s$ecies the% are tr!l% and &odil% $resented and distri&!ted to all those who recei#e the sacrament. -II. Confession and .atisfaction. As far as the ele#enth article is concerned" we confess and teach that the $romise of grace is a$$lied to $eo$le indi#id!all% in $ri#ate a&sol!tion. herefore we teach that in the ch!rches $ri#ate a&sol!tion o!ght of necessit% &e retained and that $eo$le o!ght to &e ta!ght to desire it. +or that s$o4en word of a&sol!tion is a $reaching of the 5os$el" &eca!se Christ thro!gh the ch!rch(s ministr% has commanded that it &e $roclaimed to all men" to indi#id!als and to gro!$s"

and it is 3is will that we &elie#e the Word of the 5os$el which so!nds forth thro!gh the minister as if we were hearing the #oice of 5od so!nding forth from hea#en" as 3e testifies 8@ohn >E9>3:9 ;Whoseo#er sins %e remit" the% are remitted !nto them"= and also 87!4e 1E916:9 ;3e that heareth %o!" heareth Me.= herefore we retain that $ri#ate confession which is made to the ministers of the ch!rch in order that a&sol!tion ma% &e so!ght for the sa4e of its #er% rich consolation and also in order that the !nderstanding and the &lessing of the $ower of the 4e%s &e retained in the ch!rch. '!t $ri#ate confession sho!ld &e retained not onl% for those two reasons &!t for others as well" for in $ri#ate confession the faith of the !nlearned ma% &e e,amined to see how well the% are instr!cted" since the ine,$erienced are often in need of co!nsel. We teach" howe#er" concerning this confession that consciences o!ght not to &e &!rdened &% en!meration of sins &eca!se s!ch an en!meration is not commanded in the 5os$el" as also o!tstanding writers state that the en!meration is not of di#ine right. In addition" that en!meration a&o!t which the 1oman &isho$s ha#e a r!le is im$ossi&le &eca!se the% demand an en!meration of all sins. +or it is written 8/s. 1H91>:9 ;Who can !nderstand his errorsG= +!rthermore" as far as satisfactions are concerned" since it is clear that the satisfactions of canon laws were formerl% $art of the rite of $!&lic $enance in the ch!rch (the fathers themsel#es &elie#ed that satisfactions had &een instit!ted for the sa4e of disci$line and e,am$le" and did not &elie#e that the% merited remission of g!ilt" or com$ensated for eternal death or $!rgator%)" we also thin4 that more o!ght not to &e attri&!ted to these o&ser#ances than the fathers who rightl% !nderstood them attri&!ted to them. )or o!ght more to &e attri&!ted to them than the 5os$el allows. he 5os$el teaches !s that Christ alone is the .acrifice" and that Christ(s death alone is the o&lation" satisfaction" and com$ensation" for the sa4e of which 5od remits to !s g!ilt and eternal death. '!t it is also tr!e that gen!ine contrition mortifies the flesh" and new o&edience o!ght to coerce the flesh &% #ario!s e,ercises" as /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. H9>A:9 ;I 4ee$ !nder m% &od% and &ring it into s!&*ection.= hese are not wor4s which are not o!r d!t%" &!t the% are wor4s which we are in d!t% &o!nd to do. Also the distinction sho!ld &e retained &etween the remission of g!ilt and the remission of tem$oral $!nishment. +or since 5od often $!nishes sins &% $resent and tem$oral $!nishments" it is #er% worthwhile that it &e ta!ght in the ch!rch that we not onl% recei#e eternal life when we re$ent &!t also that o!r re$entance and good wor4s e#en merit the remission or mitigation of tem$oral $!nishment and calamities" as /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. 11931: that if we wo!ld *!dge o!rsel#es" we wo!ld not &e *!dged &% 5od" and Jachariah 8193:9 ; !rn %e !nto Me.. and I will t!rn !nto %o!=2 and Isaiah 85?9AC11:9 ;Deal th% &read to the h!ngr%<then tho! shalt &e a s$ring of water whose waters fail not"= and 5od remitted the $!nishment of )ine#eh &eca!se of its re$entance 8@onah 391E:. And it is concerning this remission of $!nishments that the $assage can rightl% &e !nderstood" 8 o&it D9112 1>9H:9 ;Alms deli#ers from death"= that is" merits the remission of $resent $!nishments. hese things o!ght to &e em$hasiBed in the ch!rches" also in order that the% ma% &e incited to do good wor4s and to e,ercise and strengthen their faith in s!ch good wor4s" see4ing and as4ing of 5od the mitigation of $resent calamities. -III. he 1ight Kse of the .acraments. Concerning the thirteenth article of o!r confession" we teach that the sacraments were instit!ted not onl% to &e mar4s of Christian $rofession &!t" more than that" to &e steadfast witnesses and efficacio!s signs of grace and of 5od(s will toward !s" that is" means thro!gh which 5od wor4s in#isi&l% in !s and in#isi&l% $o!rs 3is grace into !s.

