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Here is a quote from Philip Melanchthon’s 1540 Commentary on Romans, trans. Fred Kramer (St. Louis: Concordia, 1992) 233. This comes from the context of Melanchthon’s commentary on chapter 14. The date of this comment by Melanchthon demonstrates that the “worship war” in the sixteenth century was already happening before the Adiaphoristic Controversy (1548-1577). It requires no explanation. Melanchthon’s comment speaks for itself.
“. . . when libertine persons misuse freedom, or the more hard-nosed ones (who are not enemies of the Gospel) criticize the use of liberty. Both are to be admonished. Although the misuse of liberty is to be scolded, there is more wrong on the other side, which also does more harm on account of the appearance of authority. The more rigid wound the consciences of the godly who make use of their liberty. They scare away many simple people from the Gospel, and in many cases grieve the Holy Spirit. Since there is much danger on both sides, Christians have need of great diligence lest they sin, either with harsh criticisms or with the misuse of their liberty. Christians should adhere to the fundamental principle, the doctrine, because here the use is an indifferent thing . . . .”
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