The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
History
The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
He then reviews the remaining articles, of the chase, forests, services,
taxes, penalties, &c. Of the right of heriot, a tax, he says that the
government ought to abolish it, and remember the poor orphans. He
concludes his pamphlet with very earnest words to the princes and
peasants. To the former he says, they should humble themselves, because
they had transgressed in many ways. "For God has always, from the
beginning, overturned governments, when their wantonness became too
great." He advises them to abolish the abuse of the mass, the celibacy
of the clergy, and to appropriate the possessions of convents for useful
purposes, especially for schools. Thus, should the princes lend a
friendly hand, there should be some hope that words might answer a good
purpose; but should this clemency be unavailing, the princes should
strengthen themselves to treat the rebels as murderers. Melanchthon, who
completed this pamphlet before the conclusion of the war of the
peasants, added an appendix as soon as he heard that the peasants had
been put down on every side. Now, the amiable man is merely a herald of
peace and clemency. In this appendix he says: "As God has now given the
victory, and the murderous rabble, which would not have peace, has been
punished according to the laws of God, the princes should further be
very careful that no harm befall the innocent, and also show mercy to
the poor people, some of whom sinned through fear, others through
folly." He points them to the example of David, who punished at the
proper time, but at another also showed mercy, and concludes his
excellent production in the following words--worthy of being taken to
heart: "The Government should also look to it, that the word of God
might be preached in the proper way, and that those customs of the
church which oppose the word of God, be changed. Then God would grant
them peace and prosperity in their government, as he did to Hezekiah and
other pious monarchs, who put away the old abuses in the services of
religion. For he declares, 1 Sam. ii. 30: 'For them that honor me, I
will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.'" Not
all the victorious princes regarded this truly Christian word, but
punished and oppressed the peasants most severely, whilst they laid the
blame of the rebellion upon the gospel thus recommended. But the Elector
Frederick the Wise did not act thus. The peasants had also risen in
rebellion in his dominions. THOMAS MUeNZER, one of the most crazed and
preposterous of beings, stood at their head. He endeavored to screen
himself behind divine revelations, for all his violence against the
government. When the rebellion was increasing, the Elector was confined
by illness. These events moved him deeply; but in a letter to his
brother, Duke John, he thus expressed himself: "It is God's sending and
work, and God grant a happy conclusion." Again, he says: "Perhaps
occasion has been given the poor people, particularly by prohibiting
the word of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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