Life of Philip Melanchthon

Preface

The life of so distinguished a servant of God as Melanehthon deserves to be better known to the general reader than it actually is. In the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, his work stands second to that of Luther alone. Yet his life is comparatively unknown to many intelligent Christians.

In vicAV of the approaching four hundredth anniversary of Melanchthon's birth, this humble tribute to his memory is respectfully offered to the public. It is the design of these pages, by the presentation of the known facts in Melanchthon's career and of suitable extracts from his writings, to give a truthful picture of his life, character and work. In the preparation of this book, the author has made uso of a nmiiluT of biographies of Melanchthon by German authors, and of such other sources of information as were accessible to him. His aim has been to prepare a brief but sufficiently comprehensive life of Melanebtbon, in such a form as would interest the peo}»le. T<> wliat extent be has succeeded in liis undertaking, others must judge.

VI PREFACE.

That these pages may, in some measure at least, accomplish their purpose, and make the Christian reader more familiar with the work and merit of the man of God whom they endeavor to portray, is the sincere

"■"'^^ °f The Author.

Contents

PAGE

Introduction ^^

CHAPTER I. Ills Birth and Parentage H

CHAPTER n.

His Childhood ^^

CHAPTER HI.

1 7

At the University ^'

CHAPTER IV.

The Call and Removal to Wittenberg 21

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VII.

His MARRIA(iE AND DOMESTIC LiFE ^1

CHAPTER VIII.

Melanchthon during Luther's Absence from Wittenberg. 50

CHAPTER IX.

New Labors— a Visit to Bretten— Melanchthon and

Erasmus '^

CHAPTER X.

The Peasants' War— Luther's Marriage— The Saxon

\ ISITATION

CHAPTER XL

The Second Diet of Speyer— The Marburg Colloquy . . .^7

CHAPTER Xn.

CHAPTER XHI.

The Schmalcald League— The Religious Peace of Nr-

remberg— Invited to Erance and E.vgland 1--

(vii )

Vlll CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIV.

PAGE

The Wittenberg Form of Coxcord — Journey to Tuebin- GEN — Accused of Heresy 132

CHAPTER XV.

The Convention at Schmalcald — Attacks upon Melanch-

THON 140

CHAPTER XVI. '

The Frankfort Suspension — Labors in Ducal Saxony and Brandenburg — Second Convention at Schmalcald — The Landgrave's Bigajniy— Melanchthon at Death's Door 150

CHAPTER XVII.

The Religious Colloquy at Worms — The Diet at Ratisbon. 161

CHAPTER XVIIL

The Bishopric of Naumberg— The Reformation at Cologne—A Year of Suffering for Melanchthon . . . 172

CHAPTER XIX.

The Diet at Worms, ]545~The Diet at Ratisbon, 1546— Luther's Death 180

CHAPTER XX.

The Schmalcald War— The Dissolution and Restoration OF THE University 190

CHAPTER XXL

The Augsburg Interim — The Leipzig Interim — Controversies 198

CHAPTER XXII.

The Osiandrian and Majoristic Controversies— The Religious Peace of Augsburc; 219

CHAPTER XXIII.

Tin: Crypto-Calvinistic Controversy — Negotiations with

, Flacius 234

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Religious Conference at Worms 245

CHAPTER XXV.

Last Years and Death 250

CIL\PTER XXVI.

His Character and Services 263

Introduction

The approaching quarto-centennial of the birth of Philip Melanchthon will not fail to attract attention to the career of this remarkable man. Owing to the dearth of popular biographies of Melanchthon in the En2:hsh language, Dr. Krotel's translation of Leclderhose being out of print, the author of the following sketch herewith presents to those who may take an interest in the subject a clear, succinct account of the principal events in Melanchthon's checkered course. He tells the story in a straightforward way, without circumlocution or attempt at rhetorical flourish. Full justice is done to the eminent services of the gifted Reformer, with an evident desire to present his conduct in the best possible light. AVhik' tlic tone of the presentation is of an apologetic nature in ri'gard to incidents along the line which invite criticism o\' Melanchthon's conduct, discussion of those points is not evaded, and there is no attempt to cover up the weakness of the great scholar. Of course, it was out of the question in a book of limited compass to enter into a very detailed account of every individual transaction in which Melanchthon shared. At tlie sanir time,

i ix )

X INTRODUCTION.

we feel certiiin that no important element has been entirely overlooked.

