__.,, .Come" University Library 
 BR345 .H83 1856 
 
 Life and times of Ulrlc Zwingll, tr. fro 
 
 olin 
 
 3 1924 029 225 831 
 
The original of tliis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029225831 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE AND TIMES 
 
 ULRIC ZWINGLI. 
 
 TRANSLATED FHOM THS OEBMAX 
 
 
 j: jrHOTTmGEE. 
 
 THE REV. PROF. T. C. PORTER, 
 
 or FBANELIN AKD MAB8BALL COUESE, UNCABIEB, PA. 
 
 HAREISBURG: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THEO. F. SCHEFFER. 
 
 1856. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
 Theo. F. Scheffeb, in the Clerk'a Office of the District Court of 
 the United States far the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
^ut\ax'$ Irtfau. 
 
 "Biographers should not busy themselves so much with 
 deeds, as their moving causes; with what motives, by what 
 means, for what ends and under what circumstances they were 
 performed. If we limit ourselves to a simple detail of facts, 
 our judgment is determined by success; and upright men are 
 condemned as evil or imprudent, because of the unfavorable 
 issue of their endeavors. To set forth the views of Zwingli 
 and the high mark to which he strove to carry everything, were 
 dangerous — would open a wide door to envy and calumniationj 
 and would not be permitted by the government of Zurich; 
 since it would be a violation of the Land/riede, various resolu- 
 tions of the cities and the Hereditary Union with Austria. 
 Without this, however, the history of his life would be dry, 
 and posterity would neither admire nor love Zwingli, but re-^ 
 gard him as a thoughtless, foolish man. The unhappy catas- 
 trophe has placed everything in a false light." 
 
 The foregoing remarks of Bullinger show with what caution 
 our forefathers were obliged to speak of Zwingli's political acts. 
 Indeed, after the battle of Cappel they were lookedupon with 
 little favor, even in the Reformed portion of the Confederacy; 
 Bullinger himself, Zwingli's successor, was for the moment 
 filled with despondency. He wrote to his friend, Myconius; 
 "We will never come together again. No one trusts his nein-h- 
 bor any longer. Surely, surely, we live in the last times. It 
 is all over with the Confederacy." The passage above-cited 
 
iv ATITHOIl'S PREFACE. 
 
 was written perhaps at this juncture. But he soon recovered 
 his courage. His confidence in God returned with renewed 
 strength, and he then began that career, which was so active, 
 so noble and so full of blessing. He continued the work of 
 his illustrious predecessor, and described it also with a powerful 
 pen and a reverent heart, leaving behind, for thoughtful read- 
 ers at least, intimations of what he durst not wholly reveal 
 to his contemporaries. Three centuries have since gone by, 
 and unrestricted access to archives and multiplied investiga- 
 tions have brought to light reports and documents hitherto 
 unknown. Frpm these materials, the author endeavored, fifteen 
 years ago, to delineate the life and times of Zwingli. That 
 volume was designed fpf those^ who 8t«,dy history as a science ; 
 the aim of this one is to, present the same results in a popular 
 form. Ajad as our people, now-a-days, pay so niuch attention 
 to what is written and spokea, let them hear once more the 
 voice of one of the noblest statesmen of former ages; let them 
 consider his acts, and ponder over his sad fate. If we regard 
 him merely as a reformer of the Church, he may perhaps appear 
 to us surrounded by a brighter glory ; but history demands a 
 full representation, and such a representation exhibits him as 
 a man "possessed of like passions with ourselves." Yet, just 
 in the acknowledgement of his own infirmities by Zwingli, and 
 in his submission with humble faith to a Higher Power, do the 
 unmistakable features of true religion shine victoriously above 
 that worship of self which springs only from vain conceit. — 
 May the following work produce tlie same coaviction in the 
 mind of the reader ! 
 
The volume, Iiere translated, was published in Zurich in the 
 year 1842, and may be regarded as the fullest and most reliable 
 history of Zwingli and his times that has yet appeared ; for, in 
 addition to the numerous works, in Latin and German, which 
 relate to this particular period, the author has had free access 
 to an immense mass of important and necessary state-papers^ 
 long buried in the archives of the Canton. 
 
€a\itnii. 
 
 CHAPTER riBST. Page. 
 
 Zwingli's youth. His labors in Glarus and Einsiedeln, 7 
 
 CHAPTEK SECOND. 
 
 Zwingli in Zuricli. Beginning of the Keformation. Po- 
 litical and ecclesiastical aiFairs up to the first Eeligious 
 Conference, - • - - - - 53 
 
 CHAPTER THIRD. 
 
 Eeligious Conference in Zurich. The government takes 
 the place of the Bishop for the protection and superin- 
 tendence of the National Church, ... IQG 
 
 CHAPTER rOURTH. 
 
 Banger of the Keformation and Zwingli's battle against 
 them, »..-.... 164 
 
 CHAPTER PIETH. 
 
 Defence of the Old Order. Rise of the New, - - 203 
 
 CHAPTER SIXTH. 
 
 Organization of the parties. Breach of the general peace, 258 
 
 CHAPTER SEVENTH. 
 
 First Campaign. Zwingli and Luther, ... 283 
 
 CHAPTER EIGHTH. 
 
 Internal condition of Switzerland after the first campaign. 
 The Abbot of St. Gall. Political results of the Marburg 
 Conference, - - - - 822 
 
 CHAPTER NINTH. 
 
 Vain attempts at reconciliation. Exportation of corn 
 prohibited. Outbreak of War. Battle of Capple. 
 Zwingli's death, ... - - 370 
 
CHAPTER FIEST. 
 
 ZWINQLl'S TOUTH. HI3 lABORS IN GIAKUS AND EINSIEDELN. 
 
 JEAR the source of the rirer Thur, 
 in Wildhaus, a mountain-village of 
 the Toggenburg, lived the bailiff 
 Ulric Zwingli, with his wife Marga- 
 retta Meili, in moderate circumstan- 
 ces and universal esteem. Eight 
 sons and two daughters were the fruit of their mar- 
 riage. The third of these sons, born on the first of 
 I January 1484, seven weeks after Luther's birth-day, 
 received the name of his father. A brother of the 
 bailiff, Bartholomew Zwingli, was chosen by the 
 burghers of Wildhaus, who a short time before had 
 separated from the mother-church of Glarus, as the first pastor 
 of the new congregation. The mother also had a brother of 
 the clerical order, John Meili, abbot of Fischingen. A pious 
 and friendly man, he loved the children of his sister, as if they 
 were his own. In the bosom of an honest family, breathing 
 the pure cool air of a green Alpine region, amid the simple 
 pleasures of a shepherd's life, the little Ulric grew up vigorously, 
 quick-witted, looking out into the world with clear eyes, and 
 though somewhat rude like his countrymen, yet gifted with 
 senses fully alive to the beauties of nature and the harmonies 
 of voice and instrument. 
 
 3 
 
4 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 The early signs of promise, wliicli lie gave, were the means 
 of opening for him the path to scientific culture. His uncle, 
 being made deacon at Wesen, left Wildhaus in 1487, and took 
 the boy with him. By his help and that of the teacher at 
 Wesen, he was prepared in his tenth year to enter the Theo- 
 dore School at Little Basel, whither he now went, again sup- 
 ported and recommended, as is probable, by his uncle. 
 
 It may not be amiss to introduce some notice of the edu- 
 cational system of that age. 
 
 Lowest in rank appear the German schools. Here and there 
 teachers were provided for them by the parish-officers, but in 
 other places the supply was left to accident. Older students, 
 under the name of lehrmcister, traveled around, oftentimes 
 with wives, practising their vocation and hiring themselves out 
 for longer or shorter periods. Two well-painted placards of 
 these strolling masters are preserved in the library at Basel. 
 They exhibit the interior of a school-room. On one the chil- 
 dren are sitting and kneeling on the floor with their books, 
 whilst the master, rod in hand is teaching a boy at his desk 
 and his wife a girl in the opposite corner; the other represents 
 a chamber in which older scholars are receiving instruction. 
 The following advertisement is written beneath both : 
 
 " Whoever wishes to learn to write and read German in the 
 very quickest way ever found out, though he does not know a 
 single letter of the alphabet, can in a short time get enough 
 here to cast up his own accounts and read; and if any one be 
 too stupid to learn, as I have taught him nothing so will J, 
 charge him nothing, be he who he may, burgher or apprentice, 
 woman or girl ; whoever comes in, he will be faithfully taught 
 for a small sum, but the young boys and girls after the Ember 
 weeks, as the custom is. 1516. " 
 
 To all, who were unable to obtain the necessary elementary 
 instniction at home, or even perhaps in the monasteries, these 
 
LirE OP ZWINGLI. 5 
 
 schools wore open. Children and adults frequently sat on 
 the same bench. Of course, there was nothing like thor- 
 ough knowledge among the masters, nothing like a division 
 into classes, or a comprehensive plan of instruction. Just as 
 the natural talent of the teacher was greater or less, were the 
 results better or worse. And yet such was the only education 
 of a large majority of the burghers. Indeed thousands were 
 destitute even of this. 
 
 Boys, designed for a ifighgr training, sons of the wealthy, or 
 of the poor, who were so fortunate as to meet with encourage- 
 ment to a noble effort, passed over into the Latin schools, into 
 one of which we now see Zwingli enter. 
 
 In these schools, found in most of the larger and sometimes 
 also in the smaller towns, the teachers were usually clergymen, 
 who received annually a moderate salary and a coat from the 
 public treasury, or oftener still from the revenues of pious 
 foundations. For their better maintenance, where the found- 
 ation could not give them a full support, they were permitted 
 to accept school-money and even provisions. The poor scholars 
 earned this money by singing in companies before houses on 
 new-year and other holidays. 
 
 The course of instruction embraced three branches : Latin 
 Grammar, Music, (especially the art of singing,) and Logic. 
 The study of the latter, which ought to teach how to give clear 
 expression to thought, was for the most part time wasted amid 
 useless subtleljes and verbiage. The reputation of the school 
 depended altogether on the character of the teacher. As soon 
 as he had made himself master of the prescribed course, he 
 either added to it new branches, or at least understood how to 
 render it profitable. But his main endeavor was to stimulate 
 the youthful mind by his own mental activity. To such a 
 teacher hundreds of scholars flocked from all quarters. 
 
 The following regulations, taken from one at Bruck, will 
 
 5* 
 
6 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 give US some insight into the state of discipline among schools 
 of this kind. 
 
 " The schoolmaster shall take in school at five o'clock in the 
 morning, in summer, and at six in the winter,* give lessons to 
 each one according to his rank, age and capacity, and explain 
 them well and mannerly, hearing them at the proper time, and 
 pointing out to the boys their mistakes and failures, so that by 
 this means they may acquire skill and honor. After lunch, 
 he shall come to school at eleven o'clock, except on festival 
 days, and then at twelve, to give lessons and instruction till 
 four, if that be the usual hour of leaving off work for the day. 
 In the evenings he shall teach them Latin and penmanship 
 faithfully and modestly, and keep them as busy as possible, so 
 that they may get a good and gentle training and be preserved 
 from idle talk, quarrels, and brawls. He shall charge 
 them to talk little and use few words, and when in and out of 
 school to speak with each other in Latin; but with their parents 
 and the people at home they may talk German. He shall teach 
 them the cantum in verse, antiphonies ( alternate chanting in 
 choirs ), intonations ( singing along with the priest ), hymns 
 and requiems in various ways, suited to the time and occasion. 
 He shall earnestly exhort them to behave with decorum in the 
 church, the choir, the church-yard and the belfry, to abstain 
 from disputing, shouting, huzzaing and bell-ringing, either in, 
 upon or around the church, and allso not to touch the bells, at 
 peril of being stripped and flogged soundly from top to toe. 
 When school is out they shall go together before the charnel- 
 house and each one shall repeat with devotion a pater noster, 
 an ave maria or the psalm de profundis and then return home 
 quietly. Striking each other with satchels, pinching, spitting, 
 fighting and stone-throwing, shall be punished by the rod. The 
 schoolmaster shall beat them with rods, and not with his fist or 
 
 * Dinner was eaten at ten, or at tlie furthest eleven o'clock. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 7 
 
 staff, and particularly not on the head, lest, on account of their 
 youth, he might thereby do great damage to the organ of 
 memory.". 
 
 Thus the rod was formerly the chief means of school-discip- 
 line. And even far into the era of the Reformation a yearly 
 holiday was observed under the name of "The Procession of 
 the Rods, " in which all the pupils of the schools went out in 
 the summer to the woods, and came back heavily laden with 
 birch-twigs, cracking jokes by the way and singing : 
 
 Ye fathers and ye mothers good, 
 
 See us with the birchen wood 
 
 Loaded, coming home again ; 
 
 For our profit it shall serve, ^ 
 
 Not for injury or pain. 
 
 Your will and the command of God 
 
 Have prompted us to bear the rod 
 
 On our own bodies thus to-day, 
 
 Not in angry, sullen mood, 
 
 But with a spirit glad and gay 
 
 The greater part of the male students were animated by a 
 wild and reckless spirit, the result of a fickle roving from town 
 to town. The pretext for this course was the necessity of 
 hunting up skilful teachers ; but with many it was only love 
 for a career of frolic and idleness. The oldest and strongest 
 scholars, young men of twenty and upwards, each of whom had 
 a djiferent plea to urge, set the example. By the promise of a 
 living free of cost and instruction in the rudiments they 
 attracted to themselves younger boys, who, as soon as they had 
 crossed the boundaries of their father-land, were converted into 
 servants and compelled to beg or steal money and provisions for 
 the common treasury. Thomas Platter, a native 'of Valais, 
 when a child, nine years of age, followed such a wandering 
 student and traveled with him through Germany as far as the 
 borders of Poland without ever learning to read, until in his ■ 
 
O. LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 eighteentl. year, he received for the first time better instruction 
 in Schlettstadt and afterwards in Zurich. He has left us a pic- 
 ture of his student-life in an autobiography, extracts from which 
 are found in a number of works. It can easily be imagined 
 how several thousand scholars of this roving oast, who all sub- 
 sisted on alms, should frequently meet together in one town. 
 The younger ones, called archers, spent the night in the school- 
 houses, and the older ( bacchanalians ) in little chambers 
 specially reserved for their accommodation. In summer they 
 all lay together in the church-yards with the grass for a bed. 
 Wo to the chickens, the geese and the fruit-trees, where such a 
 troop passed by! Here one man hissed his dogs on them, 
 while there "Another gave them a friendly welcome, and in re- 
 turn for as much beer as they could drink, obtained information 
 about foreign countries and stories of their travels. The 
 roughest class of teachers often joined them in their revels and 
 often others at the head of their trusty followers sallied out to 
 drive the truants into school, who, when assailed, retreated to 
 the roofs of the houses, sending down showers of stones, till the 
 citizens or the watchmen broke in among them and quelled the 
 riot. 
 
 It was Zwingli's good fortune to be saved from-such a life of 
 adventure. George Binzli, his teacher in Basel, was, in the 
 words of an old writer, an excellent, not unlearned man, of 
 a very amiable disposition. He took a great liking to Zwingli, 
 who soon stood in the foremost rank among his school-fellows, 
 a master in debate and the possessor of an extraordinary talent 
 for music. At the end of three years he finished his course in 
 the Theodore School, and departed, cherishing an esteem and 
 gratitude, not lost in after life, toward Binzli, by whose advice 
 also he now went to Bern, and entered a higher class under 
 the care of Henry Woelfli. 
 
 At an earlier day Latin was taught chiefly for the purposes 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 9 
 
 of divine worship, which consisted, for the most part, of chant- 
 ing and the saying of masses in this language, to the common 
 people an unknown tongue. A knowledge of it was derived 
 from stupid manuals, that only furnished the scholars with a 
 stock of words, which, though not well imderstood even by 
 themselves, were stuffed into their sermons, in order to gain 
 credit for learning with the ignorant multitude. 
 
 But after the invention of the art of printing, the most im- 
 portant works of the ancient Komans, extant only in a few very 
 costly manuscripts, were given to the world by the press. 
 These, teachers of ability first took up and studied, and then 
 explained to their scholars. What a wide contrast between 
 such education and that of a former period ! Here, instead of 
 corrupt monk's Latin, the young men became acquainted with 
 a highly cultivated, clear, powerful language, and, at the same 
 time also, with the history of the most celebrated republic of 
 antiquity, which, to the Swiss, themselves the citizens of a 
 free country, was full of interest. Woelfli, we know, followed 
 this path in his teaching. " From him," says Myconius, the 
 biographer and friend of Zwingli, "he obtained his first 
 knowledge of the classic authors (so well preserved through so 
 many centuries), acquired a flowing, harmonious style, and 
 learned how to distinguish facts and exercise his judgment 
 upon them." Woelfli had visited Jerusalem as a zealous pil- 
 grim, and would often speak of the journey to his scholars, who 
 also saw that he was busied with the history of his native land 
 and that every story of the olden time was sacred in his eyes. 
 But to Zwingli the most pleasant hours were those spent in the 
 practice of music. With astonishing rapidity he learned to play 
 on all the kinds of instruments then known. This attracted the 
 attention of the heads of the Dominicans at Bern. Envious 
 at the greater concourse of people, that crowded to the Fran- 
 ciscans, these monks sought to raise against the fallen reputation 
 
10 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 of their monastery. To secure fQf-tJiemselves talent, so promis- 
 ing as that of Zwingli, was a thing much to be desired; but 
 happily for himself and for his father-land, the young man re- 
 jected their offers. A short time after, four of these cursed 
 hypocrites had to atone by death at the stake for a diversion, 
 just as crael as it was horrible, the performing of bloody 
 miracles for the deception of pious simplicity. 
 
 Zwingli had now lived three years in Bern, and was already 
 fully ripe for the university. With loving remembrances he 
 bade farewell to his faithful teacher, who was yet to become his 
 pupil and in old age dedicate a few sad verses to the hero, who 
 fell at Cappel. 
 
 At that time the young Swiss chiefly resorted to the univer- 
 sities of Basel, Paris, Vienna, Cracow and Pavia. That of 
 Vienna was selected for Zwingli, which he entered in the same 
 year ( 1499 ), that saw his country triumph over the dangers 
 of the Swabian war. He there united himself in close inti- 
 macy with two other gifted fellow-countrymen, Joachim of 
 Waat (Vadianus) from St. Gall, and Henry Loriti (Glareanus) 
 from Glarus. Meanwhile he appears to have devoted more 
 attention to general culture than to such branches of knowledge 
 as might aid him in the exercise of a particular calling. Above 
 all, philosophy had to be studied ; a truly noble science, if by 
 it be understood the acquisition of truth, as far as it can be 
 reached by the deductions of human reason. But such was 
 not the character of philosophy then in vogue. Under the 
 tyranny of a degenerate church, the powers of the mind, not 
 permitted to unfold in an element of freedom, were wasted 
 amid trifling and often silly examinations and questions, con- 
 ducted with a ludicrous show of importance. A certain kind 
 of sagacity often displayed itself in their ingenious replies, and 
 he who could produce the most singular was regarded by many 
 as the most learned. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 11 
 
 It does fall within the scope of this description to hold up 
 to ridicule opinions, which others esteem holy. Examples, 
 familiar to those versed in books, are therefore omitted. The 
 dangerous side of this so-called philosophy did not lie so much 
 in isolated expressions as in its whole tendency to cripple the 
 spirit and harden the heart, so that victory might be rendered 
 more sure and easy to the cunning talker, who strove, not for 
 the cause of truth, but for his own private advantage. In the 
 school of the clear-seeing, free-speaking Romans Zwingli soon 
 learned how to sift the scandalous game, carried on under the 
 banners of wisdom, to distinguish fallacy from truth, and to 
 despise from the bottom of his soul this false philosophy, the 
 art of passing off black for white, and of leading both parties 
 by the nose with the same blinding torrent of words, in brief, 
 the whole brood of lies and everything belonging to it. 
 
 Although it could only have been through the medium of 
 translations or abridgments, he already seems to have inade 
 some acquaintance with the works of the Greeks. In profound 
 speculation and in matters of art and taste they were the 
 teachers of the Romans, who, in spite of national pride, were 
 willing to acknowledge them as such. Even to this day, their 
 sages, Plato and Aristotle, must be studied by all, who are not 
 content with a mere superficial knowledge of philosophy. Their 
 historians entered fully into the character of the persons and 
 of the times, which they portrayed, and in their poets a loftier 
 inspiration ruled. One of these, Pindar, is thus described by 
 Zwingli at a later period : " He is the prince of poets. He 
 has a true, holy, incorruptible mind. Every expression, that 
 he uses, be it ever so common, he makes noble. No one can 
 either give to him or take from him without injury. In him 
 is found a worthy, powerful representation of antiquity. It 
 lives again before our eyes. His poetry flows like a clear 
 stream; all is noble, charming, perfect. In a lofty style he 
 
12 LIFE OF ZV.'IXOLI. 
 
 discourses of tho gods, and it can be easily seen that he meant 
 thereby the one, divine, heavenly power. No Grecian author 
 serves so well for the interpretation of Holy Scripture, especial- 
 ly of the Psalms and Job, which rival him in sublimity." 
 
 The young men turned their attention also to the mysteries 
 of nature, the discoveries in geography and the illimitable 
 kingdom of worlds, revealed to us by a glance at the darkened 
 heavens. In after life Glareanus won for himself considerable 
 fame by his researches in the department of ancient geography, 
 and Vadianus, when quite an old man, gathered around him a 
 troop of burghers from St. Gall, full of wonder and a desire to 
 learn, as they lay encamped, one starry night, on the summit 
 of the Freudenberg, and spoke to them of the motion of the 
 heavenly bodies and the laws, that govern them, and strength- 
 ened their hopes of an eternal' existence in the immeasurable 
 realms of space 
 
 The three friends, thus closely joined in noble endeavor, 
 lived in daily, social, intercourse with others, whom hereafter, 
 when the more earnest days of manly activity have arrived, we 
 shall find arrayed, as in the cases of Eok and Faber, among the 
 most bitter opponents of Zwingli. 
 
 The morals of that period, as every one knows, were loose 
 and corrupt, and only too much opportunity was afforded for 
 indulging in pleasures of every kind, especially in a large city. 
 For young men, left to their own guidance in the heyday of 
 life, it was difficult to keep within proper bounds on all sides. 
 But his love of music, that very thing so severely blamed in 
 after times by hypocritical pietists, was the means of preserv- 
 ing Zwingli from every thing low and mean. His early con- 
 viction of the value of time taught him to be very sparing of 
 it, and the lofty ideaJ, which floated before him and his friends, 
 their youthful plans of future greatness, kept them unsoiled 
 amid the swamps of temptation, till at a later period their place 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGIil. 13 
 
 was more effectually supplied by the purer influence of re- 
 ligion. 
 
 After a residence of two years abroad the young Switzer came 
 back again to his native mountains, full of vigor, sound in mind 
 and body, and amply prepared to enter upon any professional 
 pursuit. He appears to have remained only a short time at 
 home. The country village was little suited to the prosecution 
 of his further designs. A situation as teacher of languages 
 was offered him in the school of St. Martin at Basel, and he 
 there began his public career in the year 1502. No intelligence 
 has reached us concerning the nature of his labors. He had 
 probably only elementary branches to teach ; for the university, 
 as formerly constituted, exerted on the teachers of the founda- 
 tion-schools under its control, an influence rather paralyzing 
 than encouraging. Nevertheless he conscientiously applied 
 himself to his studies and associated for this purpose with Leo 
 Judae, who, born two years earlier than Zwingli at Rappersweier 
 in Alsace, stood faithfully at his side in all his later course and 
 will yet receive frequent mention in this history. He also 
 shared with him his love of music. 
 
 But now the period had arrived, when in the study of reli- 
 gious doctrine, the end and meaning of theyr future life began 
 to dawn upon the minds of Zwingli and his friend. At the 
 same time a teacher came to Basel, who was well fitted to waken 
 their love for this science and give a right direction to their 
 active zeaj. That man wag Thomas Wittenbach of Biel, 
 hitherto professor at Tubingen. 
 
 The world had then grown weary of the corruption of the 
 clergy, of their stupid arrogance, of the intolerance, which 
 would restrict the divine favor to the limits of their narrow 
 earthly horizon, and of the search after miracles, which was 
 counted faith, although a denial of true faith, because it would 
 grasp with the hand that which is spiritual and not to be 
 
 2 
 
14 LIFE OP Z^VINQLI. 
 
 apprehended, except when a beam of divine grace is glowinf; 
 on the altar of a pure heart. Yet only so much the more did 
 a longing after the communication of clearer light prevail. 
 
 It is true indeed that here and there were found pious men, 
 who in humility and childlike simplicity wrought works of love 
 and edified their neighbors, by a redeeming activity and a spot- 
 less life. But characters of this kind were suited only to 
 peaceful, not stormy times, which called for bolder leaders. 
 Enemies must be met on their own field, the weapons of the 
 understanding used, and the arguments of science advanced, 
 not in such a way however as to injure simple-minded faith. 
 This was the manner in which Christ opposed the scepticism 
 of the Sadducees and the sophistry of the Pharisees, and this 
 is what is meant by that saying of his, concerning the wisdom 
 of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. High hung 
 this garland; but it was worthy of the sweat of the noblest. 
 
 Wittenbach knew well how to encourage his pupils to enter 
 the lists and strive after its attainment. Leo Judse has given 
 authentic testimony to this effect in a letter to the council of 
 Biel. "From your city," writes he, "came forth this man, 
 regarded by the most learned men of that age asa tnie phoenix 
 on account of his manifold acquirements. Zwingli and I en- 
 joyed his instructions at Basel in the year 1505. Under his 
 guidance, from polite literature, in which he was equally at 
 home, we passed over to the more earnest study of the Holy 
 Scriptures. His sagacity discerned clearly beforehand the 
 events of coming years, the overthrow of the papal doctrine of 
 indulgences and other groundless dogmas, by which, for many 
 centuries. Home had held unthinking mankind in bondage. 
 Whatever of thorough knowledge we possess, we owe it to him 
 and must remain his debtors as long as we live. " 
 
 While yet in Basel Zwingli had received the title of Magister 
 (Master of the Liberal Arts,) but he never made any use of it 
 
LirE OF ZWINGLI. 15 
 
 himself. One is our master, he was accustomed to say, Christ. 
 But now, in the twenty-second year of his age, he must leave 
 Basel also, and enter on the proper business of his life. John 
 Stuolii, pastor at G-larus, died in the year 1506. Recom- 
 mended probably by his uncle, perhaps by his friend Glareanus, 
 the young man was chosen for the important post. The Bishop 
 of Constance consecrated him to the priesthood and ratified the 
 choice. 
 
 , Through Rappersweil, where he preached his first sermon; 
 through Wildhaus, where he read his first mass, he passed on to- 
 wards the close of the year, to his new home. Glarus, the chief 
 town of the canton, was inhabited by an active, intelligent pop- 
 ulation, full of energy and independence. The new teacher, 
 who does not intend to act the part of an unprincipled hireling, 
 must count on finding watchful enemies as well as friends. 
 There is only one means, by which to maintain an erect position, 
 under such circumstances, in a firm adherence to duty and prin- 
 ciple, and that is an unfailing support, — ^trust in a higher power, 
 which never deserts an honest endeavor. With this resolve, 
 under this shield, Zwingli began the practice of his calling, not 
 at all anxious about the judgments of men, nor troubled at the 
 remarks of the multitude. In him ruled the ardent spirit of 
 vigorous youth, averse to every thing that smacked of devo- 
 tional hypocrisy, full of life and mirth, sometimes verging even 
 on wantonness, and yet so earnest, where the afiairs of science, 
 so profound, where those of faith, and so conscientious, where 
 those of the congregation entrusted to his care, were concerned, 
 or those of his country, in whose welfare and honor his heart 
 was bound up. If on this account he was called a friend of 
 sport; if Glareanus wrote to him gaily in monk's Latin : "I am 
 coming to you shortly, and then we will be of good cheer and 
 play on the jews'harp; " and if Dingnauer, who promised him, 
 that neither envy, nor jealousy, nor the moroseness of old age. 
 
16 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 nor gold, nor iron should cripple Lis friendsHp, believed that 
 he must add the warning: "Watch over your heart, conceal 
 your gloving wishes, lest joy be turned into bitter vexation;" 
 we yet read, on the other hand, what he himself wrote to 
 Vadianus at Vienna : " I am now resolved to devote myself to the 
 Greek language and to be drawn away from it no more. This 
 is not done out of vanity, for how little does pretension become 
 ' me ! but from the necessity of a thorough understanding of the 
 Holy Scriptures. " We find also that he wrote off the original 
 Grreek text of the Epistles of Paul in the form of a small book, 
 in order to have it continually with him, and added in the 
 margin the observations of the most approved commentators. 
 In the year 1522, we hear him thus speak of the manner, in 
 which he tried at that time to penetrate into the spirit of these 
 records : "In my youth I made as much advance in human learn- 
 ing as any one of my age, and when, six or seven years ago, I 
 devoted my whole strength to the study of the Holy Scriptures, 
 the philosophy and theology of the controversialists threw con- 
 tinual difficulties in my way. At last I came to this conclusion. 
 I thought : Thou must lay aside all these and get the meaning 
 of God fresh from his own, simple word. Then I began to im- 
 plore God for his light, and the Scripture became much clearer 
 to me, although I read it merely, as I would have read many 
 commentaries and interpreters. " The letters written by him 
 and to him at this time show us plainly, that those who were 
 committed to his training, especially young men of promise, 
 crowded around him, full of love and reverence, and that he 
 never was weary of giving them counsel, support and recom- 
 mendation in foreign countries, of watching over their progress 
 and morals, whilst there, and of rejoicing in every evidence of 
 talent and noble purpose and helping to turn them to practical 
 account. Glareanus thanked him for permission to continue his 
 studies abroad, though obliged to give up a benefice in Mollis, 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 17 
 
 where, "like a goat-herd," he had to receive a new election 
 every year. The same friend wrote to him on another occasion : 
 " You are always helping those, who deserve it." ^rgohast 
 Strub of Vienna was about to dedicate a commendatory poem 
 to him, when death surprised the ingenious youth and the sor- 
 rowful Vadianus sent his literary remains to his former teacher as 
 a pledge of love from the departed one. Peter Tschudi wrote 
 to him from Paris, "You are like a tutelar god to us;" and his 
 brother Aegidius in Basel begged him, " Help, that I may be 
 .called back to you again, for with no one have I wished rather 
 to live than with you." Valentine Tschudi, the cousin of the 
 two first named, was yet more strongly attached to their beloved 
 master. "Never will I cease," he expresses himself, " to be 
 thankful for your kindnesses, especially when a quartan fever 
 troubled me of late, after my return from abroad and because, 
 on another occasion, when I had left my books behind in Basel, 
 you, although I would not out of modesty venture to be trouble- 
 some, called me to you, encouraged me, and offered me your 
 books, your assistance and your influence. And thus your good 
 will toward all students was extended to me also and that not in 
 a general way, for, with special regard to my wants, your exten- 
 sive and varied stores of knowledge lay at my service." This 
 Valentine Tfechudi and Ludwig Kosch, "a yet unbearded 
 youth of the best kind," Zwingli had formerly recommended 
 to Vadianus in Vienna for the Stnay of polite literature. He did 
 a similar favor for his brother Jacob, who " was possessed of 
 extraordinary gifts," and he charged his friend "to clip, to plane 
 and to polish the country youth as long as it was necessary, and 
 should he ever kick at it," he concluded, "you may throw him 
 into prison, until the fit is oyer." 
 
 Thus did this spirited man endeavor to stir up all around him 
 to improvement, and exerted the same influence over the older 
 generation as he did over the young. With the venerable 
 
18 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 Aebli, who on the first march to Cappel prevented the shedding 
 of fraternal blood, he formed a close friendship. Of his own 
 accord hg traveled to Basel to become personally acquainted 
 with the celebrated Erasmus and gained his undivided esteem, 
 for, at a later period, he wrote to him, " Hail to the Swiss peo- 
 ple, whose character particularly pleases me, whose studies and 
 morals you and those like you will improve !" And the judge, 
 Falk of Freiburg, who was, it is true, a violent partisan of that 
 period, but at the same time a patron of science, offered him, in 
 case he desired to prosecute his studies for a season in quiet, a 
 beautiful country-seat, which he possessed in the neighborhood 
 of Pavia, with the gratuitous enjoyment of its revenues for two 
 years. Nevertheless, it is possible that he was actuated by the 
 concealed design of winning over a powerful champion to his 
 own purposes. 
 
 With all the activity of his spirit, Zwingli appears, during 
 his stay in Glarus, to have kept within the limits of the estab- 
 lished church-doctrine in his public discourses. In the exposi- 
 tion of his closing speech he himself places the first beginning 
 of his attempt at the reformation of the church in the year 
 1516, the same, in which he had already received a call to Ein- 
 siedeln. He must first stand firm on his own feet, before he 
 can begin the attack. Hitherto, the Holy Scriptures had been 
 his daily and nightly study, and he knew the greater part of 
 them literally by heart. Befo|p this, he had made his debut as 
 a political reformer, but of his doings in this sphere, we will 
 only be able to judge rightly, when we have taken a view of 
 the relations of the confederates to their neighbors in Upper 
 Italy. 
 
 Long before the original articles of tne confederacy, the 
 alliance of the' three Forest Cantons'of Dec. 9, 1315, were con- 
 cluded, the highways over Mt. Grotthard had become the chan- 
 nels of an active commerce between Germany and Italy. When 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 19 
 
 they were opened for this purpose cannot be clearly shown, but 
 they were certainly so used in the twelfth century. The in- 
 habitants of Uri, and partly also those of Schwytz and Unter- 
 walden supplied the Italian markets with their cattle, and the 
 mountain-valley of Urseren flourished particularly by means of 
 this trade. But they had dangerous neighbors in the turbu- 
 lent Lavinians on the south side of Gotthard. Here the Swiss 
 and Italians met each other in hostile attitude at an early 
 period ; for the first time, as far as we know, in the year 1331. 
 The Lavinians had plundered some merchants on their way to 
 Switzerland, as well as harrassed the people of Urseren who 
 drove their cattle to Bellinzona. They were supported in this 
 course by their landlords, the Visconti, Dukes of Milan. Uri 
 ■called on Schwytz and Unterwalden for help, and on Zurich 
 algo, although it was not then included in the confederacy. 
 The allies marched out and pressed on to Faido, spreading uni- 
 versal terror. The Greneral Vicar of Como mediated a peace; 
 but from that time forth we find the confederates continually 
 entangled in the affairs of Upper Italy. Campaigns of a greater 
 or less extent are undertaken, and treaties struck, broken, and 
 again renewed. The chief business seems to have been the 
 settlement of boundaries. 
 
 Perhaps it would have been better, if all that lay on the 
 further side of Gotthard and the Bundtner Alps had remained 
 without any direct communication with Switzerland. There is 
 too wide a difierence between the Italian and the German charac- 
 ter. But the struggle to secure for their chief products an ad- 
 vantageous market had greater weight with the three shepherd 
 cantons. Sustained by their confederation they soon endeav- 
 ored, sword in hand, to extend their boundaries southward, and 
 in 1476 Livinen came under the acknowledged sovereignty of 
 Uri, and in 1500 Bellinzona with the adjoining country under 
 that of the Three Cantons. In 1503 these changes were con- 
 
20 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 firmed by France, wliicli tten had the upper hand in Lom- 
 bardy. 
 
