Döllinger on the preparation of the ground for the Reformation. The proceedings at Altenburg, Lichtenberg, Schwarzburg, and Eilenburg typical of the action of the town councils. Partial retention of olden ceremonial for the sake of avoiding scandal. An instance of misplaced enthusiasm: Hartmuth von Cronberg. Proceedings at Wittenberg, in the Saxon Electorate and in the free Imperial city of Nuremberg. Lutheranism introduced at the University town of Erfurt; Luther’s own part in this; the Catholic opposition headed by Usingen; anticlerical rising in the town; invasion of the peasants and overthrow of the magistracy; awkward position of Luther on being appealed to by the committees set up by the revolutionaries; negotiations with the Saxon Elector and the Archbishop of Mayence; partial success of the Archbishop’s threats _pages_ 312-362 6. SHARP ENCOUNTERS WITH THE FANATICS. Advantages accruing to Luther from his warfare with the Anabaptists. Thomas Münzer’s opinions and doings. Luther’s Circular on the spirit of revolt and Münzer’s “Schutzrede”; with whom is the decision as to the quality of the spirit to rest? Münzer’s capture and execution; Luther exults. Luther’s tracts against Carlstadt; all his gainsayers possessed by the devil; Münzer’s description of Luther as the Pope of Wittenberg. Ickelsamer’s objection that Luther goes only half-way with his principle of private judgment. Luther’s view that every man sent by God must be “tried by the devil.” Luther shocks his wife _pages_ 363-379 7. PROGRESS OF THE APOSTASY. DIETS OF SPIRES (1529) AND AUGSBURG (1530). Previous Diets; the Diet of Spires in 1526; the Protest at the Diet of Spires in 1529; that of Augsburg in 1530; Melanchthon’s diplomacy approved by Luther; “_insidiæ_” pitted against “_insidiæ_”; the Gospel-proviso; Luther’s admission to Philip of Hesse; failure of the Augsburg Diet; the tale of the spectre-monks of Spires; Luther’s obsessions in the fortress of Coburg; vehemence of his tract against the “pretended Imperial edict”; his reply to Duke George the “Dresden assassin.” Luther’s fidelity to certain central truths of Christianity, particularly to the doctrine of the Trinity _pages_ 380-399 VOL. II. THE APOSTASY LUTHER CHAPTER XI THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GREAT APOSTASY 1. Allies among the Humanists and the Nobility till the middle of 1520 AS his work progressed the instigator of the innovations received offers of support from various quarters where aims similar to his were cherished.