Epistolarum [...] Farrago, in Partes tres distributa: Quarum Prima, varias materias Theologicas continet. Secunda, familiares Epistolas habet, quib. plures cùm domesticae, tum publicae res exponuntur. Tertia, ex diversis doctorum ac praestantium viroum Epistolis constat, quib. non solum privata, sed etiam Ecclesiastica & Politica negotia tractatur: A Ioanne Manlio passim collecta, & in co(m)unem studiosorum atq(ue) piorum usum nunc primum publicata

8vo. (16), 550 (i.e. 590, with errors in the pagination), (2) pp. α⁸, a-z, A-O⁸. With the printer's device on the title-page. Contemporary blind-stamped pigskin. With the autograph entry of ownership of Johannes Sagittarius (Schütz), Protestant theologian (1531-1584), and the engraved book plate of the jurist Christian Carl Ludwig von Savigny (1684-1740).

VD 16, M-3220; H.E. Bindseil, Bibliotheca Melanthoniana, (Halle, 1868), p. 27, no. 511; H. Scheible, ed., Melanchthons Briefwechsel, Regesten (1514-1560), (Stuttgart, 1977), I, p. 17.

FIRST EDITION of Melanchthon's first published letter collection. His correspondence, larger than that of Luther and Erasmus combined (nearly ten thousand letters), spanned the European continent. He had contacts in every major court and university in Europe (cf. C. Mundhenk, Melanchthons Briefwechsel, in: “Die Forschungsvorhaben der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften 1909-2009”, V. Sellin, E. Wolgast & S. Zwies, eds., Heidelberg, 2009, pp. 156-157).

Published five years after Melanchthon's death, this collection was compiled by Johannes Manlius (d. after 1571). A native of Ansbach, he came as a young student to Wittenberg in 1548, obtained a master degree in 1558 and started to teach in the philosophical faculty in 1559. Later he was active as a pastor in various small German towns. In 1562 he publish in Basel his Locorum communium collectanea, a collection of sayings and anecdotes, which Melanchthon had used in his lectures. The work was a great success, in fact until 1600 appeared 14 editions and 2 German translations. Manlius had access to many of Melanchthon's letters mainly during his position as the latter's secretary (probably from 1556 to 1557) (cf. M. Simon, Johann Manlius, der erste Herausgeber von Melanchthonbriefen, in: “Zeitschrift für bayerische Kirchengeschichte”, 24, 1955, pp. 141-149).

Manlius' edition was sharply criticized by Melanchthon's son-in-law and editor of his Opera Omnia, Caspar Peucer, who quickly countered with his own letter collection (Epistolae selectiores, Wittenberg, 1565, see item no. XXX). Soon thereafter in 1569 Joachim Camerarius provided a rich resource with a volume of some six hundred letters, which he had personally received from Melanchthon himself. In 1570 Peucer published a second collection of Melanchthon's letters, a libellus tertius was issued by Christoph Pezel in 1590 and a liber quartus was edited by Johannes Saubert in 1640, followed by the liber quintus et ultimus in 1646 and by a sixth book edited by Ludwig Camerarius (Leiden, 1647).

The volume contains 422 pieces (70 of which are not by Melanchthon) and opens with a prefatory letter by Manlius to Christoph Jonas, Thomas Matthias, and Christoph Meienburger, all councilors to George Frederick of Brandenburg-Ansbach, to which follows a letter from Heinrich Claviger to Manlius dated [August 2], 1564.

“Melanchthon hatte ein ganz anderes Verhältnis zu seiner Korrespondenz als die Mehrzahl der Humanisten. Seine Privatbriefe sind echte Augenblickserzeugnisse. Formale oder inhaltliche Rücksichten auf eine Veröffentlichung kennt er nicht. Er schreibt ohne Umschweife, was er zu sagen hat. Und er hat immer etwas Wichtiges zu sagen. Blumige Redewendungen einzuflechten, die Briefe ‘unter die Feile zu nehmen', verbot ihm der Drang der Geschäfte. Er merkte selbst, dass er sich von der ‘eleganten' Schreibweise der Humanisten, derer auch in seiner Jugend gezollt hatte, immer weiter entfernte. ‘Trocken' nennt er seinen Stil. Uns heutzutage spricht diese Sachlichkeit mehr an als die allzuoft nichtssagende Verschraubtheit mancher Humanisten, und auch Zeitgenossen stellten den Inhalt über die Form und rühmten die Klarheit der Sprache Melanchthons” (H. Scheible, Überlieferung und Editionen der Briefe Melanchthons, in: “Melanchthon und die Reformation”, G. May & R. Decot, eds., Mainz, 1996, p. 136).

(Pars prima:)

George [III] of Anhalt[-Dessau]. Regensburg, March 25, 1541 (p. 1)

Historia Conventus Ratisbonensis, Anno 1541. mense Martio. (pp. 3-12)

Oratio Philippi Melanchthonis ad Carolum V. Imperartorem, Anno 1541, mense Martio, Ratisbonae. (pp. 13-16)

[Henry VIII of England]. Wittenberg, March 13, 1535 (p. 16)

id. Wittenberg, December 1, 1535 (p. 20)

id. November 1, 1529 (p. 21)

from Francis [I], King of France. Guise, June 23, 1535(p. 38)

Francis [I], King of France. Saxony [Jena], August 28, 1535 (p. 39)

Consilium D. Philippi Melanchthonis scriptu(m) ad Marchiacas ecclesias. 1549. (pp. 42-48)

D.N. consiliario ducis Saxoniae Electoris. April 28, n.y. (p. 48)

Obernburger, Johannes. [Einbeck], May 24, 1547 (p. 54)

