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

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character of repentance, or conversion (XII); <strong>and</strong> the impotence of man's<br />

own will to effect it (XVIII).<br />

IV. <strong>The</strong> CONSERVATIVE Articles, the Articles which set forth<br />

DISTINCTIVE BIBLICAL doctrines which the LUTHERAN Church<br />

holds in peculiar purity, over against the corruptions of Romanism, the<br />

extravagance of Radicalism, the perversions of Rationalism, or the<br />

imperfect development of theology. Such are the doctrines of the proper<br />

inseparability of the two natures of Christ, both as to time <strong>and</strong> space (Art.<br />

III), the objective force of the Word <strong>and</strong> Sacraments (Art. V), the reality of<br />

the presence of both the heavenly <strong>and</strong> earthly elements in the Lord's<br />

Supper (Art. X), the true value of Private, that is, of individual Absolution<br />

(Art. XI), the genuine character of Sacramental grace (Art. XIII), the true<br />

medium in regard to the rites of the Church (Art. XV), the freedom of the<br />

will (XVIII), <strong>and</strong> the proper doctrine concerning the Cause of Sin (XIX).<br />

On all these points the Augsburg Confession presents views which, either<br />

in matter or measure, are opposed to extremes, which claim to be<br />

Protestant <strong>and</strong> Evangelical. Pelagianizing, Rationalistic, Fatalistic,<br />

Fanatical, unhistorical tendencies, which, more or less unconsciously, have<br />

revealed themselves, both in Romanism <strong>and</strong> in various types of nominally<br />

Evangelical Protestantism, are all met <strong>and</strong> condemned by the letter, tenor,<br />

or spirit of these articles.<br />

Through the whole flows a spirit of earnest faith <strong>and</strong> of pure<br />

devotion. <strong>The</strong> body of the Confession shows the h<strong>and</strong> of consummate<br />

theologians, the soul reveals the inmost life of humble, earnest Christians.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Augsburg Confession: <strong>Its</strong> value,* 1. As a protest against<br />

Romanism.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Augsburg Confession has incalculable value as an abiding<br />

witness against the Errors of the Roman Catholic Church. <strong>The</strong> old true<br />

Catholic Church was almost lost in pride, avarice, <strong>and</strong> superstition. <strong>The</strong><br />

great labor of the body of the clergy was to defend<br />

* Interpretation of the Augsburg Confession, in Commentaries, Notes <strong>and</strong> Sermons.<br />

Histoire de la Confess. d'Auxpourg (Chytraeus) par le Cop. Anvers 1582. p.:07-114. <strong>The</strong> notes are occupied<br />

with the citations, <strong>and</strong> historical allusions of the Confession.<br />

An Harmony of the Confessions, etc. "<strong>The</strong>re are added in the ende verie

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