second edition, allowed, to improve and even to enlarge it. In the first part, there are few sections, which, whether in the language, or whether by additions or omissions in the texts, or in the notes, have not undergone changes advantageous, as I trust, to the work. Under the article. of faith, the seventeenth section has been newly inserted; and the twenty-seventh section, which contains a more precise definition of the real distinctive points in the theological systems of Luther and of Zwinglius, was not found in the first edition. The article on the Church has undergone considerable changes; the addition of the thirty-seventh section appeared to me peculiarly calculated to render more clear the theory of the Catholic Church. In the second part, the article on the Methodists has been entirely recast, as I have now been able to procure Dr. Southey's Life of Wesley. Clarkson's Portraiture of Quakerism, which, in despite of many endea vours, I had been unable to obtain in time for the first edition, but which has since come to hand, has been less useful for my purpose than I had expected. In the Introduction, it has appeared to me expedient to enter into more particulars as to the use, which, in a work like the Symbolism, is to be made of the private writings of the Reformers. I have deemed it useful also to point out there the important distinction, which, in all Symbolical researches, should be observed between the use of the private writings of the Reformers, and that of the works of Catholic theologians. AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. THE information of my publisher, that the second edition is out of print, was too sudden to allow me to bestow on this third edition those improvements which I would fain have made, and whereof it stood in so much need. There is but one article I can name, which has undergone an important amelioration; it is the eighth section, on original sin; for in the former editions, there were some historical notices, touching the Catholic views of that doctrine, that much needed correction. The very ponderous criticism on my Symbolism, which in the meanwhile Professor Baur has put forth, I will leave unnoticed in the present work, for the necessary discussions would occupy proportionally too great a space, to find insertion either in the notes or in the text. I have therefore preferred to write a separate reply, which, please God, will soon be sent to press. AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. AFTER the publication of the third edition, which appeared at the begin ning of the year 1834, I saw myself compelled to compose a defence of the Symbolism. It has already appeared, under the title, New Investigations, etc. (Neue Untersuchungen.) In this work, many subjects having reference to the controversy, and which in the Symbolism had been only lightly, or not at all, touched upon, were more fully treated; while not a few articles have been investigated under a new point of view, others more precisely defined, and several more fully established. From this book nothing has been transferred to the fourth edition of the Symbolism. I held it to be my duty to make no essential alteration in the form, under which the present work was originally presented to the public, and under which it has been favoured with their indulgent attention. To notice in the body of the work the various writings, treatises, and reviews, that have been directed against it, I conceived to be in every way unsuitable; independently even of the fact, that I was unwilling to see the pacific tone of the Symbolism converted into an angry and warlike tone. Yet some things have been amended in this fourth edition; others have been added. These are changes which could be made without any external provocation, and without any alteration of my orignal plan, and as have formerly been made in every new edi tion. By God's providence the Symbolism has hitherto produced much good fruit, as from many quarters has been related to me, partly by word of mouth, and partly by writing. Even Protestant periodicals, as, for example, the Evangelical Church Gazette (Evangelische Kirchen Zeitung) of October, 1834, do not in their peculiar way call this fact in question. May it be still further attended with the blessing of the Saviour, who from the beginning hath ever chosen weak and imperfect things for the instruments of his glorification! PREFACE OF THE GERMAN EDITOR TO THE WHILE the fifth edition of this work was in the press, the Catholic Church of Germany had the affliction to see its illustrious author snatched away from her by an untimely death. If his loss for Catholic literature be an event so deeply to be deplored, it is so especially in refer. GERMAN EDITOR'S PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. xix ence to the Symbolism. The lamented author had intended to introduce many amendments into this new edition, and so to render it more complete, partly by transferring into it several things from his work, entitled, New Investigations of Doctrinal Differences,-partly by incorporating with it the results of new researches. As regards a very considerable part of the work, his intention he has happily been able to carry into effect. Many articles and sections-as, for example, that on original sin-have received from him extension or greater precision, or have been entirely recast. The like he had designed in respect to the articles on the doctrine of the sacraments, and the following sections. Down to the close of his life, this concern of his heart ever occupied him; but the final execution of his design was not permitted by Divine Providence. May this new edition produce those blessed effects, which had ever been intended by the author, and that have, doubtless, gained a rich recompense for him before the throne of God! MUNICH, 21 June, 1838. CONTENTS OF THE MEMOIR. 66 Preliminary remarks. Lutheranism, from its origin down to the middle of |