Moreo#er we teach that the sacraments are to &e !sed in s!ch a wa% that" &esides tr!e contrition and re$entance" faith also sho!ld &e $resent2 in fact" as we said a&o#e" we mean the faith &% which we are *!stified" that is" the faith which does not onl% &elie#e in general that 5od e,ists" etc." &!t the faith which also &elie#es the $resent $romises that are held forth" $resented" and distri&!ted thro!gh the sacraments. +or it is not tr!e and correct to sa%" as some do" that the sacraments confer grace &% #irt!e of the mere $erformance of the rite witho!t the good res$onse of faith &% the $erson who recei#es them" for in those who ha#e come to their senses it is necessar% that he who wo!ld recei#e them aright &ring along the faith which &elie#es these selfsame $romised &lessings that are offered in the sacraments. his !se of the sacraments is #er% comforting to &elie#ing hearts and tender consciences. IL. Ecclesiastical 0rder. Concerning the eighth and fo!rteenth articles" we !nanimo!sl% teach that no&od% sho!ld $!&licl% teach or administer the sacraments in Christendom witho!t a reg!lar call &% those who ha#e the right and $ower to call and admit $eo$le to the ministr%. Moreo#er" since &oth the Christian sacraments and the Word of 5od ha#e their $ower not &eca!se of the worthiness of the minister &!t &eca!se of the order" instit!tion" and command of Christ" we also teach that the% are *!st as efficacio!s when the% are administered &% wic4ed ministers as the% are when the% are administered &% $io!s $ersons. herefore we condemn those who den% that the Word and the sacraments ma% &e recei#ed from e#il ministers" as if the Word and the sacraments were &oth for that reason !n$rofita&le and witho!t effect. L. Ecclesiastical 1ites9 With regard to the fifteenth article and the last $art of the se#enth article of o!r confession we teach that &isho$s or $astors ha#e the a!thorit% to esta&lish ecclesiastical rites and ceremonies as well as s!ch !sages as feast da%s" ran4s of clerg%men" etc. Moreo#er" we teach that all things in the ch!rches sho!ld &e done decentl% and in order that s!ch rites and ceremonies as ma% &e o&ser#ed witho!t sin and which ser#e the ca!se of $eace and order o!ght to &e o&ser#ed &% e#er%one for the sa4e of $eace and Christian lo#e. Moreo#er" we also teach that in this matter Christian freedom sho!ld &e maintained" that is" that $eo$le sho!ld !nderstand that the% are to o&ser#e s!ch !sages not as if the% were necessar% for sal#ation" and that consciences sho!ld not &e #iolated if sometimes s!ch !sages are not o&ser#ed $ro#ided he who omits them does this with the right !nderstanding and not with contem$t for something that does not $lease him2 for moderation is necessar% in the !se of Christian freedom lest the !nlearned are there&% offended or frightened awa% from the correct doctrine of the 5os$el &% a mis!se of o!r freedom. herefore witho!t s$ecial" cogent reasons the c!stomar% ecclesiastical rites o!ght not &e altered" &!t the traditional !sages that can &e o&ser#ed witho!t sin sho!ld &e o&ser#ed for the sa4e of $eace and !nit%. Moreo#er" we also sa% that when &isho$s set !$ their rites with the idea that $eo$le sho!ld o&tain grace and forgi#eness of sins or satisfaction for sin thro!gh them" or when consciences are there&% &o!nd and ensnared and $eo$le imagine that s$ecial worshi$ is necessar% for sal#ation and that the% are sinning if the% omit s!ch o&ser#ance (in this case no contem$t for them and no offence &% them &eing in#ol#ed)" we consider s!ch a false conce$tion contrar% to the 5os$el and the doctrine concerning faith" and we sa% that &isho$s do not ha#e the a!thorit% to esta&lish or demand o&ser#ance of s!ch !sages. +inall%" we also teach that" *!st as it is not necessar% that s!ch ecclesiastical rites or ceremonies instit!ted &% men sho!ld &e o&ser#ed !niforml% in all $laces" since each co!ntr% and ch!rch district has its own c!stoms and !sages which are not !niform" e#en so the tr!e s$irit!al !nit% of

