In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

evangelical, which the universal Church cannot
condemn." Eck had unwittingly done both Luther
and the Reformation a service. The blow which he
meant should be a mortal one had severed the last
link in the Reformer's chain. Luther had formerly
repudiated the primacy of the Pope, and appealed
from the Pope to a Council. Now he publicly
accuses a Council of having condemned what was
"Christian" — in short, of having erred. It was
clear that the infallible authority of Councils, as
well as that of the Pope, must be given up.
Henceforward Luther stands upon the authority of
Scripture alone.
The gain to the Protestant movement from the
Leipsic discussion was great. Duke George,
frightened by the charge of Bohemianism, was
henceforward its bitter enemy. There were others
who were incurably prejudiced against it. But these
losses were more than balanced by manifold and
substantial gains. The views of Luther were
henceforward clearer. The cause got a broader and
firmer foot-hold. Of those who sat on the benches,
many became its converts. The students especially
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