Aside from Melanchthon's part in the history of the Reformation period, the most important epoch of Christianity since the time of the Apostles, he claims consideration on the side of classical education. His influence as an educator, which won for him the well-known title of " Preceptor Germanise," was not confined to his native land, as may be judged from the remark of Hallam, in his '' History of Literature," that he became '' far above all others, the founder of general learning throughout Europe." ^o one appreciated the services of Melanchthon in the cause of the Reformation more than Dr. Martin Luther, and it is to Luther's credit, that he treated Melanchthon with uniform consideration. One would fain say the same of Melanchthon's attitude toward Luther.

Melanchthon's weakness was overruled for good. His shoulders were not equal to some of the burdens imposed upon them. His good, sound work has survived. It is to be hoped that these pages will aid in promoting the study not only of the Life of Melanchthon, but of the whole period in which the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was restored to its normal and

proper position in the Church.

G. F. Spieker.

LIFE

OF

PHILIP MELANCHTHON

CHAPTER I.

HIS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.

AST from the city of Carlsruhe, in the Grand-

V,. duchy of Baden, Germany, lies the town of

^ Bretten. In the times of the Reformation it k belonged to the Palatinate of the Rhine, and boasted a population of three hundred families. At the present day its inhabitants hardly number more than four thousand souls. But it enjoys the enviable distinction of being the birth-place of Philip Melanchthon.

!N^ear the end of the fifteenth century there dwelt in this humble town a young married couple by the name of George and Barbara Schwarzerd. They were in comfortable circumstances and stood high in tinregard of the community. Of these parents, Pliilip Melanchthon was born on February 1<), 1407. His family name therefore was Schwarzerd, which means "Black Earth." It was afterwards changed, in conformity with the custom which prevailed among the

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

learned men of the day, into its Greek equivalent, Melanchthon.

Philip's father was armorer to the Elector Philip of

IIoMK OF Melanchthon at Buetten.

the Palatinate, and named his first-horn son in honor of that ruler. He enjoyed a wide reputation for skill in his profession. He was entrusted with the manufacture of armor for many princes and even for the Emperor Maximilian. His Imperial Majesty was so

HIS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. 13

well pleased with the perfect liiiish of one suit of this armor, that he bestowed upon its maker a coat of arms which was emblematic of his profession, and consisted of a lion sitting upon a shield and helmet, and holding a pair of tongs and a hammer in his paws.

George Schwarzerd was known as a just and pious man. ]N"o priest observed his hours of devotion more scrupulously. He arose every midnight and repeated his prayers. He was free from gross sins and vices, and possessed the same gentle, amiable and peace-loving disposition which so largely characterized his illustrious son. He was not " greedy of filthy lucre." It is recorded of him, that he frequently charged less for his work than his customers would willingly have paid. He shared, however, the superstitions of his age ; and when his son Philip was born, he consulted an astrologer to learn his child's destiny. He was told that Philip would at some time in his life be shi[)- wrecked on the Baltic Sea.

Philip's mother was the daughter of Jolm Renter, the Mayor of Bretten. She was pious, industrious, frugal, domestic in her habits, and an excellent housewife. One of the proverbs which slie was fond of quoting and which indicates her ideas of housekeei> ing ran thus :

"Whoever spends more Tlum liis plow can restore, Will come to grief ; Perhaps, hang as a thief."*

* ' ' Wer raeh r will vc r/A-l i ren ,

But while she was a careful housewife and would by no means tolerate extravagance, she was kind to the sick and the poor, and never turned any one away hungry from her door. Her favorite reply to those who found fault with her extreme liberality was, *' Almsgiving does not impoverish."

Besides Philip, this excellent couple was blessed with four other children ; namely, Anna, born in 1499 ; George, in 1501; Margaret, in 1506; and Barbara, in 1508.

li

Chapter II. His Childhood. 1504-1509

ITTLE PHILIP received his first instruction in the town school of Bretten. When he was only seven years of age, a contagious disease broke '' out in the community, and he was taken out of the school. His education, together with that of his brother George and his mother'-s youngest brother, was thereupon entrusted to a private tutor, John linger, whom Renter engaged by the advice of the learned John Reuchlin, Philip's great uncle. linger was thorough in his instructions, and understood how to win the affections and respect of his pupils. Melanchthon afterward spoke very highly of him, and declared : " He made me a grammarian. He was an excellent man; he loved me as a son and I loved him as a father ; and we ^ shall soon, I hope, meet in heaven."

