most heartily wel, from Langley, in much hast, this | riage of priests on monastic vows, and on the mass. Monday at 4 of the clock at afternoon. "Your loving friends, "T. NORFOLK, The next letter is from the secretary Cromwell, to John Wallop, the king's ambassador, in France, from which such parts only are extracted as illus trate the present subject. "To my right loving frynd sir John Wallop, knyght, the kinges ambassadour, resident in the Corte of Fraunce. 66 After my most harty recommendacions; these shal be to advertise you that the xviith day of this monthe I receyvid from you a packet of letters; which indelayedly I delyvered unto the Kinges Highnes and conferred with his Grace theffects both of your letters and al others within the sayd packet beying directed as wel to his H. as to me. And after his H. had with me perused the hoole contents thoroughly of your sayd letters; perceyvyng not only the likelihood of the not repayr into Fraunce of Philip Melancthon, but also your communications had with the Frenche Kinges Highnes upon your demaunde made of the Kynges Majesties pensions, with also your discrete answers and replications made in that behalfe, for the which his Majestie givethe unto you condigne thanks It is intimated in the conclusion, that the Protestants felt surprised at the English decree against abuses, when no amendment was proposed, and especially as there was a total omission of the more flagrant abuses of which they complained. In a copy of this decree of Henry VIII. still extant in the German archives, Melancthon has written in several places in the margin, not at all sound. The great purpose, however, which Henry really had in view by these negociations, was to obtain ultimately the sanction of the Wittemberg divines to the divorce of his queen Catharine; but their opinion was unfavorable to his proceedings. They drew up a paper, disapproving of the divorce, which was transmitted by the ambassadors; and Melancthon fully concurred with Luther upon the subject. In the same year, 1535, Melancthon's acquaintance with the celebrated archbishop Cranmer, commenced. It seems to have originated in the visit which Alexander Aless, who had been long and intimately acquainted with Melancthon in Germany, paid to England, in the month of August. Knowing the archbishop's generous disposition, Melancthon took the liberty of giving him a recommendatory letter as a learned foreigner, and availed himself of the opportunity of conveying a present to the archbishop of one of his own books. This was probably his Commentary on the Romans. Another copy was presented, as we have related, to the king. This Alexander Aless was the same person whom Cromwell took with him to the Convocation in the year 1536, for the purpose of delivering his opinion about the sacraments, of which he insisted only two, baptism and the Lord's supper, were of Christ's original appointment. He wrote also a useful treatise on the subject of Schism, with which the dissenters from the Catholic church were charged; but he was furnished with both matter and argument by Melancthon. "And touchyng Melancthon-consideryng there is no lykelihod of his repaire into Fraunce as I have wel perceyved by your letters, the K. H. therefore hath appoynted Christofer Mount indelayedly to take his journey where Melancthon is, and if he can to prevent Mounsr. de Langye in such wise as the sayd Melancthon his repaire into Fraunce may be stayed and diverted into England. Not doubting but the same shal take effect accordyngly. And as to Maister Haynes, the Kyng's plesure is that he shal go to Paris there to lerne and dissiphre the opynyons of the lerned men and their inclynations and affections as wel towards the K. H. procedyngs as to the Busshop of Rome his usurped power and aucthorite, after such sort as the Kyng's sayd Highnes hath now written unto hym by his Grace's letters addressed both unto hym and the sayd Christofer Mount: directyng theym what they shal do yn al thyngs commyttyd to theyr charge at this tyme; The recommendatory letters of Melancthon, inas I doubt not but they wil put thereto theyr de-sured his Scotch protegee a most hospitable recepvoires for the accomplishement of the Kynges ple- tion at the palace of Lambeth, and the archbishop sure as apperteynethe could not but feel honored by the sincere praises of his learned and pious correspondent who sought his friendship, and who in his letter said, "if the church had but some more such bishops, it would be no difficult matter to have it healed and the world restored to peace." August. ...At Thornebery the xxiiith day of "Your assuryd freend, "THOMAS CRUMWELL." A larger commission was afterwards sent by Henry VIII. to the Protestant princes of Germany, now assembled at Smalcald, consisting of Edward Fox, bishop of Hereford, Nicholas Hethe, archdeacon, and Dr. Barnes. The opinion which Melancthon formed of them, is thus expressed in a confidential letter to his friend Camerarius. "One only of our present guests Nicholas