The 1530 Augsburg Confession

• Preface to the Emperor Charles V.
• Article I: Of God.
• Article II: Of Original Sin.
• Article III: Of the Son of God.
• Article IV: Of Justification.
• Article V: Of the Ministry.
• Article VI: Of New Obedience.
• Article VII: Of the Church.
• Article VIII: What the Church Is.
• Article IX: Of Baptism.
• Article X: Of the Lord's Supper.
• Article XI: Of Confession.
• Article XII: Of Repentance.
• Article XIII: Of the Use of the Sacraments.
• Article XIV: Of Ecclesiastical Order.
• Article XV: Of Ecclesiastical Usages.
• Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs.
• Article XVII: Of Christ's Return to Judgment.
• Article XVIII: Of Free Will.
• Article XIX: Of the Cause of Sin.
• Article XX: Of Good Works.
• Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints.
• Article XXII: Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament.
• Article XXIII: Of the Marriage of Priests.
• Article XXIV: Of the Mass.
• Article XXV: Of Confession.
• Article XXVI: Of the Distinction of Meats.
• Article XXVII: Of Monastic Vows.
• Article XXVIII: Of Ecclesiastical Power.
• Conclusion.

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.