Part I Protheoria: Controversies with Augsburg Confession theologians — six shared Evangelical fundamentals

The Principal Controversies with the Theologians of the Augsburg Confession, as they are called.

A Historical and Catallactic Protheory.

Although most unwillingly we also reckon these theologians among those with whom there is serious religious dissent, we do so for no other end than that beginners may not be ignorant what those Heads are by which the unhappy divorce of minds, of studies, and of churches is fostered.

While for both sides: 1. There is the same Rule, the same Principle — namely Holy Scripture — human and Papal traditions and the Tridentine Decrees being rejected by equal suffrage; 2. For both, the same Fundamental Doctrine, so often acknowledged and set out in the Harmony of Confessions — namely as to the Causes of our salvation, whether Efficient or Meritorious; as to the Person of Christ the Lord, the Truth and Union of the Natures, His Office and Benefits; and finally as to the gratuitous mode of Justification, far from merits or the causality of Works; 3. For both, the same Worship of the one true and Triune God, and of Christ the God-man, far from all Idolatry and Superstition or adoration of the Creature; and the same duties of the Christian man toward God and neighbor required for Sanctification; 4. For both, the same Protestation against Papal Errors even in the Head of the Holy Eucharist, against all Papal Idolatry, foul Superstitions, the Roman Hierarchy, savage Tyranny, impure Celibacy, and idle Monasticism; 5. For both, the same duties of forbearing love handed down (Ephesians 4:2) in those things which are built upon the foundation — taught indeed in diverse ways by them, yet with this foundation itself unmoved and unshaken; 6. Finally for both, the same interest, the same cause, the same motives for restoring Evangelical peace, and if not entire Concord, at least mutual and fraternal Tolerance, to be ratified forever.

From which there would certainly flow a happier propagation of the Gospel; the triumph of Evangelical Truth; a stronger assault upon Antichrist, and at last his fall; the repression of Tyranny daily waxing strong; the frustration of Jesuit schemes; the assertion of Protestant Liberty, today tottering; the removal of the heaviest Scandal from their midst; a new daily increase of Church and Commonwealth; the exultation at last of all the pious; the conversion of Schismatics; and even an easier drawing of the Greek Churches to the Unity of Faith and Spirit, which the Bohemian Churches had long ago attempted.