The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Philip Melanchthon
P. MELANCTHON
The Life of Philip Melancthon, who dyed Ano Christi 1560.
PHilip Melancthon was born at Bretta in the lower Palatinate, Anno Christi 1497.His birth and education. of honest parents, of a middle rank, by whom he was set to School to learne Grammer of John Hungarus, a learned and honest man; and to learne Greek of George Simler; and afterwards they sent him to Heidleberg at twelve years of age, where he had Logick and Physicks read to him,He goes to Heidleberge. and attaining ability to make a verse, he fell to reading Poetry and History. There also, being very young, be instructed the Sons of Count Leonstein, and Commenced Bachelor of Arts Anno Christi 1511. and of his age fourteen, with generall approbation. After three years study there, the air not agreeing with him, and being denyed his degree of Master of Arts, by reason of his youth, removed to Tubinge, He goes to Tubinge.anno 1512. He alwayes used to carry his Bible about with him, reading often in it both at Church and elsewhere, yet was he carried away with the common errors of the times, of which himselfe saith, I …remble to think with what blind devotion I went to Images, whilst I was a Papist. He pivately at Tubinge taught the Law, and read over very diligently all the books of Gallen, and with Oecolampadius read over Hesiod. His imployments.He stayed in that University four years, where he profited so much in the Arts, Tongues, and Philosophy, that he read publick Lectures in the Schools out of Virgil, Terence, and Tully, and was imployed in overseeing the Presse. He studied the Mathematicks, Law, and Physick, in all which he profited much. There he commenced Master of Arts,Mr. of Arts. Anno Christi 1513. and of his age, Seventeen.
Luther about that time beginning to oppose the Pope. In August 1518.He goes to Wittenberg. Philip Melancthon was sent for from Tubinge by Frederick Duke of Saxony, to the University of Wittenberge, to teach the Greek Tongue. He consulted with …apnio, who advised him to imbrace the invitation, whereupon August 25. he came to Wittenberg. About which time Erasmus wrote thus of him. Philip Melancthon, is a most learned, and exoe Ne…t Greci… he is a youth and stripling, if ye consider his age; but one of us if ye look upon his variety of knowledge, almost in all books. His great learning.He is very exquisite in the learning of both the Tongues. I pray Christ this young man may live long amongst us; he wil quite obscu…e Erasmus. Four dayes after he came to Wittenberg, he made a most earned, and polite Oration in the University, with so much grace as was admirable. He came to Wittenberg when he was but 22 years old: There he began to expound Pauls Epistle to Titus, His Lectures.…ut of Greek, to the great admiration of his hearers, which flock… exceedingly to his Lectures, and …uther also was exceedingly taken with the same, as himself professeth in a Letter to Spalatmus, saying,Luthers Testimony of him. Philippum Graecissimum, eruditissimum, humanissimum habe commendatissimum: auditorium habet refertum auditoribus, imprimis omnes Theologos summos, cum mediis & infimis, studiosos facit Graecitatis. When he first began to teach, he found the precepts of arts either false, or obscure, or out of order, and therefore taking the labour upon him,His great pains. he made learned Systemes almost of all Arts, cutting off what was false, illustrating what was obscure, and rightly placing what was out of order, so that anno 1519. he published his Rhetorick, the year after his Logick, and shortly after his Grammer, with other Arts in order.
Anno 1519: he went with Luther to Lipswich, where he disputed with Eccius, and though Eccius contemned him for his youth,His disputation with Eccius. and called him saccum distinctionum, yet he got himselfe much credit, and gave some experience of his abilities in controversies.
