Philip Melanethon has been invariably numbered among the irost illustrious instruments of the refor mation ; and was by far the most powerful coadjutor, as well as the warmest personal friend of the Saxon reformer. He was peculiarly qualified to supply the deficiencies, and to correct the errors, of his intrepid associate ; and it would be a difficult task to decide whether the cause of true religion was more indebted to the zealous spirit of me one, or to the persuasive vir tues of the other. Nothing, at least, can be more pleas ing, than to contemplate the high opinion which they entertained of each other, and the uniform steadiness of their mutual friendship amidst all the attempts of their enemies to create a disunion " Though not per lectly agreed, they were per fectly united," says Cox, and never could be induced to regard each other as rivals. "Porneranus is a grammarian," said Melancthon, " I am a logician, and Justus Jonas is an orator ; but Luther is good at every thing, the wonder of mankind ; for whatever he says or writes, it penetrates the heart, and makes a lasting impression." " I am born to be a rough controversialist," said Luther," I clear the ground, pull up weeds, fill up ditches, and smooth the roads. But to build, to plant, to sow, to water, to adorn the country, belongs to Melancthon." Alelancthon's early talents, extensive 'learning, and classical acquirements, have been already noticed ; but his intellectual acuteness in discriminating between truth and sophistry, was not less distinguished than the elegant perspicuity with which he conveyed his senti ments. He possessed an extraordinary memory, which was greatly aided by the regularity of his habits, and the equanimity of his mind; and was not less remark able for the facility with which he could recollect his well arranged stores of information. He spared no time or application in the investigation of every im portant topic ; and, in all his researches or discussions, was actuated by the most undeviating love of tluth. His own intentions were as uptight as his conceptions were clear ; and there was a kind of transparency (as has been well expressed) in the whole stream both of his arguments and his motives. " I will give you an answer to-morrow," he said on one occasion to Eckius, who had made use of some puzzling sophism their disputation. " There is no merit or honour in that," said his antagonist, " if you cannot answer me imme diately." 66 Ali doctor," replied Melancthon, with the greatest composure, " non quzero nteam gloriam hoc in negotio, sed veritatem : eras, volente Deo, me audits." It was his avowed principle to speak what he thought firmly, but modestly ; and to concede what he deemed might be conceded with unambiguous ingenuousness. This was not a spirit likely to please any party in an age of violent contention ; and he was incessantly as sailed and tormented, through the whole of his life, by the bigotry both of friends and enemies. Yet his dis passionate temper, unbiassed candour, and love of peace, were by no means (as has been often advanced) the consequence of scepticism in principle, insensibili ty of feeling, or timidity of spirit. The most fiery zea lot in the cause of the Reformation never pursued its in terests with greater perseverance than he did ; nor did he even temporize in those points, which his penetrat ing mind saw to be essential ; and he would have died (as he often avowed) for what he maintained. He pos sessed also all that acute and excitable feeling, which generally accompanies true genius ; and his anxiety for the success of the great cause which he had embraced with all the ardour of enlightened piety, arose often to the degree of absolute hypochondriasm.
Ills acquisitions of knowledge were made with little exertion ; and his unclouded serenity of mind kept his faculties always fit for service. His bodily Iramt was slender, and his constitution never robust; but his ha bits were regular, and his mode of living strictly tem perate. lie retired to rest at an early hour, and usual ly' rose a little after midnight. lie estimated time as the most precious of all possessions ; and, when he made any appointment, expected it to be kept literal ly to a minute. llis services to general literature
were of the highest order, and he had great influeace in reviving the study of the ancient writers. He lcd the way in classical composition among his country men ; and, though his attempts at versification were far from being successful, he wrute Latin in prose with an ease and purity rarely equalled. Amidst ail the avocations in which he was involved, he employed the greater part of every year in giving lectures to ? pu pils; and, even among the increased infirmities of his last days, he persevered in the labours of his class with an assiduity almost approaching to obstinacy.
But neither his attachment to literature, nor his multi farious engagements in public affairs,could seduce him from the participation of domestic feelings and duties. llis attention to his own family was never relaxed amidst his greatest perplexities, and he was occasionally found by his visitors holding a book in one hand, and rocking his child's cradle with the other. He was fond of the society of children in general, to whom he could render himself at once a captivating and instructive companion, joining cheerfully in their sports. and exer cising his ingenuity in devising amusements suited to their years. He was much inclined at all times to a jocular strain of conversation ; and was so extremely frank in his communications, from the entire purity of his motives, as frequently to expose himself to the arti fices of designing men. He was a pattern of sympathy towards his friends ; and was distinguished at all times by the most disinterested generosity of disposition, which he often carried to a faulty extreme. The vari ous presents of gold and silver coins, or other curiosi ties which he frequently received, he would often give away to the first person who might he induced to ask for them ; and it is said, that, on one occasion, having offered a stranger any particular article in a large col lection which he was showing to him, and the visitant having, with consummate cupidity, expressed a wish for them all, he actually granted the unreasonable re quest, while he could not conceal his displeasure at such an instance of avaricious effrontery. He was equal ly profuse in his daily charities ; and so completely dis interested, as to decline repeatedly proposed adtlitiotts to his salary in the university, as well as to refuse the most lucrative offers of promotion, and proffered pre sents from his princely friends. He was remarkably humble in his whole deportment ; and was often known to perform various menial offices for himself. He was invariably animated by a gentle and peaceful spirit, averse from disputation, almost never known to be ir ritated in the course of debate, and still less to have har boured resentment in consequence of any heat that might have been excited, or hasty expression thrown out. Nor was he. by any means, a tame and feminine character ; but, while "he was apt to sink into a kind of yielding softness under the influence of mild and gt nerous treatment, (io use the words of Mosheim.) if his adversaries so far forgot themselves, as to make use of imperious language and menacing terms, then a spirit of intrepidity, wisdom, and independence, animated all his words and actions, and he looked down with con tempt on the threats of power, the frowns of fortune, and the fear of death." But his passions were all con trolled by the dictates of reason, and especially by the power of fervent yet unobtrusive piety, which was the brightest ornament of his exalted character, and the leading motive of his valuable exertions. The most am ple and most correct edition of his works, is that which was published by his son-in-law, Caspar Peuccr, at Wittemberg, in 1601, in four volumes folio. Sec Mo sheim's Eccles. Hist. vol. iv. ; Melchior Adam Vac Germ. Theolcgorrtm; Seckendorf Hist. Lutheranism; ; Bayle's Critical Dictionary ; Camerarii Vita Melanctho nis ; Cox's Lfle of illelancthon ; Milner's Church His 'ory, vol. iv. and v. (q.)