From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

extended his hand to Luther, who pledged him in
some wine. "The more vigorously you assault me,"
said Luther, "the better you will please me." "It
shall not be my fault," answered Carlstadt, "if I
fail." They drank to one another, and again shaking
hands, Carlstadt withdrew.
The details of this interview are found only in
the records of the party adverse to the Reformer,
and Luther has charged them with gross
exaggeration.
From Jena, Luther continued his journey, and
arrived at Orlamunde in the end of August. The
Reformer himself has given us no account of his
disputation with Carlstadt. The account which
historians commonly follow is that of Reinhard, a
pastor of Jena, and an eye-witness. Its accuracy has
been challenged by Luther, and, seeing Reinhard
was a friend of Carlstadt, it is not improbably
colored. But making every allowance, Luther
appears to have been too much in haste to open this
breach in the Protestant army, and he took the
responsibility too lightly, forgetful of the truth
132