Episcopo Augustano [Stadion, Christoph von?]. (p. 56)

Theophilo oratori [Campeggio, Lorenzo]. Augsburg, July 4, 1530. (p. 59)

from Bugenhagen, Johannes, Cruciger, Kaspar, and Melanchthon, Philipp to Leonhard Beyer and Ering, Christoph. [Wittenberg], January 22, 1548 (p.61)

Luther, Martin. Worms, [December] 17, [1540] (p. 64)

Richebourg, N. de. Regensburg, April 1541 (p. 67)

Ad quendam amicum [Musculus, Andreas]. [Brandenburg], April 12, 1553 (p. 71)

to the City Council of Hamburg with Bugenhagen, Johannes. [Wittenberg], September 1550 (pp. 73)

[Buchholzer, Georg and other clergymen in Berlin] with Bugenhagen, Johannes. [September], 1549 (p. 76)

id. [Wittenberg], June 6, [1548] (p. 79)

Cuidam amico. De modo coram deo iustificandi. (p. 81)

from Luther, Martin. Sequitur appendix… D. Philippi epistolam. (p. 83)

De controversia Matthiae Lauterwaldt Elbingensis. [August], 1554 (pp. 84-89)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], July 19, 1559 (p. 89)

Stratner, Jakob. [Wittenberg], November 1539 (p. 90)

Amico cuidam. 1548 (p. 91)

Schlieben, Eustachius von. [Wittenberg], 1554 (p. 93)

to the Preachers in France. [Wittenberg], January 31, 1554 (p. 94)

Duo iudicia de coena Domini. Worms, [September, 1557] (pp. 96-97)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], February 7, [1549] (p. 98)

Bugenhagen, Johannes. Worms, December 17, [1540] (p. 99)

Paulus 1 Thimoth. 4. 1547 (p. 100-102)

Spalatin, Georg. December 3, no year (p. 102)

id. [Wittenberg, February 18], 1531 (p. 104)

Iudicium de alio casu matrimoniali. [Wittenberg], Die lunae post Ioannem baptistam, 1531 (p. 105)

Mathesius, Johannes. (p. 105, Non est novum, abuti homines)

[Praetorius], Gregor. [Wittenberg], June 25, 1550 (p. 107)

id. [Wittenberg], May 19, 1553 (p. 108)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], February 9, 1560 (p. 109)

Jung, Melchior. [Wittenberg, November 25], 1553 (p. 110)

[Schwolle, Hieronymus]. [Wittenberg, June 20, 1549] (p. 112)

id. [Wittenberg], January 8, 1549 (p. 114)

[Lasius, Christoph. Wittenberg], February 24, 1549 (p. 114)

Schwolle, Hieronymus. [Wittenberg], August 19, [1548] (p. 115)

[Buchholzer, Georg and other clergymen in Berlin] with Bugenhagen, Johannes. Wittenberg, January 11, 1549 (p. 116)

Luther, Martin. (p. 118, Heri dimisimus Welerum)

Musculus, Andreas. [Wittenberg], April [12], 1546 (p. 119)

Stiglitz, Sebastian. Wittenberg, August 19, 1546 (p. 123)

Sigfrid, Johannes. [Wittenberg], February 3, [1549] (p. 124)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], December 6, [1548] (p. 125)

id. [Wittenberg], May 8, [1548] (p. 126)

Albrecht of Prussia. [Wittenberg], January 1, 1550 (p. 127)

Matthias, Thomas. [Zerbst, February 13, 1547] (p. 131)

Ad quendam amicum. (p. 133, Ut caeterarum omnium virtutum)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Torgau], October 4, [1552] (p. 141)

id. [Wittenberg], August 4, [1548] (p. 144)

Campeggio, Lorenzo. [Augsburg, July 5, 1530] (p. 146)

Hügel, Andreas. [Wittenberg, January 12, 1548] (p. 148)

Iudicium de homicidis propriorum corporum. 1529 (p. 150)

Paulus ad Collonenses Cap. 3. (p. 151)

Dietrich, Veit. [Wittenberg], September 2, 1547 (p. 155)

Ioannis 14, inquit Filius dei (p. 155)

De vocatione ministrorum (p. 156)

Reiffenstein, Philipp. [Wittenberg or Torgau, July 29, 1531] (p. 156)

Spangenberg, Johannes. [Wittenberg], January 13, [1549](p. 157)

id. [Wittenberg], January 23, [1549] (p. 159)

Leib, Christoph. [Wittenberg], August 1, 1554 (p. 160)

[Luther, Martin]. [Augsburg], July 14, 1530 (p. 161)

(Pars secunda:)

Henry VIII, King of England. [Wittenberg], May 31, 1539 (p. 163)

id. Leipzig, February 20, 1540 (p. 165)

from Du Bellay, Guillaume. [Corbeil], June 16, 1535 (p. 166)

Reginae Navarrae [Navarre, Marguerite de]. [Wittenberg], June 13, 1534 (p. 167)

Sturm, [Johannes]. [Jena, August 28, 1535] (p. 168)

Gustaf [I, King] of Sweden. [Wittenberg], February 13, [1544] (p. 170)

John Frederick of Pomerania. [Wittenberg, January 1, 1555] (p. 172)

Burchard, Franz. [Wittenberg, January 19/20, 1536] (p.174)

Brück, Gregor. (p. 178, Etsi spero)

Glüenspiess, Philipp. [Wittenberg, April 19, 1536] (p. 179)

Snegius, Johannes. [Wittenberg], September 18, 1543 (p. 180)

[Braun], Valentin. [Torgau, January 6], 1547 [i.e. 1548] (p. 181)

