Roman spirit, and dipped in blood, were sent forth. But all was unavailing. Despotic commands, such as had been hurled against Luther in Augsburg by the proud Cajetan, were powerless. At first the lion in the Vatican roared, then he fawned. All knew the Papal nuncio Miltiz, who could speak sweetly, and if this would not suffice, could even shed tears. An agreement was entered into between him and Luther, who in the beginning still entertained a high esteem for the Pope's supremacy, in Altenburg, in the year 1519, in which he promised silence, provided his opponents would remain silent also. But even in the midst of these negotiations, a zealous Romanist brought about an unexpected outbreak of the fire that slumbered beneath the ashes. This was the well-known Dr. John Eck, Chancellor of the University of Ingolstadt, a man ever inclined to noise and disputes. He had already attacked Professor Andrew Carlstadt, in Wittenberg, in the year 1516. At a later period he challenged him to a public discussion, although he had his eye fixed upon Luther more than him. As the choice of the place and the time of the discussion were left to Dr. Eck, he fixed upon Leipzig. It was to be opened on the 27th of June, 1519.

Eck arrived in Leipzig betimes, where he was delighted at being seen and admired. On the 24th of June the Wittenbergers also arrived. Many other learned men and students were present, besides the two champions, Carlstadt and Luther. Philip Melanchthon rode at Luther's side in a carriage. A crowd of persons, abbots, counts, knights, the learned and unlearned, such as Leipzig had not seen for a long time, were gathered together. It does not belong to our purpose to describe at length the history of the discussion at Leipzig. It occupied three weeks. First of all, Eck disputed with Carlstadt about Free-will, then with Luther about the Pope's supremacy, purgatory, indulgences, penance, absolution, and satisfaction. The contest often became very hot. Even if Carlstadt did not defend his good cause with the greatest skill, Eck found his match in Luther, who placed himself in the citadel of the word of God, and went forth unconquered from the battle. However, Melanchthon did not merely sit by as an idle hearer. It is said that he now and then mingled in the contest, and supported his two friends with a few observations. Upon this, Eck addressed him in a harsh tone: "Be silent, Philip; mind your own business, and do not disturb me!"

Melanchthon, who had inwardly taken a lively interest in the discussion, left Leipzig, together with his Wittenberg friends, richly blessed and strengthened for his whole life.[5] But he was now to enter into a dispute with Eck himself. For he had written a letter to his beloved friend Oecolampadius, who regarded the bold stand of Luther and his friends with approbation, in which he related the events of the disputation, and exposed several weak points in Eck's arguments. But, although he did this, he praised Eck's "excellent natural gifts." Of course it can be easily seen where Melanchthon's heart was. He thus spoke of Luther in this letter: "I must admire the clear head, learning, and eloquence, and heartily love the sincere and truly Christian heart of Luther, whom I have known intimately for a long time." This letter was printed, and was seen by Eck, who felt himself so much aggrieved by it, that he printed a very rude reply as early as the 25th of July, in Leipzig. He treats the teacher of languages—Philippus—"who understands Greek and Latin so well," in a most contemptuous manner, as if he had assumed the right of pronouncing judgment in a matter which he did not understand, and endeavors to refute Melanchthon's letter by sixteen brief remarks. At one time he calls him "the bold little man," then again "the Wittenbergian teacher of languages, who fared like the shoemaker who wanted to know more than his last," and then again "the literalist," and "little language man." Once he addresses him in the words: "Thou dusty schoolmaster!" The whole letter is conceived in this spirit: but he was mistaken in Melanchthon. In the month of August he sent forth from "the celebrated Saxon city Wittenberg," a defence against John Eck, in which he does not use similar language. He declares in this "that he has been driven to this, more by a holy anxiety and zeal for the Holy Scriptures than by any enmity." He declares, in the most decided manner, "that it is ungodly to wrest the Scriptures according to human will and inclinations." He now refutes Eck's principal objections in the clearest manner, and advises him "to suffer the cause to strive rather than abusive language." "We owe this," he says, "to love, which, as truly as I hope to have a merciful God, I from my heart do not wish to grieve or offend."

Luther was much displeased with Eck's conduct. He expresses this in a letter to Spalatin, dated August 15th: "I again come to speak of Philip, whom no Eck can bring me to hate, and whose testimony in my favour I always esteem higher than anything else. The judgment and opinion of this single man is of more value to me than that of many thousand worthless Ecks, and I would not be ashamed, although I am a Master of Arts, of Philosophy, and Theology, and am adorned almost with all the titles of Eck, to leave my own opinion, if this Grammarian could not agree with it. I have often done this, and do it still, because of the divine gift which God has deposited in this frail vessel (although it seems contemptible to Eck,) with a bountiful blessing. Philip I do not praise, he is a creature of God, and nothing."

But Eck did not consider it advisable to contend further with the champions of Wittenberg, who were also supported by other worthy men. He was silent, and as he perhaps thought that other weapons were needful in such a case, perhaps like those employed against Huss and Jerome a hundred years before, he journeyed to Rome, and sought shelter beneath the thunders of excommunication from the Papal Chair.

CHAPTER IV.

BUILDING AND FIGHTING.

It has happened sometimes in the Church of Christ, that the kingdom of God has been built up, whilst the builders were obliged to carry the sword against the enemies in one hand. This was the case at Wittenberg at that time. By Luther's side we find Melanchthon engaged in this double labor. We have already heard with what joy his introductory lecture was listened to. He continued to gain more applause from day to day. Students from all parts of Germany, yea of Europe, were found in his lecture-room. In the year 1520, Spalatin saw about 600 students, whereas the whole number of students had formerly not exceeded 200. Luther's European reputation, of course, also contributed much towards the prosperity of the University. Heerbrand, in his oration to his memory, relates that Melanchthon had as many as 2000 pupils and hearers, among whom were princes, counts, barons, and other noblemen. Whilst Reuchlin and Erasmus labored more by their writings, Melanchthon attracted both by his lectures and his solid writings. To this was added, that, whilst Reuchlin and Erasmus from day to day grew cooler towards the great movement proceeding from Wittenberg, Melanchthon attached himself to it in the most decided manner, and powerfully aided it by his mind, acquirements, and great name. He, therefore, did not only lecture on the