ch King, in the
hope, that by this means much of the prejudice of that monarch against
them might be removed. The Reformer consented. In June of the last year
of his life, the writing was finished and sent to Paris, where it is
still extant in the Royal Library, a striking monument of firm faith,
as well as noble candor. As before, against the Emperor, he also speaks
against the French King in regard to political matters. Here we can
only quote the beautiful passage, which, though little apprehended in
that age, and even violently censured by Luther, shows in the most
vivid manner, how for he stood above his century, and how thoroughly he
was penetrated by the conviction that Christianity is designed to be
the universal religion--the kingdom of God, which must embrace all, who
have an honest will. "I believe," says he, "that the souls of the
faithful in Christ, as soon as they have torn themselves loose from the
earthly hull, rise to heaven, enter into closer union with the Godhead
and enjoy an eternal happiness. Here, most Christian King, thou durst
hope, if only like a David, a Hezekiah, a Josiah, thou hast made a wise
use of the power, which God has entrusted to thee, to see Him in his
essence, his form, in his almightiness and goodness, to become the
partaker of the fruits of his blessing, not scantily, but to full
satisfaction; yet not to that satiety which produces disgust, but that
which, in blissful fulness, like the streams that roll everlastingly
down to the sea and out of the pores of the earth renew themselves
again, water the landscape, cover it with smiles and adorn it with a
rich growth of flowers. The happiness, which we enjoy, will be without
end, can never be exhausted, for no weariness comes there; it is ever
new and ever the same. Then durst thou also hope to be taken yonder
into the communion, the society, the confidence of all, who, from the
beginning of the world, have led holy, wise, believing, steadfast,
brave and righteous lives. There wilt thou find the two Adams, the
saved and the Savior, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah,
Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, Phineas, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and the
God-bearing Virgin of whom he prophesied, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, John
the Baptist, Peter and Paul; there also Hercules, Theseus, Socrates,
Aristides, Antigonus, Numa, Camillus, the Catos and the Scipios; there
Louis the Pious, and thy forefathers, the Louises, Philips, Pepins, as
many of