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saying； where He teaches that not all men are fit to lead a
single life； for God created man for procreation； Gen。 1； 28。
Nor is it in man's power； without a singular gift and work of
God； to alter this creation。 ＇For it is manifest； and many
have confessed that no good； honest； chaste life； no
Christian； sincere； upright conduct has resulted （from the
attempt）； but a horrible； fearful unrest and torment of
conscience has been felt by many until the end。＇ Therefore；
those who are not fit to lead a single life ought to contract
matrimony。 For no man's law； no vow； can annul the commandment
and ordinance of God。 For these reasons the priests teach that
it is lawful for them to marry wives。
It is also evident that in the ancient Church priests were
married men。 For Paul says； 1 Tim。 3； 2； that a bishop should
be chosen who is the husband of one wife。 And in Germany； four
hundred years ago for the first time； the priests were
violently compelled to lead a single life； who indeed offered
such resistance that the Archbishop of Mayence； when about to
publish the Pope's decree concerning this matter； was almost
killed in the tumult raised by the enraged priests。 And so
harsh was the dealing in the matter that not only were
marriages forbidden for the future； but also existing
marriages were torn asunder； contrary to all laws； divine and
human； contrary even to the Canons themselves； made not only
by the Popes； but by most celebrated Synods。 ＇Moreover； many
God…fearing and intelligent people in high station are known
frequently to have expressed misgivings that such enforced
celibacy and depriving men of marriage （which God Himself has
instituted and left free to men） has never produced any good
results； but has brought on many great and evil vices and much
iniquity。＇
Seeing also that； as the world is aging； man's nature is
gradually growing weaker； it is well to guard that no more
vices steal into Germany。
Furthermore； God ordained marriage to be a help against human
infirmity。 The Canons themselves say that the old rigor ought
now and then； in the latter times； to be relaxed because of
the weakness of men； which it is to be wished were done also
in this matter。 And it is to be expected that the churches
shall at some time lack pastors if marriage is any longer
forbidden。
But while the commandment of God is in force； while the custom
of the Church is well known； while impure celibacy causes many
scandals； adulteries； and other crimes deserving the
punishments of just magistrates； yet it is a marvelous thing
that in nothing is more cruelty exercised than against the
marriage of priests。 God has given commandment to honor
marriage。 By the laws of all well…ordered commonwealths； even
among the heathen； marriage is most highly honored。 But now
men； and that； priests； are cruelly put to death； contrary to
the intent of the Canons； for no other cause than marriage。
Paul； in 1 Tim。 4；3； calls that a doctrine of devils which
forbids marriage。 This may now be readily understood when the
law against marriage is maintained by such penalties。
But as no law of man can annul the commandment of God； so
neither can it be done by any vow。 Accordingly； Cyprian also
advises that women who do not keep the chastity they have
promised should marry。 His words are these （Book I； Epistle XI
）： But if they be unwilling or unable to persevere； it is
better for them to marry than to fall into the fire by their
lusts； they should certainly give no offense to their brethren
and sisters。
And even the Canons show some leniency toward those who have
taken vows before the proper age； as heretofore has generally
been the ease。
Article XXIV： Of the Mass。
Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass； for
the Mass is retained among us； and celebrated with the highest
reverence。 Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved；
save that the parts sung in Latin are interspersed here and
there with German hymns； which have been added to teach the
people。 For ceremonies are needed to this end alone that the
unlearned be taught ＇what they need to know of Christ＇。 And
not only has Paul commanded to use in the church a language
understood by the people 1 Cor。 14；2。 9； but it has also been
so ordained by man's law。 The people are accustomed to partake
of the Sacrament together； if any be fit for it； and this also
increases the reverence and devotion of public worship。 For
none are admitted except they be first examined。 The people
are also advised concerning the dignity and use of the
Sacrament； how great consolation it brings anxious
consciences； that they may learn to believe God； and to expect
and ask of Him all that is good。 ＇In this connection they are
also instructed regarding other and false teachings on the
Sacrament。＇ This worship pleases God； such use of the
Sacrament nourishes true devotion toward God。 It does not；
therefore； appear that the Mass is more devoutly celebrated
among our adversaries than among us。
But it is evident that for a long time this also has been the
public and most grievous complaint of all good men that Masses
have been basely profaned and applied to purposes of lucre。
For it is not unknown how far this abuse obtains in all the
churches by what manner of men Masses are said only for fees
or stipends； and how many celebrate them contrary to the
Canons。 But Paul severely threatens those who deal unworthily
with the Eucharist when he says； 1 Cor。11；27： Whosoever shall
eat this bread； and drink this cup of the Lord； unworthily；
shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord。 When；
therefore our priests were admonished concerning this sin；
Private Masses were discontinued among us； as scarcely any
Private Masses were celebrated except for lucre's sake。
Neither were the bishops ignorant of these abuses； and if they
had corrected them in time； there would now be less
dissension。 Heretofore； by their own connivance； they suffered
many corruptions to creep into the Church。 Now； when it is too
late； they begin to complain of the troubles of the Church；
while this disturbance has been occasioned simply by those
abuses which were so manifest that they could be borne no
longer。 There have been great dissensions concerning the Mass；
concerning the Sacrament。 Perhaps the world is being punished
for such long…continued profanations of the Mass as have been
tolerated in the churches for so many centuries by the very
men who were both able and in duty bound to correct them。 For
in the Ten Commandments it is written； Ex。 20； 7： The Lord
will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain。 But
since the world began； nothing that God ever ordained seems to
have been so abused for filthy lucre as the Mass。
There was also added th