the ch!rches is not harmed or dissol#ed &% s!ch di#ersit%" for it is s!fficient for the maintenance of tr!e !nit% that there &e !nit% in the $reaching of the 5os$el and in the correct !se of the sacraments and that the $eo$le li#e in $eace with one another in accordance to the 5os$el" as .t. /a!l sa%s 8E$h. D95:9 ;0ne faith" one &a$tism" etc.= LI. Ci#il Affairs. 1egarding the si,teenth article we teach" first" that Christ(s 4ingdom is a s$irit!al 4ingdom" that is" a 4ingdom which esta&lishes in the hearts of men correct 4nowledge of 5od" fear" and faith" eternal righteo!sness" and e#erlasting life" and that therefore it does not destro% either the ci#il em$ire" local go#ernment" or domestic a!thorit%" &!t rather it confirms all of them and commands !s to maintain them as the ordinance of 5od" as good creations of 5od. +or 5od wants !s to em$lo% and to &e s!&*ect to all ci#il go#ernments !nder which we li#e" and 3e commands !s to show lo#e &% s!ch o&edience. .econdl%" since s!ch go#ernment and ci#il a!thorit% are 5od $leasing" we teach that according to di#ine 7aw Christians ma% witho!t sin hold ci#il office" sit as *!dges" decide matters &% the im$erial or other e,isting laws" $!nish e#ildoers according to common law" engage in *!st wars" ser#e as soldiers" &!%" sell" $ossess $ro$ert%" ta4e re6!ired oaths" &e married" etc. +inall%" we teach that all Christians are o&liged to &e s!&*ect to ci#il a!thorit% in all things. If" howe#er" r!lers command what cannot &e o&e%ed witho!t sin" Christians m!st o&e% 5od rather than men. 8Acts 59>H: '!t with res$ect to traditions" rites" and ceremonies that were instit!ted &% men" it is &% no means necessar% that the% sho!ld &e e#er%where or entirel% similar. +or these were #ario!s and can &e #aried in 4ee$ing with the di#ersit% of regions and c!stoms. LII. he Mass. Concerning the lessons and $ra%ers in the mass there is no contro#ers%" for since /a!l also wants some lessons from 3ol% Writ to &e read in the $!&lic ser#iceI lessons that are &eneficial for stirring !$ minds to fear and faithI and also wants $ra%ers and gi#ing of than4s to &e added" this c!stom in the ch!rch o!ght not to &e a&olished &!t caref!ll% $reser#ed. +or" first of all" it is #er% $rofita&le that $ra%er &e made in cor$orate worshi$" since Christ e,$ressl% ga#e $romises to the ch!rch when 3e said 8Matt. 1?91H">E:9 ;If two of %o! shall agree on earth as to!ching an%thing that the% shall as4" it shall &e done for them of M% +ather which is in hea#en. +or where two or three are gathered together in M% name" there am I in the midst of them.= herefore Christ in#ites !s with this #er% f!ll $romise to *oin the ch!rch in cor$orate $ra%er" for 5od wants Christians in the ch!rch to &e so closel% &o!nd together one with the other" that one feels the needs of the others and $ra%s for him" and 5od $romises that 3e will hear their $ra%ers. he $!&lic c!stom of the ch!rch o!ght to admonish !s in $!&lic $ra%ers" in the mass" and in other ser#ices that we ma% learn this and e,ercise this faith. In > Corinthians 1 8911: /a!l also !rges that $ra%ers &e made &% man% in order that man% might" in t!rn" than4 5od" since 3e wo!ld hear their $ra%ers and ha#e res$ect to their needs. .econdl%" the $!&lic e,am$le of the ch!rch is most &eneficial. +or it enco!rages man% to &e stirred !$ themsel#es to &elie#e and to $ra%" es$eciall% if the $eo$le are instr!cted in sermons concerning the $romises gi#en to the ch!rch. +or th!s the% will learn to 4now the e,am$le of others2 and the c!stom of the ch!rch will &enefit them for their edification" as /a!l teaches 1 Corinthians 1D. hirdl%" the e,am$le of the ch!rch is also hel$f!l in that it instr!cts indi#id!als as to what things the% sho!ld &e concerned a&o!t and what the% sho!ld as4 for. +or $eo$le who ha#e not &een instr!cted do not 4now what the $!&lic needs are. '!t in $!&lic ser#ices the% not onl% hear that