Hertzheimer, Hans Jordan. [Wittenberg], January 5, 1533 (p. 182)

Eck, Leonhard von. [Jena, October 18, 1535] (p. 185)

Reinicke, Hans. [Wittenberg, April 19], 1536 (p. 188)

Tarnowski, Johannes. Regensburg, July 9, 1541 (p. 190)

Episcopo Cantuariensi [Cranmer, Thomas]. [Wittenberg], August [17], 1535 (p. 192)

n.r. (p. 194, Reverende Domine: Ut Ecclesia dei vera tanquam orphana)

[Eber, Paul]. Zerbst, February 19, 1547 (p. 195)

Cruciger, Caspar. Zerbst, March 29, 1547 (p. 196)

n.r. Christmas, 1547 (p. 198, Ut initium fuit Ecclesiae)

n.r. (p. 199, Hunc Pancratium Bavarum)

Eber, Paul. Zerbst, [March 31], 1547 (p. 200)

Spalatin, Georg. December 3, 1543 (p. 201)

from Marcellus, Johannes to Spalatin, Georg. [Wittenberg], July 31, 1542 (p. 202)

Fuchs, Leonhard. [Wittenberg], December 25, 1544 (p. 203)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], December 21/22, 1553 (p. 205)

id. [Torgau, December] 6, [1552] (p. 206)

id. November 3, n.y. (p. 207)

id. [Brandenburg], December 7, [1555] (p. 207)

id. [Wittenberg], August 1, [1553] (p. 208)

id. [Wittenberg], December 13, 1545 (p. 209)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], January 22, [1553] (p.209)

to the University of Frankfurt/Oder. [Wittenberg], August 1, 1547 (p. 210)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], May 4, [1554] (p. 211)

n.r. March, n.y. (p. 212, Saepe audivisti)

Spangenberg, Johannes. [Wittenberg], September 14, [1542], p. (212)

id. [Wittenberg], 1533 (p. 213)

id. [Wittenberg], November 7, [1543] (p. 214)

id. [Wittenberg], January 13, [1549] (p. 215)

id. [Wittenberg], January 23, [1459] (p. 216)

id. [Wittenberg], January 22, [1549] (p. 217)

Spangenberg, Cyriacus. [Wittenberg], August 16, 1550 (p. 218)

Spangenberg, Johannes. [Wittenberg], February 15, [1550] (p. 219)

Aepinus, Johannes. [Wittenberg], July 10, 1549 (p. 220)

Meienburg, Michael. [Wittenberg], September 15, 1548 (p. 222)

Glüenspiess, Philipp. [Wittenberg], July 20, 1538 (p. 223)

Weller, Hieronymus. [Wittenberg, November12, 1538] (p. 226)

Linck, Wenzeslaus. [Weimar, November 10, 1528?] (p. 227)

Bugenhagen, Johannes. [Jena, August 10, 1527] (p. 227)

Linck, Wenzeslaus. [Wittenberg, May, 1521] (p. 228)

Micyllus, Jakob. [Wittenberg, December, 1525] (p. 229)

Rivius, Johannes. [1533?] (p. 230)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Wittenberg, August 15, 1529], (p. 232)

id. [Wittenberg, March 20, 1531] (p. 233)

id. [Wittenberg, February, 1530] (p. 233)

Eberbach, Philipp. [Wittenberg, March 6, 1525] (p. 235)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Wittenberg, September 26, 1531] (p. 236)

Heiden, Joachim von der. [Torgau, October, 1552] (p. 237)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. (p. 238, Quaeso te mi Domine Guilielme)

Bugenhagen, Johannes. Zerbst, March 29, [1547] (p. 240)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Jena, November, 1527] (p. 241)

Meienburg, Christoph. [Wittenberg, December 25, 1541] (p. 241)

id. [Wittenberg, February 13, 1540] (p. 242)

Walthausen, Jobst. [Wittenberg, July 14, 1533] (p. 242)

Beitner, Hieronymus (p. 243)

Baumgartner, Bernhard. December 5, 1543 (p. 246)

Rittesel, Johannes (p. 246)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], May 22, 1545 (p. 247)

[Hübner, Thomas]. [Wittenberg], January 2, 1557 (p. 248)

Amico cuidam [Bötticher, Johannes]. [Wittenberg, June 6, 1554] (p. 249)

[Buchholzer], Georg. [Wittenberg], January 1, 1555 (p. 249)

Matthias, Thomas. [Wittenberg], April 13, 1556 (p. 250)

[Hübner, Thomas]. [Wittenberg], January 4, 1558 (p. 252)

Pannonius, Christoph. [Wittenberg], July 8, [1554] (p. 252)

Eber, Paul. [Nordhausen], May 26, [1547] (p. 253)

n.r. Wittenberg, November 29, 1559 (p. 254)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], November 29, 1559 (p. 256)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], October 30, [1551] (p. 256)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], July 20, [1553] (p. 257)

Pannonius, Christoph. [Wittenberg], June 29, 1554 (p. 258)

Pfeffinger, Johannes. [Wittenberg, September, 1551] (p. 259)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], November 26, 1551 (p. 263)

id. [Nordhausen, May 29], 1547 (p. 264)

id. [Wittenberg, March 15, 1550] (p. 265)

id. Braunschweig, May 6, [1547] (p. 266)

id. [Wittenberg], July 31, 1546 (p. 266)

id. [Torgau], November 19, 1552 (p. 267)

id. [Wittenberg], August 10, 1559 (p. 269)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg, February 9, 1560] (p. 271)

Cordatus, Konrad. [Wittenberg], September 27, [1544] (p. 272)

