reformation, should have since fallen so much into neglect. It may be read with much advantage in any of its varied editions. That of the earliest date may now be considered as rendered, by the republication of Professor Augusti, the most accessible of the three series; and it exhibits the best corrective of the only part of its contents that was seriously objectionable, in the alteration, and virtual retractation of its obnoxious positions concerning liberty and necessity, which was made by the author himself when more advanced in years and matured in judgment. The later editions no doubt introduce many important topics, not found in the first but in those of the third period the work is drawn out into too great length, by which the impression is frequently weakened; while in some instances extraordinary repetitions occur. To those who have not the opportunity or the inclination to compare different copies, one of the second period, extending from the year 1535 to 1542 inclusive, would probably be found the most eligible.

A. D. 1560.

on the

One of the latest of Melancthon's composi- Melancthon tions has been repeatedly mentioned, of which, as he styled it, "his last will," and desired to Articles. have it considered as his closing "confession of faith," the reader may wish to have some

1

1 Above, pp. 145, 214.

CHAP.

XII.

account. I refer to his "Answers to the im-
pious Articles of the Bavarian Inquisition," or
Inquisitors, written in August, 1559: but, as it
appears perfectly to harmonize in sentiment
with what has been here adduced from the last
edition of his Common Places, a very brief
notice of it may suffice. The articles referred
to were thirty-one in number, all drawn up in
the form of questions; which, from their nature,
would appear to have been designed to detect,
by tests both affirmative and negative, the most
latent infection of Lutheran principles: and
they are signed by five "Examiners."
Examiners." On Me-
lancthon's replies to them we may remark, 1.
That he nowhere shews a more determined hos-
tility to popish errors, or a deeper sense of their
enormity, than in this his last publication: 2.
That he teaches precisely the same doctrine
concerning the will, which we have been re-
viewing and 3. That he is as clear and determi-
nate as ever on the great subject of justification,
and on its being by faith alone, "that is, by
reliance on the Mediator."-"They," he says,
"who reject the exclusive word only, slide into
the synecdoche of Origen or the papists."-He
earnestly recommends" that modesty of mind
which would humbly adhere to revealed truths,
though it could not answer all the cavils raised
against them" and quotes with approbation
the sentiment of an excellent man who said, "I
believe both propositions, that there is a divine
predestination, and that there is contingency;
though I cannot solve what may be urged against
either one or the other." He thanks God for
the acquaintance which he had formed with
antiquity; and affirms that his sentiments upon
the subject just noticed "agree with those of

66

the sounder writers among the ancients;" and that, even with respect to S. Augustine, "if any interpret him more harshly they do him injustice. Yet," he says, "at the same time I confess, that God performs many things in all his saints in such a manner that their wills are passive. But still the rule must be retained, that faith cometh by hearing.”1

1 Opera, i. fo. 360-387.

A. D. 1560.

CHAPTER XIII.

XIII.

THE COUNCIL OF TRENT.

CHAP. To enter minutely into the history of this famous council would be foreign to our design: but some notice of it is necessary, and to relate certain parts of its proceedings, and to present a general view of its character and its final result, may prove both interesting and instructive.

Duration of the Council.

The whole term of the council's duration from its commencement to its dissolution, amounted to eighteen years, extending from December, 1545, to December, 1563: but the time of its actual session was somewhat less than four years-more than fourteen being passed in a state of actual or virtual suspension.'-My ex

1 The council was opened December 13, 1545, under the pontificate of Paul III; was translated to Bologna, March 11, 1547, where no business was transacted; and the members were dismissed, September 17, 1549. It was resumed at Trent, May 1, 1551, under Julius III; suspended on account of Maurice's expedition, April 28, 1552: restored under Pius IV, January 18, 1562: and dissolved December 4, 1563. The presidents of the first period were the cardinal-legates, di Monte, (afterwards pope Julius III,) Santa Croce, (afterwards Marcellus II,) and our countryman, Pole. Those of the second period, cardinal Crescentio, legate, and cardinal Pighino, archbishop of Siponto, and Lipoman, bishop of Verona, nuncios. Those of the third, Hercules Gonzaga, cardinal of Mantua, and cardinal Seripando ; to whom were afterwards joined, Hosius, cardinal of Warmia, and cardinals Simoneta and Altemps; and, on the

ter.

A. D.

1546.

amination of its history, as far as it has gone, leads me fully to concur in the sentence which Dr. Robertson has pronounced concerning it. Having described the three authors, to whom we are chiefly indebted for the accounts we Its histohave of it, Father Paul, Cardinal Pallavicini, rians. and Vargas, a Spanish doctor of laws, who attended the imperial ambassadors at Trent, and regularly reported the transactions there to Granvelle, bishop of Arras, the emperor's chief minister, he says: "But, whichsoever of these Its characauthors an intelligent person takes for his guide in forming a judgment concerning the spirit of the council, he must discover so much ambition as well as artifice among some of the members, so much ignorance and corruption among others; he must observe such a strange infusion of human policy and passions, mingled with such a scanty portion of simplicity, sanctity of manners, and love of truth; ... that he will find it no easy matter to believe, that any extraordinary influence of the Holy Ghost hovered over this assembly, and dictated its decrees." 1 Indeed, not only more secularity, but more chicane and intrigue, more fierce contention, more that is opposite to all which ought to characterize a sacred assembly, whose professed objects were to investigate divine truth, and to purge the church from error in doctrine and corruption in manners, was found here, than in the ordinary diets and parliaments of mere worldly politicians and it became so notorious that the legates, who presided in it, contrived to manage

deaths of Mantua and Seripando in March, 1563, the cardinals Morone and Navaggiero-all holding a legatine commission.