that they deserved remission of sins, and were made righteous, by this observation of the law and ceremonies of Moses, as the Pharisees did avouch. And oftentimes Paul admonisheth to beware that the light of the Gospel be not darkened by new ceremonies of man's invention. The second error is not so evident, but yet very dangerous. After that some men see that this Pharisaical error cannot be defended, they come to this: Although, say they, these ceremonies deserve not remission of sins, yet are these traditions defended, because they are good works and services of God; as in the law of Moses the abstinence of the Nazarites, although it deserved not the remission of sins, yet it pleased God, and was a service acceptable unto God. With this colour certain of late have learned to paint traditions, which yet strive not about these indifferent matters, but go about to establish other foul errors, and the opinion of the power of Bishops. But it is necessary for the godly here to beware of deceitful doctrine. There is a great error even in this colourable reason: neither is that example well alleged out of Moses. The works ordained and commanded by God do far differ from works not commanded or ordained by God, but only devised by man's invention. The works ordained in the Law of God were services of God, although they deserved not forgiveness of sins. But will-worships, devised by men, neither have been, nor are, any service of God: God doth not allow this boldness of men (which, notwithstanding, hath always been usual) to devise new worship, that is, such works as are immediately intended to honour God withal. Therefore the word of God crieth out, 'In vain do they worship me after the ordinances of men." Matt. xv. 9. And everywhere in the Prophets, and in Paul, this boldness is reproved. But the true service of God are those works that he hath commanded; which are done in the acknowledgement and confidence of the Mediator, to the end that God may be obeyed, and that we may profess him to be the true God, whom we so worship. So Ezekiel calleth us back to the commandment of God, saying: "Walk not after the ordinances of your fathers, but walk in my commandments." Ezek. xx. 18, 19. And often are such warnings repeated. As, "Thy word is a lantern to my feet." Psal. cxix. 105. And, Let them not follow their own imaginations." Numbers xv. 39. " The third error is this. Hypocrites do imagine that such works are a kind of perfection: as Monks do prefer their vows, full of vanity, before civil and domestic life; whereas God by his wonderful providence hath thus joined mankind together in fellowship, and in these travails and dangers would have our faith, prayer, confession, liberality one toward another, patience, and other virtues, to be tried. The fourth error is the opinion of necessity: as some do write that the fasting of Lent is necessary, and other things are arbitrary. Neither is it only a torment of conscience, to judge that he is no Christian, nor member of the Church of God, that eateth flesh on the Saturday, or observeth not the fast of Lent; but it is also an error that darkeneth the greatest matter, as the doctrine concerning the righteousness of the Gospel, and concerning the Church, what manner of Church it is, and how the members of the Church are to be discerned, not by meat and drink, but by faith, prayer, and other virtues. And against the opinion of necessity it is expressly said, Let no man judge you in meat or drink :" Col. ii. 16. and, "Stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage." Gal. v. 1. And that opinion of necessity hath always bred great discord: as in time past there was great contention about Easter-day, and about leaven; and now also many such like contentions have risen. The fifth error. To the former opinions this error also is added, that the Bishops take to themselves authority to ordain new kinds of worship, and to bind consciences: as Gregory hath ordained, that married men, translated to the order of priesthood, should forsake the company of their wives; and the constitution of Confession commandeth to reckon up sins; and decrees have been made of differences of meats, and fastings, and such like. Of such traditions there are also late books set forth, full of labyrinths; wherein it is written, that the transgressions of such ceremonies are mortal sins, yea, though they be committed without giving offence to others. Gerson sought for some mitigations; but the true comfort is the voice of the Gospel, which would have the understanding of this liberty to be made known and maintained in the Church, namely, by removing those errors which have been spoken of: but that ceremonies, invented by man, such as are seemly devised for order, may be observed without any opinion of merit, worship, or necessity: as hath been afore said out of Col. ii. 16. "Let no man judge you in meat or drink." And Peter saith, "Why do ye tempt God, laying upon the necks of the disciples a yoke, which neither your fathers nor we were able to bear?" Acts xv. 10. The third rule. Those errors being removed, whereof the Church must needs be admonished, afterward we both observe certain ceremonies which are comely, and made for good order, and also teach that they ought to be observed, even as men cannot live without order; and Paul saith, "Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. xiv. 40. And there is a saying of Athanasius, 'Ceremonies are profitable, but with knowledge of the truth, and in measure.' It is plain that this last word is opposed to superstition, which then also daily increased ceremonies, and darkened the truth, and burdened consciences and the Churches. But we thank God, the everlasting Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, for his Son, and by Him, gathered an eternal Church, for that even from the first beginning of mankind he hath preserved the public ministry of the Gospel, and honest assemblies; who himself also hath set apart certain times for the same: and we pray him that henceforth he will save and govern his Church. And we diligently teach, that all men ought to help to maintain the public ministry, and avoid offences and dissensions that scatter the Church; as in its proper place more at large is declared. X.