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

and our other theologians at Wittenberg, have brought into summary
statement the articles of religion about which there is dispute, it is our wish
to let you know that Melanchthon has further revised the same, and
reduced them to a form, which we hereby send you." “And it is our desire
that you would further revise the same, and give them a thorough
examination, and at the same time (daneben) you would also write how
you like it, or what you think proper to add about it or to it, and in order
that, on his Majesty's arrival, which is looked for in a short time, we may
be ready, send back the same carefully secured and sealed, without delay,
to this place, by the letter-carrier who takes this."
Luther had been the chief laborer in the articles of which the Elector
declared the Confession to be but a revision and reducing to shape--there
could be little room for large changes, and as the Emperor was expected
speedily, the time was too pressing to allow of elaborate discussions, which
were indeed unneeded where all were so absolute a unit in faith as our
Confessors were. That margin would have been narrow, and that time
short, indeed, on which and in which Luther could not have written
enough to kill any Confession which tampered with the truth.
The Elector's whole letter expressly assigns the natural and cogent
reason, that Luther's judgment might be needed at once, in consequence of
the expected advent of the Emperor, a point which Melanchthon's letter of
the same date also urges. The haste is evidence of the anxiety to have
Luther's opinion and approval, as a sine qua non.
The Diet had been summoned for April 8th. It was soon after
postponed to the 1st of May, and at this later date, had it not been for the
delay of the Emperor in appearing, the articles of Luther, on which the
Confession was afterwards based, would themselves have been offered. As
it was, it was needful to be ready at any hour for the approach of Charles.
The letter of the Elector implies that the original of the Confession was sent
td Luther. Great care was taken to prevent copies from being multiplied, as
the enemies were eager to see it. Even on June 25th, the day of its
presentation, the Latin Confession,