Latest Defense of the State Church against the Free Church.
[by C. F. W. Walther]
Buchwald finally concludes the present section on p. 13. f. with the following words:
"But the question is well permitted: Does a deception of the pastor never occur in the Free Church, or does he feel able to look into the hearts? (Underlined by Buchwald) When are we even 'worthy' to partake of the Lord's Supper? Is not he who in his innermost heart considers himself 'unworthy' much, much more worthy than some who in Pharisaical pride professes to be rightly prepared, ‘worthy’? Luther is also right here when he says (‘Brief Warning About Confession’ in the Symbolic Books. edited by Müller, p. 842, § 21.): ‘Whoever goes to his work, no matter how pure he has made his confession, only remains so.’”
We remark on this: Both what is written here at the beginning in underlined type and what follows in ordinary type proves that the writer makes foolish opponents for himself, only to overcome them gloriously to the applause of his readers who are incapable of judgment or who belong to his party. A preacher of the <page 142> Free Church knows quite well that, even with the greatest faithfulness in examination, he cannot prevent some of his examinees from enjoying Holy Communion unworthily; but he wants to prevent that at least, as Luther writes (see above p. 138), his “industriousness” is not to blame. Which is well to be noted! But finally, as far as those who hypocritically consider themselves worthy guests are concerned, the purpose of right examination is not to promote this, but to prevent it as far as possible through God's Word and grace. To want to prevent this by letting people come here uninstructed, untested and unwarned — “let us leave that”, to use Luther's words, “to the enthusiasts”! (see above p. 139)
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