MELANCHTHON, Philip, Sylvester Hassell Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), the “Preceptor of Germany,” the scholarly, humble, ethical and conciliatory co-laborer of Luther, the,
lay theologian and second leader of the German Reformation, was, in nearly all respects the exact complement of Luther. He acknowledged that infant baptism was a weak point in Luther’s system. He was the author of The Commonplaces of Theology, the Augsburg Confession, and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession. Though, under Luther’s influence, at first a monergist, he made a gradual departure towards synergism, and, indeed, for the sake of peace, he seemed to be willing to yield everything except justification by faith. When the double marriage of Philip of Hesse became public, Melanchthon was so overcome by the pangs of conscience on account of his consent to that iniquity, that he sickened almost to death, and is said to have been “raised up by the powerful will and prayer of Luther, who thought that he could work miracles by his prayers, and who said, by way of comforting Melanchthon, that, while they could not justify the matter to man, they could to God, who knew all the circumstances!”
Melanchthon’s wife was a pious and devoted woman, and his domestic life was happy. He called his home “a little church,” and “always found there peace, and showed a tender regard for his wife and children, and not infrequently was found rocking the cradle with one hand and holding a book with the other.” He lectured on the Scriptures at his home, which was a social center of the Wittenberg Reformation. In his public career he is said not to have sought honor or fame and wealth, but to have earnestly endeavored to serve the church and the cause of truth.” (Hassell’s History pg 488)