Luther was not ashamed to appear among the hearers of the youthful professor, when he explained the Epistles to the Romans and Corinthians. Yea, he even considered it worth while to communicate these lessons of the lecture-room to the great public of Christendom. As Melanchthon's modesty induced him to retain such productions in his desk, Luther secretly published his explanations of the Epistles to the Romans and Corinthians, and prefixed an introduction, addressed to Melanchthon, in which he jocosely remarks: "It is I who publish your writings and expositions. I send you to yourself. If you are not pleased with yourself, well and good; let it suffice that we are pleased with you. If I have transgressed in this matter, it is your own fault. Why did you not publish yourself, for which I so often entreated, prayed, and commanded you? Let this be my excuse, that I shall be called, and will be, your thief, whether you are angry or whether you laugh." Further on he says: "But to those whom you so fear that they will be displeased and dissatisfied with it, I will say: 'Dear Sirs, do better yourselves.' I proclaim it publicly before the world, that no one has approached nearer to, and hit upon Paul's meaning, better than yourself." Melanchthon now published a series of volumes upon books of Scripture. He saw very well that the fountain of divine truth and wisdom, which had been obstructed so long, must again begin to flow. And he contributed an honest share towards the diffusion of Scripture truth. His books and minor publications on the books of the Bible were greatly applauded, and met with a rapid sale, so that repeated editions were called for. And even yet they deserve not only to be read, but studied by all who devote themselves to the discovery of truth. When Luther, at a later period, prefaced and recommended Melanchthon's exposition of the Epistle to the Colossians, to which he had given great attention, he speaks thus of himself and Melanchthon: "I have been born to war and fight with factions and devils, therefore my books are stormy and warlike. I must root out the stumps and stocks, cut away the thorns and hedges, fill up the ditches, and am the rough forester, to break a path, and make things ready. But master Philip walks gently and silently, tills and plants, sows and waters with pleasure, as God has gifted him richly." Thus did Melanchthon write and teach, and mightily build up the kingdom of God. About this time he published a work, which is doubtless not only one of the best of his productions, but also inclined many hearts towards the Reformation.