Hethe, the archdeacon, excels in amiableness of disposition and sound learning; as for the others they have no relish for our philosophy and mode of discourse, so that I shun their society as much as possible." In the course of these conferences, Fox represented that the king had abrogated the Popish abuses and had abolished indulgences. He designated the Papal domination by the term Babylonian tyranny, and the Pope he called antichrist. A variety of articles were drawn up by Melancthon, and some dissertations, which the ambassadors brought on their return to England, on the mar Aless originally fled with other learned men from Scotland, in consequence of the persecutions of 1534, and was received into Cromwell's family. Henry VIII. is said to have been considerably attached to him, and to have bestowed upon him the distinguishing epithet of his scholar. He was afterwards made a professor in the university of Leipsic. Several circumstances concurred at this period to excite the hypochondriacal depression of mind which so much embittered some of the years of Melancthon's life. He had a narrow escape from lightning, which produced considerable damage in his immediate neighborhood, and he suffered severely in his back from a fall, but happily it occasioned no permanent injury. The removal of the academy to Jena, in consequence of a raging infectious disorder, alluded to in the Elector's letter cited above, exceedingly discomposed and inconvenienced him-but the students and professors, returned in the beginning of the year 1536, to Wittemberg. The state of his health required an excursion amongst his friends. He was accompanied by Jacob Milichius, a physician to whom he was particularly attached on account of his professional skill, devoted friendship, and literary taste. He was a native of Friburg, and for a series of years led a useful and eminent course of public life at Wit-thon wrote an excellent treatise against them in the temberg. At the age of fifty-nine he died, much German language. and generally lamented. Camerarius alludes with evident pleasure to the few days passed in the companionable society of Melancthon at Tubingen, and notices the useful advice he gave respecting the management of the University, and the general regulation both of religious and literary concerns. A violent contention had arisen on the subject of giving letters of recommendation and conferring honorary titles upon the students. Many learned men were applied to for their opinion; among the rest Melancthon, who sent in a written statement of his views, and the reasons which influenced his decision. He conceived that they had been advantageous, especially as such testimonies, publicly and solemnly bestowed upon meritorious students, tended to secure the avenues to clerical office against the intrusion of ignorance and incapacity. He addressed a long letter to Brentius on the subject of the academy at Tubingen, which is dated from the palace of the Duke of Wirtemburg. It is not to be wondered at that he felt a peculiar interest in this early scene of his studies and labors. He mentions his satisfaction in some of the professors, but intimates the great deficiency that existed in the Theological departments, and urges his correspondent, by desire of the Duke, to spend one year at Tubingen, till some suitable person could be procured to occupy that important situation. He deplores the general state of literature throughout the whole of Upper Germany, and expresses great anxiety to ameliorate the state of the academy. He was doomed to incur in consequence of this journey what he so often experienced, the attacks of malevolence. A variety of vexatious reports were put in circulation, and instantly credited by the weak and the wicked propagators of mischief. Some asserted that he had separated from the Reformers and quarrelled with Luther, to whom his philosophical notions were disagreeable-that he would not return to Wittemberg, or if he did, no further cordiality was likely to subsist between them. The sowers of dissension however were disappointed of the produce they anxiously expected. methods of conveying instruction, and especially his uniform and zealous efforts to purify the logic of the schools, and terminate the endless disputations of former times by introducing juster principles of reasoning, were exceedingly grateful, instead of being, as his adversaries calumniously misrepresented, disgusting to Martin Luther. That eminent Reformer always sought his advice, and with his characteristic ingenuousness acknowledged his superiority. His An anecdote which is related of them is confirmatory of this statement. Luther was writing the following words, "Res et verba Philippus; verba sine rebus Erasmus; res sine verbis Lutherus; nec res, nec verba Carolostadius. Philip Melancthon is both substance and words-Erasmus words without substance-Luther substance without words-Cariostadt neither substance nor words"—when Melancthon came unexpectedly, and overlooking him said with a