[1251] On this “miracle,” see above, p. 162.
[1252] “Corp. ref.,” 3, p. 578 seq. “Zeitschr. für die hist. Theol.,” 28, 1858, 606 f. On Melanchthon’s insincerity cp. also O. Ritschl, “Dogmengesch.,” 1, 1908, p. 232.
[1253] Ellinger, loc. cit., p. 411.
[1254] Ibid., p. 26.
[1255] Ibid., p. 16.
[1256] To Julius Pflug, August 20, 1531, “Erasmi Opp.,” ed. Lugd., 3, col. 1412. Kawerau, “Versuche,” p. 31.
[1257] “B. Petri Canisii Epistulæ,” etc., ed. O. Braunsberger, 1, p. 359 seq.
[1258] “Corp. ref.,” 3, p. 383: “Equidem studeo omni officio tueri concordiam nostræ academiæ, et scis me etiam hoc genere artis aliquid adhibere solere,” etc. It is possible that the above reference to a “plaga,” or some other similar passage, gave rise to the singular misapprehension of certain polemics, viz. that Luther had been in the habit of coercing Melanchthon by striking him and boxing his ears, surely one of the most curious, and at the same time baseless, of all the legends concerning Luther.
[1259] On November 4, 1543, “Corp. ref.,” 5, p. 218.
[1260] Ellinger, loc. cit., p. 433. Cp. Melanchthon to Johann Sturm, August 28, 1535, “Corp. ref.,” 2, p. 917: The Court had prevailed on him not to leave Wittenberg, chiefly because it regarded his presence as indispensable owing to his power for mediating: “me putant aliquanto minus vehementem aut pertinacem esse quam sunt alii.” He regrets, with a hint at the Luther-enthusiasts, the “democratia aut tyrannis indoctorum” prevalent in both Catholic and Lutheran camps.... “Non dissimulo evectos etiam esse nostros interdum [Greek: hyper ta eskammena], et multa mitigavi.”