[sic] We may therefore well affirm, that the position of the Definite Platform on this subject has been established beyond the possibility of serious doubt, namely, "_That this rite was retained, with an altered interpretation, in various parts of the Lutheran Church in Europe for several centuries_." p.

23.
As to making the symbolic character of a book depend on its being found in any particular number of editions or in them all, it is inadmissible, because, as Dr.Hase remarks, and the respected author of the Plea admits, the Augsburg Confession is the only one of the Lutheran symbolical books which has been universally received throughout the church.

These editions, moreover, have been published, some by the civil governments, and others by private individuals; and the Lutheran church as such, has never been called on to decide which books are symbolic.
The practice of different portions of the church is different, therefore the distinction must be made as to the extent to which each book was received; and as it is certain that exorcism was in some countries and periods even regarded as a _distinctive test_ of orthodoxy, _then and there_, this rite must have been regarded as symbolic in the highest degree.
Note 1.

Symbolik, p.

103, n.