Philip Melancethon, the famous reformer and friend of Luther, was born in the grand duchy of Baden in 1497,  At the age of seventeen he graduated as master of arts from the university of Heidelberg, and soon after obtained the Greek professorship at Wittenberg.  Here he formed a friendship with Luther, whose opinions he accepted, and defended in his lectures and writings.  His prudence aided the promulgation of Protestant doctrines greatly, as it guarded them from the abuses of intemperate zeal.  His greatest work was the drawing up of the Augsburg Confession, although he was a fluent writer, and was the author of the first system of Protestant theology, which passed through more than fifty editions, and was used as a text-book in the universities.  His learning and moderation became famous throughout all Europe, and the kings of England and France invited him to their kingdoms, but he preferred to remain in Wittenberg, where he died in 1560.