 This and not as yet a corrupt liking for mercenary service 
 was the original occasion of the campaigns of the confederates 
 in Italy. The battles of Arbedo and Gierniko were fought in 
 support of brethren whom they were bound by oath to help. 
 But by long-continued habit the view, that what was passing 
 on the other side of Gotthard could not be indifferent to their 
 own land, took firm root in the minds of the Swiss statesmen, 
 and therefore j.t was, that the scandalous game of intrigue and 
 bribery, begun by Louis XI, by which France aimed at the de- 
 struction of the Swiss national character, had a good opportu- 
 nity of unfolding itself on Italian ground, where France under 
 Charles VIII and Louis XII, contrived to increase her own 
 power, by arraying Switzers against Switzers. Nevertheless, 
 there were yet, even in the beginning of the sixteenth century, 
 some among the Swiss soldiers, engaged in the Italian cam- 
 paigns, who were animated by motives nobler than a thirst for 
 gold or plunder. The duty of upholding sworn treaties, and 
 the hope of working out a lasting peace for a frontier so exposed 
 to invasion might have prompted the more distinguished, but 
 very often the common soldiers were only stimulated by a love 
 for weapons streaming with blood 
 
 The betrayal of Ludovico Sforza, surnamed II Moro, at Novara, 
 in 1501, had indeed greatly shaken the confidence, hitherto nearly 
 universal, in the fidelity and honor of the Swiss ; but even at home 
 indignation was awakened by it, a severe examination instituted, 
 and the chief actor executed at Altorf. Indeed it seems gen- 
 erally to have roused the better feelings of the nation. An oath 
 was demanded against the acceptance of pensions and merce- 
 nary service under foreign lords ; and a levy was not only re- 
 fused to the French ambassadors, who had come into the coun- 
 try with new bribes, but their safe-conduct even was recalled. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 21 
 
 Althougli sucli things were enacted by their diet, yet corrupt 
 leaders again practised their lures, and a crowd of reckless 
 youth again gave ear to them. But when France, now strongly 
 established in her domination over Italy by the repeated aid of 
 these deserters, began by degrees to treat them more coldly, 
 and in the end with contempt even, they appear to have become 
 more wise. Instead of remaining quiet within their own 
 borders, they gave free rein to a growing national hatred, which 
 the Emperor and then the Pope, Julius II, well understood 
 how to turn to their own profit. 
 
 Indulgences, blessings, consecrated gifts from the Papal 
 Chair were held up before their eyes by their countiyman, the 
 cunning, eloquent, indefatigable Cardinal Schinner, whilst the 
 knightly Emperor reminded them that it would be nobler to 
 aid a plundered prince to regain what he had lost than to stand 
 by the haughty robber; and the young Duke of Milan, son of 
 that Ludovioo Sforza, since dead, who was taken prisoner at 
 Novara and afterwards escaped to Austria, promised them, in 
 return for their help, the most profitable alliance and the pos- 
 session of Lugano and Locarno. And here for once, both pri- 
 vate advantage and public honor seemed to run together, and 
 hence resulted an expedition, more numerous and better 
 organized than any former one, not under foreign banners, 
 but under their own, and led by able and experienced com- 
 manders, the so-called March to Pavia. This was the first 
 campaign in which Zwingli was personally present. 
 
 In the ardent years of youth the national love of battle 
 glowed even in his bosom. From the most eminent authors of 
 Greece and Kome he had learned much of war and the history 
 of war. He himself tells us with what eagerness he pored over 
 the campaigns of Alexander, narrated by Curtius, and those of 
 Caesar, written by his own hand. But he did not rest content 
 with deeds of arms merely. The nature of the countries and 
 
22 - LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 the character of the people were full of interest to him. He 
 inquired into the causes of wars, and considered their operations 
 and results. In a letter to a friend he thus advises, " Read 
 Sallust's description of the wars of Jugurtha and Cataline's 
 conspiracy. See in the former the insolence, the artifices and 
 the lust of power of a single aristocrat and how far the love of 
 money can lead; in the latter, what gifts can do, and how they 
 can embolden those who are bribed by them. Let Appian of 
 Alexandria then picture to you the distraction of citizens and 
 civil war, with banishment and its consequences. He under- 
 stands well how to relate briefly every thing that is noteworthy. 
 Whoever begins, can not lay his book down, until he has fin- 
 ished it. " 
 
 We are by no means to regard Zwingli as an advocate of war. 
 It appeared to him a calamity; but as a calamity, which can- 
 not always be avoided, for which one must be prepared, and 
 that the times of its coming are determined in the plans of 
 superhuman wisdom. 
 
 Holding such views and persuaded that the expedition was 
 lawful — in the line of right and duty, he now, in 1512, followed 
 the banner of the Canton Glarus into Italy. According to an- 
 cient custom, this was the duty of the pastor of the chief con- 
 gregation, for where the banner waved, there was the highest 
 power of the country. To every one in the warlike assembly 
 gathered around it, his voice was boldly lifted up. In order to 
 counsel and to guide, it was necessary, that the most intelligent 
 should not be wanting there. 
 
 In a Latin letter to his friend Vadianus in Vienna, Zwingli 
 himself has thus narrated the events of this campaign : 
 
 " Since an evil report about the Confederates has been spread 
 far and wide, and since even that, which the result proves to have 
 been just and innocent, is abused and rnisrepresented, I have 
 undertaken to give you a picture, short indeed, but trae, of the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLT. 16 
 
 actual condition of our affairs. Passing over the terms of a 
 treaty of alliance, concluded between the Most Holy Vicegerent 
 of Christ, Julius II, and the Confederates, I would only state, 
 that the King of the French (to whom, even while attacking 
 the Church of Christ, some one gave the flattering title, " Most 
 Christian " ) wearied out the Venetians by protracted war, con- 
 quered in several hard-fought battles, and captured or laid waste 
 their towns ; and also that he took up arms against the anointed 
 Head of the Church ; set up, under the guidance of a wicked 
 demon, an antipope, as he is styled, and robbed the Holy See 
 of many large cities, among which was Bologna, mother of 
 the sciences and nurse of the common law. When, at the close 
 of the Easter festival, the august King of Spain beheld the ship 
 of Peter tossing in danger on the threatening waves, the con- 
 dition of the Church filled him with sorrow. As quick as pos- 
 sible he gathered an army and sent it to the aid of the Papal 
 troops, who since winter had lingered in Middle Italy. Full 
 of valor and skilled in military science, they approached Ra- 
 venna by forced marches. But the French tyrant also sent out 
 a strong force to meet the Spaniards and their allies, the Ve- 
 netians. " 
 
 "When the enemy came in sight, the Spaniards did not 
 decline battle. They had with them an engineer, possessed of 
 the talent of an Archimedes and a Daedalus. He had invented 
 light sickle-wagons, on each of which stood a small mortar. 
 These they pushed before them. The French army was com- 
 manded by the Grandmaitre* In front he placed the Swa- 
 bian landsknechts ; behind these the Gascons, and a large body 
 of cavalry, on the wings. The most select of these, himself at 
 their head, formed the corps of observation. At the signal of 
 battle, a shower of red-hot balls was discharged by the Spanish 
 aimy. The landsJcnechts were startled. ' Why do ye stand ? ' 
 
 * Gaston of Foix, Duke of Nemours. 
 
.24 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 — ^the French marshal is said to have cried out. 'Will ye 
 ■wait to be shot down ? that I had the brave Confederates 
 with me yet ! — they who at the sight of any enemy roared like 
 raging lions, fell on him, and pressed into him ! Forwards ! 
 Whip them, whom you have often whipped before ! Set your 
 swords and halberds against the balls !' The landslcnechts begin 
 to advance. And now, the Spaniards put fire to the old wheeled- 
 wagons, and, sheltered by them, press on against the centre. 
 A terrific mefee ensues. From sheer fatigue they must often rest 
 and repair their broken ranks. The battle lasts from morning 
 till evening. Already the greater part of the landslcnechts are 
 killed, and the rest fly. The cavalry also, and the Gascons 
 waver. Eight thousand victims cover the field. The Grand- 
 maitre looks toward heaven, gnashes his teeth, and cries out, 
 " The victory of the Spaniards shall not be bloodless, or I die 
 this day." He puts spurs to his horse. His trusty followers 
 come after. Bravely fighting he falls. But the enemy, who 
 expected no new attack, are thrown into disorder. The French 
 again press forward, conquer, and take possession of the city. 
 Night only ends the conflict. Hannibal, after the victory at 
 Cann», spread no greater terror over Eome and Italy. The 
 fear of the French rule produced universal lamentation. Com- 
 fort and assistance were begged for on all sides. The Confeder- 
 ates, in view of this state of things, think, what a dangerous 
 example it would be, if such a raging tyrant were allowed to 
 make war on the Common Mother of all faithful Christians. 
 They quickly assemble and resolve with zeal, to put the affairs 
 of the Church and of Italy into a better condition. A legate 
 of the cardinal ( Schinner ) makes his appearance, begging and 
 imploring them by their treaty-obligations to set out at once ; 
 yet he can offer no more than a gold-florin to the man. It is 
 scarcely credible; but in six days, notwithstanding, 20,000 
 chosen infantry are brought together, who iipmediately rush 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 25 
 
 through Grraubunden, over the Adige, and down ,the narrow 
 defiles to Verona, then in the possession of the laridsknechts 
 and the Gascons. On the approach of the Confederates they 
 eyaeuate the city. The Cardinal again appears in the Swiss 
 army and is received with many marks of honor. Intelligence 
 reaches us from the Venetians, who soon come up with 800 
 mail-clad troopers and 500 light-horse. Full of glad anticipa- 
 tion they behold the imposing array of the Confederates. We 
 advance" to a river* (whose name I have not learned) on the 
 other side of which the powerful French army stands strongly 
 intrenched. The bridge, behind which Valleggio lies, was de- 
 fended by three massive towers. The artillery of the Venetians 
 compels the French to fall back. They take with them what 
 provision they can raise. The army advances to Pontevico, 
 where the enemy Sgain makes a momentary stand. Here a castle 
 is built in the middle of the bridge,"!' up to which point it had 
 been broken down. In the presence of the foe, but under the 
 protection of the Venetian cannon, a number of volunteers 
 swini over and fetch back the boats, which had been carried 
 to the other side. A bridge is quickly constructed. But by 
 the time the army crossed over, the Frenchmen are in full flight. 
 Only a few shots from the field-pieces are sent after them. 
 Conscious that the state of their affairs is desperate, deprived 
 of the support of the Germans, knowing the enemy with whom 
 they have to deal, believing themselves secure no where, they 
 take refuge in Pavia and await the result. The boldest of the 
 Confederate youth had cut off from them a considerable herd of 
 cattle, on which the army could have subsisted for a long time- 
 Ulrio von fc, leader of the Confederates, just as prudent as be 
 was active, resolves to besiege Pavia for a while, because ho 
 thinks it not yet advisable to take it by storm. The French 
 
 * The Minoio. t 0^*" ^^ Oglio, 
 
 3 
 
'ZH LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Btill endeavor to prevent a passage over tte Pe.* Here an in- 
 cident happens almost as incredible as it is amusing. In the 
 French camp were 800 landskneclit^, survivors of the defeat 
 at Kavenna. Some of our men swim over the Po, in order to 
 take measures for the fastening of a bridge. The landsknechti 
 sally out to prevent this. All the youth of the Confederate 
 army, skilled in swimming, running, jumping, cast off their 
 clothes and, halberd in hand, leap into the Po, to fight with 
 enemies, of whom they say, 'Would that God had given us such 
 for a daily exercise in the art of war. ' In fact, they raised a 
 warlike laugh as often as they caught a glimpse of the lands- 
 knechts, not because they esteemed them cowardly and despioar 
 ble antagonists, but because they were found by them on the 
 side of the enemy and beaten oftener than they conquered. 
 Although the landsknechts saw the naked, white bodies, they 
 still fled, giving a free passage over the river. The Confederates 
 now marched on to Pavia, which was surrounded and taken in 
 a few days in the following manner. Some single combats had 
 preceded. Six Frenchmen had called out four confederates and 
 were killed. Two others challenged a chamois-hunter from tho 
 Canton of Glarus. This pleased him. One he shot down with 
 his gun; the other he attacked with the sword. The French, 
 trusting the walls as little as their courage, meditate flight and 
 wish to cover it by the landsknechts, whom they address thus, 
 " You see, brave comrades, be it chance or be it fate, the luck 
 of war has forsaken France. We must think of retreat, if we 
 cannot count on victory. Our camp is full of despair. Your 
 former boldness must expect to-day the most illustrious trial. 
 Act up to your reputation! We, the heavy and the light 
 armed, will occupy that part of the city, which stretches along 
 the Mincio,f before the enemy presses in there and cuts off the 
 
 * He confounds it -with tho Adda, Trhich emptiea^nto tji? POf 
 I Again a change of names. The Ticino is meant. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 27 
 
 way of escape. Thus will we secure the safety of all. If we 
 cannot conquer now, we must try to keep our lives to do it 
 hereafter, as Demosthenes says. So that no one may suspect 
 us of treachery we leave with you the artillery, the pledge of 
 our hope. " The credulous foot-soldiers (^landsknechts), trus- 
 ing their fair speeches, permitted them to march out. But 
 the French have scarcely placed the Mincio (Ticino) behind 
 them, when they take to flight and leave the landslenechts in 
 the lurch. As soon as the citizens of Pavia observe this, they 
 promise, on condition that they are exempted from pillage, a 
 month's pay to each individual in the Confederate and Vene- 
 tian camps. The former thirsted for a contest with the lands- 
 hhechts, but this desire was yet to cost them much bitter sweat. 
 The clumsy artillery of the besieging army was drawn up in the 
 park, outside of the city, under the guard of a hundred picked 
 men, from different corps. It was not yet noon, when the 
 women and the more aged citizens, unsuspected by the foot- 
 soldiers, appeared on the walls and let down scaling ladders 
 over them. The hundred, employed as a watch in the park, 
 with some others who joined them, hasten up, climb the walls, 
 and without the knowledge of the rest of the army, try to pen- 
 etrate into the heart of the city. But the landskneclits have 
 artillery, and they only their short weapons and their fiery 
 courage. Had not the narrow streets checked the former, the 
 Confederates would all have been slain. They try to conceal 
 themselves for the moment behind projections and sheltering 
 walls; but then they suddenly rush out, make themselves mas- 
 ters of two pieces, and turn them against the enemy, who were 
 thus gradually driven back. And now one of the combatants 
 mounts the wall, anS proclaims victory and the capture of the 
 city. It is not believed; a stratagem is feared, and it is for- 
 bidden to approach the wall. At last, encouraged by the pro- 
 longed stentorian cry, sorae venture to climb up. The lands- 
 
28 lilFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 knecJis resist in vain. They become wearied out and are 
 driven into the river. Of 800, only 50 are taken alive. 
 Meanwhile the Confederates march through the gate. The 
 Venetian horsemen pursue the fugitives, but can only overtake 
 a few. Anon, a shout resounds through the city, 'Julius, the 
 Swiss are conquerors. ' On the third day, the garrison of the 
 castle surrenders. Eight battering-rams, ten culverins, and 
 ten pieces of smaller artillery are among the trophies. Several 
 had previously belonged to the Venetians. And now at sight 
 of them they embrace and wet them with tears and kiss the 
 escutcheon of St. Mark. So much had the disgraceful loss 
 pained them. The remaining towns send embassies and give 
 in their adherence to the Cardinal and the Confederates. Even 
 Genoa is conquered by the Spaniards, and Asti acknowledges, 
 begging for peace with tied hands, the power of the Holy League. 
 All Italy, the seacoasts of Liguria, and the Lombards are made 
 free by the Confederates. 'We owe to them,' they confess, 
 <what liberated Greece once owed to Titus Quinctius. ' The 
 sound of the trumpet re-echoes through cities, towns, and vil- 
 lages ; and bells ring. Scholars, clergy and preachers proclaim 
 from the pulpit; 'Ye are God's people. Ye have humbled the 
 enemies of the Bride of the Crucified. ' The army, tarrying 
 some days in Pavia, suppresses a rebellion, which I pass over, 
 because the matter was brought to a happy issue. Then mes- 
 sengers hasten to all parts, in order to bring about a settlement 
 of the affairs of Milan. The Confederate Diet is assembled in 
 Baden, and the following embassies arrive there : legates from 
 his Holiness, Pope Julius II, from the Emperor, from the 
 Cardinal of St. Potentiana ( Schinner ), legates by proxy of the 
 King of Spain, from the King of France ( these half by stealth ), 
 from the Duke of Savoy, from the Duke of Lorraine, from the 
 Venetians, from the Milanese; all bent on furthering their own 
 wishes and aims. Here the foresight and craftiness of men 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 29 
 
 must be studied, how they try to bring each other into difficulty, 
 in order to prosecute their own advantage more securely amid 
 the confusion; and how they pretend to desire one thing, in 
 order to gain the contrary. The Emperor in particular ties 
 the knot. He had resolved in secret to restore Maximilian, son 
 of the banished Duke, Ludovico Sforza, to the princely seat. 
 To the astonishment of all, he comes out with the assertion that 
 Lombardy, as a fief of the empire, durst receive its ruler from 
 no one but the head of the empire. This gave little satisfac- 
 tion, to the Confederates. "The Emperor," say they, "had 
 promised to assist us with cavalry; but he went no further 
 than fair words. We, the Pope, and the Venetians have 
 borne the burden of the war. And now, he, who did nothing, 
 comes to carry off the prize. " Yet it does not break out into 
 an open quarrel. Another embassy arrives from the Holy 
 Father, Julius, and the cardinals. It brings to the Confeder- 
 ates the title of honor, "Liberators of the Church." Mest 
 welcome is this title to them, and most welcome what is added, 
 "They may ask what they please, the most sacred will be granted 
 to them. " The greater part, yea, all ask for the privilege of 
 bearing the image of the Crucified on their banner; the men of 
 Glarus wish the risen Savior. In the end the resolution is 
 passed to bring back Maximilian, the son of Louis, to the throne 
 of his father. I would have written to you more fully, my 
 dear Vadianus, for this is not the hundreth part, had not a 
 pressure of business prevented me. Judge of this hasty letter 
 with indulgence. It has been the work of not more than three 
 hours. " 
 
 This, the earliest historical production of Zwingli, that has 
 come down to us, is translated as literally as possible, in order 
 to show the opinion then entertained by him, of political and 
 ecclesiastical relations, his strong youthful spirit, which de- 
 lighted in the chances of war, and his study of the military art 
 
30 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 and history of the warlike Komans. The latter is seen in the 
 occasional, mostly well chosen, technical terms, the insertion of 
 short speeches, and the concise, graphic mode of representation. 
 The defective knowledge of geography displayed need not be 
 wondered at, since maps, those indispensable helps, were wholly 
 wanting in that age. In his eyes the Eomish church is sur- 
 rounded with the highest glory, and its sacred head, the Pope, 
 worthy of reverence almost divine. He regards the expedition 
 to Pavia as lawful, exults with national pride in the laurels 
 won, and even the sight of disorders among the haughty con- 
 querors appears to make only a transient impression upon him. 
 But with keen glance he discovers the moving spring of the 
 diplomatic transactions, the elements of discord, and the quarter, 
 from which the most destructive inroads on tb? life of the 
 republic were to be feared. 
 
 For two years it had become plain to him, with what danger 
 this impure game of false statesmanship, this system of bribes, 
 frauds, flatteries, and intimidations threatened the Confederacy, 
 exposed to it on all sides. Two poems, written about the year 
 1510 or 1511, "The Labyrinth" and "A poetic Fable con- 
 cerning an Ox and several Beasts, " are to be received partly 
 as pictures of the time, and partly as lessons of warning. Vig- 
 orous, rich in thought, original in conception, but somewhat 
 rude in language, they exhibit a row of well-drawn single 
 figures, without light and shade, rather than a group disposed 
 by art, and owe more to the exercise of the understanding than to 
 the impulses of the imagination. They deserve to be handed 
 down to posterity only as the productions of an author, who has 
 done 'greater things. The second winds up in the following 
 nervous style : 
 
 " Where Bribery can show its face, 
 
 There Freedom has no dwelling place. 
 
 And such a blessing Freedom is, 
 
 That boldly Sparta, as we wis, 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 81 
 
 Unto Hydarmes gave reply : 
 
 ' Freedom must stand by Bravery 
 
 Sheltered and guarded evermore.' 
 
 Amid the bloody ranks of war, 
 
 Amid the feariful dance of death, 
 
 Let gleaming swords drawn from the sheath, 
 
 And sharp-edged spears and axes he 
 
 Thy guardians, golden liberty. 
 
 But, where a brutish heart is met 
 
 And by a tempting bribe beset, 
 
 There noble Freedom, glorions boon ! 
 
 And name and blood of friends too soon 
 
 Are cheaply prized and rudely torn 
 
 The oaths in the holy covenant sworn." 
 
 In Italy, the honorable closing act of the year 1512 now 
 took place. At the gates of Milan, in presence of the imperial, 
 papal and Spanish deputies, the burgomaster Schmiei of Zurich 
 handed over to the young duke Maximilian Sforza the keys of 
 his conquered capital, and the bailiff Schwarzmauer of Zug 
 received him with a Latin oration. It were well, if the inter- 
 vention of the Confederates in Italian affairs had ended here, 
 and a strong national resolve, to keep what they had won, and 
 leave what is foreign to the care of foreigners, had gained the 
 ascendency. But already baits were again thrown out by the 
 Pope, the Emperor and France, and were soon followed by 
 scenes, more stormy, more disgraceful, more tragic, out of which 
 the battles of Novara and Marignano rise in bloody trappings. 
 
 For several years the eyes of Zwingli had been fully opened 
 to the destructive influence, which foreign liiercenary service 
 exerted on a free state. Whether he accompanied the banner 
 of Glarus twice, or only once more into Italy cannot now be 
 accurately determined. Bullinger alone states that he was 
 present at Novara, confounding probably this expedition with 
 one of an earlier date. It is certain, however, that he took 
 part in the campaign of 1515, for, six days previous to the 
 
32 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 battle of Maxignano, he preached in the square before the town- 
 hall in Monza. " Had we followed his counsel, " says Werner 
 Steiner, who at the side of his father, the landamman of Zug, 
 listened to the sermon, — "much less blood would have been 
 shed, and the Confederates saved from great harm. But dis- 
 sension reigned in their ranks, which were crippled by French 
 gold and promises, and they, who did' remain faithful, lacked 
 one leader around whom to rally. 
 
 The terrific battle of Marignano had ended in a dreadful de- 
 feat. Voices of lamentation, reproach, and repentance met 
 those, who found their way back to their native land and re- 
 sounded here and there also from the pulpit. Zwingli, who 
 himself had been an eye-witness of the whole calamity, believed 
 it his duty, as teacher in the chief-town of the little republic, 
 not to keep silent. 
 
 Before men of rank and influence, who even in Glarus, 
 though compelled for the moment to remain quiet, soon gave 
 themselves up again, at first cautiously but afterwards without 
 shame, to the seductions of renewed bribery, sticking to that 
 conqueror, who before had rewarded them so gloriously, and 
 began to further the interests of France, instead of those of 
 their own country, he unveiled, without fear or restraint, the 
 ruinous consequences of this scandalous trade, laid bare its 
 secret hiding places and tricks, and encouraged the better spirit 
 of the people to a wholesome resistance. But notwithstanding, 
 the cunning seducers knew how to restrain themselves, and in 
 spite of all, they gained firmer footing, and although the Per- 
 petual Peace, lately concluded with France, did not give them 
 all they sought for, they still received by it a more secure 
 position for further intrigues. 
 
 But at length their hatred broke out into open flame against 
 the bold, troublesome speaker — ^the preacher, who dabbled in 
 piolitios — the former's son of a remote district, who had the pre- 
 
LIFE or ZWINQLI. 33 
 
 sumption to attack the great ones of the land, the old patrician 
 families, and who, though himself not pure, nevertheless cast 
 blame on others. Full of avarice, envy and hypocrisy, the 
 proud, the fault-finders and the spiritual dwarfs met together. 
 They whispered, fanned their rage, shook their heads, reviled, 
 threatened; in a short time they had no rest, till he wished 
 himself away; and hence, at a later period, he thus wrote to 
 Vadianus, " Nothing else could have induced me to change my 
 situation but the intrigues of the French. I am now at Ein- 
 siedeln. I would tell you what injury the French faction \has 
 done me, if I did not think that you knew it already. I had 
 to take part in affairs, and have suffered and learned to suffer 
 much evil." 
 
 We will now examine the charges, that were brought against 
 Zwingli, keeping steadily in view, the position as to science, 
 character, and fitness for his calling, which he occupied, when 
 he left Glarus. As the indispensable fruits of a republican 
 form of government we look for freedom to be good and true, 
 decision of character, and the unrestricted development of every 
 nobler feeling and of every kind of profound knowledge. 
 When it protects and fosters such tendencies, and makes good its 
 title to an honorable j)lace among other forms. But when it 
 fails so to do, because of democratic, or aristocratic degeneracy, 
 it then writes its own condemnation. Zwingli began his labors 
 as a republican, in whom the citizen was not lost in the priest. 
 And this we must always bear in mind, so as not to do him in- 
 justice, when we see him working as resolutely in the state as 
 in the church. Whether this course can be defended in our- 
 time does not concern us. It seemed well in his age, and that 
 it is our business now to describe. The republican feeling of 
 equality gave him, moreover courage to face every opponent with 
 boldness, yet always with argument. He honored the old fami- 
 lies, when they practised the old virtues. The man of rank, who 
 
34 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 sinned against his country, was in his eyes more worthy of pun- 
 ishment than a common person. Meanwhile these views found 
 too much sympathy in the free Canton of Glarus, to allow his 
 enemies to attack him, except in an indirect way. They harped, 
 therefore, so much the more on the third charge, that he even, 
 the fault-finder himself, was not innocent. "Why," say they, 
 "does he rail out continually against French intrigue? Only 
 because he has sold himself to the Papal interest. Is he not 
 in close league with Cardinal Schinner ? Is he not his spy, his 
 minion, commissioned by him to distribute the presents of the 
 Pope ? Does he not receive letters, testimonials of honor, from 
 the Nuncio ? Yes, he — even he who calls us takers of bribes, 
 draws a yearly pension from the Pope." 
 
 And certainly it was so, but with this difference — an honor- 
 able intention on his part, and a base one on theirs. The scien- 
 tific and practical qualifications of Schinner and his clear insight 
 into the relations of life were highly esteemed by Zwingli, who 
 looked on him as a strong champion in the contest against 
 French corruption. And in truth this son of a poor shepherd 
 in Valais was no common man. By talent and industry he 
 had raised himself to the bishopric of that Canton. Defeated 
 by an opposing party he had to flee, but was already known to 
 the Pope, from whom he received a Cardinal's hat. Of course 
 he now labored to advance the interests of Eome and the Em- 
 pire among the Confederates, but at the time when Zwingli 
 became acquainted with him, not by such disreputable means, 
 as afterwards. Any separation from the church was as yet far 
 from the thoughts of the Keformer, although he already desired 
 the correction of existing abuses. What was more natural for 
 him than to seek to win over to his assistance those, who could 
 exert a direct influence in Eorae, the Cardinal and the Nuncio? 
 And indeed, a few years lateB, when he came out manfully 
 against the politics of Rome, he yet distinguished between the 
 
lilFE OF ZWINGLI. 85 
 
 person of the Cardinal and his cause, and true to earlier feel- 
 ings of friendship, defended the former, as long as it was possi- 
 ble. "They," — wrote he to Myconius — "who blame me for 
 yielding too much to the Cardinal, I suspect are only friends 
 and well-wishers in appearance, and censure me for that which, 
 though it were not altogether reasonable, ought to be allowed 
 on the score of friendship. Rather would I err in thinking 
 well of a bad man, if 1 did not know him to be bad, than in 
 thinking ill of a good one." • The fifty florins, which he drew 
 yearly on the order of the Pope, were laid out only in books 
 and scientific helps, needed for the better exercise of his calling. 
 This pension he gave up of his own accord at a later day. 
 
 The main charge, however, was directed against his moral 
 conduct. Not merely gloomy hypocrites, habitual fault-finders, 
 who took offence at every joke, to which his gay humor may 
 have prompted him, and condemned his love of music and 
 society, but unprejudiced, worthy men also regretted that his 
 attentions to the women were not always kept within proper 
 bounds. It were idle to deny, what he himself openly con- 
 fessed, when he bewailed the errors of his youth and strove to 
 do them away by redoubled zeal and faithfulness to duty. Some 
 excuse may be found for him in the customs of his age. The 
 failings of superiors were then treated with indulgence, and 
 a transgression of this kind received but a mild sentence at the 
 1 ar of public opinion. His honorable dismissal from Glarus, 
 given to him only with reluctance, shows, also, that in spite of 
 occasional short-comings, his character was held in general es- 
 teem. Certainly Catholic writers, since then and even in 
 modern times, have sought to cast a stain on his later work by 
 laying undue stress on this weakness of the Reformer's youth.* 
 
 * Even in representations designed for the people such malevolent 
 charges are found. These exaggerations are to be corrected not by 
 concealment, but by a candid statement of the facts. 
 
36 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 The simple question may be put to them, ' Are not Augustine 
 and Jerome counted among your most distinguished saints? 
 And yet you know, or ought to know, what they have con- 
 fessed — things that Zwingli had never to renounce.' 
 
 He was now past his thirty-first year, and in the full vigor 
 of manhood. His national sympathies, the extent of his 
 knowledge, his courage and ability were well known to the 
 inhabitants of Glarus and to many also beyond the limits of the 
 little Canton. As to matters of faith the struggle was yet 
 going on in his own bosom. Here, on the one hand, stood the 
 Church, to whose priesthood he had been consecrated, with her 
 stiiF, unbending dogmas, and her stale, lifeless forms, yet es- 
 teemed holy, to touch which was regarded as an unpardonable 
 crime in the individual ; and there, on the other, eternal truth, 
 superior to the narrow restrictions of human power, raised above 
 decretals and the decisions of Councils, drawing to herself all 
 noble spirits with an irresistible charm, of all objects the most 
 worthy of pursuit and untiring effort — and besides these a 
 third, easily overlooked by the inexperienced youth — by the 
 thinker in his quiet chamber, but not by the practical man, 
 who must mingle directly with the people — the necessity of a 
 higher, a more infallible authority than his own, an authority 
 acceptable to all good men and acknowledged by all. It was 
 well for him that he knew how to connect this with the results 
 of his investigation. Not by ignoring the understanding, not 
 by a cowardly retreat, where others ventured freely to inquire, 
 not by an assent, that feared to ask for proof, lest one should 
 cry out, "Wo to the heretic I" — No! but by boldly examining 
 for himself and using his reason, he only arrived at the more 
 settled conviction of the truth of the Holy Scripture and 
 of the divine power of the faith built thereon, "Take good, 
 strong wine," wrote he to the nuns in Oedenbach, at a later 
 period, "it tastes good to the healthy, makes him glad of 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 3? 
 
 heart, strengtliens him, warms his blood. But he, who lies 
 sick of a distemper, or fever, and cannot taste it, much less 
 drink it, wonders how those who are healthy can drink it. 
 The fault is not in the wine, but in the disease. So the Divine 
 Word is altogether right in itself, and revealed for the good of 
 men. But he, who cannot bear it, nor understand it, and will 
 not receive it, is sick. Thus let them be answered, who wickedly 
 say, God would not have his Word understood," (we must sub- 
 ject reason to faith) "as if God wished to expose us to danger." 
 
 In order to attain completely that firm ground, where settled 
 conviction is the result of the union of faith and knowledge, 
 he could scarcely have done a wiser thing, than to withdraw 
 into the more quiet retreat, which was opened for him in the 
 neighboring Einsiedeln. 
 
 Far and wide, throughout the Confederacy, and the surround- 
 ing countries, was spread the name and glory of this monastery, 
 which, like St. Gall and Muri, was subject to the rule of Bene- 
 dict. It dates its origin as far back as the ninth century, and 
 was built on that spot, occupied in the beginning by the her- 
 mit's cell of Meinhard, a German count. A legend of a voice, 
 that fell from heaven, when in the following century the Bishop 
 of Constance was dedicating a new chapel there, and of a song 
 of angels repeatedly and distinctly heard, gave rise to the 
 yearly festival of the " Consecration of the Angels," which, 
 when it happened on a Sunday, as it did every seventh year, 
 was celebrated with increased splendor. The story of Mein- 
 hard's death and the discovery of his murderers by means of 
 ravens, who followed them, survived among the traditions of 
 the people, and the miracle being accredited by Pope Leo VIII, 
 and the power of granting plenary indulgences allowed to the 
 monastery, vast crowds of pilgrims were attracted thither. By 
 their offerings and the donations of the great it became wealthy. 
 The Abbos enjoyed the rank of a Prince, and the monks, as a 
 
 4 
 
38 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 body, were descended from noble families. They were a proud, 
 irritable race, and could talk as much almost about the history 
 of their quarrels as of their pious exercises. Conrad of Hoh- 
 enrechberg, who, in the beginning of the sixteenth century, 
 stood at their head, troubled himself little about incense and 
 choral singing, and thought it a wicked thing in his rela^ 
 tions to have forced him to take the cowl. He took a knightly 
 pleasure in the chase, and his heart leapt at the sight of a drawn 
 sword. To cunning and hypocrisy his nature was averse. 
 Whoever was open, simple, aiid sincerely pious found a friend 
 in him. For learned men he had a great esteem, but from 
 lack of elementary knowledge, was not able to follow their in- 
 vestigations. This he modestly confessed. The reading of the 
 mass he avoided as often as it was possible, and was free to say, 
 "If Christ be in the bread, then indeed I know not how highly 
 you prize yourselves; but I, poor monk, am not worthy to look on 
 him once, and hence decline to offer him. Is he not there ? — wo 
 is me ! if I offer bread, instead of God, and suffer the people to 
 adore it. " When disputes ran too high, he sometimes broke 
 them off with the words, "Why so much talk? Now and at 
 my last hour, I say with David — Have mercy, God, upon me, 
 according to thy loving-kindness. Enter not into judgment 
 with thy servant. More I do not wish to know. He was a 
 diamond, unpolished, it is true, and carelessly set, but always 
 powerful enough to prevent any interference in the government 
 of his foundation. 
 
 At his side, Theobald of Geroldseck, filled the influential 
 post of Administrator. Zwingli himself writes of him, "His 
 share of knowledge is quite moderate, but he knows the value 
 of learning, and particularly seeks intercourse with those, who 
 are possessed of it. " By the aid of such persons he desired to 
 increase the prosperity of the monastery, for the advantage and 
 maintenance of whose privileges, he was clothed with power. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 39 
 
 He was glad therefore to learn that Zwingli waa able to accept 
 a call, and in fact an agreement was entered into by the attor- 
 neys of the two parties on the 14 April, 1516, at Pfaffikon, on 
 Lake Zurich, in consequence of which Zwingli undertook the 
 office of preacher and pastor, in the capacity of vicar to the 
 people's priest at Elnsiedeln, for which boarding at the convent- 
 table, 20 florins at the quarter-fastings, the revenues arising 
 from the penny-offering and requiems, and his own share of the 
 confession-fees were guaranteed to him, and the first complete 
 benefice at the disposal of the Administrator besides. Never- 
 theless, at their own urgent request, he still remained pastor of 
 his congregation in Glarus, and discharged his duties there by 
 the help of a vicar. 
 
