with which the Reformers maintained their principles. It respected the rule of judgment in religious concerns. This the Papists strenuously affirmed to be the universal consent or custom of the church; and with no less ardor Melancthon and his coadjutors insisted that the only legitimate and authoritative rule was THE SACRED SCRIPTURE. Let it never be forgotten, by a grateful posterity, that however they might differ on some other points, among themselves, and however widely present or future generations may differ from them in topics, either maintained by some of them individually, or perhaps all of them collectively, they are to be applauded and venerated for holding with the most tenacious grasp of mind, and asserting with the utmost resolution of spirit, in defiance of a persecuting world, this noble principle-this anchora sacra of the Reformation, that THE ONLY AUTHORITY TO WHICH HUMAN REASON OUGHT IMPLICITLY TO SUBMIT, IN RELIGIOUS CONCERNS, IS THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD!

From the conference at Worms, during a temporary suspension of the business, the Elector Palatine sent for Melancthon to Heidelberg, for the purpose of adjusting some literary arrangements-the Augustinian convent, having been converted into an academy. In this affair he was assisted by Micyllus, and other eminent scholars. The pleasure he felt in meeting his brother George at Heidelberg, and in the affectionate attentions of his celebrated

his academical station, and in the composition of useful works. His opponents would not allow him to retire from controversial writing, and in 1558, he replied to the accusations of Staphylus and Avius, two of the zealots of Rome.

In the same year he issued the first part of his CHRONICON, which is published complete in the fifth volume of his works by Peucer. It consists of more than seventy pages in folio, containing the great events of general history from the creation of the world, to the period of the Reformation. Like all his other compositions, it displays a great extent of reading, a remarkable capacity for judicious selection, and a disposition to use up the rich materials with which his mind was stored, in the erection of a structure, adapted both to gratify and to benefit posterity. The Chronicon was written principally as its author states for the youth in the universities; "I wish," says he, modestly, "I possessed more time and capacity, to finish up these historical narratives, but I hope that others will be stimulated by this example, to execute other more copious and better compositions."

Many writers have erroneously attributed to Melancthon, a Greek version of the Augsburg confession, transmitted in the course of the following year, under the name of Paul Dolscius, to the patriarch of Constantinople. His own words in a letter to Bordingus, sufficiently evince the mistake

of this sad duty till the day after his arrival, when they walked together in the prince's garden; but instead of manifesting any extraordinary emotion, Melancthon, on receiving the intelligence, spoke like a man who was weaned in a great degree from the world, uttering a kind of tender farewell to his beloved Catharine, and adding "that he expected very soon to follow her." He pursued a solemn and pious strain of conversation, expressing his prophetic anticipations of the future troubles that awaited Saxony. So firmly convinced was he of the reality of his apprehensions, and so deeply affected at the dark prospect of future calamitous years, that his domestic misfortune seemed utterly absorbed in the greater importance of public affairs. The last act of conjugal tenderness, which closed the long union of thirty-seven years, was the composition of the few following lines, to adorn the tombstone of his deceased wife:

Proximus hic tumulus Catharinæ contegit ossa
Quæ Crappo quondam consule nata fuit
Conjugio casto fuerat quæ nupta Philippo
Ex scriptis cujus nomina nota manent.
Virtutes habuit donatas numine Christi
Matronæ Paulus quas docet esse decus.
Hic absente viro sepelivit filia corpus

Vivit, conspectu mens fruiturque Dei.

Deposited beneath this hallow'd earth
Lies CATHARINE'S dust, of CRAPPIN'S house by

birth;

fo PHILIP join'd by wedlock's sacred name-
Philip-whose writings will prolong their fame.
Virtues which Christ bestow'd adorn'd her life,
And such as Paul affirms become a wife.
Her Philip absent, mourn'd the chast'ning rod-
By filial tenderness beneath this clod

Her BODY 's plac'd; her soul is fled to God!

