CHAP. His 1549-50. sermons, with the avowed intention of publishing them, against the errors of the church of Rome, and in defence of protestant doctrines Writings and principles. Some delay occurred in committing them to the press, but they were published in the year 1551, with a copious preface. They are both from the gospel for the eighth Sunday after Trinity, taken from the seventh chapter of St. Matthew; the former, a warning against false teachers, from ver. 15; the latter, a comparison of popery and protestantism as to their practical "fruits," from ver. 16.—In the preface, he gives an account of himself and his early proceedings, the same in substance with that which has been laid before the reader from his correspondence with duke George. He also explains his conduct as administrator of the diocese of Mersburg, in which it had been his aim, among other things, to reform the canons, but to continue the canonries—an object which Luther also approved.1 He further states in what manner he had conducted himself towards the new bishop; considers largely the subject of the protestant ordinations, which had been attacked, and on the other hand impugns those of the papists; defends Luther on certain points; and explains the course which he himself had adopted with respect to the Interim. It seems that here he had been charged by some of his own friends with conforming too far: but he asserts, that he had not compromised a single point of Christian truth, and had only acted upon Luther's own rule, of complying with such ceremonies as might tend to edification, and could be retained without the sacrifice of any principle.2 1 Above, p. 308. 2 Seck. iii. 499-501. In the second of his discourses, he contrasts the prohibition of the scriptures, the neglect of the education of youth, and of the instruction of the people, (to a degree that even tended to bring back barbarism,) and many other evils among the papists, with the opposite system every where introduced by the protestants. And here he makes a splendid eulogium of Luther's translation of the whole scriptures " from the Hebrew and Greek originals,"-a version with which neither the Septuagint, nor the Vulgate, nor any other ancient one, however celebrated, could bear a comparison; and by means of which, he says, the inspired writers "spoke to the people of Germany, as clearly and intelligibly as if they had been born and brought up among them."1 In the preface to some sermons on the sixteenth Psalm, he has preserved the following interesting memorandum concerning Luther. The reformer had visited George at Mersburg, and just before he took his leave, while sitting in his chair, he solemnly lifted up his hands and eyes, and said, "I thank my God, that I never discovered or proposed any new doctrine; but held fast the old and true one; and to the utmost of my power withstood all novelties, contrary to the ancient and genuine doctrine and faith of Christ, whether introduced by Jews, Turks, heretics, papists, sacramentarians, or anabaptists."-"These words," says George, "I heard with great pleasure, and was confirmed by them in my opinon of Luther, that he sought no innovation, but closely followed the scriptures, constantly adhered to the true faith, and censured nothing but errors in doctrine and corruptions in practice." 2 1 Seck. iii. 501, 502, and i. 206. 2 Seck. iii. 503. A. D. 1544. CHAP. His Death. In the close of another work, on the sacrament, he quotes a letter of Eckius's, dated at Ingolstadt, May 14, 1535, in which the writer confesses, that he "could not find that any pope had abolished the administration of the eucharist in both kinds, prior to the councils of Constance and Basil," in the fifteenth century: "but," adds Eckius, "as the church increased, and it became impossible that due reverence should be shewn to the sacrament amid such numbers of people, Christians, without any express injunction, in honour of the sacrament itself, withdrew, and were content with one kind; and this they doubtless did by the suggestion of the Holy Ghost!"-Such an avowal, in all its parts, from so hackneyed a champion of popish errors, cannot fail to make a due impression on the mind of every reflecting reader. The excellent man, whose history will not have been thought tedious, though detailed at some length, died on the 17th of October, 1553, aged only forty-six years and two months. He was of a weakly constitution, which he further impaired by incessant labours and studies. The sentiment of Seckendorf seems perfectly just, that few even of the most leading reformers are more deserving of our admiration than he was. Though in the humility of his heart, he reverenced Luther and Melancthon as his teachers, and highly esteemed Bugenhagius and others, yet in sound learning, theological knowledge, philological skill, deep acquaintance with ecclesiastical history, judgment, eloquence, and unaffected modesty, few surpassed him; while the mildness of his manners and the innocence of his life protected him from those charges, which 1 Seck. iii. 503. were brought against many of the persons in conjunction with whom he laboured. Indeed the union of boldness and meekness appears as the leading grace of his character. Previously to his administration of Mersburg, he had, in conjunction with his brothers, introduced a quiet and peaceable, but very effectual reformation in the principality of Anhalt: and he continued to the end of his days to live on the best terms with the same beloved relatives, rendering them every assistance in the wellgoverning of their dominions. Considering his rank and attainments, he might have aspired to the highest dignities in the church; but he was content with what he had, and preferred "the reproach of Christ" to any worldly advancement. He lived unmarried, though he zealously contended for the liberty of marriage in the clergy. His end appears to have been eminently devout and peaceful. Camerarius, as we have said, published a short account of his life. Melchior Adam also has assigned to him more space than to many others and Melancthon composed an oration in his praiseor, rather let us say, in praise of the grace of God bestowed upon him: yet he is comparatively little known to the English reader. A fourth edition of his works, in one volume, folio, in Latin, was published, in the year 1570, by his nephews, the princes of Anhalt, sons of his elder brother John.1 A. D. 1544. declines the The other eminent individual, of whom we Bugenhave here some relation to offer, is John hagius Bugenhagius Pomeranus, a person whose name Bishopric has frequently occurred in these pages, and of Camin. 1 Seck. iii. 498, 499, 510, 511. Seckendorf, by mistake, makes the princes of Anhalt to descend from Joachim, instead of John. See Hane, Hist. Ref. ii. 17. CHAP. who had rendered many important services to the reformation. In the same year that George of Anhalt was made administrator of Mersburg, the bishopric of Camin, in his own native country of Pomerania, was offered to Bugenhagius, and earnestly pressed upon his acceptance; and it appears that it was the third that had been thus proposed to him: but never did an ambitious churchman more earnestly seek such a dignity, than he declined it; nor any disappointed aspirant more bitterly bewail his failure, than this good man did his having for a time consented to his own advancement. The deceased bishop was the very prelate who had driven Bugenhagius from his country, for preaching the reformed doctrine.2 The nomination to the vacant see was vested in the reigning dukes Barnimus and Philip, both protestants: but they differed with some asperity concerning the person who should be appointed. At length they were prevailed with to agree upon Bugenhagius; and they sent a splendid embassy to Wittemberg to solicit him to accept the office, representing that in so doing he would meet the earnest wishes of the chapter and the whole province. The deputies added, that, in fact, his doing so was the only probable means of preventing the differences between the two dukes being decided by arms. This last consideration, seconded by the advice of the elector of Saxony, prevailed with Bugenhagius to yield a conditional assent: but he had no sooner done this, than he fell into a degree of melancholy, considering his conduct as both infatuated and sinful, and as permitted for the punishment of his other offences. He therefore 1 The two others were probably in Denmark. 2 Above, P. 178. |