CHAPTER XXV.

IN former pages we have not hesitated to record those traits of severe, hard-featured character which, it must be confessed, were to be found in Martin Luther. But it should not be overlooked that they more especially disclosed themselves at his outset in the work of Reformation, and became less and less apparent as that work assumed shape and symmetry. In this there was a moral fitness. At the commencement of his sublime mission he had to dash in fragments the mighty masonry of ages, and for that he needed a rough Cyclopean hand. Afterwards, however, as he was called to erect another and a purer structure, and to employ deliberate thought in the selection and adjustment of materials, a milder order of faculties was requisite. The roar of explosive blastings was to give way to the sound of less grating implements.

At the period to which we have now arrived, this interesting transition began. Worn out, and halfdeafened amid the smoke and dust of the crumbling fabric of the Papacy, he had been borne off, by

friendly hands, to the quiet and pure atmosphere of the Wartburg, and there during nearly a twelvemonth his fermented emotions were subsiding into gentleness. Through what reactionary stages of depression he then passed we have seen already. They must have been terrific ones, to extort from such a soul as his the language, "Sitting at night in my apartment, I uttered cries like a woman in travail." And again, "Oh, my friends, do you then forget to pray for me, that God can thus leave me to myself?"

The results of such softening influences were immediately apparent both in his private intercourse and his public actions, when he arrived at Wittemberg. Not losing a moment, he repaired to the house of his disciple and fast friend, Jerome Schurff, where, to his exquisite delight, he found Melancthon, Jonas, Amsdorff, and Augustine Schurff, Jerome's brother, assembled. These had been the leaders of the little faithful band which, during Doctor Martin's absence, had sustained both his principles of faith and his views of toleration, against the assaults of the Romanists on the one hand, and the misguided bigotry of Carlstadt and his followers on the other. They were now convened in Jerome Schurff's house, drawn thither by a common anxiety: for the news had been circulated amongst them that Luther was on his road to Wittemberg; that he had despatched a letter to the Elector, to apprize him of the reasons of his leaving the Wartburg without authority; and that the Elector had despatched Schurff to meet him, to remonstrate with

him upon his movement, and to urge his return back to his refuge.

They were in the midst of earnest conversation, each one uttering his own speculations: some timid, others hopeful, as to the consequences, should Luther persist in his intentions. As the Reformer was in the act of opening the door of the chamber, where they were assembled, the words-from a well-known voice-fell upon his ear

"I would rather die than be separated from him!"

"Ah! sayest thou so, my beloved Melancthon ? " exclaimed Luther, as he burst suddenly into the room. "Then, even in death we will not be divided!"

There was nothing of strained language in either of the speakers. Very different were they from each other; Philip Melancthon's gentleness, and caution, and classical taste, and habits of logical refining, standing out in singular contrast to the energy, the impetuosity, and the bold and rugged theologism of Martin Luther. Yet their mutual love passed the love of brothers. Each admired those qualities in

which he knew himself to be deficient. Each loved, and with equal intenseness, that holy cause to which they had been consecrated; and rejoiced in knowing how his peculiarities were supplemented by those of his friend, and how, thus, their combination would give effect to the enterprise so dear to both.

"And what may have been that topic before the council, which called forth such loving words from our dearest Philip? Tell me!" said Luther, looking

towards Amsdorff, so soon as all had exchanged greetings with their long-lost master.

"The topic," returned Amsdorff, "was the one which for many a sad month hath been uppermost in all our thoughts-it was yourself."

"No; not the uppermost in your thoughts," said Luther gravely. "God forbid that your love to a poor, weak, sinful man should place him uppermost ! "What should we do without our father?" murmured Augustine Schurff,

"Oh, grieve me not-above all, grieve not God's Spirit, good Augustine!" said Luther, with startling earnestness. "What should you do? And have you," he continued, looking round upon them-" have you thus far sinned as to think that any instrument, much less such a wretched tool as I am, was indispensable to God? Mark it well, dear brethren, when I tell youthis city Wittemberg is sinking fast into licentiousness; the holy law of faith in Christ is being made the warrant for unrighteousness; our good is being evil spoken of; the single power of Truth hath been replaced by fanatic force; the glory of our meek and lowly Christ Jesus is fading away amid the flames of a lurid bigotry; and wot ye not all this may have been allowed to happen in punishment for your leaning upon an arm of flesh? And God knows how often, while in my solitude, I have trembled at fear of this; and how often, in deep abasement before the Eternal, I have implored Him, should anything impure have mingled in our

doing of His work, to remember that I am but a sinful man!

"But tell me, and without reserve, the exact state of my poor flock here!" he resumed, after a few moments' pause. "Are they not my own sheep? Has not God committed them to my care? And ought I not, if need be, to lay down my life for them?"

"The wolf hath never ceased to prowl around the fold. That was to have been expected. But, alas! alas! they must be hirelings who, having scaled the palisades, are now spreading nought but fright and recklessness among your sheep," returned Melancthon sadly.

"Tell me all; and tell me plainly, Melancthon," said Luther.

"Some of your once faithful people have been seduced by self-called prophets, to renounce that doctrine for which you, Reverend Father, have ever so strenuously and so wisely contended. Self-illumined seers from Zwickau have brought them to believe that each man's conceited possession of the Holy Spirit is to interpret, or to modify, or to supersede― as best it may—the express letter of God's Scriptures."

"And what doth their spirit speak?" asked Luther grimly.

"That the earth must be, and will soon be, purified by blood; and that then supreme power shall be given to one Nicolas Sturch, their wretched, leader, who