Melancthon survived his beloved partner only about two years and six months, a period which he

and have sent it to Constantinople by a man of learning, a dean of that city, who has been our guest during the whole summer. He relates that there were heretofore many churches in Asia, in Thrace and the neighboring countries, but they have been gradually diminished by oppression and bondage." During the same year, he composed his reply to a decree of the Abbot of Wurtemberg, and to some papistical scurrilities of which he grievously complains; he wrote also his judgment upon the controversy respecting the Lord's Supper, to Frederic III. Elector Palatine, which was afterwards published; and finished some other minor compositions. During these transactions his earthly ties were gradually dissolving. Year after year robbed him of his dearest friends, thus rendering the world less desirable, and heaven more attractive. On these occasions he usually expressed himself in a pious and elevated strain. For instance, "Let us congratulate Vitus, now removed to the delightful society of the heavenly church; and be stimulated by his example to prepare for the same journey." In addition to his domestic and other bereavements he lost Micyllus, Justus Menius, and John Bugenhagen Pomeranus. The latter, was one of the most remarkable men of the age, and may be justly ranked with Luther and Melancthon, with whom he cherished a long and close friendship, and to whom he was in many respects little inferior. Originally he was a schoolmaster at Treptow, in Pomerania, and when he first saw the "Babylonish Captivity" by Luther, exclaimed, "the author of this book is the most pestilent heretic that ever infested the church of Christ;" but after examining it more seriously, and with an inquisitive mind, it wrought so entire a change of sentiment, that he said "the whole world is blind and this man alone sees the truth." When he was chosen to be minister of the great church at Wittemberg, he not only did not aim at this elevation, but was almost dragged by force out of his obscurity to possess it, and assiduously devoted himself to the duties of this eminent station, during thirty-six years. He expired in peace on the twentieth of April, 1558, at the advanced age of seventy-three.

It is some satisfaction to find that such a man as Philip Melancthon, was not destined to spend the latter years of his life, in a state of inanimate decrepitude and half-conscious being. The flame of his genius and piety burnt with a bright and steady lustre to the last; the noon of fame seemed to shed its undeparted glories upon the evening of his earthly existence! How many have lived only to be pitied or despised, the wreck of their former selves, alike incapable of receiving or imparting either pleasure or benefit! Decays of body and infirmities of mind, have worm-eaten a fabric built of the finest materials, and once presenting to the gratified observer, a happy combination of elegance and utility. But in the present instance every thing excites surprise and veneration. A perfect maturity of the faculties and a singular capability of exertion, are apparent to the very end of his days. Pulchrorum etiam autumnus pulcher est. It is impossible to read some of his last letters without emotion. They breathe an exalted piety, a spirit of sympathy with the sorrows of others, and a state of preparation for that mighty change he was soon to experience. Such is his letter to Everard Roggius.

DEAREST BROTHER-"I am a father, and not insensible or destitute of natural affection, but deeply sympathize in the calamities which befall sons and daughters. I cannot, therefore, but believe that you are painfully affected with yours; for the strongest mutual affection is implanted in the human breast between parents and children. I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ may assuage your griefs, alleviate your adversities, and preserve both you and your family. Resort to those divine sources of knowledge which are bestowed upon us, to administer consolation in trouble. God designs indeed that his church should suffer the cross, but he would not have us be overwhelmed with grief, but rather stimulated by afflictions, to call upon his name, to acquiesce, to rejoice in his dispensations. You remember the language of the prophet Isaiah, whose words are expressively rendered in the Septuagint En thlipsei mikra e paideia son emin. It is said to be a little or short affliction, because all the joys and

sorrows of the present life are hastening to a termination. Let us then contemplate, and be constantly preparing for the everlasting society of the blessed God! Farewell, the sixteenth of October, the day on which, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one years ago Demosthenes died, whom one cannot but lament for having consumed such a vigor of genius in such a useless manner, and as being skeuos orges, a vessel of wrath. Let us be grateful to God who has called us to nobler pur

suits, and implore his Son so to rule and guide us that we may be skeue elous, vessels of mercy.

"From your brother, now an old man, and not far from his climacteric year 63,

"PHILIP MELANCTHON."

His last letter, chiefly because it is the last he wrote, we have thought proper to translate. It is

addressed to John Aurifaber.

"REVEREND SIR AND DEAREST BROTHER-Although I heard that you were in the principality of Breslau, where I indulge the hope of enjoying some intercourse with those learned and pious men Crato, Adam, Peter Vincentius and Moreburgius, yet I write these few lines, though I am in excruciating pain from an intermitting fever, originating in a catarrh, which has troubled me for upwards of three years. You will pardon, therefore, the brevity of my letter. Feeling myself dying, I have commended your doctrine to the illustrious prince, and have written concerning the genuine and holy union of the principal churches. I commend also

this doctrine to you, and implore you to receive David Voyt with kindness. I trust he will not disagree with you in opinion. Let me entreat you, if I live, to write me soon. Farewell, I return you my thanks for every kind office, and in particular for your assistance in the case of Sickius and Daucis.

"Philip Melancthon will soon be no more!" About the same time he wrote down in two columns on a piece of paper, the reasons why it is desirable to leave the world. One of these columns contained the blessings which death would procure; namely, first, that you will come to the light-secondly, that you will see God-thirdly, that you will contemplate the Son of God-fourthly, that you will understand those admirable mysteries which you could not comprehend in the present life-fifthly, that you will know why we are created such as we are sixthly, that you will comprehend the union of the two natures in Jesus Christ. The second column assigned two reasons for not regretting a departure from the world-first, because you will sin no more--secondly, because you will no longer be exposed to the vexations of controversy, and the rage of theologians. The following is an exact copy.

Sic ego quotidie de lecto surgo precando
Ut mens ad mortem sit duce isæta Deo.

The last journey he performed was to Leipsic, on the sixth of April, for the purpose of attending the annual examination of the students of divinity, who were supported by the munificence of the Elector; from which service he returned on the ninth. Although the season was inclement, he peared to feel no inconvenience on his way thither,

but while there he was suddenly seized during dinner with the windy cholic and diarrhea, but the symptoms quickly disappeared. Upon his return he complained of the severity of the north wind, and the cold humidity of the atmosphere, which, he said, he. had not felt so much during the whole winter: and the motion of the carriage had made him painfully sensible of the calculus which had been forming in his kidneys during several years. The night of the seventh of April was the first in which his last fatal disorder manifested itself. He was restless

* The interesting little volume referred to was published in the name of all the professors, and is entitled "BREVIS NARRATIO exponens quo fine vitam in terris suam clauserit Rev. Vir D. Philippus Melancthon, una cum præcedentium proxime dierum et totius morbi quo confectus est brevi descriptione, conscripta a PROFESSORIBUS ACADEMIE WITTEBERGENSIS, qui omnibus quæ exponuntur interfuerunt.

from want of sleep, and became afflicted by a considerable and general debility. His cough was extremely troublesome, and the fever which eventually terminated his days, began to attack him.

About six o'clock in the morning, his son-in-law, Dr. Peucer, came to see him, and immediately intimated the great alarm he felt at the situation of his father. It was determined instantly to send the melancholy information of his danger to the friend of his heart, Joachim Camerarius, with whom he had lived in the closest friendship for upwards of forty years.

After this he wrote several letters, and used the medical remedies which his son-in-law prescribed. Having been some time silent, he at length exclaimed, "If such be the will of God, I can willingly die, and I beseech him to grant me a joyful dismission;" alluding to the song of Simeon, "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." He dwelt upon the word peace, and prayed for such a removal.

At nine, the usual hour for the commencement of his public duties in the academy, he rose from his seat, and began to prepare for going down to deliver a lecture on logic, which exercise he thought he could endure for half an hour, if he afterwards used the bath; and he felt unwilling to desist from his public labors. When he was about to set his foot upon a little stool, which he was accustomed to make use of when he washed his hands, his weakness was such that he almost fell upon his knees by the effort, which occasioning some bustle-"Ah,” said he, "my lamp is almost out." Some of his friends thought it would be expedient to prevent the attendance of the students, by issuing private orders to them not to fill up their places, in order that when Melancthon went to lecture, he might be induced to return, and relinquish the idea of persevering; but he appeared so anxious that it was believed this proceeding would be likely to produce a worse effect, by agitating his mind, than the exertion itself; he was therefore allowed on this and some following days to attend in his place.

The lecture which he delivered, was upon a sentence of Gregory Nazianzen, and upon a passage of Isaiah; but his weakness rendered it impossible for him to occupy more than a quarter of an hour. Upon his return home he went into the warm bath, and after taking his dinner slept very soundly for three hours, and was so revived that a hope was entertained of his recovery. He employed himself before supper in writing, but his debility afterwards returning, the pleasing hopes that had been cherish ed were annihilated.

He did not yet desist from any of his usual employments, and after this period continued to dictate in the second part of his Chronicon.