 In the summer of the same year, trained as he already was 
 in the school of the world, he entered into the quiet shades of 
 the cloister. It can scarcely be expected that he will remain 
 there long. First of all, let us take a view of monastic life on 
 its most favorable side, as a school of self-denial, as a place of 
 refuge for more profound study, as a field for the exercise of 
 practical charity. In all these respects it has no doubt served 
 valuable ends. And who will deny that, in times when the 
 will of the strong would endure no restraint, when bloody re- 
 venge was thought to be a duty, and when iron bodies, broken 
 by no excess, added deeds of violence to deeds of violence, a 
 milder spirit was awakened in the walls of the cloister, and 
 that pride was humfeled there, and self-will subdued ?^that in 
 the God's peace, which protected its environs, the mechanic, 
 as well as the peasant, found labor and encouragement? And 
 who does not acknowledge the services rendered by particular 
 monasteries, especially those of the Benedictines, in the preser- 
 vation and multiplication of rare manuscripts — ^the works of the 
 ancients, that had survived the downfall of the Western Em- 
 pire and the irruption of barbarian hordes ? And even in later 
 
40 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 times, in our own country, who will not freely own his indebt- 
 edness to a Kopp in Muri, a Van' der Meer in Rheinau, and 
 the monks of the neighboring St. Blaise, — a Ilerrgott, Neugart, 
 Eichhorn, and the Abbot Gerbert himself, for a knowledge of tho 
 diplomacy and history of the Middle Ages? Who does not 
 honor the Augustines of Mt. St. Bernard, the Gray Sisters and 
 the excellent schools of particular monasteries ? 
 
 But then, on the other side, who will not admit that indo- 
 lence, false views of life, narrow-mindedness, hypocrisy, and 
 secret and impure practices found a home in a multitude of 
 these establishments? In Zwingli's days, these dark features 
 were most prominent and, we may even say, altogether prevailed. 
 To prove this, not only Protestant, but enough of Catholic wit- 
 nesses also are at hand. It was well for a man of his spirit and 
 aspirations to spend a few years in the quiet cells of the 
 cloister for the completion of his theological studies, especially 
 since he was exempt from tho duty of wasting time in empty 
 ceremonial rites. But after this end was attained, it was easy 
 to foresee that he would again wish himself beyond the narrow 
 walls. 
 
 To this the peculiar character of the monastery of Einsiedeln, 
 as a far-famed place of pilgrimage, contributed. In general 
 there is little to admire in the disposition of any one, who does 
 not find his soul elevated in places hallowed by departed great- 
 ness. A noble feeling lay at the bottom of the expeditions to 
 the Holy Sepulchre during the Middle ^ges, although they 
 partook of all the rudeness of the time that produced them; 
 and even yet, how many spots are there in the land of Palestine, 
 that awaken, in the bosom of the traveler, meditations, in which 
 earnestness and sorrow mingle. On fields of battle, in haunts, 
 where ruled the leaders and the teachers of mankind, memory 
 works with double power, and even around graves known only 
 to perishing tradition, there lingers for some an imperishable 
 
LIFE OH ZWINGLI. 41 
 
 charm. No censure therefore on pilgrimages that spring from 
 such deep impulses ! 
 
 But when the hand of man ventures to write down in such a 
 place : " Here is plenary absolution from guilt and punishment, " 
 when the mortal will forestall the eternal judge, and by the 
 fancy of expiation obtained through such a pilgrimage, the 
 frivolty of the sinner is directly enhanced and the perpetration 
 of grosser crimes encouraged, when money rings in the sanctu- 
 ary, in whose courts a market is opened for relics and conse- 
 crated amulets — who can be angry, if a feeling of indignation 
 flashes through the mind of the clear-sighted thinker, as well 
 as through the believing heart of the truly pious? 
 
 But Zwingli was now compelled to witness frequent scenes 
 of this kind. And in what troubled shapes, did not the events 
 of the day, the delusion of the crowd, and the avarice of those 
 who made again of them, array themselves, when in the stillness 
 of the evening or the night, the Gospel opened to him its fountains 
 of light, warmth, and living sacrifice. No doubt this conviction 
 of the unworthiness of this trade, carried on with lost men, 
 was confirmed, and the impulse to come out at once and main- 
 tain stout battle against all these powers of darkness, more and 
 more strengthened. Though somewhat before, yet now more 
 than ever the feeling, that such a conflict must come, paved 
 his way; the eyes of thousands were seeking some, who would 
 undertake it, and were turned with desire to every one, gifted 
 with a resolute spirit; and many friendly voices told him, that 
 on his efforts the hopes of the father-land chiefly rested. 
 "This is he" — said John CEchslin in Stein to his friend Fa- 
 bricius — "of whom I cannot say enough, — he, who towers above 
 all other Swiss,— he, who has spread around him here a better 
 civilization." "He" — ^the Grerman Nesenus wrote to him — 
 "who has humbled our monks, those spiritual tyrants, has done 
 more for the true doctrine of Christ, than he who has beaten the " 
 
42 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 ferocious Turks. Go on, my Zwingli, in the work begun for 
 the blessing of your nation." "You show us" — is contained 
 in a letter of Rhenanus from Basel — "the true doctrine of 
 Christ, sketched intuitively, as it were, on a tablet; you inform 
 us, that Christ was sent into the world for this purpose — ^to 
 communicate to us the will of his Father ; that he commands 
 us to despise earth with its riches, its honors, its power, its 
 pleasures and every thing of this kind, and seek after the 
 heavenly father-land; that he teaches us peace, unity and all 
 the lovely charities of life (nothing else is Christianity), as of 
 old, Plato, who is truly worthy of being counted a great prophet, 
 dreamed of them in his republic; that he would lift us above 
 a state of abject dependence on country, parents, kindred, 
 health, and all the blessings of earth, and convince us that 
 poverty and the other miseries of life are in no wise evil. These 
 doctrines Christ has confirmed by his life, more glorious than 
 that of any man. Would that Helvetia had many, who could 
 so exhibit Him to us ! Such alone have power to improve our 
 national character. And our people are by no means incapable 
 of improvement. " 
 
 The relation in which Zwingli stood to Greroldseck gave him 
 encouragement to take a bolder step. Whatever he needed in 
 the way of scientific help Greroldseck permitted him to buy for 
 the monastery and was glad to add thus to its treasures. 
 Zwingli was always grateful for his protection and support, and 
 at a later period, when he had left Einsiedeln, gave utterance 
 to , the following expression, " You have never looked back, 
 after you laid your hand to the plough. You are indeed the 
 friend of all scholars, but me you have loved like a father, hav- 
 ing not only admitted me to your friendship, but to the most 
 intimate confidence of your heart. Go on, as you have begun ; 
 stand firmly at your post. God will in the end lead you to the 
 goal. No one can gain the crown, who does not fight- bravely 
 
LirE OP ZWINGLI. 43 
 
 for it. " Most willingly did he respond to the order of the un- 
 prejudiced Administrator, to go, with his friends, Zink, (Eehs- 
 lin, and Schmied, to the convent under the supervision of Ein- 
 siedeln, there to relieve the nuns from the duty of singing 
 matins, to recommend to them the reading of the German 
 Bible, and to grant permission to any, who might wish it, to 
 leave the convent and marry.* 
 
 But the most powerful weapon of his spirit was the living 
 word. Proceeding cautiously, step by step, he as yet only 
 attacked abuses in Einsiedeln; nevertheless his pulpit discourses 
 made a deep impression, and already the number of pilgrims 
 began to diminish, yea, many brought back again the presents, 
 which they had carried away. Eeports are still extant of the 
 sermons preached at the festival of the Consecration of the 
 Angels, in 1517, and those of Whitsuntide, 1518.f The first 
 must have been bold, and according to the testimony of Hedion, 
 who was present, the second were "beautiful, thorough, solemn, 
 comprehensive, penetrating, evangelical, in the power of their 
 language reminding one of the oldest church-fathers. " A part 
 of the monks were scandalized, but the Abbot and Geroldseck 
 encouraged and protected the orator. 
 
 The attention of Rome was drawn to these things; but it did 
 not at all abandon the hope of winning him back again. A literal 
 and faithful translation of the letter, sent to him from Zurich, 
 on the 14 August 1518, by Antonio Pucei, nuntio of the Apos- 
 tolic See, is here added : 
 
 * This could scarcely have taken place, as may be supposed, daring 
 his ministry at Einsiedeln. 
 
 ^ He seems to have made his first open attack on the whole system 
 of pilgrimages in the year 1522, when at the invitation of Geroldseck, 
 he preached once more at Einsiedeln, since, in this year^ the 14 Sep- 
 tember fell on a Sunday, the time of the greater festival of the Conse- 
 cration of the Angels. The goyemment of Schwyz, which had hith- 
 erto favored it, now first opened its eyes. 
 
44 
 
 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 " Glorious by virtues and merits, commended as well by ex- 
 perience as by the testimony of your honorable fame, you have 
 found such favor in the eyes of our Lord, the Pope and the 
 Apostolic See, that we, full of paternal kindness, keeping in 
 view your person adorned with scientific culture, graciously 
 purpose, according to the authority granted as by our aforesaid 
 Lord, the Pope, to confer on you a title of special dignity. 
 ■But hereby you perceive in truth, whither our kind disposition 
 txjward you would tend, when we now create you — ^who are a 
 master of arts, whom, we, out of regard to merits already al- 
 luded to, would promote and adorn with the title and privileges 
 of a special post of honor, — ^you, whom we, if you have fallen in 
 any way under any ban, suspension, interdict, or other ecclesias- 
 tical sentence, or under any censure or penalty of any court, or 
 of individual men, be its origin what it may, partaking in the 
 operations of our favor, and turning your prayer toward us in 
 relation to the matter, we would now absolve and have known 
 as absolved — you, we now, in the name of our holy Lord, the 
 Pope and the Apostolic See, in accordance with these presents, 
 create an acolyte-chajalain, by the apostolical authority, granted 
 us by the most holy Father in Christ, our Lord, the Lord Leo X, 
 Pope by the decree of God, and exercised by us, and gi'aciously 
 enroll you in the number and society of the other chosen aco- 
 lyte-chaplains of our Lord, the Pope, and the Romish See. At 
 the same time we grant you the possession and enjoyment of 
 all the privileges, prerogatives, honors, exceptions, favors, 
 liberties, immunities and indulgences, singly and collectively, 
 which belong to the other acolyte-chaplains of our Lord, the 
 Pope and the Apostolic See, or which they in any way here- 
 after shall be allowed to possess and enjoy, to be used by you 
 freely and • in a lawful manner, unrestricted by the apostolic 
 constitutions and commands, or any other kind of impediment 
 whatsoever. Then wUl you by aspiring after virtue advance 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 45 
 
 from good to better, and become worthy of a still Higher place 
 in the presence of our Lord, the Pope and ourselves, and he 
 himself, our Lord, the Pope, and we will thereby be moved to 
 bestow on you more extensive favors and honors. The present 
 document is dispatched to beiir witness, and we have allowed 
 it to be ratified by our seal appended thereto. " 
 
 "An official style," the scientific reader, who looks at this 
 letter may exclaim; but the people^ in whose ranks Zwingli 
 ranged himself, understood and needed another kind of lan- 
 guage. That which the Church granted to her pliant acolyte- 
 chaplains — ^freedom from excommunication, the dwellers in the 
 Alps had sometimes ventured to bestow upon themselves on 
 their own authority in moments of power. The complicated 
 sentences and the promises contained in them, in case of fidel- 
 ity and submission, made, therefore, little impression upon the 
 Reformer. How independent he was, in this respect, even at 
 Einsiedeln, appears from his letter, of 1525, to Valentine Corn- 
 par, former state-secretary in Uri. " Observe, " says he, " dear 
 Valentine, what I will yet publicly make known to the people, 
 now living, that I, both before and since the schism arose, have 
 discoursed and treated with distinguished cardinals, bishops 
 and prelates concerning errors in doctrine, and warned them to 
 begin the correction of abuses, or else they would be involved 
 in greater trouble. Eight years ago at Einsiedeln and then at 
 Zurich I often proved to the Lord Cardinal of Sion, that the 
 whole Papacy rested on a rotten foundation, and this always by 
 appealing to the Holy Scriptures. The noble Sir Diebold von 
 Geroldseck, Master Francis Zink and Doctor Michael Sander, 
 all three yet living are my witnesses; and the above-named 
 Cardinal has frequently expressed himself to me in this way, 
 'If God restores me again to favor (for he was at that time in 
 disgrace with the Pope ), I would then willingly see the pride 
 and falsehood of the Roman Bishop exposed and corrected.' 
 
46 Lli'E OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 And then, he has not seldom conversed with me about doctrine 
 and the Holy Scripture, and every time would acknowledge the 
 falsehood and his displeasure at it. But how he behaved after- 
 wards, need not be told here." 
 
 When, therefore, the Bishop of Constance himself, just at 
 this time, in a pastoral letter to the clergy of his diocese, ut- 
 tered, in the strongest terms, complaints of their thoroughly 
 corrupt condition, and deplored, that "many of them, without 
 regard to shame and the fear of God, kept lewd women in their 
 houses, and would i. either put them away nor do better, and 
 that others were addicted to gambling and oftener to be met 
 with in taverns than in their own rooms, wrangled in the streets, 
 scolded, giving rise to uproar as well as blasphemy against the 
 Savior, his blessed mother, and all the saints of God, wore 
 weapons and clothes altogether unsuited to their condition, en- 
 tered into unlawful agreements, crept into nunneries and other- 
 wise led abandoned lives at variance with the priestly character," 
 and acknowledged the urgent necessity of a remedy, was it a 
 seditious movement, or not rather a noble effort to help on a 
 good cause, when Zwingli thanked his chief pastor for this, but 
 at the same time begged him to act as well as speak ? 
 
 It is easy to imagine how such a zealous discharge of the 
 duties of his calling should more and more attract the atten- 
 tion of the public authorities. Wintherthur was anxious to see 
 him in the place of its deceased pastor. He had to decline, 
 because the citizens of Glarus were not willing to release him 
 from his former engagement. In Zurich even, wither he had 
 come on a visit, the number of his admirers continually in- 
 creased. The burgomaster Eoist and his brethren-in-arms at 
 Marignano were acquainted with him since the Italian cam- 
 paign. To the senator, Jacob Grebel, he was introduced by his 
 son Conrad, at that time one of his warmest admirers. The 
 canons Utinger, Erasmus, Schmied and Engelhart knew and 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 47 
 
 honored his scientific attainments, and even the hostile disposi- 
 tion, which, then already, some of the most resolute defenders 
 of every kind of wickedness cherished toward him, might well 
 have proved a recommendation to all well-disposed people. 
 Thus the way was prepared for a translation to the scene of his 
 future labors, but before this, Einsiedeln was yet to see him 
 coming out boldly against one of the cardinal sins of the Papal 
 Court. 
 
 Samson, the auctioneer of writs of indulgence, came to 
 Switzerland, as Tetzel to Saxony. The shameless trade, carried 
 on by both, in the pretended remission of sins, is well known. 
 We will not revive these scandalous scenes, confidently believ- 
 ing, that their repetition in our age would be im^ssible. Even 
 Zwingli paused a moment, before he ventured to attack openly 
 the corrupter of the people, who was backed, as he asserted, by 
 a commission from the Pope. It was the bishop of his country, 
 who strengthened him for the undertaking. " Hugo, Bishop 
 of Constance " — says he in the letter to Compar already quoted 
 from — "has informed me by his Vicar Johansen Faber, since 
 the Franciscan idonk Samson would sell indulgences amongst 
 us, -and since he, the bishop had learned that I preached 
 against it, and confirmed me therein, he was willing to stand 
 by me in all fidelity. How could I act otherwise ? Had I not 
 to obey a bishop of Constance, whose vicar wrote to me, — even 
 if I had not intended to do the same thing before — to make 
 war on the ensnaring system of indulgences?" 
 
 He uttered warnings from the pulpit in Einsiedeln and the 
 natural result was, the monk found so little encouragement in 
 the neighboring Schwyz, that he the more quickly passed on to 
 richer and more willing hearers in Bern. 
 
 But now, with this last act, the ministerial labors of the Re- 
 former in Einsiedeln must be brought to a close. Erhard Batt- 
 man, people's priest at Zurich,, was elected a member of the 
 
48 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 monastery of that place and resigned his post as preacher. The 
 choice of a successor lay with the canons. A majority of the 
 most influential of them, together with several officers of state 
 urgently desired that Zwingli should be chosen. Oswald My- 
 conius, properly Geisshausler, who is since known as the biogra- 
 pher and friend of Zwingli, became an agent in the matter. 
 He was born at Luzern, four years later than Zwingli, and had 
 received a careful education, particularly in the Latin language 
 at Kothweil under an eminent teacher, and afterwards in the 
 High School at Basel. He early became acquainted with the 
 accomplished Glareanus" and thanked him especially for his per- 
 ception of every beautiful and noble tendency in life, and for 
 an introduction to Zwingli, who once came from Glarus to Basel 
 on a visit. It was the learned Netherlander Erasmus chiefly, 
 around whom, all who strove after culture and science with 
 genuine zeal, united themselves in Basel. Even Art found in 
 this genial man recognition and encouragement. The celebrated 
 painter Holbein was his friend, and had furnished spirited 
 illustrations for a book, in which Erasmus had hit off the vari- 
 ous follies of the time with wit and humor. This memorial 
 is preserved to this day in the library of the city. In the 
 society of such distinguished men Myconius found his sphere 
 of knowledge enlarged, his judgment corrected and his will 
 strengthened. Three beautiful traits appear prominent in his 
 character — Earnestness, Thoroughness, (by which, not content 
 till he had rightly apprehended the smallest details, he rose 
 higher, step by step, but ever the more securely, for thus Plat- 
 ter, afterwards his scholar, has portrayed him with grateful 
 affection ), and then, that which only belongs to pure endeavor, 
 a Modesty, that is not concerned about its own praises but only 
 about the propagation of truth, and springing from this and 
 connected with it, the most cordial esteem and the most devoted 
 friendship, where he discovered true merit in others, and an 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 49 
 
 acknowledgment without envy, where lie found in tliem a 
 greater talent than his own. For this reason he became so 
 intimate with Zwingli and remained so true to him, through 
 all changes, to the end of his life. About the same time that 
 his friend went to Einsiedeln, he himself received a call as 
 teacher in the foundatum school at Zurich. Here he soon 
 gained influence and consideration, and it was owing to his 
 efforts that the present invitation was extended to Zwingli, who 
 answered him thus, " See that you tell me of the course of 
 duties, the persons, who are at the head of affairs, the salary 
 and whatever else you can find out. On Wednesday I will dine 
 in Zurich and then we can talk over the matter. I will take 
 no step without your advice. Congratulate, according to usage, 
 in my name the newly elected Provost Frei, as one who is a 
 Jriend to learning." 
 
 Myconius confirmed him in his resolution to offer himself as 
 a candidate for the post ; and, some days after, Zwingli laid 
 open his heart to his friend. " A fable" — writes he — " reaches 
 my earsj that Lorenzo Fable, so the Swabian from Grraubuen- 
 den is called, has preached once before your congregation, and 
 is not wholly unacceptable to the prudent people of Zurich; yet 
 a letter from Michael, the private secretary of the Cardinal, 
 assures me of the contrary. How, said I to myself, is it thus 
 true, that the prophet has the least honor in his own country ? 
 Can a Swabian even be preferred to a Switzer, who, on his own 
 territory, would not be regarded as inferior ? Yes, indeed ! 
 I see well how he strives to gain the applause of the multitude 
 by flattery. I know too that the whole endeavor of the vain 
 man is after that — this Jack Smoke, as I, with our Grlareanus, 
 will call fellows of his kidney. Keep this scornful effusion of 
 mine to yourself, dear friend, and continue to work for me, for 
 I will freely confess, the place appears now doubly desirable, 
 since I know, that he hankers after it. Ycs^ what I would 
 
 5 
 
50 LIFE OF ZWINOLI. 
 
 otherwise have borne patiently, would now seem a real disgrace. 
 Indeed I must go against the warning of Paul, who accuses 
 them, that covet, of worldly-mindedness. Already I had pro- 
 posed to myself, to expound the whole Gospel of Matthew, an 
 undertaking hitherto unheard of in G-ermany. Let them choose 
 him and they will soon see what he will bring out of his goose- 
 stall. Take this hasty letter in good part. It is more warm 
 than prudent." 
 
 Myconius answered, that his friendly letter was welcome, and 
 the more so, because he had given in it a true picture of him- 
 self. About Fable he set his mind at ease. Unfavorable re- 
 ports of him had since arrived; and there was no one in Zurich, 
 who did not laud Zwingli's attainments to the skies. But his 
 life offered another difficulty. A niinority at least found fault 
 with it. A part of them saw in his fondness for music a 
 worldly disposition ; others said that he had not confined him- 
 self in Glarus to good society; and at a very recent date a rumor 
 began to spread abroad, that he had been guilty of too familiar 
 intercourse with a daughter of a citizen of that place. A 
 further examination of his fitness for the office was committed 
 to the Provost Frei and two members of the canonicate, Utinger 
 and Hofmann. The latter, an aged, severe man, formerly a 
 zealous preacher against the mischief of foreign pensions, was 
 particularly anxious to know what might be in the affair. 
 "Write to me about it" — concludes he — "not, because you 
 need first prove to me the falsehood of the charge, but because 
 I wish to contradict those who are ill-disposed." 
 
 A letter from Zwingli to the canon Utinger immediately 
 followed, in which he honorably confessed the crime, yet af- 
 firmed that he had not been the seducer, but the seduced. 
 With shame and anguish he made this confession, and vowed 
 that, for the future, by daily and nightly searchings and labors, 
 he would keep himself free from stains of this sort. "Never- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGIil. 51 
 
 Iheless" — continued he — "if such charges are spread abroad 
 by my enemies, your people must have a poor opinion of me, 
 and if I should be elected, the preaching of the Gospel must 
 suffer damage. It is advisable, therefore, for you to consider 
 well beforehand, what the public sentiment may be, and to 
 listen rather to God than men. Speak frankly about me, with 
 whomsoever you may find it necessary. Show my scrawl," 
 ( for that it is and no vindication ) " to Myconius, and to any 
 one else you please. I lay my fate in your hands. Whatever 
 the result may be, withdraw not your love; mine for you always 
 remains." 
 
 That, after all this, Myconius and Utinger pushed on matters 
 with redoubled zeal; that Hofmann came out on his side; that 
 of the twenty-four canons seventeen cast their votes for him; 
 that in Zurich, and among all the sons of Zurich in foreign 
 lands, the liveliest joy prevailed, shows us that the favorable 
 opinion, held of him, did not suffer much by his confession. 
 It was the same case in the scene of his former labors. The 
 inhabitants of Glarus, to whom he had gone, towards the close 
 of December, in order to resign his post, which he had retained 
 till this time, respected him so highly, that, on the strength of 
 his recommendation, they passed themselves over to the care of 
 Valentine Tschudi. At Einsiedeln, Geroldseck acted in the 
 same way. He chose Leo Judse, the friend of Zwingli, as his 
 successor in that place. The guardian power of the monastery, 
 the Council at Sohwyz, wrote to him, "Although we in part 
 regret that you must leave us at Einsiedeln, yet, on the other 
 hand, we rejoice with you in everything that contributes to your 
 profit and honor." Through Glareanus the tidings came from 
 Paris, "All the Swiss youth, who are here, were delighted; 
 they exulted, particularly the sons of Zurich. What concerns 
 me is, that I have less reason to wish you happiness than to 
 pity my friends in Glarus." Thus then, he who was taking 
 
52 LIFE OP ZWINGIil. 
 
 leave, stands in his trae image before us, exhibited in his 
 weakness as well as in his prepondering virtue; no saint — only 
 a man; but a man full of courage and faith. Well! let us 
 accompany him to the enlarged sphere of that ministry of his, 
 whose results will endure for ages. 
 
CHAPTER SECOND. 
 
 zwiKQLi IN zuitiCB. BEammiia op the kefobmation. political and 
 
 BCCLBSIASTIOAL AFFAIES UP TO THE FIKSI EELIGIOCS CONFEEBNCE. 
 
 TJST as Zwingli began his reforma- 
 tion in Switzerland, Martin Luther 
 made his appearance in the German 
 Empire. Many in those times tried 
 to disparage the work of Zwingli by 
 asserting that he only took the 
 words out of Luther's mouth. — 
 Learned men are since divided, some attributing the 
 1 tirst step to the one and some to the other. As far 
 as religion is concerned the question is of little con- 
 sequence. The corruption of the church was the 
 1 same in Switzerland as in Germany. Both were men 
 : of independent character. Each was developed in 
 I his spiritual peculiarities, according to his own nature 
 and the custom of his people. But since Zwingli 
 himself has set forth his relation to Luther, it may be worth 
 our while to listen to his own language : " The great and power- 
 ful of this world have begun to proscribe and render odious the 
 doctrine of Christ under the name of Luther; so that they, by 
 whom it is preached, are called Lutherans. Thus it happened 
 also to me. But before any one in our country ever heard the 
 name of Luther, I had commenced to preach the Gospel in the 
 year 1616, since I never went into the pulpit without placing 
 6* 53 
 
54 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 before me the words, read in the Gospel of the mass for that 
 day, in order to explain them from the Holy Scripture alone. 
 In the beginning of the year, when I came to Zurich, no one 
 yet knew anything of Luther, except that a book was published 
 by him on indulgences, but it taught me little, for I had already 
 been instructed concerning the fraud of indulgences by a dis- 
 putation, which my beloved teacher, Thomas Wittenbach of 
 Biel, held at Basel, although during my absence. Who then 
 shall give me the nick-name of Lutheran ? And when Luther's 
 little book on the Paternoster appeared, and I had shortly be- 
 fore explained the same Paternoster in Matthew, I well knew, 
 that many pious people suspected me of making that book and 
 adding Luther's name to it. Who then could nick-name me a 
 Lutheran ? I point out this with all the circumstances, so that 
 every one may learn, what the base intentions of several noble- 
 men are, when they venture to tack the name of Luther to all, 
 who preach the Gospel, so as thereby to make the doctrine 
 odious to men, by giving you the name of a man, which is 
 truly nothing else than a gross blasphemy, and a sure sign of a 
 corrupt, godless conscience. Luther is, as it strikes me, an ex- 
 cellent soldier of God, who with great earnestness has looked 
 through the Scripture as no one has ever done in a thousand 
 years on earth, and with manly, undaunted spirit, has attacked 
 therewith the Pope of Rome, as no one has ever done like him, 
 as long as the Papacy has endured, yet without receiving abuse 
 from others. But of whom is such an act ? of God, or Luther? 
 Ask Luther himself and, I well know, he will say, ' Of God. ' 
 Why then do you ascribe the doctrine of other men to Luther, 
 when he himself ascribes it to God? Does Luther preach 
 Christ? Then he does just what I do; although, God be 
 thanked, by him a countless world more will be led to God,- 
 than by me and others, whose measure God makes greater or 
 smaller, as he will. Nevertheless I will bear no name but that 
 
LIFE QE ZWINQLI. 55 
 
 of my captain, Christ, whose soldier I am, who will give me 
 office and pay as mtich as seems to him good. Now, I hope, 
 every body will understand, why I do not wish to be nick- 
 named Lutheran; although I esteem Luther as highly as any 
 man living. " He proved by his actions that he spoke the 
 truth, for when the Papal Bull of excommunication against 
 Luther was already sent out, though not yet made known, he 
 strove as far as it was in his power, first by representations to 
 the acting attorney of the Legate in Zurich, and afterwards, by 
 an anonymous publication, to hinder it as much as possible. 
 So Zwingli stood then, acknowledging the high merit of the 
 Saxon Reformer, supporting him, at his side ; but now let ufl 
 turn back to his national career. 
 
 The destructive influence of foreign mercenary service and 
 pensions on the character of the people was no less visible in 
 Zurich than in other States of the Confederacy, and the num- 
 ber of families, who were able to resist the charms of gold, 
 displayed freely on all sides, was small, especially in the city.. 
 Indeed, the councils and people had, in the year 1513, executed 
 a solemn oath against " "Wages and Bribes," as it was called, 
 and two years later, at the rumor of a high-handed breach of 
 it, the people of the lakes rose up and by threats produced the 
 flight of some of the bribed, and the dismissal and punishment 
 of others; but the oath was taken on one day, uproar followed 
 on the second, and then new transgressions on the third. When 
 Zwingli came to Zurich, a suspicion, that had more or less 
 foundation, rested on some of the first men in the government. 
 This was increased by the notorious intrigues of the many 
 foreign embassies, who were present, and their followers also 
 not seldom helped on the demoralization of- the city. In Bern 
 the state of morals was better than in Zurich. " The Bernese" 
 — wrote Sebastian Wagner to Zwingli — " appear to me not so 
 morally corrupt as our people of Zurich. Their dress and their 
 
5G LITE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 manners have a certain air of ancient Swiss simplicity." Bul- 
 linger also says, " Before the preaching of the Gospel Zurich 
 was almost like Corinth in Greece. Much lewdness and fri- 
 volity prevailed, because diets were held there and many 
 strangers flocked in, where the embassies of lords and princes 
 were staying." George Mangolt of Constance tells us that he 
 heard Zwingli himself say from the pulpit in the year 1520, 
 that on a former visit to Zurich "he found so much wickedness 
 there, that he silently resolved never to become a pastor in 
 that city and prayed God to prevent it," and some years later, 
 when reform began to gain ground, one of his friends, Anthony 
 Dublet, wrote to him from Leyden, "I cannot tell you, what 
 joy possessed me, what comfort stole into my heart, when I 
 heard, that the first state of the Confederacy, your men of Zu- 
 rich, till now, it seemed, born only for war and murder, more 
 beasts than men, have laid aside their godless avarice joined to 
 a godless cruelty, and in good faith pledged themselves to the 
 simple Gospel and Christ, the Lord, the true Mediator. Truly, 
 God is mighty, who can from such stones raise up chifdren to 
 Abraham ! " The number of executions, one of which occurred 
 nearly every month, was not able to keep down outbreaks of the 
 lawless spirit, which ruled the nation, and the sentences of the 
 judges on the bench not seldom bore marks of the rudeness of 
 the age. In the second year of Zwingli's ministry, a witch 
 was burnt, because she conf-jpsed on the rack, that she had sold 
 herself to the Devil, had enjoyed connection with him, had 
 ridden on a stick to Schaffhausen, and to an assembly of wicked 
 spirits on the Heuberg, lamed cattle, and conjured up a frost 
 and five hail-storms. New saints also were wantonly manufac- 
 tured. The journeyman-tailors proclaimed St. Goodman as 
 their patron, left off work, and went dancing about to the 
 music of a drum. The authorities were compelled to inter- 
 fere with sternne^. AH this shows the difficulties, that 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 67 
 
 met the Reformer, on the part of the people, to whom he was 
 sent. 
 
 And as it regards the government and the clergy his path 
 was in no degree smoother. That some of the most dis- 
 tinguished members of the council were honestly and decidedly 
 national in their feelings cannot be doubted. There is no evi- 
 dence to show, that the burgomaster Mark Roist ever preferred 
 his private advantage before the public weal, and his son Diet- 
 helm also, who sat next his father in the council, was an acknowl- 
 edged man of honor. The deputy Rudolph Thumeisen had 
 likewise maintained an unspotted reputation, and George Ber- 
 ger and Hans Efiinger, even in Italy, among so many degraded 
 characters, proved themselves incorruptible. Hans Edlebach, 
 the treasurer Werdmueller, the banneret Schweizer, and of the 
 younger men, Ulric Funk and Lavater, landvogt at Kyburg, en- 
 joyed universal esteem. But besides these, there was another 
 party, composed of men, who as the crowd says, meant well, 
 though they were weak, and not inaccessible to the corrupting 
 influences of the time, and hence undecided in moments of peril. 
 The second burgomaster Schmied, his successor, the deputy 
 Walder, and the senator Jacob Grebel may be pointed out as 
 belonging to this class. On the other hand, there was yet a 
 third class, who, were ready to desert any cause, and to help on 
 and take part in any bold, disorderly proceeding. Accustomed 
 to splendor and good-living, they had been reduced to poverty 
 by idleness and prodigality, and hence were always in the 
 market for the highest bidder. And yet by reason of their 
 noble descent, and their extensive connections they were able 
 to wield a considerable influence, for most of them were mem- 
 bers of the aristocracy. Among these appear the Groeldins, the 
 Stapfers, the Landenbergs, some of the branches of Zieglera 
 and the Rahns, and bold men, like Onofrion Setzstab, who were 
 prepared for any undertaking. Zwingli could foresee in them 
 
58 'life of zwinqli. 
 
 all, his deadly, and at a later period perhaps his powerful 
 enemies. 
 
 Among the clergy, the new people's" priest was brought into 
 direct intercourse with the canons, who elected and had control 
 over him. Although they had his kind wishes, he yet resolved, 
 to act freely according to his convictions, supported by a feel- 
 ing of spiritual superiority. He could scarcely have rejected 
 good counsels from the trustee Utinger, and the canons Eras- 
 mus Schmied, Walder, Bachofen and some others perhaps, who 
 at the very first extended to him the hand of friendship. His 
 beginning will appear more difi&cultwhen we consider, that they 
 acted by authority, and whoever, supported by it, ventured to 
 come out into more decided opposition against him, could he 
 certain of a strong support. That he therefore had to look for 
 cold respect, but no "hearty co-operation from one portion of the 
 circle of his ministerial associates, and secret dislike, yea, even 
 burning hatred from another, might be inferred from the nature 
 of the human passions and the circumstances of the case. 
 
 In this way, his position had already become suspicious to 
 the higher, and much more to the lower clergy, on account of 
 their general dislike. The reputation, which had preceded him, 
 made the race of monks tremble, for by their degeneracy, they 
 had fallen into deserved contempt with the mass of the people. 
 Still, distinguished patrons, and adherents in public and pri- 
 vate remained true to him. Zwingli could not at least expect 
 skillful opponents from this quarter. Their gross ignorance 
 left them at his mercy. But just in the very consciousness of 
 his superiority lay a temptation, so much the stronger to rash 
 and pi'emature action, and by this the Reformer was threatened 
 with the greatest danger. Thus affairs stood in Zurich, when 
 Zwingli began to teach. He arrived there on the 27 Decem- 
 ber, 1518, and immediately presented himself to the convent 
 of the canons. Her* he was made acquainted with the duties 
 
lilFE OF ZWINGLI. 59 
 
 of his office. Of the fourteen articles of direction, the two 
 shortest were those relating to the pulpit. Twice in a year he 
 had to read aloud longer passages from the Gospels, to preach 
 on Sundays, to announce the festivals, and to notify the chapter 
 of the so-called anniversaries, or to see that it was done hy one 
 of his two assistants. The other articles treated of his presence 
 in the choir, obedience, style of dress, the reading of the mass, 
 baptism, simony (the selling of benefices or obtaining them by 
 fraud ), but especially the care of the revenues of the chapter. 
 All his duties were detailed therein with the greatest precision 
 and minuteness. An article was afterwards added, which made 
 it the duty of the people's priest not to leave the city during 
 seasons of pestilence. 
 
 At this meeting Zwingli declared that he regarded preaching 
 as his chief business. First of all, the people must be taught 
 to understand the Holy Scriptures. So it had been in ancient 
 times. But now nothing was heard, except solitary extracts, 
 and even these in a foreign language. He did not pass by the 
 remark, that the church thus orders it, but appealed on the 
 contrary to its oldest statutes, and proved clearly the modern 
 origin and ruinous consequences of the change. 
 
