“Kirchenordnungen of the first century of the Lutheran Church in Germany,” in which he presents the results of thirty of the oldest Lutheran Formulas of Church Discipline and Worship.  “Absolution was received privately, by each one individually, kneeling before the confessional, the confessor imposing his hands at the time.  Private confession was given only in the church, in which the confessional was so located near the pulpit, that no other person could be near, or hear what was said by the penitent.” [Note 2]

But

I. What does the Platform teach in regard to this Private Confession? The Platform teaches, 1.  That it was retained by the Augsburg Confession and other symbolical books. 2.  It is objected to by the Platform, as unauthorized by the Word of God. 3.  And thirdly, as being inconsistent with the fundamental doctrine of the Reformation, that faith it the only condition of the justification or pardon of the sinner.

II.  What does the Plea object to these positions?

1.  That the impression might be made by the Platform, that the Lutheran doctrine has some affinity to the Romish doctrine of Auricular Confession.  But the Platform expressly states the rejection of Auricular Confession by the Reformers, and their retention of what they called private confession in its stead, the latter differing from the former as above stated.  The Plea next introduces a formula of absolution, used in Wittenberg, in 1559, to show the harmlessness of the rite.  But here, unfortunately, if we are not entirely mistaken, our friend has overlooked the fact, that it is a formula for public, and not private confession which he cites.  This is certain from the language throughout, being addressed “to all such as are here present,” &c.  It is well known that private confession was rejected in the Lutheran Church in Denmark and Sweden in the beginning, as well as by different portions of Germany at an early day, and a public or general confession adopted in its stead.  In Luther’s Short Directory for Confession, &c., [[Note 3] tr. note:  there is no note number in the original to go with the corresponding footnote, but this appears to be where it should go] we have his formula for private or individual absolution, which will convey to the reader a more correct idea of its form:  After the directions for confession of sins; the

Confessor says:  “God be merciful to thee and strengthen thy faith.  Amen.”

“Dost thou believe that my remission of thy sins is God’s remission?

Answer of the penitent:  “Yes, dear sir, I do.”

Then the confessor says:  “According to thy faith, so be it unto thee.  And I, by command of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive thee thy sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Amen.  Depart in peace.”