In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

fame, to extinguish the monk of Wittemberg,
although he had but recently contracted a
friendship with him, cemented by an interchange of
letters. Though a scholar, the professor of
Ingolstadt did not account it beneath him to employ
abuse, and resort to insinuation. "It is the
Bohemian poison which you are circulating," said
he to Luther, hoping to awaken against him the old
prejudice which still animated the Germans against
Huss and the Reformers of Bohemia. So far as Eck
condescended to argue, his weapons, taken from
the Aristotelian armory, were adapted for a
scholastic tournament only; they were useless in a
real battle, like that in which he now engaged.
They were speedily shivered in his hand. "Would
you not hold it impudence," asked Luther, meeting
Dr. Eck on his own ground, "in one to maintain, as
a part of the philosophy of Aristotle, what one
found it impossible to prove Aristotle had ever
taught? You grant it. It is the most impudent of all
impudence to affirm that to be a part of Christianity
which Christ never taught."
The doctor of Ingolstadt sank into silence. One
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