is impious [an error not to be endured].

But we cheerfully maintain the old traditions [as, the three high
festivals, the observance of Sunday, and the like] made in the Church
for the sake of usefulness and tranquillity, and we interpret them in
a more moderate way, to the exclusion of the opinion which holds that
they justify. And our enemies falsely accuse us of abolishing good
ordinances and churchdiscipline. For we can truly declare that the
public form of the churches is more becoming with us than with the
adversaries [that the true worship of God is observed in our churches
in a more Christian, honorable way]. And if any one will consider it
aright, we conform to the canons more truly than do the adversaries.
[For the adversaries, without shame, tread under foot the most
honorable canons, just as they do Christ and the Gospel.] With the
adversaries, unwilling celebrants, and those hired for pay, and very
frequently only for pay, celebrate the Masses. They sing psalms, not
that they may learn or pray [for the greater part do not understand a
verse in the psalms], but for the sake of the service as though this
work were a service, or at feast, for the sake of reward. [All this
they cannot deny. Some who are upright among them are even ashamed
of this baffle, and declare that the clergy is in need of reformation.
] With us many use the Lord's Supper [willingly and without
constraint] every Lord's Day, but after having been first instructed,
examined [whether they know and understand anything of the Lord's
Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments], and absolved. The
children sing psalms in order that they may learn [become familiar
with passages of Scripture], the people also sing [Latin and German
psalms], in order that they may either learn or pray. With the
adversaries there is no catechization of the children whatever,
concerning which even the canons give commands. With us the pastors