The Apology of the Augsburg ConfessionMelanchthon, Philipp
Religion
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
Melanchthon, Philipp
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms
The composers of the Confutation write that the abolition of
satisfactions contrary to the plain Gospel is not to be endured. We,
therefore, have thus far shown that these canonical satisfactions, i.
e., works not due and that are to be performed in order to compensate
for punishment, have not the command of the Gospel. The subject
itself shows this. If works of satisfaction are works which are not
due, why do they cite the plain Gospel? For if the Gospel would
command that punishments be compensated for by such works, the works
would already be due. But thus they speak in order to impose upon
the inexperienced, and they cite testimonies which speak of works
that are due, although they themselves in their own satisfactions
prescribe works that are not due. Yea, in their schools they
themselves concede that satisfactions can be refused without [mortal]
sin. Therefore they here write falsely that we are compelled by the
plain Gospel to undertake these canonical satisfactions.
But we have already frequently testified that repentance ought to
produce good fruits: and what the good fruits are the [Ten]
Commandments teach, namely, [truly and from the heart most highly to
esteem, fear, and love God, joyfully to call upon Him in need],
prayer, thanksgiving, the confession of the Gospel [hearing this
Word], to teach the Gospel, to obey parents and magistrates, to be
faithful to one's calling, not to kill, not to retain hatred, but to
be forgiving [to be agreeable and kind to one's neighbor], to give to
the needy, so far as we can according to our means, not to commit
fornication or adultery, but to restrain and bridle and chastise the
flesh, not for a compensation of eternal punishment, but so as not to
obey the devil, or offend the Holy Ghost, likewise, to speak the
truth. These fruits have God's injunction, and ought to be brought
forth for the sake of God's glory and command; and they have their
rewards also. But that eternal punishments are not remitted except
on account of the compensation rendered by certain traditions or by
purgatory, Scripture does not teach. Indulgences were formerly
remission of these public observances, so that men should not be
excessively burdened. But if, by human authority, satisfactions and
punishments can be remitted, this compensation, therefore, is not
necessary by divine Law, for a divine Law is not annulled by human
authority. Furthermore, since the custom has now of itself become
obsolete and the bishops have passed it by in silence, there is no
necessity for these remissions. And yet the name indulgences
remained. And just as satisfactions were understood not with
reference to external discipline, but with reference to the
compensation of punishment, so indulgences were incorrectly
understood to free souls from purgatory. But the keys have not the
power of binding and loosing except upon earth, according to Matt. 16,
19 : Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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