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

faith of the Church, had all been used before the Confession was prepared.
In fact, the Rationalistic argument had been brought out with far more
vigor and plausibility than usually attend it now, and those who renew the
unsuccessful attempts of the original opponents of our faith, might with
advantage to their cause study those old errorists. Nothing has been added
to the argument of that day in the great substantial points on either side.
After the learning and insinuating statement of OEcolampadius, whose
work, Erasmus said, "might, if possible, deceive the very elect," and which
Melanchthon considered worthy of a reply--after the unflinching audacity
of Carlstadt, and the plausible argument of Zwingle, which was so shallow,
and therefore seemed so clear, it is not probable that the feeble echo of
their arguments, which is now alone heard in the maintenance of their
views, would shake our fathers were they living. The Scripture argument
stands now where it stood then, and the Word, which was too strong for
Luther's human doubts then, would prove too strong for them now. It is
not the argument which has changed: it is as overwhelming now as then;
but the singleness of faith, the simple-hearted trust -these have too often
yielded to the Rationalizing spirit of a vain and self-trusting generation. If
our fathers, with their old spirit, were living now, we would have to stand
with them on their confession, or be obliged to stand alone. Luther would
sing now, as he sung then:
"The Word they shall permit remain,
And not a thank have for it."
IV. The very name of AUGSBURG, which tells us WHERE our
Confession was uttered, reminds us of the nature of the obligations of those
who profess to receive it. Two other Confessions were brought to that city:
the Confession of Zwingle, and the Tetrapolitan Confession: the former
openly opposed to the faith of our Church, especially in regard to the
Sacraments; the latter ambiguous and evasive on some of the vital points of
the same doctrine. These two Confessions are now remembered only
because of the historical glory shed by ours over everything which came
into any relation to it. But