These conversations of Calvin and Melanchthon possessed a great attraction for both of them. We can imagine how interesting was this exchange of views between two of the most distinguished minds of the age. Their speech was simple, profound, and natural. They listened well and replied well. Calvin spoke with great freedom, although without dogmatism. The ceremonies of worship in the Lutheran churches, the singing in Latin, the images and other things quite as much to be censured, were among the subjects which he had at heart. ‘I must confess to you frankly,’ he said to Melanchthon, ‘that this superfluity of ceremonies pains me; it seems to me that the forms which you have kept are not far removed from Judaism.’[777] Calvin having given his reasons, ‘I will not dispute with you on this subject,’ said Melanchthon; ‘I own that we have among us too many of these senseless, or at any rate certainly superfluous rites.[778] But it was necessary to concede this to the canonists, who show themselves very obstinate with respect to it. For the rest, there is no place in Saxony which is less overloaded with them than Wittenberg, and even there much of this farrago will be thrown overboard. Luther disapproves just as much the ceremonies which he has been compelled to keep as he does your parsimony in regard to them.’ Calvin when relating this conversation to Farel adds, ‘Bucer cannot endure that for the sake of these paltry outward observances we should separate from Luther; and I too believe that they are not legitimate causes of division.’[779] From all these conversations Calvin derived the conviction of the complete sincerity of Melanchthon, and this he was anxious to communicate to those who doubted it. [Sidenote: HENRY VIII. AND MELANCHTHON.]