Note 450 — CXXII.—To Bullinger.

In a recent publication, entitled, "Short Confession concerning the Supper," (Kurzes Bekenntniss vom Abendmahl,) Luther, renewing his invectives against the adversaries of the Sacrament, had insulted the memory of Zuingli, and had not even respected that of the learned and pious Œcolampadius.—Hospinian, Hist. Sacrament., tom. ii. pp. 326-331. Grievously annoyed by these violences, Melanchthon would have fled into retirement to get rid of the sad spectacle of the disorders which rent in pieces the Reformed Churches. He wrote to Bucer, the 28th August 1544, "I have written to you about our Pericles, who has again begun to thunder most vehemently on the subject of the Lord's Supper, and has written a fierce attack, in which you and I are beaten black and blue. I am a quiet peaceable bird, nor would be unwilling if I may depart out of this prison-house, if our disturber shall constrain me."—Ph. Melanchthonis Opera, edit. of Breitschneider, tom. v. p. 464.