[164] Cærterum ego natus sum in Eisleben.... (L. Ep. i, p. 389.) [165] Cum quo heri ego et Philippus certavimus, splendide invitati. (Ibid. p. 396.) With whom Philip and I had a debate yesterday at a splendid entertainment. [166] Verbum Dei gladius est, bellum est, ruina est, scandalum est, perditio est, venenum est.... (L. Ep. i, p. 417.) [Sidenote: ECK'S ATTACK.] It was obvious that faith and courage were about to become more necessary to Luther than ever. Eck was forming projects of revenge. Instead of the laurels which he had counted on gaining, he had become a laughing-stock to all men of intellect throughout the nation.[167] Cutting satires were published against him. Eck was cut to the very heart by "An Epistle of Ignorant Canons," written by Œcolompadius, and a complaint against him probably by the excellent Pirckheimer of Nuremberg, exhibiting a combination of sarcasm and dignity of which the 'Provincial Letters' of Pascal alone can give some idea. [167] Ego nihil quæro; est qui quærat. Stet ergo, sive cadat; ego nihil lucror, aut amitto. (Ibid. p. 418.) Luther expressed his dissatisfaction with some of these writings. "It is better," said he, "to attack openly than to keep barking behind a hedge."[168] [168] Melior est aperta criminatio, quam iste sub sepe morsus. (Ibid. p. 425.) How greatly the chancellor of Ingolstadt had miscalculated! His countrymen abandon him, and he prepares for a journey beyond the Alps, to invoke the aid of strangers. Wherever he goes he vents his threatenings against Luther, Melancthon, Carlstadt, and the Elector himself. "From the haughtiness of his expressions," says the doctor of Wittemberg, "one would say he imagines himself to be God Almighty."[169] Inflamed with rage, and thirsting for vengeance, Eck, having in February, 1520, published a work on the primacy of St. Peter,--a work devoid of sound criticism, in which he maintained that this apostle, the first of the popes, resided for twenty-five years at Rome--set out for Italy in order to receive the reward of his pretended triumphs, and to forge at Rome, near the papal capitol, thunders mightier than the frail scholastic arms which had given way in his hands. [169] Deum crederes omnipotentem loqui. (L. Ep. i, p. 380.) Luther was aware of all the dangers to which the journey of his antagonist would expose him--but he feared not. Spalatin, alarmed, urged him to make proposals of peace. "No," replied Luther, "so long as he clamours, I cannot decline the contest. I commit the whole affair to God, and leave my bark to the winds and waves. It is the battle of the Lord. How can it be imagined that Christ will advance his cause by peace? Did he not combat even unto death, and have not all the martyrs since done the same?"[170] [170] Cogor rem Deo committere, data flatibus et fluctibus nave. Bellum Domini est.... (Ibid. p. 423.)