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

I. "I brought together the principal points of the Confession,
embracing pretty nearly the sum of the doctrine of our Churches."
II. "I assumed nothing to myself, for in the presence of the Princes
and other officials, and of the preachers, it was discussed and determined
upon in regular course, sentence by sentence."
III. "The complete form of the Confession was subsequently (deinde)
sent to Luther, who wrote to the Princes that he had read the Confession
and approved it. That these things were so done, the Princes, and other
honest and learned men, yet living, well remember."
IV. "After this (postea,) before the Emperor Charles, in a great
assemblage of the Princes, this Confession was read." This. extract shows,
1, that this complete Confession--the tota forma--the Articles on Doctrines
and Abuses, as contrasted with any earlier and imperfect form of the
Confession, was submitted to Luther.
2. This is wholly distinct from Luther's indorsement of the
Confession as sent May 11th, for that was not the "tota forma," but
relatively unfinished; that had not been discussed before Princes, officials,
and preachers, for they were not yet at Augsburg. Nor was it then meant
that the Confession should be made in the name of all the Evangelical
States. It was to be limited to Saxony. Luther's reply to the letter of May
11th was not to the Princes, but to John alone. Up to May 11th, the Elector
(with his suite) was the only one of the Princes at Augsburg. On the 12th,
the Landgrave of Hesse came; on the 15th the Nurembergers. Not until
after May 22d did that conference and discussion take place, of which
Melanchthon speaks. After the whole form of the Confession had been
decided upon, it was sent to Luther, received his final indorsement, and
was presented to Charles. This complete form was identical in matter with
the Confession as exhibited, although verbal changes were made by
Melanchthon up to the very time of its delivery.
Luther’s opinion of the Augsburg Confession.
On LUTHER'S opinion of the Augsburg Confession, we propose to
let Luther speak for himself.
1. 1530, May 15. In Luther's reply to the Elector, he says: