It was his last night, for the 19th of April was the day of his death. His sleep was very much disturbed. At two o'clock at night, he rose in the bed, and said to the physician who was present, that he had slept very little. He had again thought of the word of Paul, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" He thought of the misery and troubles of the Church with great sorrow; and his complaints were finally changed into fervent prayers for the whole Christian Church. He spoke with his son-in-law until about three o'clock, and was then led into his study. After walking up and down for some time, he laid himself upon his travelling-bed, and fell asleep, breathing very easily. When he awoke about 6 o'clock, he requested his son-in-law to cut off his hair. This was done. He had three clean linen shirts brought to him, which he put on, one over the other, as he had been in the habit of doing for years, in order to keep his body warm. He also placed a clean night-cap upon his head, for he was in the habit of always wearing one at home; and he remarked that he had learned this of the celebrated Dr. Reuchlin. In this manner he adorned himself for his departure. Soon after, the minister of Torgau, together with his chaplain, Fisher, and the physician Kentman, of Torgau, came to pay a visit to the sick man. He conversed with these friends for about half an hour. He said that he did not feel particularly troubled on account of himself, but that he deeply felt the sad condition of the Church; for men were exciting wanton and useless controversies, dividing the Church, and darkening the truth of the pure doctrine by violence. But that he also had the consolation to know, that by the grace of God, the true doctrine is rightly explained in our churches; and thus concluded: "If I die, I shall escape coming misfortunes, and shall be torn away from this unhappy, sophistical, and strange year of nature."
He began to pray with tears, and to commend the Church to the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When the three friends were about to depart, he invited them to dinner. They accepted the invitation; but one of them received word that his daughter was taken ill. They then came to bid him farewell; and the invalid exhorted them to pray for the churches and schools, and said: "I know very well that you do so. The Almighty God be with you!" This was at 7 o'clock, and he was exceedingly weak.
In the meantime his pastor, several deacons, professors, and other persons came in. Eight o'clock was the hour when the fever was expected; his strength decreased perceptibly, and at last he fainted. His friends restored him, and he slept quietly for a little while. When he awoke, he began to repeat his customary prayer. He spoke with a very feeble voice, yet every word could be heard. He prayed: "O Almighty, Eternal, living and true God, Creator of heaven, and earth, and men, together with thy co-eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified for us and raised from the dead, and thy living, pure, and true holy Spirit; thou wise, good, faithful, gracious and just God; thou voluntary, pure, and faithful Saviour, who givest life and law, thou hast said: 'I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but rather that he should return unto me and live;' and who hast also said, 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.' I confess myself a poor sinner before thee, who is burdened with many sins; for I have offended against thy holy commandments in many ways, and I mourn from my heart that I have offended thee, and pray thee, for the sake of thy dear Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was nailed to the cross for our sakes, and was raised again from the dead, that thou wouldst have mercy upon me, forgive me my sins, and justify me by and for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is thy eternal word and image, whom thou didst deliver as a sacrifice, mediator, Redeemer, and Saviour, led by thy wonderful and indescribable counsels, and inscrutable wisdom and mercy. And I also pray thee to sanctify me by thy holy, living, pure, and true Spirit, so that I may truly acknowledge, and firmly believe, obey, thank, fear, and invoke thee, behold thy gracious countenance with joy throughout all eternity, and for ever serve thee, the Almighty, true God, Creator of heaven and earth, and men, the everlasting Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also Jesus Christ, thy dear Son, thine eternal word and image, and thy Holy Spirit, the true, pure, and living Comforter. In thee have I hoped, O Lord: let me never be confounded: in thy righteousness deliver me. Make me righteous, and bring me unto eternal life; thou hast redeemed me, O thou God of faithfulness and truth. Keep and rule our churches and government, and this school. Bestow a salutary peace and government upon them. Rule and protect our princes and government; gather and preserve an everlasting Christian Church unto thyself in these lands. Sanctify and unite it by thy Holy Spirit, that it may be one in thee, in the true knowledge and worship of thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by and through him, thy eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sakes was nailed to the cross, and raised again from the dead. Almighty, eternal Son of God, thou faithful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who art the eternal word and image of the eternal Father, our Mediator and Saviour, crucified for us and raised again, I give thee most hearty thanks that thou didst assume our human nature, and art ordained my Redeemer, that in the flesh thou didst suffer, and arise from the dead, and now intercedest for me, I beseech thee regard and have mercy upon me, for I am lonely and poor; increase the light of faith in me, by thy Holy Spirit, bear with me in my weakness, rule, protect, and sanctify me; in thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded. Almighty, Holy Spirit, true, pure, and living Comforter, illuminate, rule, and sanctify me, strengthen faith in my heart and in my soul, give me true consolation, preserve and rule me, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may behold the beauty of the Lord, and may be and remain for ever a holy temple of the Lord, and praise God for ever with a joyful spirit in that eternal heavenly Church and Congregation."
