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

made the basis of a third Formula, which, combining the virtues of both,
should avoid their faults.
4. This counsel of Andreae was thoroughly approved of by the
Elector. As the great function of the Formula of the future was to guard the
true doctrine of the Augsburg Confession, and to this end it was necessary
to fix and preserve its uncorrupted text, the first movement of the Elector
was toward the securing of the copy of the Augsburg Confession, in
German, made by Spalatin during the Diet, in 1530.
IV. 1576, May. The Convention at Torgau. The Elector did not delay
the now promising movement toward unity. He made the arrangements for
a convention of theologians, of different lands, at Torgau. Eighteen, out of
twenty invited, appeared. Eleven of the twelve delegates at Lichtenberg
were of the number, of whom Selneccer was the most distinguished. The
other names of greatest renown are Andrew, Chytraeus, Chemnitz,
Musculus, and Corner. The deliberations were held at the Castle of
Hartenfels, the Rock of Hardness, a name of happy suggestion for
confessors of the truth in troublous times. The inspection of the two
Formulas, the Suabian-Saxon and the Maulbrunn, produced at once a
concurrence in Andreae's opinion, that the one was too diffuse, the other
too brief, and an adoption of his advice to fuse both into a new Formula.
They laid as the basis of the new, the Suabian-Saxon Formula, departing
occasionally from its arrangement, pursuing, as nearly as possible, the
order of Articles in the Augsburg Confession, and inserting an Article on
tie Descent into Hell.
V. Thus originated the BOOK or Formula of Torgau, (1576), after
the toils and anxieties of seven years. The Lichtenberg Convention had
determined the general principle on which the Concord should be
established; the Suabian-Saxon Formula had furnished its basis; the
Maulbrunn Formula had aided in the superstructure; the necessary
combinations, additions and emendations, had been happily made at
Torgau. Varied as had been the difficulties, and wide as had been the gulf
which once yawned as if it would swallow up the Church, the accord of
spirit had now been such, that in ten days the work of