prejudiced, he is reported to have yielded the main point of dispute, as regards the literal
interpretation of "This is my body," and the literal handing of Christ’s body to his disciples, but
added that he gave it to them "in a certain mysterious manner."^861 When Zwingli urged the ascension
as an argument against the local presence, Melanchthon said, "Christ has ascended indeed, but in
order to fill all things" (Eph. 4:10)." Truly," replied Zwingli, "with his power and might, but not
with his body." During the open debate on the following days, Melanchthon observed a significant
silence, though twice asked by Luther to come to his aid when he felt exhausted.^862 He made only
a few remarks. He was, however, at that time, of one mind with Luther, and entirely under his
power. He was as strongly opposed to an alliance with the Swiss and Strass-burgers, influenced in
part by political motives, being anxious to secure, if possible, the favor of Charles and Ferdinand.^863
Luther must have handled Oecolampadius more severely; for the latter, in coming from the
conference room, whispered to Zwingli, "I am again in the hands of Dr. Eck" (as at the colloquy
in Baden in 1526).
The general discussion took place on Saturday, the 2d of October, in a large hall (which
cannot now be identified with certainty).^864 The Landgrave in plain dress appeared with his court
as an eager listener, but not as an arbitrator, and was seated at a separate table. The official attendants
on the Lutheran side were Luther (dressed as an Electoral courtier) and Melanchthon, behind them
Jonas and Cruciger of Witten-berg, Myconius of Gotha, Osiander of Nuernberg, Stephen Agricola
of Augsburg, Brentius of Hall in Swabia; on the Reformed side Zwingli and Oecolampadius, and
behind them Bucer and Hedio of Strassburg: all men of eminent talent, learning, and piety, and in
the prime of manhood and usefulness. Luther and Zwingli were forty-six, Oecolampadius forty-seven,
Bucer thirty-eight, Hedio thirty-five, Melanchthon thirty-two, the Landgrave only twenty-five years
of age. Luther and Melanchthon, Zwingli and Oecolampadius, as the chief disputants, sat at a
separate table, facing each other.
Besides these representative theologians there were a number of invited guests, princes
(including the exiled Duke Ulrich of Wuerttemberg), noblemen, and scholars (among them Lambert
of Avignon). Zwingli speaks of twenty-four, Brentius of fifty to sixty, hearers. Poor Carlstadt, who
was then wandering about in Friesland, and forced to sell his Hebrew Bible for bread, had asked
for an invitation, but was refused. Many others applied for admission, but were disappointed.^865
Zwingli advocated the greatest publicity and the employment of a recording secretary, but both
requests were declined by Luther. Even the hearers were not allowed to make verbatim reports.
Zwingli, who could not expect the Germans to understand his Swiss dialect, desired the colloquy
to be conducted in Latin, which would have placed him on an equality with Luther; but it was
decided to use the German language in deference to the audience.
divinitatem; proinde de sentio, hoc sacramentum verae praesentiae testimonium esse quod cum ita sit, sentio in illa coena praesentis
corporisκοινωνίανesse." He does not enter into an interpretation of the words of institution.(^861) Erichson, p. 20, from Strassburg reports.
(^862) "Ich habe mich müde gewaschen," said Luther.
(^863) Bucer, in a letter to Blaurer in Constance, Oct. 18, 1529, charged Melanchthon especially with the obstinate refusal of brotherhood,
and made him, even more than Luther, responsible for the failure of the Conference, adding, as a reason, that he was unwilling to lose
the favor of the Emperor Charles and his brother Ferdinand. Baum, l.c., p. 463; Erichson, p. 45.
(^864) "In interiore hypocaustoad cubiculum Principis," says Jonas (Seckendorf, II. 140). It was not the Rittersaal, but the reception-room
in the new east wing of the castle, adjoining the bedroom of the Landgrave. The castle has undergone many changes.
(^865) Justus Jonas reports ("Corp. Ref.," I. 1097, and Seckendorf, II. 140): "A Francofordia confluxerunt plerique, alii Rhenanis partibus,
e Colonia, Argentina, Basilea, Helvetiis, etc., sed non sunt admissi in colloquium."