Medler, Nikolaus. [Wittenberg], July 2, 1547 [i.e. 1545] (p. 272)

Bötticher (the Elder), Johannes. [Wittenberg], March 25, [1554] (p. 273)

Sinapius, [Simon]. [Wittenberg], June 20, 1544 (p. 274)

Amico cuidam Pastori. [Wittenberg], May 15, [1536?] (p. 275)

Matthias, Thomas. [Torgau], October 3, [1552] (p. 276)

[Buchholzer], Georg. [Wittenberg], May 6, 1546 (p. 278)

Jonas, Justus. Wittenberg, June 11, 1529 (p. 278)

[Praetorius] (Schultetus), Georg. [Wittenberg], December 22, 1553 (p. 280)

Sabinus, Georg. [Brandenburg], December 7, 1555 (p. 281)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], July 4, 1556 (p. 281)

id. [Wittenberg, August 9, 1548] (p. 282)

Schedula tabulae collegij adfixa. [Wittenberg], November 26, 1541 (p. 284)

Horneburg, Johannes. [Wittenberg], December 6, 1554 (p. 284)

Rhau (the Younger), Georg. [Wittenberg, September, 1533] (p. 285)

Joachim Frederick of Brandenburg. [Wittenberg], January 4, 1558 (p. 286)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], February 16, 1556 (p. 287)

id. [Wittenberg], December 20, 1555 (p. 288)

from Luther, Martin to the Ministers of Nordhausen. (p. 289)

Buchholzer, Georg. Torgau, December 14, 1553 (p. 290)

Pannonius, Christoph. [Wittenberg, April 12], 1546 (p. 291)

Leib, Christoph. [Wittenberg], August 12, [1545] (p. 292)

Eisenberg, Wolfgang von. [Wittenberg], May 6, [15]47 (p. 293)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], December 6, 1555 [i.e. 1554] (p. 294)

id. [Wittenberg, July 30, 1548] (p. 295)

Sabinus, Georg. [Wittenberg], September 13, 1540 (p. 295)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], August 10, 1556 (p. 296)

Amico cuidam [Bötticher, Johannes]. [Wittenberg, June 20, 1554] (p. 297)

id. [Wittenberg], May 4, [1554] (p. 298)

De consuetudine cibum capiendi apud veteres (p. 298)

Epigramma, docens quomodo Romani diem transegerunt (p. 300)

Praetorius, Gregor. [Wittenberg], February 13, [1542] (p. 300)

Bugenhagen, Johannes. [Zerbst], November 22, [1546] (p. 301)

Marcellus, Johannes. [Torgau], October 19, 1548 (p. 302)

Maurus, Bernhard. Wittenberg, January, 1519 (p. 303)

Amico cuidam [Abbas, Friedrich?]. [Wittenberg, January, 1526?] (p. 310)

Amico cuidam [Alesius, Alexander?]. [Zerbst, April 27, 1547?] (p. 311)

[Eber, Paul].[ Zerbst, January 3/4, 1547] (p. 314)

Principi cuidam iuveni. (p. 315)

Myconius, Friedrich. [Wittenberg, November 6, 1545) (p. 316)

Eber, Paul. Zerbst, March 26, 1547 (p. 318)

Georg of Anhalt. [Zerbst], April 10, 1547 (p. 320)

[Eber, Paul]. [Magdeburg], November 30, [1546] (p. 321)

Osiander, Andreas. [Wittenberg, August 10, 1537] (p. 322)

Amico cuidam [Lippen, Johannes]. [January, 1558?] (p. 324)

Eber, Paul. [Zerbst], March 3, 1547 (p. 325)

Reiffenstein, Johannes. [Wittenberg, May, 1529] (p. 326)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. Wittenberg, June 20, [1527] (p. 326)

[Eber, Paul]. [Nordhausen], February [i.e. May] 26, 1547 (p. 327, see also p. 253)

Bernbeck, Friedrich. [Wittenberg], September 6, 1547 (p. 328)

Amico cuidam. [from Örtel, Veit to Camerarius, Joachim?]. [Wittenberg, February 6, 1546] (p. 329)

Rühel, Martin. [Wittenberg], July, 1533 (p. 332)

Marcellus, Johannes. [Zerbst], January 6, 1547 (p. 332)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Wittenberg, April, 1531] (p. 333)

Ebner, Erasmus. Coburg, [June 5, 1526] (p. 333)

Hacke, Christoph. [Wittenberg, March 29, 1523] (p. 334)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Jena, March 23, 1528] (p. 335)

Reiffenstein, Johannes. [Eisleben, April 17, 1527] (p. 335)

Reiffenstein, [Johannes?]. [Wittenberg, March 20, 1531] (p. 336)

Jonas, Justus [i.e. Luther, Martin]. [Wittenberg], January 31, [1546] (p. 337)

to the nephews of Spalatin, Georg (p. 337)

Reiffenstein, Wilhelm. [Wittenberg], June 2, [1529] (p. 338)

[Eber, Paul]. [Meissen], July 4, [1548] (p. 339)

Nobili adolescenti. (p. 340)

Goldstein, Kilian. [Jena, August 27, 1527] (p. 341)

[Buchholzer], Georg. [Wittenberg], September 21, 1556 (p. 342)

Rühel, Christoph. [Wittenberg, January], 1527 (p. 344)

id. [Lochau, October 3/4], 1533.(p. 345)

id. (p. 346)

id. [1534] (p. 246, Mihi verò his turbulentis)

id. [1534, Valde probo studium)

Goldstein, Kilian. [Wittenberg], April 7, [1522] (p. 348)

Henry VIII, King of England. [Wittenberg], August [17], 1535 (p. 349)