Thus he prayed. This prayer must have exhausted him very much, for he leaned back upon his bed, and slumbered for some time. But suddenly he opened his eyes, and said to Peucer: "I have been in the power of death, but the Lord has graciously delivered me." He repeated this several times, and as it could only be explained by supposing that he had passed through some severe internal conflict, Magister John Sturio said to him: "There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Melanchthon soon added: "Christ is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written, "Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord." He also frequently repeated the words: "Oh Lord, have mercy upon me!" His pulse was gone, his hands and feet became cold, his breathing short, his eyes, temples, and the pit of his neck fell in, and his strength was failing very rapidly. It was easy to see that the hour of his departure was near. He was asked whether he did not wish to eat something. When he signified his willingness, they made him a soup of Hamburg beer. He ate about three spoonsful, and remarked: "What a very good soup this is!" He did not eat or drink anything more after this, but requested them to raise him up, because he wished to finish his will. But when he found that he was too weak, he said: "Oh God, that I should be seized so unexpectedly." He laid his hands before him, and sat for a little while, and then laid himself down. The heat of the fever was still so strong, that he left his feet uncovered, although they were extremely cold. He was able to turn about in his bed without assistance. About 1 o'clock he fainted again. Being restored by rubbing, he said, "Ah, what are you doing?" While he was thus lying perfectly still, the Pastor thought it proper to read some portions of the Old and New Testaments to him. He, and the two Deacons, Fröshel and Sturio, now alternately read the 24th, 25th, and 26th Psalms, the 53d chapter of Isaiah, the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th chapters of John, Romans v., and several other chapters and verses of Paul and the prophets. When they were done and silent, the dying man said, in a loud and distinct voice: "I perpetually bear in mind the word of John of the Son of God, my Lord Jesus Christ: The World knew him not;—but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." He then continued to pray silently; his lips were moving, but no one understood what he was saying. Those professors, whose duty it was to lecture in the afternoon, gave notice of the postponement of their lectures, in which they stated the reason, and called upon the students to unite their prayers with their own. A great excitement arose among the students and citizens, and all were filled with sorrow. All were anxiously awaiting the end.
Within, the dying man was lying in the struggle of death, his eyes half open, and his body very restless. He did not speak, unless a question was put to him, although he was fully conscious. His son-in-law asked him whether he wished to have anything. "Nothing but heaven," he replied, "and therefore do not ask me such questions any more."
About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when his head had slipped from the pillow, and he was lying in an uncomfortable position, they attempted to raise him and alter his position, when he fainted again. He was soon restored. "Ah, what are you doing?" he said, "why do you disturb my sweet repose? let me rest unto the end, for it will not last very long."
As they saw that his end was approaching, several persons united in prayer to God that he would be pleased soon to grant him a blessed dismission. The Pastor began to pray in a very consoling manner, and all in the room fell upon their knees, and united in prayer with him. Those passages of Scripture which he was known to have regarded with peculiar interest, were now repeated, such as, "Let not your heart be troubled;" so also, John 15, 16, 17, also 10: "Whoever loves me, will keep my commandments." "My sheep hear my voice." Also, Rom. viii., "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Several persons, who had not taken any food throughout the day, now went to table, but soon returned. It was in the evening at 6 o'clock, and the dying man was lying still, when Fröshel arose, and pronounced the benediction upon him: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee! The Lord make his face to shine on thee, and be gracious unto thee! The Lord lift up his countenance on thee, and give thee peace!" Veit Winsheim, Doctor of Medicine, and Professor of Greek, repeated the words of the Psalm to him: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit; O Lord, thou hast delivered me, thou righteous and faithful God!" He asked him whether he heard him? The dying man replied, "Yes!" loud enough to be heard by all. It was his last word upon the earth.
Fröhshel now repeated the Creed, the Lord's prayer, and the words "Lord Jesus Christ, into thy hands I commend my spirit!" he repeated several times. When he repeated them for the third time, Melanchthon moved his lips as if he was praying. More than twenty persons were gazing upon the dying man. Without the slightest motion, this worthy man gently fell asleep in the evening, at 7 o'clock, in the very same hour in which he first beheld the light of this world, 63 years and 63 days before. In the midst of prayer he celebrated his return home, as the old account says, "to his beloved Lord Jesus Christ, whom he always praised with his heart and mouth. With him he no doubt now enjoys everlasting happiness and glory, together with all the elect. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, help us all to enjoy the same, and may he grant us all a happy end, and joyous dismission, whenever it shall please him to call us away. Amen."