HIS CHILDHOOD. 15

Philip possessed a remarkable memory. IK' not only learned easily, but possessed the far rarer j)Ower of retaining all that he had learned. He was gentle and amiable in his intercourse with his companions, so that his exceptional gifts excited not so much their envy, as their admiration. The other powers of his mind were as extraordinary as his memory. When educated foreigners came to town, as they frequently did, his grandfather took great delight in engaging him in disputes with them. Philip was nearly always the \dctor in these contests. He had inherited from his mother a lively temperament, and was at times easily irritated, but he was also quickly appeased. He early learned to control his temper, and sometimes applied to himself the adage :

" He strikes and thrusts ; but when he's done, He has not injured any one."*

He was afflicted ^vith the habit of stammering, but took pains to overcome it, and in a great measure succeeded.

A double bereavement came to him early in life. His grandfather. Renter, died October 16, 1507 ; and eleven days later his father also died. In a campaign against the Bavarians, in which he had taken part with the Elector in 1504, George Schwarzerd had (h-unk water from a poisoned well. From tliat time on, liis health had steadily declined. When his end njiproached, he called his children to his bedside and admonished them in these words: '^ T am dvini::; JID(1 I

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

desire that jou remain one with the Christian Church, that Tou retain the knowledsre of God and lose not jour eternal salvation. I have seen great changes in the world, but there are greater ones in store. I pray God to protect and guide you, and I admonish you to

John Reuchlin.

fear God and lead a Christian life. Obey Him and hold fast to that which is good."

Pliilip's grandmother Renter, a sister of the famous Reuclilin, now removed to the neighboring city of Pforzheim, her native place ^ and took him as well as

AT THE UNIVERSITY. 17

his brother George with her, in order to enter them in the Latin school of that city. George Simler, the principal of this school, was the object of considerable curiosity and admiration because he was versed in Greek and Hebrew as well as in Latin. These were still rare accpiirements, because the revival of learning had just begun. He taught Greek privately to his ablest pupils only. Of these ]*hilip was one; and here was laid the foundation of his subsequent ripe Greek scholarship. John Reuchlin took a great interest in his youthful relative, aild presented him with a Greek Grammar and a Greek-Latin lexicon of his own authorship. In order to show his appreciation of Reuchlin's kindness, Philip wrote a Latin comedy, and Avith the aid of some of his schoolmates, performed it in Reuchlin's presence. It was on this occasion, that his learned relative changed Philip's surname into its Greek equivalent, Melanchthon. By Reuchlin's advice, Philip devoted himself assiduously to the study of the classics, and thus fitted himself for the career in which he subsequently earned the title, Prseceptor Germanise (Teacher of Germany).

CHAPTER IIL

AT THE UNIVERSITY. 1509-1516.

MELAN'CHTHOX spent about two years in the school at Pforzheim. He was then, although (^ only thirteen years of age, far enough ad-

vanced to enter the University of Heidelberg. He removed to that city and took up his residence in the house of Professor Pallas Spangel. Among his fellowstudents were Bucer and Brenz, both of whom afterwards distinguished themselves in the work of the Reformation.

AVliile attending this university, Melanchthon continued to devote himself to the study of the classics. But he had to do so privately, because the public instructions dealt chiefly with the foolish speculations and useless subtleties of the scholastics. He himself, in later years, wrote concerning these student-days : " The youth were taught scarcely anything but the empty twaddle of the schoolmen and some elements of natural philosophy. As I already understood how to make verses, I began, with a child's craving for knowledge, to read the (newer) poets and to study, in connection Avith them, the histories and fables of which they treated. This practice gradually led me to the study of the ancient classics." His attainments in the Greek language soon procured for him great respect both from students and professors. One of the latter, who himself was ignorant of Greek, one day came across a knotty question whose solution required a knowledge of that language. In his dilemma, he asked, " Where will I find a Grecian ?" In reply the whole class cried out, '' Melanchthon ! Melanchthon !" In spite of his extreme youthfulness, he was entrusted with the instruction of the two young sons of the Count of Loewenstein. The preparations which he made for their lessons, he carefully noted down, and these notes formed the basis of the Greek grammar which he subsequently published.

