The latter years of Olavus were darkened through an unfortunate misunderstanding with the Swedish king. As a consequence of the reformer’s sturdy opposition to Gustavus Vasa’s plan to make himself the head of the Church, he fell into royal disfavor. When a plot against the king’s life was discovered in 1540, Olavus was convicted of having guilty knowledge of it, and was condemned to die. Through the intervention of the populace of Stockholm, he was pardoned, but the king never forgave him. He was permitted to resume his work in 1543, and continued to preach the gospel with great zeal until his death in 1552.
A Model Hymn of Invocation
O Lord, give heed unto our plea,
O Spirit, grant Thy graces,
That we who put our trust in Thee
May rightly sing Thy praises.
Thy Word, O Christ, unto us give,
That grace and power we may receive
To follow Thee, our Master.
Touch Thou the shepherd’s lips, O Lord,