King Ferdinand, died at that time when her husband, King Christian,
was taken prisoner, who was kept in prison twenty years. And his
son, who was the only heir of the kingdom, and was in the Court of
the Emperor, died also at the Imperial Diet held at Ratisbon the
same year, 1541. God hath taken up and gathered together a fine and
glorious game at cards, all of mighty Potentates, as Emperors,
Kings, Princes, etc.; they scuffle and fight one with another;
touching which, said Luther, I could show many examples done in our
time, etc.

"The Pope," said Melancthon, "for the space of these certain hundred
years, hath been held for the principal Head of all Christendom.
When he did but wink or hold up one finger, so must the Emperors,
Kings, and Princes have humbled themselves and feared; insomuch that
he was Lord of all Lords, King of all Kings on earth; yea, he was an
earthly god. But now comes Almighty God, throws down the Pope, and
wins that great king with the ace (Luther), and there he lies. This
is God's government, as Mary sings in her Magnificat: Deposuit
potentes-He puts down the mighty from their seat, etc.

"If I were rich," said Melancthon, "I would have artificially made
me a game at cards, and a chess-board all of gold and silver, in a
remembrance of God's game at cards, which are all great and mighty
Emperors, Kings, and Princes, where he always thrusteth one out
through another. N. is the four of diamonds, the Pope is the six of
diamonds, the Turk is the eight of diamonds, the Emperor is the king
in the game.

"At last comes our Lord God, divides the game, beats the Pope with
Luther (he is the ace). But the Pope is not yet quite dead; Christ