[141] Ehe das Ungeziffer uberhand nehme. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, 271.) [Sidenote: MELANCTHON'S DEFENCE.] Luther was not the only person against whom he vented his rage. He had the imprudence to call Melancthon into the field. Melancthon, who was in terms of the greatest intimacy with the excellent Œcolampadius, gave him an account of the discussion, and spoke of Eck in eulogistic terms.[142] Nevertheless, the pride of the chancellor of Ingolstadt was offended, and he immediately took up the pen against this "grammarian of Wittemberg, who, it is true," said he, "was not ignorant of Latin and Greek, but had dared to publish a letter in which he had insulted him, Dr. Eck."[143] [142] Eccius ob varias et insignes ingenii dotes.... (L. Op. Lat. i, p. 337.) [143] Ausus est grammaticus Wittembergensis, Græce et Latine sane non indoctus, epistolam edere.... (L. Op. Lat. i, p. 338.) Melancthon replied. It is his first theological writing, and displays the exquisite urbanity which characterised this excellent man. Laying down the fundamental principles of Hermeneutics, he shows that the Holy Scriptures ought not to be explained according to the Fathers, but the Fathers according to the Holy Scriptures. "How often," says he, "did not Jerome commit mistakes, how often Augustine, how often Ambrose; how often do they differ in opinion, how often do they retract their own errors; ... there is only one volume inspired by the Spirit of heaven--pure and true throughout."[144] [144] Una est Scriptura, cœlestis Spiritus, pura, et per omnia verax. (Contra Eckium Defensio, Corp. Refor. i, p. 115.) "Luther," it is said, "does not follow some ambiguous expositions of the ancients, and why should he follow them? When he expounds the passage of St. Matthew, "_Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church_," he agrees with Origen, who by himself alone is worth a host; with Augustine in his homily, and Ambrose in his sixth book on St. Luke, to say nothing of others. What, then, you will say, do the Fathers contradict each other? Is it surprising that they should?[145] I believe in the Fathers, because I believe in the Holy Scriptures. The meaning of Scripture is one, and simple, like heavenly truth herself. We arrive at it by comparing different passages together; we deduce it from the thread and connection of the discourse.[146] There is a philosophy enjoined us in regard to the Book of God, and it is to employ it as the touch-stone by which all the opinions and maxims of men must be tried."[147] [145] Quid igitur? Ipsi secum pugnunt! quid mirum? (Contra Eckium Defensio, Corp. Refor., i, p. 115.) [146] Quem collatis Scripturis e filo ductuque orationis licet assequi. (Ibid. 114.) [147] Ut hominum sententias, decretaque, ad ipsas, ceu ad Lydium lapidem exigamus. (Ibid. p. 115.) By it (Scripture), as by a Lydian stone, let us test the decisions and opinions of men. [Sidenote: LUTHER'S FIRMNESS, EMSER. STAUPITZ.]