:

NOTES.

1. The government of the Lutheran church is va. rious Where the rulers are of the same christian confession, the church follows their direction in external matters, and for the ordination of ministers, these rulers establish councils, called Consistories but where this is not the case, or where the government is of a republican form. the ministers together form a body for the purpose of governing the church, and examining and ordaining ministers-as in Hamburg, Frankfort and America. The ministers, however, are every where under the inspection of an ecclesiastical overseer, called Bishop, in Denmark and Sweden -Superintendants, Inspectors or Seniors, in Germany-and Senior or Presidents, in Pennsylvania, New-York and Carolina. Their authority, howover, does not extend further, than to admonish, to examine applicants, and grant licences ad interim to them, and make reports to the Consistories, Synods or Ministeriums. See Dr.Kunze's Hist. of the Church.

2. It may be asked, saith a learned divine, whether the office of Bishops be different from the office of Presbyters, so as to constitute two distinct orders ? We answer, that there is no essential difference between them, and that they both belong to the same order; for the scriptures confound Bishops and Presbyters together, Acts xx, 17, compared with verse 28Tit. i. 5, compared with verse 7, &c. &c. Yet, it can

not be denied, that in the primitive church, there was always an Inspector, Overseer, President or Head of the ministry, who presided over others, that were, however, in a state of equality with himself.* See articles of Smalkalden and the 3d part of this work, chap. 2.

*He is considered, primus in paribus.

ARTICLE XV.

OF CHURCH ORDINANCES.

Of church ordinances and regulations, we teach, that those may be attended to, which may be observed without sinning, and which may be conducive to peace and good order in the church; yet we give this instruction, that the consciences of men should not be molested or burthened therewith, as though they were necessary to salvation. And we believe, that all statutes and traditions, made by men, for the mere purpose of reconciling God, and meriting grace, are contrary to the gospel, and the doctrine of faith in Christ. Therefore we

hold, that monastic vows and other traditions of the difference of meats, of days, &c. &c. whereby some conceive to merit grace, and render satisfaction for sin, are of no avail, and contrary to the gospel.

NOTES.

A leading principle of the Lutheran church, says Mosheim in his Church history, is, "That Christ has left on record no express injunction with respect to the external regulation and form, that is to be observed in the church; and consequently, that every society has a right to establish such a form, as seemeth -conducive to the interest, and adapted to the peculiar state, circumstances and exigences of the community; provided, that such regulation be in no respect prejudicial to truth, or favorable to the revival of superstition; and further, that no political governmeut hath a right to compel any society or set of men, to believe or hold to any established tenets or forms of discipline, because man is amenable only to God for This religious principles."

ARTICLE XVI.

OF POLITICAL GOVERNMENT.

Of polity and wordly government, we teach, that the higher powers in the world, and regulations and laws conducive to good order, are to be considered as created and instituted by God. And that christians may hold either legislative,judicial or executive offices, without sinning-that they may pronounce sentence according to imperial or other rights-that they may punish transgressors with the sword;they may also be engaged in just wars-they may buy and sell-they may take oaths when required to do so by magistrates--they may hold property-they may marry, &c.

We, therefore, do not agree with those who teach that such things are contrary to christianity; neither do we agree with those, who say, that it belongs to christian perfection, to forsake house and property, wife and children. For, we conceive, that this is true perfection, to have a true fear of God, and a true faith in

God. The gospel doth not teach an outward temporal, but an inward eternal righteousness of the heart, and does not abolish wordly governments, polity or matrimony; but desires that we should esteem them as true and real ordinances, and that each should show christian charity and good works, in his particular state of life. Christians are therefore bound to be subject to the higher powers, and to be obedient to their laws, in all things, which can be done without sinning. But if the laws of government cannot be obeyed without sinning, then we must hearken more to God than man. Acts iv. 19.

ARTICLE XVII,

OF CHRIST's COMING TO JUDGMENT.

It is also taught among us, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge, at the latter day-that he will raise up the dead, and give to all the faithful and elect eternal life and joy; but that he will condemn wicked men and devils to hell, and eternal punishments.