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