Luther advised him to keep the matter secret and if necessary even to "tell a good strong lie for the sake and good of the Christian church." Of course he was unable to conceal his act, and his conduct, and that of his spiritual advisers, became a just reproach to the cause.

As no material advantages were lost by it, Philip might have reversed the epigram of Francis I and have said that "nothing was lost but honor." Neither Germany nor Hesse nor the Protestant church suffered directly by his act.

[Sidenote: 1541] Indeed it lead indirectly to another territorial gain.

Philip's enemy Duke Henry of Brunswick, though equally immoral, attacked him in a pamphlet.

Luther answered this in a tract of the utmost violence, called _Jack Sausage_.
Henry's rejoinder was followed by war between him and the Schmalkaldic princes, in which he was expelled from his dominions and the Reformation introduced.
[Sidenote: 1541] Further gains followed rapidly.