Therefore, the saints can use them (Monastic Vows) without impiety, just as Bernard, Francis, and other holy men used them. They used them to restrain the body, so that they might have more freedom to teach and to perform other godly offices, not that these works themselves are, by themselves, works that justify or merit eternal life. Finally, these exercises are of the type that Paul says,"Bodily training is of some value" (1 Timothy 4:8) It is believable that in some places there are also currently good men, engaged in the ministry of the Word, who use these exercises without wicked opinions. But to hold that these exercises are [justifying] services because they are counted just before God, and through which they merit eternal life, conflicts with the Gospel about the righteousness of faith.
Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII (XIII) Monastic Vows 21-22
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