smile, "As to Erasmus and Carlostadt it is well judged and censured, but too much is attributed to me, and good words as well as matter ought to be ascribed to Luther, for he speaks exceedingly well." Among the variety of other important labors, Melancthon was very much occupied at this time with the furious zealots who had created so much disturbance in Germany under the name of Anabaptists. During the temporary removal of the academy to Jena, he and Cruciger were indefatigable in their efforts to reclaim them, and it must be owned were in some degree successful. Melanc Soon after his return from Jena, he was engaged in a conference with Bucer and Capito on the sacramental controversy. Pursuing with unabated ardor the great purpose of a general re-union among the Reformers, Bucer and Capito had repaired, in the month of January, to an assembly of the ministers and magistrates of the Reformed cantons of Switzerland, at Basil. They urged a union with the Lutherans, which they deemed more than ever probable from their decreased animosity. A meeting was afterwards convened in May at Eisenach, to which the Swiss divines sent their confession of faith; but as Luther could not personally attend, Bucer and Capito proceeded to Wittemberg, where, after several conferences with him and his associ ates, Melancthon was appointed to draw up a formula on the sacrament, which, it is remarkable, the inflexible Lutherans, the moderate Reformers, and the whole Synod composed of the ministers of Upper Germany, concurred in signing. Thus the purpose of unanimity was obtained to a very considerable extent, and was celebrated on the occasion with great mutual congratulations; though it may be questioned, from a perusal of this document, whether Bucer and his moderating associate did not manifest too much of a servile and temporizing flexibility. CHAPTER X. A General Council proposed-Meeting at Smalcald-Melcanthos writes on the Pope's Supremacy, and against the manner of ap. pointing the Council-Communications with Francis I-Passage from the Recess of Smalcald-Melancthon is solicited to visit Augsburg respecting the institution of a Public Library-Letler of Cardinal Sadolet-A second Commission from Henry VIILPersons sent into England-Melancthon's letters to the king-Second letter against the Anabaptists--Another deputation from Frankfort-Melancthon's third and fourth letters to the kingDeath of George of Saxony-Progress of the Reformation-Diet held at Haguenaw-Melancthon's dangerous illness on the wayInteresting account of Luther's visit to him-Another Diet ai Worms-Referred to Ratisbon-Melancthon meets with an accident on the road-Conference between select persons-Augsburg Decree confirmed-Several anecdotes of Melancthon-Contentions about the election of a Bishop at Naumburg-Account of Melanc thon and Bucer's co-operation with the Archbishop of Cologne, to introduce the Reformation into his Diocese-Acrimonious publication of some of the clergy-Melancthon's satirical reply-Private afflictions-Draws up a plan of Reform for the Elector PalatineEngages in the ordination of George Prince of Anhalt-Sketch of his Life-Epigrams by Melancthon. 1537 to 1545. the year 1534, appeared more disposed than his prePAUL III. who had succeeded to the Popedom in decessors to convene a general Council, and sent circular letters throughout the states under his jurisdiction, appointing a time and place, namely, the twenty-seventh of May, 1537, at Mantua. The confederate Protestant Princes re-assembled together at Smalcald, and in the February preceding the proposed Council, Vorstius, the Papal Nuncio, and Heldus, Vice Chancellor to the Emperor, came to announce it, and exhort them to attend. This occasioned long and close deliberations. The Wittemberg theologians were summoned to the meeting at Smalcald, and as Luther was incapable of attending in consequence of a severe illness, the chief trouble, accompanied as usual with no inconsiderable odium, devolved upon Melancthon. They were required to make an accurate comparison of the different sentiments which prevailed among themselves, in order to terminate the existing disputes, and devise some common form of doctrine for the Protestant churches; then to determine upon those articles of faith which from their radical importance were to be retained and avowed at all hazards, in order finally to ascertain what might be conceded to the Catholics for the sake of restoring peace and harmony. Whether from the flattering caresses of others, or from the deliberate judgment and a ection ate disposition of his own mind, Melancthon could not be induced to renounce the hope of promoting con- | pious will may direct; we therefore unanimously cord, not only between those who were perpetually agree, that the parochial churches in our several contending on the subject of the sacramental con- districts and jurisdictions, shall be provided with troversy, but between the Reformers and Catholics. learned, pious, and honorable teachers, preachers, With respect