The meeting broke up. "See their stratagem," said Luther and his friends to each other. "They would to a certainty ask to have the pope or the universities for judges." In fact, the theologians of Rome, next morning, sent one of their party to Luther, with a proposal that the judge should be ... the pope!... "The pope!" said Luther, "how could I accept him?" "Beware," exclaimed all his friends, "of accepting conditions so unjust." Eck and his friends having consulted anew, gave up the pope, and proposed certain universities. "Don't take from us the liberty which you have already granted us," replied Luther. "We cannot yield this point," resumed Eck. "Then," exclaimed Luther, "I don't debate."[71] [71] I. Op. (L. xvii, p. 245.) They again parted, and what had just passed was talked of over the whole town. The Romans kept crying every where, "Luther won't debate--he refuses to accept of any judge!" Commenting on, and torturing his words, they endeavoured to represent them in the most unfavourable light. "What! truly? he will not debate?" say the best friends of the Reformer, and hasten to him to express their alarm. "You decline the contest," exclaim they. "Your refusal will bring eternal disgrace on your university and your cause." This was to attack Luther in his most tender point. "Very well," replied he, his heart filled with indignation, "I accept the terms which are imposed on me; but I reserve a right of appeal, and I decline the Court of Rome."[72] [72] Ibid., p. 246. [Sidenote: THE PROCESSION. MASS.] CHAP. IV. The Procession--Mass--Mosellanus--Veni, Sancte Spiritus!--Portraits of Luther and Carlstadt--Doctor Eck--Carlstadt's Books--Merit of Congruity--Natural Powers--Scholastic distinction--Point where Rome and the Reformation separate--Grace gives man freedom--Carlstadt's Note-Book--Commotion in the auditory--Melancthon during the debate--Manœuvres of Eck--Luther Preaches--The Citizens of Leipsic--Quarrels of Students and quarrels of Teachers. The 27th of June was the day fixed for the commencement of the discussion. In the morning the parties met in the hall of the university, and thereafter walked in procession to the Church of St. Thomas, where high mass was celebrated by the order and at the expence of the duke. After service, those present proceeded to the ducal castle. At their head walked Duke George, and the Duke of Pomerania; next came counts, abbots, knights, and other persons of distinction; and, lastly, the doctors of the two parties. A guard composed of seventy-six citizens, carrying halberds, accompanied the procession, with colours flying, and drums beating, and halted at the castle gate. On the arrival at the palace, each took his place in the hall where the debate was to take place--Duke George, the hereditary Prince John, Prince George of Anhalt, a boy of twelve, and the Duke of Pomerania, occupying the seats allotted to them.