On the tenth day of June, 1511, he received the

AT THE UNIVERSITY. 19

degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon afterwards lie applied for the Master's degree, hut was refused, because, although he possessed the required qualifications, " he was still too young and of too childish an appearance." He was greatly pained by this refusal. For this reason, together with the additional consideration, that the climate of the neighborhood did not agree with him, he wended his way, in the fall of 1512, to the University of Tuehingen. A somewhat freer and more scientific spirit prevailed here, and gave a wider scope to his talents.

Melanchthon continued here the dilio^ent studv of the classics. He also applied himself to Hebrew. Indeed, his cravins: for knowledo:e was so intense and his facility in learning so great, that he took up many other branches of study. He applied himself to philosophy and jurisprudence under his former teacher, Simler, Avho was now professor at this university. He paid attention also to astronomy and mathematics, and even to medicine. In 1514 he finished his philosophical course and obtained the Master's degree. He was then employed as private tutor at the university.

About this time, he began to turn his attention to theology. But in this, as in most of his other studies, he was largely dependent on his own private efibrts. The public lectures on theology were occui)ied almost solely with the traditions of tlie church and the empty subtleties of the schoolmen. The Bible was not taught at all. Melanchthon, however, privately api)lied himself to the study of the Scriptures and the ancient Church Fathers. He carried a copy of the Bible with him constantly. The studies which he thus pursued were of great advantage to himself and Luther in after years, when they engaged in conflict with the enemies of the Reformation. He carried his Bible with him to church, and ran some risk of being regarded as a heretic because he spent his time in reading the Scriptures, instead of paying attention to the vain ceremonies and empty babblings which occupied the minds of the others.

During his residence at Tuebingen, he was engaged also in literary labors. He corrected proof sheets for the publisher, Thomas Anshelm, published an edition of Terence and a Greek grammar, and so remodeled and improved the Chronicon, or Universal Histor)/, by John Xauclerus, who had formerly been rector of the university, that it soon became one of the most useful and widely-read historical works of the age. He took an active part, also, with Reuchlin, in contending against the Dominican monks of Cologne, who, in their blind fanaticism, insisted on the burning of all Jewish books and documents.

Melanchthon remained at Tuebingen live years. By this time, although he was scarcely twenty-one years of age and appeared to be still younger than he really was, he had acquired a wide reputation by his scholarly attainments. In the year 1516 the learned Erasmus of Rotterdam publicly said of him : '-What promise does not this Philip Melanchthon, a youth, as yet, and almost a boy, give of himself! He is equally at home in both languages [Greek and Latin] . What acuteness of invention, what purity of diction, what a memory for recondite matters, what extensive reading, what delicate grace and noble talents he displays !"

THE CALL AND REMOVAL TO WITTENBERG. 21

And in a letter to Oeeolanipadius he wrote: "Of Melanclithon I entertain the most distingnished and splendid expeetations. God grant that this yonng man may long survive us. He will entirely eclipse Erasmus."

Chapter IV. The Call And Removal To Wittenberg. 1518

WIDER field of usefulness, more suited to a mind of such extensive learning and comprehensive grasp, was now opened to Melanchthoii. He had already been invited to the University of Ingolstadt. But by Reuchlin's advice he had declined to go. The bigoted spirit wliieh prevailed there would have imposed an intolerable restraint upon the progressive spirit of Melanclithon. A call now came to him, however, from a field where he would l)e untrammeled by the scholasticism of the Middle Ages. It was a call to a professorship in the new University of Wittenberg.

This institution was one of the youngest universities in Germany. It had been founded as recently as 1502, l)y Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony; but its faculty consisted of some of the most learned and enlightened men of the day. At this time its reputation^extended all over Europe ; for it numbered among its professors. Dr. Martin Luther. Only a sliort time before this, that man of God had nailed to the church

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

Elector Frederick III. of Saxony.

THE CALL AND REMOVAL TO WITTENBERG. 23

door at Wittenberg liis t'aiuous niuetj-tive thoses iiii^ainst the sale of indulgences, and declared his readiness to defend them against any and all comers. The news of his daring act had spread like wild-fire, and Witten- 4 berg had become famous.