$ri#ate gifts are to &e so!ght in $ra%er &!t also learn that indi#id!als o!ght to &e concerned with matters of $!&lic interest and o!ght to $ra% for the entire ch!rch that it &e freed from errors" scandals" dissensions" and wic4ed c!stoms" in order that the tr!e doctrine ma% &e $ro$agated and tr!e worshi$ ma% &e rendered !nto 5od" and we ma% &e r!led and sanctified &% the 3ol% .$irit. 7i4ewise the% learn that 5od is $leased with $ra%ers for affairs of the commonwealth" for $eace" for good go#ernment" for the growth of cro$s" and for $reser#ation from $estilence and similar e#ils. /ra%ers of this sort in $!&lic ser#ices" in the mass" and in other gatherings we hold to &e a 5odC $leasing and necessar% instit!tion. +or it is 5od who commands that we call !$on 3im in all dangers and that $eo$le &e ta!ght in $!&lic ser#ices concerning s!ch $ra%er in order that the% ma% learn to tr!st 5od and to see4 and e,$ect hel$ from 3im. '!t regarding the cele&ration of the sacrament of the &od% and &lood of the 7ord in the mass" we fa!lt those who thin4 that the cele&ration of the mass is a ser#ice to &e held for other $eo$le li#ing and dead and that it merits for them the remission of g!ilt and $!nishment" and this &% #irt!e of the mere $erformance of the rite. +or these ideas were !n4nown to the ancient ch!rch" and the% disagree with the 3ol% .cri$t!re" o&sc!re the doctrine concerning faith" and $rod!ce a tr!st in another man(s deeds. '!t when Christ said 87!4e >>91H:" ; his do in remem&rance of Me"= 3e instit!ted this sacrament in order that in it tr!e faith might ma4e a memorial of 3is death and of the &enefits which 3e merited for !s &% 3is death. And these &enefits are thro!gh the sacrament granted to him who recei#es it when &% means of this memorial he ro!ses !$ his faith and &elie#es that Christ reall% gi#es !s 3is &enefits when 3e $resents to !s a g!arantee which is to !nite !s to 3imself" which has the $!r$ose of $reser#ing !s as 3is mem&ers" and which is to cleanse !s &% 3is &lood. his faith" &% means of which Christ(s &enefits are recei#ed" is the s$irit!al worshi$ of 5od2 and since to this faith there m!st &e *oined the gi#ing of than4s" where&% o!r hearts tr!l% than4 5od the +ather and o!r 7ord @es!s Christ for the remission of sins and redem$tion" therefore the ancient ch!rch called this cele&ration of the sacrament the E!charist" as C%$rian sa%s most delightf!ll% a&o!t those who recei#e the sacrament" ;/iet%" disting!ishing &etween the things gi#en and the things forgi#en" gi#es than4s to the 5i#er of so rich a &enefit"= that is" $iet% considers &oth things9 (1) how great is the magnit!de of the &enefit gi#e to !s" of grace and eternal life" and (>) the o$$osite" how great is the magnit!de of o!r woes" of o!r sins and eternal death. herefore enth!siastic than4sgi#ing arises when we see that s!ch great sins are remitted &% ineffa&le clemenc% and that &esides" we are gi#en the 3ol% .$irit and the glor% of eternal life. We hold that it was in this sense that this most hol% ceremon% was called a sacrifice &% the ch!rch fathers" who certainl% did not thin4 that this rite $erformed for others merits remission of g!ilt and remission of $!nishment for them (and that &% #irt!e of the mere $erformance of the riteM)" &!t the% tho!ght that their faith o!ght to &e e,ercised in the cele&ration of the sacrament and that th!s than4s sho!ld &e gi#en. .ince" therefore" Christ instit!ted the cele&ration of the sacrament in s!ch a wa% as to &e a Comm!nion in which the sacrament might &e distri&!ted to a n!m&er of $eo$le" and since the ancient ch!rch $reser#ed this c!stom for a long time and did not hold $ri#ate masses" we hold that a rite in which the Comm!nion of others &esides the cele&rant ta4es $lace is godl% and in 4ee$ing with the 5os$el. It was at a later time that $ri#ate masses were commonl% cele&rated with this idea of the cele&ration of the sacrament that it m!st &e held for others in the ch!rch" so that it might earn the remission of g!ilt and $!nishment for them. herefore s!ch masses o!ght to &e a&rogated. And in order that these offences ma% &e remo#ed and Christ(s instit!tion" Comm!nion" &e

