is no room for controversy between you and me,’ said Melanchthon, immediately; ‘I accept your articles.’[774] This was a great pleasure to Calvin. It was however soon disturbed. ‘But,’ continued the friend of Luther, ‘I must confess to you that we have some among us who demand something more material, and this so obstinately, not to say so despotically,[775] that I have found myself for a long time exposed to danger because they know that I differ from them on this subject. I do not believe that a solid agreement is attainable. But I desire that we should abide by the present agreement, such as it is, until the Lord lead us by one way or another into union in the truth.’ Calvin perfectly satisfied, hastened to write to Farel--‘Entertain no more any doubt about him, but consider him as holding altogether the same views as we do.’ Farel and Calvin found in Melanchthon an important ally. [Sidenote: CALVIN AND MELANCHTHON.] There was another question on which Calvin desired to ascertain the opinion of Melanchthon; it was that of discipline. On this subject he was not fully satisfied. Hardly had he mentioned it when his companion began, like others, says Calvin, to lament its absence in the Church. ‘Ah,’ said Calvin, ‘it is easier to mourn over the miserable state of the Church in this respect than to change it. And meanwhile how many examples are there which ought to animate us in seeking a remedy for this evil! Not long ago a good and learned man, who could not take on himself to tolerate vice, was driven from Ulm in disgrace, while his colleagues gave him the most honorable references. The news received from Augsburg is no better. Some day people will make a sport of deposing their pastors and sending them into exile.’ ‘We are in the midst of such a storm,’ said Melanchthon, ‘that we can do nothing better than give way for a short time to adverse winds.[776] We may hope that when external foes give us more repose, we shall be able to apply ourselves to remedying the evils that are within.’