to the first question, relative to an ex- and pastors; and that in their different situations amination of the points of difference which divided they be maintained in a decent and respectable way the Reformers themselves, he complains that a calm with their wives and families. Also we appoint and impartial investigation could not be obtained, superintendents to watch over the said pastors and owing to the rigidity of some, and the apprehension ministers, that they keep sound doctrine and live of others, lest instead of promoting harmony, the and walk as becometh Christians. And we order discussion of these differences should inflame resent- the provision of suitable funds for schools of educament. With respect to the second, he was deputed tion, adapted to the local circumstances of each disto compose an essay on the power and primacy of trict, that youth may be trained up therein in good the Roman Pontiff, and on the jurisdiction of bi- morals and sound learning, so that our churches shops. The performance proved of signal use, and may not in future be unsupplied with suitable was noticed with marked approbation in the Recess or pastors and ministers. We further order proper Decree of the Convention. It exceedingly confirm- funds to be appropriated to the use of those who shall ed the minds of all, and removed the suspicions devote themselves principally to the study of the which his calumniators had excited even in the sacred Scriptures. Moreover, we order the erection Elector himself, who did not sufficiently distinguish and endowment of hospitals for the reception of the between a bias to Popery and that strong desire for poor of both sexes; and in fine, that every one in peace which Melancthon labored to effect, and every place shall exert himself to cause such instiwhich he cherished the hope of obtaining without tutions to be erected, provided, and supported, wher the sacrifice of principle. He thought it proper to ever the necessity exists, and whatever else the contend only about essentials; here he was firm-duty of Christian princes and magistrates may rein other respects he aimed with incessant, but useless toil, to produce reconciliation. In fact the standard of his piety was superior to that of the age in which he lived, and unlikely to be duly appreciated or sufficiently influential in the boisterous hour of religious innovation. The performance referred to was written with no less zeal against the excessive domination of Rome and her ecclesiastics than Luther himself would have displayed, though with milder words; and it affirmed that little or no hope could be entertained of the results of a Council so constituted as that to which the Pope had summoned the Princes of Christendom. Similar sentiments quire." Melancthon was solicited by the senate of the city of Augsburg to pay them a visit, but many and weighty reasons induced him to decline their invitation. They were about establishing a public library, and even applied to the Elector to permit this visit; but he answered that he could not possibly spare him, both on account of the discussions upon the subject of a general council, and of the great resort of students to Wittemberg. In fact, Melancthon could not command a moment's leisure, and in addition to his exertions in the reproaches of the malevolent, who misinterpretthe public cause, he was incessantly pestered with ed all his actions, and with the unjust censures of many with whom he was connected who disliked his conciliating spirit. It was reported that in consequence of considerable differences of opinion which occasioned some discussion at Smalcald, he was alienated from his own party, and several princes studiously endeavored to induce him to relinquish his existing engagements, and become a professor in their universities; but he never sought Private emolument or honor to the neglect of public duty, and therefore could not be gained. But as his friend and biographer Camerarius remarks, no in are expressed in the correspondence which was carried on between the confederate Princes and the king of France. In the preceding year Francis had written letters to the assembly, which intimated some offence. He perceived, he said, from the report of his ambassador, that they did not cherish exactly the sentiments he had expected, but he was disposed to overlook any contempt they had manifested, from his ardent desire to promote a general anion in Christendom, especially between Germany and France; and he was desirous they should send a deputation to him. They replied in letters written in their name by Melancthon, who may perhaps not inaptly be termed the pen of the Reformation,"That they certainly had intended no contempt, andtegrity or innocence of character can escape susfully concurred in his views respecting mutual union. They excused themselves from sending deputies as he desired, not feeling themselves warrant ed to do so; and with respect to a Council, if it were not free, but ordered by the Pope merely for the purpose