The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
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The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
It was his last night, for the _19th of April_ was the day of his death.
His sleep was very much disturbed. At two o'clock at night, he rose in
the bed, and said to the physician who was present, that he had slept
very little. He had again thought of the word of Paul, "If God be for
us, who can be against us?" He thought of the misery and troubles of the
Church with great sorrow; and his complaints were finally changed into
fervent prayers for the whole Christian Church. He spoke with his
son-in-law until about three o'clock, and was then led into his study.
After walking up and down for some time, he laid himself upon his
travelling-bed, and fell asleep, breathing very easily. When he awoke
about 6 o'clock, he requested his son-in-law to cut off his hair. This
was done. He had three clean linen shirts brought to him, which he put
on, one over the other, as he had been in the habit of doing for years,
in order to keep his body warm. He also placed a clean night-cap upon
his head, for he was in the habit of always wearing one at home; and he
remarked that he had learned this of the celebrated Dr. Reuchlin. In
this manner he adorned himself for his departure. Soon after, the
minister of Torgau, together with his chaplain, Fisher, and the
physician Kentman, of Torgau, came to pay a visit to the sick man. He
conversed with these friends for about half an hour. He said that he did
not feel particularly troubled on account of himself, but that he
deeply felt the sad condition of the Church; for men were exciting
wanton and useless controversies, dividing the Church, and darkening the
truth of the pure doctrine by violence. But that he also had the
consolation to know, that by the grace of God, the true doctrine is
rightly explained in our churches; and thus concluded: "If I die, I
shall escape coming misfortunes, and shall be torn away from this
unhappy, sophistical, and strange year of nature."
He began to pray with tears, and to commend the Church to the Son of
God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When the three friends were
about to depart, he invited them to dinner. They accepted the
invitation; but one of them received word that his daughter was taken
ill. They then came to bid him farewell; and the invalid exhorted them
to pray for the churches and schools, and said: "I know very well that
you do so. The Almighty God be with you!" This was at 7 o'clock, and he
was exceedingly weak.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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