Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/150

 112 Readings in European History Conclusion of the Augsburg Confession. obedience ; let it not hinder judgments touching any civil ordinances or contracts;. . . for Christ saith, "My kingdom is not of this world " (John xviii. 36). After similar criticisms of various practices in the old Church, the Protestant princes conclude as follows : These are the principal articles which seem to be matters of controversy ; for although we might speak of more abuses, yet, that we may avoid undue length, we have mentioned a few only, from which it is easy to judge of the others. Great have been the complaints about indulgences, about pilgrimages, about the abuse of excommunication. The parishes have been vexed in manifold ways by the stationarii. Endless contentions have arisen between the pastors and the monks about parochial law, about confession, about burials, about sermons on extraordinary occasions, and about other things without number. Things of this sort we pass over, that the matters of greatest consequence, being briefly set forth, may more easily be noted. Nor has any- thing been here said or adduced for the purpose of casting reproach on any one. Those things also have been enumer- ated which it seemed necessary to say, in order that it might be understood that in doctrine and ceremonials among us there is nothing received contrary to Scripture or to the Catholic [i.e. universal] Church, inasmuch as it is manifest that we have diligently taken heed that no new and godless doctrines should creep into our churches. . . . Your Imperial Majesty's most faithful and humble servants, John, Duke of Saxony, Elector. George, Margrave of Brandenburg. Ernest, Duke of Liineburg. Philip, Landgrave of Hesse. John Frederick, Duke of Saxony. Francis, Duke of Liineburg. Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt. Senate and Magistracy of Nuremberg. Senate of Reutlingen.