§ 54. LUTHER’S JOURNEY TO WORMS. 295
called Emser “the Goat of Leipzig” (in reference to the escutcheon of his family), and Emser called Luther in turn “the Capricorn of Wittenberg.” Luther’s Antwort auf das tiberchristliche, tibergeistliche, und tberkiinstliche Buch Bock Emser’s, appeared in March, 1521, and defends his doctrine of the general priesthood of believers.1 Emser afterwards severely criticised Luther’s translation of the Bible, and published his own version of the New Testament shortly before his death (1527).
Catharinus,? an eminent Dominican at ee had attacked Luther toward the end of December, 1520. Luther in his Latin reply tried to prove from Dan. 8:25 sqq.; 2 Thess. 2:3 sqq.; 2 Tim. 4:3 sqq.; 2 Pet. 2:1 sqq.; and the Epistle of Jude, that popery was the Antichrist predicted in the Scriptures, and would soon be annihilated by the Lord himself at his second coming, which he thought to be near at hand. |
It is astonishing that in the midst of the war of theological passions, he could prepare such devotional books as his commentaries and sermons, which are full of faith and practical comfort. He lived and moved in the heart of the Scriptures ; and this was the secret of his strength and success.
On the second of April, Luther left Wittenberg, accompanied by Amsdorf, his friend and colleague, Peter Swaven, a Danish student, and Johann Pezensteiner, an Augustinian brother. Thus the faculty, the students, and his monastic order were represented. They rode in an open farmer’s wagon, provided by the magistrate of the city. The imperial herald in his coat-of-arms preceded on horseback. Melanchthon wished to accompany his friend, but he was needed at home. “If I do not return,” said Luther in taking leave
1 On the Emser controversy see Erl. Frkf. ed., vol. XX VII.
2 His proper name was Lancelot Politi. See Lammer, Vortridentinische Theologie, p. 21, and Burkhardt, Luther’s Briefwechsel, p. 88. Luther cells him ‘‘insulsus et stolidus Thomista,’’ in a letter to Spalatin, March 7, 1521 (De Wette, I. 570).
296 THE GERMAN REFORMATION. A.D. 1517 To 1530.
of him, ‘“‘and my enemies murder me, I conjure thee, dear brother, to persevere in teaching the truth. Do my work during my absence: you can do it better than I. If you remain, I can well be spared. In thee the Lord has a more learned champion.”
At Weimar, Justus Jonas joined the company. He was at that time professor and canon at Erfurt. In June of the same year he moved to Wittenberg as professor of church law and provost, and became one of the most intimate friends and co-workers of Luther. He accompanied him on his last journey to Eisleben, and left us a description of his closing days. He translated several of his and Melanchthon’s works.
The journey to Worms resembled a march of triumph, but clouded with warnings of friends and threats of foes. In Leipzig, Luther was honorably received by the magistrate, notwithstanding his enemies in the University. In Thuringia, the people rushed to see the man who had dared to defy the Pope and all the world.
At Erfurt, where he had studied law and passed three years in a monastic cell, he was enthusiastically saluted, and treated as “the hero of the gospel.” Before he reached the city, a large procession of professors and students of his alma mater, headed by his friends Crotus the rector, and Eoban the Latin poet, met him. Everybody rushed to see the procession. The streets, the walls, and roofs were covered with people, who almost worshiped Luther as a wonder-working saint. The magistrate gave him a banquet, and overwhelmed him with demonstrations of honor. He lodged in the Augustinian convent with his friend Lange. On Sunday, April 7, he preached on his favorite doctrine, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and against the intolerable yoke of popery. Eoban, who heard him, reports that he melted the hearts as the vernal sun melts the snow, and that neither Demosthenes nor Cicero nor Paul so stirred their audiences as.