On the tenth of April, he appeared to be totally free from his former disease, but was attacked by a semitertian fever or ague. A quantity of bile being soon expelled from his stomach by the use of medicine, he seemed relieved. Though it was of considerable importance that he should be kept quiet, yet such was his ardor, that having discovered that the Senate of the University was convened at the hour of twelve, he could not be dissuaded from attending what he believed to be his public duty. As several disputes arose, he spoke with great zeal on each subject, for the purpose of promoting peace

and reconciliation.

a Church might exist in the world. II. That it might be distinguished by its unity and concord. III. That his people might be heirs of that salvation and eternal life which belongs to the heavenly church. A few days previous to this, he had entreated his hearers to remember after his decease some passage or passages to which he particularly directed their attention in this last prayer; and after repeating the above division, he said impressively, "I am a dying man, and these are the three subjects for intercession with God which I leave to my children and their little ones that they may form a part of his church, and worship him aright -that they may be one in him, and live in harmony with each other and that they may be fellow-heirs of eternal life!"

On the twelfth of April, 1560, he delivered his final lecture on the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Isaiah liii. 1. On the same day he wrote the following lines, which are obviously but the commencement of a hymn which his weakness rendered him incapable of finishing.

Æterno genitore nate Christe
Orator patris ex sinu verendi
Vocem Evangelii ferens suavem
Qua credentibus exhibes potenter
Vitanı justiciamque sempiternam
Et qui sanguine nos tuo redemptos
Exaudis, reputas facisque justos
Ostendisque piis tuum parentem
Nostras Christe semper doceto mentes
Ac in pectora gratiæ arrabonem
Nostra effundito Spiritum moventem
Casta incendia et invocationem:
Fac pars agminis ut tui per omne
Ævum sinus, alacriterque semper
Æterni Patris et tuas sonemus
Laudes

The worthy professors of Wittemberg relate with great seriousness, that between nine and ten the same night several persons of credibility afirmed, that they saw in the air some remarkable appearances of rods and scourges; upon which Melancthon, who is known to have been addicted to superstitious apprehensions, and to have been deeply impressed with the expectation of approaching calamities to his country, remarked, "That they were evidently ominous of impending punishments; but as it was rods, such as those with which parents correct their children, and not swords they saw, they might expect paternal chastisements, and not those destructive ones which were inflicted upon enemies."

During the night he enjoyed a comfortable repose, and was heard to chaunt in his sleep, in the manner in which the same words were usually repeated in public, "With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer." Luke xxii. 15. He rose at three in the morning, and applied himself to complete his Chronicon. But from this period he rapidly declined; still anxious however to persevere to the last in the assiduous dis charge of his academical duties, two days afterwards, on the fourteenth of the same month, he would have attempted to deliver another public lec ture, had he not been prevented by the urgent persuasions of his friend Camerarius, who come from Leipsic to pay him all the attention which affectionate friendship could dictate.

He even put on his Professor's gown, and would have crept to the lecture-room to have delivered a son-in-law that the students were not assembled, he desisted from his purpose. The fact was, after having crowded to hear him, they were dispersed by a proclamation which his friends, unknown to himself, had affixed to the door, stating his incapacity to attend.

His mind was in a very cheerful state, and he often betrayed his characteristic humor. He spoke of death with composure, and of his friend Pomeranus, who had died about two years before. He said that he dreaded nothing so much as becoming a useless cumberer of the ground, and prayed that if his life were protracted, he might be serviceable to the youth under his care, and to the church of Jesus Christ.

On the fifteenth he conversed much with Camerarius on the language of Paul, which he appropriated; "I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ." He criticised upon the Greek terms, which, he said, ought to be rendered, "Having a desire to remove, pass on, or set about proceeding in the journey:" that is, to go from this life of toil and wretchedness to the blessed rest of heaven.

When Camerarius thought of taking a final leave of him on the sixteenth, he said, "My dear Doctor Joachim, we have been joined in the bond of friendship forty years, a friendship mutually sincere and affectionate. We have been helpers of each other with disinterested kindness in our respective stations and employments as teachers of youth, and I trust our labors have been useful; and though it be the will of God that I die, our friendship shall be perpetuated and cultivated in another world."

Camerarius, however, determined to remain a little longer with his departing friend, and accordingly disregarded, during this interesting interval, the claims both of his public and private affairs. Melancthon continued to manifest great cheerfulness, but if it were at any time disturbed, his distress appeared to arise rather from the sympathy he felt with the suffering church, whenever its trials were reported to him, than from even the acute paroxysms of his disease. His friends had conversed with him on this subject during the evening repast, but he afterwards enjoyed a calm night. In his sleep, he said, he had dreamt the words of Paul, which were forcibly impressed upon his mind, and afforded him much consolation, "If God be for us, who can be against us."