 What he had told the canons, he made known to the con- 
 gregation on the first of January, 1519, and on Sunday the 
 second, began to expound the Gospel of Matthew. It is easy 
 to imagitie, that, whon he first came out in this unwonted man- 
 ner, a large number of hearers would be collected to-gether; 
 but to retain them, demanded an inward call, combined with a 
 vast range of knowledge. The applause, which he drew forth, 
 continually increased, for he knew how to attract both the high 
 and the low. His sermons were life-pictures; and this gave 
 them their charm, their power, their practical efiect. The 
 doctrine of Christ, designed for all nations and all ages, is so 
 simple, and can be traced back to such a few principles, that by 
 
60 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 a mere repetition, paraphrase, or exclusive explanation of these 
 only, the most dexterous orator, obliged to appear so often, must 
 become dull and cold; but infinitely rich, and ever new, is life 
 surveyed in the light of this same doctrine. The appearance ol 
 Zwingli, not only every week, but almost every day, was, for 
 this reason, always welcome. Now, when the occasion called 
 for it, there were representations of the fate of Jesus and of 
 the apostles; and then again, narratives or pictures from Chris- 
 tian or Jewish, and sometimes even heathen history, events of 
 the day, and praise or blame, which, without fear of offence, 
 he wove into his discourses. "Take it not to yourself, pious 
 man ! " he was accustomed to say. Indeed this mode of preach- 
 ing raised an excitement nearly like the press in our times. 
 Yet one difference between the old and the new teachers of the 
 people is not to be overlooked. The former employed through- 
 out the rule of the Gospel, and was concerned for the advance- 
 ment of religious truth and not mere party views. 
 
 In proportion, meanwhile, as his knowledge of the people of 
 Zurich and their circumstances increased, his sermons became 
 more direct and pointed. If any one found fault with them, 
 and it came to the ears of the preacher, he might be sure of an 
 answer at the first opportunity. He did not hesitate to speak 
 of them by name, and sometimes gave free play to his wit. 
 Whatever was done, in convent-walls, bar-rooms, and even in 
 the hall of the council, contrary to truth, reason and sound 
 morals, was exposed without mercy from the pulpit. Just then, 
 1519, the throne of the German Empire became vacant by the 
 death of Maximilian I. Intrigues in regard to the choice of a 
 successor kept the diet assembled in Zurich, in constant em- 
 ployment. Envoys were repeatedly sent to Italy in the service 
 of the Pope; France attempted once more to bring about a 
 closer alliance, and towards the north, in spite of all the disua- 
 gion of the allied powers, whole troops of deserters streamed to 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 61 
 
 the banner of Duke Ulrio of Wirtemberg, who, driven from his 
 own capital, was engaged in war against the Swabian League. 
 Amid these circumstances Zwingli took occasion to speak some- 
 times a word from the pulpit concerning politics. In this, the 
 Gospel gave him less countenance, than the example of those 
 Jewish prophets, who formerly made bold to bring the rule of 
 kings under their examination, warning, or censure. But the 
 times were no longer the same, and such a transgression of the 
 bounds marked out by prudence, might well awaken concern 
 in the bosoms of individual statesmen, who were not deserving 
 of reproach. 
 
 And yet amid all, he still gained firmer footing in Zurich. 
 Every man of unbiased feeling was obliged to confess, that he 
 was inspired by religion, and had the welfare of the state as 
 well as the church truly at heart. Moreover, it could not es- 
 cape any one, familiar with history, that only the most decided 
 measures can eradicate deep-seated corruption. The universal 
 abhorrence of the traffic of indulgences came to his aid. The 
 miserable Samson, after filling his pockets at Bern, had 
 ventured to approach Zurich. Both the spiritual and secular 
 authorities approved of the attacks, which Zwingli made against 
 him. He was prevented from riding into the city. Even the 
 Diet, to which he appealed, would have nothing to do with him, 
 and went so far as to give Felix Grrebel, who was setting out 
 for Kome, a commission to lay complaints of him before the 
 Pope. Immediately the monk received evidence of Leo's dis- 
 pleasure. "The thirteen cantons of the Confederacy" — was 
 written to him^"have complained to His Holiness, that, in 
 the promulgation of indulgences, you have {e^]\e^ into errors, 
 which it were out of place here to enumerate. The Holy 
 Father is much astonished at this, and has given orders, to 
 enjoin upon you in his name, to be subject in all things to the 
 will of the afoyes?iid Jpriis gf th^ Confederacy. Ynu shall 
 
b^ LIFE OP ZAVINGI.I. 
 
 remain there, for the execution of your commission, if they 
 demand it, but in no way oppose them, if they desire you to 
 return to Italy; for it is the will of the Holy Father, that you 
 be entirely obedient to these lords, his well-beloved sons, in all 
 things that can contribute to the welfare of their souls. You 
 will also show this letter to them." 
 
 There was great rejoicing over this conclusion of the matter, 
 especially on the part of the General-vicar of the Bishop of 
 Constance, Faber, who had formerly been Zwingli's fellow- 
 student in Vienna, and had since then kept up a certain inti- 
 macy with him. Indeed at Zwingli's first bold debut the 
 general-vicar seemed to wish it still closer. "Why" — wrote 
 he to him — " do you make so careful and sparing a use of my 
 friendship? Why do you seem to mistrust me? Do not 
 doubt ! Begun under favorable auspices, it will last forever. " 
 Still later he invited him to his house, communicated his plans 
 to him, asked his judgment concerning books, and proclaimed 
 aloud his praise, especially where he knew that it would reach 
 Zwingli's ears. But the Reformer looked dseper. Modesty 
 "Wis a prominent trait in his character from youth upwards. In 
 the one appeared the love of the world, the struggle to elevate 
 himself by any means in his power, the vain fancy that he 
 could hood-wink others by the assumption of a mask; in the 
 other, a strong love for truth. Nevertheless, Zwingli wished to 
 avoid a breach with his former friend ; and now, especially^ 
 when he and the bishop seemed not unwilling to favor further 
 reforms. In reference to this he thus expresses himself in the 
 letter to Valentine Compar already quoted from : " I have sent 
 humble and dutiful letters to the Bishop of Constance, and 
 pointed out to him publicly and privately and in every way, 
 how he ought to apply himself to spreading 3.broad the light of 
 the Gospel; and that it would redound to the honor of the 
 whole race of Landenberg, if he were the first fej^liop, who 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 63 
 
 would cause the G-ospel to be freely preached; but I do not 
 know how the weather has changed. They, who were so 
 prompt before, have given me no answer, either by mouth, or 
 pen, except, what they have done in general. But this was 
 unlike the former, because ( in consequence of it ) the vicar let 
 me understand orally and by writing, the Bishop would not 
 endure too much urging from the Pope. " 
 
 Amid such signs of a storm gathering on all sides, the plague 
 broke out in Zurich towards the close of the summer of 1519. 
 Spreading in almost all the neighboring countries, it reached 
 Switzerland from the east, and penetrated into the secluded 
 vallies of the mountains. Zwingli received the news of its near 
 approach in a bath at Pfeifers, and, mindful of his duty as peo- 
 ple's priest, immediately hurried back to Zurich. Seeing the 
 peculiar danger, he sent several young men, who were living in 
 his house, particularly his young brother Andrew, to their 
 homes; but he himself unterrified began to discharge the duties 
 of his office. The result, that was foreseen, followed. He also 
 was laid upon a bed of sickness. 
 
 Not for harmony of rhythm, but for the deep inward feeling, 
 which they manifest, the verses composed by him, after he had 
 become convalescent, in two different periods of sickness, are 
 truly remarkable. They show us the sources of his faith and 
 activity, and a character, which even in view of what appeared 
 to be his last hour, remained true to itself. An admirer of 
 Zwingli in modern times, still keeping faithfully to the thoughts, 
 has altered the language to that of our century, and in this 
 form they- may also be admitted here.* 
 
 * [Instead of putting these altered yersions into our own language, 
 we give the poems as found in the English translation of Merle D'Au- 
 bigne's History of the Reformation, because the German of Zwingli has 
 there been followed, and their original form and spirit better pre- 
 served, — Trans.] 
 
64 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 In the beginning of sickneat: 
 
 Lo! at my door Yet, if to quench 
 
 Gaunt Death I spy; My sim at noon,. 
 
 Hear, Lord of life, Be thy behest. 
 
 Thy creature's cry. Thy will be done 1 
 
 The arm that hung In faith and hope 
 
 Upon the tree, Earth I resign, 
 
 Jesus, uplift — Secure of heaven— 
 
 And rescue me. For I am thine I 
 
 When the disease gained strength. 
 
 Fierce grow my pains : In Satan's grasp. 
 
 Help, Lord, in haste ! On Hell's dark brink, 
 
 For flesh and heart My spirit reels, — 
 
 Are failing fast. Ah ! must I sink ? 
 
 Clouds wrap my sight No, Jesus, no ! 
 
 My tongue is dumb, Him I defy,- 
 
 Lord tarry not, While here beneath 
 
 The hour is come I Thy cross I lie. 
 
 But his yigorous constitution surmounted the disease. About 
 the end of autumn signs of convalescence began to appear, and 
 he gave vent to his joy, at the prospect of restoration to life 
 and activity, in the following stanzas : 
 
 My Father God, though now delayed, 
 
 Behold me whole I My hour must come, 
 
 Again on earth Involved, perchance, 
 
 A living soul ! In deeper gloom. 
 
 Let sin no more It matters not 
 
 My heart annoy, Kejoicing yet 
 
 But fill it. Lord, I'll bear the yoke 
 
 With holy joy. To Heaven's bright gate. 
 
 Thus sickness did not cause him to waver in his settled con- 
 victions, but filled him, on the contrary, with new courage. 
 Yet the last poem shows us that a foreboding of a darker fate 
 in the future was by no means strange to hina. Indeed, not 
 
LIFE 01" ZWINGLI. 65 
 
 long after his recovery, he expressed himself still more clearly 
 in a similar strain to his friend Myconius. After a glance at 
 the dangers which surrounded Luther, he continued : "What- 
 ever may befall me, I, already marked out as a victim, look for 
 every thing evil from the clergy and the laity. I only pray 
 Christ for courage to bear all with a manly heart, and that he 
 may crush or strengthen me, his laborer, as may Seem good to 
 him, and, should I even fall under excommunication, I will 
 think of Hilary, that learned and holy man, who was banished 
 from Gaul to the deserts of Africa, and of Lucius, who was 
 driven from the Roman See, and afterwards brought back with 
 honor. I will not liken myself to such men, who though 
 greater than I, still endured the greatest evils. But should 
 one glory await me ; may it be, to suffer shame for Christ ' 
 Yet, let him, who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." 
 That he could thus express himself to his best friend only by 
 letter and no more see him in person at his side, belonged to 
 the bitter trials of his life at this time. Myconius had just 
 then accepted a call to the highest professorship in his native 
 city Luzern, and Zwingli found himself deprived of half his 
 support, "like an army" — ^he said — "one of whose wings is 
 cut off in the presence of the enemy. " This man, by reason of 
 his moderation, had great influence with the clergy and the 
 laity, and often became a useful mediator between them and 
 the impetuous Zwingli. There was no one now to persuade 
 the. Reformer to use milder measures; and the complaints of 
 the canons, summed up in a letter to his superior, the Pro- 
 vost Frei, only provoked him to a repulsive answer. These 
 related chiefly to the imposition of tithes, the main source 
 of revenue to the church, and an unjust burden in the 
 eyes of the majority of the nation. The people's priest was 
 expressly pledged by the statutes, to take care of the conscien- 
 tious disposition of the tithe, and to insist upon it as a religions 
 
66 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 duty in his discourses. "Instead of wtich" — says the letter 
 of the canons — " he denies the divine origin of the tax, and 
 seems to regard it as tyranny, if it be strictly enforced. Is it 
 any wonder that the people stick to him ? He makes us odious 
 to the laity, calls the monks 'theologians of the cowl,' and 
 whatever- he hears bad of them, he talks about it in the 
 pulpit.''- It is almost certain, that the Provost, when 
 Zwingli had conversed somewhat' earnestly with him concern- 
 ing these charges, was ashamed of the memorial of his subord- 
 inates. At least he cherished no hatred toward his person. 
 On the contrary, some months later, he exerted his utmost in- 
 fluence to induce the chapter of the canons, without consulting 
 a higher spiritual court, to simplify their worship and alter 
 the breviary of the cathedral, "because it is impossible in 
 this age to keep up any longer the multitude of holidays, cere- 
 monies and ecclesiastical customs, which have been accumula- 
 ting for centuries. " In the same manner Zwingli was after- 
 wards, upon his own request, admitted into the number of the 
 canons.* 
 
 Thus far in Zurich the external condition of the church 
 remained the same. The agitation was confined to the souls of 
 men. In the mean time this was little felt beyond the limits 
 of the canton. Neither the Confederates, nor the Bishop, nor 
 
 * This was the only means, as a letter, sent by Francis Zink from 
 Einsiedeln to the government of Zurich, clearly shows, of keeping him 
 in the city ; for it was impossible any longer to pay the two assistants, 
 whom he was bound to maintain, out of his own salary, without the 
 pension of the Pope ; nevertheless, in order to gain perfect freedom of 
 speech, instead of accepting the doubling of the Romish allowance just 
 then promised, he declined receiving from the legate what had hither- 
 to been paid. Under these circumstances his friend Henry Engelhart 
 cams to his assistance, since, he having also a benefice in the church 
 of Notre Dame ( Frauen-Muenster ), resigned his post in the cathe- 
 dral, iiiZwingli's" favor. '" ~ ' " ' 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 67 
 
 tte Pope, nor his legates found any oooaaion to interfere; and 
 now again it was from political events, that the first general 
 movement took its rise. 
 
 The Perpetual Peace was concluded by Francis I, in the 
 hope of paving the way for a closer alliance with the Confeder- 
 ates. He needed and sought after their soldiers; he wished to 
 take them away from his enemies. He, therefore, sent to them 
 some of his men of business, who were best acquainted with our 
 country and its inhabitants; lavished gold in abundance, and 
 held in his employ some of the most active S^iss as recruiting 
 officers. Among these, Albert von Stein, a Bernese, was the 
 boldest and most indefatigable. He was well known in the 
 canton of Zurich. He had relations and connexions there. His 
 appearance always gave rise to an excitement, and in some dis- 
 tricts of the country at least, the youth did not lend an unwill- 
 ing ear to his voice. When by the election of Charles V. to the 
 throne of the Grerman Empire in the year 1519, the French King 
 saw his hopes vanish, he redoubled his efforts to secure the wished 
 for defensive alliance, and a favorable hearing first of all in 
 Bern and Luzem. Most other places joined with them. Only 
 Zurich, Schwyz, Basel, and Schaffhausen stood out against it. 
 At length, in April 1521, the three latter were also won over. 
 On the 5th of May, the treaty was subscribed in Luzem by 
 twelve states and all the places subject to them, and at the 
 same diet the resolution was passed, to make a last general en- 
 deavor, to prevent Zurich from withdrawing by herself. 
 
 It is mentioned by BuUinger and all his contemporaries that 
 Zwingli spoke out decidedly against this treaty from the pulpit 
 and whenever he found opportunity; and they seem to infer 
 from the strength and clearness of papers concerning it issued 
 from Zurich, that he had the chief hand in their composition. 
 But the Confederates worked against him with just as much 
 zeal. Not only did envoys from Bern, liuzem, X!n, tTnterwal- 
 
68 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 den, Zug and Solothurn, along with the French ambassador 
 Lameth, present, in the name of all the others, petitions, ex- 
 pressions of regard, and even hints at grievous consequences in 
 case of a refusal, but written letters came also from the rural dis- 
 tricts and congregations, demanding a subscription of the treaty. 
 Albert von Stein and others like him, were seen traveling 
 repeatedly from place to place throughout the canton. 
 
 Under these circumstances the government resorted to a 
 natural expedient. It declared that it must fcst hear the voice 
 of the people, and then the great council would decide. 
 
 Members of the council were sent into all the bailiwicks, to 
 lay before the assembled commons, first the treaty itself, and 
 then, a written explanation of its several articles, and ask their 
 patient examination of it, and also a communication of their 
 views, in writing, to the government. With the league and 
 its significance to the Confederacy the more circumstantial his- 
 tory of the country begins. On the contrary, the real voice of 
 the people ought to be plain to us from the answers of the 
 commons. The records may be quoted in the true-hearted lan- 
 guage of the time, and a beginning made with Winterthur. 
 
 " On notice brought by our worthy lords, the knight Felix 
 Grebel, Younker Conrad Engelhard and Master Henry Weg- 
 mann, who as ambassadors of our gracious, loving lords, the 
 burgomaster, and the Small and Great Councils of the city of 
 Zurich, have sufficiently informed, by written instructions, my 
 lords, the Schultheiss, and the Small and Great Councils of the 
 city of Winterthur concerning the alliance — it is true: my 
 lords, the Schultheiss, and the Small and Great Councils, would 
 have thought advice from them unnecessary, since they have 
 already given it to our lords, the burgomaster, and the Council 
 of the city of Zurich, by their deputy and member. But since 
 they could not be excused and found themselves included with 
 othera iu tibe letters of instruction, they have sat upon the busi- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI, 69 
 
 ness and framed an answer to be given to the twelve cantons, 
 in the hope that it may serve to further peace and unity. And 
 the humble, earnest answer and prayer of my lords, the Schult- 
 heiss and the Small and Great Council, is, that some way may 
 be devised, so to sirrange matters, that our lords, the burgo- 
 master and the Council of the city of Zurich, may be and re- 
 main one with the twelve cantons and the other Confederates, 
 with the further ofFer, that, if it happen so or not, they will 
 none the less act, as becomes pious, honest people, and place 
 their lives and property at your disposal." 
 
 "The four Wards, together with Wipkingen, Seebach, 
 Schwamendingen, and Oerlikon, also Wiedikoa and Wollis- 
 hofen, give answer to the paper read before them concerning the 
 French alliance : first of all, that they thank my lords for their 
 distinguished honor and friendship in laying open before them 
 their cares and trials; therefore, be it their general will and 
 opinion, and urgent desire and prayer, that my lords will be very 
 slow to enter into union and alliances with the French, as well 
 as other foreign princes and lords, since they would have noth- 
 ing at all to do with the French aforesaid. For each honest 
 man can scarcely raise children enough to send to the French 
 King. Besides, be it also their desire, that the treaties and 
 what they grant, be maintained among the Confederates j and 
 thereto, aa pious, true people and subjects, they pledge their 
 lives and property and all else, that God has given them." 
 
 "An assembly at Hirslanden and Riespach have with one 
 accord resolved on the cross, that they fervently, earnestly, and 
 with the highest zeal, thank our lords of Zurich for their pious, 
 friendly notice, and for telling them bo truly the misery, troubles 
 and dangers of the alliance with the king, brought about 
 and subscribed to by the twelve cantons, and therefore, earn- 
 estly beseech our lords aforesaid to remain firm in their honest 
 purpose and intention, aoid give the go-by to all princes and 
 
70 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 lords ; then will they also pledge to them their souls, honor, 
 lives and property without any reserve, since they would have 
 nothing at all to do with this alliance, as far as lies in their 
 power." 
 
 "A general assembly convened at Zollikon have, with great 
 determination and unanimity, given answer, that they are well- 
 pleased with the notice of oar lords and their opinion, and that 
 their reason is too weak to praise enough the pious, honest reso- 
 lution of our lords; therefore they pressingly and earnestly 
 pray our dear lords aforesaid to. hold fast to their good resolu- 
 tion and not let themselves be moved therefrom by anybody, 
 and not enter into this French alliance ; then will they all to- 
 gether and without exception pledge their souls, honor, lives and 
 property to our lords and stand by them till death. " 
 
 ^'A general assembly at Kuessnacht, with one accord make 
 answer : Your community has been sore wondered at and an- 
 noyed by the other confederates, who have brought themselves 
 and their posterity into a danger, which will last for a long 
 while, and may result in great damage to their people and can- 
 tons. Yet as for all, so the entire assembly with one accord, 
 and with the greatest zeal, thank our lords for the true, friendly 
 commands, brought by our two lords Master Hans Berger and 
 Thomas Spruenglin of the Small and Great Council, and also for 
 the pious, honorable, just and Christian resolution, to suffer 
 grievance themselves rather than mischief should befall us and 
 our posterity in the course of time. Therefore, the assembly 
 offer the earnest and friendly prayer to our lords, that they will 
 stick to their resolution to give the go-by to all lords, so that 
 they who belong to them can remain unhampered, and every 
 father also be aided by his sons, if he has need to use them for 
 himself. In this, the entire assembly dares to pledge to our 
 lords their lives and property and all that they have, wishing 
 them also to help to punish their own sons, when they will not 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 71 
 
 remain true, and act in a rebellions manner. The assembly also 
 desire our gracious lords, when troublesome persons stray into 
 their city or canton, and act in an unbecoming way, striving to 
 seduce the young men, that they will drive them off by authority, 
 to prevent greater disturbance, which might arise from their 
 overbearing dispositions. " 
 
 Meila replied in a similar strain; and Msenedorf likewise.* 
 "A meeting at Stsefa has agreed on this: Because, for 
 several years past it has unfortunately happened, that many 
 honest people have been lost and killed, it ought to be plain 
 now, that it came by treachery, and by means of the same lights, 
 which bum in one confederacy at this day. Therefore they 
 agree that these lights ought to be put out. For such cause 
 it is to be feared, if our people unite with the people of the 
 twelve cantons, that they will be brought to dishonor by them, 
 for it is the common talk, that the twelve cantons wish to ap- 
 point the Duke of Wurtemberg, and, if it then go well or ill with 
 the Confederates, that it would be little to the credit of our lords 
 of Zurich and their honest people (it would not redound to 
 their honor to have separated themselves). Therefore, they 
 do not the less think, that the alliance would be neither godly 
 nor right and altogether against the welfare of the soul, and 
 they beseech our lords to withdraw themselves therefrom, if 
 they can, and set the hearts of their honest people at rest, when 
 they cafi bring it about. Then will they pledge to you their 
 lives and property as far as they can. The assembly at 
 Staefa would conamend themselves to your regard, since they 
 more than others will have to meet with reproaches. " 
 
 "A general assembly in the department of Grueningen have 
 unanimously-resolved to give this answer to our envoys, saying: 
 Worthy lords, to come to us for counsel was not needful, for the 
 
 * To avoid repetition in the answers, we will hereafter give those 
 only, which contain something new, or characteristic. 
 
72 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 reason that we own you as our lords and superiors and willingly 
 esteem you as such. Hence we ought to be rightly obedient to 
 you in all your plans, and cheerfully aid you. But since you 
 desire to know our wishes and feelings, great praise and honor 
 are given on all sides to our gracious, loving lords, who have 
 hitherto pleased us so well, for their excellent management; 
 and it gives us great satisfaction, that you have so faithfully 
 remembered your own, and are not willing, for the sake of 
 money, that they should be bound; and we beseech you by the 
 Most High Grod to stick to your resolution and give the com- 
 plete go-by to foreign lords, and foreign wars and foreign 
 money, as clearly shown in the contents of the paper concern- 
 ing its removal, sworn to, years ago, in Zurich and all its 
 dependencies. So we hope it will be adhered to and followed 
 up. But if any one acts contrary thereto, or has acted, then 
 you, our lords, well know, what punishment is due to him, and 
 therefore we desire that you will consider the profit and honor 
 of our country : so will we pledge to you our lives, honor, goods 
 and everything else, God has given us, as a true child to his 
 father; and will stand by you, like pious, honest people. 
 Further, it is our urgent petition, that by some means you will 
 drive Albert von Stein and others, who serve the French for 
 pay, from your city and canton, so that honest folk be not cor- 
 rupted and good comrades brought to sorrow, for it would not 
 be to the credit of the city and our lords to have an honest man 
 and his children stirred up to sedition and led astray. And it 
 is also our prayer and desire, that our lords warn the several 
 cantons of the dangers of such an alliance. And to this and 
 all the articles, as here written, and whatever else it may please 
 our lords to add, the honest people of this bailiwick, pledge 
 their lives and goods, as poor folks ought to do to their lords 
 and masters. " 
 
 "Greifensee is not at all pleased with the alliance, since the 
 
LIPB OF ZWINGIJ. 73 
 
 up-shot of it ■would be, to make the king of France our master 
 instead of our gracious, loving lords of Zurich. " 
 
 Duebendorf, Dietikon and Rieden declare themselves in the 
 same way, thanking, agreeing 'and resolving; Hoengg likewise, 
 the department of Old Eegensperg and New Regensperg, Neu- 
 amt; the Schultheiss, Council and general assembly at Buelaoh; 
 the burgomaster, councils and general assembly of the de- 
 partment of Eglisauj the bailiwicks of Maschwander, Freiamt 
 and Hedingen; Waedenschweil also, and Richtenschweil with 
 the addition: "If our dear lords thus hold fast and keep 
 always in the right way, it is our prayer, though they have 
 heretofore eaten and drunk with the French, that they still 
 drivti them off; and that it be done by the Councils in the city 
 and in the country, and finally, that they maintain the heredit- 
 ary union of His Imperial Majesty, all as they have written." 
 
 Horgen adds this request : "Even though it should result in 
 suffering and trial to our lords, to expel the foreign and German 
 French from their city and canton, yet they would then be, 
 neither French nor Imperial, but good Zuriohers and Con- 
 federates." 
 
 " A general assembly at Thalweil has resolved firstly, that the 
 paper which has reached them from Luzern is in no wise ac- 
 ceptable, for they do not believe that such a letter has been 
 prepared honestly and at the command of delegated ambassadors, 
 lords and rulers, but suspect that it has been hatched in corners 
 and is chiefly the production of the German French, Accord- 
 ingly it is their will and opinion, and very urgent prayer, that 
 our lords will stick to their praiseworthy design not to enter into 
 alliances and treaties either with the French or other foreign 
 lords and ever boldly keep to their honest way — and then, that 
 judgment and authority be immediately exercised, in the city 
 of our lords, against certain German French, who travel about 
 here and there, using haughty and improper language in order to 
 
 T 
 
H LIFE OF ZWINOLI. 
 
 Btir up your own and otter people — it is the friendly petition 
 of this whole assembly that my lords will drive off such sedi- 
 tious characters, and should this not be done, persons can be 
 found perhaps, who will themselves undertake to drive them 
 off and restore quiet, for the reason that heretofore and now every 
 disturbance has arisen from these German French — so will they 
 place body and blood at the disposal of my lords." 
 
 Kilchberg, Altorf, in the upper part of the county of Kyburg, 
 and Kloten give thanks and vote decidedly in favor of de- 
 clining. 
 
 Upper Winterthur, having heard the paper read, resolved to 
 return this answer : " Our lords have hitherto acted honorably 
 and well in other similar affairs, hence, in good hope they will 
 do so in the future, we confide in our lords as honorable men. 
 Therefore it is their humble prayer and desire, that, as far as 
 may be, our lords will not separate themselves from the Con- 
 federacy, but continue one with it ; bo will they ever act as 
 dutiful subjects and pledge to our lords their lives and property 
 and whatever else God has given them." 
 
 " The bailiff, council and general assembly at Elggau thus 
 answer, that, not having understanding and skill enough to 
 speak and advise in this or in matters of much less moment^ 
 they leave the business in the hands of our lords; yet it is 
 their prayer, that our lords hold the Confederacy in friendship 
 and favor, but none the less will they pledge to our lords their 
 lives and fortunes." 
 
 " The burgomaster, bailiff, council and general assembly at 
 Stein vote for declining the alliance, since, if it should be ac- 
 cepted, they would be afraid lest it should prove a great disad- 
 vantage and injury to the inhabitants of Stein and cause them 
 sensible loss if war should arise therefrom, namely in their 
 tolls, licenses, market-monies, quarter-dues, pasturing and 
 watches, for lying on the borders they wovild ba-ve to bear the 
 
LIPB OP ZAVINGLI. 75 
 
 firet brunt, and hence wish our lords to care for them in the 
 most faithful manner." 
 
 Upper and Lower Stammheim and Marthalen leave the busi- 
 ness in the hands of their lords. 
 
 "Andelfingen has framed this answer: As our lords have 
 hitherto managed well for us, they are wise and prudent enough 
 to act in this affair. Yet finally, they pray that our lords may 
 remain in peace and quiet and continue one also with the com- 
 mon confederates, and, in case it may be reasonably effected, 
 that our lords do not separate themselves from the Confederacy, 
 desiring which, they place at their disposal their lives and pro- 
 perty, and will be found as faithful and obedient subjects." 
 
 The opinion of the citizens was altogether the same as that 
 of the great majority of the country-people. Everjrwhere the 
 heads of corporations were commissioned to make this known 
 to the Council, so that it was resolved in the end, after deliberat- 
 ing a long time yet with little opposition, to give a decided re- 
 fusal to the alliance. But the answer was sent to the twelve 
 cantons and Francis I., couched in moderate language, that 
 Zurich would honestly hold to the Perpetual Peace with Prance, 
 faithfully maintain all the treaties sworn with the Confederates, 
 and not separate herself from them but place life and property 
 at their disposal, that she also begged for the continued good 
 will of France and allegiance to the Confederation on the part 
 of the Swiss; and yet at the same time was firmly resolved 
 henceforth to renounce the pensions of princes and foreign al- 
 liance, trusting in the help of God. 
 
 From now on every public voice in favor of foreign mer- 
 cenary service was compelled to silence, and its avowed or secret 
 promoters hid their resentment or left the canton. In fact the 
 most notorious among them threw up their citizenship in Zu- 
 rich. But the entire party of those, who remained in their 
 native country, conceived the fiercest hatred towaid Zwingli. 
 
76 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 " He was blamed," says Bullinger, " most of all for having pre- 
 vented th.e union by bis preacbing and divided a brave con- 
 federacy. The distinguished pensioners and soldiers, as well as 
 others, who had heretofore run after him and praised his ser- 
 mons, now reviled Zwingli as a heretic. Many, to whom reli- 
 gion had never any special charms before, now pretended a 
 great interest on its behalf, saying, they would defend the old, 
 true faith against the heretic Zwingli, yet the secret of their 
 zeal was not in their faith, but in the bags of the royal ex- 
 chequer. Hence there arose among the other confederates a 
 Strong hostility against Zurich and abuse and slander against 
 Zwingli." Still the cause of the people and the uprightness 
 and fidelity, which maintains an oath, triumphed in the end. 
 
 The ground-pillar of all national prosperity is confidence, 
 faith on the part of the people in their government, and on that 
 of the government in the sound and just sense of the people. 
 No constitution or laws, sacred as they may be in the eyes of 
 the honorable citizen, no so-called policy, which rests on a sys- 
 tem of deceptions, no rude strength of a dominant party, can 
 ever supply the place of faith — faith, which alone inspires to 
 nobler action. Hence the necessity in the state for religion 
 also, which is the same as faith purified In every wise gov- 
 ernment therefore it will be a chief concern that the religion of 
 the people be a sound one, i. e. one that will be justified by its 
 practical results, for in regard to these only can we look for 
 unanimity of opinion. 
 
 Christianity, freed from all the unwarranted additions with 
 which national prejudice, narrowness and love of spiritual 
 domination have striven for centuries to disfigure it, has no 
 reason to shun this trial, out of which it can only come forth 
 more glorious and divine. Of this Zwingli had been fully per- 
 suaded by his zealous study of the Holy Scriptures. Hew 
 naturally the idea rose in his mind, to make this trial before the 
 
IIFE OF ZWINGLI. 77 
 
 people themselves, who had hitherto been bound in the fetters 
 of a religion, which addressed them only by authority, instead 
 of before councils exclusively composed of clergymen and lords ! 
 Still it was a great venture. The weakened eye, when suddenly 
 brought forth from the darkness, is blinded even by the purest 
 light; the healthy one alone can endure the splendor of the 
 sun. And yet upon this very power in a decided majority of 
 his countrymen Zwingli relied, and the memorials, which we 
 have just read, might have fully convinced him that sound sense 
 was really at hand. But ought this claim to be preferred in polit- 
 ical matters, and not in ecclesiastical also ? Thus much is clear, 
 that from this time forward Zwingli's endeavors tookthis direction. 
 
 If the bishop would deny him a hearing or condemn him 
 contrary to justice, he intended to appeal not to ultra-montane 
 Rome, ignorant of the German language and the German char- 
 acter, but to the judgment of his own nation, to the decision of 
 an independent government entitled to act in the case, and the 
 rule should be the Holy Scriptures, an unsTSsailable code of 
 laws acknowledged by all. And thus the fundamental idea of 
 the Reformed Church naturally arose, which in its development 
 has been more clearly defined rather than corrupted, — ^limited 
 rather than extended. To follow out and discuss this subject 
 is not our business; hence we turn back to Zwingli. 
 
 Tie had now preached for three whole years in Zurich, and 
 the agitation, as we have seen, was certainly great. Still no one 
 had as yet violated existing church-usages or actually assailed 
 them. No opportunity for public interference on the part of the 
 temporal and spiritual authorities had yet occurred. Indeed it 
 was the policy of the Nuncio to keep in with the influential 
 Reformer, since, as the deputy of a prince then at war with 
 France, he was proscribed by the other twelve cantons, and 
 could only hope for protection in neutral Zurich, where he 
 anxiously sought it. 
 
 7* 
 
78 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 During Lent in the year 1522 several individuals ventured 
 for tte first time to transgress tlie episcopal ordinance in regard 
 to the eating of meat, in a dissimilar manner it is true. Chris- 
 topher Froschauer, a printer, having in the course of his business 
 visited the Frankfort Fair, and become thus acquainted with 
 Luther's writings and a witness of the spiritual awakening in 
 G ermany, had, when compelled by labor severer than usual, partak- 
 en along with his workmen of more strengthening food than was al- 
 lowed, yet without concealment on the one hand and without seek- 
 ing publicity on the other. For quite different reasons William 
 Eoubli, an outlawed clergyman from Basel, whom Zwingli 
 himself has styled a rash and foolish babbler, and Hans Gunt- 
 helm, an impudent deserter, had not only done the same with 
 great parade and loose talk, but had attempted also to induce 
 other families to join them. Gladly did Zwingli's enemies 
 seize this opportunity to lodge complaints before the Council. 
 An investigation was held and Froschauer defended himself 
 with dignity. The Council desired the opinion of the chapter 
 of canons, the three people's priests in the two cathedi-als and 
 at the church of St. Peter, and thus the battle began in the 
 very midst of the authorities. The parties were nejily ■ <- 
 anoed, more talent on the one side, greater numbers on the 
 other. 
 
