I know not what this book is, but sure I am, all that is written therein is quite against us." CHAPTER IX. mercy of Providence have been preserved in tran quillity, though many endeavored to stir up war. The preservation of peace was doubtless also a duty incumbent upon a prince so favored of heaven, and his authority, moderation, and zeal, eminently conduced to it, by frequently and forcibly disappointing the designs of ambitious men. It is easy to Smalcald―Unfavorable circumstances announced-The Emperor retracts at Ratisbon and agrees to the suspension of all legal proces ses against the Protestants-Death of the Elector John-Melancthon's Funeral Oration-His Epitaph--Succeeded by John Frede-judge of the extent of the benefit derived from these ric-The Emperor urges on the Pope a general Council-Continuance of the Sacramental Controversy-Melancthon and Bucer confer with the Landgrave-A vain attempt at Leipsic to restore union between contending parties-Francis 1. urges Melanctho to repair to France-Their Correspondence-Entreaties of the Langan family to the same purpose-Bellay goes into Germany and invites Melancthon into France-The Elector interposes to prevent the journey-Henry VIII. invites Melaucthon into England-Their Correspondence-The King of England's eagerness in despatching Messengers to France to prevent Melancthon's continuance there if he were arrived, or otherwise to dissuade him from going-Curious original documents on the subject-A larger Commission sent into Germany-Melancthon's communication with Archbishop Cranmer-State of his health-Takes a journey-Injurious reports circulated-Writes against the Anabaptists -Conferences with Bucer and Capito. 1531 to 1536. exertions, when it is recollected that the cause in Two unfavorable events were announced to the Protestant princes, when they were assembled a second time in the early part of the year 1531, at Smalcald; the one the election of Ferdinand to be king of the Romans, which was considered as an artful proceeding of his brother the Emperor, for the purpose of rendering the imperial crown hereditary in his family, and consequently subversive of the liberties of the empire-the other the commencement of prosecutions against some of their number on account of their religious principles. It was deemed immediately necessary to renew their defensive league, and by means of their ambassadors to implore the protection and support of the Kings of England, France, and Denmark. Providence again interposed to rescue the oppress-is sometimes necessary, the enemy must be opposed, ed. It was not long before the Emperor perceived that it was essential to his political interests, rather to retrace his hasty steps than by pressing on in his persecuting career to involve Germany in a civil war. He found that his peace with France and his friendship with the Pope were both precarious, and that the Turkish army was advancing upon Austria with recruited forces. The malcontent princes were therefore to be conciliated and not coerced, and it was stipulated at Nuremberg, and finally agreed upon at the Diet of Ratisbon, in August, 1532, that upon condition of their rendering the requisite assistance in the war with the Turks, the Emperor would suspend all legal processes against the Protestants on account of religion, use his utmost endeavors to procure the appointment of a general council within six months, to meet within twelve; and that no person should at present, be molested for his religion. At this juncture the Elector JoHN was removed from his useful labors, and exalted station, by an apoplexy. The event occurred on the sixteenth of August, 1532, and though Melancthon and Luther were immediately sent for, they only arrived in time to see him expire. The former delivered a Latin oration at his funeral, in which he thus admirably portrays the character of his prince. "I shall not speak of his noble birth, for which indeed the Dukes of Saxony are sufficiently distinguished, nor of his youthful pursuits, though he might be highly eulogized for modesty and temperance; but confine myself principally to the delineation of his character during the period of his public life since the decease of his illustrious brother Frederic. Amidst a thousand difficulties, the genuine piety of the Elector John, his firmness, moderation, peaceful intentions, and every other virtue which can constitute a good prince, were conspicuous. It is a glorious trophy characteristic of his reign, and demanding our gratitude, that in a most turbulent period, these realms by the interposing and states must be roused to hostile preparations; but it is no less so that the turbulent emotions of the mind should be repressed and restored to reason, and that contention should be prevented by mild and judicious counsels. "What shall I say of his domestic administration, which was