als, 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 Gho