... of the scriptures in the original languages. Thus you have, my brother, my undisguised offers of friendship: which I beseech you to receive in a candid and Christian manner. You shall find in me no antagonist, but a friend, and a brother without guile, if only you will be a fellow-soldier contending for the truth derived from the divine oracles. I pray God to prosper your entering in among us, and to make it conducive to the glory of Christ. Amen." 1 A. D. 1531. frankness This letter cannot be too much admired, Remarks on especially as illustrating a duty often neglected and by good men. The faithfulness of the letter is candour. unquestionable: but many, who might have imitated Ecolampadius's faithfulness, have been wanting in his frankness, his candour, his charity-which "hopeth all things." It does not appear under what particular circumstances Marius had been called to Basle: but there can be little doubt that the party opposed to the reformation expected to find in him a friend and supporter: and such he proved. But, in the absence of all decisive evidence of his hostility, Ecolampadius would assume him to be yet unprejudiced, and such as his professed character required him to be-a friend of the truth, a Christian minister zealous for the glory of his divine Master. He therefore, though without saying a word which could foster self-deception, addresses him as suchin a manner suited to confirm every good disposition which might exist within; to soften down any prejudice which he might have conceived; and, even if he proved an enemy, to disarm or baffle him as far as possible-to deprive him CHAP. 6. To Somius. On of views. of every handle which he might have found against those whom he came to oppose. Such a mode of proceeding is at once that of true policy, and, in the simplicity of heart with which Ecolampadius adopted it, that of genuine Christian charity. We may easily make men our enemies by assuming them to be such, and in consequence treating them with distance and reserve. Not all are opposed to us, who are not fully of our party. Many wait for information, and would welcome it were it offered in the frank and friendly spirit here exemplified, who are perhaps finally repelled by the silence and distrust into which our own selfishness, or prejudice, or indolence, or cowardice, rather than any genuine zeal for Christ, betrays us. 6. To Conrad Somius of Ulm, 9 February, 1526. "How faithfully you labour in the Lord's simplicity vineyard all good men testify. Go on, and never expect to find your labours less or lighter than they are. Grow not weary of your work; nor look to have the triumph over a conquered world, and eternal glory awarded you, without your having here striven lawfully. The consciousness of having done all for the honour and glory of the universal sovereign Lord is a mighty stay to the mind, to support its constancy. On the contrary, nothing so much converts the pillars of the church into reeds shaken with the wind, as the desire of their own glory. I need not mention examples: you have them near you. May a merciful God grant to such that they may not always dissemble known truth!" 2-Oh let no minister of Christ Can we avoid thinking of Erasmus ? 2 Fo. 209 (b). -none that would aspire to be such-overlook the remark here made on the "desire of vainglory," a restless and ever-working principle,' wherever it finds admission, at constant war with all our Christian graces.' A. D. 1531. 7. To Simon Grynæus and Martin Frecht, 7. To professors at Heidelberg, 20 April, 1526. Grynæus and Frecht. of Chris tian com "Grace and peace from Christ! My dearly Conflicts: beloved brethren, blessed be our Lord who not only comforts us, and leads us to the knowledge of himself, which is hidden from this blinded age, but also gives you courage and ability to comfort, and exhort, and enlighten others. I will not conceal from you, or withhold my and benefits thanks for it, the benefit which you have conferred upon me, when I was like a stag hunted munion. and driven up and down by the hounds. Your letters have refreshed me, and raised in me the hope that God has still reserved to himself many thousands who will not bow their knees to Baal. For what wonder is it if, while the whole world rises with loud threatenings against the prophets of the Lord, and destroys some of them with the sword, or with bonds, or fire, or water, or poison, or the stench of a dungeon; (such instances of tyrannical cruelty are heard of on all sides ;) and drives others to flight, or deprives them of their employments;-what wonder, if the desponding thought should enter the minds of us, the feeblest of Christ's ministers, that the cause of truth and righteousness is ruined? But, when we animate one another by conference or correspondence, our despondency is repressed, and serenity of mind returns. Let us not therefore omit this service when we have the opportunity of performing it." 1 1 Fo. 212. CHAP. 8. To Somius. Success at Ulm. 8. To Somius, 10 February, 1527. "Beloved brother, It gives us great joy here to learn what things Christ works by your means, and through the instrumentality of his word at Ulm. The remembrance of our old friendship makes such news peculiarly refreshing to me. We pray that he who has begun this work will perfect it: for Satan will not cease from his arts until he be entirely put Afflictions. down by the coming of the Lord... Who would not be terrified at the diabolical machinations which are resorted to? But we have learned that trials are good for us-that the thoughts of man are vain-and that cursed is he who Lukewarm maketh flesh his arm. The cross must either ministers. be borne (resolutely), or quite thrown off. Nothing is more fatal to the church of God than lukewarm ministers. In the mean time we must help one another by our mutual prayers, comfort one another by friendly letters, and communicate what the Spirit imparts to us....Our enemies are too violent to allow us to hope for peace; but the goodness of God is too great to permit us to despond." 2 9. To Farel, State of things at Basle. 9. To Farel at Aigle, 1527.-" Go on zealously, my friend, and be not stumbled by our delays (of reformation at Basle). We wish to have the name of excellent Christians, while we are more anxious for the friendship of the world than the very heathen are." He speaks of the mass as being, with the consent of the senate, entirely abolished in S. Martin's church, (his own charge,) and in the church of the Augustinian friars. In other churches it was languidly supported, and was neglected by the people. Some zealots however had obtained 2 Fo. 205 (b). Above, p. 51. an order from the senate for its retention. "The hypocrisy of the people," he says, "calls for such rulers. God grant that nothing worse may follow: for Satan neglects no occasion. But let not that disturb you." Speaking of his own engagements, he throws in the remark, that "great labour was to be esteemed great pleasure-Siquidem labor ingens inter delicias computari potest." 1 A. D. 1531. Farel. 10. To the same, 25 November, 1527.-10. To "My beloved brother: you cannot be unin- Disputation formed of the conference piously ordered by of Berne. the lords of Berne to be held on the subject of religion, nor can you fail to approve of it. I add that you cannot but pray the Lord to give it a prosperous issue. Perhaps that will be the day on which the Lord Jesus may deign to look upon us! Certainly, we are here involved in perpetual conflict. The preaching of the gospel ever encounters the same fate: the cross is its constant companion, and it has always to carry on war against false teachers."-He offers to act as interpreter to his friend at the disputation. 2 edness. In another letter to Farel, who had sent him Disinterestmoney, understanding that he was in want, which he declares he is not, he returns the remittance, and says, "Hitherto the Lord has heard my prayers, and given me neither poverty nor riches....I have never yet been so poor, that, if death had come, I should not have wished myself poorer"-he means, I presume, by having given more away. 3 11. Writing to Melchior Ambach and John 11. To AmMantelius, "faithful confessors of Christ and bach and 1 Fo. 184. Fo. 201. Compare above, p. 155-6. 3 Ibid. Mantelius. |