to take him away, to the glory of his name and the profit of his church..

JOHN LASCO was born in Poland in the year 1501. His learned attainments early elevated him to ecclesiastical dignity, and he was appointed Bishop of Vesprim in Hungary. Having visited Zurich, and become acquainted with Zuingle, he boldly took part in the duties and labours of the Reformation. That course was attended with persecution, and he was obliged to abdicate his station as prelate. He removed to Embden where he was a highly useful and beloved minister. Subsequently he joined the Reformers in England, and by Cranmer and the other Marian martyrs was held in the highest esteem; until the accession of the bloody Mary to the throne induced him to return to the European continent. Sigismond, King of Poland, had been highly incensed against him on account of his religious principles; but after his departure from England, that monarch invited him

to Poland, and became so attached to Lasco, that he was employed in many important and confidential affairs for Sigismond. His labours were of great influence in accelerating the progress of the Reformation. He died on the thirteenth of January 1560.

JOHN LASCO,
A Pole;

Promoter of the Christian religion,
Among the Poles.

He died in the

year 1560.

Aged 59.

PHILIP MELANCTHON.

PHILIP MELANCTHON was born at Bretten in the year 1497. His erudition at a very early age had procured him great renown; so that when twen ty-two years old, he was appointed by the Elector of Saxony, Professor of Greek at Wittemberg; and his conviction by the dispute at Leipsic of the truth of Luther's principles immediately transferred him into the ranks of the Reformers. From that period his learning and influence and numerous writings powerfully contributed to the progress of the gospel. His reputation as collegiate professor attracted large multitudes of students, and his audi

tories frequently comprised 2500 persons. In 1527, he was employed in the general visitation of the electorate of Saxony; and two years after he was appointed to compose the confession of Augsburg. In many points he was the exact contrast of Luther; for his mildness and dislike of controversy even with the Romanists would have jeoparded the cause, had not Luther's fortitude and watchfulness interposed, and excited him to those efforts which the peculiar emergency demanded. Such was his influence, that he was invited by Francis I. to visit France, that if possible the tempest of controversy between the Huguenots and the Papists might be appeased; and Henry VIII. King of England also urged his removal to that island; but the Elector of Saxony refused permission for him to depart from Wittemberg. At the various religious conferences which took place at Spires, Frankfort, Ratisbon, Reinspurg, and Worms, Melancthon was present, and obtained high honor for his learning and pacific temper.

The years of Melancthon were chiefly employed in his collegiate instructions and literary avocations; and his voluminous writings attest to his indefatigable diligence and astonishing labours. His last personal contest with the enemies of the Gospel was held at Worms in 1557. The principal topic of debate was that most important inquiry respecting the rule of judgment in religion. The Papists strenuously maintained that the only sufficient rule was the universal consent and custom of

the church. On the contrary, Melancthon and his coadjutors insisted that the sole legitimate and authoritative rule was the Sacred Scriptures.Whatever other disputations the Reformers had among themselves, that was their cardinal topic; and this position is still the foundation of religious and civil liberty, and of all the improvements existing in Protestant countries-" The only authority to which human reason ought implicitly to submit in religious concerns is the infallible word of the living God."

As he approached the termination of his life, he was gradually weaned from earth by the separation from his associates. After the death of Luther; Justus Jonas, Micyllus, Menius, Bugenhagen, and also his wife successively departed to heaven; upon which he delared, that he should soon follow his Catharine to the general assembly and church of the first born, and to the communion of the spirits of just men made perfect. Of Bugenhagen, the third in the trio with Luther and Melancthon, a very interesting and remarkable fact is told, equally characteristic of Luther and himself. When Bugenhagen first began to read Luther's work entitled "The Babylonish Captivity," he exclaimed-" the author of this book is the most pestilent heretic that ever infested the church of Christ :" but as he continued to peruse it more attentively, it produced so entire a change of sentiment, that he avowed, "the whole world is blind and this man alone sees the truth in

If

you

One of Melancthon's last acts was the expression of his reasons for desiring to leave the world. As it is the dying testimony and experience of that renowned Reformer it is worthy of remembrance.die in Christ Jesus" 1. You will come to the light. 2. You will see God. 3. You will contemplate the Son of God. 4. You will understand those admirable mysteries which you could not comprehend in the present life. 5. You will know why we were created such beings as we are. 6. You will comprehend the union of the two natures in Christ." He added two reasons for not regretting a departure from the world. "1. You will sin no more. 2. You will no longer be exposed to the vexations of controversy, and the rage of Theologians."

Melancthon delivered his final lecture on the twelfth day of April 1560, from those words of the Prophet, Isaiah 53:1. His bodily strength rapidly declined, but his mental faculties continued in all their vigor to the very last breath of his mortal existence. Being asked by his son-in-law if he would have any thing? He answered—“Aliud nihil; nisi cœlum: nothing else; but heaven!" and desired his friends "no more to disturb his delightful repose." Several scriptures were then read and prayer was offered; after which Vitus Winshemius asked Melancthon if he understood their devotional exercises; the Reformer answered, "Ia," which terminated their intercourse. Twenty of his compatriots and brethren in the University