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made, from year to year, by the Reformation appeared to justify their hopes.

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It was in 1545, in Luther's sixty second year, that his constitution began to exhibit strong symptoms of decline. He had for some time back been subject to attacks of a malady not unusual among sedentary men-the stone; and in this year, the attacks of the complaint became both more frequent and severe. At midsummer his friend Pontanus mentioned in a letter that Luther had then laboured during eight days under that excruciating disease. In addition, his attacks of head-ache, which had long been troublesome, now assumed an aggravated appearance. The injury caused to the system by these attacks was manifest in the impaired sight of one of his eyes. Such a complication of illness led his friends, as well as himself, to conclude that the period of his dissolution was not very remote. On the part of his enemies an indecent wish to anticipate the event did not allow them to wait the progress of nature. Impatient to record the end of the man who had been foremost in the career of Reformation, they published premature accounts of his death and funeral. They had even the malignity to assert that the course of nature was inverted, and that the elements themselves had testified their abhorrence of the heretic. Luther, however, lived long enough to publish a contradiction, and to expose to shame the propagators of these falsehoods.

"But bodily infirmity was not the only misfortune of Luther. That constitutional ardour which enabled him to brave the threats of ecclesiastical and temporal rulers was connected with a temper, pro

ductive, in several respects, of much uneasy sensation to its possessor. The effect produced by the opinions of Zwinglius throughout a considerable part of the reformed body appears to have caused him much disquietude. His own arguments on the long disputed subject of the sacrament were by no means of that clear and forcible nature that enabled him either to persuade others or to establish completely his own conviction. The want of earnestness, too, in this point, of the friend of his heart, Melancthon, was a source of great vexation to him. That eminent man, as different from Luther in point of temper as can well be imagined, was contented to be regarded as a disciple of the Reformer. They had la boured together during many years, and had gone through life with a harmony and cordiality which has seldom been surpassed. Whether Melancthon privately favoured the Zwinglian notion of the sacrament, and was withheld from an open declaration by respect for his friend, is not known; but that he did not enter with any ardour into Luther's tenets on that subject, is abundantly apparent. By a man of Luther's zeal the slightest deficiency o acquiescence in religious doctrine was magnified into confirmed opposition. The elector of Saxony, apprehensive of the progress of dis union among the Protestants, thought it necessary to commission his chancellor Pontanus, to recommend forbearance to Luther on the subject of the sacrament.

"It happened also very unfortunately, that the evening of Luther's day was clouded by an altercation with the lawyers on the sub- * ject of clandestine marriages. So strong was the effect of this accu

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mulation of chagrin, that Luther lost his attachment fo his favourite city, Wittemberg, and left it, in the month of July, (1545,) apparently determined never to return. His wife remaining there, he charged her to inform his friends Pome ranus and Melancthon that he had retired, because he could no longer endure the contradiction and displeasure to which he was subjected. This intelligence, when it came to be publicly known at Wittemberg, was productive of deep and general regret; Luther having long been endeared to the inhabitants, both by the sincerity of his heart and by the extraordinary services which he had rendered to their city. His fame in early life, as a professor, and his wonderful reputation after becoming a reformer, had attracted crowds of students to the university, and had been the source of great advantage to the citizens. Melanc. thon's affection for him continued unabated, and so deeply was he distressed by his departure, that without inquiring whether his grievances were well founded, he was eager to follow and pass in his society the remainder of life. The consequence of this concurrent feeling was an application, on the part of the university, to the elector (on 1st August) intreating him most earnestly to use his influence and authority to prevail on Luther, whom they called their dear and reverend father, to return. They promised that whatever had given him offence should be corrected. The elector wrote forthwith to Luther, in the kindest and most affectionate manner, and even took the trouble to send his physician, Razenberg, to whom he begged that he would unbosom himself in the most confidential manner. Luther

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yielded to those cordial solicivae tions, and consented to resume once more his residence at Wittemberg. Here, though declining health necessarily contracted the degree of his exertion, le continued to write against the doctors of Louvain and other adherents of the papacy with an energy that revived the recollection of his better years.

