The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 37
PHILIPPVS MELANTHON.
The Life and Death of Phillip Melancthon …
IN the year of grace 1497. Philippus Melancthon (that vigilant Watchman for the generall good of the Church) was borne at Bretta, a Towne situate in the Lower Palatinate, and onelyonly famous for the birth of so excellent a man. His Parents although they were not endewed with any store of earthly treasures, yet they were rich in grace, both of them being godly, wise, vertuous, grave and honest; his Father attaining to no greater advancement then to be chief Gentleman of Armes unto Philippus and Rupertus, two German Princes.
In his youth he was committed unto the tuition of Iohannes Aungarus, a man excellently qualified, of whom he learned the Latin tongue, and afterwards instructed in the knowledge of the Greek, by Georgius Simlerus, who afterwards became a publicke professor of the Civill Law: concerning whom Melancthon used to speak with great reverence and respect, both for his eminent gifts, and also for that singular care which he had over him, being a child and delivered unto him to be instructed in the knowledg of the …ame tongues.
Being by these two furnished in some measure with the knowledge of those tongues; and being not yet fully twelve yeers old (a sufficient testimony of his future worth) he was sent to the University of Heidelberge, where he studied Poetry, and proved also in short time an excellent Historian, and he being but a child himselfe, he taught the children of the Grave of Lionsten, by which means notice being taken of the excellency of his parts, he was graced in the same University by a generall consent, with the title of Bachilor of Arts: and which is also most remarkable in his youth, here he frequented the Company of those which were observed to be the greatest and best learned men; and especially he used the familiarity of Spangelus a Doctor of Divinity, a man learned, discreet and wise; having continued here for the space of three yeers, he went unto Tubinga in the yeer 1512. where he became an Auditor unto Brafficanus and Bebelius, the lavrell Poets of those parts; and also unto Iohannes Stoflerus an excellent Mathematician and professor of those Arts in that Academie: and also Franciscus Stadianus, then Logick Lecturer, all of them being famous for their excellent endowments; and for the bettering of his understanding in Divinity, and increased of his knowledge therein, he repaired unto Doctor Lempus esteemed the soundest and most judicius in that place, concerning whom he used to say, that he would paint that horrid Monster of Transubstantiation on a table, and present it publickly unto his Auditors, and that he could not but much admire and wonder at the insulsitie and blockishnesse of the man; here he was also an Auditor unto his Master Simlerus professing the civill Law, wherein he came unto sound knowledge, as is made apparent by his writings, and having attained unto a singular perfection in the Arts and Tongus, he was in this University advanced unto the degree of Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in the yeer 1513. and in the seventeenth yeer of his age: after this dignity conferred on him, he remained four yeers in the Academie, where he commented on Virgil and Ter…nce, read the Rhetorick & History Lecture with singular judgment, & with the great approbation and applause of his Auditors. About this time there being great tumults raised in Saxonie concerning religion, grounded on the doctrine taught by Luther, he was called by the Duke of Saxonie (God so disposing by his providence) unto Wittenberge, in the yeer 1518. and in the 22. yeer of his age, and in the tenth yeer of Luthers residence in the same place, to be a faithfull assistant unto him for the advancing of the Gospell; and in this may that City justly glory, that it hath been blessed with the labours of these two undaunted Champions, who…e actions can hardly be parraleld by any living either in the auncient or in these moderne times.
At his departure from Tubinga, his Master Simlerus said that his going away was to be much lamented of the whole City, and forthwith added, Quotquot ibi essent docti homines, non esse tam doctos ut intelligerent, quanta esse… doctrina ejus, qui inde evocatus discedecet: that amongst all the learned men in the City, non… could be found guilty of so much learning as to judge truely of that worth which was to be found in that man.
Presently after his comming unto Wittemberge, he publikely began to read his Lctures, where Luther being present he received an excellent approbation from him, concerning his sufficiency & so he proceeded in opening the Scriptures, to the great benefit and instruction of his Auditors.
In the yeer 1519. he was present at the disputation betwxt Luther and Eccius, at Leipsich where sometimes he uttered his opinion amongst them concerning the points in contraversie; Eccius not well brooking his forwardnesse cryes out unto Luther, Amove a te istam saccum disti…ctionum; remove from thee that budget of distinctions, and after a scornfull manner stiled him the Grammarian.
In the year 1520. he expounded the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans at Wittemberge; which worke of his was so well approved by Luther, that he caused it to be Printed for the generall benefit of the Church: and in his Preface to the same Booke, he useth these words unto Melancthon, Ego, quod impii Thomistae suo Thomae mendaciter arrogant, (viz.) neminem scripsissi melius in sanctum Paulum, tibi vere tribuo: What the Thomists unjustly ascribed unto their Thomas (viz.) that none set forth a sounder Comentary on Paul; I attribute it justly unto thee. And in the year following, having intelligence that the Divines of Pa…is had condemned the Bookes and Doctrine of Luther, he opposed by writing their heady Decree, affirming his Doctrin to be sound and Orthodox.
