A brief consultation took place among the Wittemberg doctors. Luther, Melancthon, Agricola, Brenz, Jonas, and Osiander, conferred together. Convinced that their peculiar doctrine on the Eucharist was essential to salvation, they considered all those who rejected it as without the pale of the faith. "What folly!"[272] said Melancthon, who afterwards almost coincided with Zwingle's sentiments: "they condemn us, and yet they desire we should consider them as our brothers!" "What versatility!" added Brenz: "they accused us but lately of worshipping a bread-god, and they now ask for communion with us!"[273] Then, turning towards Zwingle and his friends, the Wittembergers said: "You do not belong to the communion of the Christian Church: we cannot acknowledge you as brethren!"[274] [272] Vide eorum stultitiam!--(Corp. Ref. i. p. 1108.) [273] Nos tanquam adoratores panifici Dei traduxerant.--(Zw. Opp. iv. p. 203.) [274] Eos a communione Ecclesiæ Christianæ alienos esse.--(Ibid.) The Swiss were far from partaking of this sectarian spirit. "We think," said Bucer, "that your doctrine strikes at the glory of Jesus Christ, who now reigns at the right hand of the Father. But seeing that in all things you acknowledge your dependence on the Lord, we look at your conscience, which compels you to receive the doctrine you profess, and we do not doubt that you belong to Christ." "And we," said Luther--"we declare to you once more that our conscience opposes our receiving you as brethren."--"If such is the case," replied Bucer, "it would be folly to ask it." "I am exceedingly astonished that you wish to consider me as your brother," pursued Luther. "It shows clearly that you do not attach much importance to your own doctrine." [Sidenote: BROTHERHOOD REJECTED.] "Take your choice," said Bucer, proposing a dilemma to the Reformer: "either you should not acknowledge as brethren those who differ from you in any point--and if so, you will not find a single brother in your own ranks[275]--or else you will receive some of those who differ from you, and then you ought to receive us." [275] Nemo alteri vel inter ipsos frater erit.--(Zw. Opp. iv. p. 194.) The Swiss had exhausted their solicitations. "We are conscious," said they, "of having acted as if in the presence of God. Posterity will be our witness."[276] They were on the point of retiring: Luther remained like a rock, to the Landgrave's great indignation.[277] The Hessian divines, Kraft, Lambert, Snepf, Lonicer, and Melander, united their exertions to those of the Prince. [276] Id testabitur posteritas.--(Ibid.) [277] Principi illud durum videbatur.--(Ibid. p. 203.) Luther was staggered, and conferred anew with his colleagues. "Let us beware," said he to his friends, "of wiping our noses too roughly, lest blood should come."[278] [278] Ne nimis mungendo, sanguinem eliceremus.--(L. Epp. in his letter written to Gerbellius on the same day--Monday.)