Anno Christi. 1520. he expounded the Epistle to the Romans, which Commentary Luther printed without the privity of Melancthon. The year after, when the Divines of Paris had condemned Luthers Doctrine,He defends Luther. and books, he wrote an Apology for him, against their furious Decree. Anno Christi, 1522.His works. he printed his Common-places; And his Commentaries on both the Epistles to the Corinthians. Anno 1523. he published his Annotations upon Genesis, with some other books. The year after taking Joac. Camerarius along with him, he went to visit his friends, and at his return at the request of the Lantgrave of Hesse, he wrote an Epitome of the Ecclesiasticall Doctrine renewed, and a Treatise of the difference between the righteousnes of the world, and of Christ. He turned into Latine the Proverbs of Solomon, and wrote prefaces to the Psalms and Lamentations. An. 1525. In the wars of the Boorish Anabaptists, he confuted their Articles, whereby they sought to justifie their Rebellion, and in the end of that yeare hee was sent for to Norimberg, to direct the Senate in the erecting of a School. Anno 1527. he was imployed in visiting the Churches in Saxonie. Anno Christi 1529. the Elector of Saxonie took him with him to the Convention at Spire, where by the consent of the Protestant Princes, He drew up a confession of Faith with great pains, and exactnesse, which by them was presented to the Emperor Charls the Fifth. Anno Christi 1534. Henry the eighth, King of England, He is sent for into England.sent to invite him into England with promise of Courteous entertainment, and good preferment, hoping by his meanes to draw the Protestant Princes of Germany into a league with him against the Pope. But Melancthon refused to goe,He refuseth to goe. rendring the reason in a Letter that he wrote to Camerarius, wherin is this passage; Perhaps many things are reported amongst you concerning England, that it lyeth open now for the Religion of the purer Doctrine▪ but I have intelligence from a good hand, that the King hath no great care of the affairs of the Church, onelyonly this good comes of his rejecting the Popes Authority, that for the present no crue…ty is used towards those that are desirous of better Doctrine. Anno Christi 1536. he went abroad to visit, and refresh himselfe with his friends,Gods mercy. where falling off a ladder he hurt his backbone, which put him to great pain, but through Gods mercy he recovered: and the year after he went to the Convention at Smalcald, His great imployments.where (by reason of Luthers sickness) almost the whole burthen lay upon him of managing the business about religion. A while after he went to Hagenaw to meet the Protestant Divines there,Note. and fore-seeing that he should fall into a mortall Disease, he made his will and left it with Cruciger, saying, Viximus in Synodis, A Prediction.& jam m…riemur in illis.
Imploi'd in Synods, living, oft was I:
Now in a Synod I am like to die.
Accordingly in his journey he fell very sick, yet through God's mercy, and the care and skill of the Physician, he recovered againe, his health being much furthered by the earnest praiers of Luther, Power of prayer.and Cruciger. In his disputation with Eccius, Eccius brought a very subtil Argument, which he being not able suddenly to answer, said, Cras tibi respondebo, I'le answer you to morrow; to whom Eccius replyed, That is little for your credit if you cannot answer it presently: Whereupon he said;His humility. Sir, I seek not mine owne glory in this businesse but the Truth. To morrow (God willing) you shall hear further. When the Wars for Religion brake out in Germany, he foresaw in a dream the Captivity of the Elector of Saxonie, and the Lantgrave of Hesse, fifteen daies before they were taken.A prophetical dream. And when Melancthon did justly bewaile those sad times, he was accused to the Emperor as an enemy to his affairs; whereupon the Emperor sent to Maurice the Elector to send him to him, which he refused to do. He was sent also to the Council of Trent, but whilst he stayed at No…inberg for the Publick Faith, the Warre brake out betwixt Maurice of Saxonie, and the Emperour about the Lantgrave of Hesse; whereupon he returned to Wittenberg again: and shortly after the Plague breaking out there, the University was removed to Tergaw: but he said, He feared not that Plague, but a far worse Plague, which threatned the ruine of the common-wealth. Whilst he was with the Palatine at Heidleberg, he had news brought him of the death of his wife, who had lived piously,His wife dieth. and lovingly with him in wedlock 37 years: at the hearing whereof he expressed himself thus, Farewell Kate, I shall follow thee ere long. His patience.He had many contentions with the Popish party both by disputations, and writing: The last Lecture that he read was upon that Text in Isa. Lord, who hath beli…ved our report? He was very carefull before hand to prepare himself for death, having this Distich in his mouth,
Sic ego quotidiè de lecto surgo, precando,
lit mens ad mortem sit duce laeta Deo.
