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

from corruption and false interpretations. 3. The securing for both classes
of Confession, the subscriptions of the teachers of the Church, as
representatives of its faith, and 4. The solemn sanction of the norm of
teaching by the Political Estates, which would shield it against violence. 215
Two of these problems had now been happily solved: The Augsburg
Confession; its Apology: the Schmalcald Articles and the Catechisms had
been fixed upon as the standard of teaching; and the Bergen Formula had
determined the new questions, in accordance with that standard. Two
problems remained. It was first contemplated to settle them by holding a
General Convention, a plan, wisely abandoned. The plan adopted was, to
submit the book for signature to the representatives of the Church in the
various lands. In far the larger part of the Lutheran States and Cities, the
subscription was promptly made. It was throughout voluntary. A free
expression of opinion was invited. Force was put upon no man. KNot even
the enemies of the Formula pretended that such was the case. The
Apostates from it, at a later period, did not pretend that they had acted
under constraint in signing it. It was signed by three Electors, twenty-one
Princes, twenty-two Counts, twenty-four Free Cities, and by eight
thousand of the teachers of the Church.
VI. It was impossible, nevertheless, in the nature of the case that there
should be no dissenting voices. Few and feeble as they were when
contracted with the joyous response of a major part of the Church, they
were listened to with respect, and no effort was spared to unite the whole
Church. But as one class of objections was often of the pettiest and most
pitiful nature, for the most part the merest effusions of the ill nature of men
who were too little to lead, and too vain to follow, and as another class,
though of a more dignified nature, were drawn from mere motives of
political jealousy, or State interest, the gentleness and patience failed of
their object. Those who loved the Church best had hoped rather than
expected, that all the Estates would accept the bond of union. This holy
hope was not indeed consummated, but great beyond all expectation
215 Anton: Gesch. d. Cone. formel. I. 214.