 The result was an affirmation of the rights of the Pope 
 and the bishops, and a feeble explanation, which left the gov- 
 ernment free scope to act for itself — and it all ended in a simple 
 reprimand to the transgressors. But Zwingli's opponents were ' 
 by no means satisfied. They applied now to the bishop, and a 
 few days after, Melchior Vattli, sufiragan of Constance, John 
 "Wanner, cathedral-preacher, and Doctor Brendlin appeared 
 with an embassy to the chapter of canons. At this very first 
 iiiterfsronoe of the high ecclesiastical dignitaries, the affair took 
 a direction, which it retained in every step that followed. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 79 
 
 What Zwlngli himself has to say in regard to this event de- 
 serves careful attention.* 
 
 "When" — he writes to his friend, the canon Erasmus Fa- 
 bricius, then pastor at Stein — "on the seventh of April the 
 ambassadors, of whose approach I had already been apprized, 
 had reached Zurich, I wished much to learn what their pur- 
 pose might be. But night had set in, before my faithful 
 assistant, Henry Luethy, came with the news, that the notarius 
 (as he is called) had an order to summon all the priests to 
 attend early in the morning in the hall of the convent. I 
 esteemed it a good omen, that the business was to be opened by 
 a courser so dull and limping. Scarcely had we assembled on 
 the morrow, when the bishop began in a fashion, which I will 
 portray further on in the conduct of affairs before the Council. 
 The whole speech was violent, threatening and haughty, 
 i Ithough he carefully abstained from any personal allusions to 
 mysjif and even avoided calling me by name. His declama- 
 tion over, I stepped out, thinking it unbecoming and pusillani- 
 mous not to neutralize an address, that might do so much injury, 
 especially because I could perceive by their smothered sighs, 
 and read in the paleness of their faces the strong impression it 
 had made on several priests, who shortly before had been won 
 over to the Gospel and were not yet firm as rocks. Concisely 
 and boldly I replied to the suffragan, in what sense and spirit, 
 let the valiant ones, who have heard me, judge. The most im- 
 portant part of it you will learn meanwhile, when I come to 
 describe the session of the Council. The speakers withdrew 
 from this wing, as though he were beaten or put to flight, and 
 hastened to another field of combat, namely the hall of the 
 
 * Only the first and shorter part of ZWingli's Latin letter is here 
 translated ; the second and larger, which, based on numerous passages 
 of Scripture, contains Zwingli's vindication and belongs more to theol- 
 ogy than history, will be quoted again merely in its leading features. 
 
80 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Council, where, as some of the members informed me, they 
 brought it forward, likewise sparing my name, yet with the 
 declaration, lest I might perhaps be called in, that they had 
 nothing to do with me. After a short discussion, it was 
 resolved to have as full a meeting of the Great Council as 
 possible on the following day, and also to guard ti<i inst the 
 admission o i the people's priests, as there was no dependence 
 to be placed on them and their language, so unexceptionable, 
 could not be contradicted. Through the whole day I tried my 
 utmost to gain admission for us, but in vain. The burgomasters 
 refused me, falling back on the resolution of the Council. I 
 was now compelled to retire, but besought Him, who hears the 
 sighing of the prisoner, that he would not leave the truth help- 
 less, and that he would protect His Gospel, which he had 
 commissioned me to preach. On the ninth the Great Council 
 came together. ' It is unfair,' many were heard to say, ' if the 
 people's priests are not allowed to appear; ' but the Small Coun- 
 cil protested, holding firmly to its resolution. Nevertheless 
 the vote was carried against its protest, and the majority 
 decided in favor of our presence with the privilege at the same 
 time of making replies, if we should find it necessary. Thus, 
 as Livy says, the greater number did not overcome the better; 
 no, the greater and the better triumphed. Not in the least 
 degree do I permit myself to censure the Small Council for 
 this; no: I wish only to show how powerless intrigues are. 
 Now, after the ambassadors had been introduced, they suffered 
 us also to enter, the bishops of Zurich, Henry Engelhart, doc- 
 tor and people's priest at the cathedral of the Virgin — Rudolph 
 Eoeschli of St. Peter, and me Ulric Zwingli. 
 
 "After the exchange of salutations and the episcopal bene- 
 diction the suffragan began with a voice so mild that I never 
 heard a sweeter, so that if head and heart had only been -in 
 unison, Orpheus and Apollo would have bee^ obliged to yield 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 81 
 
 to him in grace, and Demosthenes and the Gracchi in eloquence. 
 In vain would I attempt to communicate to you the discourse 
 entire. It was confused and much too long. Meanwhile I had 
 noted down the chief points in my tablets. It is greatly to be 
 deplored — said he — that there are some who teach in a perverse 
 and rebellious spirit that we are no longer bound to observe 
 human precepts and ceremonies. Thus not merely the civil 
 laws, but the faith of all Christendom also must go to the 
 ground. Yet ceremonies are a manuduction (he employed this 
 word, instead of the German "introduction," before men, who 
 did not understand Latin) to virtue. Indeed ceremonies are 
 a source ( he afterwards denied having used the word ) of vir- 
 tues. We may teach that fasting is superfluous, because some 
 have dared to separate themselves from other Christians and 
 from the Church by the eating of meat. We may appeal to 
 the Holy Scriptures whilst they contain no direct expressions 
 bearing on the subject, go against the decrees and Councils of 
 the Holy Fathers of the Church, against most venerable usages, 
 which without the -aid of the Holy Ghost could not possibly 
 have endured so long, for Gamaliel once said : If the work be 
 of God, it will stand. Hien he reminded the Council that 
 outside of the Church no one can be saved, and as though he 
 had not talked enough, he came back once more to ceremonies. 
 At last he concluded with a neat peroration and rose up to re- 
 tire along with his companions. 
 
 "Sir Suffragan — said I, (I, peasant, ought to have used 
 "Gracious Lord") — may it please you and your associates to 
 stay, till i have justified myself in my own name and in that of 
 my colleagues ? He replied — Vf e have no commission to dis- 
 pute. I do not intend to dispute but to utter publicly and 
 freely what I have hitherto taught in presence of these honest 
 men, before you, learned scholars and ambassadors present with 
 a commission from the bishop, so that it will be deemed the 
 
82 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 more wortiy of belief if you yourself are obliged to find it 
 true; if not, then let the contrary happen. We have not — 
 said the saffragan — spoken against you, hence there is no need 
 of your vindication. You have indeed kept back my name; but 
 your speech was none the less aimed at me. As the combatant 
 in the water said to his antagonist, you say to me : My blow is 
 not aimed at you, it is aimed at the fish. For this reason you 
 were not to use my name, because you could thus charge me, 
 who am called Zwingli, with the greatest crime in the safest man- 
 ner. Whilst we were contending in this style, the burgomas- 
 ter Eoist tried to induce the deputies from Constance to give us 
 a hearing. The saffragan answered, that he knew very well 
 whither this thing would lead; that Dlric Zwingli was too vio- 
 lent and rude, so that he could not meddle with him honorably 
 and keep the path of moderation. By what then — I asked — 
 have I ever injured you? Or according to what law must I, 
 an innocent man, zealous for the cause of Christ, be so heavily 
 and bitterly assaulted, and yet not be allowed to defend myself? 
 Indeed — or do I deceive myself? I would, have ventured to 
 hope, that the Bishop of Constance, though opposition to the 
 pure doctrines of the Gospel had found foothold elsewhere, be- 
 fore he took the words of others instead of mine, would make 
 himself acquainted with the whole afiair, especially through 
 you, whom he has now chosen as his legates on account of your 
 learning. What would you do if in your absence I would turn 
 to the Council and refuse to hear you as judges? And now, 
 since I wish your presence so much, in order to be able to give 
 in an account, how dare you deny me? The deputies repeated 
 what they had said before. If I wished to lay anything before 
 the bishop, in regard to his doctrine, I could write ,to him. 
 Now — said I — if no arguments can persuade you to show me 
 this favor, I beg you by our common faith, our common bap. 
 tism, for the sake of Christ our Lord and Saviour, if yon durst 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 8^ 
 
 not listen as ambassadors, do it tten as Christians. Here arose 
 an indignant murmur among the councillors and at last, being 
 exhorted by the burgomaster, and feeling themselves the un- 
 worthiness of the opposition, they took possession of their 
 former places." 
 
 The people's priest began now by referring to the internal 
 harmony of Zurich and her peaceful position toward foreign 
 countries. He asked whether these could be a result of 
 seditious doctrines, and such especially as were derived from 
 the Gospel, which commands us to render unto Caesar th^ 
 things that are Caesar's and obey our rulers? He showed what 
 human ordinances were, and denied that he rejected them 
 without discrimination. Their beneficial tendency ought to be 
 proven, and they, who enjoin them, ought to observe them also. 
 He had never encouraged a violation of the rules of fasting, 
 but rather advised them to be kept, in order to spare the weak. 
 Yet he esteemed such restraint pharisaical and in conflict with 
 the- letter and spirit of the Gospel. Vattli was about to make 
 objections, when Engelhart drew out his Greek Testament, and, 
 having opened it at the beginning of the fourth chapter of the 
 first epistle to Timothy, handed it to Zwingli. Zwingli trans- 
 lated the passage. Then the suffragan said nothing on this 
 point, but exhorted the Council to respect the decrees of the 
 Fathers and their usages, and not to sunder themselves from 
 the Church. "Do not suffer yourselves to be persuaded, my 
 dear lords" — ^replied Zwingli — "that anything permitted by 
 us can produce such an effect. Among all people, he who does 
 righteousness and loves God, he who believes the words of 
 Jesus and follows Him, belongs to his Church. " — ^This was 
 succeeded by many speeches on one side and the other, which 
 gradually became so warm that the burgomaster dissolved the 
 meeting. But a unanimous resolution was passed by the Great 
 Council, to request the Bishop, so to influence the highest att- 
 
84 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 thorities that by means of a council of learned men and synods 
 an opportunity should be afforded for explanation and reply 
 in regard to the point in dispute. The people's priests were to 
 be exhorted meanwhile to enforce obedience to the rules of 
 fasting. 
 
 By this important event, happening in the midst of the 
 highest authorities of the canton, the fire, which had hitherto 
 existed only in scattered sparks was now suddenly fanned into 
 a clear blaze. The laity and priests, the bishop, the govern- 
 ment and even the Confederates took steps, which compelled 
 Zwingli, in the course of the same year to vindicate himself 
 on all sides, to buckle on his armor for the conflict and de- 
 clare himself openly.' 
 
 The canon Hoffman, stirred up by the legation of the Bishop, 
 was the first to take the field. A good scholar of the old type, 
 pure in his morals, in former years a frank and fearless orator 
 of the people, devoted, as was natural for an old man, to the 
 forms in which he had moved during a long life, he esteemed 
 it a duty to defend them, and that so much the more, because 
 he was summoned to the task by the other clergy. He was 
 lacking, however, in two particulars. According to his own 
 confession he had heard Zwingli but seldom. Still he received 
 as truth what was reported to him about his sermons, and 
 boasted too much of his riper experience against a man scarce 
 forty years old. Making skillful use of these weak points, the 
 armed warrior advanced the more resolutely against the rusted 
 weapons of his antagonist. The old man could not maintain 
 his position. At a later period he once more regained his 
 courage, and certainly it must be said to his honor, that, 
 though vanquished, he did not shun the knightly combat. 
 
 With great bluntness, and not to a limited circle of associates 
 like Hoffman, the monks poured out their wrath from the con- 
 vent-pulpits. The more tasteless, silly, and ridiculous their 
 
LIFE OP ZWINOLI. 85 
 
 revilings were, the more did they expose themselves to the 
 edge of Zwingli's keen argument and wit. Without mercy he 
 fell upon these people, among whom, as far as the monasteries 
 of the city are concerned, not a single one is known, to whose 
 praise anything can be said. We need only read his writings 
 to see how, dealing blow upon blow, he pursued them into 
 every corner, and brought out the truth in the clearness of 
 sunlight against their loose harangues. But then, in the pride 
 of victory he suffered himself to run perhaps into an extreme, 
 which did not comport well with the earnestness of the pulpit 
 or of controversy conducted in a dignified manner, and zealous 
 use was made of this fact to his reproach.* 
 
 Remarkable phenomena began to develop themselves from 
 this pulpit-battle against the monks. Hot-headed characters, 
 old and young, impelled sometimes by a conviction of the 
 truth, but oftener by conceit and a desire to make a noise in 
 the world, interrupted the awkward preachers in the midst of 
 their discourses, and accused them of teaching error and even 
 lies. A tumult arose in the church. It might easily become a 
 theatre of dishonorable strife. The Council arrested several of 
 the most violent of these stormers and forbade all such disord- 
 erly behavior in future. Already the monks were in hopes 
 they had won the day; but Zwingli did not suffer them to es- 
 cape, and probably at his suggestion the preachers of the three 
 orders were unexpectedly summoned to the house of the pro- 
 vost, where with a deputation from the government, the burg- 
 omaster Roist at its head, the three people's priests, the com- 
 
 * Thus, for example, after some cutting expressions, he uses the 
 
 words: 
 
 "Very learned Father, 
 
 Full and plump, 
 
 Open the swollen syllogism. 
 
 Or the foul hoof 
 
 Must ^ve way." 
 
 8 
 
86 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 mander Schmied and all the canons were assembled, and 
 Zwingli, being called on, began to read aloud from a written 
 document to each individual, the errors which he had taught. 
 They were greatly amazed, and denied some things, but admit- 
 ted others. An attempt was now made to have the chapter of 
 canons appointed as umpire and mediator, but Zwingli instantly 
 opposed it with all his might: "I" — said he — "am bishop 
 and pastor in Zurich; to me the care of souls is committed, 
 and I have given my oath thereon, the monks not. They 
 should hear me, not I them. Indeed, if they ever again preach 
 lies, I will mount the pulpit and rebuke them publicly." Only 
 in the conviction of his own strength durst he venture to use 
 such language. Only their felt weakness struck his opponents 
 dumb. Dr. Engelhart and the Commander Schmied also sided 
 with Zwingli. The Councils saw themselves obliged to follow 
 the men of learning, and the burgomaster concluded the act 
 with the words : " Yes, Masters of the Orders, this is also the 
 opinion of my colleagues, that henceforth you must preach the 
 Gospel, Paul and the Prophets, and let Scotus, Thomas* and 
 such stuff lie. " 
 
 The monks, compelled now to restrain themselves somewhat 
 in the pulpit, renewed their attacks the more stubbornly in 
 private houses, confessionals, drinking-gardens and wherever 
 else they could do so with safety. From Bunden, Constance, 
 Luzern and Schwyz reports of their calumnies reached him 
 through his friends. Nothing pained him so much as that he 
 should be charged with distorting the Grospel. "Though I 
 had firmly resolved" — so he says in a sermon — "not to answer 
 those, who invented stories as to how many children were born 
 to me this year, and as to how much money I got from 
 princes and lords, yet I never could bear that such slander 
 should be believed concerning me. Any one may say what he 
 
 * Obscure teaohCTS of a former age. 
 
UFE or ZWINGLI. 87 
 
 pleases about my morals, but blasphemy I will not tolerate. " 
 But then, the best citizens of Zurich roused to the highest 
 pitch of enthusiasm clung to him, especially the younger gen- 
 eration, who trooped around him like a body-guard; and 
 besides these, friends sprang up beyond the canton on all sides, 
 who came out boldly, or watched over him in secret, were active 
 on his behalf, and sympathized in his struggles. In Luzern, 
 Myconius and the canon Kilchmeier advocated his cause even 
 against statesmen and envoys of the Confederacy with danger 
 to themselves, holding out as long as it was possible. In St. 
 Grail, the same thing was done by Vadianus, who had returned 
 from Vienna and settled in his native city; in Constance by the 
 prebendary Wanner, who, when a member of the Episcopal em- 
 bassy, had been won over by the weight of his arguments; in 
 Bern by the Franciscan, Sebastian Meier, and in Freiburg by 
 the youthful organist Kother, who expressed his love for him 
 in verses after the manner of a capuchin-sermon. Martin 
 Saenger, a native of Graubunden, sent him a poem against his 
 and Luther's enemies, from the fictitious pen of the Abbot von 
 Pfaeffers, with the request that he would revise and prepare it 
 for publication. He also received an evidence of faithful 
 friendship in an anonymous letter of a more serious kind, writ- 
 ten half in Latin and half in trreek. " Keep a special guard 
 over thy health and life" — so it runs — "for it is high time. 
 Verily thou art everywhere begirt by snares and spies ; sharp 
 poison is. ready for thee. The knaves durst no longer rail 
 against thee openly.. But in secret they are plotting to mingle 
 poisonous mushrooms with thy food, as was done for the Em- 
 peror Claudius. Hence take as much care of thyself as possible. 
 If thou art hungry, then eat at home bread, which thine 
 own maid has baked. Abroad thou canst eat nowhere with 
 safety. There are persons living within your walls, who will 
 venture eveiything to destroy thee. Who they are, from what 
 
00 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 oracle I have learned their design, I cannot write thee ; but it 
 utters more truth than that of the Delphian Apollo; yet it were 
 a gross sin in a priest to give names either by mouth or pen. 
 Thou art sharp-sighted, and able to guess with ease, wherice 
 that has come, which, out of brotherly love, could not be with- 
 holden from thee. Preserve thyself for thine own sake, for thy 
 followers, for the cause of Christ, whose Gospel is proclaimed 
 by you with such blessed results. Whoever I may be, I am 
 thine. Thou wilt find out hereafter." ' This was the case. The 
 writer was Michael Hummelberg, preacher at Kavensburg. Of 
 the same import were the warnings of others, to guard the ap- 
 proaches to his dwelling, to take care, if he should be called 
 from home, the breaking of his windows by stones hurled at 
 them, and the attack, which was actually made one night on 
 his assistant as he was about to go forth at the feigned call of a 
 sick person, instead of the people's priest, who was expected by 
 the bandits. 
 
 How little power all this had to frighten Zwingli from the 
 course he had marked out for himself, is seen in a yet bolder step, 
 which he took the same year — the sending of a petition to the 
 Bishop of Constance in the Latin language and to the govern- 
 ments of the Confederacy in German, asking them to approve 
 the marriage of priests. No proof is needed to show that the 
 noblest endeavor of man is after self-rule, spiritual purification, 
 the attainment of the supernatural. A few rarely-gifted indi- 
 viduals press up this steep path with ease ; by far the greater 
 number follow slowly and with toil. Before deliverance from 
 the fetters of earth, no one achieves a complete victory. This 
 world is a school not the home of perfection. They, who are 
 nearest the goal, know best how far they are yet distant from it. 
 The following reflections Are suggested by this subject. 
 
 The statesman, zealous for the good of his country, as well aa 
 the thinker, busied with the higher interests of mankind in 
 
LITE OP ZWINQLI. 89 
 
 general, must both acknowledge in the difference and mutual 
 wants of the sexes, in their union by marriage, the chief source 
 of all civilization, the ground-pillar of all domestic, social and 
 political well-being. Far be it from us to oppose merely natural 
 impulses to purity of heart, endeavors after improvement, 
 straggles for self-dominion j nay rather, marriage requires and 
 makes all these the more easy. What victories over ease and 
 self, what offerings of renunciation do not our duties to hus- 
 bands, wives and parents demand ? They are only the purer 
 and nobler, because they spring from love, not compulsion. 
 Still more — ^it is proved by all experience, that just in propor- 
 tion as the marriage tie is worthily apprehended and held sacred, 
 the heart is at the same time expanded with love for all men, 
 and the sharing of common joys and sorrows in our own families 
 teaches us to understand and share those of others also. 
 
 Hence Christianity has declared marriage to be pure and by 
 no means placed him, who feels called to it by God and nature, 
 below another, who has the power or inclination to remain in- 
 dependent in order to labor for the good of his brethren. The 
 latter ought to be highly esteemed, but the choice left free to 
 each one according to his own will, or necessity. 
 
 This is not the place to quote the passages, in which the 
 Holy Scriptures speak of marriage, even in the case of preachers 
 of the Gospel, the shepherds of the congregation. They are 
 too numerous, too decided, too striking for any one to over- 
 throw or weaken. Laying hold of these, Zwingli had drawn up 
 the papers just mentioned. Ten of his associates signed with 
 him the one addressed to the Bishop. Others approved of the 
 thing, but did not yet venture to avow it openly. The con- 
 cluding words of the memorial to the Confederates will here 
 exhibit the character of the author in the clearest light : 
 
 "These and many other reasons, derived from the Holy 
 Scriptures, have moved us, honorable Lords, to petition Your 
 
 8* 
 
90 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Worships in regard to marriage, which we design to enter into, 
 yea to make known several among us, who have entered into it, 
 that Your Worships may not be adverse thereto, seeing the 
 great scandal thus given to all men ; seeing our wounded con- 
 sciences, with which we daily attend to the administration of 
 God's Word and the sacraments, though everywhere our con- 
 tinual weakness is acknowledged and no peace is left to us. 
 Therefore we exhort Your Worships as our Fathers ( for we 
 have all sprung from one glorious Confederacy, and a're yours 
 and of yours ) ; by God, our Creator, who made us all of one clay, 
 so that we recognize each other as brethren; by the blood of 
 Jesus Christ, which he shed for all alike, so that no one can 
 claim for himself more than another; by- the Holy Ghost, who 
 is God, and in all his illuminations and inspirations has never 
 forbidden marriage to the priesthood, but rather enjoined it : 
 Take pity on us your true and willing servants, so that, 
 though it be not sinful for us before God, it may not be shame- 
 ful for us before men. And since we have been faithfully de- 
 voted to your honor all our lives long at home and abroad, 
 grant us deliverance from this disgrace of unchastity, that we 
 may lead honorable lives among you. For it were indeed un- 
 kind, if they, whose honor we have increased, would not at 
 once place us in an honorable position, not only before friends 
 and associates, but strangers also. Not in one hour of calamity 
 onli/, have we shared love and sorrow with you, and ever ad- 
 hered to you as good, honest people. We have not been 
 prompted to bring this before Your Worships by a spirit of 
 wantonness, but by a desire after pious, conjugal purity. For 
 had it been by wanton desires, these might have been better 
 gratified by having no wives. We also know well that troubles, 
 cares and labors attend the married estate. We know well how 
 very easily we can, any day, abandon the women with whom 
 we have taken up. Therefore it has not been suggested by 
 
LirE OP ZVriNGLI. 91 
 
 wanton desires, but by shame and love for the souls, committed 
 to our care, that they do not become eternally polluted. The 
 greater part of us have worn out our children's shoes, and are 
 nearer 40 than 30 years of age. You should not listen to those 
 who may cry out and cast up unjustly many things against us 
 on the other side. 'How dare they marry? Have they not 
 taken an oath of chastity ? ' Hear this, gracious Lords ! No 
 one has promised chastity in other words than those I will now 
 write. The Bishop, when about to consecrate a priest, asks if 
 he will remain pure; the candidate answers: 'Yes, as far as 
 human frailty can bear and suffer. ' See, gracious Lords ! with 
 this condition have we sworn and not otherwise. This we can 
 prove by the Lord Bishop himself, but there is no need of it. 
 No one, we hope, will deny it. Since now, neither oath nor 
 promise binds us, and St. Paul speaks as above quoted, suffer 
 yourselves to be moved by this public confession, which we 
 maie before you, for, were not the desire of honor so great, we 
 would not have uncovered our shame. " 
 
 "Whatever may be our opinion of this affair, it must be ad- 
 mitted that Zwingli did not wish "to appear better than he really 
 was. Nothing was more foreign to him all his life long than 
 hypocrisy. For this we ought not to honor him, but the Lord 
 and Master, whose word he proclaimed. "Wholly unconcerned 
 about the reproach it might occasion, the author took the 
 position we have represented. A noble spirit was never yet 
 injured by candor; but hypocrisy has ruined millions weaker. 
 Truth no less than love is a fundamental requirement of the 
 -Gospel. 
 
 The astonishment, to which this step gave rise on all sides, 
 can readily be imagined. It was so much the greater, because 
 Zwingli had purposely provided for a wider circulation of the 
 Latin and German memorials, and sent copies of them to his 
 friends, for gratuitous distribution. Neither from the Bishop 
 
92 UFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 nor the goveminents did he receive any answer. The decision 
 in the department of Zurich was very decided and of the most 
 favorable character as might be expected. From Luzern, My- 
 conius wrote to him: "Only a few give their approval to your 
 petitions. Many express neither praise nor blame. They say : 
 ' You attempt a thing you can never carry out. The Bishop, 
 yea the Pope cannot grant your request. Only a Council can 
 do it. ' The priests are dissatisfied. How the people think, I 
 do not know. This much only I can see, that they neither 
 know, nor wish to know anything about the Gospel. The de- 
 mon of war has laid hold of them. They are blind to all that 
 is higher. " The prebendary Botzheim of Constance informed 
 Vadianus that there was a powerful movement among the 
 people. The canon Kilchmeier at Luzern, and Trachsel, pastor 
 at Art, who had signed vrith Zwingli, as well as John Zimmer- 
 man of Luzern and the assistant Bemhardin of Cham put their 
 lives in jeopardy by betrothing themselves, and were compelled 
 to prepare for flight. Even in Zurich, though individuals gave 
 Zwingli a firm support, there was yet a wide gulf between ap- 
 proval and simple permission of public marriage by the 
 authorities. 
 
 Just then the Government of Zurich was obliged to be par- 
 ticularly prudent in its relations to the other Confederates. An 
 immediate result of this step of Zwingli was, that ecclesiastical 
 innovations were for the first time discussed at the diet, in the 
 summer of the year 1622. Urban Weiss, pastor at Fislispach, 
 in the bailiwick of Baden, though a member of the Zurich 
 chapter, as he returned from a meeting of his associates, de- 
 clared from the pulpit, by their imanimous resolution, that 
 henceforth nothing should be preached, except it could be 
 proven by the Holy Scriptures — Whence, that the saints ought 
 to be no longer invoked, that the marriage of priests was in no 
 wise coukary to &e commandments of Gkid, and as soon as it 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 93 
 
 was approved, (and lie hoped it would be shortly), he intended 
 to take a wife himself. The Bishop complained of him to 
 his superiors at the diet, and new indignation broke loose 
 in their midst. The pastor would have been led off immediate- 
 ly to prison, had not several of the clergy in connection with 
 the congregation prevented it by heavy bail. But, on their 
 return home the deputies found the petition of Zwingli, and 
 this made the prospects of the pastor rather worse, so that at 
 the next sitting of the diet, in the beginning of winter, it was 
 actually resolved to send him to Constance. 
 
 But the Confederates gave matter for serious thought to the 
 Council of Zurich not by this act alone. In spite of every re- 
 fusal of the French alliance, in spite of all the vigilance of the 
 authorities, there were still seventeen captains in that service, 
 who succeeded by cunning arts in enticing to themselves 
 several troops of inveterate deserters and disobedient youth, 
 partly citizens of Zurich and partly of other places, and leading 
 them to the army, for which so severe a chastisement was kept 
 in store at Biocca. Justly indignant, the Council ordered all 
 its officers to bring these seducers captive to Zurich, whenever 
 they would again enter the canton; only if they came of their 
 own accord, to answer for their deeds, a safe conduct should be 
 promised to them. The Confederates declared this proceeding 
 to be a violation of the compact. Zurich appealed to the fourth 
 article of the treaty of Stanz, which was certainly in her favor. 
 But the exasperation increased the more. It rose to a still 
 hio'her pitch, when Zwingli took occasion from the defeat at 
 Biocca to address a written exhortation " to the oldest Confed- 
 erates at Schwyz, to beware of foreign lords and to get rid of 
 them. " He counted on the aid of his friends there at Ein- 
 siedeln, and the clerk of the court, Balthasar Staffer, was his 
 devoted adherent, having at an earlier period received assistance 
 from him during a season of trial in his family. With a per- 
 
94 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 ception at once intuitive and full of power he contrasts in this 
 letter the strength of even a small nation, that trusts in God 
 and a good conscience, with the windy boasts of the reigning cor- 
 ruption. "Our ancestors" — says he — "overcame their ene- 
 mies and established their liberty, by no other power, than that 
 of God. For this end they never slew Christian people for 
 pay, but fought for freedom alone, that their persons, lives, wo- 
 men, children might not be so painfully subject to a licentious 
 nobility. Therefore has God multiplied to them on all sides 
 victory, honor and fortune, so surely, that no lord has ever 
 conquered them, though never so strong; which, without doubt, 
 is not to be attributed to human ability, but to the power and 
 grace of God. Yea, when they defended their fatherland and 
 freedom at Morgarten, Sempach and Nsefels, where three hund- 
 red and fifty men attacked fifteen thousand for the twelfth time 
 in one day and at last beat them, among whom ye good people 
 of Schwyz had thirty, and in many other places, when they 
 went to battle and returned home always with joy and honor, 
 then they rested in peace, stained by no disgrace. But now, 
 since we are lifted up in our own conceit, and think ourselves 
 wise; since we have become filled with pride and boasting, 
 though it is nothing but air; how should we escape not having 
 shame and loss imputed to us by God, though we have spread 
 our names so far with such vainglory: We have done this; we 
 will do this; we can do this; no one is able to withstand us; 
 as if we had a covenant with death ; although a heavy scourg- 
 ing and punishment passes by, may it not yet come over us; 
 since we place our hope in lying and tricks and are protected 
 thereby — just as if we were iron and other men gourds; just as 
 if no one could harm us like the heroes, who saved themselves 
 from the deluge by that enormous pile, the tower of Babel. It 
 is very certain that ojir pride is not His gift. He waits long, 
 and that only, for us to do better. If we do not, then it will 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 95 
 
 be done unto US as it was doneunto Sodom and Gomorrali." This 
 letter alone, or in connection witli other reasons, which may 
 have brought it about, actually prevailed at Schwyz, after a 
 stormy meeting, over the national inclination toward the French, 
 and it was resolved for the next 25 years to reject foreign alli- 
 ances and pensions; Nidwalden also joined in the resolution. 
 As may easily be imagined, this greatly strengthened the 
 hatred against Zwingli. " Thy truly Christian summons to the 
 people of Schwyz" — writes Berthold Haller from Bern — "is 
 severely condemned among us, indeed in the highest degree." 
 Ilmbassies were sent to Schwyz and Nidwalden, to warn them 
 back, and one also to Zurich with the request, that if they 
 wished always to keep apart, they would at least abstain from 
 influencing other members of the Confederacy, and keep careful 
 watch over the seditious libels that issued from their city. The 
 government remained firm to the principles laid down for its 
 guidance in political affairs. Transgressors of the prohibition 
 against desertion and pensions were punishei with severity and 
 even executed; in ecclesiastical measures it was at variance 
 and wavering. 
 
 Zwingli felt more and more, that, though many individuals 
 on all sides were proud of his course and defended his cause, 
 he yet in reality stood alone; that many mad-caps, coming out 
 far more rudely than he, did him more injury by their eccen- 
 tricities than they gave him help; that his true friends, unless 
 he continually kept them in breath, informed them and en- 
 couraged them, were in danger of yielding to faint-heartedness. 
 Even his faithful Myconius wrote to him in such a moment : 
 "What canst thou do, when the whole world speaks against 
 thee, yea, opposes thee with all its powers ? " When some, 
 who, on account of his extraordmary acquirements, had ranged 
 themselves among his most - prominent supporters, began to 
 draw back, Yadianus became cooler and Erasmus put into his 
 
96 LIFE OF ZWINGLl 
 
 scanty and formal letters expressions of ill-humor. How 
 worthy of all honor did the man stand here, who did not suffer 
 himself to be bowed by all this ! 
 
 It was evident to him, notwithstanding that his work, in 
 order to have stability, needed a firmer basis, that the acknowl- 
 edgment and protection of the government of the canton was 
 indispensable to its success. But the authorities, far more 
 than Zwingli, thought themselves bound to the existing church- 
 order, and no support from them could be counted on against the 
 protest of the bishop. Thus the Reformer had first to come to a 
 clear understanding with them, and the Bishop himself opened 
 the way. He had carefully abstained from instituting an examin- 
 ation of the erroneous doctrines said to be preached in Zurich, 
 after the Council had invited him so to do, and only exhorted 
 the government in general terms to allow no changes in church 
 matters amongst them; on the contrary he addressed a pastoral 
 letter to the collective clergy of his diocese, complaining of 
 manifold heretical teachings, warning against them, yea, con- 
 demning them, as well as a special admonition at the same 
 time to the convent of canons at Zurich not to suffer them in 
 their midst. Not less than sixty nine points of complaint and 
 wishes for amendment were contained in it. When the letter 
 was read before the assembly every eye was turned toward 
 Zwingli. "You find yourselves" — said he — "indebted to 
 me for all these accusations. I desire that they be placed in 
 my hands, so that I can answer. " This was done, and now he 
 was determined to battle for life and death against the spiritual 
 powers. Hence a glance at their present condition and influ- 
 ence becomes necessary. 
 
 On the 1st of December, 1520, Pope LeoX. died, and on the 
 9th of January the Cardinals had elected his successor 
 Adrian VI. But he did not come to Rome before the 29th of 
 August. Till then, he staid in Spain as vicegerent of Charles V ., 
 
lirE 0]? ZWINGLI. 97 
 
 ■wlio was also ting of that country. Tlie College of Cardinals, 
 empowered to rule in the interim, had pursued the policy of 
 the deceased Pope in regard to Swiss affairs. Ecclesiastical 
 matters were kept in the background, and Zurich, although 
 verging toward revolt, was treated with special favor, because 
 she not only continued averse to the French alliance, so hated 
 by Eome, but besides this, faithful to former treaties, had 
 dispatched a body of troops for the immediate protection of the 
 Papal governmect. The short reign of Adrian ( he died on 
 the 13th of September, 1523 ) brought about no change. On 
 the contrary, even by him, who, as Grand Inquisitor in Spain, 
 had seized on Luther's collective writings, brilliant offers were 
 made to Zwingli. Franz Zingg, his friend and the same time 
 chaplain of the Pope, received a commission to treat with him, 
 and expressed himself thus scornfully against Myconius : " In 
 Rome everything will be granted to a bold preacher except the 
 Papal Chair." During the following year, 1523, two letters 
 from Adrian, addressed to Mark Roist and Zwingli, were de- 
 livered by the legate Ennius. In the first the burgomaster 
 was assured, that the Pope, fully aware of his public and pri- 
 vate services in behalf of the Eoman See, would exhort him to 
 persevere in his friendly disposition, that he also was mindful 
 of it, as the legate would detail at large. In the second, to 
 Zwingli, this passage occurs : "Although our legate is enjoined 
 to conduct our affairs with your nation in a public manner, yet, 
 because we have a certain knowledge of thy distipguished 
 merits, and especially love and prize thy loyalty, an4 also place 
 particular confidence in thy honesty, we haye commissioned our 
 chosen Nuncio to hand over to thee separately pur letter, and 
 bear witness to our most favorable intentions. We exhort thee 
 also, reverend and faithful i;^ the Lord, to giye all credit to it, 
 and with the same disposition, iq which we are inclined to re- 
 member thy honor a^d tliy profit, to bestir thyself also in ouv 
 
 9 
 
SS LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 affairs and ttose of tlic Apostolic See, wherefore tnou wilt be 
 gladdened by our very special grace. " 
 
 It is not to be doubted that Adrian had been informed by 
 bis legates of the condition of the church in Zurich; still we 
 may be allowed to conjecture at least, why he made another at- 
 tempt uj>on Zwingli. Of German descent and himself a friend 
 and judge of German science, conscious moreover of an honest 
 purpose, he might perhaps have cherished the hope, that he 
 vwuld be better able to exert a reconciling influence upon the 
 Germans than his Italian predecessor. On the Saxon Reformer, 
 over whom ban and outlawry had already been pronounced, 
 such a thing was no longer possible; but the Switzer was un- 
 touched as yet. Still the Pope was greatly mistaken in regard 
 to him. It was not the person but the court, which Zwingli 
 would avoid. Let us hear what he has to say in regard to the 
 relation in which he stood to the latter, as it appears in the 
 'Explanation of the Final Discourse:' 
 
 "For three whole years now I have preached the Gospel in 
 Zurich with earnestness, for which the Papal CardinaJs, Bishops 
 and Legates, whilst the city has not been well sp«xken of, have 
 often sought to blind me by their friendship, prayers, threats, 
 and promises of large gifts and benefices; these I did not 
 wholly reject, having accepted a pension of 50 florins, which 
 they paid me yearly (indeed they would have given me 300, 
 but I would not be enticed ) ; I had declined it in the year 
 1517, though they would not stop it till three years after in 
 1520, when I refused it in my own hand writing. (I acknowL 
 edge my sin before God and all jnen; fwr prior to 1516 I ad- 
 hered too closely to -the authority of the Pope, and deemed it 
 becoming to receive money from him, although I always gave 
 the Boman envoys to understand in plain language, 'jfhen they 
 exhorted me not to preach anything against the Pope ; they 
 ehould mt f^t ^11 expect me to suppress a sipgle >y.ord gf the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 99 
 
 truth for tlie sake of money, on which account they might 
 either take it back or not, as it pleased them). When now I 
 had laid down the pension, they saw well I would have noth- 
 ing more to do with them, and then they made public my refusal 
 and receipt, both of which stood in one letter, through a spiritual 
 father, a preacher-monk, for the purpose of driving me off from 
 Zurich by it. But in this they failed, because the honorable 
 Council knew well that I had not spared the Pope in my teach- 
 ings; that I had not been wrought upon by money; that I had 
 not aided them in their plans, and now for the second time re- 
 fused a pension; and also, since it was the doctrine of former 
 ages, that I could not be convicted of a violation of honor or 
 my oath. And thus the above-named honorable Council has - 
 acknowledged my innocence. — So each and every one may see, 
 if I had wished to enrich myself with the gold of foreign lords, 
 I would not have refused the pension of the Pope, for to receive 
 it from him would have been disgraceful in the least degree to 
 one in clerical orders. But I declare it before the Judge of 
 all men, Grod, that I have never received pension or wages 
 from prince or lord, or been bribed in any way. And what I 
 do to-day I do alone, because my office demands it of me. I 
 pray also that it may aid in checking the evil. For I would 
 be ever a murderer in the eyes of pious people, if I did not 
 continue to rebuke it severely. I am ready also at all times to 
 give answer to all men for my teachings, my writings and my 
 actions, and dare take it on my soul, that hereafter I will use all 
 diligence to bring the word of God clearly before all men, yet 
 not I will do it, but God, and therefore it deeply concerns me 
 that our glorious Confederacy may remain in existence. Al- 
 though every one may think of me, as seems good to him, yet 
 I am conscious of innocence in regard to my teaching and 
 actions in that whereof my enemies accuse me. Moreover, 
 though I exceed many men in other faults, yet shall they not 
 
100 
 
 LIPE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 injure the trutli of God and a pious government. Let each for 
 God's sake regard in the best light my simple explanation of 
 the affair of the foreign lords, whieh I might have presented 
 with far greater lustre to my reputation, had I desired it. For, 
 afeto dai/s hack, I received a letter from the Pope and mighty 
 verbal commands, lohich I have answered hy God's grrce in a 
 Christian manner, without being moved) since I do not doubt, 
 I ■would become greater than any other man, if the poverty of 
 Christ were not dearer to me than the splendor of the Papists. 
 Let every one regard it in the best light. Since I must look 
 to the wants of many, who have claims on me elsewhere, I 
 ought not to conceal, my innocence of the thing in my own 
 spirit, but reply, after the example of Paul, in a becoming man- 
 ner; for the enemies of Christ often injure his doctrine through 
 my name, against which they utter falsehood; whom I have 
 followed now and to whom, as I hope, done no injustice." 
 
