hat our teachers be regarded as
heretics. There is, however, disagreement on certain Abuses, which have
crept into the Church without rightful authority. And even in these, if
there were some difference, there should be proper lenity on the part
of bishops to bear with us by reason of the Confession which we have
now reviewed; because even the Canons are not so severe as to demand
the same rites everywhere, neither, at any time, have the rites of all
churches been the same; although, among us, in large part, the ancient
rites are diligently observed. For it is a false and malicious charge
that all the ceremonies, all the things instituted of old, are abolished
in our churches. But it has been a common complaint that some abuses
were connected with the ordinary rites. These, inasmuch as they could
not be approved with a good conscience, have been to some extent
corrected.

ARTICLES IN WHICH ARE REVIEWED THE ABUSES WHICH HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.

Inasmuch, then, as our churches dissent in no article of the faith from
the Church Catholic, but only omit some abuses which are new, and which
have been erroneously accepted by the corruption of the times, contrary
to the intent of the Canons, we pray that Your Imperial Majesty would
graciously hear both what has been changed, and what were the reasons
why the people were not compelled to observe those abuses against their
conscience. Nor should Your Imperial Majesty believe those who, in
order to excite the hatred of men against our part, disseminate strange
slanders among the people. Having thus excited the minds of good men,
they have first given occasion to this controversy, and now endeavor, by
the same arts, to increase the discord. For Your Imperial Majesty will
undoubtedly find that the form of doctrine and of ceremonies with us
is not so intolerable as these ungodly and malicious men represent.
Besides, the truth cannot be gathered from common rumors or the
revilings of enemies. But it can readily be judged that nothing would
serve better to maintain the dignity of ceremonies, and to nourish
reverence and pious devotion among the people than if the ceremonies
were observed rightly in the churches.

Article XXII: Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament.

To the laity are given Both Kinds in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,
because this usage has the commandment of the Lord in Matt. 26, 27:
Drink ye all of it, where Christ has manifestly commanded concerning the
cup