replete with clemency and humanity? Tomer represents Ulysses as ruling the Ithacan a good father, and Xenophon, who proposes, rus as a perfect pattern for a prince, says that a good prince resembles a good father and who ever had it in his power to say any thing worse of our departed prince, who was incapable of acting with crue! or pride? To me he appeared to cherish the nost paternal feelings for all his subjects, and 1 nave often noticed the most striking indications of it both in private discourse and in public transactions. "His private life was most unostentatious, free from all disgraceful excess and dissipation, and all the leisure hours he could command at intervals of business were devoted to sacred literature and especially to the study of the Christian religion. To this he gave his principal attention in the latter period of his life, and as I know from indubitable authority he abounded in the exercises of devotion. No one is ignorant of the dangers he incurred through his attachment to evangelical truth; and God eminently honored his exalted virtue, by protecting him through so many years, and liberating him from so many dangers, as he did Hezekiah when blockaded by the Assyrian army in Jerusalem. Now in a period of public tranquillity he is taken away, but happily not unprepared for the change, from miseries which may yet await us and from the agonies of a painful disorder. We may be permitted to grieve for the loss of a prince endowed with such various excellencies, so studious of general peace, and so devotedly kind to his people that he may be denominated their father as wel. as their prince. "In what dangers and misfortunes the state may hereafter be involved I will not pretend to predict, but most humbly implore the supreme Jehovah, while our departed Elector rests in peace, to look upon the family of his subjects, to bestow his mercies on his son and successor, that he may prove our protector amidst impending dangers, and give peace to the state for the advancement of his truth and the glory of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that God is the only sufficient preserver of the stateto him we fly, from him we implore assistance who has promised to hear the supplications of the afflicted. "Let me exhort all present earnestly to unite in this prayer to God, to bless the prince under whose protection we are now placed, that he may preserve the peace of the church, maintain the doctrines of the gospel, and promote every description of useful learning.' Some tributary lines by Melancthon further honor the memory of a name, brighter and more durable than the brass on which it is recorded. Tu quoque, Saxonice, Joannes, inclyte Princeps Vita piæ mentis testis eratque tuæ. Temporibus fulsit quæ rediviva tuis. Nec meriti laus est interitura tui. Hic tua dum Christus meliori corpora sorte Virtuous as FREDERIC, thou illustrious JoHN! 'hou didst the faith of Christ with zeal maintain, Nor dread imperial dictates and decrees; Through all our coasts the truth of heaven proclaim, Whose glory brightens even times like these. No threats could move thee and no fears alarm, Though foes and dangers closely round thee press'd; Christ for thy zeal protected thee from harm, And with tranquillity thy country bless'd. Thy moderation check'd enkindling strife, Á triumph-and the noblest man can gain! A praise, surpassing far the hero's life, And worthy such a prince, so born to reign! In Time's vast record, a distinguish'd page Thou shalt, illustrious JoHN! for ever grace; Thy name shall live through every future age, Nor change nor death th' eternal lines erase. Here in soft slumbers shall thy ashes lie, Till Christ returns his matchless power to prove; While thy immortal spirit mounts the sky T enjoy the heaven of her Redeemer's love. The It may be regarded as a favorable circumstance in the history of the Reformation, that the venerable Elector now deceased, was succeeded by his son JOHN FREDERIC, who was zealously attached to the Protestant cause, and exerted all the energy of his mind and the vigor of his youth to promote it. After the retreat of the Turkish army, to which it had been compelled by the menacing appearance of the Imperial forces, Charles hastened to Italy, for the purpose of procuring a personal interview with the Pope to press the appointment of a general council. The latter, urged by an importunity which he could not resist, adopted the plausible measure of deputing his Nuncio, Hugo Rangonus, bishop of Reggio, to accompany the Emperor's ambassador to the new Elector of Saxony, as head of the Protestants, to confer on the subject of a council which he proposed should be convened at Mantua, Bologna, or Placentia. Elector immediately summoned his principal divines. Melancthon delivered it as his decided conviction "that the Roman Pontiff was practising a piece of