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cised in behalf of a friend and paSuch had Reuchlin been to Melancthon. He had stimulated him to proficiency in his studies, and had given him a Bible, which had been his constant companion. He had diligently read it, and endeavoured to ascertain its meaning, as one who sought for hidden treasures. He had made useful notes on the margin, and had been accustomed to take it with him to church to assist his devotion; giving, however, occasion to malicious remarks from other students, who seeing him with a book very different from the missal, complained that Philip could not forego the pleasure of reading the classics even in time of divine service. His mind probably received early impressions favourable to Protestantism from the perusal of the sacred volume; and thus, if his friend owed to him in some degree his escape from the thunders of the Vatican, he might owe to that friend, as Paul hinted to Phile mon, "his own self besides." It appears, that while attending the theological lectures of Dr. Lemp, who used to draw a figure of transubstantiation on the table to illustrate his remarks, our young student was shocked at the presumption of his master; and from some expressions in his writings he seems to have had misgivings in participating the idolatrous worship of the Popish communion*. However this be, the time was now approaching, when intercourse with Luther should produce similarity of

sentiment.

His removal from Tubingen to Wittenberg, in 1518, was chiefly effected through the instrumentality of Reuchlin, whose desire it was to fill the chairs of the infant University with able men, and whose knowledge of the qualifications of 'Philip induced him to recommend him to the Elector of Saxony as a

* Melch. Adam. p. 158.

fit person to be appointed Greek Professor. Six years residence at the former place had endeared him to many friends, who beheld his departure with great emotion, as he mounted his horse to proceed through Nuremberg and Leipsic, stopping awhile at both places to form acquaintance with the principal literary characters. At Leipsic the University invited him to dinner; where, as a diffident and inexperienced young man, he was quite confused with the compliments which it was thought necessary to pay him, according to the custom of the age. Every time a fresh dish was placed before him, some collegian arose to address him with a set speech, to which courtesy required some sort of reply. As he considered these repetitions superfluous, and felt them inconvenient, he at length said, "I pray you, gentlemen, permit me to listen to your addresses, and to reply to one and all afterwards; for really I am not prepared at so short a notice to give my answers the necessary variety." This polite remonstrance had the effect of preventing further congratulation *. He reached Wittenberg on the 25th of August, and made his inaugural oration on the 29th. Its subject was, the necessity of correcting the studies of the youth; and while the hearers admired the learning, elegance, and reflection of the Professor, himself only twenty-one years of age, they had a practical exhibition of the superiority of mind to matter, as they witnessed his attenuated frame and mean exterior.

Luther, who had been ten years a member of this academic body, was delighted with the young stranger; and in the warmth of his heart, wrote to the Secretary of Government to use his influence, in opposition to the economists at court, to obtain a liberal salary ;

*Camerar. p. 26.

whose virtues he could admire; and such a friend he found in the extraordinary youth from the right bank of the Rhine. Melancthon wanted an associate, to whose experience he might defer, and whose wisdom and perseverance he might learn to emulate. Luther was zealous, dauntless, vehement; Melancthon, cultivated, cautious, mild. When the heroism or vigour of the one was mixed with rashness or intemperance, it was moderated or softened by the gentleness of the other; whose timidity and prudence, in return, were encouraged and energized by the intrepidity of the former. "When Philip," says Camerarius," perceived in Martin his goodness of disposition, power of genius, and superiority of understanding, he venerated and loved him above all others. Luther on his part beholding in Philip, probity, information, faithfulness, candour, patience, industry, criticism, and eloquence unrivalled, he not only loved him in return, but, though his superior and elder, made him his principal familiar, trusted him with all his sentiments, requiring his in return, and finding his knowledge increase by the communication."

Melancthon accompanied Luther and Carlostadt to the celebrated disputation at Leipsic, in 1519; on which occasion he had an opportunity of gaining an accession of religious information, as he heard his friends maintain the cause of truth against the subtilties of Eccius. He was so much interested in the proceedings, that, while Carlostadt was engaged with his Papal adversary, he could not refrain from whispering in his ear some useful uggestions, which provoked Eccius to cry out, "Hold your tongue, Philip; mind your own business, and do not interfere with me." He afterwards sent an account of the conference to Ecolampadius; which, falling into the hands of Eccius, produced a con

temptuous and virulent reply; but not without being followed, on the part of Melancthon, by a rejoinder; his first controversial specimen; distinguished by that mildness, elegance, and acuteness, which never forsook him in the theological arena. He observes, "Eccius is confident of victory, from his appeal to the Fathers. But how does this avail him? Truly I do not undervalue, I highly esteem, those lights of the church and defenders of Christian doctrine. Yet, when I find them differing from each other in their interpretation of Scripture, it is surely wise to make that Scripture, and not human opinion, our final appeal. As there is always one simple meaning in Scripture language, for divine truth is clear and plain, let us endeavour to discover it by collation of passages, or by the general strain of a particular discourse. We are directed to prove the sacred records, as we examine the decrees and sentiments of men, by bringing them to the touchstone, and trying their consistency. And it is more satisfactory to consult their judgment on the meaning of Scripture, from those places in which they are professedly explaining it, than where they are only indulging in rhetorical description. We all 'know, that our particular dispositions and views incline us to different interpretations. We are apt to fix on this or that interpretation which interests and pleases us; and as the polypus will take its colour from the rock to which it clings, so we are too ready to force our sentiments to a conformity with preconceived notions. Indeed it not unfrequently happens, that the mind may admit, and for a time be exceedingly gratified with, an opinion, which afterwards fails to impress it in the same manner; and thus the Fathers of the church have fondly quoted Scripture in a way, which, though not absolutely re

