"An ignorant monk." "Well, then," replied she, "do you, who are learned, and in such numbers, write against him. The world will credit a multitude of learned men sooner than an isolated, ignorant monk." The doctors of Louvain preferred an easier method. They caused a vast pile to be erected at their own expense. The place of execution was covered with spectators, and students and burghers were seen hastening through the crowd, their arms filled with large volumes, which they threw into the flames. Their zeal edified the monks and doctors; but the trick was afterwards discovered. Instead of the writings of Luther, they had thrown into the fire the _Sermones discipuli_, _Tartaret_, and other scholastic and popish books.[291] [290] A ministris pontificiis mature præoccupatus, declaravit se velle vetarem fidem tutari..... Pallavicini, p. 80. [291] Seckend. p. 289. [Sidenote: DECISIVE STEPS BY THE REFORMER.] The Count of Nassau, Viceroy of Holland, when the Dominicans were soliciting the favour of burning the doctor's books, said to them, "Go and preach the gospel as purely as Luther, and you will have nobody to complain of." At a festival, attended by the leading princes of the empire, the Reformer having become the subject of conversation, the Baron of Ravenstein said, aloud, "In the space of four centuries, only one Christian man has dared to lift his head, and the pope is wishing to put him to death."[292] [292] Es ist in 400 Jahren ein christlicher mann aufgestanden, den will der Pabst todt aben (Seckend. p. 288.) Luther, conscious of the power of his cause, remained tranquil amid the tumult which the bull had excited.[293] "Did you not urge me so keenly," said he to Spalatin, "I would be silent, well knowing that, by the power and counsel of God, this work must be accomplished."[294] The timid man was anxious for speech, the strong man wished to be silent. It was because Luther discerned a power not visible to the eyes of his friend. "Be of good courage," continues the Reformer; "Christ began these things, and Christ will accomplish them, though I should be put to flight or put to death. Jesus Christ is present here, and more powerful is He who is in us, than he who is in the world."[295] [293] "In bullosis illis tumultibus." (L. Ep. p. 519.) In those bull tumults. [294] "Rem totam Deo committerem."(Ibid, 521.) I would commit the whole affair to God. [295] "Christus ista cœpit, ista perficiet, etiam me sive extincto, sive fugato." (Ibid., p. 526.) CHAP. X. Decisive steps by the Reformer--Luther's Appeal to a General Council--Struggle at close quarters--The Bull burned by Luther--Meaning of this bold act--Luther in the Academic Chair--Luther against the Pope--New Work by Melancthon--How Luther encourages his Friends--Progress of the Contest--Melancthon's Opinion of the timid--Luther's Work on the Bible--Doctrine of Grace--Luther's Recantation.