March the 27. before his death he was sent for by the Elector of Saxony to Lipsich for the examination of those which were maintained by the Elector there for the study of Divinity, which examination he had held many years: There he continued in that employment til April 4, at which time he returned to Wittenberg.
April the 8th. his sicknes seised upon him whereof he died.His sicknesse. It was a Feaver, which caused him that he could scarce sleep that night. Hereupon Doctor Peucer, his son-in-law, intended to send for Camerarius, between whom and Melancthon there had been a very strong bond of friendship for the space of 40 years.
Seven daies before he died,A Prodigy. many persons, worthy of credit, betwixt nine and ten a clock at night, saw in the clouds over the Town of Wittenberg, five Rods bound together, after which two vanishing, the other three appeared severed in divers places, the branches of the Rods turning towards the North, the handles towards the South; of which Prodigy when Philip was informed, he said, Herein Gods fatherly punishments are not Swords, but Rods, which parents use to correct their children withall: And I fear a dearth.
The night following he slept pretty well,His deportment in his sicknesse. and waking about three a clock in the morning, he sang sweetly, and rose out of his bed.
April 13. to make an end of his writing which he was to propose on Easter day, he followed his study hard that morning, which was the last thing that he wrote for his publick Reading. On Easter Eve he carried it to the Printing-house, after which he went to Church, and in the afternoon went againe to the Printing-house, to see how the work went forward; which was his last going abroad.
About four a clock that evening he sate upon the staires which went up into his study, leaning upon his elbow; At which time Joachim Camerarius came from Lipsich to visit him, and entering into his house, found him in that posture: They saluted each other wich great familiarity, and about five a clock that evening his Feaver seised on him; so that that night he had a very grievous fit, yet in the morning hee had a little sleep, being April 14. Easter day. After which he rose out of his bed, and though he was scarce able to goe, yet he would have read his Lecture publickly, which his friends disswaded him from, considering his great weaknesse.
April the 15 before dinner, he professed his desire to depart hence, saying, I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ.
April the 16 Camerarius was minded to return home, but as they sate at breakfast together, on a sudden such a weaknesse came upon Melancthon, that he desired to goe to bed, so that Camerarius layed aside his purpose of departure.
April the 17, Camerarius took his leave of him, commending him to God; whereupon Philip said, Jesus Christ the Son of God, that sitteth at the right hand of his Father, and giveth gifts unto men, preserve you, and yours, and us all. This night he was very sick, and in his prayers cryed out, O Lord make amend.
April the 18 his water was very troublesome, and he was much pained with the stone. About eight a clock that morning the Pastors of the Church visited him, to whom he said▪ By the goodnesse of God I have no domesticall grief to disquiet me, although my Nephewes and Neeces stand here before me, whom I love very dearly. Yet this is my comfort, they have godly parents, who take care of them as I have done so long as I was able. But publick matters affect me, especially the troubles of the Church in this evil and sophisticall age: But through Gods goodnesse our Doctrine is sufficiently explained, and confirmed. Then speaking to the eldest daughter of his Son-in-law, Doctor Peucer, he said, I have loved thee, my daughter, see that thou honour thy parents, be dutifull to them, and fear God, and he will never forsake thee: I beseech him to defend thee, and keep thee. About nine a clock he spake to his Son-in-law, who was his Physitian, saying; What think you of my disease? have you any hope? speak plaine. The Physitian answered, God is your life, and the length of your daies, to whom we commend you; but if we look at naturall causes, your disease is dangerous; for your weaknesse is great, and encreaseth every moment. I think the same (quoth he) and an sensible of my weaknesse.
A while after he made them search for some sheets of paper, wherein he had begunne to write his Will, purposing to declare his judgement about all the heads of Religion, and to testifie it to posterity, which was the chief use of Testaments amongst the antient Fathers; but they could not be found, whereupon he beganne to frame it a new, sitting at a table, but through weakness was not able to proceed therein. OnelyOnly he wrote, that he had twice formerly set down a Confession of his Faith, and a thanksgiving to God, and to our Lord Jesus Christ: But (saith he) my papers are intercepted, and therefore I will have my Confession to be my answers concerning the Bavarian Articles against Papists, Anabapists, Flacians, &c.