of condemning them, it would confirm, instead of remove abuses, and inflame greater discord. They alleged the Bull itself, in which their sentiments were condemned already, as a proof that the Council would not be a free one." The King replied in a courteous manner, declaring that on this subject they were completely agreed. It is due to the princes assembled at Smalcald to introduce the following passage from their Recess. "As it has hitherto been the case, and still is, that some who pretend to holy orders adhere to the popish doctrines and ceremonies, and cannot agree with our faith nor conform to our worship, whence monasteries and other ecclesiastical property have or will hereafter come into our hands, the reverend and spiritual Christian teachers, preachers, and pastors, have advised and requested us that some of this property should be devoted to the honor of God and the advantage of the Christian cause, as our letter from the learned Sadolet, because it came picion and slander. He could not even receive a from Italy, without being exposed to suspicion and charged with the crime of being connected with Catholics. This letter is produced by Camerarius as a specimen of that elegant latinity for which the translate it, as being no less honorable to the spirit writer was distinguished; we may be allowed to and character of him who wrote than of him who received it. "JAMES SADOLET, Cardinal of Carpentras, sends his most affectionate salutations to PHILIP MELANC THON. "During my residence at Carpentras, where I had imagined myself fixed for life, but whence I am suddenly called to Rome by the mandate of the Pope, I was perpetually conversant with your writings, which I read both on account of the ability they discovered and the superior elegance of the composition. Often in the midst of this pleasurable employment, I became gradually inflamed with affection, and cherished a great anxiety to commence a friendship with you. For although some difference of opinion exists between us, this need not cause dissension among well educated men. "At the moment I was deliberating about writing to you to open, so to speak, the doors of friendship, suddenly I was sent for to Rome, on account of an approaching council, and a consultation respecting various affairs, on which it would become necessary soon to deliberate. I had superintended my spiritual charge for the period of ten years, when thus summoned by the secret appointment of the best and wisest of pontiffs, to be invested, ignorant and unskilled as I was, with the dignified office of cardinal. This occasioned delay in transmitting as I wished, a letter to you: for it is impossible to express how many anxieties, cares, and troubles, the translation from my former peaceful and happy life into a tumultuous and bustling one, has occasioned me. This indeed was sure to happen, for my judgment avoided it and followed my former course of life. Both, however, fell out contrary to my original inclinations, so that I cannot rejoice in what I was unwilling to possess, and not be unaffected with grief in losing what I wished to enjoy. But thus appointed by the providence of God, I shall endeavor by his aid properly and fully to discharge this honorable office. Great Britain for a deputation of the Saxon divines and Reformers to take a journey, for the purpose of conferring with learned men of that kingdom about ecclesiastical and other important affairs. William Paget and Christopher Mount were employed on this mission. They were instructed to go through France, and act in concurrence with the king, and Gardiner, the English ambassador at the French court: but the main purpose of Henry VIII. was to induce the German princes to disregard both the Emperor and the Pope, and to refer all the points of difference to himself and the King of France. A visit from Melancthon in particular was exceed ingly urged, but year after year slipt away, and other concerns occupying his attention, the journey was never accomplished. A legation, however, was sent, consisting of Francis Burkhard of Burgart, vice-chancellor of the Elector of Saxony, George a Boneyburg, a nobleman, a doctor of laws, and Frederic Myconius, superintendent of Saxe-Gotha. The former was charged with a letter from Melancthon to the king, in which he expresses his affectionate friendship for the vice-chancellor, who would be able to explain his high regard for his majesty and his disposition to devote himself to the public good by the illustration of Christian truth. "Private men," says he," very much need the aid of distinguished princes and states, and your majesty has excited the greatest hopes in every country that you would promote the wishes of the pious for the reformation of the churches. What else does the papal faction aim at than the total extinction of divine truth, and the infliction of the most barbarous cruelties upon kings, princes, and nations, and the support of the Catholic abuses by a system of boundless tyranny in the church? Sh being