[2] He wrote a humorous piece in the form of a comedy, which he dedicated to Reuchlin, to show the sense he entertained of his truly parental kindness, and engaged his schoolfellows to perform it in his presence. It was upon this occasion that he gave him the name of Melanchthon.
[3] His proficiency in the Greek was so remarkable, that even at this early age he composed Rudiments of the language, which were afterwards published.
[4] Erasmus also wrote to Oecolampadius, "Of Melanchthon I have already the highest opinion, and cherish the most magnificent hopes: so much so, that I am persuaded Christ designs this youth to excel us all: he will totally eclipse Erasmus!" In a letter to Julius Pflug, he says: "He not only excels in learning and eloquence, but by a certain fatality is a general favorite. Honest and candid men are fond of him, and even his adversaries cannot hate him!"
[5] It may be mentioned here, that John Agricola, of Eisleben, who was engaged on the Lutheran side, afterwards became an opponent of the Reformation; and John Poliander, the amanuensis of Eck, attached himself to Luther at the close of the disputation, and afterwards preached the Gospel in Prussia.—Seckendorf. Hist. Luther, Book I., page 230.
[6] This term applied to the faculty of Theology at Paris. The College of the University in which they assembled was called the house of the Sorbonne, which was first erected and endowed in the year 1250, by a wealthy favorite of St. Louis, whose name was Robert de Sorbonne. This Theological faculty enjoyed the highest repute at that time.
[7] Karlstadt was heard to say, that "he wished to be as great a man and as much thought of as Luther;" for which he was properly reproved by Melanchthon, who reminded him, "that such language could only proceed from a spirit of emulation, envy, and pride."—Seckendorf.
[8] Luther's principal assistants in this work were Philip Melanchthon, Caspar Cruciger, Justus Jonas, John Bugenhagen, or Pomeranus, and Matthew Aurogallus;—the corrector of the press was George Rorarius.—Seckendorf.
We are also told in Adams, that Bugenhagen constantly kept the anniversary of the day on which this work was finished, with a select party of friends at his own house. This social meeting was called "The festival of the translation of the Scriptures."
[9] Henry von Zütphen preached the gospel in Ditmars, a county of Holstein. He was seized by the enraged priests, and after having been beaten and stabbed, and covered with more than twenty wounds, was cast into the fire. He suffered martyrdom with most heroic calmness. Luther published the history of this martyr.—Seckendorf.
[10] Melanchthon addressed the following apologetic letter to Camerarius: "As some unfounded reports will probably reach you, respecting the marriage of Luther, I think it proper to inform you of the true state of the case, and to give my opinion. On the 13th of June, Luther, to our great surprise, and without saying a word to his friends, married Catharine de Bora, and only invited Pomeranus, Lucca the painter, and Apellus the lawyer, to supper in the evening, celebrating the espousals in the customary manner. Some perhaps may be astonished that he should have married at this unfavorable juncture of public affairs, so deeply afflictive to every good man, and thus appear to be unaffected and careless about the distressing events which have occurred amongst us; even though his own reputation suffers at a moment when Germany most requires his talents and influence. This, however, is my view of the subject: Luther is a man who has nothing of the unsocial misanthropist about him; but you know his habits, and I need say no more on this head. Surely it is no wonderful thing that his great and benevolent soul should be influenced by the gentle affections, especially as there is nothing reprehensible or criminal in it. He is in fact by nature fitted for the married state; and it is pronounced honorable in the sacred Scriptures. I saw that his change of situation produced some degree of perturbation and gloom of mind, and I have done my utmost to cheer him; for I cannot condemn him as having committed a fault, or fallen into sin, though I grant God has recorded many sins which some of his ancient saints committed, in order that we might be stimulated to repose our confidence, not in men, however dignified and distinguished, but in his word alone. I have in possession the most decisive evidences of his piety and love to God, so that the malicious reproaches heaped upon Luther are nothing else than the inventions of scurrilous sycophants, who want employment for a slanderous tongue, &c. &c.—Mel. Epistles. Cox.