strongly opposed an opinion which I really embraced, not in joke, but for the purpose of obtaining information from the views of others.

"Many are acquainted with my natural turn of mind, and that I am prone rather to indulge in jocoseness even in the midst of afflictions than to any thing like sternness. To catch and circulate my words on these occasions as he has done is mean and unkind, to say no worse. But if, as in some parts of his letter he threatens me with the sword, any evil should occur, and destruction should befall this poor head, I will commend myself to Jesus Christ the Son of God, our Lord, who was crucified for us and raised again, who is the searcher of hearts and knows that I have inquired after truth with a careful simplicity of mind, not wishing either to gain factions and influence, or to indulge an unbridled curiosity. Nor has it been without great and diligent attention to the whole of Christian antiquity, that I have endeavoured to unravel a variety of intricate questions and to direct the studies of youth to important learning.

"But I will not speak of myself. In all civil dissensions I am aware that calamities are to be expected, the minds of men become inflamed, and I perceive Flacius prepared with his firebrands; but to God I commit my life and his own true church here and in other places,

respecting which I feel far more solicitous than of my own life. This however is my consolation, that God has promised his perpetual presence in the church, and his Son declares, Lo! I am with you always even to the end of the world.' He will preserve the people that maintain the doctrines of the gospel and that truly call upon his name; and I pray with the utmost fervour and importunity of soul that he would preserve his church in these regions.

"This brief reply to the clamours of Flacius, I have written, not so much on my own account as for the sake of our churches in general, among whom many pious minds are deeply wounded by his writings. Let them be consoled by this assurance, that fundamental principles are faithfully retained in our churches, namely, the incorruptible ministry of the gospel, all the articles of faith and the use of Christian Sacraments without alteration. The Son of God it is most certain is present with such a ministry, and as I have already said, hears the supplications of such an assembly. Adieu, candid reader. October, 1549."

It will be proper to subjoin to this defence the emphatic language he uses in an epistle to his friend Matthesius-" I trust you will not be influenced by the sycophantic writings of Flacius Illyricus, who invents absolute falsehoods. I have never said, I have never written, I have

never thought what he declares I have said, respecting the phrase we are justified by faith only;' namely, that it is absurd and a kind of subtle trifling about words-I have indeed spoken and written many things respecting the manner in which the exclusive term is to be understood as well as many others; and have been at great pains to correct the misinterpretations of many put upon the word only; but I purpose replying to these virulent criminations."(o)

If in corresponding with his friends Melancthon spoke of Flacius in very decided terms as a calumniator, we cannot feel much surprized; but that the flagrant misrepresentations of this adversary, should have so deeply tinctured as they have done the accounts of distinguished historians is truly deplorable. Even Mosheim and his commentator have obviously leaned to the unfavourable side of the subject, and rather perpetuated dishonourable impressions than carefully guarded his fame. The language of this great Reformer which has been copiously quoted in the present work, is in itself sufficient to evince the nature of those principles by which he was actuated and the extreme absurdity of charging him with tergiversation.

(0) MELANCTH. Ep. Lib. II. 42. ad Johan. Matth.

The Adiaphoristic Controversy occasioned many other disputes, but we shall neither perplex our readers nor mispend our time by wandering into the briery wilderness of polemical divinity. To some of these debates, however, it will be proper briefly to allude in relating the events of the time in which they were particularly agitated.

CHAP. XII.

A. D. 1550, to A. D. 1557.

Articles prepared for the Council of Trent-Melancthon commences his journey thither-but returns in consequence of Maurice changing his conduct, and declaring war against the Emperor-Peace of Passau-Plague-Withdrawment of the University of Wittemberg to Torgau-Osiander-StancarusPrivate afflictions-Meeting at Naumburg respecting the renewal of the ancient Friendship subsisting between the Houses of Saxony, Brandenburg and Hesse-Transactions relative to Servetus-John Frederic's Release and Death-Death of Maurice -Controversies—Persecutions of Flacius and his Adherents-Melancthon's letters on the subject— Death of Jonas.

In the year 1550, in consequence of the importunate entreaties of the Emperor, Pope Julius III. who had succeeded the departed Paul III. appointed a Council to be held at Trent; and in the Diet of Augsburg all the