Episcopo cuidam [Philip, Count Palatine]. [Wittenberg, 1539] (p. 352)

Caesarius, [Johannes]. [Wittenberg, before 1533] (p. 352)

Brück, [Gregor]. [Wittenberg, before November 9, 1546] (p. 352)

Micyllus, Jakob. [Wittenberg, December, 1525] (p. 353)

Marcellus, Marcus [i.e. Johannes]. Frankfurt, September 12, 1536 (p. 354)

id. [Wittenberg, October 15, 1531] (p. 355)

M.[eienburg], Christoph. [Wittenberg], May 12, [1548] (p. 356)

Rühel, Christoph. [Wittenberg, November/December, 1532] (p. 357)

id. [Halle], February 23, 1533 (p. 357)

Voigt, Michael. Halle, [ca. February 11], 1551 (p. 358)

Melanchthon the Younger, Philipp. [Wittenberg], April 26, [1557] (p. 359)

Buchner, Johannes. [Torgau,January 3/4, 1548] (p. 359)

Eber, Paul. [Meissen], July 6, [1548] (p. 360)

Velcurioni [Bernhardi, Johannes]. [Wittenberg, end 1525/26] (p. 361)

Golstein, Kilian. [Wittenberg, Winter 1530/31] (p. 361)

[Junius], Erhard. [Wittenberg, February], 1536 [i.e. 1530] (p. 362)

Reiffenstein, Johannes. [Jena, August, 1535] (p. 363)

Goldstein, Kilian. [Jena], August 10, 1527 (p. 363)

Reiffenstein, Albrecht. [Jena, September 20?, 1535] (p. 364)

Reiffenstein the Younger, Wilhelm. [Jena, September 20?, 1535] (p. 365)

Frisius, Bernhard. [Jena, December 4, 1535] (p. 365)

n.r. [Wittenberg], January 22, [1536] (p. 366)

[Staphilus, Friedrich?]. [Zerbst], April 5, 1547 (p. 367)

Goldstein, Kilian. Augsburg, May 26, 1530 (p. 368)

Rühel, Christoph. [Wittenberg, August] 1533 (p. 369)

Baumgartner, Bernhard. [Wittenberg], March 31, 1536 (p. 370)

Camillus, Laurentius. [Wittenberg], February 7, 1547 (p. 371)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], August 9, 1546 (p. 372)

id. [Torgau], November 25, [1552] (p. 373)

[Solinus, Gregor?] [Wittenberg], February 22, [1540?] (p. 374)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], September 25, 1546 (p. 375)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], March 7, [1556] (p. 376)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], October 21, [1548] (p. 376)

Solinus, Gregor. [Wittenberg], December 20, 1540 (p. 377)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], May 23, 1556 (p. 378)

Musa, Anton. [Wittenberg], March 12, 1543 (p. 379)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg, October 26/27, 1549] (p. 381)

id. [Wittenberg], February 4, [1551] (p. 381)

id. [Wittenberg, after December 25], 1550 [i.e. 1549] (p. 382)

[Hübner, Thomas]. [Wittenberg], September 1, 1558 (p. 383)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], September 17, [1548] (p. 384)

[Eber, Paul]. [Zerbst], April 1, 1558 (p. 345, i.e.385)

Goldstein, Kilian. [Wittenberg], June 24, [1545] (p. 346, i.e. 386)

Nicolao cuidam [Medler, Nikolaus?]. (p. 347, i.e. 387)

Gobler, Justinus. [Wittenberg, October, 1534] (p. 348, i.e. 388)

Cruciger, Caspar. [Zerbst], April 3, [1547] (p. 349, i.e.389)

n.r. April 2, n.y. (p. 349, i.e. 389, Non dubito, huius temporis rumores)

Jonas, Justus. Wittenberg, January 23, [1549] (p. 350, i.e. 390)

Aquila, Caspar. [Wittenberg], September 18, 1547 (p. 352, i.e. 392)

Meienburg, Michael. [Zerbst, April 7, 1547] (p. 353, i.e. 393)

id. [Zerbst], March 10, 1547 (p. 354, i.e. 394)

[Eber, Paul]. [Zerbst], January 21, 1547 (p. 355, i.e. 395)

Sabinus, Georg. [Zerbst, April 6, 1547] (p. 356, i.e. 396)

Crodelius, Marcus. Wittenberg, August 8, 1539 (p. 358, i.e. 398)

Eber, Paul. Zerbst, April 16, 1547 (p. 359, i.e. 399)

Ad quendam Iuriconsultum Academiae Rostochianae. (p. 360, i.e. 400)

[Hermelates], Theophilus. [Wittenberg], March 28, 1536 (p. 362, i.e. 402)

Bucer, Martin. Leipzig, [April, 23], 1537 (p. 364, i.e. 404)

(Pars tertia:)

Publicum testumonium ab Academia Basiliensis, Ioanni Manlio datum. Basel, January 27, 1563 (p. 366, i.e. 406)

Omnibus has literas lecturis. Wittenberg, July 7, 1534 (p. 367, i.e. 407)

Lecturis has literas. [Wittenberg], September 5, 1558 (p. 368, i.e. 408)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. [Wittenberg], June 1, 1558 (p. 370, i.e. 410)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. Wittenberg, September 4, 1551 (p. 370, i.e. 410)

Lecturis has literas. [Wittenberg], March 1, 1558 (p. 371, i.e. 411)

Carsdorf, Ägidius. [Wittenberg, 1543/1548] (p. 373, i.e. 413)

from Bugenhagen, Johann. Wittenberg (p. 373, i.e. 413)

Lecturis has literas. Wittenberg, December 22, 1556 (p. 374, i.e. 414)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. [Wittenberg], September 1, 1558 (p. 376, i.e. 416)

