Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/206

 Then Martin descended into the arena, for up to this time it was uncertain whether he would debate, because he was not able to appoint judges in such a delicate matter saving his right to appeal. However when this was settled he began to debate on the power of the Pope and on whether it could be considered as existing jure divino. For he frankly con- fessed its existence de facto, and only disputed the divine right. As the dispute waxed somewhat sharp, five days were spent on this point. Eck spoke bitterly and discourteously and tried every means to excite odium against Luther among the people. Eck's first argument was that the Church could not be without a head, since it was a corporate body, and therefore that the Pope was, jure divino, head of the Church. Then Martin said that Christ was the head of the Church, which, being spiritual, needed no other, as is said in Colos- sians, i. [verse 18]. Eck replied by citing several passages from Jerome and Cyprian, which he thought proved the divine right. But now certain passages in those writers whom he cited as sure supporters, were quoted as showing that they were doubtful. He boasted the authority of Bernard's epistle to Eugenius, as if it were Achilles in his magic armour, although there are certain things in that very book which support Luther's position. Moreover, who is so stupid as not to see what small authority Bernard could have had in this matter? From the gospel Eck quoted the text, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will found my Church." Luther interpreted that as a confession of faith; said that Peter represented the Church and that the rock on which Christ founded the Church was himself; and he proved this by the order of the words. Again that text: "Feed my sheep," was said to Peter, alone and privately, as Luther alleged, after the like authority had been given to all the apostles, in the words, "Receive the Holy Spirit, and whose sins ye loose on earth shall be loosed unto them in heaven, etc." With these words, he said, Christ showed what it was to feed the sheep and what sort of man he wished the shep- herd to be. Against this Eck urged the authority of the Council of Constance, where Luther's proposition had been condemned as one of Huss's articles and where it was said

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