It was also with a conviction that he must give the Church, not the best form of worship imaginable, but the best possible, that Melancthon laboured at his Instructions. The German Reformation at that time tacked about, as it were. If Lambert in Hesse had gone to the extreme of a democratical system, Melancthon in Saxony was approximating the contrary extreme of traditional principles. A conservative principle was substituted for a reforming one. Melancthon wrote to one of the inspectors:[97] "All the old ceremonies that you can preserve, pray do so.[98] Do not innovate much, for every innovation is injurious to the people."[99] [97] Dr. Dewette thinks this letter is Luther's (L. Epp. iii. p. 352). It appears clear to me, as also to Dr. Bretschneider, that it is Melancthon's. Luther never went so far in the way of concession. [98] Observo quantum ex veteribus cæremoniis retineri potest, retineas.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 990.) [99] Omnis novitas nocet in vulgo.--(Ibid.) They retained, therefore, the Latin liturgy, a few German hymns being mingled with it;[100] the communion in one kind for those only who scrupled from habit to take it in both; a confession made to the priest without being in any way obligatory; many saints' days, the sacred vestments,[101] and other rites, "in which," said Melancthon, "there is no harm, whatever Zwingle may say."[102] And at the same time they set forth with reserve the doctrines of the Reformation. [100] Non aboleas eam totam (the Latin mass): satis est alicubi miscere Germanicas cantationes.--(Ibid.) [101] Ut retineantur vestes usitatæ in sacris.--(Corp. Ref. ad Jonam, 20th December 1527.) [102] Vel si Zwinglius ipse prædicaturus sit.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 910.) It is but right to confess the dominion of facts and circumstances upon these ecclesiastical organizations; but there is a dominion which rises higher still--that of the Word of God. Perhaps what Melancthon did was all that could be effected at that time: but it was necessary for the work to be one day resumed and re-established on its primitive plan, and this was Calvin's glory. [Sidenote: DISAFFECTION.] A cry of astonishment was heard both from the camp of Rome and from that of the Reformation. "Our cause is betrayed," exclaimed some of the evangelical Christians: "the liberty is taken away that Jesus Christ had given us."[103] [103] Alii dicerent prodi causam.--(Camer. Vita Melancthon, p. 107.) On their part the Ultramontanists triumphed in Melancthon's moderation: they called it a retractation, and took advantage of it to insult the Reform. Cochlœus published a "horrible" engraving, as he styles it himself, in which, from beneath the same hood was seen issuing a seven-headed monster representing Luther. Each of these heads had different features, and all, uttering together the most frightful and contradictory words, kept disputing, tearing, and devouring each other.[104]