The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

Spirit, into the unerring truth of God's Word, would consent with us.... And
on all the theologians and ministers of the Church is the duty specially
incumbent to admonish, and teach out of God's Word with moderation
those who err from the truth through simplicity or ignorance, lest the blind
leading the blind, both perish. Wherefore, in this our writing, in the
presence of Almighty God and before the whole Church, we testify that it
was never our purpose, by this Christian Formula of conciliation, to create
trouble or peril for those poor oppressed Christians who are now enduring
persecution...For, as moved by Christian love, we long ago entered into the
companionship of suffering with them, so do we abhor and from our soul
detest the persecution and most grievous tyranny which has been directed
against these hapless persons. In no degree or respect do we consent to
this shedding of innocent blood, which doubtless, in the awful judgment of
God, and before the tribunal of Christ, will be strictly demanded at the
hands of their persecutors." This plea and protest of the Lutheran Princes
and Estates was made specially in behalf of the Huguenots, the French
Calvinists, whose bitter sufferings had culminated in the frightful massacre
of St. Bartholomew, (August 24, 1572.)
The Princes and Estates add, to show that their charity was a
heavenly love, and not the indolent passiveness of laxity in doctrine: "Our
intent has been...that no other doctrine than that which is founded in God's
Word, and is contained in the Augsburg Confession and its Apology,
accepted in their genuine sense, should be set forth in our lands, provinces,
schools, and churches,...in order that among our posterity also the pure
doctrine and confession of the faith may be preserved and propagated,
through the aid of the Holy Spirit, until the glorious coming of our only
Redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ." These are words to stir the inmost
heart. Alike in their revelation of faith, hope, and charity, they are words
without a parallel in the history of churches. Where, among Confessions,
but in the Confession of the Lutheran Church, is there so tender, so
apologetic, a reference to those differing in faith? Where, but in it, is there
so noble a confession of the