M ELAN 
The next buimefs of moment in which lie was em¬ 
ployed, was to draw up, conjointly with Luther, a body 
of laws relating to the form of ecclefialtical government, 
the method of public worfhip, the rank, offices, and re¬ 
venues, of the priefthood, and other matters of that na¬ 
ture, which John elector of Saxony promulgated in his 
dominions, and which was adopted by the other princes 
and Rates of Germany who had renounced the papal 
Supremacy. Melancthon was then commiffioned, together 
with others, to vifit all-the churches in the eleftoral 
dominions, for the purpofe of feeing thefe laws carried 
into execution, of removing fuch of the clergy as dis¬ 
honoured religion and their fundtion either by their bad 
morals or their incapacity, and of fupplying the churches 
every-where with pious and learned minifters. This was 
in fome degree an invidious talk, for performing which, 
however, he was pre-eminently qualified by his prudence 
and moderation. 
In the year 1529, Melar.fthon accompanied the eleftor 
John to the diet at Spire, in which the princes and mem¬ 
bers of the reformed communion acquired the denomina¬ 
tion of Protestants, in confequence of their proteRing 
againft an iniquitous decree, which declared unlawful 
every change that ffiould be introduced into the efta- 
blilhed religion before the determination of a general 
■council was known. Not long afterwards he was pre- 
ient at the conference at Marpurg, to which Philip land¬ 
grave of Heffe had invited Luther and Zuinglius, together 
with fome of the more eminent doctors who adhered to 
their refpedfive tenets, concerning the EuchariR, in order 
to attempt an accommodation of their differences. The 
meeting proved ineffe&ual in terminating the difputes 
which at fo early a period had given rife to unchriftian 
animofity among the reformers. Melanfthon, indeed, 
would have yielded much for the fake of peace and union. 
He did not confider the controverfy relating to the Eu- 
chariff as a matter of fufficient moment to occafion a 
breach of church-communion and fraternal concord be¬ 
tween the contending parties. He thought that this 
happy concord might be eafily preferved, by expreffmg 
the dodlrine of the Eucharift, and Chriff’s prelence in that 
ordinance, in general and ambiguous terms, which the 
two churches might explain according to their refpeftive 
lyftems ; but neither Luther nor the Swifs divines could 
be perfuaded to abandon, or even to modify, their opi¬ 
nion on the fubjeft. 
In the year 1530, a diet of the empire having been ap¬ 
pointed to be held at Auglburg, with a view to put an 
end to the diffenfions occafioned by religious difputes, 
under the eye of the emperor ; in order that he might be 
able to form a clear idea of their real opinions, and of the 
true caufes of their oppofition to the Roman pontiff, the 
proteRant princes employed Melanfthon to compofe a 
creed, founded on the Articles of Torgau, but in greater 
detail, and expreffed in terms as. little offenfive as poffible 
to the Roman catholics. This creed, which refledts ho¬ 
nour on the addrefs, moderation, and eloquence, of Me- 
landthon, and is commonly known by the name of the 
Confeffion of Angjburg, was read in the diet; and, being 
referred for examination to fome popilh divines, they de-» 
livered in their animadverlions upon it. Of thefe ani- 
madverfions Melandthon drew up an able and learned re¬ 
futation, which .was offered to the emperor, but refufed 
to be received by him ; and during the following year, 
notwithRanding the imperial prohibition, it was enlarged 
by Melanfthon, and publiffied, together with other pieces 
relating to the dodtrine and difcipline of the Lutheran 
church, under the title of “ A Defence of the Confeffion 
of Auglburg.” 