$reser#ed" we hold that no one o!ght to &e com$elled to cele&rate $ri#ate masses. +or since /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. 119>A: that those who mis!se the sacrament are g!ilt% of the &od% and &lood of the 7ord" great care m!st &e ta4en that a godl% and hol% cele&ration &e restored" to the glor% of Christ and the wellC&eing of the ch!rch. LIII. 0f 'oth Ninds in the .acrament here is no do!&t that the ancient ch!rch in East and West cele&rated the sacrament of Christ(s &od% and &lood !nder &oth 4inds" namel%" !nder the s$ecies of &read and s$ecies of wine. +or /a!l also &ears witness that this was the c!stom in the ch!rch of the Corinthians. Christ instit!ted the sacrament not onl% for a $art of the ch!rch" namel%" for the $riests" &!t esta&lished this cele&ration of the sacrament for the entire ch!rch. E,tant statements of @erome and of others fathers of the ch!rch also show that this c!stom contin!ed for a long time in the ch!rch. Also 5elasi!s (in the cha$ter headed9 Com$erim!s) ordered that the sacrament &e recei#ed !nder &oth 4inds. 3ence the recent $rohi&ition of s!ch rece$tion is a mere h!man tradition to alter" against their conscience" the c!stom that was transmitted &% Christ and followed in the ancient ch!rch" when it is esta&lished that this $ractice is legitimate and godl%. LI-. he Marriage of the /riests. Concerning #irginit%" continence" and marriage we follow and defend the clear teaching of /a!l in 1 Corinthians A. And e#en as Christ 8Matt. 1H91>: $raises the e!n!chs who castrated themsel#es for the sa4e of the 4ingdom of 5od" so we also teach that the retention of #irginit% is a good wor4 and &eneficial for offering constant attention to st!dies and meditation" to $ra%er" and to ecclesiastical offices" e#en as /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. A93>"33: that he that is married cares for the things that are of the world" whereas he that is !nmarried cares for the things that &elong to the 7ord. +or domestic concerns hinder the married $erson from &eing a&le to show that constant attention which is &eneficial to st!dies and $!&lic d!ties2 an !nmarried $erson" howe#er" is more free2 therefore he is also a&le to a$$l% greater concentration of mind in learning" in teaching" and in other f!nctions and is less often di#erted from these $!rs!its. And so it is ad#antageo!s to choose and ha#e in the ch!rches ministers who are !nmarried. hose who seem to &e s!ita&le to a celi&ate life o!ght to &e enco!raged to $reser#e the gift of 5od for the &enefit of the ch!rch with diligence and tem$erance" and the% o!ght to &e instr!cted that this estate $leases 5od and has great rewards. '!t since Christ 3imself &ears witness that not all are s!ited to $er$et!al celi&ac%" therefore we hold that marriage o!ght not to &e for&idden those who are not s!ited for celi&ac%2 neither can it &e $rohi&ited &% h!man #ows or law" &eca!se h!man laws and #ows are not a&le to free !s from the di#ine law and the right of nat!re. )ow this is the di#ine law 81 Cor. A9>"H:" that e#er% man who does not ha#e the gift of continenc% ha#e his own wife in order to a#oid fornication. And the right of nat!re is a desire for !nion in 4ee$ing with sane thin4ing. o this nat!ral dri#e there has &een added h!man conc!$iscence" which inflames nat!re all the more" so that there is all the more need of marriage as a 4ind of remed%. he law" howe#er" which $rohi&its the marriage of $riests" is a $!rel% h!man tradition. Indeed" this new tradition which for&ids the marriage of $riests and which" if one was married" dissol#es the marriage was not &eg!n &% the co!ncils &!t onl% &% the 1oman &isho$s. /!rit% &efore 5od" howe#er" consists in not $oll!ting one(s conscience &!t in o&e%ing 5od. herefore im$!re celi&ac% is not $!rit%" whereas marriage is $!rit%" since it is sanctified &% the Word of 5od. h!s /a$hn!ti!s said that con*!gal c!stom is continenc%. +or we well 4now that this 4ind of life $leases 5od and gi#es f!ll sco$e for the e,ercise of godliness" and for that reason the ch!rch for a long time not onl% in the East &!t also in the West had $riests who were married. And histor% &oo4s &ear witness to the fact that this c!stom was changed in .$ain and 5erman%

