Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/216

 the speeches not been taken down in writing, our champions would have come off with great shame. For Eck argues and turns around in the Italian manner with nine or ten arguments by which he does not seek to establish the truth, but only his own honor, just as all sophists, that is, all schoolmen, do. . . . But the audience consider him the victor who shouts the loudest and has the last word, and for these reasons the men of Leipsic honor Eck as the victor. . ..

I do not consider Eck equal to Luther either in doctrine or art, either in delivery or in memory; I would as soon compare stones or mere filth to the purest gold. . ..

17a MELANCHTHON TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT. Corpus Reformatorum, i. 106. Wittenberg, August 11, 15 19.

. . . Eck reviled us with fierce and uncivil calumnies, either to indulge his own temper or because he thought himself insulted and thus revenged himself. . . . After our departure he disseminated a large number of false slanders about Luther among the princes. What can you do to him? I love and cling to the pious zeal and learning of Luther as much as I do to any human thing. . ..

171. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN. Enders, ii. 124. (Wittenberg, before August 18, 1519.)

Greeting. Please let me know, Spalatin, if possible, what jfou wanted done about the foundation for commemorating the Passion.* I am not much in favor of binding a man to certain stated services, unless it is a man who is profited by such a rule.

We all beg you to send us a copy* of the Leipsic debate by this messenger. We have a reason for wanting it, which you will learn in due time. As we ask you we have no doubt that you will comply. Farewell and pray for me, a very busy

>The Elector, at the suggestion of his confessor, James Vogt, in 1519, endowed a foundation for two priests and eight acolites to sing Psalms on certain days in the Wittenberg Castle Church.

This was a manuscript copy of the minutes of the debate, which had been sent by Melanchthon to Spalatin on August 11.