Early in the morning of the seventeenth, Camerarius took his final leave. Melancthon had finished some letters to the Duke of Prussia, and to several friends, which he had been preparing during the whole of his illness, and expressed his intention of writing more but for the interdiction of his physician. When Camerarius bid him farewell-with a last and affectionate benediction, he replied, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who sitteth at the right hand of the Father, and giveth gifts to men, preserve you and yours and all of us!"

Soon afterwards, having received information that the Roman Pontiff was meditating a general Council, he said he would rather die than attend it, for it was easy to foresee both the dissensions it would occasion, and the inntility of its meeting. Feeling the pressure of increasing pain, and infirmity, he said, "O Lord, make an end."

On the eighteenth his bed was removed, by his own desire, into the library, which he had continually frequented during his illness, upon which occasion, he said with great cheerfulness, as he was placed upon it, "This may be called, I think, my travelling couch-if, (alluding to the criticism before mentioned,) I should remove in it." While several friends were standing about his bed, he said, "By the blessing of God I have now no particular domestic anxieties, for with respect to my grandchildren, whom I ten

derly love, and who are now before my eyes, I am comforted to think they are in the hands of pious and beloved parents, who will be solicitous for their welfare, as much as I could ever be: but I feel for the state of public affairs, especially for the church of Christ in this cavilling and wicked age. Through the goodness of God, however, our doctrine is made public." A little afterwards he addressed some present, "God bestows talents on our youth; do you see that they use them aright." In the course of the same day, seeing one of his grandchildren near him, "Dear child," said he, "I have loved you most affectionately: see that you reverence your parents, and always endeavor to please them, and fear Goo, who will never forsake you. I pray you may share his constant regard and benediction." He spoke in similar terms of tenderness and piety to all the younger branches of his family, who were deeply sensible of his approaching departure.

On the same day, after discoursing with his sonin-law upon all his private affairs, and having in vain searched for the will he had formerly written, containing an explanation of some of the principal articles of his faith, which he was desirous of transmitting to posterity, he attempted to compose another, which increasing weakness would not allow him to finish. It began thus: "In the year 1560, on the eighteenth day of April, I write this will briefly, according to the best of those remaining abilities which God vouchsafes me in my present illness. I have twice before written the contession of my faith, and gratitude to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, but these papers are missing; nevertheless, I wish my confession to be considered an answer to whatever relates to the Bavarian articles, in opposition to the errors of the Papists, the Anabaptists, the followers of Flacius, and others."

After this he conferred with his son-in-law upon a diversity of subjects relative to the interests of the university, and expressed his wish that Peucer might be his successor in that institution.

Letters having been transmitted to him from Frankfort relative to the persecutions which at this period raged in France, he declared "that his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind, on account of the miseries which the church of Christ suffered."

The nineteenth of April was the last day of his mortal existence. After the usual medical inquiries of the morning, he adverted again to the calamitous state of the church of Christ, but intimated his hope that the genuine doctrine of the gospel would ultimately prevail, exclaiming, "If God be for us, who can be against us." After this he presented fervent supplications to heaven, mingled with groanings, for the welfare of the church. In the intervals of sleep he conversed principally upon this subject with several of his visiting friends, amongst whom were the pastor and other officers of the church, and the professors of the university.

Soon after eight in the morning, awaking from a tranquil sleep, he distinctly, though with a feeble voice repeated a form of prayer which he had written for his own daily use, and which was as follows: "Almighty, omnipotent, ever-living and true God, Creator of heaven and earth and men, together with thy co-eternal Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who. was crucified for us and rose again, and thy Holy, true, living, and pure Spirit; who art wise, good, faithful, merciful, just, the dispenser of life and of truth, independent, holy-and our Redeemer; who hast said thou willest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should return unto thee and liveand hast promised, 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will hear thee.' I confess myself before thy footstool, a most miserable sinner and offender against thee in a great variety of respect, on which account I mourn with my very heart and implore thy mercy for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who was crucified and rose again, seeking the remission of all my sins, and justification before thee, by and through thy son Jesus Christ, thy eternal word, and image, wonderful and inexpressible in counsel, infinite in wisdom and goodness; and that thou wouldst sanctify me by thy true, living, pure, and Holy Spirit. May I truly acknowledge and firmly believe in thee, obey thee, give thanks to thee, fear thee, invoke thee, serve thee, and through grace be admitted to thy presence in eternity, the almighty and only true God, Creator of heaven and earth and men, the everlasting Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the presence of Jesus Christ thy Son, thy eternal word and image, and the holy, true, living and pure Spirit, the comforter. In thee have I hoped, O Lord: let me never be confounded: in thy righteousness deliver me. Make me righteous, and bring me unto life eternal: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Keep and overrule our churches, our government, and this academy, and bestow upon us a salutary peace and government. Rule and protect our princes. Cherish thy church, gather and preserve it in these provinces, sanctify and unite thy people by thy holy Spirit, that we may be one in thee, in the true knowledge and worship of thy Son Jesus Christ, by and through him thy eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified for us and raised again. Amen.