onl% &% force. o this da% the 5ree4 ch!rches ha#e married $riests. And so marriage is not im$!rit% or a state !n&ecoming to ministers of the ch!rches. '!t what sad e,am$les and how m!ch shamef!l im$!rit% the law of the 1oman &isho$ has im$osed on the ch!rches is no secret. And since a di#ine law $rescri&es marriage for those who cannot show continence" we *!dge that the $a$al $rohi&ition concerning marriage is illegitimate and that the marriage of $riests o!ght to &e $ermitted. L-. Monastic -ows. here are man% weight% reasons wh% there is need to s!$$ort from $!&lic f!nds for st!dents and godl% $ersons who $re$are for the st!d% of theolog%" so that from their midst the teachers of the ch!rch ma% &e ta4en. +or since" on the one hand" $oor $eo$le are not a&le to raise the e,$enses of st!dies from their own reso!rces" while" on the other hand" rich $eo$le often t!rn to other $rofessions in which great hono!rs and great rewards in the state are offered" it is necessar% that the ch!rch ta4e care that some $ersons &e s!$$orted &% its $!&ic re#en!es who will de#ote themsel#es to sacred st!dies and the other arts which the ch!rch has need of. Knless this ha$$ens" ch!rches in man% $laces will &e lac4ing $astors. his is the rightf!l concern also of 4ings and $rinces" who sho!ld $ro#ide e,$enses for teachers and st!dents. hat is wh% Isaiah 8DH9>3: calls 4ings n!rsing fathers and 6!eens n!rsing mothers" for he wishes to teach that 4ings and states o!ght to $rotect teachers and $ro#ide for their e,$enses. .o it is not !n*!st that those whose st!dies are destined for the &enefit of the ch!rch sho!ld in t!rn &e s!$$orted &% the ch!rches" as /a!l sa%s 81 Cor. H9A:" ;Who goeth a warfare an%time at his own chargesG= he fo!ndations in colleges and monasteries a$$ear to ha#e &een made with this $!r$ose that there might &e a certain gro!$ of $eo$le engaged in sacred st!dies" from whose midst teachers co!ld &e chosen. his fact is &orne witness to &% the laws in the Code, and &% stories in histor% &oo4s. herefore it is for the &enefit of this $ractice that colleges and monasteries sho!ld &e $reser#ed after false o$inions and !ngodl% $ractices ha#e &een reformed. +or it is not s!fficient that the %o!ng men who m!st one da% &ecome the r!lers of the ch!rch merel% learn their academic &ranches2 it is also necessar% that &% means of a certain disci$line and &% means of godl% $ractices the% sho!ld &e acc!stomed to lo#e for ceremonies and worshi$" &eca!se those who are not acc!stomed to s!ch diligent e,ercise of worshi$ often are more worldl% than is seeml%. In addition" the ch!rch has need of learned and e,$erienced $astors. +or li#ing close to men who are learned and e,$erienced in s$irit!al matters contri&!tes #er% m!ch to the solidarit% of teaching and to the formation of so!nd *!dgements. +or no one is a&le to attain so!nd doctrine a$art from s!ch common life. And if $astors will &e entirel% lac4ing in the ch!rches" or if the% will &e !nlearned and !ntrained recr!its" what shall we thin4 of the f!t!re state of the ch!rchG Desolation and &ar&arit% will r!le the f!t!re once academic achie#ement has &een lost and training has &ecome e,tinct. /a!l 81 im. 396: for&ids the choosing of no#ices &eca!se he 4nows there alwa%s is need of e,$erienced and trained teachers. 5regor% )aBianBen de$lores the calamit% that &efell the ch!rch &eca!se s!ch as had not ta!ght &efore were s!ddenl% made teachersI set !$ not &eca!se of their training &!t &% ma*orit% #ote. 'asil sa%s that he can still hear ringing in his ears the teaching of the fathers who were his s!$eriors and whose lect!res he heard. herefore it is #er% m!ch to &e desired that there &e monasteries in which Christian doctrine ma% flo!rish and &e $ro$agated" in which the %o!ng ma% &e rightl% ed!cated and $re$ared for the ministr% of the ch!rch" in order that the% can &e considered learned and trained teachers of the ch!rches. .!ch

were once in olden times the &isho$s( schools" in which Christian teaching was long $reser#ed" as a$$ears in the histories and the other &oo4s of Am&rose and of A!g!stine. hereafter" when the st!d% of Christian teaching was neglected in s!ch comm!nities" a great change in Christian doctrine ens!edI a change which harmed the ch!rch to no light degree. 3ence let !s $reser#e the organiBation of the colleges and monasteries" &!t let the o$inions held there &e im$ro#ed2 let s!