the dangerous situation of her affairs, I will not cease to exhort and implore your majesty to pay attention to the circumstances of the Christian church, now a suppliant at your feet, to promote some firm and durable union, and to dissuade other princes from connecting them selves with popish counsels. This is an affair of the greatest importance, and therefore worthy the attention of a king so superior to others in learning and wisdom." "As my mind begins to emerge from the crowd of difficulties which beset me, I have resolved no longer to defer writing, and thus give you a pledge, my dear Philip, of my affection and of your attraction. My esteem arises from your exemplary virtues, and may I not hope that you will equally reciprocate it from your native kindness? You will, I doubt not, accede to my request and eager desire of friendly intercourse. I am not one of those who instantly cherish a violent hatred because another differs in opinion, an arrogance and a vanity to which my nature is totally repugnant. I honor intellect, virtue, and literature, which, as you possess them in no common degree, excite a proportionate regard for you. I doubt not your sentiments are similar to my own: for a person so accomplished in elegant literature cannot be otherwise than kind and courteous, and I indulge the greatest confidence that my letters will not be unacceptable, because however disjoined by distance of place, we may be united in spirit and affection. The ambassadors were received in the most The object of my greatest anxiety and desire there- courteous manner, and the King of England frefore is, to persuade you to admit me into a princi- quently expressed his anxious desire to see Melancpal share of that regard you feel for those, and I thon. But nothing of any consequence was effected know they must be very numerous, who have been by this journey, and the commissioners were at induced, from the celebrity of your name, to so-length dismissed with strong protestations of royal licit your friendship. Nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to have an opportunity of expressing and proving my attachment to you, and if you will furnish me with any such occasion, I shall esteem it as a high obligation. I am ready with the greatest zeal to do whatever I know may be gratifying to you; no one shall exceed me. tachment to you and the nature of my office, require a constant concern for literary men. Farewell, most learned Melancthon, and let me share your best affections. “Rome, July 15, 1537.” friendship, and an invitation to return during the ensuing year. The king sent letters to the Elector of Saxony, full of the strongest professions of kindness to himself and the reformed cause, and expressive of the greatest anxiety to enjoy a visit from Melancthon, "from whose distinguished eruAt-dition and sound judgment all good men," says he, "form the highest expectations." The justice of Luther's remark upon the preceding letter may be left to the reader's own determination. "" Sadolet," says he, "who had been the Pope's secretary fifteen years, a very witty and learned man, wrote in a most courteous manner to Philip Melancthon, but exceeding craftily, according to the Italian custom, in order that, through a Cardinalate, they might have bought him on their side, which was done by the Pope's directions; for the good gentleman, Mr. Pope, is much perplexed, not knowing how to fall upon us." Application was again made from the court of The princes having discovered by means of some intercepted letters a secret correspondence between the German and English Anabaptists, wrote a long and elegant epistle to Henry VIII. containing a statement of the pernicious doctrines these persons so eagerly disseminated, and warning him of the danger likely to result from their fanatical proceedings unless prevented by a bold and timely interference. This epistle was composed by Melancthon. A Protestant conference was held at Frankfort in the beginning of the year 1539, to which place Melancthon accompanied his prince. Violent proceedings being apprehended, he was deputed to write a paper on the subject of lawful defence, which he executed with great care and success. From this assembly a deputation was sent into England, which carried another of his letters to Henry VIII. for, being affected by the testimony of his means ignorant that they are in fact opposed to the friends respecting the royal benignity, and desirous divine authority and the apostolical constitution of of promoting in the king every good inclination, he the church, yet men will find out very fine interprethought it proper to cherish this correspondence. tations, sopha pharmaka, artful poisons, as Euripides His letter, dated Frankfort, March 26, 1539, was calls them, when policy requires it, in order to furcalculated to produce a good effect. After express-nish a specious pretext for their errors. Sophisms ing his grateful sense of his majesty's regard for of this description may not be so much