The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
History
The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
world, in order that they may not see the coming distresses. I do not
wish to be a prophet of misfortunes; but let us cultivate repentance and
patience, so that we may either escape from the wrath of God, or that we
may be able to bear his paternal chastisement, if it be necessary. For
the death of such men should incite us to piety, to repentance, and more
fervent prayer; and also to preserve the inheritance left us by these
two men, Luther and Melanchthon; namely, the pure doctrines of truth,
with the greatest prudence, diligence, and fidelity. For this is not the
time for security and sleep, but for watchfulness. We have all seen what
came to pass after Luther's death; let every one reflect for himself,
what things are to be expected now." After this, the body was deposited
in its resting-place, by the side of Luther. The whole community
assisted at these funeral solemnities. There was such a concourse of
persons of every condition and age, that Wittenberg had never seen one
to exceed it. All were deeply moved, and many tears were shed.[28]
A small plate of metal, in the floor, still marks Melanchthon's
resting-place, while another on the wall presents his portrait, and
eulogizes the great and ever to be remembered reformer and teacher, not
only of Germany, but of entire evangelical Christendom.
The Wittenberg account closes with the following prayer, with which we,
too, shall end our narrative:
"And we hereby earnestly and heartily beseech God, that he will be
pleased to gather and preserve an everlasting Christian Church among us,
and in these lands, and the entire human race, through his dear Son, our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and that he will also preserve us against
factions and schisms, and grant us courage and strength to oppose them
confidently and successfully. And as human strength and wisdom are too
weak to accomplish this, we beseech the Eternal Son of God, that he
would abundantly pour out his Holy Spirit by his word, in our hearts and
those of all believers, so that we may obtain knowledge and wisdom, and
be ruled and guided in all things, in order that his holy Divine name
may be praised and glorified by us and the whole Christian Church, here
in this world, and forever in the world to come. Amen."
THE END.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] This learned scholar, known to the learned by the name of CAPNIO,
was a native of Pforzheim, and successively a teacher of languages at
Basle and at Orleans. He was the restorer of letters in Germany, and the
author of several treatises on Philosophy.
[2] He wrote a humorous piece in the form of a comedy, which he
dedicated to Reuchlin, to show the sense he entertained of his truly
parental kindness, and engaged his schoolfellows to perform it in his
presence. It was upon this occasion that he gave him the name of
Melanchthon.
[3] His proficiency in the Greek was so remarkable, that even at this
early age he composed RUDIMENTS of the language, which were afterwards
published.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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