His minde was sincere and sound to his last gasp, his brain never more firm. Then he conferred with his Son-in-law about the affairs of the University. About six a clock Letters were brought him from his friends at Frankford Mart, concerning the persecution of some godly men in France, whereupon he said,Note. That his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind for his godly friends, and for the miseries of the Church. That night he had very lit…le rest. About two a clock in the morning, he raised himself up in his bed, saying, that God had brought into his minde againe that speech of Paul, If God be for us, who can be against us? After which he returned to his former complaints of the calamities of the Church: Yet (saith he) my hopes are very great, for the Doctrine of our Church is explained. And so he proceeded to earnest prayers and groanings for the Church, and then betook himself to some rest. About eight in the morning in the presence of divers Pastors, and Deacons, he made three Prayers, whereof this was one.
O almighty, eternall, ever-living, and true God, creator of heaven a dearth,His Prayer. together with thy co…t…rnall Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified for us, and raised again, together with thy holy Spirit, &c. Who hast faid, thou de firest not the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and l…ve. As also Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee. I confess unto thee that I am a most miserable sinne… ▪ that I have many sinnes, and have been faulty many waies. But I am sorry with all my heart that I have offended thee. I pray thee for our Lord Jesus Christs sake, who was crucified, and rose again for us, to have pitty upon me, and to forgive all my sinnes, and to justifi… me by and through Jesus Christ thy Sonne, thine eternall Word and Image, whom, by thy unspeakable counsell, and unmeasurable wisdome and goodnesse thou wouldst have to be for us a Sacrifice, Mediator, and Intercesso… ▪ Sanctifie me also by thy holy, lively, and true …pirit that I may truly acknowledge thee, firmly believe in thee, truly obey thee, give thanks unto thee rightly invocate thy name, serve thee, and see thee gracious to all eternity, and the almighty true God▪ creator of heaven and earth, and men, the eternall Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ thy Son, thy eternall Word and Image, and the Holy Ghost the comforter. In thee O Lord have I trusted, let me never be confounded. Thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth. Keep O Lord, and governe our Church, and Common wealths, and this School, and give them wholsom peace, and wholsom goverment. Rule and defend our Princes; nourish thy Church, gather and preserve thy Church in these Countries, and sanctifie it and conjoyne it with thy holy spirit, that it may be one in thee, in the knowledge and invocation of thy Son Jesus Christ, by, and for the sake of this thine eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. After this he rested a while.
Then the Pastors and Deacons by turnes read unto him, Psalme 24, 25, 26. Isa. 53. John 17. Rom. 5. and divers other Psalmes, and Chapters. After which he said, I often thinke upon that saying of St. John, The world received him not, but to those …hat received him, to them he gave power to be made the Sons of God, even them that belieeve in his name. After this he seemed to pray secretly, for a quarter of an hour, yea, for an hoar or two he seemed to doe little other then pray, and being at length asked by his Son in Law, whether he would have any thing? he answered, Nothing but heaven, therefor… trouble me no more with speaking to me. Then the Pastor prayed with him, and the others …ead again, and so about ha…f an hour after six he quietly and peaceably gave up the Gh…st, having lived 63.His death. yeares, 63. dayes: After hee had spent in Preaching and writing 42 years, Anno Christi 1560.
He was buried close by Luther; they having been faithfull and intimate friends in their lives. He took much pains in the Vniversitie of Wittenberg, reading three or four Lectures every day, unto which many resorted.His industry. He was never id…e, but spent all his time in reading, writing, disputing, or giving counsell He neither sought after great titles▪ His humili…y.nor rich…. He could not be perswaded to take the degree of a Doctor saying,His great afflictions. That such honour was a great burden▪ He had many and great enemies who often th…eatned to banish him Germany, of which himselfe writes,… go jam sum hic, Dei beneficio, quadraginta an…os, & nunquam potuidicere, aut certus esse me per unam … mansurum esse. I have through Gods mercy been here the…e fourty years, and yet I could never say, or besure that I should remain here one week to an end. A little before his death, he said, Cupio ex hac vita migrare prop…er duas causas; Why he desired death.primum ut fruar desiderato conspectu filii Dei, & coelestis Ecclesiae: deinde ut liberer ab immanibus, & implacabilibus Theologorum odiis.