dissimulation to cajole them into conditions to which they must not submit-that he made extraordinary concessions to induce them to agree to the decisions of a general convention of his own arrangement, to which for his part he could not agree, because it ought to be a free assembly in which opinions on both sides might be discussed fairly and without restraint-that a deceptive purpose was obvious, and it would be preposterous to consent to a council before they knew what forms of proceeding were to be adopted, or who were to be implicated in its decrees-that the Emperor could not, and the Pope would not actually convene it." In this they all concurred, intimating to the Nuncio, that as the controversy had arisen and was principally conducted in Germany, there the council ought to be assembled. Nothing was effected by this negociation, excepting the Roman Pontiff's purpose of creating delay. Although Zuinglius and Oecolampadius were now dead, the Sacramental controversy did not expire: unquestionably the conciliating spirit of Melanethon, so happily attempering his conscientious integrity, would have reconciled contending parties, had not Luther persisted in the most unwarrantable violence, which is the more to be deplored as he was obviously mistaken. In the latter end of the year 1534, Melancthon was commissioned to go and confer upon the subject with Bucer at Cassel, in the presence of the Landgrave. Bucer, who acted in the name of the ministers of upper Germany, and who exerted himself with indefatigable zeal to effect an union between the Lutherans and Zuinglians, proposed as the basis of an agreement, that "we receive truly and substantially the body and blood of Jesus Christ when we receive the sacramentthat the bread and wine are exhibiting signs, and by receiving them the body and blood of Jesus Christ are given to us and received by us-that the bread and body of Jesus Christ are united, not by a mixture of substance, but as being given with the sacrament." On the report of this statement to Luther, his hostility was somewhat abated though not eradicated, which was the only ascertainable advantage that resulted from the interview. An attempt was made during the same year by Ferdinand, Duke George, and the Elector of Saxony, to allay religious animosities, and to promote concord. The meeting of persons appointed on each side to confer, took place at Leipsic. Vehus, and Christopher Turcus, his chancellor, were the deputies of Ferdinand; Julius Phlug and George Carlovitch, appeared on the part of Duke George; the disinterested piety, indefatigable perseverance and excellent spirit of Melancthon, naturally inMELANCTHON'S REPLY. duced the Elector to associate him with Pontanus" Most Christian and most Potent King! in this new labor. An account of the conference is ALTHOUGH the far-famed kingdom of France still extant in the German language. It is written by Melancthon, and distinguished by the total ab- greatly surpasses every other in the known world in sence of all asperity, and the clear undisguised ticed with peculiar approbation that it has always many other honorable distinctions, this may be nostatement of every transaction. It appears that the excelled the rest of the nations in purity of doeattempt to unite was in vain-the papists adhered trine and perpetual zeal in defence of the Christian to their opinions, and the Saxon deputies would not religion. It has therefore deservedly obtained the relinquish truth. Vehus presented a form of concord, but it distinctly mentioned the errors which title the most glorious, the most magnificent, that appellation of most happy and most Christian, a were most objectionable to the Protestants, especially the doctrine of the meritorious power of the can be conferred. I congratulate your majesty that mass to obtain the remission of sins. Nothing is at this juncture you have undertaken the care of more illustrative of the true character of Melanc-preserving the church, not by the application of violent thon than these transactions. He was willing to of the Most Christian King; and that in the midst remedies, but by rational means, worthy the name approximate as far as possible, by conceding every of the present dissensions you have so studied to point of difference which did not regard what he moderate the violence of opposing parties, that the deemed essential truth; but then he became inflexible. Possessed of the most benignant temper, he genuine unadulterated doctrines of Christianity, the was formed to pacify the world, and inherited the glory of Christ, the true dignity of the ecclesiastiblessedness of the peace-maker. Matthew v. 9. be promoted. Nothing can be imagined more becal constitution, and the tranquillity of the state may Presenting to our view a rare combination of excellencies, a singular and pleasing union of the coming a king