Epilogus
The Scope of the Dispute
The confession focuses on the principal disputed articles and sets aside lesser matters so that the central issues may be clearly understood.
These are the principal articles that seem to be in dispute. Although many abuses could have been discussed, yet, to avoid being long-winded, we have focused on the key issues, from which the rest can easily be judged. There were great complaints about indulgences, about pilgrimages, and about the abuse of excommunication. Parishes were troubled in many ways by itinerant vendors. There were endless disputes between pastors and monks: about parochial rights, about confessions, about burials, about extraordinary sermons, and about countless other matters. We have passed over matters of this kind so that what is central to this case, once briefly laid out, can be more easily understood.
A Plea for Good Faith
The confession insists that its purpose is not to insult anyone but to show that its doctrine and ceremonies accord with Scripture and the Catholic Church.
Nothing here has been said or put together to insult anyone. We have only gone over what seemed necessary to say, so it can be understood that in doctrine and ceremonies we have received nothing contrary to Scripture or the Catholic Church. It is clear that we have been extremely careful to make sure no new or impious teachings would creep into our churches.
Presentation of the Articles
The articles are presented in accordance with the emperor's edict.
We have wished to present these articles written above according to the edict of C.
Purpose and Openness to Correction
The confession is offered so that the substance of Lutheran teaching may be known, and the authors express willingness to provide a fuller account from Scripture if needed.
M. so that through these matters our confession might be made clear, and the substance of the teaching of those who instruct among us might be recognized. If anything in this confession is found lacking, we are prepared, God willing, to offer a fuller account according to the Scriptures.
Read the original Latin
Hi sunt praecipui articuli, qui videntur habere controversiam, quanquam enim de pluribus abusibus dici poterat, tamen, ut fugeremus prolixitatem, praecipua complexi sumus, ex quibus caetera facile iudicari possunt. Magnae querelae fuerunt de indulgentiis, de peregrinationibus, de abusu excommunicationis. Parochiae multipliciter vexabantur per stationarios. Infinitae contentiones erant pastoribus cum monachis, de iure parochiali, de confessionibus, de sepulturis, de extraordinariis concionibus, et de aliis innumerabilibus rebus. Huiusmodi negotia praetermisimus, ut illa, quae sunt in hac causa praecipua, breviter proposita, facilius cognosci possent. Neque hic quicquam ad ullius contumeliam dictum aut collectum est. Tantum ea recitata sunt, quae videbantur necessario dicenda esse, ut intelligi possit in doctrina ac ceremoniis, apud nos nihil esse receptum contra scripturam aut Ecclesiam catholicam, quia manifestum est nos diligentissime cavisse, ne quae nova et impia dogmata in Ecclesias nostras serperent. Hos articulos supra scriptos, voluimus exhibere iuxta edictum C.
M. in quibus confessio nostra extaret, et eorum, qui apud nos docent, doctrinae summa cerneretur. Si quid in hac confessione desiderabitur, parati sumus latiorem informationem, Deo volente, iuxta scripturas exhibere.
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