After this appeal each one returned silently to his dwelling. Several tokens excited alarm for the safety of the Protestants. A short time previously Melancthon hastily conducted through the streets of Spire towards the Rhine his friend Simon Grynæus, pressing him to cross the river. The latter was astonished at such precipitation.[177] "An old man of grave and solemn appearance, but who is unknown to me," said Melancthon, "appeared before me and said: In a minute officers of justice will be sent by Ferdinand to arrest Grynæus." As he was intimate with Faber, and had been scandalized at one of his sermons, Grynæus had gone to him, and begged him no longer to make war against the truth. Faber had dissembled his anger, but immediately after repaired to the king, from whom he had obtained an order against the importunate professor of Heidelberg.[178] Melancthon doubted not that God had saved his friend by sending one of His holy angels to forewarn him. Motionless on the banks of the Rhine he waited until the waters of that stream had rescued Grynæus from his persecutors. "At last," cried Melancthon, as he saw him on the opposite side, "he is torn from the cruel teeth of those who drink innocent blood."[179] When he returned to his house, Melancthon was informed that the officers in search of Grynæus had ransacked it from top to bottom.[180] [177] Miranti quæ esset tantæ festinationis causa.--(Camerarius Vita. Mel. p. 113.) [178] Faber qui valde offenderetur orationi tali, dissimulare tamen omnia.--(Ibid.) [179] Ereptus quasi e faucibus eorum qui sitiunt sanguinem innocentium.--(Mel. ad Camer. 23d April, Corp. Ref. i. p. 1062.) [180] Affluit armata quædam manus ad comprehendum Grynæum missa.--(Camer. Vit. Mel. p. 113.) Nothing could detain the Protestants longer in Spire. Accordingly, on the morning after their appeal (Monday, 26th April), the Elector, the Landgrave, and the Dukes of Luneburg, quitted the city, reached Worms, and then returned by Hesse into their own states. The appeal of Spire was published by the Landgrave on the 5th, and by the Elector on the 13th May. Melancthon had returned to Wittemberg on the 6th May, persuaded that the two parties were about to draw the sword. His friends were alarmed at seeing him agitated, exhausted, and like one dead.[181] "It is a great event that has just taken place at Spire," said he. "It is big with dangers, not only to the Empire, but also to Religion itself.[182] All the pains of hell oppress me."[183] [181] Ita fuit perturbatus ut primis diebus pene extinctus sit.--(Corp. Ref. i. p. 1067) [182] Non enim tantum imperium, sed religio etiam periclitantur.--(Ibid.) [183] Omnes dolores inferni oppresserant me.--(Ibid, and p. 1069.) [Sidenote: THE PRINCES, THE TRUE REFORMERS.]