The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
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The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
He then expressed his wishes in regard to the division of his property
among his heirs; but his weakness prevented him from concluding it,
which he intended to do on the following day, but it was never done. He
was in full possession of all his mental faculties, and remained so to
the end. As he felt no pain in his head at all, some supposed that he
would die very painfully. He also conversed with his son-in-law in
regard to the affairs of the University, what subjects should be taught
there, and also pointed out his successor. At three o'clock, he
expressed a wish to retire to his room again. He slept soundly until
six. In the meantime, letters had arrived from Frankfort, in which his
friends informed him how terribly the pious were being persecuted in
France. He said: "Well, I am weak, and do not feel well; but all my
sickness does not pain me as much as the great misery of the holy
Christian Church, which arises from the unnecessary separation,
wickedness, and wilfulness, of those who have departed from us without
cause; and these mad people are not able to stop, but must still go on
and make this misery worse than it is; for they do not spare any one.
But you will see that God will punish this wantonness, and we shall be
punished along with them. However, our punishment shall be that which a
father inflicts. But they shall be compelled to suffer severer
punishment. I deeply commiserate the poor people who are so wretchedly
deceived." He continued to utter his complaints thus for a long time,
and it affected him very much. His friends also read other letters to
him, of more cheering character. Thus the conversation was turned into
a different channel, he thought of several friends and acquaintances,
and even uttered a few words in jest. His friends conversed with him
until about eight o'clock, and entertained the best hopes in regard to
his condition. Before retiring to rest, he ate a few preserved cherries,
and drank a little wine, to strengthen himself for sleep.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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