His habits were extremely regular. He generally took one simple meal a day, and never more than two. As he was frequently invited to entertainments at Wittenberg, and other places, he could not at all times strictly adhere to this manner of life. He was not fond of luxuries, but preferred soups, fish, vegetables, and eggs. He was fond of conversing at table; and a man of his acquirements, who had conversed with princes, statesmen, and other celebrated persons, was never at a loss for a topic. He was fond of cheerfulness and pleasant jests; but his fervent piety diffused a pleasing and blessed light over his whole walk and conversation. He began every duty in the name of God, and as in his presence. The word of the Apostle Paul, "In him we live, and move, and have our being," was ever present to his mind. He was frequently heard exclaiming, "May our Lord God help us, and be merciful unto us!" When he arose from his bed in the morning, he addressed the triune God in the following brief form of prayer: "Almighty, Eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of heaven and earth, and man, together with thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy word and image, and with thy Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins for thy Son's sake, whom thou hast made our Mediator according to thy wonderful counsels, and do thou guide and sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit, which was poured out upon the Apostles. Grant that we may truly know and praise thee throughout all eternity!" After prayer he read a portion of the Bible, and then looked into the almanac, in order to remind himself of the time of the ecclesiastical year, and of the men of God, whose name-days were there recorded. It was only after he had thus sanctified himself by the word of God and prayer, that he began his labors, or wrote the most urgent letters. He always dined regularly at a fixed hour, and here not only a blessing was asked, but the Apostle's Creed was also repeated. He entertained a very high regard for this Creed, and was in the habit of repeating it three times every day. He thus speaks of it in some of his writings: "There are many reasons why we should accustom ourselves to a daily repetition of the Creed. Godly and pious men are in the habit of repeating it at least three times every day. Dr. Jerome Schurff, a wise and learned man, when he found that death was approaching, repeated it almost every hour, and that, too, with such fervency of spirit, that all could see how much he was encouraged and strengthened by this Confession." He also laid great stress upon the Lord's Prayer, the Psalms, and the Ten Commandments; and frequently exhorted his students to accustom themselves to repeat them.