admired in him, which was manifested afresh in his discourses England for their wisdom, but they are very much with the commissioners, he proceeds, "I commend in repute at Rome, where the Cardinals Contarathe cause of the Christian religion to your majes- nus, Sadolet, and Pole, are applying a new paint ty's attention, for your majesty knows that the most and varnish to old abuses. In Germany these important duty of great princes is to regard and sophisms have depraved the minds of many perpromote heavenly truth, on which account God sons of distinction, and I am not surprised that associates them with himself in the office of ruling. multitudes are deluded by such fallacies; and though I am desirous, as I have written before, that a union you are neither deficient in erudition nor in judgupon the basis of doctrinal agreement should be ment, yet even wise men are sometimes diverted effected among those churches which reject the from the truth by specious arguments. domination of Rome. This would tend to promote "It cannot be denied that the church of Christ the glory of God and conduce to general tranquilli- was for a long period veiled in tremendous darkty. Your majesty has happily begun the removal ness. Human traditions, the torment of pious minds, of some superstitious practices, I entreat you to were most shamefully introduced to the utter corproceed to others. The intention of our adversa-ruption of divine worship. Vows, gifts, vestments, ries is apparent, but they can never suppress our doctrine; God himself will be the keeper of our states and princes. They are always most anxious for public peace and tranquillity, but if our enemies resort to arms, the princes will not be deficient in their duty. I frequently call to mind the inscription upon one of King Edward's coins, "Jesus autem transiebat per medium eorum-Jesus passed through the midst of them," by which that wise monarch doubtless intended to intimate that the governors of kingdoms are divinely protected whilst they defend righteous causes; and, indeed, that it is truly heroic to bear arms in defence of the church against tyrants. It is said that Ajax asked Achilles what were the greatest and most difficult of all labors? To which he replied, "those which are undertaken for friends." Ajax inquired again, "What then were the most pleasant and easy?" He answered, "the same." The hero intimated by this reply, that nothing could be more delightful than to perform even the severest duties for the public good, and that he could cheerfully sustain the heaviest cares for this purpose. Such was their greatness of mind, who were ignorant of the true God; how much more does it become Christian princes to endure labor and danger for the church of Christ, when they know that they are divinely appointed to this office, and are promised celestial rewards for their services. I will not cease therefore to exhort your majesty to persevere in promoting the cause of the Christian church, and in resisting the tyranny and violence of its adversaries." Melancthon addressed letters also to Cromwell and Cranmer, and afterwards being denied a journey to England by the Elector, who acted with the concurrent advice of Luther, from an opinion that nothing could be done with the infatuated monarch; he again, at the instigation of the Landgrave of Hesse, wrote him a long epistle in a most magnanimous spirit, many parts of which merit quotation. 'Many pious and learned men in Germany have indulged the hope that your majesty's authority would have produced a considerable alteration in the conduct of other kings, and that the German princes in particular might have been influenced to relinquish the unworthy cruelty of their proceedings and deliberate on the correction of abuses. You were hailed as the promoter and leader of this most holy and illustrious design. Now, alas! your prejudices have wounded our minds most deeply: the animosity of other princes is confirmed, the vexatious obstinacy of the impious is increased, and the ancient errors are strengthened. The bishops no doubt contend that they do not maintain errors, but true doctrines and a divine right; and though by no meats, and drinks, a vain repetition of prayers, in- "I implore you by our Lord Jesus Christ to mitigate and amend this episcopal decree, by doing which you will both consult the glory of Christ and the welfare of all your churches. May you regard the ardent desires of the pious throughout the world, that kings would use their influence to effect a reformation of the church, to remove unauthorized services, and to propagate evangelical truth! May you consider those holy persons who are in bonds for the gospel and are the true members of Christ! for if this decree be not cancelled, the bishops will practice their severities to an incalculable extent Satan himself can alone inspire this opposition to Christ; they minister to his rage; he impels them to these cruel massacres. All good men entreat and implore you not to listen to the impious, the |