Simoni cuidam. [Wittenberg?], August 21 (p. 377, i.e. 417)

Weinlaub, Johannes. [Wittenberg], March 27, 1555 (p. 377, i.e. 417)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], July 16, 1554 (p. 378, i.e. 418)

Staude, Hieronymus. [Wittenberg], April 18, [1546] (p. 380, i.e. 420)

[Leib, Christoph]. [Wittenberg], May 1, [1554] (p. 381, i.e. 421)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], February 1, 1554 (p. 382, i.e. 422)

Sabinus, Georg. [Wittenberg], April 18, [1555] (p. 382, i.e. 422)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], February 20, [1548] (p. 383, i.e. 423)

id. [Leipzig], November 10, [1555] (p. 384, i.e. 424)

Ko?cielecki, Johannes. [Wittenberg], June 1, 1555 (p. 385, i.e. 425)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], October 3, [1548] (p. 386, i.e. 426)

Odesholm, Blasius. [Wittenberg], June 6, 1547 (p. 387, i.e. 427)

Fidelis, Johannes. [Wittenberg], August 1, 1556 (p. 388, i.e. 428)

Bucholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], February 17, 1554 (p. 398, i.e. 429)

id. [Wittenberg], June 9 [i.e.6], [1554] (p. 390, i.e. 430)

[Zwilling], Gabriel. [Wittenberg], July 6, 1542 (p. 391, i.e. 431)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. Wittenberg, November 11, 1546 (p. 391, i.e. 431)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. Wittenberg, April 10, 1547 (p. 393, i.e. 433)

Aliud. Wittenberg, April 10, 1547 (p. 394, i.e 434)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], January 16, [1553] (p. 395, i.e. 435)

id. [Wittenberg], April 21, 1556 (p. 395, i.e. 435)

[Maior, Georg]. [Nordhausen], May 28, 1547 (p. 396, i.e. 436)

Jonas, Justus. Speier, March, 22, 1529 (p. 397, i.e. 437)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Zerbst], February 24, 1547 (p. 398, i.e. 438)

id. [Wittenberg, March 20], 1545 (p. 399, i.e. 439)

id. [Wittenberg], October 31, 1555 (p. 400, i.e. 440)

id. [Zerbst], March 8, [1547] (p. 401, i.e. 441)

[Luther, Martin]. [Augsburg], June 25, [1530] (p. 402, i.e. 442)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg], January 10, [1555] (p. 403, i.e. 443)

id. [Wittenberg], March, 25, [1555] (p. 405, i.e. 445)

id. [Wittenberg], March 15, 1545 (p. 406, i.e. 446)

Luther, Martin. Frankfurt, March 3, [1539] (p. 407, i.e. 447)

[Buchholzer], Georg. [Wittenberg], April 10, 1545 (p. 408, i.e. 448)

id. [Wittenberg, May 14], 1545 (p. 409, i.e. 449)

Schwolle, Hieronymus. [Wittenberg], March 29, [1553] (p. 410, i.e. 450)

Pannonius, Christoph. [Wittenberg], May 20, 1555 (p. 411, i.e. 451)

Leib, Christoph. [Wittenberg], December 15, [1559] (p. 412, i.e. 452)

id. [Wittenberg, June/July, 1556] (p. 412, i.e. 452)

from Sadoleto, Jacopo. Roma, June 18, 1557 (p. 413, i.e. 453)

from Cl[aviger], Ambrosius. Marienberg, August 26, 1557 (p. 417, i.e. 457)

from Marcellus, Johannes to Zwilling, Gabriel. June 14, 1544 (p. 420, i.e. 460)

M[yconius?], Friedrich. [Gotha?], 1542 (p. 422, i.e. 462)

id. [Gotha?], December 26, 1546 [i.e. 1545] (p. 426, i.e. 466)

id. Leipzig, [October, 1539] (p. 427, i.e. 467)

id. [Gotha], 1542 (p. 428, i.e. 468)

from Forster, Johannes to Spangenberg, Johannes. Merseburg, April 9, 1548 (p. 431, i.e. 471)

to the Church of Mansfeld. [Wittenberg], December 13, 1550 (p. 433, i.e. 473)

from M[aior], G[eorg] to Spangenberg, Johannes. Merseburg, January 31, 1548 (p. 435, i.e. 475)

id. April 18, 1534 (p. 436, i.e. 476)

from Reinhold, Erasmus to Spangenberg, Johannes. Wittenberg, July 2, 1544 (p. 437, i.e. 477)

from M[aior], G[eorg] to Spangenberg, Johannes. January 24, n.y. (p. 439, i.e. 479)

id. January 27, 1458 (p. 441, i.e. 481)

from Aemilius, Georg to Spangenberg, Johannes. Jena, 1535 (p. 442, i.e. 482)

from Plateanus, Petrus to Spangenberg, Johannes. Zwickau, August 13, 1535 (p. 443, i.e. 483)

from Bucer, Martin [i.e. Melanchthon, Philipp] to Luther, Martin. Frankfurt/Main, March 14, [1539] (p. 444, i.e. 484)

Cuiusdam ingeniosi & docti iuvenis epistola. July 9, n.y. (p. 445, i.e. 485)

from George III, prince of Anhalt-Dessau, to Spangenberg, Johannes. Merseburg, January 7, 1546 (p. 449, i.e. 489)

id. Merseburg, sabbatho post Sixtii, 1545 (p. 448, i.e. 488)

from Reiffenstein Johannes to Spangenberg, Johannes. In vigilia Trinitatis, 1546 (p. 449, i.e. 489)

from George III, prince of Anhalt-Dessau, to Spangenberg, Johannes. Merseburg, June 27, 1548 (p. 451, i.e. 491)

id. Merseburg, April 5, 1548 (p. 453, i.e. 493)