than this disposition of mind and Christian and the hero, we behold him firm but not these proceedings. I beseech your majesty to perviolent, modest but not servile, conscientious but not for although public dissension has in some instansevere in this care and concern for your kingdom: punctilious. ces furnished occasion of mischief to violent and Wherever Lutheranism was known, or literature evil-minded ecclesiastics, yet good men have brought admired, the name of Philip Melanethon was fa- forward in the church many things which are es miliar. Francis I. earnestly entreated him to re-sentially conducive to its welfare. Although therepair to France. Maimbourg relates, that Margaret fore a mischievous disposition of mind ought to be queen of Navarre and sister to the king, united with restrained, yet I entreat your majesty not to be inother illustrious females attached to the court, who fluenced by the bitter sentiments or writings of the cherished sentiments favorable to the reformation, calumnious, to suffer good and useful regulations to in requesting that he might be sent for to be con- be abandoned in the churches. For my own part I sulted on the existing religious contentions. The have never been pleased with those intemperate queen frequently spoke of him to her brother as a counsels which have degraded the best and most man of exalted piety, profound learning, and singu- holy order of the church, and which ought ever to lar eloquence. Francis, whose active zeal for the be held in peculiar veneration: and I am well perrevival of literature in France, had acquired him suaded that all good men in your nation, who value the title of the Father of Letters, listened with the truth as I do, cherish this feeling. When I repleasure to these representations, and immediately ceived your royal invitation, God is my witness how adopted measures to procure a visit. Voraus Fossa much I labored immediately to comply with it; for was despatched with a letter from the king, and a nothing would gratify me so much as to be of some command to urge him in his name to repair to his service to the church according to my feeble capacicourt. The letter is preserved. ty, and I indulge the most pleasing anticipations, "FRANCIS, by the grace of God King of France, to and the constant aim to promote the glory of Christ from my knowledge of the piety, the moderation, our beloved Philip Melancthon, greeting: "By means of William Bellaius Langey, our chamberlain and counsellor, to whom the management of ecclesiastical affairs is principally confided, I have for some time known it to be your peculiar study to appease the present disputes in religion; and now I find both from your letters to him, and from the report of Barnabas Voraus Fossa, who is just returned, that this is a very gratifying labor to you. I wish you to come the very first opportunity, and fully confer with some of our most eminent doctors on the reconciliation of opinions, and on other things susceptible of improvement in the government of the church, for which I feel the greatest solicitude and anxiety. However, I will send Voræus Fossa to you immediately with these letters for a safe conduct, imploring you not to be dissuaded by any one from this pious and holy undertaking. Your visit will be most grateful to me, and you are at perfect liberty to come either in a private or public character, and be assured you will find me, as indeed I always have been, most desirous of promoting your glory, reputation, and comfort, both at home and abroad. displayed by your majesty. Voraus can detail the numerous difficulties which have delayed my visit, and which, though they should prevent this journey, cannot detach my mind from a steady purpose of checking by my advice and exertions the existing controversies. Voraus, however, will fully state my views. "Finally, I commit myself to your royal favor, promising constantly to contribute my judgment with that of the pious and learned men of the church for the general good. May Christ preserve your majesty in prosperity and safety, that your government may promote the general happiness of the world and the glory of God. Your majesty's Most devoted servant, PHILIP MELANCTHON. "From Saxony, the fifth day of September, one thousand five hundred and thirty-five." In addition to these very curious documents, a further illustration of the dispositions prevalent at this period in the French court, at least amongst some of its most enlightened ornaments, is afforded by a letter addressed to Melancthon, by Cardinal Bellaius, dated the twenty-seventh of June. After applauding the benevolent wishes, which he knew from Voraus that he entertained for the genera cause of Christianity, the Cardinal proceeds, “I desire nothing more ardently than that the dissensions which have so long agitated the Christian church, may be