CHAPTER IV.
CUMULATIVE PROOF OF THE TRUTH OF THE SEVERAL POSITIONS OF THE DEFINITE SYNODICAL PLATFORM.
_The Preamble_.
On the subject of the preamble, we will add a few authorities for one or two of its positions, which we have heard called in question.

On page 3, we read:-- "Subsequently, Luther and his coadjutors _still further changed_ their views on some subjects in that Confession, such as the mass." The truth of this position is demonstrated even by the extract from the Smalcald Articles, given on p.

22 of the Platform.

In the Augsburg Confession, Melanchon [sic] says (and Luther approved of it): "It, is _unjustly_ charged against our churches, that they have abolished the mass.

For it is notorious that the _mass is celebrated among us_ with greater devotion and seriousness than by our opponents." But seven years later, in the Smalcald Articles, Luther employs this very different language, which was sanctioned by his coadjutors: "_The mass in the Papal church, must be the greatest and most terrible abomination_, since it is directly and strongly opposed to this chief article (of Justification through faith in Christ,)" &c.