Christ is truly, in a living manner, and essentially present in this his ordinance of the Lord's Supper; that he has also given his body and blood to be received by us Christians, with the bread and wine thus ordained by him, and that he bears testimony by this, that we are his members, that he appropriates himself and his promise to us, and works within us." The _fourth_ article, of _Adiaphora_, _or indifferent ceremonies in the Church_, declares that these may be observed or neglected; and if the true Christian doctrine of the holy Gospel is preached in a proper manner, these ceremonies may be retained without injury to the cause of truth. But if the true Christian doctrine of the holy Gospel should be polluted or persecuted, then not only the indifferent, but also other ceremonies, are injurious. The Recess expresses its agreement with the Augsburg Confession in the strongest terms, "that nothing opposed to said true Confession should be permitted to be taught, preached, or introduced among the people, in the churches, schools, and throughout the land." On the 18th of March, the Recess was subscribed by the three Electors, Otto Henry, Augustus, and Joachim, by the Count Palatine, Wolfgang von Veldenz, Duke Christopher, and the Landgrave Philip. It was also finally resolved that they would request the other Evangelical states to subscribe it." Melanchthon at this time expressed his convictions to Matthesius, that the Weimarians would certainly object to it; and the event proved that his supposition was correct. The Recess was violently opposed, not only by the Weimarians, but by all strict Lutherans. Flacius called the Recess, "The Samaritan Interim;" and the aged Amsdorf prepared a refutation, at the request of Duke John Frederick of Saxony; and it was also proposed to hold a meeting in Magdeburg in May, in opposition to the meeting at Frankfort. Saxony was very anxious to bring it about, but in vain. Melanchthon was greatly distressed at this new dispute, and in his letters at this time, frequently expresses his desire to be relieved from this miserable state of existence. On one occasion he said: "I am so over-burdened with labors that I expect my end daily, and yet my enemies are anxious to drive me away before that." He was also greatly grieved at the death of his old friend, the faithful Bugenhagen, who died peacefully on the 20th of April; although he rejoiced to see another friend, Paul Eber, appointed Pastor in his place. He wrote a letter of consolation to one of his friends, Conrad Nessen, who was sick at the time, in which he says: "My breast is filled with a strong mucus, which threatens me with death, and admonishes me frequently to think of my sick friends, and of my own death. We know with certainty that God gives life, and strengthens the powers of our body, as long as it is his will that we should serve the general welfare in this sorrowful battle of life. I pray to him with all my heart that he would stand by and help