In the year 1527. he was appointed by the Duke of Saxonie to visit all the Churches within his Dukedome; in the performance whereof he wanted neither painfull labour nor envious backbiting. And finding in them many disorders and corruptions, he prescribed unto them a forme written in the German tongue, which he willed them to embrace and to make use of in their Churches. This action of his caused great contention and strife in the Countrey, which by the wisdome and vertue of the same Duke was speedily quieted and taken away.
In the year 1529. an assembly of Divines was appointed at Spire, where the Duke of Saxonie was present with Phillip Melancthon; who espying his Mother, went unto her, and being demanded by her, What she should beleeve amongst so many different opinions and controversies; he answered that Pergeret hoc credere quod credidisset, nec pateretur se turbari conflectibus disputationum. That she should beleeve what she had hitherto beleeved; and withall, willed her not to …ay to heart, nor to be disquieted with those Scholasticke combats.
The Church being about this time in a troublesome state, and so continuing for a season; it pleased the Pope to promise the calling of a generall Councill, for the extirpating of these differences out of the Church, and for the establishing of an Uniforme manner of Doctrine and Discipline: but his intent was onelyonly to make triall how Melancthon stood affected; for when his Legates requested of him to promise them that he would subscribe to all the Decrees of the Synod then shortly to be called; he denyed their unjust request, and withall telling them, In concillo & accusationes, & defensiones, & sententias liberas esse ô portêre, & in ep…um de even…u pacisci antiquam cognitio sit suscripta. That in a generall Councill all occasions, defendings, opinions and judgements ought to be free; and that it was a tying voyd of sence and reason, to yeeld a subscription unto those things which as yet he did neither know nor understand. And so remaining unmoveable in this resolution, there was no generall Councill called, because it lay not in the power of the Emperour to command it, and because the Pope was unwilling to exercise his authority in that kinde, least the event should have proved fatall unto the Apostolicall See. About this time Comets were seen in the ayre for the space of three whole yeeres; concerning which Melancthon wrote many learned observations unto his friends.
In the yeer 1535. the fame of Melancthon came into the Kingdome of England and France; wherefore he was sent for by Henry the eight, and invited by the King of France, to settle a Reformation in their Churches; but he went unto neither of them, in regard the Duke of Saxonie would not consent thereunto.
In the year 1539. there was an Assembly of the Protestant Princes at Francfort ad Menum, concerning a Reformation, and Melancthon was commanded to make his personall appearance; but being fearfull least any should offer violence unto his person, he there published a worke, intituled De Defensione Legitima.
In the year 1541. an Assembly was appointed at Wormes, where there happened a sharpe Disputation betwixt Melancthon and Eccius touching Originall, sinne but by the Commandement of the Emperour, it was forthwith dissolved, and both of them appointed to meet at Reinspurge, where it fell out that Eccius in his disputation propounded a Sophisticall argument, at the which Melancthon pausing a little space for the better untwisting of it, said unto Eccius, that the next day he would give him an answer, whereupon Eccius presently replyed, that it would be imputed as a great disgrace unto him, to require so long a time, unto which he presently answered. Mi Doctor non quaero meam gloriam hoc in negotio sed veritatem: Sir, I seeke not my owne praise in this businesse, but the truth; within short time the Emperour, came to Reispurge, appointed certaine learned Persons on both sides for continuation of the conference; of whom in the life of Bucer, &c. this Conference gave no satisfaction, neither unto Eccius nor unto the Bishops there present, nor unto William Duke of Bavaria; and therefore the whol businesse was referred unto the judgement of a generall Councill, and peace was injoyned unto both parties by the strict command of the Emperour, together with a hope declared as touching the Reformation of the Churches. In which Conference Mlancthon objected that axiome against the Papists, Christus adest non propter panem, sed prop…er hominem. Christ is present in the Sacrament, not by reason of the bread, but by reason of the receiver. Which when Luther heard, he joyfully uttered these words, M…c…e Philippe tu eripuisti Pontificiis, quod ego non ausus fuissem: all happinesse attend thee Phil…ip, for thou hast overthrown the Papists in that Point, which I dared not to attempt. And wi…h that sentence Eccius was so confuted, that he had not a word to speake; yet at the last in a great rage, he told Melancthon that he would dispute with him ad ignem usque, even unto the very flames: but the night following he drinking somthing beyond measure, in regard of the predominancy of his chollar, he fell into an Ague, wherewith in few dayes he dyed.
Againe in the yeer 1545. Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine successour unto Lodowick, greatly desiring a Reformation in the Churches; he was informed by Melancthon, that Ecclesiasticall government did consist
1. In the soundnesse and puritie of Doctrine. 2. In the lawfull use of the Sacraments. 3. In a conservation of the Minister of the Gospell, and in obedience towards the Pastors of the Churches. 4. In the preservation of an honest and godly Discipline, which was to be upheld by an Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction. 5. In the upholding of Schooles. 6. In supplying such persons as are imployed in weightie matters with sufficient necessaries.