Spangenberg, Johannes. [Wittenberg], March 19, [1550] (p. 453, i.e. 493)

from Bechius, Philipp to Spangenberg, Johannes. Leipzig, October, 1549 (p. 454, i.e. 494)

from Stigel, Johannes to Spangenberg, Johannes. [poem] (p. 456, i.e. 496)

from Luther, Martin. [Wittenberg], August 29, 1535 (p. 458, i.e. 498)

Omnibus lecturis has literas. Rector, Magistri & Doctores Academiae Wittenbergegensis [Wittenberg], June 7, 1555 (p. 459, i.e. 499)

from Bugenhagen, Johannes to Cordatus, Konrad. Wittenberg, September 30, 1544 (p. 461, i.e. 501).

from Marsthovius, Sebastian to Cosnius, Johann. May, 1536 (p. 462, i.e. 502)

from [Du Bellay, Jean]. Ex Fano Querini, July 27, 1535 (p. 464, i. 504)

from Sabinus, Georg to a Prince. [1533?], (p. 465, i.e. 505)

Ad amicum. [Wittenberg], March 13, 1535 (p. 468, i.e. 508)

from Erasmus of Rotterdam. Basel, February 19, 1535 (p. 469, i.e. 509)

from H.B.N. to Marcellus, Johannes. (p. 469, i.e. 509)

from Fischer, Johannes (through Melanchthon) to the City Council of Torgau. [Wittenberg], June 14, 1544 (p. 472, i.e. 512)

from B[esold?], Hieronymus to a friend. [1533?] (p. 474, i.e. 514)

from George III, prince of Anhalt-Dessau, to a bishop. (p. 475, i.e. 515)

N.N. to a friend. Die Palmarum, 1535 (p. 477, i.e. 517)

[Gerbel, Nikolaus & Hedio, Caspar] Instructio pro Casp. Steinbach ministro verbi, ad expeditione(m) Turcica(m). Strasbourg, 1542 (p. 478, i.e. 518)

n.r. Deprecatio. July, n.y. (p. 482, i.e. 522, same as p. 445)

Epistola ad amicum quendam. 1546 (p. 484, i.e. 524)

D.M.L. Dehortatio de solitudine fugienda. (p. 485, i.e. 525)

Rector Academiae Vitebergensis. Dehortatio, ne puella in gyros ducantur. (p. 486, i.e. 526)

Rector, Magistri & Doctores Academiae Vitebergensis to Jonas, Justus. [Wittenberg], February 19, 1546 (p. 487, i.e. 527)

from [Camerarius, Joachim?] Querela de calamitate belli. Merseburg, January 2, 1547 (p. 489, i.e. 529)

from Amerbach, Vitus to Holsatius, Erardus. Wittenberg, [1527] (p. 492, i.e. 532)

Vinariensis [i.e. Burchard], Franz to Swawe, Peter. [Wittenberg], July 24, 1528 (p. 493, i.e. 533)

B[esold?], Hieronymus to his father. (p. 494, i.e. 534)

B[esold?], Hieronymus. (p. 495, i.e. 535, Periucundae mihi fuerunt literae tuae)

from Firerius, H. to a friend. (p. 496, i.e. 536)

from H.F. Patri suo carissimo. (p. 497, i.e. 537)

from A.R. Patri Suo. [1534?] (p. 498, i.e. 538)

from I.W.R. Parenti suo carissimo. (p. 500, i.e. 540)

from H.B to Sturnus. (p. 500, i.e. 540)

from H.B. to Rivius, Johannes. (p. 502, i.e. 542)

from M. Patri suo. May 22, n.y. (p. 503, i.3 543)

Commendatoria (p. 503, i.e. 543, Etiamsi nulla mihi vobiscum intercedit noticia)

B[esold?], Hieronymus amico suo. (p. 504, i.e. 544)

N. Patri suo charissimo. (p. 505, i.e 545, Et animi gratitudinem tibi perpetuam)

Alia. (p. 506, i.e. 546, Etsi magister Erasmus in patriam profectus est)

Doctrinae verae commendatio. (p. 508, i.e. 548)

Buchholzer, Georg. [Wittenberg, September 8, 1553] (p. 509, i.e. 549)

Cuisdam excellentis & docti iuvenis epistola, ad suum Tutorem scripta. (p. 510, i.e. 550, Quam mihi iucundae fuerint literae tuae)

from N.N. Patri charissimo suo. (p. 511, i.e. 551, Non dubito te & alios multos honestos homines)

Alia. (p. 513, i.e. 553, Postquam huc nunciatum est)

Alia. Hamburg (p. 514, i.e. 554, Cum sciam te pericula praesentia)

Alia. September 16, n.y. (p. 515, i.e. 555, Deo aeterno patri Domini nostri Iesu Christi gratias ago)

from Mosellanus, Petrus to Hessus, Johannes. Leipzig, May 29, 1521 (p. 516, i.e. 556)

from the Rector and Professors of the Wittenberg to Kegel, Andreas. Wittenberg, January 25, 1549 (p. 518, i.e. 558)

Adolescens cuisdam. (p. 519, i.e. 559, Saepe decrevi ad te aliquid literarum)

for Joachim II of Brandenburg to Sigismund, King of Poland. [Berlin], October [ca. 20], 1539 (p. 520, i.e. 560)

De usu arteriarum (p. 526, i.e. 566)

De Demosthene in Scholiis praelegendo admonitio. [Wittenberg], August 29, 1538 (p. 530, i.e. 570)

