Article XIV Order in the Church
[24] In Article XIV, we say that no one should administer the Word and Sacraments unless he is rightly called. The adversaries accept the article, but on the condition that we use canonical ordination. About this subject we have often testified in this assembly that it is our greatest desire to keep Church orders and ranks, even though they have been made by human authority. We know that Church discipline in the manner laid down in the ancient canons was set up by the Fathers for a good and useful purpose. [25] But the bishops either urge our priests to reject and condemn the doctrine we have confessed or, by a new and unheard-of cruelty, they put the poor innocent men to death. These causes hinder our priests from recognizing such bishops. The cruelty of the bishops is the reason why the canonical government, which we greatly desired to keep, is dissolved in some places. Let them see how they will answer to God for tearing apart the Church. [26] In this matter our consciences are not in danger. Since we know that our Confession is true, godly, and catholic, we should not approve the cruelty of those who persecute this doctrine. [27] We know that the Church is among those who teach God’s Word rightly and administer the Sacraments rightly. The Church it is not with those who try hard to wipe out God’s Word by their orders and also put to death those who teach what is right and true. Toward them even the very canons are gentler, even though they do something contrary to the canons. [28] Furthermore, we want to declare again that we will gladly keep Church and canonical government, so long as the bishops stop attacking our churches. Our request will acquit us, both before God and among all nations forever, from the charge that we have undermined the authority of the bishops. People will acquit us when they read and hear that, although protesting against the unrighteous cruelty of the bishops, we could not obtain justice.