The Confutatio Pontificia | Page 3

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The Confutatio Pontificia:
In Reference To The Matters Presented To His Imperial Majesty By
The Elector Of Saxony And Some Princes And States Of The Holy
Roman Empire, On The Subject And Concerning Causes Pertaining To
The Christian Orthodox Faith, The Following Christian Reply Can Be
Given._ August 3, 1530. Edited by J. M. Reu.
CONFUTATIO PONTIFICIA, AUGUST 3, 1530

As His Worshipful Imperial Majesty received several days since a
Confession of Faith presented by the Elector the duke of Saxony and
several princes and two cities, to which their names were affixed, with
his characteristic zeal for the glory of God, the salvation of souls,
Christian harmony and the public peace, he not only himself read the
Confession, but also, in order that in a matter of such moment he might
proceed the more thoroughly and seasonably, he referred the aforesaid
Confession to several learned, mature, approved and honorable men of
different nations for their inspection and examination, and earnestly
directed and enjoined them to praise and approve what in the
Confession was said aright and in accord with Catholic doctrine, but,
on the other hand, to note that wherein it differed from the Catholic
Church, and, together with their reply, to present and explain their
judgment on each topic. This commission was executed aright and
according to order. For those learned men with all care and diligence
examined the aforesaid Confession, and committed to writing what
they thought on each topic, and thus presented a reply to His Imperial
Majesty. This reply His Worshipful Imperial Majesty, as becomes a
Christian emperor, most accurately read and gave to the other electors,
princes and estates of the Roman Empire for their perusal and
examination, which they also approved as orthodox and in every
respect harmonious with the Gospel and Holy Scripture. For this reason,
after a conference with the electors, princes and states above named, in
order that all dissension concerning this our orthodox holy faith and
religion may be removed, His Imperial Majesty has directed that a
declaration be made at present as follows:
In reference to the matters presented to His Imperial Majesty by the
Elector of Saxony and some princes and states of the Holy Roman
Empire, on the subject and concerning causes pertaining to the
Christian orthodox faith, the following Christian reply can be given:

PART I.
To Article I.
Especially when in the first article they confess the unity of the divine
essence in three persons according to the decree of the Council of Nice,

their Confession must be accepted, since it agrees in all respects with
the rule of faith and the Roman Church. For the Council of Nice,
convened under the Emperor Constantine the Great, has always been
regarded inviolable, whereat three hundred and eighteen bishops
eminent and venerable for holiness of life, martyrdom and learning,
after investigating and diligently examining the Holy Scriptures, set
forth this article which they here confess concerning the unity of the
essence and the trinity of persons. So too their condemnation of all
heresies arising contrary to this article must be accepted - viz. the
Manichaeans, Arians, Eunomians, Valentinians, Samosatanes, for the
Holy Catholic Church has condemned these of old.
To Article II.

In the second article we approve their Confession, in common