Oratio à M. [Joanne] Marcello habita. (p. 531, i.e 571)

Bugenhagen, Johannes. Worms, December 17, [1540] (p. 534, i.e. 574)

for Aemilius, Georgius to Caesarius, Johannes. [Wittenberg, ca. 1533] (p. 535, i.e. 575, Etsi de fide & constantia)

id. [Wittenberg, ca. 1533] (p. 537, i.e. 577, Si non veritus fuissem)

id. [Wittenberg, ca. 1533] (p. 538, i.e. 578, Quod in maximis occupationibus)

from H[ieronymus]. B [esold]. Parenti suo charisssimo. [1536] (p. 539, i.e. 579)

from Fabricius, Georg to Voicius, Michael.  [Meissen, 1550?] (p. 542, i.e. 582)

Buchner, Johannes. [January 6, 1548] (p. 543, i.e. 583)

[to the City Council of Kronstadt]. Wittenberg, September 27, 1543 (p. 544, i.e. 584)

[for a student] Patri suo. [Wittenberg, July, 1535] (p. 546, i.e. 586)

An credendum sit, animam Christi separatam dolores inferorum passam esse, iudicium (p. 547, i.e. 587)

[Eber, Paul. Torgau], May 28, 1548 [i.e. December 29, 1547] (p. 548, i.e. 588)

[for a student] Patri suo. [Wittenberg] (p. 549, i.e. 589, Causam cur tardius expectatione tua)

[for a student] Patri suo. [Wittenberg,] (p. 550, i.e. 559, Dedi nuper ad te literas)

Philipp Melanchthon (Schwarzterdt) was born in Bretten (Palatinate) on February 16, 1497. His mother was the niece of Johann Reuchlin, who later bestowed on him the Greek name of Melanchthon. Privately taught as a child by Johann Unger, in 1508 he attended the Latin school in Pforzheim, where the director Georg Simler introduced him to the study of Greek.

In 1509 he matriculated at the University of Heidelberg, where he met Jacob Wimpfeling, and two years later at the University of Tübingen, where he obtained his MA in 1514. Between 1514 and 1516 he taught some courses at the university and collaborated as a corrector at the press of Thomas Anshelm.

In 1518 he was appointed to the new chair of Greek at the University of Wittenberg. Already since his inaugural speech (De corrigenda adulescentiae studiis), he proposed a through reform program of education. Early on he also began to support Luther's theological reform and defend him in his publications. In 1523 Melanchthon was elected rector of the Wittenberg University, despite its statutes requested a celibate for that position, and in 1536, under the university's new constitution, he, like Luther, received the privilege to organize his courses independently of faculty regulations. His lectures formed the basis for those numerous commentaries and textbooks that, revised and rewritten many times, have earned him the title of ‘Praeceptor Germaniae'.

Besides his scholarly work, he was deeply involved in ecclesiastical politics: he prepared memoranda, undertook many journeys (in particular he attended the diet of Augsburg in 1530, the political meetings in Schmalkalden, and the colloquy of Worms in 1541), and composed milestone works as Loci communes rerum theologicarum and the Confessio Augustana. During the war of Schmalkalden (1546-1547), which led to the siege and occupation of Wittenberg, he fled to Nordhausen. In 1557 he attended in Worms his last religious colloquy and helped reorganize the University of Heidelberg. On a trip to Leipzig to an examination of candidates at the university he caught a cold from which he died in Wittenberg on April 19, 1560. He was laid to rest next to Luther in the castle church.

Melanchthon's importance for the Reformation lay essentially in the fact that he systematized Luther's ideas, defended them in public, and made them the basis of a religious education. These two, by complementing each other, could be said to have harmoniously achieved the results of the Reformation.

As a reformer, Melanchthon was characterized by moderation, conscientiousness, caution, and love of peace; but these qualities were sometimes said to only be lack of decision, consistence, and courage. Often, however, his actions are shown stemming not from anxiety for his own safety, but from regard for the welfare of the community and for the quiet development of the Church.

As a scholar Melanchthon embodied the entire spiritual culture of his age. At the same time he found the simplest, clearest, and most suitable form for his knowledge; therefore his manuals, even if they were not always original, were quickly introduced into schools and kept their place for more than a century. In ethics Melanchthon preserved and renewed the tradition of ancient morality and represented the Evangelical conception of life. His books bearing directly on morals were chiefly drawn from the classics, and were influenced not so much by Aristotle as by Cicero. Melanchthon's formulation of the authority of Scripture became the norm for the following time. The principle of his hermeneutics is expressed in his words: “Every theologian and faithful interpreter of the heavenly doctrine must necessarily be first a grammarian, then a dialectician, and finally a witness”.

In the sphere of historical theology the influence of Melanchthon may be traced until the seventeenth century, especially in the method of treating church history in connection with political history. His was the first Protestant attempt at a history of dogma.

As a philologist and pedagogue Melanchthon was the spiritual heir of the South German Humanists, of men like Reuchlin, Wimpheling, and Rudolph Agricola, who represented an ethical conception of the humanities. The liberal arts and a classical education were for him only a means to an ethical and religious end. The ancient classics were for him in the first place the sources of a purer knowledge, but they were also the best means of educating the youth both by their beauty of form and by their ethical content. By his organizing activity in the sphere of educational institutions and by his compilations of Latin and Greek grammars and commentaries, Melanchthon became the founder of the learned schools of Evangelical Germany, a combination of humanistic and Christian ideals. In philosophy also Melanchthon was the teacher of the whole German Protestant world (cf. H. Scheible, Melanchthon. Eine Biographie, München, 1997, passim).

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