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

whole body of believers, but the exercise of them is
not the right of all, but the right only of the fittest,
whom the rest are to call to preside over them in
the exercise of powers which are not theirs, but the
property of the whole body. Such were the
conclusions of Luther and the ex-Franciscan of
Avignon; and the latter now proceeded to give
effect to these general principles in the
organization of the Church of Hesse.
But first he must submit his propositions to the
authorities ecclesiastical and civil of Hesse, and if
possible obtain their acceptance of them. The
Landgrave Philip issued his summons, and on the
21st October knights and counts, prelates and
pastors, with deputies from the towns, assembled in
the Church of Homburg, to discuss the propositions
of Lambert. The Romish party vehemently assailed
the Paradoxes; with equal vigor Lambert defended
them. His eloquence silenced every opponent, and
after three days' discussion his propositions were
carried, and the Churches of Hesse constituted in
accordance therewith.
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