 With this we have enough about Zwingli's relation to the 
 Papal See. That he had broken with it decidedly will he in- 
 ferred from what has been quoted. By the government also 
 Rome was not particularly feared. It seemed to set more value 
 on its connection with the Bishop, which leads us now to take 
 a glance at affairs in Constance. 
 
 Since the year 1496 the episcopal chair in that place was 
 occupied by Hugo of tlohenlandenberg. History has a great 
 deal to tell about his legations in the name of the Emperor, his 
 treaties with the Confederates, his synodal constitutions, his 
 ordinances and his pastoral letters. He was, particularly in 
 his old age, an active, grasping man, restlessly employed in the 
 maintenance and extension of his cathedral chapter, especially 
 of its revenues. Scandalous facts could be adduced to prove 
 the latter. The knowledge of his character made the Confed- 
 erate governments shy of him, so that he was not always suc- 
 cessful in his negotiations with them. In regard to scientific 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 101 
 
 culture he needed foreign support, and when with the begin- 
 ning of reform circumstances became more difficult, he was 
 forced to a greaterdependence on his general-vicar. 
 
 In the latter, who was at an earlier period Zwingli's friend, 
 we now find his most bitter and decided enemy. John Hei- 
 gerlin, son of a smith in the village of Leutkirch, had, accord- 
 ing to the prevailing custom, assumed the Latin name of Faber 
 (Smith). To the clerical estate, to which he devoted himself, 
 after completing his studies in Vienna, he brought talent of no 
 common order, and ambition to turn it to the best account. 
 First a popular preacher in Linden, and esteemed likewise as 
 an author, he afterwards accepted a call from the Bishop of Con- 
 stance, who, as well as the Diocesan of Basle, wished to have 
 him in his service. At the same time the degree of Doctor of 
 the Common Law was conferred on him by the University of 
 Freiburg. With all the better minds of the age he took a 
 lively interest in the awakening of science, which immediately 
 preceded the Reformation. He it was, who chiefly prevailed 
 on the Bishop to declare against the wretched trade in indul- 
 gences, and encouraged Zwingli in his battle against it. Every 
 improvement was altogether right in his eyes, if it only pro- 
 ceeded from the priesthood ; every light, so long as it remained 
 under its patronage. But nothing is more foreign to the spirit of 
 caste than the fundamental idea of the Gospel, and between Chris- 
 tianity as represented by it and priestdom (by no means to be 
 confounded with churchdom) the antagonism is irreconcilable. 
 Hence all priestdom is in absolute need of supplements to the 
 Gospel ; it must have tradition ; it cannot give it up without 
 self-destruction. This is not the place to pursue this observa- 
 tion further; but it could not be wholly overlooked, because 
 thus only are we able to account for the sudden change of feel- 
 ing in a man liberal in other respects. As late as May 1521, 
 he had ridiculed Doctor Eck, Luther's opponent, and accused 
 
 9* 
 
102 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 him of traveling to Kome to offer his services to the Pope against 
 Luther, and yet at the end of the veiy same year, he himself 
 took the very same road. The extensive circulation of Luther's 
 writings had stirred him up, because by this means religious 
 ^ questions were dragged down to the circle of the people, skill- 
 ful and unskillful speakers arose among them, individual prin- 
 ces and governments sought to extricate themselves from the 
 fetters of the spiritual power, and against all ordinances of the 
 church, which were not clearly warranted by the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, a growing indifference prevailed. He himself also wrote 
 from Kome against Luther. "You cunningly strive" — he says 
 in his book — "to subject the spiritual to the worldly, but the Lord 
 will not suffer his anointed (Christos suos) to go to the ground." 
 He came back to Constance completely transformed, and his 
 influence was very soon observable here. 
 
 In the abduction of the pastor of Fislispach he had a hand, 
 and the pastoral lett«r of the Bishop, to which we have alluded, 
 as well as the address to the Zurich chapter of canons had, ac- 
 cording to the universal oiDinion, proceeded from him. We 
 saw that Zwingli put off answering the letter. He took some 
 time for it. But then an ample vindication appeared. " May 
 your Highness, illustrious Chief Shepherd" — ^he thus begins — 
 "pardon, if I trouble you with this paper in your manifold 
 labors. The Lord procure it a hearing ! For six years I have 
 preached the Gospel, and am now represented to thee not as a 
 dutiful guardian, but as a robber and destroyer in the sheep-fold. 
 By their continual, unwearied outcries they have prevailed on 
 you to send an admonition, as illiterate as it is unbecoming, to 
 the chapter of our convent. Thou wouldst have done nothing 
 of the kind of thine accord; thou couldst not have written, of 
 thyself, anything so vain and boasting; thou wouldst also have 
 mado known thy thoughts to us in the German language. 
 Therefore I send thee this epistle called Archeteles, because I 
 
LIFi: OJ? ZWINGLI. 103 
 
 hope it is tlie beginning and end of my quarrel with thy coun- 
 sellors. " After this somewhat diffuse introduction follow the 
 sixty-nine points of complaint, again printed, and an answer 
 appended to each one separately. As he proceeds in the letter 
 wo see his courage and assurance increase; the style becomes 
 bolder, his judgment more decided, and the interwoven sallies 
 of wit inore cutting, till here again in a feeling of triumph, and 
 prompted by the lugubrious tone of the last point of the Bishop, 
 he gives a mock-review of it somewhat in the manner of the 
 litany : 
 
 That we may remain in the unity of our Holy Mother, the 
 Church ; — ^for this we beseech thee, O Lord, hear us. 
 
 That we may obey our Superiors, i. e. the pious govern- 
 ments ; — for this we beseech Thee, hear us. 
 
 That Thou wilt teach the false bishops humility enough not 
 to think themselves supreme lords but co-pastors, according to 
 the word of Peter; for this we beseech Thee. 
 
 That Thou wilt enlighten them with thy light, first to ac- 
 knowledge Thy true Church itself; — for this we beseech Thee, 
 hear us. 
 
 That Thou wilt open for them the fountains of living water; 
 — ^for this we beseech Thee, hear us. 
 
 From the troubled fountains, which they have dug, out of 
 which no wholesome water flows; — sot us free, Lord. 
 
 From the intolerable burdens, which they have piled upon 
 the shoulders of christians; — deliver us, Lord. 
 
 Command them to bear and to do what they require from 
 others. 
 
 And if they cannot be brought by other means to make Thy 
 yoke easy to us and Thy burden light — ^force them to it, 
 Lord. 
 
 From his continued good-will toward Erasmus, Zwingli had 
 sent him a copy of this production. But the. tone of it did not 
 
104 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 please the elder and more considerate friend, although he him- 
 self in former years had made sparing use neither of ridicule 
 nor censure. "I adjure thee" — ^he wrote — "by the honor of 
 the (xospel, to which, as I know, thou hast consecrated thy 
 whole heart, as we are all bound to do, that thou wilt treat 
 serious things in a serious manner, and not forget evangelical 
 modesty and prudence. Take counsel first from thy learned 
 friends, before thou makest anything public. I fear thy apology 
 will bring thee into great danger and be prejudicial to the 
 Gospel." Though Zwingli felt the warning and returned 
 thanks, it was not able to change his mind. For directly after 
 the appearance of the Latin Arclieteles he lent a helping hand 
 in the publication of an address designed for the people, which 
 was still more rough in its language. It consisted of comments 
 on the above-quoted pastoral letter of the Bishop, and was edited 
 anonymously and scattered everywhere by the Franciscan, Se- 
 bastian Meier of Bern, and his friends. A single passage, and 
 that not one of the most severe, may serve to show its spirit : 
 
 "Dost thou see, dear Christian, where the shoe pinches them? 
 They complain that Paul is preached. He pictures them so 
 near to the life, and points out the office of the true bishop. 
 When we preach up this, then a sheep can see, that those 
 horned idols are not bishops but carnival-spectres, and such as 
 the children make on St. Glaus' day. Would to God they 
 were as harmless ! Why has it not vexed them that Aristotle, 
 Cicero, fables, examples, Scotus, Thomas and silly stories are 
 preached? I will tell thee. It does not injure them in their 
 pomp. But Paul, who is now by common consent preached in 
 many places, is consistent with himself, and pierces them in 
 their princely splendor, voluptuous wantonness, and insatiable 
 avarice. Hence they complain. Dear younkers, because you 
 deal thus with facts and Paul teaches the contrary, what shape 
 will you take, if we preach St. Peter? He snatches off your 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 105 
 
 hoods and shows as well as St. Paul what hornea cattle you 
 are. " 
 
 It is easy to see that writings like these must have made the 
 breach incurable, and we durst suppose, that Zwingli himself 
 perceived the possibility of it, and in such an event was clear 
 in his resolves. The end of the subordinate relation of Zurich 
 to the Bishop, as well as the beginning of a changed order, was 
 closely connected with the Archeteles. For the origin and 
 founding of this new church-government we pass on to the fol- 
 lowing chapter. 
 
CHAPTER THIRD. 
 
 EBLIOIOUa CONFERENCE IN ZURICH. THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THE 
 
 PLACE OF THE BISHOP FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPERINTENDENCE 
 
 OF THE NATIONAI. CHURCH. 
 
 •''^ -k 
 
 *'/*- 
 
 '.^r* ?"''*• 
 
 .■%• 
 
 
 iSt f HE breach, between the govern- 
 ment of Zurich and those, who, up 
 to this time, stood at the head of 
 ecclesiastical affairs, was as yet by 
 no means so decided as in the case 
 of Zwingli. He doubtless wished 
 it might become so. Public con- 
 Terences on religious subjects had already taken 
 ' place in Germany, and Zwingli himself had con- 
 
 
 
 t2 ^<$i lucted such an one, held between him and Francia 
 tM* Lambert, a Franciscan monk, to a triumphant issue, 
 ^j though only before a narrow circle and in- the Latin 
 9|' language. But now he determined to venture 
 ^ 'f' battle with his enemies before all the clergy and 
 jSioifi^ theologians, and compel them to an open acknowl- 
 edo-ement that his doctrine was in conformity with Scripture. 
 With this idea he first of all made his hearers familiar in sev- 
 eral sermons. Then, sure of the approval of his design by the 
 majority, he turned to the Great Council with the prayer, that, 
 in the deliberate and entire neglect to act on the part of the 
 Bishop, they would appoint such a public convocation. This 
 
 106 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 107 
 
 gave rise to a lively and earnest debate. It could not escape 
 the older statesmen how readily results, not to be foreseen, flow 
 from a violation of forms, whilst others, looking at events ia 
 Germany, the humor of the people, and the growing indiifer- 
 ence toward the ordinances of ecclesiastical courts, trembled less 
 at the approaching transformation; nay, the boldest and most 
 decided ardently wished it. In fact, the resolution to grant 
 Zwingli's petition was at last carried. Besides, the Council 
 could justify itself with the Bishop by his own inactivity, by 
 his refusal of the just prayer to institute a synod or convocation 
 of learned men for the examination of the Reformer's doctrine. 
 Thus he had only himself to blame, if part of the power, which 
 he might yet have been able to secure, was already taken from 
 him by the public proclamation of Zurich, dated January 3d, 
 1523. The substance of this paper is contained in the follow- 
 ing extract : 
 
 "We, the burgomaster and Small and Great Councils of 
 the city of Zurich, to all the clergy in our diocese our salu- 
 tation and favorable regard. Discord and dissension have 
 sprung up among us between the preachers. Some believe they 
 have proclaimed the Gospel faithfully and fully; on the con- 
 trary others aflfirm that these same persons sow error, mislead 
 their hearers, and' are heretics, whilst they on their part at all 
 times and to every one declare themselves ready to be judged 
 by God's Word. Therefore with the best intentions and for 
 the sake of God's honor, peace and Christian unity, it is our 
 will that ye ministers, pastors and preachers, all in general and 
 each in particular, or even other priests, who may have a mind 
 to speak, to inveigh against or else to instruct the opposite 
 party, appear before us on the day succeeding Emperor Charles' 
 day at early council-time at our council-house, and when ye dis- 
 pute, to do it with appeal to the genuine Scripture in the Ger- 
 man tongue and language. With all diligence will we, with 
 
108 LIFE OF ZWINOLI. 
 
 the aid of several learned men, note down, wlietlier it seems 
 good to us, and, if it accord with the Holy Scripture, send 
 each one home with the command to go on or leave off; so that 
 every one may not preach from the pulpit without warrant, ooly 
 what seems good to him. We will also point out this to our 
 gracious Lord of Constance, so that yoiir Grace or your deputies, 
 as you wish, may be there also. But if any one should be so 
 perverse as not to produce the real Divine Scripture, we will 
 call him to account — of whom we would rather be rid. We 
 hope Grod will illumine us with the light of his truth, that we 
 may be able to walk aa children of the light." 
 
 Thus it was, no longer the Bishop, nor those, who were 
 spiritual lords heretofore, nor ev6n the Pope, who should de- 
 clare whether the doctrine preached in Zurich was that of the 
 church. Whether it agreed with the Holy Scripture, this alone 
 should be proven, and whether Zwingli or his opponents had 
 justified themselves as its true interpreters, on that would the 
 government decide — a view indeed directly opposed to the Eo- 
 man Catholic stand-point. It was a real violation of rule in the 
 Bishop not to lay an interdiction, and, if Zurich still persevered, 
 to break off all ecclesiastical intercourse with her. But reve- 
 nues were due in the Zurich district; worldly relations existed 
 with its government;^ these appeared to him to require indul- 
 gence. Besides, the number of faithful adherents was still 
 considerable. Should they be abandoned ? Might not affairs 
 in some unexpected way take a more favorable turn ? Could 
 not the envoys succeed in one thing, if not to prevent a com- 
 plete revolt, at least to postpone it? Hence the resolution of 
 the Bishop to send notwithstanding an embassy to Zurich. 
 This was composed of John Faber, Fritz von Anwyl, steward of 
 the Bishop, and Doctor Bergenhaus, to whom was yet added 
 Doctor Martin Blausch of Tuebingen. 
 
 In the mean time Zwingli, who by no means lost sight of the 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 109 
 
 fact that the government, which was about to assume the place 
 of the Bishop, ought to show itself worthy of the post by its 
 actions and opinions, began more earnestly than ever to 
 watch over the improvement and maintenance of good morals, 
 and with unwearied zeal wove into his sermons to the 
 Councils exhortations to this effect. These were not in vain. 
 Ordinances were passed for the better control of the taverns, of 
 the young people, and the hordes of traveling scholars; singing 
 girls were banished from the city, and even four members of 
 the Small Council, who lived in notorious adultery, wore ex- 
 cluded from all its sessions for half a year, in order to reclaim 
 them. 
 
 But now Charles' day had come, and universal attention was 
 directed to the gruA e assembly about to meet on the next 
 morning. The Council had sent a letter of invitation to the 
 diet held at Baden on the first day of the year. This was 
 simply noticed in the recess, without further action, because 
 the matter was thought to concern Zurich alone. No one came, 
 with the exception of Doctor Sebastian Hoffmeister from Schaff- 
 hausen, and the Franciscan Sebastian Meier from Bern; the 
 latter, however, of his own accord, without public commission. 
 A few days before, Zwingli had compiled and written down in 
 haste, seventy-six propositions, which contained the sum of 
 what his opponents objected to, and the substance of his doc- 
 trines. He concluded this small paper with these words: 
 "Let no one undertake to contend here with sophistry or 
 trifles, but let him come with the Scripture. It is to be re- 
 garded as the judge; by it we may find the truth; or rather it 
 has thus been found, as I hope and maintain." 
 
 It was the second false step of Faber, that, after such a con- 
 dition laid down by Zwingli, and approved by the Council, he 
 yet came to Zurich, or did not from the first emphatically pro- 
 test against it. The very practices of the Eoman Church, 
 
 10 
 
110 tIFE OJ? ZWINOLI. 
 
 ■which were most conspicuous and vulnerable, stood in such 
 direct contradiction to the letter and spirit of the Gospel, that 
 he, who would defend them from the Holy Scriptures, even 
 with the greatest skill, was already beaten beforehand. Not 
 only Zwingli and the more thoroughly instructed of his asso- 
 ciates were convinced of this, but, taught by his preaching, the 
 greater part of those present also; among whom were a numer- 
 ous host of youth, ready for the combat, who had zealously read 
 the Holy Scriptures for themselves. In their varying looks 
 were seen expectation, confidence, and contempt of their en- 
 emies. The judicial demeanor of the Councils, the confused 
 behavior of those, who, by their boasting and thoughtless 
 speeches, betrayed their ignorance, the excitement among the 
 mass of the people gave the assembly a peculiar expression. 
 "I thought" — says Faber in a letter describing it — "I had 
 come to Picardy. " * 
 
 Meanwhile, arming himself with as much firmness as possible, 
 he and his co-deputies took the places assigned them. A hund- 
 red and eighty members of the two Councils had arrived. Of 
 the public teachers, doctors, canons and the other clergy few' 
 were wanting; and the number of strangers present was also 
 considerable. All the spaces before the open doors, where any- 
 thing was to be seen or heard, were filled with citizens and coun- 
 try people. In a vacant circle, reserved in the middle, sat 
 Zwingli alone by a table, on which lay copies of the Bible in 
 different languages. 
 
 The burgomaster Roist began: ""Very learned and worthy 
 Lords, hitherto dissension has frequently arisen in the city and 
 canton of Zurich in regard to the doctrines of our preacher, 
 Master Ulric Zwingli. By some he is reviled as a seducer of 
 the people, by others as a heretic. The disturbance among the 
 
 * A French province, according to tlie prevailing opinion in former 
 times, a strong hold of sectarianism, of heresy so-called. 
 
LIPE OF ZWINGLI. Ill 
 
 priests and laity increases, and every day complaints are laid 
 before my fellow-councilors. From tlie open pulpit Master 
 Ulric has offered to justify his doctrine, if it be granted him to 
 hold a public disputation in the presence of all, both of the 
 clergy and the laity. We have permitted him to do this in 
 the German language before the Great Council. We have 
 sumMoncd thereto all the people's priests and pastors of our 
 Canton, and entreated also the Very Keverend Lord and Prince, 
 the Bishop of Constance. We thank him particularly for send- 
 ing us his worthy legation. So, to whomsoever it is displeasing 
 or doubtful, what Master Ulric has uttered in the pulpit here 
 at Zurich; whoever may be able to show, that his preaching 
 and doctrine are seditious or heretical; let him prove his error 
 to him here present from the Divine Scripture, so that my fel- 
 low-councilors may be relieved henceforth of the daily com- 
 plaints about disunion and discord, with which they are 
 troubled by clergy and laity. " 
 
 The steward of the Bishop now rose up. "My gracious 
 Lord" — said he — "is well aware that at present, in all parts of 
 his princely Grace's diocese, strife and discord, touching doc- 
 trines or sermons have sprung up, and since he never has 
 refused, and does not now refuse, to show himself gracious, 
 kind and willing, in all that promotes peace and unity, he has 
 sent us hither as his ambassadors, at the special request and 
 information of an honorable, wise Council at Zurich, where dis- 
 union chiefly reigns. Having listened to the reasons of this 
 discord, we are to give them the best advice in the case; noth- 
 ing else than may redound to the welfare of an honorable Coun- 
 cil at Zurich, as well as an estimable priesthood. Therefore we 
 are willing, for the sake of peace and unity, to aid in composing 
 the discord; so that friendship may continue among a worthy 
 priesthood, till my Lord, together with his theologians and pre- 
 lates, has further considered and decided iii regard to the matter." 
 
112 
 
 Lira 01" ZWINGLI. 
 
 Thus had the adroit courtier wisely marked out the only 
 position which the episcopal embassy could maintain with honor. 
 Affirming simply the power of the Church to judge and her 
 duty to reconcile those at variance, they ought irj no wise to 
 take sides, but rather join with the government as umpire, 
 and at all hazards, have the last word reserved for the Bishop. 
 How much humiliation would not Faber have been spared, if 
 he had not suffered himself to be enticed away from this stand- 
 point by Zwingli ! 
 
 The latter now took occasion to say: "Of old has God made 
 kaown his will to the human race. Thus speaks the revelation 
 of his Word. In and of itself it is light and clear, but for 
 many years, and still more in our times, it has become so dimmed 
 and obscured by the additions and doctrines of men, that the 
 greater part of those, who now call themselves Christians, know 
 less of nothing than of the Divine will, and are only occupied 
 with a worship of their own devising and a fancied holiness 
 resting on outward works. Into such delusion have they been 
 misled by those, who ought to be their leaders, whilst the truth 
 lies in the Word of Christ, as we learn it from his Gospel and 
 the writings of the Apostles. And since some rise up to pro- 
 claim this once more, they are not regarded as Christians, but as 
 corrupters of the Church; yea, reviled as heretics, of which I also 
 am counted one. And, although I know, that, for five years now, 
 I have preached in this city nothing else than the glad message 
 of Christ, this has not yet been able to justify me, as is well 
 known to my Lords of Zurich. Therefore have they, and 
 thanks to them for it ! instituted for me a public disputation. 
 I have drawn up a summary in writing, which contains all I 
 have hitherto taught. That it is in conformity with the Gospel, 
 I hope, moreover, in presence of our gracious Lords, to prove to 
 the Bishop of Constance or his deputies. The Spirit of 
 God has prompted me to speak; He also knows why he has 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 113 
 
 chosen one so unworthy. Well then; in His namei Here 
 ami." 
 
 Still the vicar-general, Faber, did not give up the hope of 
 winning over a part of the Council at least, by friendly words, 
 warnings, and promises, and warding off the decisive blow. 
 "My esteemed brother. Master Ulric Zwingli" — he began — 
 "assures us that he has always preached the Grospel in,Zurich. 
 Indeed I do not doubt it; for what preacher, called of God, 
 ought not so to do ? He wishes also to justify himself before 
 the Bishop, in regard to his doctrines. The fact is, I desired him 
 to visit Constance. I would have received him into my own 
 house, shewn him all friendship, and treated him like a brother. 
 But hither I have not come, to discuss evangelical or apostolical 
 doctrines, but to listen, to decide in case of strife, and in general, 
 to aid in guiding everything toward peace and unity, not rebellion ; 
 for this is the will of Paul as well as the Gospel. But if we 
 are to touch praiseworthy usages and customs of long standing, 
 then I declare, as ambassador of my Lord of Constance, that I 
 have a command not to appear. Such things, in my judgment, 
 belong only to a universal council of the nations, the bishops, 
 and the theologians; for, what another place will refuse to re- 
 ceive, cannot be decided here, and hence divisions would spring 
 up in the Church. It, therefore, is my honest advice, to 
 postpone, for a while yet, disputations concerning the Papal 
 or Ecclesiastical Constitutions, now so many centuries old; 
 especially since my Lord, the Bishop, is informed, that the 
 Estates of the Empire have determined to hold, within the 
 space of twelve months, a general council at Nuremberg. For, 
 in the end, who would be the judge in such a disputation ? At 
 the Universities of Paris, Cologne or Louvain* only, could the 
 necessary learning be found. " 
 
 * All three were then known for their decided adherence to the old 
 chiirch-ordor. 
 
 10* 
 
114 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 "And why not" — Zwingli asked in derision — "at Erfurt, or 
 Wittemberg?* Good brethren, the Lord Vicar makes use of 
 much art, to divert you from your purpose by his rhetorical 
 flourishes. We inquire not how long a thing may have 
 bceu in use? "We would speak of the truth as it pre- 
 sents itself in the Divine Law. To this, mere usage ought 
 to give way. We are told of a Christian assembly, though I 
 hope there is one such here in this chamber. Where two or 
 three are gathered together in my name, said our Lord, I am 
 in their midst. There are also bishops enough here among us; 
 for the overseers and teachers of congregations have been so 
 styled by the Apostles, not powerful princes, ruling far and 
 wide, as we have them now-a-days. And wherefore should we 
 need judges, when we have the Holy Scripture itself here in 
 the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages, and scholars, who un- 
 derstand these languages as well as any at those universities? 
 But even were this not the case, there are at least so many 
 Christian spirits amongst us, that with the help of God it should 
 become plain to us, which party interprets the Scripture truly, 
 and which falsely. And lastly, touching the Nuremberg busi- 
 ness, I may tell you, dear Lords, that I can produce, if neces- 
 sary, three letters, received from there very lately, but they 
 contain not one word about a decree actually published. Pope, 
 bishops, prelates would indeed, for the most part, be adverse to 
 any meeting of the kind. And you of Zurich ought to esteem 
 it a great favor and a call of God, that such a thing has hap- 
 pened among you. " 
 
 A long pause ensued, till the burgomaster rose up, and once 
 more exhorted the opponents to come forth. No body stirred. 
 "For the sake of Christian charity" — said Zwingli — "I beg 
 every one, who thinks my doctrine erroneous, to speak out his 
 thoughts. I know there are several here, who have accused me 
 * In Erfurt Luther had studied. At Wittemberg he taught. 
 
LIFE 01' Z-iVINGIil. 115 
 
 of heresy j I may be compelled to call them out by name." 
 No one ventured to confront the powerful champion, whose 
 thorough knowledge they feared, whose attack on the episcopal 
 ambassador they had just witnessed, and whose unsparing mode 
 of combat they knew. 
 
 "Where now" — cried a voice from the door — "are the 
 boasters behind the wine-bottle and on the streets? Here is the 
 man for you." It was Gutschenkel of Bern, one of those 
 knaves, who, because fools by profession, escape the censure 
 which their unbecoming speeches deserve. Already it seemed, 
 that with the laughter of Zwingli's friends, and the inglorious 
 flight of his opponents, the whole thing would come to an end, 
 when Jacob Wagner, pastor of Neftenbach, by a question cun- 
 ningly thrown out, in regard to the offence of the pastor of Fis- 
 lispaoh imprisoned at Constance, induced the Vicar-General to 
 say something about this man. With an assumed air of pity 
 Faber spoke of his ignorance, and how he himself, by explain- 
 ing passages of Scripture, had brought him to acknowledge his 
 former errors. But these very same errors Zwingli had also 
 taught, and immediately he challenged Faber to quote the 
 victorious passages. " Good reason " — replied the Vicar Gen- 
 eral — "had the wise man in the Old Testament, when he 
 said : ' The fool is easily taken in his speech. ' I had firmly 
 declared I would not dispute." This beginning, certainly un- 
 expected by the majority of the audience, was followed by a 
 prolix homily on the origin of heresies ; the battles of the Pope 
 and Christendom against them; words of Roman historians on 
 the value of unity; the rareness of the gift of interpreting lan- 
 guages, of which he himself could not boast; in short, every 
 thing but that which was demanded. Yet even here Zwingli 
 never suffered him to wait for an answer, but just as often as 
 the Vicar, with" unwearied volubility renewed his digressions, 
 he brought him back to the passages demanded. Doctor Se- 
 
116 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 bastian Hofmeister also began to press Faber, and Leo Judae 
 likewise. The latter, for a short time back people's priest at 
 St. Peter's, was again united with his friend Zwingli in Zurich. 
 Sorely perplexed, the Vicar cried out: "A Hercules could not 
 stand against two;" but the simple method of defeating them 
 all, by a quotation of the passages, was still far from his thoughts. 
 Then rose up his companion. Doctor Martin Blausch, to secure 
 for him a retreat, if possible; but he also only dwelt on gener- 
 alities, the doctrines of the church, fathers, and the right of de- 
 cision by the church. "The good Lord fails to speak; the 
 good Lord has not rightly looked at the words, " and similar 
 gibes fell from Zwingli's lips — proofs rather of confidence in the 
 truth of his cause and contempt of his opponents, than of the 
 clemency, which lends to victory a higher worth. After the 
 silencing of the embassy of Constance, the burgomaster called 
 once more for other combatants, but in vain. Zwingli had the 
 last word. The crowd dispersed at noon. 
 
 The interval was used by the Council for drawing up its de- 
 cision, which was published to the meeting, again called together 
 in the afternoon, and ran thus: "All ye, who, answering our 
 summons for the purposes assigned, have appeared before us to- 
 day, we give to understand. A year is now gone, since an em- 
 bassy of our gracious Lord of Constance was here at onr council- 
 house, before the burgomaster and the Small and Great Councils, 
 on business of a similar kind. Then the request was preferred 
 by us to our gracious Lord, to call together in his diocese learned 
 men and preachers for the examination of the prevailing doc- 
 trines; so that a unanimous' resolution might be passed, by 
 which every one might be guided. But since, up to this time, 
 perhaps for obvious reasons, nothing special has been done by 
 him in the matter, and the dissension among the clergy and 
 laity continually increases, the burgomaster, Council and the 
 G-reat Council of the city of Zurich, have again taken the case 
 • 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 117 
 
 in hand ; and since now, after tlie offer of Master Ulric Zwingli 
 to render an account, no one has risen up, no one has dared to 
 refute by the Sacred Scriptures the articles he has furnished, 
 although he has repeatedly called on those who revile him as a 
 heretic — we, after mature counsel, have decided, and it is our 
 earnest opinion, that Master Ulric Zwingli shall go on and con- 
 tinue, as heretofore, to proclaim the Holy Gospel and the real 
 Sacred Scripture, according to the Spirit of God and his ability. 
 Also, all the other priests of the people, pastors and preachers, 
 in our city, canton and dependencies, shall not do otherwise, 
 nor preach; except what they may bo able to prove by the Holy 
 Scripture. Likewise, they shall not henceforth call each other 
 hard names, nor use other words of reproach. For they who 
 act personally in this, we will deal with in such a manner, that 
 they shall see and find that they have done wrong. " 
 
 "God be praised !" — said Zwingli — "He will have his Word 
 rule in heaven and on earth, and to you, my Lords of Zurich, 
 he will doubtless grant strength and power to establish his 
 truth in your canton. " 
 
 Once more the Vicar General essayed to speak. Now, for 
 the first time, it became possible for him to read the articles of 
 Zwingli, and of course he had to find several that were not sus- 
 tained by the Holy Scriptures. "Well then — prove it, Sir 
 Vicar General, " said Zwingli. It can be seen in works on 
 church-history, how Faber, with no little adroitness and a 
 blinding flow of words, endeavored to point out a contradiction 
 between several of the syllogisms and some points of Holy 
 Scripture. Perhaps, too, this would have succeeded before 
 hearers less instructed; but with the greatest ease his superior 
 antagonist shewed to the assembly, where in one place he tore 
 words from their connection, in another distorted the plain 
 sense, sought to give the later expressions of the Fathers a 
 scriptural sound, and even employed the arts of a lawyer, in 
 
118 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 wliich lie himself was evidently conscious of deceit. " You 
 knew" — said Zwingli — "Sir Vicar General, ttat we, formerly^ 
 at the university, practised in common such dazzling tricks of 
 logic, and that I am skilled in them as well as you; but it 
 truly grieves me, that you as a serious man come still armed 
 with such sophistries. " 
 
 Anger began to appear in the assembly. The speeches of the 
 opposing parties became shorter and more bitter. In order to 
 keep them from degenerating into abuse, the Councils rose, 
 The assembly dissolved, and the burgomaster Roist took leave 
 of the by-standers with a smile, saying : " The s'sjord, with 
 which the pastor of Fislispach was stabbed, would not come out 
 of its sheath to-day. " 
 
 Eaber by his behavior had fallen low in the estimation of the 
 Zurichers. The monks alone, whose courage again revived, 
 since the close of the battle, tried among those with whom they 
 associated, to point out the circumstance, that the Vicar Gen- 
 eral had kept the last word, as a sign of victory. He himself 
 also boasted of it in Constance after his return, and wherever 
 Zwingli's rough manner or vehement language aiforded an 
 opportunity for censure, it was heaped up and spread on all 
 sides. "In short" — writes Salat of Luzern, clerk of the court 
 — " Zwingli pours down far too many scornful words on the 
 head of the Lord Vicar, that excellent man of honor. Now he 
 calls him Sir Hans, 'Sir John, Sir Vicary, plucks the vicar- 
 bonnet oS, and this times without number, and without shame. 
 This was his mode of disputing. " 
 
 Calmly and with a. manifest endeavor, as far as it lay in his 
 power, to form an unbiassed judgment, an old schoolmaster, 
 Erhard Hegenwald, has described the transaction; and his 
 narrative is the more worth;^ of credence, for the very reason 
 that Faber was so provoked by it, that he attempted to refute it 
 by a statement of his own. The distinguished air, which he 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 110 
 
 assumed, the haughty treatment of Hegenwald, the importance, 
 which he strove to give to his trifling mistakes, the mixture also 
 of unfounded assertions contained in this production roused the 
 indignation of the young men of Zurich, six of whom, mem- 
 bers then already for the most part of the Great, and afterwards 
 of the Small Council, joined in the publication of an answer to 
 Faber, which they entitled "Hawk Plucking." The rude cas- 
 tigation, the biting and often also tasteless wit, and the entire 
 absence of all the respect, which they formerly paid to age and 
 official position, sorely wounded the Vicar General, who, but 
 that it seemed useless, would have complained of the " libelous 
 little book" to the government of Zurich. 
 
