HIS DEBUT IN WITTENBERG, AND THE LEIPZIG DISPUTATION.
Four days after his arrival, the 22 years old professor delivered the
Introductory to his Lectures. The lecture-room was entirely filled. His
exterior did not promise much. A small, insignificant form, with a timid
gait, entered the desk, but the lofty brow, and his large blue eyes,
indicated the mighty mind which tabernacled in this unseemly and frail
vessel. But when he commenced his Latin address, which treated of the
improvement of studies, unfolding the deepest thoughts in the most
chaste language, and resting so entirely upon the word of God, all were
filled with joy.
Luther, who was also present, was full of enthusiasm; for he felt at
once how much the University and the good cause of the Reformation had
gained in the possession of a man so learned, and with so deep an
insight into truth. He therefore, full of joy, wrote to his beloved
friend Spalatin as early as August 31: "Philip delivered a very learned
and chaste address on the fourth day after his arrival, and that too
with such applause and admiration on every side, that you need not
trouble yourself further in commending him to us. We must look away from
his exterior appearance; we rejoice in his gifts, at the same time that
we are amazed at them; and we heartily thank our gracious prince, as
well as your own assistance. It is now especially important that you
recommend him most earnestly to our prince. I by no means desire a
different teacher of Greek, as long as he remains with us. There is but
one thing I fear, namely, that his delicate constitution will not be
able to endure the manner of life in this region. I also learn that he
has been called with too small a salary, so that the Leipzigers already
boast and hope that they shall soon be able to draw him away from us;
for they already courted him before he came to us. I, and many others
with me, suspect that Dr. Pfeffinger has, according to his usual custom,
been endeavoring to save the Elector's purse too much in this matter.
Therefore, my dear Spalatin, to speak freely, that is, with my best
friend: I pray you, look to it, that you do not despise his person and
age. This man is deserving of all honor; for I do not wish us and the
University to do so uncourteous a thing, and give envious persons
occasion to speak evil of us." Two days after this, he again commends
him to Spalatin most earnestly: "I would most heartily commend to you
Philip, the great Grecian, the thorough scholar, and most amiable man.
His lecture-room is crowded with hearers. It is owing to him,
principally, that all theologians, the first, middle, and lowest class,
are studying Greek." And thus Luther also expressed himself towards
other friends. But the more they learned to know each other, so much the
more also did their mutual esteem and affection increase. When
Melanchthon, at a certain time, wrote to his paternal friend Reuchlin,
and requested Luther to add a letter also, he complied with great
cheerfulness; for Reuchlin was not only one of the first champions
against Papal darkness, but it was also owing to him that Melanchthon
adorned Wittenberg. In his letter he called Melanchthon a wonderful man,
"in whom everything is almost supernatural; and yet he is the friend and
confidant of my heart." But Reuchlin could not comprehend the rapid
progress of the Reformation any more than Erasmus, and latterly had
become cooler towards Melanchthon, no doubt because he had taken a too
zealous and active part in the work of the reformation of the church.
As Luther's whole heart was soon devoted to Melanchthon, so also did the
young professor admire the chosen instrument of God. He soon discovered
that a turning point had been reached in the history of the Christian
church, and that Luther, partly because of his humility, and also his
powerful apostolical faith, was the man chosen by the Head of the Church
to bring about this blessed revolution. But an opportunity should soon
be afforded the ingenious youth to step upon the battle-field of the
Reformation himself, and to fight the good fight at Luther's side. The
cause of the Gospel, proclaimed trumpet-tongued in Wittenberg, had
awakened a mighty sympathy. They soon became convinced in Rome that this
was not an ordinary dispute among Monks, whether the cowls should be
peaked or round, and matters like these. Although the frivolous
Medicean, Pope Leo X., regarded the matter very lightly in the
beginning, its progress soon taught him to take a different view.
Writings, conceived in the true 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.