appeased. Apply the utmost of your power, my dear Melancthon, by the help of God, to promote this general pacification, and you will have the concurrent approbation of all good men, especially of Francis, who, while possessing the supreme authority, is not only the Most Christian King in name and title, but in truth, as I have long had occasion to witness. I hope every thing from your meeting, and the matured advice you will give." The warm attachment of the Cardinal may be imagined from his subscribing himself, Yours, from my very heart, Bellaius." In another letter, written by William Langey, and dated the sixteenth of July, Melancthon is urged by a variety of arguments to visit France. "I have explained," says he, "to my friends who are interested in the common cause, all circumstances, and have given them your letters and those of Bucer, to peruse. I feel myself somewhat implicated in this affair, and should be sorry for any thing to occur dishonorable to you, or injurious to the cause of truth and the glory of Christ. The Cardinal Langey was shown the letters you have received from me previous to their being sent, lest any thing should have been written which he might disapprove or deem contrary to the views of the king." He afterwards alludes to the controversy respecting the place of holding the proposed council, represents the good inclinations of the king, and alludes to a private consultation with Melancthon upon the best and safest means of reforming the state of ecclesiastical affairs. Langey apologizes for the severities which had been inflicted upon some persons for their religious opinions, alleging, what however is not very admissible, that they were only a set of enthusiasts of notorious character, whom Melancthon himself would have been inclined to punish. After urging various other considerations to induce his compliance with the king's request, who, he says, was not only prepossessed in his favor, but naturally acute, prudent and willing to listen to sound argument; he concludes thus, "I exhort you, I conjure you for Christ's sake not to neglect the present occasion of accomplishing a business of all others the most glorious in which mortals can be engaged." The Sorbonne divines probably would not very readily have united in these pressing solicitations, for how could they forget or forgive the satirical pen of Melancthon? And there is reason to suspect that a temporizing policy more than a spirit of sincere inquiry after truth dictated their prince's invitation. Francis had seized the opportunity afforded him by the full employment of the emperor's confederate forces against the Turks, to renew his claims in Italy, and used every effort to excite in the different princes of Europe, a jealousy of his rival's power. But his measures were disconcerted, and from the operation of different causes, he was generally unsuccessful. The invitation he received from the associated Protestant princes at Smalcald, was therefore at this crisis peculiarly welcome, and he was naturally led to use every endeavor to promote his own views by securing their confidence. For this purpose he negotiated and flattered, accommodating himself to their religious prejudices, affecting a wonderful moderation and even a spirit of pious inquiry in matters of controversy. A very curious affair had been transacted at Paris, to which the preceding letter of Langey refers. Some of the Parisians, who had imbibed the principles of Protestantism, posted up hand bills in several of the public places, and on the gates of the Louvre, containing reflections on the doctrines, rites and clergy of the church of Rome. The king being highly incensed at these proceedings, issued a general order against heretics; and appointed a solemn procession. The Holy Ghost was carried through the city, the king walked with his feet bare and his head uncovered, attended by the queen, the princes of the blood, and all his courtiers. Six Lutherans were publicly condemned by the parliament, to be burnt, à decree which was executed with the most shocking barbarity before the procession was finished; and others were sought after with the most eager diligence. For the purpose of explaining these circumstances and securing the Protestant alliance, Bellay was sent to the German princes. He was instructed to assure them "that the persons proscribed and punished, were guilty of seditious practices, that the king wished for an accommodation on the subject of religion, by a meeting of the Parisian and German divines, and that he was particularly desirous of a visit from Philip Melancthon." Cardinal Tournon, however, remonstrated violently against this invitation given to a heretic, and the princes of Germany soon saw reason to question the sincerity of Francis. In fact, it is difficult to reconcile his inconsistencies. He protected or persecuted