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Article IX： Of Baptism。
Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation； and
that through Baptism is offered the grace of God； and that
children are to be baptized who； being offered to God through
Baptism are received into God's grace。
They condemn the Anabaptists； who reject the baptism of
children； and say that children are saved without Baptism。
Article X： Of the Lord's Supper。
Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood
of Christ are truly present； and are distributed to those who
eat the Supper of the Lord； and they reject those that teach
otherwise。
Article XI： Of Confession。
Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be
retained in the churches； although in confession an
enumeration of all sins is not necessary。 For it is impossible
according to the Psalm： Who can understand his errors？ Ps。 19；
12。
Article XII： Of Repentance。
Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism
there is remission of sins whenever they are converted and that
the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to
repentance。 Now； repentance consists properly of these two parts：
One is contrition； that is； terrors smiting the conscience through
the knowledge of sin； the other is faith； which is born of the
Gospel； or of absolution； and believes that for Christ's sake；
sins are forgiven； comforts the conscience； and delivers it from
terrors。 Then good works are bound to follow； which are the fruits
of repentance。
They condemn the Anabaptists； who deny that those once justified
can lose the Holy Ghost。 Also those who contend that some may
attain to such perfection in this life that they cannot sin。
The Novatians also are condemned； who would not absolve such as had
fallen after Baptism； though they returned to repentance。
They also are rejected who do not teach that remission of sins comes
through faith but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of
our own。
Article XIII： Of the Use of the Sacraments。
Of the Use of the Sacraments they teach that the Sacraments
were ordained； not only to be marks of profession among men；
but rather to be signs and testimonies of the will of God
toward us； instituted to awaken and confirm faith in those who
use them。 Wherefore we must so use the Sacraments that faith
be added to believe the promises which are offered and set
forth through the Sacraments。
They therefore condemn those who teach that the Sacraments
justify by the outward act； and who do not teach that； in the
use of the Sacraments； faith which believes that sins are
forgiven； is required。
Article XIV： Of Ecclesiastical Order。
Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no one should publicly
teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be
regularly called。
Article XV： Of Ecclesiastical Usages。
Of Usages in the Church they teach that those ought to be
observed which may be observed without sin； and which are
profitable unto tranquillity and good order in the Church； as
particular holy…days； festivals； and the like。
Nevertheless； concerning such things men are admonished that
consciences are not to be burdened； as though such observance
was necessary to salvation。
They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to
propitiate God； to merit grace； and to make satisfaction for
sins； are opposed to the Gospel and the doctrine of faith。
Wherefore vows and traditions concerning meats and days； etc。；
instituted to merit grace and to make satisfaction for sins；
are useless and contrary to the Gospel。
Article XVI： Of Civil Affairs。
Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are
good works of God； and that it is right for Christians to bear
civil office； to sit as judges； to judge matters by the
Imperial and other existing laws； to award just punishments；
to engage in just wars； to serve as soldiers； to make legal
contracts； to hold property； to make oath when required by the
magistrates； to marry a wife； to be given in marriage。
They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to
Christians。
They condemn also those who do not place evangelical
perfection in the fear of God and in faith； but in forsaking
civil offices； for the Gospel teaches an eternal righteousness
of the heart。 Meanwhile； it does not destroy the State or the
family； but very much requires that they be preserved as
ordinances of God； and that charity be practiced in such
ordinances。 Therefore； Christians are necessarily bound to
obey their own magistrates and laws save only when commanded
to sin； for then they ought to obey God rather than men。 Acts
5； 29。
Article XVII： Of Christ's Return to Judgment。
Also they teach that at the Consummation of the World Christ
will appear for judgment and will raise up all the dead； He
will give to the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting
joys； but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn to be
tormented without end。
They condemn the Anabaptists； who think that there will be an
end to the punishments of condemned men and devils。
They condemn also others who are now spreading certain Jewish
opinions； that before the resurrection of the dead the godly
shall take possession of the kingdom of the world； the ungodly
being everywhere suppressed。
Article XVIII： Of Free Will。
Of Free Will they teach that man's will has some liberty to
choose civil righteousness； and to work things subject to
reason。 But it has no power； without the Holy Ghost； to work
the righteousness of God； that is； spiritual righteousness；
since the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God； 1 Cor。 2；14； but this righteousness is wrought in the
heart when the Holy Ghost is received through the Word。 These
things are said in as many words by Augustine in his
Hypognosticon； Book III： We grant that all men have a free
will； free； inasmuch as it has the judgment of reason； not
that it is thereby capable； without God； either to begin； or；
at least； to complete aught in things pertaining to God； but
only in works of this life； whether good or evil。 〃Good〃 I
call those works which spring from the good in nature； such
as； willing to labor in the field； to eat and drink； to have a
friend； to clothe oneself； to build a house； to marry a wife；
to raise cattle； to learn divers useful arts； or whatsoever
good pertains to this life。 For all of these things are not
without dependence on the providence of God； yea； of Him and
through Him they are and have their being。 〃Evil〃 I call such
works as willing to worship an idol； to commit murder； etc。
They condemn the Pelagians and othe