of the year, and there concluded a solemn alliance of mutual defence; and-2. That some of the most wise and pious of the Protestant theologians, especially Melancthon, were so oppressed by the prospect of the calamities, which threatened the afflicted church of Christ, that they were almost ready to abandon the contest, and give themselves up to melancholy and lamentation.

But the Reformation, as we have seen, in spite of all the efforts of papal rage and malignity, did not cease to spread and prosper throughout various districts. Many instances indeed of the martyrdom of godly men might be added to the several catalogues already given; but the good Protestants were accustomed to these sufferings, and bore them with extraordinary patience and fortitude.

We shall conclude this volume with an observation or two on the conduct of Luther at the time of this very critical juncture.

1. Before the diet of Augsburg, in 1529, while the tempest of persecution was lowering on the faithful, this indefatigable servant of God was employed in publishing his lesser and greater catechism, which at this day are treatises of authority in the Lutheran churches. In the preface to each, he deplores the ignorance of the people at large, and asserts, that those, who know nothing of Christian principles, ought not even to be called by their name. He expatiates on the utility of catechising; recommends the frequent use of it to masters of families; cites his own example of attending to the first catechetical truths for the purpose of edification, notwithstanding the proficiency which, in a course of years, he might be supposed to have made; and observes, that daily reading and meditation, among many other advantages, has this, that a new light and unction from the Holy Spirit is hence, from time to time, afforded to the humble soul.With such godly simplicity was Luther conversant in

the gospel practice; and so totally distinct was the spiritual understanding and improvement, which he desired to encourage in the church, from the mere theory of frigid theological disquisition. Perhaps no history, since the days of the Apostles, affords a more remarkable instance of the humility and condescension of a primary theologian, in stooping to the infirmities of the weak, and lowering himself to the most uncultivated minds, than is exhibited by the publication of these two catechisms.

In the same year, Luther accompanied Melanc thon's commentary on the epistle to the Colossians, with a memorable eulogium on the author; in which he frankly declared, that he preferred the works of Melancthon to his own, and was more desirous, that they should be read, than any thing, which he himself had composed. "I am born," he says, "to be a rough controversialist; I clear the ground, pull up the weeds, fill up ditches, and smooth the roads. But to build, to plant, to sow, to water, and to adorn the country, belongs, by the grace of God to Melancthon."

It was a singular felicity of the infant church of Saxony, that its two great luminaries, exceedingly diverse, as they were, in temper and in gifts, should have been constantly united in the bonds of strict affection, which never seems to have admitted the least degree of envy or jealousy. Such is the light, in which these two worthies are transmitted to posterity; an incontestible pair of disinterested friends, whose sole object of contention was to excel each other in proofs of mutual regard!

2. It was in the low and desponding state of the Protestant party-for example, after such a lamentable defeat as they had suffered at the diet of Augs burg,-that the spirit and character of Luther were calculated to shine forth with peculiar lustre, and in their true and genuine colors. But his unwearied vigilance in superintending the reformed churches, by

his incessant attacks on the ecclesiastical corruptions and abuses, he had shown, to demonstration, that great and continued successes had, in no degree, disposed him to be remiss; and he now stood forward to prove, that notwithstanding the late untoward events and the magnitude of the impending danger, he was neither depressed by a reverse of circumstances, nor intimidated by the menaces of an arm of flesh, nor worn out by the length and obstinacy of the contention. In effect, this champion of evangelical truth always looked on the conflict in which he was engaged, as the proper concern of Almighty God, and on himself as the. mere instrument in the righteous cause. His mind, deeply impressed with this conviction, remained serene and cheerful, and as vigorous as ever, for new attacks on popery, and for new combats with its unblushing advocates. He exhorted the princes never to abandon the great truths they had undertaken to support, and at the same time, he comforted his dejected friends, and employed much time in private prayer. At no period of his life was the weight and influence of Martin Luther more conspicuous than in 1530, when the religious differences seemed tending to an awful crisis. His fortitude was invincible, his zeal courageous, and disinterested; and happily they were both tempered by an extraordinary degree of rational and fervent piety.

TO BE ANSWERED BY THE PUPIL.

CENTURY I.

CHAP. I.

In what state did Christianity find mankind ? Where did something of the worship of the true God exist?

What ideas were almost unknown in Judea ?

Who made his appearance in this dismal night?
What is the genuine secret of true piety?

When did it please God to erect the first Christian church at Jerusalem ?*

What had our Saviour done previously to this event? Where did the Apostles convene after our Lord's *ascension ?

Give an account of the descent of the Holy Spirit. Relate the circumstances which succeeded the descent of the Holy Spirit.

What may be said of the members of the church at this time?

What were the effects of the Apóstles continued exertions?

How were the Apostles treated by the magistrates of Jerusalem ?

How were they delivered from prison?

What did they do, on being released from confine- *. ment?

What was their reply, when accused of disobedi

ence ?

How many deacons were chosen at this time?
What was the office of deacons ?

Who of them was the most distinguished?

You may relate the character and martyrdom of Stephen.

What may be said of that spirit, which shone in this first of Christian martyrs 2

Relate the conversion of Paul.

In what was he engaged from this time till his death What was the state of the persecution, after Paul had espoused the cause of Christianity?

In whose hands was the civil power of Judea at this time?

Which of the Apostles did Herod put to death?
How did Herod treat Peter?

By what means was Peter delivered from prison? Can you mention the circumstances of Herod's death?

What was the next memorable event in the mother church?

You may relate the most prominent things respecting Galilee-Samaria-Cæsarea-Antioch-Galatia --Philippi-Thessalonica--Corinth-Rome-The se

ven churches of Asia.

CHAP. II.

When did the Apostles leave Judea ?

What were the effects of their exertions among the Gentiles?

When did the Romans first issue edicts for persecuting the Christians?

Give an account of the persecution under Nero. Can you give some account of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the sufferings of the Jews?

What became of the Christians of Judea?

By whom were the horrors of persecution renewed? What edict did Nerva, the succeeding emperor, publish?

Which of the Apostles first suffered martyrdom? What remarkable circumstance attended his death? Give an account of the life and martyrdom of James the Just.

Who was appointed successor of James?

How long did the Apostle Paul labor in the ministry?
How many epistles did he write during this period?

1