the Reformers as interest or policy dictated. He allowed the duke of Orleans, his second son, to offer the free exercise of their religion to the Protestants in the dukedom of Luxemburg, and his sister, the queen of Navarre, to promote the reformed cause in her country of Bearn. He courted the Reformers, yet opposed the Reformation-panegyrized them at Smalcald, yet persecuted them at Parisalmost a Lutheran in Germany, and quite a Catholic in France. Francis even permitted Bellay to explain his sentiments to the German princes, on some of the most important subjects of difference, in terms not very dissimilar to those used by the Protestants. Some of Melancthon's friends urged him to accept the king of France's invitation, believing that it might prove a most favorable occasion for promoting the reformed religion in that country, and for checking the progress of the Catholic persecutions: but others were apprehensive that his visit would be attended with considerable personal danger, and advised him to remain in Saxony. Melancthon himself was by no means indisposed to comply with the king's request, supposing that his presence in France was not unlikely to be attended with some advantage to the Reformation. Luther, for similar reasons, was very urgent with the Elector to allow his friend to go, and alleged that the very expectation of seeing Melancthon, had already put a stop to the persecutions in France. The Elector could not, however, be prevailed upon to give his consent. He felt apprehensive of offending the Emperor, and conceived no hopes of promoting any real good to the Reformation by such a permission. Policy of course, dictated a different excuse to Francis, to whom he wrote in a courteous manner, assuring him of his inclination to gratify his wishes, but pleading "the peculiar and distressing aspect of the times, and the unpleasant reflections he should be likely to incur. The Wittemberg academicians, he said, being dispersed by a pestilential disorder and obliged to retire to Jena, he could not possibly at present part with Melancthon. If, however, his services should hereafter be deemed necessary, and the pressure of present difficulties be somewhat alleviated, he would send a more decisive answer to his Majesty and give him permission to visit France. In the mean time he offered his most ready services in promoting the gospel of Christ, together with the temporal and eternal welfare of the king, his government, and the churches of France." reader. 64 Melancthon was extremely chagrined at the Elec-ous, and shall be quoted for the amusement of the tor's interdiction, and it may be justly regretted; for who can doubt that his amiable deportment, elegant taste, nice discrimination, and exemplary candor, might have produced a very favorable impression upon a prince, who if he were after all a religious bigot, was much addicted to literature, and might have been moderated, if not changed by mildness? The Langean family would have been gratified and confirmed in their good inclinations-the queen of Navarre would have hailed his visit, and a thousand secret machines might have been set in motion by his influence. But he was obliged to content himself with sending a small treatise into France, containing his opinion and advice on the best means of settling religious controversies, and which though_never published is inserted in the collections of Pezelius. · Master Secretary, after our most hearty commendations, ye shal understand that having received the letters sent unto you from Sir John Wallop, and shewed the same unto the king's majesty, his plesure thereupon was, that we should dispatch these our letters incontinentely unto you concerning the accomplishment and doing of these things ensueing. "First, his Grace's plesure is, that you shal im mediately upon the receit hereof dispatch Barne in post with Deryk in his company into Germany commanding him to use such diligence in his jour ney, that he may and it be possible, meet with Mlancthon before his arrival in France. And in case he shal so meet with him, not only dissuade his going thither; declaring how extremely the French Early in the spring of this year, Doctor Robert king doth persecute those that wil not grant unto Barnes was sent by Henry VIII., king of England, the bishop of Romes usurped power and jurisdic to consult with the Saxon theologians, on the sub-tion; using in this part al persuasions, reasons and ject of the intended divorce of his queen. Upon means that he can devise to impeach and let his his arrival, most of the professors and scholars said journey thither; saying unto him how much it were removed in consequence of the plague which should be to his shame and reproach to vary and go raged in Wittemberg, to Jena, in Thuringia. Lu- now from that true opinion wherein he hath so long ther, Jonas, Cruciger, and