But scarcely had this old delusion, which had already appeared in the days of Montanism and in the Middle Ages, found followers, when it met with a powerful antagonist in the Reformation. Nicholas Hausmann, of whom Luther gave this powerful testimony, "What we preach, he practises,"[104] was pastor of Zwickau. This good man did not allow himself to be misled by the pretensions of the false prophets. He checked the innovations that Storch and his followers desired to introduce, and his two deacons acted in unison with him. The fanatics, rejected by the ministers of the Church, fell into another extravagance. They formed meetings in which revolutionary doctrines were professed. The people were agitated, and disturbances broke out. A priest, carrying the host, was pelted with stones;[105] the civil authority interfered, and cast the ringleaders into prison.[106] Exasperated by this proceeding, and eager to vindicate themselves and to obtain redress, Storch, Mark Thomas, and Stubner repaired to Wittemberg.[107] [104] Quod nos docemus, ille facit. [105] Einen Priester der das Venerabile getragen mit Steinen geworfen. Seck. p. 482. [106] Sunt et illic in vincula conjecti. Mel. Corp. Ref. i. 513. [107] Huc advolarunt tres viri, duo lanifices, literarum rudes, literatus tertius est. Ibid. They arrived there on the 27th of December 1521. Storch led the way with the gait and bearing of a trooper.[108] Mark Thomas and Stubner followed him. The disorder then prevailing in Wittemberg was favourable to their designs. The youths of the academy and the citizens, already profoundly agitated and in a state of excitement, were a soil well fitted to receive these new prophets. [108] Incedens more et habitu militum istorum quos _Lanzknecht_ dicimus. L. Epp. ii. 245. [Sidenote: THE NEW PROPHETS AT WITTEMBERG.] Thinking themselves sure of support, they immediately called on the professors of the university, in order to obtain their sanction. "We are sent by God to instruct the people," said they. "We have held familiar conversations with the Lord; we know what will happen;[109] in a word, we are apostles and prophets, and appeal to Dr. Luther." This strange language astonished the professors. [109] Esse sibi cum Deo familiaria colloquia, videre futura......Mel. Electori, 27th Dec. 1521. Corp. Ref. i. 514. "Who has commissioned you to preach?" asked Melancthon of his old pupil Stubner, whom he received into his house. "The Lord our God."--"Have you written any books?"--"The Lord our God has forbidden me to do so." Melancthon was agitated: he grew alarmed and astonished. "There are, indeed, extraordinary spirits in these men," said he; "but what spirits?......Luther alone can decide. On the one hand, let us beware of quenching the Spirit of God, and, on the other, of being led astray by the spirit of Satan."