 Thus the hostility of Faber toward Zwingli and his friends 
 soon extended itself to Zurich also. This champion against the 
 doctrines of the Reformer became a persecutor of all his ad- 
 herents — an inexorable judge to those, who fell into his power. 
 In the end he even laughed at the tears, which the torture of 
 the rack wrung from one of his victims, and rejoiced to see him 
 burning at the stake.* 
 
 Zwingli, although satisfied with the decree of the govern- 
 
 * A writer of that age says of him, using indeed colors somewhat 
 dark : " We ought rather to call Faher a cruel judge than a doctor or 
 bishop. Throughout all Germany and the neighboring countries his 
 severity is known. Scarcely a hangman in our fatherland has execut- 
 ed so many as have been condemned by the unrighteous sentences of 
 Faber." And at the close, in a simple narrative of Hans Huglin of 
 Lindau, who was burnt as a heretic, we read : " WhUe the poor miser- 
 able man was compelled to groan thus (he had been on the rack), the 
 Vicary sat there and laughed. When the poor man saw this, he said : 
 0, dear Sir, why do you laugh at me ; I am but an abandoned creature, 
 who am not worth laughing at. Laugh over yourself, and God forgive 
 you ; you know not what you do. At which words the Vicary, who 
 looked at him stiU more wickedly, was ashamed to laugh and grew 
 very red ; since which all the world has pitied the poor man." 
 
120 LIFE OF ZWINGM 
 
 ment, that he should continue unmolested in his way of teach- 
 ing, was by no means so with the turn, which the conference 
 took in the afternoon, through the tricks of Faber and the sort 
 of protest against his syllogisms as anti-scriptural, with which 
 the Vicar General had left Zurich. He resolved to append to 
 each one of these points a detailed explanation and proof, in a 
 work, which is even now considered the basis of his system of 
 Christian doctrine, as well as his views in regard to church and 
 state.* "Day and night" — ^he wrote to his friend "Werner 
 Steiner — " do I labor at this work. " It consisted of a volume 
 of 300 closely-printed pages, and was finished in five months, 
 amid daily preaching and a crowd of other business. New and 
 still more violent enemies were awakened by its appearance, 
 and] although many boasting promises of a refutation were made, 
 ~none ever saw the light. 
 
 But with the rapid spread of this work the time had come, 
 when the influence of the Eeformer, hitherto confined mostly to 
 Zurich and its territory, flowed out in all directions beyond these 
 limits. The Zurich ambassadors had to witness a prelude of 
 this in a riot at Luzern, where a disorderly rabble, instigated 
 by several deputies of the diet sitting at that place, carried 
 past their lodging an effigy of Zwingli with scofis and curses, 
 and burnt it with all the formalities used by the Inquisition. 
 Two months later, in June, Caspar Goeldi, who had been 
 obliged to leave Zurich on account of mercenary service, com- 
 plained before a second diet at Baden, that his daughter had 
 willfully eloped from the convent of Hermatschweil and married 
 one Schuster at Bremgarteu, and the landvogt of Sorgans like- 
 vrise, that a priest of that place had taken to himself a wife. 
 Zwingli's sermons became still more severe against deserters 
 
 * Printed entire under the title of " Uslegm und Grand der Schluss- 
 reden," in the first volume of Zwingli's works, edited by Schuler and 
 Schultheiss. 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 121 
 
 and pensions. "Confederates," — said Caspar of Muelinen — 
 " check Lutheranism in the bud. The preachers at Zurich 
 have already become masters of their rulers, so that they are no 
 more able to withstand them. A man is no longer safe there in 
 his own house. The peasantry refuse to pay their rents and 
 tithes, and great discord reigns in the city and canton. " The 
 resolution was carried in the Eecess, to communicate the com- 
 plaints to all the governments, in order to agree if possible on a 
 remedy ; especially since the pastor had meddled also in politic- 
 al affairs, and preached among other things : " The Confeder- 
 ates sell Christian blood and eat Christian flesh." 
 
 At Zwingli's request, the articles of the Recess were given 
 to him, so that he might draw up a vindication. This vindica- 
 tion, which was also laid before the Great Council at Zurich, 
 shows the undaunted courage of the man, as well as his assu-> 
 ranee of being in the path of duty. 
 
 "Wise and gracious Lords," — ^wrote he — "I believe indeed 
 that complaints against me are rife; but to show the justice of 
 them is, as I hope in God, in the power of no one. I will in- 
 deed confess, that I earnestly rebuke the prevailing vices, in 
 chief that of perfidious bribe-taking, which is in vogue in nearly 
 all courts and countries. But of my Lords, the Confederates, I 
 have never spoken improperly. I have named them perhaps, 
 though not rudely ; for, from youth up, nothing has been more 
 foreign to my nature, except when my fatherland has been evil 
 spoken of. When obliged to rebuke severely and bear down 
 against vices, then I have mentioned neither Dalmatians nor 
 Englishmen; and this is my constant custom. Moreover, by no 
 means do I agree with them, who say, no body ought ever to 
 be called by name from the pulpit. God has never commanded 
 this; perhaps the Pope has; but none the less ami of opinion, 
 that we should not make the Word of God hateful by oar i-ash- 
 ness. When, during Lent in the past year, I preached about 
 
 U 
 
122 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 eating flesh, I uttered these, among other -words: Many a one 
 reviles flesh-eating as evil and thinks that a great sin, which 
 God has never forbidden ; but to butcher and sell human flesh, 
 he thinks no sin. But in this I called neither Confederates, 
 nor latidsknechts, by name. That I said nothing more, the 
 Great Council of Zurich will bear me witness. In general, for 
 some time back I have had to endure incredible lies against 
 mc ; they have caused me little sorrow, for I thought : The dis- 
 cijjle is not above his master; they lied against Christ, hence it 
 is no wonder, they lie against thee also. Thus my enemies 
 once said of me, that I abased the mother of God our Lord, 
 Jesus Christ. I answered them with a suitable little book. 
 Again they say, I have declared that neither rents nor tithes 
 should be paid. Item, that I have no regard for Christ's holy 
 body, and have preached an opinion about it so scandalous, 
 that I will not repeat it, lest the hearts of pious Christians might 
 be shocked. And much other stuff of the like sort, they swear 
 I have preached; but all these, saving your Honors' presence, 
 are pure lies. Then they tell of me that I have had four chil- 
 dren this year; that I wander about the streets at night; that I 
 am a gambler ; that I am hired by pensions from princes and 
 lords ; yet these also, saving your Honors' presence, are pure 
 lies. Now I would not" again set right these points, touching 
 my morals, if they were not prejudicial to the good city of 
 Zurich; for, since it would be a great disgrace to so glorious a 
 city, if it suffered such vices even in a boy, I need not speak of 
 one, who is devoted to God's Word and the common salvation 
 of men. As to this, wise and gracious Lords, let it be far from 
 you to put faith in any one, who speaks what he pleases against 
 others or myself; for the times are perilous. The devil, who 
 is an enemy of the truth, has used all his arts to cast down and 
 destroy it. Therefore it is my humble prayer to Your Wor- 
 ships, that, as heretofore, if they have somewhat tp say to mo, 
 
LIVE or ZWINGLI. 123 
 
 or any one somewhat against me, he or they seek mo before my 
 Lords at Zurich, where I am a citizen and a canon; besides a 
 born Toggenburger and a countryman at Schwyz and Glarus. 
 But, as far as regards the doctrine of Christ, I ask no other pro- 
 tection from any one, than may serve to prevent interference 
 against the pure word of God ; and each and every one shall 
 see, if God will, that since I laid hold of the Gospel of Christ, 
 I have never taught anything, whose ground I did not search 
 into beforehand, as far as God permitted. Understand this my 
 plain, hasty letter in the best sense; for it is written without 
 deceitful cunning. Let it also be made public, so that each 
 and every one can see my innocence. And may Almighty 
 God keep your State in his grace and honor ! Amen. " 
 
 There is nothing in the records of the Recesses to show, 
 whether this vindication was really read before the Diet. It is 
 certain, however, that it was known to the individual members, 
 among whom, as well as among the States, opinions concerning 
 Zmngli already began to be divided, and his adherents were 
 treated with far more mildness in Bern, Solothurn, Basel and 
 Schaffhausen, than in Luzern, Freiburg and the three Forest 
 Cantons. In Glarus several of the most influential members of 
 the government continued to keep up a correspondence with 
 him, or a friendly feeling toward him ; indeed, the government of 
 Bern, as early as June, 1523, issued a decree, that that only, 
 which could be proved by the Holy Scripture, should be taught 
 in the pulpit; and, at the close of the same year, the nuns of 
 Koenigsfeld received permission to leave the convent, if they 
 desired it. 
 
 In this respect, the Council of Zurich had already taken the 
 lead in the month of June, by doing the same thing for the 
 Sisters at (Edenbach. The wealth of this convent was consid- 
 erable; the nuns, whose number was rather large, belonged, for 
 the most part, to distinguished families. It was no easy un- 
 
124 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 dertaking, in a time of such excitement, to keep peace among 
 them, especially because the fiercest enemies of reform, the Do- 
 minican monks, who were devoted to the same rule of order, 
 had abundant access to them as preachers, as confessors, and 
 under all possible pretences. The Council, sorry to find this 
 influence, and tracing it in the quarrels, which already began to 
 arise in many families, through the instigation of the spiritual 
 sisters, invited Zwingli to preach in the convent. This had 
 never yet been done by a so-called secular priest. A part of 
 the nuns refused to hear the unwelcome speaker. Zwingli 
 therefore printed the discourse, which he delivered, and sent it 
 to them. Requests were now sent to the government by one 
 for release from her vows; prayers by another for the return of 
 their former confessors and preachers. Strife arose in the con- 
 vent. Here parents saw with displeasure the resolution of their 
 daughters to go back into secular life, whilst others were dis- 
 satisfied, Tjecause theirs refused to do this. For some time the 
 Council tried to help matters by rendering access to the con- 
 vent difficult, and by obliging Leo Judfe to preach there regu- 
 larly; but when the discord was no|; allayed thereby, permission 
 to leave was granted to all those who desired to go, with the 
 privilege of taking whatever they had brought, besides their 
 clothing and furniture. The rest were allowed to remain in the 
 convent, but were obliged to lay aside the habit of the order and 
 listen to Leo- Judae's preaching. For the management of the 
 revenues and general control a court of magistrates was institu- 
 ted. The number of those, who went back to secular life, still 
 increased; the aged gradually died off in the convent. Simi- 
 lar ordinances were passed in relation to the other nunneries in 
 the territory of Zurich. 
 
 It is enough to show, that in these arrangements, the gov- 
 vernment was prompted neither by a blind zeal for tearing down, 
 nor a base desire for the property of the convents. He who 
 
LIFE OF ZAVrNQLI. 125 
 
 looks over the writings of Zwingli, * will soon find, that the 
 Council followed closely the path marked out by him, and in- 
 deed throughout, in the consciousness that they acted in full 
 harmony with the Holy Scriptures. As another proof of the 
 bold thinking and fearless language of the Reformer, we will 
 here quote, if it be only what he says, in the Explanation of his 
 Final Discourses as to the right disposition of the property of the 
 suppressed establishments: "The simple-minded shudder at 
 this, because they think it not right to chang(? the last will of 
 any body; but a greater fraud lies in this than in other abuses. 
 See : What motive swayed, those, who founded the benefices ? 
 Nothing else than because they were falsely taught, that the 
 mass is a sacrifice. Therefore they dreamed they were bestow- 
 ing their possessions on the poor, when they gave to this object. 
 But now, since we are conscious of the deceit, that the mass is 
 not a sacrifice, but the food of him, who eats with faith and 
 spiritual hunger, we may divert the property to the poor, and 
 withdraw it from idle bellies; yet we do this after their de- 
 parture. But .here they cry out; See, thus they undertake to 
 do away with testaments, legacies and last wills! Answer: 
 Here lies the rogue behind the hedge. Has not every govern- 
 ment its own right and custom in the making of legacies? 
 Who meddles with the appointment of heirs ? Who wishes to act 
 falsely here? You have falsified more than any one else; for 
 you have tampered with last wills, so that that has been given to 
 you, which belonged to other lawful heirs, and you have done 
 it by your parables and false doctrines, f Thus what the people 
 
 * Explanation of the Final Discourses, viz, the 26, 27, 33, 64th, et cet. 
 
 f He, who is acquainted with history in its sources, knows that this 
 assertion of Zwingli is by no means maliciously snatched from the air. 
 It cannot indeed be charged against all convent-property ; but, to il- 
 lustrate the mode, in which a part at least of such acquisitions 
 were obtained during the Middle Ages, I will insert here a document, 
 
 11* 
 
123 LIFE OF ZWINGLT. 
 
 have as a civil right, you claim as a divine right. * * * 
 See, here we fiad the real forgers of wills, who have foisted in 
 their avarice, by pretending that it was kindly done for the salva- 
 
 which was preserved in their archives by our forefathers of Zurich, ez- 
 przsshj Jor ihe information of posterity, and which, drawn- up on parch- 
 ment and furnished with the seal of State, is still extant. The monas- 
 teries had plainly fallen off from their original severe rules. For the 
 better understanding of it, the orthography and punctuation only are 
 brought nearer td* modern style. 
 
 " To all, who see this letter or hear it read, we, the Council of 
 Zurich, whose name are written after, make known, that we saw the 
 letter of the burghers of Strassburg, entire, true, and sealed with their 
 public seal, as stands hereafter written. And that we and our succes- 
 sors after us, if a similar case arise in our midst, may be able to judge 
 the more correctly, we have, with the leave of our burghers, willingly, 
 publicly and unanimously written this letter from the heart, and pub- 
 licly sealed it with our burghers' great seal, for a perpetual and eternal 
 record. 
 
 "To the honorable, the wise and the discreet, the Council and bur- 
 ghers generally of Basel, of Colmar, of Schlettstadt, of Rheinau, of 
 Naffach, and after them, all those cities where this letter appears, Nich- 
 olas the younger Zorn, mayor of the city, and the burghers of Strassburg 
 generally offer their free service with entire friendship. Many things 
 are done honorably and justly, which in foreign countries are perverted, 
 because their origin is not rightly understood. Hence we humbly pray 
 you to receive our address with favor and sympathize with us, because 
 they have troubled us, for whom we have done very much indeed. Your 
 Worships, the barefooted friars and the preachers (Dominican monks) 
 had fallen into the practice of taking legacies in the world outside of 
 the monasteries, and when a rich man, or a rich lady, lay on a death- 
 bed, then they ran thither and persuaded him to give all his property 
 to them, and thus all his heirs were disinherited and ruined. Then the 
 latter came before us crying and complaining that they had been disin- 
 herited. Many such complaints came before us. The monks sold also 
 their own property, on condition that it should revert to them again on 
 the death of the buyer. This made us think that our city would in a short 
 time become entirely theirs. They received also into their order the chil- 
 
LIFE 01" ZWINGLI. 127 
 
 tion of souls. But they say, if one of his own free-will gives 
 us his property on his death-bed, is it not right for us to take it ? 
 Answer : no, for thou shouldst have before given a right Chris- 
 tian understanding to the donor, representing things thus : 
 
 dren of rich people, -without the consent and knowledge of their friends, 
 in order to get their property. At this also we have been greatly troubled 
 and many complaints against them have been brought before us. When 
 this had continued for a long, long time, and we could bear no longer 
 the manifold complaints of the burghers ; then we went to the preachers 
 and begged them to conduct themselves so, that such complaints would 
 no more reach us from our citizens. Then they spake and promised us 
 that what papers the barefooted friars (Franciscans) would give us, not 
 to do it any more, they also would give us. We went to the barefooted 
 friars and laid this matter before them. They answered thus: What 
 Your Worships require us to promise you, that we are directed by the 
 rules of our order not to do ; even if you had never issued a command, 
 yet had we been forbidden not to do it. Then spake we : Make us 
 such a paper on it as seems good to you, that it may stand as a 
 pledge between us. They drew up the paper as we send you the copy 
 word for word. Then we came to the preachers (Dominicans) with the 
 paper and they bade us give them a copy. After that their provincial 
 came, and they did as he told them, and abused us for this thing be- 
 yond measure, four years in succession. But at last, a complaint was 
 lodged against them for taking the estate of a lady from the lawful 
 heirs ; therefore we begged them again to give ns a paper like that of 
 the barefooted friars, as they had promised to do. Then they said 
 proudlyj that rather than do it they would let their heads be chopped 
 oflf with axes. This made us unwilling to have them as clergymen, 
 since they would not keep their promises. And when we began.to build 
 on the commons of our city before their gates, they ran to our women 
 and beat our servants with clubs and shovels till one was killed. At 
 which we became the more wroth and would have torn their gate from 
 its hinges. This have we written to you and pray, since we need your 
 counsel and favor in this matter, that you will act a friendly part, be- 
 cause we lean on you and would do the same for you in an hour of like 
 need. We also pray you, if we get judges in this affair, who are 
 allied to you, th.it you will influence them toward us, so that they will 
 
128 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 Consider not thy temporal property thine own; thou art only 
 a steward over it. Thou shouldst divide it among the poor, 
 which is pleasing to God, and shouldst not give it to those, 
 who do not need it. Thou seest that such property is often 
 used, only to foster pride and vanity in the temples, even 
 though it is_ not squandered wantonly. God has commanded, 
 to give to the poor ; do it then ; and no one shall be scan- 
 dalized, if that which has hitherto been misused, is turned to 
 the Christian advantage of the poor. For were they who, un- 
 knowingly have contributed to their bellies, still here, they 
 would snatch it again out of their hands. But no appropriat- 
 ing hand should be laid on it; for that would be acting the 
 thief, or the robber. The authorities ehould wait till the 
 jointures are without a possessor ( till the present incum- 
 bents are dead, or have voluntarily relinquished their rights), 
 and then arrange it with God himself; so that common justice 
 be maintained and no one led into wickedness." 
 
 Why should a people, accustomed to form free judgments on 
 human affairs, as well as to express their opinions freely concern- 
 ing them, oppose with violence such views, founded as tbey 
 were by Zwingli, at all points, on the Holy Scriptures? Did 
 not experience also teach that the Church of Christ has become 
 great in poverty, and straightway been corrupted by riches? 
 Willingly or unwillingly, the government had to yield to public 
 
 be favorable to our rights, just as we would do for you in the same 
 strait.'' 
 
 The names of he Council ( at Zurich, as above ) are Burkard von 
 Hottingen, Rudolph von Beggenhoven, Chuon von Tuebelnstein, Henry 
 Vinko and Jacob from the Mozie, knights, Ruodolf dor Muelner, Kuo- 
 dolf derKriek, Ulric dor Trueber, Peter Wolfleibscho, Ulrio im Gewelbe, 
 Henry Stoeri and John Pilgrin Burger. This paper was transcribed 
 in the twelve-hundred and eighty-seventh year, from God's birth 
 on the Monday after Saint Urban's day, when the indication was 
 the XVth. 
 
LIFE 01' ZWINQLI 129 
 
 opinion, and awaken to a still more lively consciousness, that, if 
 it would not continually oscillate, without character, between 
 the old and the new, no escape remained, except in the way 
 which the welfare and honor Of the country pointed out; by 
 making common cause with the bold and progressive Reformer. 
 
 From this feeling, it no longer threw any obstacles in the way 
 of the public marriage of the clergy in the churches, even that 
 of Leo Judae, people's priest at St. Peter's. William Ilooubli, 
 then preacher at Wytikon, anxious to set a striking example, 
 had made a beginning, by wedding the daughter of a wealthy 
 countryman, amid a concourse of joyful gue.sts, on the 28th of 
 April, 1523. 
 
 A letter came from the Emperor, accompanied by a decree of 
 the Bishop, in which the prohibition of such marriages, the 
 punishment of those who broke their monastic vows, as well as 
 a severer watchfulness against innovating teachers, were strongly 
 enjoined; but it was all in vain. The Council decided, against 
 the wish of the Bishop, that this "mandate" should neither 
 be complied with, nor even acknowledged, and wrote to him; "in 
 the city of Zurich, its courts and its territories, the Gospel and 
 the Divine Word shall be truly proclaimed, but if any one thinks 
 that heretical matters and articles are preached, let him point 
 them out, whereupon fitting action will be taken in the case. " 
 
 Just in proportion as Zwingli's position became more secure, 
 his views were transferred to the system of government, 
 and the Reformation taking hold thus of political life, new 
 embarrassments were prepared for him by the very men, who 
 originally supported him, and the first traces of dangerous 
 movements from below upward began already to appear. 
 
 The time was ripe for his great work. Boldness only was 
 needed, to give the first utterance to that of which the majority 
 were more or less conscious : The deceit, the abuses that have 
 poisoned our civil as well as our religious life must be put down. 
 
130 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 In sueli moments, the feeling of deliverance was awakened in 
 every heart : nobler powers, intellectual activities were stirred 
 up; but mingled at the same time with hereditary weakness, 
 seductive vices and passions, whose charms he, who is born of 
 earth, can not wholly resist; and the brave man, who called the 
 movement into life, had soon to contend less with old ene- 
 mies, already half conquered, than with the new ones rising 
 up on all sides. 
 
 This was the prospect which unfolded itself to the Reformer, 
 as early as the year 1523, soon after the first Religious Confer- 
 ence. William Roeubli, the above-mentioned preacher at Wyti- 
 kon, Simon Stumpf, pastor at Hoong, and even Zwingli's for- 
 mer scholar, friend and admirer, Conrad Grebel, are known as 
 the first by whom the congregations were disturbed and seduced 
 into dangerous measures. Among several points, based on the 
 Gospel as they pretended, none was more readily seized on by 
 the people than these — that the tithe, according to the Divine 
 Word, should go exclusively to the benefit of the poor, and that 
 the taking of interest for money loaned was forbidden. In fact, 
 deputies from several congregations in the neighborhood of the 
 city appeared before the Council, on June 22d, with the petition, 
 that, since the tithe was eleemosynary under the Gospel, and 
 theirs was uselessly squandered by the canons of the Great 
 Minster, they might be released from the burden. They were 
 plainly rebuked by the Council in a sealed letter. It was not 
 right in the government to support error. But the flame was 
 not in the least smothered by this act; the bait was too tempt- 
 ing — to free themselves, under the shield of religion, from a tax, 
 which often before had been resisted. Rude sermons, for and 
 against the justice of the thing, were multiplied. A book, 
 called " Chief Articles of Christian doctrine against unchristian 
 Usury," written by a Doctor Strauss, and another, entitled 
 "Balaam's Little Ass," were circulated. It was also asserted 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 131 
 
 that Zwingli rejected tithes and interest. Grebel even ventured 
 to write to his brother-in-law, Vadianus, in St. Gall : " You wish 
 for news about the tithe-business. I can say nothing in ac- 
 cordance with sincerity and the Gospel, if I do not say, that 
 the people in our world of Zurich defraud in this matter like 
 tyrants and Turks. 'People of this world' I style the tyrants 
 of our fatherland, who go by the name of ' the assembled 
 fathers.' Decimating fathers they ought to be called. Thou 
 art not perhaps willing to believe me, and yet I see it with my 
 own eyes. Only ask Zwingli, who can tell thee everything 
 helter than I can.'' 
 
 Such assertions as this, which were echoing already through 
 the whole Confederacy, the prayers of his friends and the wishes 
 of the government induced Zwingli to declare himself publicly 
 on the subject. This was done in a sermon, which was given 
 to the press under the title: "On Divine and Human Eight- 
 eousness." 
 
 In earlier moments of enthusiasm over the rich fruits of his 
 struggle, from a feeling of the wide difference between evan- 
 gelical freedom and the pressure of the numerous burdens im- 
 posed by a degenerate church, a word may have escaped him, 
 which, joyfully laid hold of, distorted and magnified, gave some 
 color to the reproach, that he wished also to attack civil order 
 and guaranteed rights. This sermon, prepared with mature 
 deliberation and assured confidence, shows how safe his stand- 
 point here was, and that his system did not rest on fragments 
 of knowledge, dark feelings and a mere negative spirit of con- 
 tradiction, but was based on a profound understanding of the 
 Holy Scriptures, in their entire connection. 
 
 In seeking to bring the sense of human justice into harmony 
 with the fulfillment of religious duty, the lower position was 
 assigned to the citizen, in his relations, to the state, where, in 
 order to escape just punishment, he is obliged to obey; and the 
 
132 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 tigher to the Ciristian, in the spiritual kingdom of his Lord 
 and Master, whore he is bound to aspire after the noblest things, 
 in a spirit of faith, love and freedom. This will be plain from 
 several passages, taken out of this sermon. 
 
 "There are two laws, as well as two kinds of righteousness ; 
 a human and a divine. One part of the law regards the inner 
 man alone, for we must love God and our neighbor. But no 
 one can fulfill this command; hence no one is righteous, be- 
 cause God only and He by grace, the pledge of which is Christ, 
 can make us righteous through faith. The other part of the 
 law regards the external man alone, and hence we may be out- 
 wardly pious and righteous, and still none the less wicked with- 
 in. For example : " Thou shalt not steal, " is a command for 
 external life and piety. " Thou shalt not covet the property of 
 thy neighbor, " is a command for inward, divine life and right- 
 eousness; yet both have respect to one thing, taking. So, if 
 one only does not steal, he is pious in the eyes of men, but may 
 at the same time be unjust before God; for he has a stronger 
 desire and temptation perhaps to seize foreign property, than 
 one who has stolen. He, who does not practise usury, is pious 
 before men; for he may be restrained by force from doing it; 
 but nevertheless he is not pious before God; for he must sell 
 all his goods and give to the poor. Indeed, the rich man is 
 bound to give to the poor, that is, to God. But, though no 
 man can ever fully attain this divine righteousness, yet be- 
 lievers have special delight in conforming to it more and 
 more, and the desire is greater in one than in another, ac- 
 cording as God has kindled his fire in our hearts; for He works 
 all things in us. Therefore, the divine righteousness ought to 
 be made known and preached to all men without ceasing, else 
 godliness will vanish, and all men content themselves with 
 lame, human righteousness, and all righteousness be turned into 
 an allegory; for then no one would respect God, but look out 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 133 
 
 only as to how he might be shielded from punishment before 
 men, as for some time back we have grieved to see happen in 
 many cases. * 
 
 " We have now seen,, as I hope, how widely the divine right- 
 eousness differs from what is merely human. Although this 
 human righteousness is not worthy to be called a righteousness, 
 yet we examine it in comparison with that which is divine ; yet 
 has God also commanded it, because he has seen in our fallen 
 estate, that our temptations and desires could not follow or do 
 his will. Christ tells us to be obedient to this human right- 
 eousness; for he says: Rend€r unto Csesar the things that are 
 Caesar's. He does not mean to say that the whole world should 
 obey Csesar, but only that portion of mankind, which was sub- 
 ject to him. Had he found the Jewish nation under the king 
 of Babylon, he would have spoken : Render unto the king of 
 Babylon what is due to the king of Babylon. We must under- 
 stand this of every several government. If you live under the 
 king of France, then render to him what is due to him: and 
 so on, through the whole catalogue. '' 
 
 After this strict separation of the kingdom of God, revealing 
 itself only in freedom and love ; and national life, founded on 
 law, order and obedience, he refers interest and tithes to the 
 province of severe human righteousness. Beyond dispute, it 
 would aid the government in disposing of this matter; but just 
 as resolutely did he warn against misuse in the application, 
 against the encouragement of usury, and against the sanction of 
 unfair contracts by sign and seal ; for though written guarantees 
 must be kept inviolate according to human order, yet durst you 
 as little forget that the law of kindness and Christian lovo 
 
 * Or in other words : Without religion the stato succumbs to ma- 
 terialism. But the prevalence of materialism is least consistent with 
 the welfare of a republic. The freest state ought to bo the most 
 religious : the most religious only durst be the most free. 
 
 12 
 
134 LirE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 toward men is written by God himself dn the soul. If wantonly 
 violated, they are waked up in the end, and help themselves, in 
 spite of records and parchments. Then you have the decree 
 and your own folly to thank for it. " This brief opinion " — ^he 
 adds— "I am ready to maintain by the Holy Scripture." 
 
 "In short" — ^he concludes — "the Divine Word ought to 
 rule over all nxen, be set before them and truly made known; 
 for we are bound' to follow it. But in this, the grace of God 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ alone can aid our weakness. 
 For the more we discover our guilt, the more we discover the 
 beauty and the almightiness of God, and the love and assurance 
 of his grace, which makes us more pious than we can be in any 
 other way. Besides, though some will be found, who do not 
 release the ungodly and unbelievers from the duty of living ac- 
 cording to God's Word, yet God has given us also as the lowest 
 command, not that, living only therein, we may be pious, but 
 that human society may be upheld and protected, and guardians 
 appointed, who may earnestly look to it, that the last vestige of 
 human righteousness also be not swept away. Such guardians 
 are the powers that be, who are no, other than they that bear 
 the sword, whom we call worldly authorities. These authorities 
 must not indeed trample on the Word of God; for they punish 
 outward transgressions only, but cannot make righteous or un- 
 righteous inwardly; for that God alone does in the hearts of 
 men." 
 
 The weight of such language, uttered from the pulpit and 
 spread abroad by the press, bore heavily on those, who derived 
 advantage from the burdens, which prevailing abuses heaped 
 upon the people. And the canons of the Great Minster were 
 especially concerned in this. Indeed, some were found among 
 them, who not only led a life of idleness, but of debauchery and 
 wanton dissipation, and instead of attending to divine worship, 
 went out hunting with falcons, leaping over the hedges of the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 135 
 
 farmers, or dared even to hold carousals in the sacristy itself. * 
 It is true, that, since Zwingli's arrival, they had been obliged to 
 change, in so far as scarcely ever to venture on such things in 
 public, and, that the number of those, who clearly perceived 
 the need of a remedy, was increasing; and at last they induced 
 Zwingli, as he had given advice, before it would be too late, to 
 stretch out a powerful hand for their reformation. 
 
 The result was, a resolution of the monastery to bring the 
 matter to the notice of the government. The latter met them 
 with joy; and by. a commission from both parties, a revised 
 order was prepared, in conformity with the progress of religious 
 knowledge and theological science, as it certainly agreed also 
 with the original spirit of the foundation, and that of its most 
 distinguished patron, Charlemagne. 
 
 In the introduction of a document relating to this subject, 
 drawn up on the 29th of September, 1523, it runs thus: "The 
 reverend Clergy, Provost and Chapter of the Monastery of St. 
 Felix and Eegula make known ; since, from a good motive, en- 
 couraged thereto by the Divine Word, which lays open every- 
 thing, they see and acknowledge the abuses, of which they are 
 not the authors, having received them by tradition — with the 
 help of God they will exchange them for the better rules of 
 a good Christian life, and cause them to be practised in another 
 and better fashion than heretofore. Besides, they find that the 
 common people, rich and poor, who support them by their toil- 
 some labor, be it by interest or tithes, have had indeed no 
 pleasure in their prevailing customs and misusages, but felt 
 
 * The assailed could indeed appeal, at least for a partial justification 
 of their lore of the chase, to an article of their statutes, revised in the 
 year 1346, according to which and others, a horse, a hound, and a fal- 
 con or sparrow-hawk, for hunting, had to be presented to the chaplain 
 of the foundation, who ministered at the annual festival in the church 
 of ZoUikon, 
 
136 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 great discontent at the manifold burdens laid upon them." 
 The improvement consisted in the remission of a considerable 
 sum of duos, which were hitherto drawn for ecclesiastical pur- 
 poses ; in the establishment of professorships for the better edu- 
 cation of the clergy ; in the greater demands made on those, 
 who wished to come forth as preachers ; and in the anxiety mani- 
 fested for suitable religious instruction among congregations 
 under the care of the Canonical Chapter. Among the present 
 canons and chaplains, whose number, exclusive of the people's 
 priest and his assistants, amounted to BO, whoever was fitted for 
 such purposes, him they would commission, but suffered the 
 others, under pledge, of course, to lead a retired life and attend 
 preaching regularly, to retain their benefices till death, when 
 their revenues were to be transferred to the hospital and the 
 poor of that congregation, which paid the tithe to the Chapter. 
 But aifairs had already come to such a pass, that even well- 
 meant and judicious changes, if not immediately carried out, 
 no longer gave satisfaction. A wild zeal for innovation also 
 found vent in frequent brutish expressions and disorderly scenes. 
 If unpopular canons or chaplains appeared at mass in the church, 
 they were publicly derided; their chronicles were stolen; leaves 
 were torn from a guide-book for the celebration of festivals put 
 up in the choir, and then scattered at the door of the provost's 
 house ; and one night the stocks and gallows, emblems of the 
 temporal jurisdiction of the monastery were partly destroyed 
 and partly erected in a different place. By others the lamps 
 in the Church of the Virgin were broken, and the oil spilled, 
 whilst they mutually sprinkled themselves with the holy water. 
 Similar things happened in St. Peter's Church. In the coun- 
 try, a priest even ventured to read mass in slippers and red 
 breeches. They began to call pictures idols, and the examples 
 of the kings and prophets of the East, who contended against 
 the idolatry of their age in every possible way, were arrayed 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 137 
 
 as wortty of imitation before the imaginations of fanatics, 
 who grew more exeitecl, especially as they became acquainted 
 with the Old Testament. A production, composed in this spirit 
 by Lewis Hsetzer, under the title of " Decree of God, as to how 
 wo ought to deal with Images," was at that time widely circulated. 
 From this disposition of mind proceeded an event, which at- 
 tracted attention and aroused indignation throughout the Con- 
 federacy, and prepared trouble for the government iu Zurich. 
 Directly before the city, in Stadelhofen, there stood on a pe- 
 destal of stone,' an immense image of the Savior on the Cross, 
 carved out of wood. It was put up by one family, as a monu- 
 ment of devotion, and was now under the care of a miller dwell- 
 ing in the neighborhood. Many passers-by still did reverence to 
 it. This was a source of great provocation to a number of en- 
 thusiasts, who afterwai'ds went over to the Anabaptists, and es- 
 pecially to Nicholas Hottinger, a shoemaker by trade, a man not 
 without culture, possessed of some property, versed in the 
 Scriptures and of a decided character, which, in connection with 
 his natural eloquence, gave him great influence over his asso- 
 ciates. It is told of him, that he offered a bucket of wine to 
 the hospital, if he would be allowed to destroy the images and 
 votive paintings in the Water Church; and that he intended 
 to give a banquet in honor of Zwingli at Lindenhof, amid a 
 large assembly of country-people. He had often rebuked the 
 possessor of the crucifix for not casting away the object of idola- 
 try ; he had even done it in presence of members of the Coun- 
 cil, so that the man at last declared he was tired of the business, 
 and though he would never do such a thing himself, Hottinger 
 had the privilege of doing it, as soon as he had made over to 
 him his right to the image. This was effected, and on a clear 
 day Hottinger came with his companions. They threw down 
 the crucifix, and even digged out the pedestal. The wood, they 
 declared should go to the poor. 
 
