The conference was ended. It had been in reality more tranquil than the documents seem to show, or perhaps the chroniclers appreciated such matters differently from ourselves. "With the exception of a few sallies, all had passed off quietly, in a courteous manner, and with very great gentleness," says an eye-witness.[259] "During the colloquy no other words than these were heard: 'Sir, and very dear friend, your charity,' or other similar expressions. Not a word of schism or of heresy. It might have been said that Luther and Zwingle were brothers, and not adversaries."[260] This is the testimony of Brenz. But these flowers concealed an abyss, and Jonas, also an eye-witness, styles the conference "a very sharp contest."[261] [259] Omnia humanissime et summa cum mansuetudine transigebantur.--(Zw. Opp. iv. p. 201.) [260] Amicissime Domine, Vestra charitas, et id genus......Dixisses Lutherum et Zwinglium non adversarios.--(Zw. Opp. iv. p. 201.) [261] Acerrimo certamine.--(Corp. Ref. i. p. 1096.) [Sidenote: THE LANDGRAVE MEDIATES.] The contagion that had suddenly broken out in Marburg was creating frightful ravages, and filled everybody with alarm.[262] Each one was anxious to leave the city. "Sirs," remarked the Landgrave, "you cannot separate thus." And desirous of giving the doctors an opportunity of meeting one another with minds unoccupied by theological debates, he invited them all to his table. This was Sunday night. [262] Nisi _Sudor Anglicus_ subito Marburgum invasisset et terrore omnium animos percutisset.--(Hospin. p. 131.) Philip of Hesse had all along shown the most constant attention, and each one imagined him to be on his side. "I would rather place my trust in the simple words of Christ, than in the subtle thoughts of man," was a remark he made, according to Jonas;[263] but Zwingle affirmed that this prince thought now as he did, although with regard to certain persons he dissembled his opinions. Luther, sensible of the weakness of his defence as to the declarations of the Fathers, transmitted a note to Philip, in which several passages were pointed out from Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyprian, Irenæus, and Ambrose, which he thought were in his favour. [263] Dicitur palam proclamasse.--(Corp. Ref. p. 1097.) The time of departure drew near, and nothing had been done. The Landgrave toiled earnestly at the union, as Luther wrote to his wife.[264] He invited the theologians one after another into his closet;[265] he pressed, entreated, warned, exhorted, and conjured them. "Think," said he, "of the salvation of the christian republic, and remove all discord from its bosom."[266] Never had general at the head of an army taken such pains to win a battle. [264] Da arbeit der Landgraf heftig.--(L. Epp. iii. p. 512.) [265] Unumquemque nostrum seorsim absque arbitris.--(Zw. Opp. iv. p. 203.)