[121] To the excellent servant of Christ our Lord, Doctor Wolfgang
Musculus, most reverend pastor of the Church of Augsbourg, brother,
and fellow-minister.
Wolfgang Musculus, born in a small town of Lorraine, and of an
obscure family, raised himself by his talents, and the varied range
of his accomplishments, to a place among the most distinguished men
of his time. He cultivated with success music, poetry, and theology;
was converted to the gospel in a convent by the perusal of the
writings of Luther; gained the friendship of Capito and Bucer, and
quitted Strasbourg in 1531, with a view to the discharge of the
functions of the ministry in the church of Augsbourg. Driven from
that city in 1548, by the proclamation of the _Interim_, he withdrew
at first to Zurich, and afterwards to Berne, where he died in 1563.
His numerous manuscripts, as well as those of Abraham Musculus his
son, are preserved in the Library of Zoffingue.--Melch. Adam, _Vitæ
Theol. Germ._, p. 367.
Anxiety regarding the Churches of Germany--advice to Musculus.
GENEVA, _21st April 1547_.
If I were to follow out the subject in this letter, as time and
the present condition of things demand, I see that there would be
no end to it. There are, besides, other reasons that prevent me
from entering on this forest so full of thorns. I was unwilling,
however, to send away this youth wholly empty, who had come in my
way, without at least testifying to you, in the present calamitous
state of your church, and as becomes the friendly relations
subsisting between us, that I ever bear you in mind. Indeed, when
the earliest rumours reached this, you were among the first, of
those whose danger caused me agony, to occur to my mind; and when
the ungovernable violence of my grief had hurried me to Zurich,
as soon as I fell in with Bernardino,[122] who had arrived about
half an hour before I met him, I began at once, forgetful alike
of salutation and everything else, to make inquiries after you.
I confess, however, that I was solicitous about your safety, in
proportion to the strength of the fear I had, lest you should
abandon the Church in such a time of need, as usually happens when
matters are desperate and past recovery; or rather lest, being
as it were deserted by your flock, you should betake yourself
elsewhere;[123] for it is difficult, amid so great darkness, to
discern what is most expedient. Now, howsoever severe the trial may
have been, I yet rejoice that the Lord has caused the spirit of
prudence and counsel to spring up in you and your fellow-ministers,
and has sustained your minds with the spirit of fortitude, as far as
might be in circumstances not the best. I also give God thanks, that
in whatsoever way matters have been improved, a short breathing time
is granted you, until at length tranquil serenity may clearly dawn
upon you. Meanwhile, it is proper we should learn, that it has been
usual with God in all ages to preserve his own Church in a wonderful
way, and without human protection. Relying therefore on this ground
of confidence, let us strive to break through whatever difficulty
there may be, and let us never lose heart, even although we should
be destitute of all things.
[122] Named pastor of the Italian church at Augsbourg in
October 1545, Ochino fled from that city on the approach of the
imperial army, in the early part of the year 1547.--Schelhorn
_Ergoetzlichkeiten_, vol. iii. pp. 1141, 1142.
[123] Wolfgang Musculus did not cease to proclaim the Gospel in
Augsbourg until the church in which he preached had been closed
by order of the emperor, and his congregation dispersed. He was
himself obliged to take his departure the year following, (26th June
1548.)--Melch. Ad., p. 381.
Adieu, most upright brother, and one dear to me from the bottom of
my heart, as also your fellow-ministers, all of whom you will very
affectionately salute in my name. May the Lord Jesus be present with
you, guide you by his Spirit, and bless your holy labours. You will
also convey to your family my best greeting.--Yours,