$erstition &e remo#ed" let !ngodl% $ractices &e a&olished" and let the st!d% of Christian teaching &e renewed for the &enefit of the ch!rch. +or we *!dge that those o$inions are godless which hold that monastic #ows merit the remission of sins and eternal life or which hold that the% are things that *!stif% or that constit!te Christian $erfection. And altho!gh $ro$er #ows sho!ld &e 4e$t" monastic #ows are nonetheless illicit if the% are made !nder the false con#iction that those wor4s which ha#e &een in#ented witho!t 5ods( command are not adia$hora" matters of indifference" &!t worshi$ of 5od and that the% merit remission of sins and eternal life. herefore the% are #ows that are not &inding. As for what is cited from /a!l to the contrar% concerning the widows 81 im. 591>: who ha#e cast off their first faith as nonC&inding" e#en if at that time there had &een #ows" that $assage can ne#ertheless not &e a$$lied to monastic #ows of the $resent time. .ince the% are made with godless intention" the% are not #alid #ows. +or the% transfer the glor% of Christ to h!man o&ser#ances and o&sc!re the tr!e worshi$ of 5od in the ch!rch" namel%" faith in Christ and the good wor4s of one(s calling. +or who did not $lace mon4s( o&ser#ances ahead of the f!nctions of a magistrate and of a ho!se fatherG +or these wor4s which were so $rofane and !nclean seemed scarcel% e,c!sa&le. +aith was tr!l% o&sc!red &eca!se $eo$le were not teaching that the remission of sins is gi#en freel% for Christ(s sa4e" &!t the% attri&!ted this hono!r to their own o&ser#ances. And the rest of the ch!rch imitated these e,am$les and o$inions and s!$erstitio!sl% &elie#ed that the wor4s of h!man tradition were a ser#ice to 5od and that the% merited remission of sins and life e#erlasting. .ince now the 5os$el condemns these o$inions" it is e#ident that monastic #ows made with s!ch con#ictions are not &inding. +!rthermore" all $eo$le are not s!ited to $er$et!al continenc%. '!t a #ow o!ght to &e made in matters that are $ossi&le. It is clear that man% %o!ng &o%s and girls were sho#ed and forced into the monasteries in order to ma4e #ows $rior to a reasona&le age. 3ow great a danger there is in that sort of affair is no secret. herefore $ermission to lea#e the monasteries m!st &e granted to those who $refer to li#e in another 4ind of life. hose also act rightl% who lea#e the monasteries where the% are forced to o&ser#e godless acti#ities" s!ch as a&!ses in the Mass" ind!lgences" and #er% man% other things. If" howe#er" those who are s!ited to monastic life $refer to li#e in those comm!nities" $ro#ided the o$inions and acti#ities are im$ro#ed and $ro#ided the% wish to ta4e $art in the o&ser#ances as adia$hora" we do not ha#e an%thing against this2 for we *!dge that man% saintl% $eo$le li#ed godl% li#es in monasteries in this s$irit. In fact" it is m!ch to &e desired that there &e s!ch comm!nities of learned and $io!s men in whose midst the st!d% of Christian doctrine is c!lti#ated for the general &enefit of the ch!rch and in which %o!ng $ersons are not onl% ed!cated in Christian doctrine &!t also trained in godliness &% $io!s $ractices and &% the !s!al training in rit!al" $ro#ided" of co!rse" that those who ha#e &een ca!ght &% #ows are not forced to remain in them to the *eo$ard% of their consciences. his 4ind of common life" since it had &een intended to &enefit the ch!rch" to teach and to train those gro!$s from whose midst the teachers of the ch!rches co!ld &e ta4en"

wo!ld &e godl% and 5odC$leasing2 for it wo!ld &e ser#ice commanded &% 5od. +or the command of 5od is that those who will enter the ministr% &e ta!ght and trained" and 5od a$$ro#es a disci$line of ordered life that is directed to this goal. Comm!nities in which girls ma% learn the arts and the Christian teaching of $iet% ma% also e,ist2 &!t girls who desire to marr% o!ght not &e retained in cloisters" nor sho!ld the% &e &!rdened f!rther with #ows. +or /a!l(s instr!ction is to &e heeded when he co!nselled #irginit% in s!ch a wa% that snares &e not $!t !