Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Ver. 15. After my decease] Gr. εξοδον, my exodus, or passage to heaven. The apostle in this expression hath respect doubtless to that, Luke 9:31; Daniel 6:15, refers to Psalms 2:1 .
To have these things always, &c.] Dilexi virum (said Theodosius concerning Ambrose), I could not but love the man exceedingly for this, that when he died he was more solicitous of the Churches than of his own dangers. And I am in no less care (saith Cicero) what the commonwealth will do when I am dead, than while I am yet alive. Luther in many places of his books tells us, he was much afraid that the true doctrine of justification by faith alone would be, after his death, much defaced if not utterly lost out of the Church. And it happened out accordingly in part, by the pestilent opinions and endeavours of Flacius, Osiander, and other busy broachers of errors, about that fundamental point. While Luther lived, they forbore to vent themselves. But when his head was laid, Osiander was heard to boast Leonem mortuum esse; vulpes a se flocci pendi: that the lion was dead; and for the foxes (meaning Melancthon and the rest), he cared not for them. (Melch. in Vit. Osiand.)