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 ;(t) 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.

(r) Myconius says, Proruperunt lacrymæ Capitoni et Bucero et utrinque cancellatis manibus et gestibus piis Deo gratias egimus."

A General Council proposed—Meeting at Smalcald -Melancthon writes on the Pope's Supremacy, and against the manner of appointing 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-Letter of Cardinal Sadolet-A second Commission from Henry VIII.—Persons sent into England-Melancthon's Letter to the king-Second Letter against the Anabaptists—Another Deputation from Frankfort-Melancthon's third and fourth Letters to the king-Death of George of Saxony-Progress of the Reformation-Diet held at Haguenaw—Melancthon's dangerous illness on the way-Interesting account of Luther's visit to him-Another Diet at 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 Melancthon 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-Pri

vate Afflictions-Draws up a Plan of Reform for the Elector Palatine-Engages in the Ordination of George Prince of Anhalt-Sketch of his LifeEpigram by Melancthon.

PAUL III. who had succeeded to the Popedom in the year 1534, appeared more disposed than his predecessor 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, ViceChancellor 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

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avowed at all hazards, in order finally to ascertain what might be conceded to the Catholics for the sake of restoring peace and harmony. (s)

Whether from the flattering caresses of others, or from the deliberate judgment and affectionate disposition of his own mind, Melancthon could not be induced to renounce the hope of promoting concord, not only between those who were perpetually contending on the subject of the Sacramental controversy, but between the Reformers and Catholics. With respect to the first question, relative to an examination of the points of difference which divided the Reformers themselves, he complains that a calm and impartial investigation could not be obtained, owing to the rigidity of some, and the apprehension of others lest instead of promoting harmony, the discussion of these differences should inflame resentment. With respect to the second, he was deputed to compose an essay on the power and primacy of the Roman Pontiff, and on the jurisdiction of bishops. This performance proved of signal use, and was noticed with marked approbation in the Recess or Decree of the Convention. (t) It exceedingly confirmed the minds of all, and removed the suspicions which

(8) MELANCTH. Ep. Lib. IV. ep. 196 ad Camerarium. PEZEL. L. I. p. 269.

("Postquam Theologos nostros primarius et Sacræ Scripturæ peritos hic congregavimus, illi de omnibus articulis

his calumniators had excited even in the Elector himself, who did not sufficiently distinguish between a bias to Popery and that strong desire for peace which Melancthon laboured to effect, and which he cherished the hope of obtaining without the sacrifice of principle. He thought it proper to contend only about essentials; here he was firm in 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 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

confessionis & apologiæ quam Augustæ exhibuimus, Christianum habuerunt colloquium et per Dei gratiam unanimiter in omnibus inter se consenserunt; articulum vero de primatu Pontificis Romani LATIUS & MELIUS CONCEPERUNT, ut scriptum ostendit."