Meanwhile Luther, caring little for the condemnations of the Sorbonne, was proceeding in his military equipment to the university. He was greatly distressed by various reports which reached him on the road of a spirit of impatience and independence that was showing itself among some of his adherents.[78] At length he arrived at Wittemberg without being recognised, and stopped at Amsdorff's house. Immediately all his friends were secretly called together;[79] and Melancthon among the first, who had so often said, "I would rather die than lose him."[80] They came!--What a meeting!--what joy!--The captive of the Wartburg tasted in their society all the sweetness of christian friendship. He learnt the spread of the Reformation, the hopes of his brethren; and, delighted at what he saw and heard,[81] offered up a prayer,--returned thanks to God,--and then with brief delay returned to the Wartburg. [78] Per viam vexatus rumore vario de nostrorum quorundam importunitate. L. Epp. ii. 109. [79] Liess in der Stille seine Freunde fodern. L. Opp. xviii. 238. [80] Quo si mihi carendum est, mortem fortius tulero. Corp. Ref. i. 453, 455. [81] Omnia vehementer placent quæ video et audio. L. Epp. ii. 109. CHAPTER VI. Fresh Reforms--Gabriel Zwilling on the Mass--The University--Melancthon's Propositions--The Elector--Monastic Institutions attacked--Emancipation of the Monks--Disturbances--Chapter of the Augustine Monks--Carlstadt and the Mass--First Celebration of the Lord's Supper--Importance of the Mass in the Romish System. [Sidenote: FRESH REFORMS--GABRIEL ZWILLING.] Luther's joy was well founded. The work of the Reformation then made a great stride. Feldkirchen, always in the van, had led the assault; now the main body was in motion, and that power which carried the Reformation from the doctrine it had purified into the worship, life, and constitution of the Church, now manifested itself by a new explosion, more formidable to the papacy than even the first had been. Rome, having got rid of the reformer, thought the heresy was at an end. But in a short time everything was changed. Death removed from the pontifical throne the man who had put Luther under the ban of the Church. Disturbances occurred in Spain, and compelled Charles to visit his kingdom beyond the Pyrenees. War broke out between this prince and Francis I., and as if that were not enough to occupy the emperor, Soliman made an incursion into Hungary. Charles, thus attacked on all sides, was forced to forget the monk of Worms and his religious innovations. About the same time, the vessel of the Reformation, which, driven in every direction by contrary winds, was on the verge of foundering, righted itself, and floated proudly above the waters.