Melanchthon Quotes & Sayings

I sit here at ease, hardened and unfeeling-alas! Praying little, grieving little for the Church of God, burning rather in the fierce fires of my untamed flesh.It comes to this: I should be afire in the spirit; in reality I am afire in the flesh, with lust , laziness, idleness, sleepiness. It is perhaps because you have all ceased praying for me that God has turned away from me ... For the last eight days i have written nothing, nor prayed nor studied, partly from self-indulgence, partl from another vexatious handicap.i really cannot stand it any longer; Pray for me , i beg you, for in my seclusion here i am submerged in sins.
Martin Luther
A writing to Melanchthon from the Wartburg Castle on July 13,1521. — Martin Luther

In essentials, unity; in differences, liberty; in all things, charity. — Philipp Melanchthon

If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of our indifference to its meaning and importance. — Erwin W. Lutzer

But I hope that by the decision and authority of wise princes that sometime devout and learned men from the churches of other nations and of ours may be summoned together to deliberate about all the controversies and that there be handed down to posterity one harmonious, true, and clear form of doctrine, without any ambiguity. Meanwhile, as far as possible, let us encourage the union of our churches with measured advice. — Philipp Melanchthon

Without the intervention of the civil authority what would our percepts become?- Platonic laws. — Philipp Melanchthon

It is shameful for man to rest in ignorance of the structure of his own body, especially when the knowledge of it mainly conduces to his welfare, and directs his application of his own powers. — Philipp Melanchthon

The eyes are witnesses that the heavens revolve in the space of twenty- four hours. But certain men, either from the love of novelty, or to make a display of ingenuity, have concluded that the earth moves; and they maintain that neither the eighth sphere nor the sun revolves ... Now, it is a want of honesty and decency to assert such notions publicly, and the example is pernicious. It is the part of a good mind to accept the truth as revealed by God and to acquiesce in it. — Philipp Melanchthon

Melanchthon concludes that "no sane person can approve this Pharisaical and pagan opinion about ex opere operato." (Ap.XXIV.13) — Jordan B Cooper

Faith is nothing else than trust in the divine mercy promised in Christ. — Philipp Melanchthon

Even before Melanchthon sank into his grave, he was dismayed at seeing Lutheranism stiffen into dogmas and formulas, and heartbroken by a persecution from his fellow-Protestants more bitter than anything he had ever experienced from Catholics. — Andrew Dickson White

We must seek the truth, love it, defend it, and hand it down uncorrupted to our posterity. — Philipp Melanchthon