Melancthon, gave him continued: But also on the other side to persuade recommendatory letters to the Elector. He brought him also that he may (be willing) to convert his letters of invitation to Melancthon who was urged said journey hither; shewing him as wel the conby the king to pay a visit to England. Henry of- formity of his opinion and doctrine here, as the nofered him ample security from all molestation, and bility and vertues of the king's majesty, with the even hostages if he required it. Luther was ex- good entertainment which undoubtedly he shal have tremely anxious that he should be allowed to go, for here at his Grace's hands. "who knows," says he, "what God may intend to accomplish, his wisdom is greater than ours, and his will superior." He wished Melancthon's feelings to be consulted, who was deeply disappointed at the Elector's previous refusal of his invitation to France. In his first letter to the king, written in March, hence return in post to the K. H. the said Diryk, of compliments Henry in a very elegant style upon his literary inclinations, and after deploring the wretched state of letters in Germany, through the intemperate violence of religious controversy, he implores him to use every effort to promote them, and to take the persecuted muses under his protec tion. pro "And if percase the said Barnes shal not meet with him before his arrival in France, then the said Barnes, proceeding himself further in his journey toward the princes of Germany shal with al di the certainty of the said Melancthon's coming into France and such other occurrents as he shal then know. And if the said Diryk be not now ready to go with him, the king's plesure is ye shal in his sted appoint and send such one other with the said Barnes as ye shal think meet for that purpose. "Furthermore, the king's plesure is vee shal upand Christopher Mount, in post to repair in20 on the receit hereof immediately cause Mr. Haines France, to Sir John Wallop in as secret a manner as they can, and coming like his friends to vis him and not as sent by the king. And in case they shal by him or otherwise learn and know, that Melanethon is there arrived, then his Grace wol, the the said Haines and Mount, shal, in such sort, as they be not much noted, resort unto him and for the dissuading of his continuance there, or the alterstion of his opinion and the alluring of him hither; to use such reasons and persuasions as be before written, with such other as they can further devise for that purpose. To the which Haines and Mount, the king's plesure is, ye shal deliver like copies of the same Dean's book, (Richard Sampson Dean of the Chapel,) and the Bishops sermons to be shewed unto the said Melancthon, or otherwise used, as may be most expedient for the achyevement of the king's purpose in that behalf. By means of Alexander Aless, a Scotchman, who went into England, Melancthon took the opportunity of presenting a copy of his Commentary on the Romans to the king, who, with a munificence worthy of a distinguished sovereign, immediately presented him with two hundred crowns, and wrote him a letter in which he expresses his high approbation of his extraordinary zeal in defending the Christian religion, and his disposition to assist and promote his good intentions by every means in his power. To this communication, Melancthon_returned an answer in the following month of December. He compliments the king upon his fessed attachment to religious truth, and assures him that these sentiments had afforded himself and others, to whom he had read his letters the greatest satisfaction. In addition to Dr. Barnes' commission, Haynes and Mount had been despatched secretly to Sir John Wallop, ambassador in Paris, for the purpose of dissuading Melancthon from continuing in France, if he had undertaken the journey, and to allure him to England. Sir John Wallop was soon able to alleviate the anxiety of the king of England, "And to make an end, his Grace wol in no wise by assuring him, in a despatch dated the seventeenth that Barnes and Haynes shal tary for any furthet of August, that there was reason to believe Melanc-instruction of the bishop of Canterbury or any other. thon would not visit France. Henry, however, Having his Grace determined to send the same after hastened Mount to him into Germany, with the view by Mr. Almoner and Hethe; but that he Mr. Haynes of superseding the French ambassador's application. and Mount shal with al possible diligence depar So solicitous were two of the most distinguished immediately in post without any lenger tarying monarchs of Europe to cultivate the friendship and than for this their depeche shal be necessary. So to obtain the advice of Philip Melancthon. as their abode impeach not the king's purpose. touching the said Melancthon. And thus fare you The original documents are not a little curi |