The hostility existing between the stricter and more moderate Lutherans for the few last years, increased more and more, notwithstanding all efforts to the contrary, made by the well-known Duke Christopher, the Elector of the Palatinate, and the Landgrave of Hesse. When the Elector Augustus, the Elector Joachim II., and Duke Henry of Brunswick, met in Leipzig, February, 1558, to consult as to the plan of transferring the Imperial Crown to King Ferdinand at the next Convention at Frankfort, they also spoke of the divisions in the Evangelical Church. Melanchthon received an invitation, during the month of February, to come to Dresden, in order to present his views in regard to this subject. He began to write a declaration, "but sorrow interrupted this work," he says. He thus writes to prince Joachim of Anhalt, in reference to the occasion of this work: "The Elector of the Palatinate and the Duke of Wurtemberg, have frequently requested our Churches to hold a Synod. When asked concerning this, I replied, that it would not be possible to call a Synod, until the princes had agreed, not only upon resolutions, but also upon their Confession, and had discussed this matter with believing and learned men. I therefore received orders to prepare an opinion concerning certain controverted points, and to forward it, as soon as possible, to the banks of the Main. I shall send or bring this document as soon as possible, for I am anxious to hear your Highness's opinion in regard to these propositions which I have written down." At last this document was completed, and appeared by the title: "Opinion delivered by Philip Melanchthon, concerning a Synod of all the Electors, Princes and States, adhering to the Augsburg Confession." He declares in the beginning of this, that he would like to hear the judgment of Christian princes and men; and that he did not dread a Synod on account of Flacius and his party. Although they condemned him, he was satisfied, and had no desire of being with them, because they did not seek the glory of God. It would not be necessary to convene a Synod on account of the outcry raised by Flacius; "for I have maintained silence hitherto, and am prepared to remove from this country, if it is desired. I refer to this, in order that no one may think I am dissuading from the holding of this Synod, because I fear that I might be condemned or banished."