Melanchthon on the relationship between ceremonies and doctrine

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This from Philip Melanchthon is taken from his 1543 Loci Communes, trans. J.A.O. Preus II (St. Louis: Concordia, 1992) Locus 21, Human Ceremonies in the Church, p. 228, col. 1. Here Melanchthon actually speaks of human ceremonies in the church as existing below doctrine and good works.

“Now we shall speak about that level of works which belong in a much lower position, beneath the doctrine and works of which we have spoken above. We shall speak of ceremonies which have been developed by human authority in the church, among which there is a very great difference. For some are useful for good order. . . . in the public gatherings of the church, the nature of men requires some kind of order.”

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