The call to this university gave to Melanchthon an opportunity to identify himself with the movement to free mankind from the corruption, ignorance, and thraldom of papal misrule. He accepted the call. It came to him through Reuchlin, to whom the Elector of Saxony had applied for a competent professor of Greek and Hebrew, and who, in recommending Melanchthon, had said of him, " I know of no one among the Germans who excels him, except Erasmus of Rotterdam, and he is an Hollander." In notifying Melanchthon of his call to AVittenberg, Reuchlin wrote to him in these words : " I do not intend to address you in poetical language, but in the words of that true promise of God which he gave to the faithful Al)raham, ' Get thee out of thy country and fr<^m thy kindred and from thy father's house, into a land that I will show thee; and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thv name great; and thou shalt l)e a blessins;.' This niv spirit tells me, and this I hope of thee, my rhili}), my handiwork and my consolation. Go, then, cheerfully and joyfnlly. lie not dismayed; be no woman, but a 111:111. N** jtrophet is without honor, save in his own country."

Melanchthon immediately set out for his new field of labor. He paid a farewell visit t(^ his relatives at Bretten and Pforzheim, visited Reuchlin at Stuttgart, and proceeded to Augsburg, where the Imperial Diet

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

Augsburg.

was in session. Here he was presented to the Elector, and made the acquaintance of George Spalatin, tlic Saxon Court-chaplain. From Augsburg he proceeded to l^uremberg, where he visited the celebrated statesman, Pirkheimer, passed through Leipzig, where he was entertained by the university, and arriv^ed at Wittenberg, August 25, 1518, having resolutely declined a call to Leipzig, as well as a second call to the University of Ingolstadt. The University of Tuebingen scarcely realized the great loss which it sustained by his removal. Simler alone appreciated it, and declared : " Although there are learned men here, none of them are sufficiently learned to appreciate the teachins: of this man who has been called awav, and who is now about to depart." But God had a work for Melanchthon to do, and that work "was to be done at Wittenberg.

CHAPTER Y.

AT WITTENBERG.

I

^ I yHE personal appearance of Melanchthon was little calculated to confirm the expectations raised by the reputation which had preceded him. He was only twenty-one years of age and looked ^ very boyish. His stature was small, his frame delicate, his manner timid and diffident. When lie walked he held one shoulder higher than the other, and when lie spoke he drew his eyebrows together in a curious way, stammered in his utterance, and gesticulated nervously.

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

Was this the famous scholar whose praises Erasmus and Reuchhn had sung so loudly ? Many of the Wittenbergers did nothesitate to give expression to their contempt of his insTgT^ificant appearance and timid air, and to question whether the university had made so great an acquisition after all in securing the services of this callow-looking youth. But a careful and unprejudiced observer might have augured better things from his lofty brow, his clear blue eyes, and the

Market Place at Wittenberg.

intellis^ence written on everv feature of his face. Within this frail tenement of clay, there lodged a gigantic intellect and a noble soul, whose might and worth would soon become apparent even to these scoffers.

Four days after his arrival the new professor delivered his introductory lecture. His subject was, " The Improvement of Studies for the Youth." Tt was a masterly effort, and he astonished his auditors ])y his able treatment of the subject. He dwelt on the necesisity of goiiiu:; back to the' original sources of knowledge, in order to se[)arate the truth from the errors with which, iu the process of time, it had become encrusted. To this end it was necessary, he said, thoroughly to master the Greek as well as the Latin language; and in no branch of study was this more necessary than in the domain of theology. Christian doctrine was not to be drawn from the translations and expositions of later times, but from the unadulterated source, the Holy Scriptures themselves

Luther, who was present in the large audience which had assembled in the lecture-room, was higlily delighted with what he heard. He was astonished by the learning, the comprehensive grasp, the reasoning power, and the beautiful diction, which Melanchthon's discourse revealed; and at the same time, he was gratified with the progressive but sound position which the youthful professor had advanced. It can be readily conceived that he viewed with profoundest joy the prospect of possessing, in the religious struggle upon which he had entered, the support of such a man as Melanchthon. There was anionic his ot\wr colaborers at Wittenberg no man from whom lie might expect such powerful succor as that wliicli the thorough philological training, the clear thought, and tlic lucid language of Philip }>romised to give. If such a man as Melanchthon, ecpiipped with the most extensive classical training, and the refined culture of an Erasmus or a Reuchlin, delivered exegetical lectures upon the very text of Scripturi', wliat a triumph the Gospel must achieve !

