The Life of Philip MelanchthonLedderhose, Karl Friedrich
History
The Life of Philip Melanchthon
Ledderhose, Karl Friedrich
Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560
During this season of troubles, he made a brief visit to Bretten, to see
his mother. He saw her for the last time, for she completed her earthly
pilgrimage on the 6th of June, 1529.[14]
CHAPTER X.
THE CONFERENCE AT MARBURG.
While the Catholics were filled with the most violent enmity against the
evangelical party, and dark clouds were gathering over the heads of the
Protestants, because of the decided expression of the emperor's will, it
was a matter for the very deepest regret that a deep gulf was opened in
the midst of the evangelical party, which grew wider and wider in the
course of time. This was the rupture between the Lutherans and the
Reformed, to use the names familiar now. We have already become
acquainted with the restless, stormy spirit of Dr. Carlstadt, whom
Melanchthon called the wicked A B C, on account of the initials of the
three names, Andrew Bodenstein Carlstadt. Among other errors, he also
denied the bodily presence of Christ in the sacrament, and explained the
words of institution in so forced a manner, that Luther was doubtful
whether he should consider him in earnest, or think that God had
hardened and blinded him. Luther simply adhered to the words of Christ,
however much, as he confesses himself, he was spurred by his reason to
deviate from the words. "But I am a prisoner," he says, "and cannot
escape; the text is too powerful, and will not permit its meaning to be
changed by words." Melanchthon also strictly held, that the body and
blood of Christ are truly and essentially present in the Lord's Supper.
Because Carlstadt would not return to Wittenberg, he was obliged to
leave the country. But soon after he solicited Luther's intercession,
who willingly complied. He returned to Saxony in the year 1525. Luther
baptized his son, and his wife and Melanchthon acted as sponsors. But in
the year 1527, Luther already expressed himself unfavorably of the man,
who still adhered to his ridiculous explanation of the words of the
Lord's Supper. Carlstadt now left Saxony, and in 1528 came to Basle,
where he was appointed preacher and professor. He soon disappeared in
the back-ground, when another, ULRICH ZWINGLI, the Swiss reformer,
appeared with his unsatisfactory exposition of the words of the supper,
according to which the words "This _is_ my body," were said to mean
"This _signifies_ my body." Although he labored with great success in
Switzerland, he yet bore some resemblance to Dr. Carlstadt, in his
stormy proceedings, for he destroyed the images, bells, organs, and the
like. Zwingli took Carlstadt's side against Luther. John Oecolampadius,
professor and pastor in Basle, and a friend of Melanchthon's youth,
united with him in the same unsatisfactory view of the Lord's Supper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account