He was attacked by Flacius the historian, and by many others.

The dispute was taken up by still others and went to such lengths that for a minor heresy a pastor, Funck, was executed by his fellow-Lutherans in Prussia, in 1566.

"Philippism" as it was called, at first grew, but finally collapsed when the Formula of Concord was drawn up in 1580 and signed by over 8000 clergy.

This document is to the Lutheran Church what the decrees of Trent were to the Catholics.

The "high" doctrine of the real presence was strongly stated, and all the sophistries advanced to support it canonized.