Luther immediatelv wrote to liis friend, the court-

LIFE OF MELANCHTHON.

Martin Luther.

AT WITTENBERrt. 29

chaplain, G-eorgc Spalatin, and exprossed the gratification which ho felt : " Mclanchthon," he fiays, " on the fourth day after his arrival, delivered a most learned and elegant address, to tlie great joy and admiration of all who heard him. TTenceforth he no longer needs any recommendatiun from you. We soon learned to look away from his external appearance ; we consider ourselves most fortunate to possess him, and are astonished at his extraordinary gifts. See to it that you commend him most earnestly to our prince. I have no desire whatever for any other teacher of Greek as long as we can retain him. There is but one thing which I fear, and that is, that with his delicate constitution, our manner of living may not agree with him. Furthermore, I have learned that he has been called with too small a salary, so that the Leipzigers, who courted him before he came among us, already flatter themselves that they will be able to lure him away." Two days later he wrote to the same friend : '' I most heartily commend IMiilip to you. lie is a perfect Grecian, a thorough scholar, friendly and amiable. His lecture-room is crowded, and he has caused all the theologians of the upper, middle, and lower classes, to apply themselves to the study of Greek."

In their subsequent personal intercourse, Luther and Melanchthon were daily drawn into a closer friendship and fuller nnitual esteem. Melanchthon was filled with admiration for the clear, forceful intellect, the deep, sincere piety, and the heroic spirit of Luther; while the great Reformer on the other hand was charmed bv Melanchthon's amiable disposition,

G. SrALATIN.

his gentle nature, and the grace and eloquence with which he employed his vast learning. Each found elements of character in the other which he hiniscU' lacked ; their natures supplemented each other. Both were lahoring with the same high and unselfish aim, and both rejoiced that the Providence of God had brought them into the same field, and permitted them to labor side by side.

With the coming of Melanchthon, a new era of prosperity dawned upon the University of Wittenberg. In the year 1517 there had been no more than two hundred students enrolled; but now they began to pour in from all parts of Germany and other countries of Europe, mainly for the purpose of attending ^lelanchthon's lectures. The new manner of teaching wdiich he introduced, the charm which his pleasing address and elei^cant culture threw over everv field of research, the attention he bestowed upon the study of the classics, and the habits of clear, well-ordered thinking which he inculcated, filled the students witli an enthusiasm and a zeal for study which can be aj)- preciated only when we bear in mind tlie dry, ditl'use, and barren methods of the scholastics which liml prevailed so long. The number of his auditors eonstantly increased till they reached a thousand and even two thousand or more. Among thciii ucrc princes, counts, barons and other mem])ers oi" tlic nobility, who came to imbibe learning at the feet of this youthful professor.

In his introductory address, Melanchthon liad announced that he would deliver lectures upon the poems of Homer and the Epistle of St. Paul to Titus.

As copies of Erasmus's edition of the Greek ]N"ew Testament were scarce at Wittenberg, he had a special edition of the Epistle to Titus printed for the use of his students. But in addition to the lectures which he had announced, he also undertook, for the pre^Gnt, to give instruction in Hebrew. As his proficiency in this language was by no means equal to that which he possessed in Greek, he labored almost day and night to perfect his knowledge of it. He granted himself no respite. He generally began to work at two o'clock in the morning. He delivered two lectures every forenoon at the university, and the rest of his long working day was given up wholly to his studies, his literary labors, and his constantly increasing correspondence. When the Elector heard that his new professor was likely to kill himself by hard work, he sent him orders to take better care of himself. But there is no evidence on hand to prove that Melanchthon obeyed the orders. He was simply indefatigable.

Chapter VI. Early Conflicts

EA^WHILE the Reformation was makingrapid progress. The etforts of Rome to bring Luther to silence failed. He was neither daunted by her threats nor beguiled by her persuasions, but continued to teach and preach the truth of the Gospel.

EARLY CONFLICTS.

The vain-glorious Dr. Eck now i)roposed the holding of a public disputation on the doctrines which Luther advanced. The challenge was addressed to Carlstadt hut was meant in reality for Luther. It was accepted. The disputation was opened at Leipzig on June 27, 1519, and lasted for three weeks. Diiriiiii:

L>K. EcK.

this period, Eck disputed first with Carlstadt on the doctrine of the free will, and then with Luther on tlie pope's primacy, repentance, indulgences, and purgatory.