Catechesis: Preface to Book of Concord

In this work of concord, we have not at all wished to create something new or to depart from the truth of the heavenly doctrine, which our ancestors (renowned for their piety) as well as we ourselves have acknowledged and professed. We mean the doctrine that, having been taken from the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures, is contained (a) in the three ancient Creeds; (b) in the Augsburg Confession, presented in the year 1530 to Emperor Charles V (of most excellent memory); (c) in the Apology, which was added to this; (d) in the Smalcald Articles; and lastly (e) in both Catechisms of that excellent man, Dr. Luther. Therefore, we also determined not to depart even a finger’s breadth from the subjects themselves or from the phrases that are found in them.—Preface BOC 23.