The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
History
The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
He was the very picture of a corpse. His friends were filled with fear,
and tears filled their eyes as they gazed upon him. The servants wept
and cried aloud, as if their master were already dead. But it had not
come to this yet; and when he turned upon his side in his sleep, his
countenance assumed a more natural appearance, and he slept soundly. He
awoke after three hours, and said that he had slept exceedingly well.
Cheerfulness and animation seemed to return. During this day, a Danish
Theologian, on his way to his own country, entered his room. Melanchthon
was very much pleased with the visit of this gentleman, and gave him
several books, which had been printed at Wittenberg, in order that he
might present them to the King of Denmark. The invalid requested him to
apologize for him to the king, because he had not written; that he was
prevented by illness; however, God willing, he hoped to write soon, and
faithfully and humbly to thank his majesty for all his gracious favors.
He also prayed that the king and his entire kingdom might continue to
enjoy happiness and prosperity.
He was so refreshed by his sleep, that he wrote letters, walked through
his room and the house, and was more cheerful and animated than during
the whole time of his illness. All began to entertain a hope of his
recovery. At the supper-table, he was very cheerful. When the
conversation turned upon those men who had brought discord into the
Church, and still continued to foment it, he was greatly moved, and with
unusual passion remarked: "They are knaves, and will remain knaves, and
God will yet make it manifest that they are knaves." He remained at
table until about 8 o'clock. It was the last meal he ever received in
the lower part of his house. His sleep was refreshing. In his sleep his
spirit was impressed with the words of the Apostle Paul, "If God be for
us, who can be against us?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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