-FROM THE CONFESSION OF WIRTEmburg. Article 35. Of Ecclesiastical Ceremonies. We acknowledge, that by Christ, the Son of God, two ceremonies were ordained in the Church, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; which are also to be observed according to the institution of Christ. We confess also, that the Apostles did appoint certain ordinances in the Church, "that all things be done decently, and in order," as Paul speaketh; 1 Cor. xiv. 40. such as they be, that are set down, 1 Cor. xiv. and 1 Tim. ii. The Apostles also, in ordaining Ministers of the Church, used "laying on of hands;" 1 Tim. iv. 11. which, being retained out of the custom of the old Law, and not being commanded to the Church, may be freely observed. They ordained also, in the Acts of the Apostles, "that the Gentiles should beware of eating of that which was strangled, and of blood;" Acts xv. 29. not that this observance should be for ever among the Gentiles, but for a time, and so long to continue till this eating were no more offensive. We confess this also: that it is lawful for the Bishops, with the consent of their Church, to appoint holy-days, lessons, and sermons, for edification, and for instruction in the true faith in Christ. But it is not lawful for them to thrust upon the Church the ceremonies of the old Law for the holy service wherewithal God alone is worshipped. Neither is it lawful either to restore the old ceremonies of the Law, or to devise new, for shadowing forth the truth already laid open and brought to light by the Gospel as in the day-light to set up candles, to signify the light of the Gospel; or to carry banners and crosses, to signify the victory of Christ through the cross. Of which sort is all that whole furniture of massing attire, which they say doth shadow forth the whole passion of Christ; and many other things of that kind. Much less is it lawful to ordain ceremonies and holy rites, by the merit whereof sin may be purged, and the kingdom of heaven purchased. For of that former kind of ceremonies and holy rites, Christ, out of Isaiah, preacheth, saying, "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the precepts of men." Matt. xv. 9. And Paul saith, 66 Let no man judge you in meat, or drink, or in part of an holy-day, or of the new moon, &c." Col. ii. 16. Hitherto may be added the testimonies of Augustine and others, touching the observation of such ceremonies. But touching the latter kind of ceremonies, it is manifest that they are wicked rites, and reproachful to the death and resurrection of Christ; by whose only merit we have deliverance from sin, and inheritance of eternal life by faith. XI. FROM THE CONFESSION OF SUEVELAND. Chapter 14. Of Human Traditions. Furthermore, touching the traditions of the Fathers, or such as the Bishops and Churches do at this day ordain, this is the opinion of our men. They reckon no traditions for men's traditions, (those, namely, which are condemned in Scripture,) but such as are contrary to the law of God, such as bind the conscience about meat, drink, and times, and other outward things, such as forbid marriage to them who have need thereof to live honestly, and the rest of that stamp. For such as agree with the Scripture, and were ordained for good manners and the profit of men, although they be not word for word expressed in the Scriptures, nevertheless in that they proceed from the commandment of love, which ordereth all things most decently, they are worthily to be accounted rather of God than of Of this sort were those set down by Paul, that women should not pray in the Church bareheaded, nor men with their heads covered; that they who are to communicate together should tarry one for another: 1 Cor. xi. 5; 10; 7; 33. that no man should speak with tongues in the congregation without an interpreter; that the prophets without confusion should deliver their prophecies to be udged by them that sit by. 1 Cor. xiv. 28, 29. Many such the man. Church at this day for good cause observeth, and upon occasion also maketh new; which whoso refuseth, he despiseth the authority, not of men, but of God, whose tradition it is, whatsoever is profitable. For, whatsoever truth is said or written, by his gift it is spoken and written, who is truth,' as St. Augustine hath godly written. But oftentimes there is disputing about this; what tradition is profitable, what not: that is, what doth set forward godliness, what doth hinder it. But he that shall seek nothing of his own, but shall wholly dedicate himself to the public profit, he shall easily see what things are agreeable to the law of God, what are not. : Furthermore, seeing the estate of Christians is such, that they are also helped by injuries; the Christian will not refuse to obey, no, not unjust laws, so they have no wicked thing in them according to the saying of Christ, "If any man compel thee to go with him one mile, go with him two." Matt. v. 41. Even so surely the Christian ought to become all unto all, that he may study to do and suffer all things, so that they be not contrary to the commandments of God, to pleasure and profit men withal. Hence it cometh to pass, that every man so much the more willingly obeyeth the civil laws which are not repugnant to religion, the more fully he is endued with the faith of Christ. THE EIGHTEENTH SECTION. OF WEDLOCK, SINGLE LIFE, AND MONASTICAL VOWS. Chapter 29. Of Single Life, Wedlock, and Household Government. Such as have the gift of chastity given unto them from above, so as they can with the heart, or whole mind, be pure and continent, and not be grievously burned with lust, let them serve the Lord in that calling, as long as they shall feel themselves endued with that heavenly gift and let them not lift up themselves above others, but let them serve the Lord daily in simplicity and humility. For such are more apt for doing of heavenly things, than they which are distracted with the private affairs of a family. But if again the gift be taken away, and they feel a continual burning, let them call to |