Recourie was now had to the expedient of conferences 
between learned men feledled from both parties, which 
many who were zealous for the peace and tranquillity of 
the empire flattered themfelves might poffibly lead to an 
. accommodation ; but all to no purpofe, and the obflacles 
to fuch a deferable iffue proved infunnountabje. “ It was 
itt thele conferences,” lays Dr. Molheim, “ that the fpirit 
C T H O If. sa 
and chardler of Melanfthon appeared in their true and 
genuine colours ; and it was here that the votaries of 
Rome exhaufled their efforts to gain over to their party 
this pillar of the reformation, whole abilities and virtues 
-added fuch a lultre to the proteftaiit caufe. This humane 
and gentle fpirit was apt to fink into a kind of yielding 
fo It riel’s under the influence of mild and generous treat¬ 
ment. And, accordingly, while his adverfaries foothed 
him with fair words and flattering promifes, he feemed to 
melt as they fpoke, and in fome meafure to comply with 
their demands ; but, when they fo far forgot themfelves 
as to make ufe of imperious language and menancing 
terms, then did Melanfthon appear in a very differ¬ 
ent point of light ,• then a fpirit of intrepidity, ardour, 
and independence, animated all his words and aftions, 
and he looked down with contempt on the threats 
of power, the frowns of fortune, and the fear of death. 
The truth is, that, in this great and good man, a foft 
and yielding temper was joined with the moft inviolable 
fidelity, and the moft invincible attachment to the truth.” 
As every attempt at reconciliation had proved in vain, 
a fevere decree was iffued by order of the emperor, en¬ 
joining the princes, ftates, and cities, that had thrown off 
the papal yoke, to return to their duty, and their alle¬ 
giance to Rome, on pain of incurring the indignation of 
the emperor, the patron and proteftor of the church. 
This at firft opprefled the gentle fpirit of Melandthon, 
till he was encouraged and animated by the exhortations 
of Luther; and he foon had the fatisfaftion to fee the 
ProteRant intereR Rrengthened and extended, owing to 
the treaty concluded at Nuremberg, of the expediency of 
which the emperor was made fully fenfible, by the league 
of Smalkalde, and other circumfiances. Melandlhon’s 
fame was now fpread far and wide, and he was invited by 
Henry VIII. to fettle in England; and, about the lame 
time, by Francis I. to take up his abode in France, with 
the view of employing him to pacify, or at leaA to mo¬ 
derate, the difputes which had arifen there concerning 
religion, and to advife with the French divines about 
reltoring the ancient difcipline of the church. Melanc¬ 
thon felt inclined to accept the latter invitation ; but the 
eleftor of Saxony would not by any means give his con- 
fent, knowing that by fuch a Rep he ffiould expofe himfelf 
to the refentment of the emperor, between whom and 
Francis affairs began to wear a hoftile afpedt. 
In 1541, Melancthon was at the famous conferences 
at Ratilbon ; and in 1543 he went-to Cologne, to affift the 
elector in introducing the reformed religion into his 
diocele ; but the main defign of his journey was fruftrated, 
through the oppolition of the canons and other divines 
of the fee: neverthelefs the eledtor of Cologne and the 
eledtor palatine embraced the proteRant faith. Upon the 
breaking out of the civil war in 1546, and the captivity 
k of John Frederic eledtor of Saxony, the univerfity of Wit- 
temberg fuflered a temporary diffolution; when Me- 
landthon at firR took up his abode at Zerbft, and after¬ 
wards filled the poRs of theological and philofophical 
profeffor at Jena, for fome "months, till his timidity led 
him to refign them, before the end of the year. 
In the year 1547, Maurice, who was now eledtor of 
Saxony, invited him to Leipfic, where the firR affembly 
of proteRant divines that had met fmce the death of 
Luther was held, with the defign of regulating the uni¬ 
verfity in that city, as well as the fettlement of various 
eccleiiaRical matters; but Melandthon could not at that 
time be perfuaded to leave the univerfity of Wittemberg. 
Two years afterwards, he attended the affembly of Saxon 
divines who were fummoned to meet at Leipfic, for the pur¬ 
pofe of coming to fome determination on the fubjedt of 
lubmiffion to the famous edidt of Charles V. called the 
Interim. This edidt Maurice laid before the clergy, to¬ 
gether with the reafons which he pretended made it ne- 
celfary to conform to it. Some of them he had already 
gained by promifes, others he had influenced by threat- 
enings, and all were intimidated by the rigour with which 
obedience to that edidt was extorted in the neighbouring 
provinces. 