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"Though Luther continued in his original poverty, and had little ambition to interfere in affairs of business, his integrity and high character for judgment induced many persons to apply to him for advice. A dispute had for some time existed between the counts of Mansfeld re-pecting the brass and silver mines at Eisleben, his native place. He had been prevailed on to undertake the difficult task of attempting to compose these dif ferences, and had actually made a journey thither, but without success. The parties now appearing more disposed to reconciliation, le was again induced, notwithstanding his infirmity, to undertake a repetition of the journey. In doing this he complied with the wish both of the counts of Mansfeld and of the elector of Saxony, who had interested himself in the business. That Luther was in a very feeble state will appear from the following extract of a letter to a friend, written on 17th January, 1546, only six days before he set out. I write to you though old, decrepid, inactive, languid, and now possessed of only one eye. When drawing to the brink of the grave, I had hopes of obtaining a reasonable share of rest, but I continue to be overpowered with writing, preaching, and business, in the same manner as if I had not discharged my part in these duties in the early period

of

of life.

Razenberg had some time before prescribed the opening of an issue in his left leg. This was found to afford him considerable relief, and to enable him to walk to church and to the university to lecture. On going to Eisleben, how ever, he neglected to take proper dressings with him, and, from the pressure of business, unfortunately paid it little or no attention, a neg. lect which was evidently a cause of accelerating his death.

"Nothing could be more indicative of Luther's ardour than the undertaking of a journey in the 'month of January, under such a pressure of bodily infirmities. The river Issel having overflowed its banks, he was five days on the road. His companions were his three sons, John, Martin, and Paul, and his steady friend, Justus Jonas. The counts of Mansfeld rode out, attended by a hundred horsemen, and followed by a crowd of adherents to the reformed doctrine, to meet the illustrious stranger. Soon after entering Eisleben, Luther suffered an access of extreme debility, a circumstance not unusual with him on engaging in a matter of deep interest. But this attack was more serious than on former occasions. He re covered, however, and seemed to enjoy the hospitality which his friends were anxious to show him. His time was past in attention to his customary hours of daily prayer, in the transanction of the business which had called him to Eisleben, and in cheerful and good humoured conversation. He partook twice of the Lord's supper, and preached three or four times before the progressive advance of his malady led to the exhaustion of his frame. After passing nearly three weeks at Eisleben, his illness was productive

of a fatal termination. He expired, surrounded by friends, and under a full sense of the nature of his situation. A letter written by Jonas to the elector of Saxony, a few hours after the occurrence of this melancholy event, gives a clear and faithful account of the circumstances attending it:

"It is with a sorrowful heart that I communicate the following information to your highness. Although our venerable father in Christ, Doctor Martin Luther, felt himself unwell before leaving Wittemberg, as also during his journey to this place, and complained of weakness on his arrival; he was nevertheless present at dinner and supper every day in which we were engaged in the business of the counts. His appetite was pretty good, and he used humorously to observe that in his native country they well knew what he ought to eat and drink. His rest at night also was such as could not be complained of. His two youngest sons, Martin and Paul, were accustomed, along with me and one or two men servants, to sleep in his bed-room, accompanied sometimes by M. Michael Cœlius, a clergyman of Eisleben. As he had for some time back been accustomed to have his bed warmed, we made it a rule to do this regularly before he retired to rest. Every night on taking leave of us, he was accustomed to say

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pray to God that the cause of his chureh may prosper, for the Council of Trent is vehemently enraged against it.' The physician who attended caused the medicines to which he had been accustomed to be brought from Wittemberg; and his wife, of her own accord, sent some others. The affairs of the counts of Mansfeld continued to re

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quire his attention every other day, or sometimes at an interval of two days. He was accustomed to transact business for one or two hours, along with Welfgang, prince of Anhalt,, and John Henry, Count Schwarzburg. But yesterday, Wednesday the 17th of February, prince Anhalt, Count Schwarzburg, and the rest of us, prevailed on him to remain in his study till mid-day, and to do no business. He walked through the room in his undress, looked at times out of the window, and prayed earnestly. He was all along pleasant and cheerful, but took occasion to say to Cœlius and nie; I was born and baptized at Eisleben, what if I should remain and die here.' In the early part of the evening he began to complain of an oppression at his breast, and had it rubbed with a linen cloth. This afforded him some ease. A little after he said, 'It is not pleasant to me to be alone,' and repaired to supper in the parlour. He ate with appetite, was cheerful and even jocular. He expounded several remarkable passages in scripture, and said, once or twice in the course of conversation, If I succeed in effecting concord between the proprietors of my native country, I shall return home and rest in my grave.'