$on consciences. L-I. he .aints. his concerns the twent%Cfirst article of o!r confession. We do not re*ect the remem&rance of saints and the cele&ration of their da%s &!t consider that it is &eneficial and Christian to 4ee$ them in remem&rance for the following reasons. +irst" we o!ght to learn from them that 5od wanted to set &efore 3is Christendom e,am$les in whom 3e might show that 3e $leases to &e gracio!s to all who re$ent" that 3e wants them to &e sa#ed" and that 3e wants !s to gi#e than4s for s!ch e,am$les and there&% strengthen o!r faith. When" for instance" we hear what awf!l sins were remitted to /eter" we sho!ld ta4e comfort and &elie#e that 5od will forgi#e !s also if we re$ent. Also we sho!ld than4 5od that 3e has gi#en the ch!rch not onl% s!ch e,am$les &!t also $rofita&le teachers" $ro$hets" a$ostles" &isho$s. .econdl%" it is $rofita&le to hold &efore the $eo$le e,am$les of faith and of other #irt!es" so that we ma% follow after them" each one in his own calling2 for these e,am$les ser#e to enco!rage and teach" so that when we" for these e,am$le" hear that 5od with great miracles $rotected and e,alted 4ings who $!t awa% idolatr%" we are strengthened &% s!ch e,am$les to $romote 5od(s hono!r all the more serio!sl% and to e,$ect hel$ from 3im. When we hear of the mart%r(s steadfastness" we are more content to o&e% 5od as the% did and to s!ffer $ersec!tion so m!ch more $atientl%. hirdl%" we sho!ld than4 5od that 3e ga#e these gifts to the saints" and the% sho!ld &e $raised for ha#ing !sed 5od(s gifts so well that the% resisted the desire of the flesh to mis!se them" and that the% !sed s!ch gifts for the &enefit of other $eo$le and of the ch!rches. h!s the $raise and merit which &elongs to #irt!es and good wor4s sho!ld &e s$o4en of. his #eneration of the saints we $ermit in the sense that onl% .t. 'asil and .t. @erome s$ea4 of it" for 'asil s$ea4s th!s in his sermon concerning the Mart%r 5ordi!s9 ; he saints do not need o!r la!dation for their sal#ation2 we" howe#er" need to remem&er them in order to follow their e,am$le.= In another sermon he sa%s9 ; o $raise and &less the mart%rs is the same thing as to admonish the ch!rch to follow their e,am$les and their #irt!es.= As for the in#ocation of the saints" there is no command and no e,am$le of this in 3ol% .cri$t!re" nor was this ta!ght &% the ancient fathers. 3ence those who do not in#o4e the saints are not contradicting the 3ol% .cri$t!res nor the ancient ch!rch. More than that" tr!st in a mediator or reconciler is something which &elongs to Christ alone and not to the saints" for Christ(s merit alone a#ails for o!r sins" and the hea#enl% +ather has set 3im alone &efore !s as the one Mediator and /riest and has $romised to hear !s for the sa4e of this Christ. L-II. Images. Images of Christ and of the saints" that is" re$resentations of their stor% &% means of $aintings and the li4e in ch!rches and elsewhere" ha#e" as 5regor% sa%s" &een the &oo4s of the illiterate" that is" the% e,$lain the stor% li4e a written &oo4. In itself this is a matter of indifference concerning which Christians sho!ld not 6!arrel.

.ince" then" s!ch re$resentation $ro#ides for the illiterate the ad#antage of seeing and learning the stories as if from &oo4s" we do not re*ect $ict!res in themsel#es" nor do we a&olish them2 we do" howe#er" re$ro#e their mis!se. +or we teach that images are not to &e worshi$$ed2 nor is it to &e tho!ght that the% ha#e $ower2 nor sho!ld $eo$le thin4 that setting !$ images of 5od or of the saints is ser#ing 5od" or that 5od is more gracio!s of does more than otherwise if 3e is in#o4ed &efore s!ch an image. +or 5od wants men to gras$ 3im onl% in faith thro!gh 3is Word and 3is sacraments2 therefore it is a wic4ed error to &ind 5od to certain images witho!t 5od(s Word. It is also a wic4ed error to thin4 that a deed $erformed in front of s!ch an image $leases 5od more than if done elsewhere2 for we sho!ld &elie#e that 5od in all $laces hears those who earnestl% call !$on 3im. 3ence Isaiah 86691: re$ro#es those who do not &elie#e that 5od e#er%where hears those who call !$on 3im in tr!e s$irit!al worshi$" for he sa%s that" e#en tho!gh the hea#en is the 7ord(s throne" %et 5od dwells ;in him that is $oor and of a contrite s$irit=. Christ sa%s 8@ohn D9>1" >3:9 ;Fe shall neither in this mo!ntain nor %et at @er!salem worshi$ the +ather<&!t<in s$irit and in tr!th"= and /a!l sa%s 81 im. >9?:9 ;I will that men $ra% e#er%where=.