396 THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
with you a hundred times than see you survive the doctrines surrendered by you. . . .
" Pardon me for loading your breast with these miserable though ineffectual groans. Adieu, most illustrious sir, and ever worthy of my hearty regard. May the Lord continue to guide you by his Spirit, and sustain you by his might. May his protection guard you. Amen."
We have here a repetition of the scene between Paul and Peter at Antioch, concerning the rite of circumcision; and while we admire the frankness and boldness of Paul and Calvin in rebuking an elder brother, and standing up for principle, we must also admire the meekness and humility of Peter and Melanchthon in bearing the censure.
Melanchthon himself, after a brief interruption, reopened the correspondence in the old friendly spirit, during the disturbances of war between Elector Maurice and the Emperor Charles, which made an end of the controversy about the Adiaphora.
" How often," wrote Melanchthon, Oct. 1, 1552, i " would I have written to you, reverend sir and dearest brother, if I could find more trustworthy lettercarriers. For I would like to converse with you about many most important matters, because I esteem your judgment very highly and know the candor and purity of your soul.^ I am now living as in a wasp's nest ;3 but perhaps I shall soon be called from this mortal life "to a brighter companionship in heaven. If I live longer, I have to expect new exiles ; if so, I am determined to turn to you. The studies are now broken up by pestilence and war. How often do I mourn and sigh over the causes of this fury among princes."
In a lengthy and interesting answer Calvin says : * — " Nothing could have come to me more seasonably at this time than your letter, which I received two months after its despatch." ^ He assures him that it was no little consolation to him in his sore trials at Geneva to be assured of the continuance of his affection, which, he was told, had been inter-
1 Opera, XIV. 368 ; Corp. Ref., VII. 1085.
- " Quia et judicium titiim magni facio, et scio integritatem animi et candorem in te snmmuin esse."
^ uffwep 6vos iv <T(f>T]Klais.
* Bonnet-Constable, IL 360-366; Opera, XIV. 415-418.
^ Nowadays a letter from Wittenberg will reach Geneva in less than two days.
§ 90. CALVIN AND MELANCHTHON. 397
rupted by the letter of remonstrance above referred to. " I have learned the more gladly that our friendship remains safe, which assuredly, as it grew out of a heartfelt love of piety, ought to remain forever sacred and inviolable."
In the unfortunate affair of Servetus, Melanchthon fully approved Calvin's conduct (1554).^ But during the eucharistic controversy excited by Westphal, he kept an ominous silence, which produced a coolness between them. In a letter of Aug. 3, 1557, Calvin complains that for three years he had not heard from him, but expresses satisfaction that he still entertained the same affection, and closes with the wish that he may be permitted " to enjoy on earth a most delightful interview with you, and feel some alleviation of my grief by deploring along with you the evils which we cannot remedy."^
That wish was not granted. In a letter of Nov. 19, 1558,^ he gives him, while still suffering from a quartan ague, a minute account of his malady, of the remedies of the doctors, of the formidable coalition of the kings of France and Spain against Geneva, and concludes with these words : —
"Let us cultivate with sincerity a fraternal affection towards each other, the ties of which no wiles of the devil shall ever burst asunder. . . . By no slight shall my mind ever be alienated from that holy friendship and respect which I have vowed to you. . . . Farewell, most illustrious light and distinguished doctor of the Church. May the Lord always govern you by his Spirit, preserve you long in safety, increase your store of blessings. In your turn, diligently commend us to the protection of God, as you see us exposed to the jaws of the wolf. My colleagues and an innumerable crowd of pious men salute you."
On the 19th of April, 1560, Melanchthon was delivered
from " the fury of the theologians " and all his troubles. A
year after his death Calvin, who had to fight the battle of
faith four years longer, during the renewed fury of the eu-
charistic controversy with the fanatical Heshusius, addressed
this touching appeal to his sainted friend in heaven : —
1 See below, § 139, pp. 706 sqq. ^ Opera, XVI. 556-558.
3 Opera, XVII. 384-386.