Confessional Corner: Most Monastic Vows Are Antichrist (Ap XXVII 51-69)

We have repeated some of our reasons and, in passing, have dismissed the adversaries' objections. We have collected these matters, not simply because of the adversaries, but much more because of godly minds, that they may see the reasons why they should condemn hypocritical and fictitious monastic services. All such things certainly are done away with by this one saying of Christ, "In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). Therefore, the vows themselves and the observances of meats, lessons, chants, vestments, sandals, girdles are useless services in God's sight. All godly minds should certainly know that the following opinions are simply pharisaic and condemned: (a) these observances merit the forgiveness of sins, (b) we are regarded righteous because of them, (c) we receive eternal life because of them, and not through mercy because of Christ. (Ap XXVII 69)