Papal emissary and inquisitor Johann Eck

eck more highly esteemed dauntless champion of true faith @ rome in germany, induced universities of cologne , louvain condemn luther s writings, failed enlist german princes. in january 1520, visited italy @ invitation of pope leo x, whom presented latest work de primate petri adversus ludderum (ingolstadt, 1520) rewarded nomination office of papal protonotary, although efforts urge curia decisive action against luther unsuccessful time.

in july returned germany bull exsurge domine directed against luther s writings, in forty-one propositions of luther condemned heretical or erroneous. believed himself in position crush not lutheran heretics , humanist critics. effect of publication of bull, however, undeceived him. universities , humanists @ 1 in denunciation of outrage; and, attitude of people, eck fortunate have escaped saxony alive.

at meissen, brandenburg, , merseburg succeeded in giving papal measure due official publicity, @ leipzig object of ridicule of student body , compelled flee night freiberg, again prevented proclaiming bull. @ erfurt students tore instrument down , threw water, while in other places papal decree subjected still greater insults.

in anger appealed force, , epistola ad carolum v (18 february 1521) called on emperor take measures against luther, appeal answered edict of worms (may 1521). in 1521 , 1522 eck again in rome, reporting on results of nunciature. on return second visit prime mover in promulgation of bavarian religious edict of 1522, practically established senate of university of ingolstadt tribunal of inquisition. in return action of duke, had @ first been opposed policy of repression, eck obtained him, during third visit rome in 1523, valuable ecclesiastical concessions. continued unabated in zeal against reformers, publishing 8 major works 1522-26.

wealth , power included in aspirations of eck. appropriated revenues of parish of günzburg, while relegated duties vicar. twice visited rome diplomatic representative of bavarian court obtain sanction establishment of court of inquisition against lutheran teachings @ ingolstadt. first of these journeys, late in autumn of 1521, fruitless on account of death of leo x, second journey 2 years later, in 1523, successful. great insight , courage showed curia true condition of affairs in germany , pictured general incapacity of representatives of church in country. of many heresy trials of eck prime mover during period sufficient mention here of leonhard kaser, history published luther.