CHRISTIAN BOOK OF CONCORD, OR SYMBOLICAL BOOKS OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH; COMPRISING THE THREE CHIEF SYMBOLS, THE UNALTERED AUGSBURG CONFESSION, THE TO WHICH IS PREFIXED AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. SECOND EDITION, BEVISED. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN. wwwww NEWMARKET: PUBLISHED BY SOLOMON D. HENKEL AND BRS. BX 8068 1854 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by S. D. HENKEL & BRS., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia. D. W., AND GEO. B. BENTLEY, PRINTERS. THEOLOGICAL MEE ་་་ PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The Book of Concord, comprising the Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has as yet enjoyed but a limited circulation in the United States. Wrapped in the obscurities of its original languages,—the Latin and German,—that venerable production of the Reformation has been left to slumber almost entirely in silence and neglect. Numerous causes have contributed to prolong this neglect. The descendants of German emigrants in America, have never cultivated the language and literature of their fathers with due interest; many of them are unable to read German; while many, able to read, and occupying elevated stations, have never manifested a laudable zeal for the doctrines of the church. The most obvious cause, however, seems to be, that the larger portion of Lutherans in America, are accustomed to read the English language only, and consequently have never had an opportunity to appreciate the value of their Symbols. Yet, we cherish the anticipation of a brighter day in the Lutheran church. In a land of freedom, of science and art, where the generous spirit of political wisdom encourages the exercise of reason, and guards the decisions of conscience; where industry, energy, and enterprise, though daily attaining fresh prospects of future improvement, are continually unburying the sacred treasures of the past, we believe that the doctrines of our church will ultimately be reclaimed, and that men of our western clime will enter into the investigation of these doctrines with all the avidity natural to a love for the truth. That these doctrines and these principles of immutable truth, are congenial with the tastes and feelings of the American mind, we may fearlessly deduce from recent facts. Within the last few years, the Book of Concord and Luther's House-Sermons have been reprinted in this country; and several of Luther's works have lately been translated into the English language, and circulated extensively. It was, therefore, reasonable to presume, that a faithful translation of the Book of Concord into the English language, was demanded by the necessities of the times, and would effectually co-operate with these laudable exertions. Partial translations indeed publishing a second edition, the talents of individuals, known as literary men and prominent theologians in the church, were engaged, who were requested to revise the work, comparing it with the original, not changing however the language of the first edition more than would be found necessary to render it a good translation; and to these gentlemen sincere acknowledgments are due for a vast number of valuable suggestions. The Augsburg Confession was revised by Rev. C. P. KRAUTH, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa.; the Apology, by Rev. W. F. LEHMANN, Professor of Theology, Columbus, Ohio; the Smalcald Articles, by Rev. Wм. M. REYNOLDS, D. D., President of Capital University, Ohio; Luther's Smaller and Larger Catechisms, by Rev. J. G. MORRIS, D. D., Baltimore, Md.; and the Formula of Concord and Catalogue of Testimonies, by Rev. C. F. SCHAEFFER, D. D., Easton, Pa. The Historical Introduction was also carefully compared and revised by the original translator; and every attention was given by the publishers to have the corrections faithfully attended to: thus they feel confident, that the English translation of the Book of Concord will meet that encouragement from the church, which her Symbols originally received. NEWMARKET, Sh. Va., CONTENTS. I. THE APOSTOLICAL CONFESSION OR SYMBOL, 114 ARTICLES CONCERNING WHICH THERE IS DISSENSION, AND IN WHICH ARE RELATAD I. Concerning Original Sin, 145 VIII. Of Human Ordinances in the III. Of Love and the Fulfilment 119 141 156 230 VI. Of Confession and Expiation, 218 |