Here also, as Wolf himself had probably experienced, there had been no lack of inclination toward the Lutheran doctrine.  It was certainly natural, since it suited the stomach better to fill itself, even during Lent, than to renounce meat; since there were shameless priests who would rather embrace a woman than to remain unmarried; since the Church property bestowed by pious souls was a welcome morsel to princes and to cities, and, finally, because licentiousness was more relished than wholesome discipline.  The wicked desires inspired by all the evil spirits and their tool, the Antichrist Luther, had gained the upper hand here also, and Dr. Hiltner, above all others, had prepared the way for them in Ratisbon.  Even at the last Reichstag his Majesty the Emperor had earnestly, but with almost too much gracious forbearance, endeavoured to effect a union between the contending parties, but directly after his departure from the city rebellion raised its head with boundless insolence.  The very next year the Council formally introduced the evil which they called ecclesiastical reformation.  The blinded people flocked to the new parish church to attend the first service, which they called “Protestant.”  Then the mischief hastened forward with gigantic strides.

“Last year,” cried the old gentleman, hoarse with indignation, striking the table with his clenched fist as if he were in camp, “I saw them with my own eyes throw down and drag away, I know not where, the pillar with the beautiful image of Mary, the masterpiece of Erhard Heydenreich, the architect of the cathedral, which stood in front of the new parish church.  Songs had been composed in her honour, and she was dear and precious to you from early childhood, as well as to every native of Ratisbon; the precentor—­God rest his soul!—­read to me from your letter from Rome what exquisite works of art you saw there every day, but that you still remembered with pleasure the beautiful Virgin at home.

“But what do these impious wretches care about beautiful and sacred things?  The temple desecrators removed and destroyed one venerable, holy image after another.  True, they did not venture into the cathedral, probably from fear of his Majesty the Emperor, and whoever had undertaken to lay hands upon the altar painting and the Madonna in our chapel would have paid for it—­I am not boasting—­with his life.  Though ’the beautiful Mary,’ in her superabundant mercy, quietly endured the affront offered, our Lord himself punished it, for he inspired the illustrious Duke of Bavaria to issue an edict which forbids his subjects to trade with Ratisbon.  Whoever even enters the city must pay a heavy fine.  This set many people thinking.  Ursel will tell you what sinful prices we have paid since for butter and meat.  Even the innocent are obliged to buckle their belts tighter.  Those who wished to escape fasting are now compelled by poverty to practise abstinence.  It is said the Roman King Ferdinand is urging the revocation of the order.  If I were in his place, I would advise making it more stringent till the rebels sweat blood and crept to the cross.”