Amongst all his writings and disputations, he would never meddle with the controversie about the Sacrament, leaving that to Luther, and being loth publickly to manifest his dissent from him: Yet it is certaine, that as they went to the Colloquie of Ratisbon together anno 1541. he communicated his opinion to Luther, His opinion about the Lords Supper.confirmed by the Testimonies of the ancient Fathers, both Greek and Latine; and when Luther had made some Annotations upon those sentences which contradicted his opinion, Melancthon said, Mr. Dr. I could make the like Annotations, but sure they are not strong enough. After all his great labours in the Church and Vniversity, he carried away the usuall reward of the world, reproof, accusations, injuries, and reproaches.
Anno Christi 1555. a tumult being raised amongst the students, he went forth to perswade them to peace, when one of them ran at him with his drawne sword,He is in great danger. and if God by a speciall providence had not prevented, had slaine him.
The Flacians especially, continually railed upon, and threatned him, whereupon he said, Avide, & tranquillo animo expecto exilia,The Flacians hate him. sicut & ad Principes scripsi, dixerunt adversarii, se perfecturos esse, ut non sim habiturus vestigium, ubi pedem collocare possem in Germania. Utinam hoc cito perficiant, ut filius Dei ad Judam dicit: Erit mihi vel in caelo morienti vestigium: vel si vivam in hoc corpore, apud honestos, & Doctos viros, vel in Germania, vel alibi. At stultitiam inimicorum miror: qui sese Dominos Germaniae esse existimant, & me his minis terreri.
He was somewhat sickly, being sometimes troubled with the Cholick, and hypocondriacall winde. He had a strong braine, without which it had not been possible for him to have gone through so many, and great businesses for so many years together.His Character. In his diet he was content with a little. He was modest in all his life: In his apparel he had respect to his health. He was liberall to all; affable and courteous.
One George Sabine travelling to Italy, and Rome, for the improvement of his learning; a certain Cardinall discoursing with him about Wittenberg, asked him what stipend they allowed to Melancthon? His small means.Sabine answered, Three hundred Florences by the year. Then said the Cardinal, O ungratefull Germany, who makest no more account of the many, and great labours of so eminent a man.
On a time Prince Maurice, Elector of Saxony, asked Melancthon if he wanted any thing for the supplie of his necessities? His contentedness therewith.He told him; No. Then did the Elector bid him Ask what he would, to which he answered, that he had his stipen…, with which he was well content; yet the Elector bid him again, Ask, to which he answered, Since your Excellency will have me to ask something, I crave leave to be dismissed from my place, and imployments. Whereupon the Elector intreated him to continue in them still, wondring at his contentedness with so small means.
When he was first himselfe converted, he thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the Truth in the Ministry of the Gospel: But after he had been a Preacher a while, he complained that Old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon. He is called by one, Phoenix Germaniae, & alter Elizaeus Three difficulties.He used to say that there were three labours very difficult, Regentis, Doc…ntis, Parturientis, of Magistrates, Ministers, and Women in Travel. He made his own Epitaph:
Iste brevis tumulus miseri tenet ossa Philippi:
Qui qualis fuerit nescio, talis erat.
Here lies i… terred in these stones
Much afflicted Philips bones:
For alwayes such … life was her;
I know not what in death heel hee.
Scripsit Melancthon volumina insinita, variis in locis impressa: Cu…us tamen lucubrationes editas usque ad annum 1541. Hervagius excudit Basiliae Tomis quinque, anno Christi 1546. But afterwards there were many more of his works published, the Catalogue whereof you may find in Verheiden.