Which points he caused to be dispersed amongst the Churches, but they wrought little or no Reformation: the yeer following Germanie was oppressed with civill Warres; which when it was greatly lamented by Melancthon, some out of malice misinterpreting his words, accused him unto the Emperour, as one who laboured to hinder his proceedings in the Reformation of Religion; for which cause the Emperour intended his death, but he was defended and delivered by the intreaty of Mauritius the Prince Elector, who possessed the Emperour with a contrary opinion. Not long after it happened that there were great preparations for the Councill of Trent, and safe going and returning; being concluded on, Melancthon was sent with the Letters of the foresaid Mauritius, and taking Norimberge in his way, he was commanded to stay there untill he received an answer concerning that faith which was generally to be embraced of all the Churches.
During his aboad at Noremberge he heard the newes of the Expedition of Mauritius against the Emperor, in regard of the Lantgrave of Hassia who was detained captive. Wherefore Melancthon lef… Noremburge & returned again to Wittemberge. Many are of opinion that if he had been present at the said Councill, and had been suffred to declare his mind freely amongst them, he would have redified many of their judgements concerning matters of religion.
Being come unto Wittenberge he constantly went forward in his exercise of teaching, and preaching the word of God untill he fell into an irrecoverable disease, whereby his vitall spirits grew so feeble that he was made unfit for the performance of his pastorall office, and weaknesse increasing every day more and more upon him, he was constrained at the last to yeeld unto death; and in the midst of many heavenly prayers he surrendred his soul unto him that gave it, in the yeer of our Lord 1560. in the 63. yeere of hi… age, and after that he had preached the space of 42. yeeres unto the inhabitants of Wettemberge. Where he was buried with great sorrow and lamentation, being laid side by side with Luther.
For his excellent gifts he was not onelyonly reverenced by Protestant Divines then living, but he also gained a singular approbation of such as were his professed enemies.
He was of a meane stature not exceeding the common sort of men, his forehead smooth and high, his haire thin, his neck long, his eyes beautifull and peircing, he was broad breasted, and in generall there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all the parts of his body; in his youth he stammered something in his speech, but reaching un…o a maturity of age, he so corrected that infirmity that it gave no offence unto his Auditors; the learned treatises which he left unto the Church (whose reformation both in doctrine and discipline, he greatly laboured for in his life) are here inserted.
Tome 1.
1. Commentaries on Genesis. 2. Explications on some Psalms. 3. VponUpon the Proverbs.
Annotations on
4. Matthew. 5. Iohn. 6. 1 Corinthians. 7. An Apologie for Luther against the Paritians. 8. Anabaptistists. 9. Sentences of Fathers. 10. Of the qualification of Princes. 11. Of the tree of consanguinity.
Tome 2.
1. A Comment on Paul to the Romans. 2. School-notes on the Colossians. 3. Common places of Divinity.
Tome 3.
1. A confession of Faith. 2. A Catechisme. 3. A method of Preaching. 4. Theologicall Disputations. 5. Of Vowes. 6. Of the doctrine of the reformed Church. 7. An Epistle to John Earle of Widae.
Tome 4.
1. Philosophicall workes. 2. Commentaries on Aristot. Ethicks. 3. Politicks. 4. An Epitome of Morall Phylosophy.
Tome 5.
1. A Latin Grammer. 2. A Greeke gram. 3. Logicke. 4. Rhetoricke. 5. Enarrations on Hesiods workes. 6. Arithmaticke. 7. Epigrams. These were printed by Hervagius; but there are divers others set forth by Christopher Pezelius,
As 1. An admonition to those that read the Alcaron. 2. A defence for the marriage of Priests. 3. Commentaries on Daniel. 4. A discourse on the Nicene Creed. 5. Luthers Life and Death. 6. School…-notes on Cicero his Epistles. 7. Translations of Demosthenes and Plutarch. 8. Greeke and Latine Epigrams. 9. Two Tomes of Epistles. 10. Carion his Cronologie …nlarged.
Would thy ingenious Fancy soare and flye
Beyond the pitch of moderne Poesye;
Or wouldest thou learne to charme the conquerd eare
With Reth'riks oyly Magik? wouldest thou heare…
The Majesty of language? wouldest thou pry
Into the Bowels of Philosophy,
Morall, or Naturall? Or wouldest thou sound
The holy depth, and touch the unfathom'd ground
Of deepe Theology? Nay, wouldest thou need
The Sisteme of all excellence, and feed
Thy empty soule with learning's full perfection:
Goe search Melancthons Tomes, by whose direction
Thou shalt be led to Fame, if his rare story
Can make thee emulous of so great a glory.