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prehensible, is yet foreign to the purpose; and one may say of them, as the Greeks did of bad racers, They run well, but out of the line." I do not hesitate to say, that sometimes the Fathers have given interpretations of Scripture, under glowing religious feelings, which might not be positively incorrect; but which appear ill to accord with the literal sense to us, who are placed in different circumstances. There is a secret manna and food of the soul, to which Paul alludes, as requisite to be spiritually discerned, which is more easily tasted than described. But who sees not, that the Scriptures have been often misapplied in the different controversies which have occurred, of which innumerable examples might be adduced; so that it has frequently happened, especially of late, that their exposition has been at variance with the original text. As to the mode of interpretation usual in the schools, it is a very Proteus, transforming the sense of Scripture into allegories, tropes, and figures; diverting the truth from its literal, grammatical, or historical meaning, into any miserable and debased channel *." Luther wrote to Spalatinus in commendation of this reply; and whoever refers to the corruption which has flowed into the Latin and Greek communions, from the vicious style of too many of the Fathers, will acknowledge the justice of these remarks; while, at the same time, they often throw such valuable light on certain portions of the sacred record, renders it no easy task to separate the chaff from the wheat, or to determine the exact point at which a Protestant should leave one of these guides, after travelling with him a certain distance.

as

In the succeeding year he entered into the conjugal state with Catharine Crappin, daughter of a

*Opp. tom. i. fol. 365..

magistrate of Wittenberg. This lady was qualified to minister to his domestic comforts, by a congeniality of manners and disposition. Her piety, liberality, prudence, and decorum, are noticed by his biographer, who was on terms of intimacy with the family. She brought him two sons and as many daughters, and conducted his household with exemplary order and regularity. Their nuptials were celebrated on St. Catherine's day, the 25th of November. He had previously commenced a course of Lectures on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans; and had been so indefatigable in his attendance at the school, as to render it necessary to advertise his pupils of his intended absence on the weddingday, by a concise but significant placard:

"Take notice, Philip gives you leave to play,

And reads no lecture on St. Paul to-day."

His disinterestedness as a lecturer is remarkable. He laboured two years, without a salary, in instructing the classes in biblical knowledge; and when a pension of two hundred florins was assigned him by the elector of Saxony, he waved its acceptance, by saying, "I am unable to devote myself to the duty with sufficient attention to warrant a pecuniary remuneration." The Elector, however, by Luther's advice, intimated that it would suffice to give one or two lectures in a week, as his health might permit.

The acuteness of his feelings, in behalf of his friend, will readily be conceived, when Luther was necessitated to appear at Worms. He was much edified, however, at beholding the religious heroism and pious determination of that great man. "Martin still lives and prospers," he observes, in an epistle to Hess, "notwithstanding the fury and rage of Leo, the extent of whose power has been hitherto unquestioned. No one ap

proves the Bull which Eccius is enforcing, except such as consult their own ease more than the success of the Gospel. We are certainly in no danger from it at present, though the hierarchy raves and thunders. Would that you could witness the fearful hesitation with which this decree is carried into effect, on account of the dilemma in which its abettors find themselves placed, between general opinion on one hand, and the Pope's displeasure on the other; while there are many who would rather be openly accused of any crime, than deficiency of zeal in the cause of the Pontiff. You are doubtless acquainted with the proceedings at Worms, though I may add a little on that topic. Charles is urged again and again to proscribe Luther by an edict; and there is much consultation on its expediency. If the Papists could prevail in their vengeance, they would destroy us; and they are vexed at any hindrance to the authority of Rome. They hope to obtain from the Emperor some more decisive ground on which to proceed. But nothing can intimidate Martin Luther, who is ready to lay down his life for the furtherance of the Gospel."

To anxiety for the fate of Luther was added a sense of the responsibility of his own situation, when he found himself placed as it were at the head of the reforming party in Germany, by his friend's confinement at Wartenberg. Prayer, for divine aid, was the means of strengthening his spirit, while a sterling principle regulated all his movements, and counteracted his constitutional timidity. The Saxon professor wrote to him from time to time, expressing his thorough dependence on his fidelity and discretion. He had soon occasion to exercise his pen in defence of Luther, against the Sorbonne divines, who published a formal condemnation of his writings on the 15th of

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April, 1521*. Philip_ replied in an able, though occasionally sarcastic, Apology for Luther, in opposition to the furious Decree of the Parisian Theologasters †.” "During the past year," he observes, "the sophists of Cologne and Louvaine condemned the Gospel in a string of bare propositions, unsupported by either reason or Scripture; and now the Parisian divines have pursued the same unwarrantable course. By the spirit of the decree it may be seen, whether it proceed from God, who is not the author of malice, or from another quarter. It would seem incredible, that such a work should issue from an university, distinguished for remarkable men, and especially for the learned and pious Gerson. The prefatory epistle is filled with womanish fury and monkish weakness; and must have been written by some hired declaimer. What does it contain? 'Oh! Luther is a Manichæan! a Montanist! he pays no respect to such divines as we are; he is out of his senses; he must be burnt alive!' Luther is accused of heresy, not because he differs from Scripture, but from the holy fathers, councils, and universities, whose opinions are regarded as the first principles of faith! And are the articles of our religion to be determined by the opinions of men? How can this be, when, as Occam himself allows, if you will not believe me, they are so liable to err? Not so taught Paul, Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.'—Luther's capital offence, then, is this : that he has presumed to differ from your judgment. But what, after all, is decreed by the councils, when some things are false and others true, when some are agreeable to Scripture, and others contrary to it? The final appeal

*Dupin, Eccl. Hist. B. ii. c. 11.

Lutheri, Opp. tom. ii. Jen. Lat. fol. 443, et seq.