Ratio ineundae Concordiae inter Ecclesias reformatas, sive, quibus modis occurri possit mirificis artibus, quibus pontificii per quosdam imprudentes theologos universas Christi ecclesias potissimum autem et primum Germanicas pessundare conantur

Just as I trust in them entirely to do this with the utmost faith and diligence, and that they will continue to do so, just as even until now it has not been possible to know anything otherwise about them.

In the same way, regarding the second article, concerning Baptism, I find no discrepancy. For, just as has been said about the vocal word, so we also hold that Water and the Word (which is the principal thing in Baptism) without the internal operation of the Holy Spirit, effect nothing externally; yet such Baptism being an external sign of God, indeed a medium and instrument through which God works in us, so that it may not be thought of as an empty or vain sign or symbol of man.

Regarding the third article, concerning the Sacrament of the body and blood of the Lord; we have not taught until now, nor do we teach even now, that Christ descends from heaven or the right hand of God, or ascends, either visibly or invisibly. Remaining firmly in this way by the article of faith: He ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of God, from thence He shall come, etc. We leave it to the omnipotence of God how His body and blood are given to us in the Supper, where it is gathered by His command and His institution is celebrated. We think of no descent or ascension occurring here, but we remain simply and candidly by His words: This is my body; This is my blood.

But if, as I touched upon above, in this part also we do not understand each other so perfectly, nothing is more advisable for this time than that, being mutually well-affected toward one another, we await perpetual benevolence from each other for the time being, until that troubled water is, as it were, purified; and then Lord Capito and Martin Bucer will easily be able to advise what will be useful, both in these and in all other matters, provided that we compose our hearts and put aside rivalries, so that a place may be given to the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, to stabilize charity and friendly concord, insofar as it concerns our side and especially my own person;