Note 2.  Koellner’s Symbolik, Vol.  I., p. 121.

Note 3.  Idem. p. 148.

Note 4.  P. 344.

Note 5.  Hagenbach’s Church History of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth
Centuries, Vol.  II., p. 358; also Hahn’s Lehrbuch, 1828, p. 578.

Note 6.  See Knapp’s Theology, translated by L. Woods, Jr., page 513,1
(Glauben’s Lehre, &c., 1827,) or German copy, Vol.  II., p. 505.

CHAPTER V.
SYNODICAL DISCLAIMER,
or List of Symbolic Errors rejected by the great body of the churches
belonging to the General Synod.

Having now arrived at the second part of the Definite Synodical Platform, namely, that part which is not to be subscribed to by the members of Synod; but which is published as the view of the majority, from which individuals are allowed to dissent; we shall pursue the following order in regard to each topic: 

1.  We shall recapitulate, briefly, what the Platform does assert.

2.  State the objections made to these positions by the plea of Rev. Mr. Mann.

3.  Examine these objections and vindicate what seems to be the truth.  And as the Rev. Mr. Mann confines himself to the alleged errors of the Augsburg Confession, we shall, with little exception, do the same.

CEREMONIES OF THE MASS.

1.  As to what the Platform teaches on this topic, there ought to be no difficulty; because,

a.  On page 5 of the Platform, we find a definite list of the errors contained in the Augsburg Confession, viz.: 

1.  The approval of the ceremonies of the mass.

2.  Private Confession and Absolution.

3.  Denial of the Divine obligation of the Christian Sabbath.

4.  Baptismal Regeneration.

5.  The real presence of the body and blood of the Saviour in the Eucharist.

Here it is evident that the charge is, that the Confession advocates the ceremonies of the mass, but not the mass itself, as has been alleged.

b.  In the same connexion it is stated, “These are the only errors contained in the Augsburg Confession.”  But if these are the only errors charged, then it follows that the error of inculcating the mass itself, or doctrine of the mass, is at all events not charged in the Platform, if it is in words even contained in the Confession.

c.  The caption in the list of errors on page 21 of the Platform, is not headed the Mass, as is the article of the Confession to which it refers; but what the Confession calls mass, the Platform, with great moderation, styles Ceremonies of the mass.

d.  In the list of errors, the profession of which should exclude from membership in Synods accepting the Platform, we find p. 15, the following:  “Whilst we will not admit into our Synod any one who believes in Exorcism, Private Confession and Absolution, or the Ceremonies of the Mass.”  Here again Ceremonies of the mass are stated, but if the Platform taught that the Mass itself is inculcated in the Confession, believers in the Mass would, a fortiori, have also been mentioned as excluded.