"Almighty and eternal Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, who art the eternal word and image of the eternal Father, our Mediator and Intercessor, crucified for us and raised again, I give thee most hearty thanks that thou didst assume humanity, and art become my Redeemer, and having suffered and risen again in human nature, dost intercede on my behalf. I beseech thee regard and have mercy on me, for I am poor and defenceless. By thy Holy Spirit increase the light of faith in me, and, weak as I am, sustain, rule, protect, and save me. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded.

"Almighty and Holy Spirit, the comforter, pure, living, true-illuminate, govern, sanctify me, and confirm my heart and mind, in the faith, and in all genuine consolation; preserve and rule over me, that, dwelling in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, I may be and remain for ever in the temple of God, and praise him with a joyful spirit, and in union with all the heavenly church. Amen."

An interval of repose having elapsed after repeating this prayer, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and turning to his son-in-law said, "I have been in the power of death, but the Lord has graciously delivered me." This was supposed to refer to some deep conflicts of mind, as he repeated d the expression to others. When some of the bysta bystanders said, "There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus," he soon added, "Christ is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." "Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord;" and often repeated, "Lord have mercy upon me." After this he took a little refreshment for the last time, and though he attempted to proceed with the testamentary paper he had begun the preceding day, he soon found it impossible to support such an effort, but signified his acquiescence in the divine disposal.

The coldness of death was now creeping over him, but his mental faculties continued unimpaired to the very last breath of mortal existence. Having expressed a wish to hear some passages from the

ty-sixth Psalms, the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, the seventh chapter of John, the fifth of the Romans, and many other passages. The declaration of John respecting the Son of God, he said was perpetually in his mind, "the world knew him not. but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

In addition to the passages of Scripture already mentioned, he frequently solaced himself with the following, "God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son into the world, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life;" "Whoso seeth the Son and believeth on him hath eternal life;" "Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;" and expressed the great consolation they afforded his mind. He earnestly exhorted his sonin-law to the study of peace, and whenever the prevailing religious contentions were mentioned, he would continually reply in the language of the son of Jesse, "Let them curse, but bless thou," and "my soul hath dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, but when I speak they are for war." In the afternoon, another paper was written to the students by the professors, excusing their non-attendance to the usual duties of the day on account of Melancthon's dangerous situation, with which they deeply sympathized, and entreating their united prayers during the usual hours of study on his behalf; for they considered it impossible he should be able long to struggle with his disease, unless nature were divinely assisted and supported. It may easily be believed that this intimation made a powerful impression throughout the university, and that all the passages leading to the house of this beloved tutor, became crowded with anxious inquirers.

Upon being asked by his son-in-law if he would have any thing else, he replied in these emphatic words, "ALIUD NIHIL NISI COELUM." NOTHING ELSE -BUT HEAVEN! and desired that he might not be any further interrupted. Soon afterwards, he made a similar request, entreating those around him who were endeavoring with officious kindness to adjust his clothes, "not to disturb his delightful repose." After some time, his friends united with the minister present in solemn prayer, and several passages in Scripture, in which he was known always to have expressed peculiar pleasure, were read, such as "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house, are many mansions." "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;" particularly the fifth of the Romans, and the triumphant close of the eighth chapter, commencing "If God be for us, who can be against us." Many other parts of Scripture were recited, and the last word he uttered the German particle of affirmation Ia, in reply to Vitus Winshemius, who had inquired if he understood him while reading. The last motion which his friends who surrounded him to the number of at least twenty, could discern, was a slight motion of the countenance which was peculiar to him when deeply affected with religious joy!" Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace!"

was