"After supper he again complained of the oppression at his breast, and asked for a warm linen cloth. He would not allow us to send for medical assistance, and slept on a couch during two hours and a half. Coelius, Drachsted, the master of the house, whom he called in along with his wife, the town clerk, the two sons and myself, sat by him watching till half-past eleven. He then desired that his bed might be warmed, which was done

room.

with great care. I, his two sons, his servant Ambrose whom he had brought from Wittemberg, and other servants, lay down in the same room; Cœlius was in the adjoining At one in the morning he awoke Ambrose and me, and desired that one of the adjoining rooms might be warmed, which was done. He then said to me, O Jonas, how ill I am; I feel an oppressive weight at my breast, and shall certainly die at Eisleben.' I answered, God, our heavenly Father, will assist you by Christ whom you have preached.' Meantime, Ambrose made haste and led him, after he got up, into the adjoining room. He got thither without any other assistance, and in passing the threshold said aloud,

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Into thy hands I commit my spirit.' He then began to walk about, but in a short time asked for warm linen cloths. Meantime we had sent into the town for two physicians who came immediately. Count Albert likewise being called, he came along with the countess, the latter bringing some cordials and other medicines. Luther now pray. ed, saying, O my heavenly Father, eternal and merciful God, thou hast revealed to me thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I have preached him, I have confessed him, I love him, and I worship him as my dearest Saviour and Redeemer, him whom the wicked persecute, accuse, and blaspheme.' He then repeated three times the words of the psalm, 'Into thy hands I commit my spirit-God of truth, thou hast redeemed me.' Whilst the physicians and we applied medicines, he began to lose his voice and to become faint; nọr did he answer us, though we called aloud to him and moved him. On the countess again giving him a little cordial, and the physician re

questing

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ried in the church of All Saints at Wittemberg. Jonas has given a minute account of the removal of the body and of the interment.

"The day after his death, 19th February, at two o'clock in the af ternoon, the body was brought with great solemnity into the church of St. Andrew, the largest at Eisleben. It was attended by the Prince of Anhalt, the prince's brothers, and many other noblemen, along with a number of ladies of rank, and an immense concourse of the lower orders. Jonas preached the funeral sermon from the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians, verse 14th, If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him."' When he had concluded, the congregation separated, having left the body in the church under the care of ten citizens, who were to gnard it during the night. On hearing that the body was to be carried to Wittemberg, Michael Cœlius gave a discourse next morning, taking his text from Isaiah lvii. verse 1st.

questing that he would attempt to
give an answer, he said, in a feeble
tone of voice to Cælius and me, 'yes'
or no,' according as the question
seemed to require. When we said
to him, Dearest father, do you
verily confess Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, our Saviour and Redeemer,'
he replied, Yes,' so as to be, dis-
tinctly heard. Afterward his fore.
head and face began to get cold,
and although we moved him and
called him by name, he gave no
answer, but, with his hands clasped,
continued to breathe slowly until
he expired between two and three
o'clock. John Henry, Count
Schwartzburg, arrived early and was
present at his death.-Though much
affected by the loss of him who has
been our teacher during twenty-five
years, we have thought it proper to
give your highness the earliest inti-
mation of his death, that you may
be pleased to give us directions con-
cerning the funeral.
We shall re-
main here until we receive them,
We pray also that you may write to
the count how to proceed.
would like to retain the body in Lu-The righteous perisheth, and no
ther's native country, but he will
obey the orders of your highness.
We also beg your highness to write
to his wife, to Melancthon, Pome-
ranus, and Cruciger, because you
know better how to do it than we.
May God, our omnipotent Father,
comfort you and us in our afflic-

tion.

Eisleben, Thursday, 18th Feb. 1546.'

He

"This affecting letter reached the elector of Saxony on the day on which it was written. He immediately intimated to the counts of Mansfeld how much he was affected by Luther's death, and requested them to permit the body to be brought away, that it might be bu

man layeth it to heart-none considereth that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace. After midday, all the persons whom we have mentioned, accompanied the body from the church through the city and beyond the gate. The countrymen, assembled by the ringing of bells, came, with their wives and children, with tears in their eyes, to meet the melancholy procession. The body was brought to Halle about five in the afternoon, and was met at the gate by the senators and clergy. The streets of the city were so crowded by the multitude, that the procession moved on with difficulty. The hour was too late for the delivery of a discourse, but

a psalm

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