amongst men, and reposes on human aid. Hence, when faith and confidence
in God are wanting, all evil desires and human schemes reign in the
heart; wherefore Christ also says, "without me ye can do nothing" (John
xv.); and the church responds, Without thy favor there is nothing good
in man.

ARTICLE XXI. - OF THE INVOCATION OF SAINTS.

Concerning the invocation of saints our churches teach, that the saints
ought to be held in remembrance, in order that we may, each in his own
calling, imitate their faith and good works; that the emperor may
imitate the example of David, in carrying on war to expel the Turks
from our country; for both are kings. But the sacred volume does not
teach us to invoke saints or to seek aid from them. For it proposes
Christ to us us our only mediator, propitiation, high priest, and
intercessor. On his name we are to call, and he promises, that he will
hear our prayers, and highly approves of this worship, viz.: that he
should be called upon in every affliction (1 John ii.): "If any one sin,
we have an advocate with the Father," &c.

This is about the substance of our doctrines, from which it is evident
that they contain nothing inconsistent with the Scriptures. Under these
circumstances, those certainly judge harshly, who would have us
regarded as heretics. But the difference of opinion between us (and the
Romanists) relates to certain abuses, which have crept into the (Romish)
churches without any good authority; in regard to which, if we do
differ, the bishops ought to treat us with lenity, and tolerate us, on
account of the confession which we have just made.

Note 1. German reading.