 12* 
 
13S LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 Although the actors in this scene appealed to the express, 
 command of God; although many approved of the deed, and 
 even a portion of the preachers spoke in their favor from the 
 pulpit, it vras still in the eyes of others, perhaps of the majority, 
 especially heyond the canton, an act as rebellious as horrible, 
 yea worthy of death; and they threatened, in case the perpe- 
 trators were not dealt with in this way, according to their will 
 and confused ideas, such dangerous consequences, that the gov-- 
 ernment was obliged to cast the so-called "Idol Stormers" into 
 prison for a while. The result of an investigation, conducted 
 in common with the three people's priests, convinced the Coun- 
 cil, that the quieting of the people, and the introduction of 
 rules of law for the abrogation of customs, which were no longer 
 tenable, could only be looked for, in the way of a conference, as 
 public and thorough as possible, on the doctrine of Scripture con- 
 cerning images and the mass also, as connected with this subject. 
 
 Hence the collective clergy and laity of the canton were in- 
 vited, in case they were ready to throw any light on the subject, 
 to appear at the council-house on the 26th of October. Similar 
 invitations were sent to the bishops of Constance, Chur and 
 Basel, as well as to the University at the latter place, to the 
 twelve Cantons of the Confederacy, and to the city and abbot of 
 St. Gall. 
 
 The call of Zurich for the first religious conference, nine 
 months before, had scarcely been heeded by her sisters of the 
 Confederacy. But now this actual invitation was received in a 
 different manner. With the exception of Schaffhausen, no 
 canton, it is true, ventured to comply with it formally; but 
 from the answers, yet to be quoted, it may be gathered that, 
 having generally deliberated over the matter, they were decid- 
 edly averse to the proposal. Bern, and, by her advice, Solo- 
 thurn also, declined the invitation, with the prayer, that it 
 might not be taken ill on their part; but as injury as well ben- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 139 
 
 efit could grow out of events of this kind, not to a single canton 
 merely, but to the whole Confederacy, the general interest 
 ought to have induced them to confer beforehand in common 
 aboiit the topics to be treated of, as well as about those who were 
 to be invited to the conference. The invitation made a disa- 
 greeable impression on Luzern. "You inform us" — so runs 
 the letter from this city — "that quarrels and ill-will about 
 spiritual things are rife among you. This we are sorry to hear, 
 and still more sorry that you have not rooted them up long ago,, 
 for which neither right nor might were wanting; and even ha 
 it been so, we as pious Christians would have willingly lent 
 you aid. Now you invite us to a conference; but along with 
 our clergy, whom we think pious, we have found in spiritual 
 and temporal affairs, that such insignificant assemblies are 
 wholly unfit to deal with matters pertaining to faith. We do 
 not wish to attack images, far less the mass, upon which our 
 whole faith is founded. We wish to tread in the footsteps of 
 our fathers — to stand by that, which we have inherited from 
 theiu and been taught by them ; for we do not regard them as 
 seducers, but sainted and pious people. We are willing also to 
 have abuses put away; but by them to whom it belongs. There- 
 fore we send no one, and beg you to accept our reasons in the 
 best spirit." 
 
 Still more bitter was the refusal of Obwalden: "To serve you 
 we are at all times ready. But now you invite our learned men 
 to you. Hence we speak thus : We have no particularly learned 
 people amongst us; only pious, reverend priests, who expound 
 to us the Gospel and the other Holy Scriptures, as they were 
 expounded to our forefathers ; in which we will trust as long 
 as we live, unless the Pope or a Council revoke the doctrine, 
 and are ready to suffer death therefor. We also can not bring 
 ourselves to believe that the Lord' God has given more grace to 
 Zwingli, than to the dear saints and teachers, who have suf- 
 
140 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 fei'ed martyrdom and death, for the faith. We can not see 
 that he leads such a spiritual life, nay, that he is rather in- 
 clined to disturbance, than to peace and quiet. Therefore we 
 desire to send no one to him, nor to any like him. Indeed, 
 if we had him, and would find that true, which is told us about 
 him, we would give him such a reward, that he would never do 
 it again." 
 
 Basel, where Zwingli's intimate friend (Ecolampadius ( Haus- 
 schein ) was now a preacher, and in the year following became 
 a professor, returned no answer. The University looked with 
 disdain on popular theological conferences, where unlearned 
 men even usurped the seat of judgment, and the Council found 
 itself embarrassed between the friends of the old order and the 
 new. Zurich complained of its silence. 
 
 The Bishop of Constance, in two successive letters, asked, ac- 
 cording to his former practice, for the reference of such an im- 
 portant point to a Church Council ; he would be pledged, so to 
 speak, " for both his superiors ( the Emperor and the Pope ), 
 from the answers and commands received from them in similar 
 cases." In the same strain wrote the truly venerable and aged 
 Bishop of Basel, with the addition: "although we are otherwise 
 inclined with our whole heart to favor you in all possible things 
 ( God knows ), because we are not unmindful of the many deeds 
 of kindness shown to ourselves and our monastery.'' From the 
 Diocesan at Chur no reply was received. The Abbot of St. 
 Gall excused himself on account of the shortness of the time, 
 which did permit him to obtain instructions. From the city 
 on the contrary, appeared, along with Vadianus the friend of 
 Zwingli's youth, who three years after rose to the dignity of bur- 
 gomaster there, the pastor Benedict Burgauer and Doctor 
 Schapeler. Doctor Sebastian Hofmeister, the people's priest 
 Martin Steinlin and Conrad Irmensee, trustee of the monastery 
 of All Saints, arrived from Schaffhausen. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 141 
 
 Of the course, the nature and the results of the theological 
 investigations, during the three days devoted to this conference, 
 enough can be learned from church-history.* Our task is to 
 describe the carriage and behavior of the persons engaged in it. 
 They seem to divide themselves into two main classes of a bet- 
 ter stamp, and one of a worse ; the most prominent speakers 
 were Zwiugli, Conrad Sehmied, commander of the Knights 
 of St. John at Ivuessnacht, and Conrad Grebel. A reck- 
 less treatment, an absolute rejection of all, that could not 
 be proven before the tribunal of Scripture-interpretation con- 
 ducted by the natural understanding, marked the character of 
 one class ; a sparing of the weak, cautious progress and a horror of 
 tearing down anything, before it could be built up again, marked 
 that of the second. Bolder, springing more from the immedi- 
 ate wants of the age, more politic were the views of the first j mil- 
 der, more accordant with nature, better agreeing with the spirit 
 of Christianity, were those of the second. Still, Zwingli was 
 not lacking in feeling, nor Sehmied in understanding. Hence 
 they, and their friends likewise, mutually comprehended each 
 other, and united in their opposition to the third class, in which, 
 under Grebel's guidance, only the impure elements of stormy 
 passions mingled. 
 
 Because there were now only two, though very important, 
 points of discussion, this conference was more lively and ani- 
 mated than the one preceding. The decisive action to be taken 
 in regard to images, held in suspense the multitude of those, 
 whose rude devotions were made up of genuflections, faith in 
 miracles, and the observance of external rites, whilst on the 
 other hand, the thoughtful and sensible turned their attention 
 rather to the examinations on the mass, which was without 
 
 * Satisfactory explanations of them are given hy Wirz in his Swiss 
 Church History, continued by Kirchhofer, Vol. V. p. 139. 
 
142 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 doubt the basis of the prevailing worship. This assembly 
 drew together a far greater number than the first, held in the 
 beginning of the year, and in order that digression to irrelevant 
 subjects might not be possible, and that the management might 
 not be attributed to a faction of Ztirichers, Vadianus and Scha- 
 peler of St. Gall, along with Doctor Hofmeister of Schaff hausen, 
 were chosen as presidents. 
 
 liigidly did they adhere to the rule of order laid down for 
 them by the burgomaster, to suffer no replies to pass which 
 were not sustained by the very language of the Bible, and Hof- 
 meister particular^ ordered silence and the disuse of certain ex- 
 pressions, which few in our times would not admit as substan. 
 tially true, although according to the nature of things they 
 could not be proven by the bare letter of Holy Scripture. 
 
 At first, the debate concerning the adoration of images pro- 
 ceeded without much strife. The unscriptural character of the 
 practice was universally acknowledged. Only in appearance, 
 or in order to pave the way for discussion, Gregory Luethy, 
 pastor in Winterthur, raised some objections, but was supported 
 by no one. The word "idolater," which they were so ready to 
 use, carried terror on all sides. 
 
 The canon Edlebaeh, whilst granting all such veneration to 
 .be superstitious, was still anxious to preserve at least figurative 
 representations of noble deeds, because "he thought they 
 charm us to imitation." — "This is a use" — answered Zwlngli 
 — "which is no use to me; bring the Divine Scripture for it. 
 God has forbidden us to be charmed by any one save Him 
 alone and His Word. Besides, when we have them, they will 
 be honored and esteemed as helpers. And that is at all points 
 against Christ and His Word. " 
 
 The severity of this answer the canon attributed perhaps to 
 the circumstance, that he was known as a secret adversary 
 of the Keformer, when one of his friends and admirers also rose 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 113 
 
 np, not indeed for tte defence of images, but to put in a plea 
 for their merciful treatment and impartial estimation. 
 
 This was Commander Schmied. Let us dwell a while upon a 
 character so full of interest. Son of a countryman from the 
 village of Kuessnacht, set apart for study on account of his 
 natural gifts, he came to Basel, where he remained till the ripe 
 age of manhood, and found himself clothed with academical 
 honors. Then he was chosen people's priest at Seengen, and 
 unanimously by the Knights of St. John at Kuessnacht for their 
 commander, in 1519. We know that he here won universal 
 respect, sought to promote religion and science, and in the 
 spirit, which animated the founders of this Order of Knight- 
 hood, joined a sincere and active benevolence with courage, 
 honor and morality. Even his external appearance was dignified 
 and engaging. 
 
 As the truth of the Gospel was sacred to him, so the spirit 
 of love lived in him, that spirit of the Holy Scriptures, 
 which is eternal, whilst the letter bears the stamp of the age 
 from which it came — the character of the men, by whom it was 
 written; that spirit makes alive, whilst the letter kills. 
 
 A shrewd observer, having the confidence of the country- 
 people living under him, he had heard many peculiar expres- 
 sions about the much-talked-of image-question, and looked as 
 deep into weak as into stronger hearts. Why should the 
 nobler end be done away also with the abuse ? , How had an 
 elevation to the reign of pure ideas suddenly become possible 
 for thousands, whose feelings heretofore could only be wrought 
 upon through the medium of the senses ? Was then the zeal 
 so pure, which glowed in the bosoms of the stormy fanatics, 
 who with axe and hatchet overthrew without discrimination the 
 ornaments of churches and the grotesque creations of supersti- 
 tion,* and before whose gloomy looks the most delicate works 
 
 * In St. Gall, for instance, forty wagon-loads of the ruins of lyooci- 
 
144 I,IFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 of art, from ■whidi the grandeur of innooence and the blessed- 
 ness of love beamed down upon them, found no mercy ? 
 
 Hence Schmied said : " Let us first put away the idols in 
 our hearts, through the preaching of the Divine "Word, before 
 we begin to rattle on the outside. Pictures are the staves of 
 the weak, which we dare not take away, until we have given 
 them strength to walk without. Paul too did not assail the 
 gods and statues of the AtheniaDS, but strove to erect in their 
 hearts a temple to the invisible God, convinced that then idola- 
 try would fall away of itself. In general, we ought not to pro- 
 voke anger without necessity; and not everything that happens 
 amongst us springs from a pure love of the truth. Such things 
 work injuriously in the Confederacy. We are told the Confed- 
 erates should not be our God. But yet they are Christian 
 people, and for that reason we ought to spare them. " 
 
 Who, in our times, will not approve of this mild speech ? And 
 to what do the Protestants of this 19th century owe it, that 
 they can hold these views peacefully? that no faith of the letter 
 drives them to a renunciation of innocent feelings, to unright- 
 eous, repulsive severity, and to a stiff and wanton tyranny 
 of creeds, such as meets us in the 17th century? To the pro-^ 
 gress of science alone — science, which teaches how to distin- 
 guish between the letter, and the spirit — science, which the 
 coward only fears, which he, who knows her not, only can ca- 
 lumniate. 
 
 But how very far in the rear was such science in Zwingli's 
 age ! Philology, history, an enlarged knowledge of nature and 
 
 en images were carried to the swamps and burnt there. " Every body 
 fell upon the idols. We tore them from the altar, the walls and the 
 pillars. The altars were . beaten down, the idols split to pieces with 
 axes, or smashed by hammers. You would have thought it a field of 
 battle. What a noise ! what a breaking ! what an echoing in the lofty 
 ceiling ! " Kmsler. 
 
UPE OF ZWINGLI. 145 
 
 geography — ^what ligtt have they not since fiirnished for the 
 explanation of the Holy Scriptures! With what wonderful 
 rapidity the results of scientific investigation, universally intel- 
 ligible, are poured out by an unfettered press among the multi- 
 tude ! Questions must now be started, can not be kept back, 
 on which nobody then, or at least a very few, ever thought; and 
 if three centuries ago a knowledge of grammar only w-as needed 
 for the interpretation of Scripture, there is now need of philos- 
 ophy also. 
 
 Still, in a book designed for general information, we cannot 
 enter deeply into what is scientific. It is enough to shew 
 plainly, that Zwingli must not be judged by the ideas of our 
 age, if in the discussion about images he opposed his friend 
 Sehmied. 
 
 In the noble feelings of the latter he shared, but surpassed 
 him, in a just appreciation of the age and its immediate wants, 
 and in the logical carrying out of a well-weighed system. Only 
 by holding firmly to the very language of Holy Scripture 
 could he keep his ground against his numerous opponents, for 
 only thus far were his hearers able to follow him. We will see 
 hereafter what difficulties he prepared for himself, when, in- 
 stead, of clinging to the letter in explaining the words of the 
 eucharist, he yielded to a freer spirit. 
 
 "Well has my lord and brother said"; — so Zwingli answered 
 Schmied's objections — "that we ought to put away the false 
 images in our hearts by the preaching of God's Word. I hope 
 too that Leo and I 'have not been negligent in this; but he 
 has spoken ill, when he calls images "the staves of the weak." 
 Where is there any passage of this sort in the Holy Scripture ? 
 But we are to follow its plain language. And it is clear as 
 day, that it permits no images, least of all those of gold and 
 silver, of whose value poverty is deprived. " 
 
 Hofniei^tey also thought, tha^, according to the commission 
 
 13 
 
146 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 he had received, he must admonish the commander to contend 
 only with Scripture. The latter^ from respect to the order of 
 the government, did not prolong the colloquy. 
 
 So decided vras Zwingli's victory, so general the aversion to 
 meet him, that a whole troop of those, who were enemies, car- 
 pers and boasters behind his back, now became silent in his 
 presence, when called! by name. The manner in which some 
 tried to get out of the affair was quite characteristic. This one 
 played the part of an injured man, and growled out, that no 
 body had a right to- ask him as long as he kept his peace; that 
 one naively declared, that he had believed the cAA, but now he 
 must believe the new; a third, that he would teach nothing 
 bad, that he could understand neither Greek nor Hebrew, and 
 it were well if these languages had never come into the country; 
 a fourth, that he could not fight, his sword having been broken 
 off at the hilt; the p-ior of the Augustinians said, that he 
 could give answer any moment from the Papal Decrees, and if 
 he was not able to do it, then he would stand there like any 
 other " cowled pate; " and the rest in a similar strain. 
 
 Thus the fate of images was decided by an easy battle. 
 "This has been child's play," — said Zwingli — "but now we 
 come to a more important matter." 
 
 Here again we must be reminded, that it belongs to the 
 province of theology, not history, to show in what, nearer or 
 more remote connection the doctrine of the mass., as then laid 
 down and practised by the Church, stands with the declarations 
 of Holy Scripture. It is enough to remark; that it rests upon 
 the idea, so deeply rooted in the human spirit, of the duty of 
 sacrifice. But what is true sacrifice? At bottom, nothing else 
 than offering up to Him, from whom we have everything and by 
 whom we are. In such offering — in offering at the same time 
 from the purest love for man, Christ has gone before us all. 
 That the perpetual preseijc? pf hip saprifice, therefgrg, must 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 147 
 
 strengthen us in faith and Idve, we all agree. But then there 
 is a difference between the sensuous and the spiritual apprehen- 
 sion of the fact. Zwingli taught that Christ offering himself 
 must not be looked for in a host made of meal, but in his liv- 
 ing image, the helper of the needy. " He who receives one of 
 these, receives me" — so He himself once said. This was the 
 plain, practical view, which Zwingli maintained not only in this 
 Conference, but in his whole system of doctrine also. 
 
 This practical view has for centuries now exerted its influ- 
 ence amongst us, and with whatever reason we may be censured 
 for other things — that there is a sense of active benevolence 
 amongst us can never be denied. Here, Zurich, hold firm ! 
 Here is thy rock ! May thy Church lean on it with wisdom, 
 in youthful strength ! Then need she dread neither time, nor 
 science, nor Jacobins, nor Jesuists. Religion, that flower of 
 life, has its root neither in the vague dreams of the rustic, nor 
 in the nalced formulas of the philosopher, but in noble, unpre- 
 tending acts. Here the real and the ideal, the beautiful and 
 the true meet for their eternally necessary mutual strengthen- 
 ing and purification. * 
 
 Owing to the nature of the siibject, the Conference assumed 
 a more peaceful and scientific cast, and at times became quite 
 familiar. Even Zwingli, especially after the commander 
 Schmied had again spoken in his mild, conciliatory manner, 
 
 * For scientific readers : Neither mysticism and pietism, nor dogma- 
 tism alone are able to sustain the Protestant churches. Mysticism 
 and pietism yield to mo.re consistent Catholicism ; dogmatism, without 
 symbolical books, ■which lose their authority where the press is free, 
 succumbs to philosophy. The simple eternal dogma of Christ stands : 
 £t/ its fruit shall ye know the tree. The time will yet come, when all 
 who practically reverence this dogma, will form the one, universal 
 church, and all others, be they marked with the cross or protests 
 against it, the no-church. For this no revolution is needed, not even 
 much change in forms. It will come from within. 
 
148 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 confessed to his most persevering opponent, Steinlin, people's 
 priest at Schaffhausen, that he had learned much from him, 
 and desired, that, if severe expressions sometimes fell from his 
 lips, they should not be laid too much to heart. "Many" — 
 said he — " there are, who catch up only the bitter things said 
 by me, and so too it happens with that learned gentleman, 
 Martin Luther, whom they are willing to imitate in naught, 
 save the sharpness of his language, which nevertheless lie often 
 utters out of true, ardent love; but the pious, faithful heart 
 and its struggles after truth, remain unnoticed. " 
 
 The earliest traces of a fire, which afterwards broke out de- 
 structively, began to appear first on the evening of the second 
 day. Mention has already been made of Conrad Grebel, 
 Zwingli's previous friend and admirer, and also of his father, 
 the councilor Jacob Grebel. The history of this. family, truly 
 told, would be a warning for all, who expect from the chances 
 of fortune that happiness, which is only to be found in con- 
 tentment and a pure conscience. A skillful man of business, 
 frequently employed in the afiairs- of Zurich and the Confeder- 
 acy, the father had' formed extensive connections. His house 
 in Zurich was always open to the ambassadors of foreign princes 
 and distinguished allies; in consequence of which his expenses 
 gradually became greater than his income. His sons and 
 daughters grew up^ Their welfare- and that of the family was 
 sought in splendid living. The elder daughter became prioress 
 of the convent of CEdenbach; the younger, at a later period, the 
 wife of Vadianus; she was the most fortunate of the children, 
 the only one happy till a ripe old age. One of the sons entered 
 the service of. the Archduke Ferdinand as a gentleman of the 
 bed-chamber; the other, Conrad, lived at Vienna and Paris on 
 sums of money, which the father knew how to obtain from the 
 Emperor, the King of France, and Duke Sforza of Milan. His 
 extravagance aided not a little in the ruin of the family. More 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 149 
 
 and more the fatlier put himself under dangerous obligations to 
 strangers. He did it too, after the penalty of death had been 
 affixed to the taking of foreign pensions. Already had one son 
 been dismissed from the service of the Archduke, and Conrad 
 returned home in shattered health and burdened with debt. 
 The convent at ffidenbaeh was broken up; the mother tor- 
 mented by sickness, domestic calamities and her own passionate 
 disposition, increased the general misery. Then the bribery of 
 the father came to light, and an old man, with snow-white 
 hair, he ended his days on the scaffold, in 1526. His dignified 
 behavior, when led to the block, excited universal pity. Some 
 months before he had begged the authorities to pardon his 
 ruined son, the chief cause of his misfortunes. * For himself, 
 he would not do it. What value would a longer life have had 
 in view of such a downfall! 
 
 We have anticipated, in order to show the fate of the family 
 in its connection ; the thread of our story now leads us back to 
 Conrad. To no common abilities he had joined industry and a 
 thirst for learning in his earlier youth, and knew how to gain 
 the good-will of Zwingli and Vadianus. Many letters bear 
 witness of the friendly relations in which he stood toward both ; 
 but his character gradually became worse, and he could not es- 
 cape the never-failing consequences of debauchery. Not the 
 body only, but the spirit also, sinks under them. Peace 
 vanishes from the soul ; insight into the sphere of duty and 
 the relations of life grows dim. Still, at times a nobler feeling 
 awoke within him; he acknowledged the justice of his suffer- 
 ings, bewailed his folly and strove to break loose from his fetters ; 
 but then again he would accuse others, especially his father. • 
 How severe and dreadful is the language which he uses in a 
 letter to Vadianus : " My father would discover my crime, if 
 the beam in his own eye did not hinder him from seeing the 
 
 * Why ? will be seen hereafter. 
 
 13* 
 
150 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 mote in mine. He does not know what I have had to suffer on 
 his account, since he first caused me to be fed by the Emperor 
 and then by the King of France. Had he taught me to get 
 along with a small patrimony according to the national custom; 
 had he not wished me to soar higher, as my wings grew, in the 
 track of his other son, then would I not be troubled, when the 
 betrayers of the fatherland are cursed, lest my father should be 
 included among them ; then would I not, when such are spoken 
 of, grow now red with shame and now pale with fear, lest they 
 should say my father was a French hireling; then would I not be 
 irritated; then would I not be compelled to tremble for a speedy 
 discovery; then would I not have to think of resitution; then 
 perhaps had I never bartered my freedom for gold and my honor 
 for sordid metal. The King flays his people and snatches the 
 food from their mouths like a wolf, that he may adorn his person 
 and fare sumptuously, and would have once beeq, able to bring 
 me to God knows what, if my native city had raised me to 
 honor and dignity. that it were granted me, to plunge from 
 this misery into another, or to escape both, and reach the shore 
 from the wreck in a happier hour ! Is this denied me ? then 
 do I set myself against fate and the gods and will brave the 
 torture, till their wrath is satiated in my grave. Glad am 1 
 that the plague, which still spared many, during the past au- 
 tumn, has broken out here again in the course of this month!"' 
 Thus, Zwingli's labors in Zurich began to stir up base ele- 
 ments, alpng with what were truly noble and pure. People, 
 who were lacking in means to rise, and often justly low in pub- 
 lic esteem, now called out likewise for change, so that their old 
 incapacity, or their old sins, might be forgotten. The deeper the 
 agitation, the more they hoped to gain. Then already Grebel 
 was numbered among them ; the better spirit had wholly for- 
 saken him. Others of a like stamp clustered around him. To 
 stand with Zwingli they would have needed purer morals, more 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. lol 
 
 labor of the mind, and above all self-denial. This would not 
 do for them. They must outstrip him therefore, in order to gain 
 their end the more quickly. 
 
 It has already been remarked, that the first traces of their 
 disturbing influence appeared at the close of the disputation. 
 Lame, frivolous were the questions about mere externals in the 
 administration of the Supper, the form of the bread, the kind, 
 as how it ought to be brought to the mouth, the time of taking 
 it, which Grrebel started — difficulties that he would find every- 
 where; then, supported chiefly by Simon Stumpf, people's 
 priest at Hoengg, he impugned the right of the government to 
 issue ordinances ; all evidently designed to produce an excite- 
 ment, to rouse the spirit of sect, to make himself a party. 
 With generous forbearance Zwingli answered him; but here 
 again Conrad Schmied spoke out against fanaticism and a rage 
 for destruction. He brought the insurgents to silence, and then 
 proceeded to deliver an ample discourse on the need of better 
 instruction, which met with general approbation. His spiritual 
 superiors had hitherto refused, for good reasons, to inform the 
 people. "The more need" — oontinuedhe — " is there, that you, 
 dear Sirs, should take the work boldly in hand. For money, 
 you have helped many an earthly prince to his land and his 
 subjects, help then, for Grod's sake, Christ our Lord to his do- 
 minion and honor." 
 
 No one opposed this. Then Zwingli spoke once more, beg- 
 ging all to hold firm to the Grospel, and never to despond as long 
 as they leaned upon it. "What is done from the best motives 
 will be misrepresented by falsehood and slander. Thus it had 
 been said here and there yesterday evening that we would now 
 degrade the body and blood of Christ into sleeping-cups. No ! " 
 —cried he—" no one certainly wishes to do this." Tears inter- 
 rupted his speech and many otter were heard to weep. "If 
 God will"— saidLeoJudae— "we will all stand by the Gospel, and 
 
152 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 cheerfully will I, if need be, lay down my life for it. They 
 may kill the body, but the soul they can not kill. The Scrip- 
 ture ought never to be used for quarrelling, or display, but for 
 the improvement of our lives, and if perchance I have spoken 
 too harshly to any one, during the present Conference, I ask 
 his forgiveness." Zwingli did the same. The presidents now 
 laid down their office with a petition for Hettinger and the 
 other prisoners, in which the Abbott of Cappel, the Comman- 
 der of Kuessnacht and the Provost of the Great Minster joined. 
 The issue of this Conference formed a new epoch for Zurich. 
 The government prudently resolved to do nothing rashly, to 
 change nothing suddenly. Even images and relics should not 
 be taken from the churches for a while, yet, where it was pos- 
 sible, covered, locked up, but in no case injured. He, who 
 wished to read mass, or to assist in the reading, was permitted 
 once more to do so. The rules of fasting also were to be ob- 
 served; but the Great Council had already put forth the decla- 
 ration, that in spiritual affairs it would henceforth be the court 
 of decision with the advice of the people's priest, or bishops, as 
 it styled the pastors of the congregations in a public document.* 
 Hottinger, on account of his rash conduct, was banished from 
 the canton for two years, and Lorenz Hochruetiner, who with 
 foolish obstinacy had repeated the act, for life. Several asso- 
 ciates of these "Idol Stormers" had to lay down considerable 
 sums as bail for their peaceful behavior. Simon Stumpf, 
 people's priest at Hcengg, whose name occurs above, was obliged 
 to leave the country, till permission for his return could be 
 granted, "on account of his rough' sermons, speeches and other 
 things he had done, f 
 
 * In the " AdTice concerning Images and tlio Mass." 
 t The contradictions in the character and behavior of, this man, 
 who was rather eccentric than morally corrupt, are well depicted in 
 Kirchqfer's Continuation of Wirz's Church History, Part 11. p. 222. 
 
LIFE OE ZWINGLI 153 
 
 The most pressing want, just then, was the instruction of the 
 ignorant ^rtes^s of the people. Hence, by order of the govern- 
 ment, Zwingli prepared a small book, under the title of " Chris- 
 tian Introduction," in which the chief articles of evangelical 
 doctrine, and founded on these, a decision against the former 
 dogmas and practices of the Church were brought together in 
 the plainest possible language. This was placed in the hands 
 of all the preachers in the canton, with the summons to adhere 
 to this pattern in their discourses. At the same time it was 
 sent to the governments of the collective states, to the bishops 
 of the Confederacy and to the University of Basel, with the re- 
 quest that it might be tested and refuted, if it contained any 
 points at war with the Gospel. The government, it is to be 
 observed, had made up its mind to wait a full half year for 
 refutations, and then, if nothing arrived, to proceed to the re- 
 moval of abuses, and the introduction of a new church-order. 
 
 The reformation of the state kept pace continually with that 
 of the church. No one was more thoroughly convinced than 
 Zwingli, that the civil was the result of the religious corruption, 
 and vice versa. Soon after the end of the Conference he again 
 delivered a vehement discourse against the mischief of pensions, 
 traces of this evil being still apparent and it required no great 
 penetration to perceive, that it stood in connection with the 
 spirit of fanaticism, which began to show itself toward the 
 close of the disputation. After this discourse, on the 21st of 
 December, 1523, the burgomaster and the councils took au 
 oath against all pensions; on the day before, the entire priest- 
 hood had done the same. Transgressors were threatened with 
 capital punishment. 
 
 Meanwhile the Bishop of Constance had sent a very detailed 
 report on the Introduction, to the Council of Zurich, with the 
 notice, that in drawing it up he had availed himself of the 
 advice of several universities. A committee, consisting of nine 
 
154 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 of the most learned clergy, four members of tie Small and four 
 of the Great Council, were ordered to give it a careful examin- 
 ation, and on their motion the whole of it was read aloud in the 
 assembly. As Bullinger informs us, "all agreed, that there 
 was little ground for it in the Divine Word. " 
 
 A similar judgment was passed by another committee, ap- 
 pointed to examine the objections raised against Zwingli, dur- 
 ing the present Conference, by the canon Hofmann and several 
 members of the Chapter. 
 
 The opinions of the Confederates were yet to be looked for. 
 But they had trouble, to come to an understanding among 
 themselves. True indeed, it was determined to turn a common 
 front against Zurich for her remarkable innovations ; but as to 
 what should be said, the instructions are very dissimilar. "Let 
 us act in a friendly way," wrote the burgomaster of Schaff- 
 hausen and such was the order from Bern, Glarus, Basel, 
 Solothurn and Appenzell; but Luzern, Zug, Freiburg and the 
 three Forest Cantons were in favor of "remaining true to the old 
 faith and telling Zurich very plainly what ought to be told to 
 her." At last they agreed to complain against several particu- 
 lar articles, to lay which before the Great Council deputies ap- 
 peared in Zurich on the 21st of March, 1524. The deputy of 
 Schaffhausen, not being authorized to make special complaint, 
 withdrew from the others, who then made a report, of which 
 the following is the substance : With pain, we see the increase 
 of the new, unchristian Lutheran religion in the Confederacy ; 
 with pain, that Zurich abets the mischief. It is clear as day, 
 that disorders only spring from it. Hence, the landvogt 
 of Baden has been hindered from throwing several criminals 
 into prison, at Weiningen, where the supreme couri of the 
 duchy sits; at a fire there the peasants laid hold of sword 
 and spear instead of water-buckets; at Stammheim they in- 
 sulted the crucifix and images ; at Elggau, a pious clergyman, 
 
LIFE or ZWINOLI. 155 
 
 •wio remonstrated witli the pastor, was obliged to flee the church 
 and the parish; at Kuessnacht the tithe has been refused 
 to the Cloister of Engelberg, and at Wsedenschweil the steward 
 of the Knights of St. John has been abused. The landvogt 
 of Zurich circulates Lutheran books in the free bailiwicks ; a 
 parson has said at Kifferschweil that it is all one to baptize a 
 man or a block of wood ; the priests take wives, and the monks 
 and nuns abandon the conrents. No longer can this be borne, 
 and we pray Zurich to maintain the old treaties and customs, 
 and then we will cheerfully aid in rooting out real abuses, the 
 shameful trade in benefices, the selling of indulgences and the 
 scandalous lives of the clergy. 
 
 .Things important and unimportant, true and false, were 
 mingled in this report. A written answer was required. In 
 this it was easy to show, that to give information in regard to 
 the scenes at Weiningen belonged altogether to the lower courts 
 at that place; that the affair at Stammheim was disapproved of, 
 would be looked into and corrected; that the priest, who had 
 interrupted the pastor at Elggau in an insulting manner, whilst 
 preaching would be indebted to their protection for a safe return 
 to his home ; that Kuessnacht had not refused the tithe to 
 Engelberg, and that the pastor at Eafferschweil had not said 
 that of which he had been accused. But, in order to justify 
 herself on other points, it was necessary to enter more deeply 
 into the views of faith prevalent at Zurich, which was not to be 
 done by a diplomatic communication through the Secretary of 
 State, but by Zwingli himself, publicly. This disposed the 
 deputies of the confederates, who on other accounts were dis- 
 pleased with the Reformer, to an unfavorable reception of the 
 answer. " That Zurich," so it was said in the Eecess at Luzern 
 on the 1st of April, 1524, "sent in a discourse and sermon 
 from God's Word, is not necessary to mention here." 
 
 The last word of Zurich to the Bishop of Constance met with 
 
156 LIFE OF ZWINGLr. 
 
 as little favor. From all sides reports of an. unfriendly charac- 
 ter came to the ears of the government; yea, it began to be 
 rumored, that some of the states seriously thought of giving 
 back their written treaties to the Zurichers. 
 
 From whom had the government now to seek its most power- 
 ful protection ? Only from God and its own people. 
 
 To learn whether they could be relied on, information was 
 sought through their voffts and civil officers. " Faithful and 
 beloved friends" — so runs the paper, which was sent out to be 
 read publicly — "you know how we have held conferences in 
 our canton for the settlement of the dispute. The truth has 
 been revealed, and we would have had a perfect right to do 
 away all abuses immediately. Still we did not wish to hurry, 
 and afforded opportunities on all sides to show us what was 
 better. Our gracious Lord, the Bishop of Constance, has tried 
 to prove, in a book written by his own hand, that we are guilty, 
 that we ought to adhere to images and esteem the mass a sacri- 
 fice, as hitherto. We have examined it, compared it with 
 Holy Scripture, and have only been able to find that we ought 
 to obey God rather than man. Our brethren of the Confeder- 
 acy have sent their deputies to lay such complaints before us. 
 Accept the answer which we sent them.* After this, we 
 heard that they in Luzern gave out, that they would put down 
 this "piece of work," as they call it. "We have asked them, 
 wTiere they intend doing this. They have answered, just where 
 it suits them. Again it reached our ears, that we were grossly 
 slandered, as to city and canton, in Luzern. We sent two of our 
 councilors hither with the request, that they would allow them 
 to vindicate us before the people. It was not granted. Still 
 they appeared before the Great Council, and desired that such 
 calumniators might be brought against them. We inform you 
 of all this, in the hope that you will be of like mind with us in 
 
 * It was publicly read. 
 
LIFE OF ZM'INGLI. 157 
 
 this Christian business. Remember, how many good, ffonest 
 men, we, by the use of God's Word in these times of war, have 
 kept alive and spared for their wives and children. Heretofore, 
 you have acted faithfully in this and other matters, like pious 
 people. How much more should we, in that which concerns 
 the honor of God, the salvation of our souls and our consciences, 
 keep together, use the Divine Word, and be one in protecting 
 and defending ourselves. If this happen, then God is with us, 
 whom no one on earth or in hell can withstand. Therefore 
 take friendly counsel together, and let us know your resolu- 
 tions. " 
 
 Now again, all the answers agree in substance. There was 
 not one, in which the determination to uphold evangelical lib- 
 erty was not expressed in strong language. "We testify" — 
 wrote Winterthur — " and have resolved, as far as in us lies, to 
 be eternally loyal to our gracious Lords of Zurich, according to 
 our oath, and place at their disposal our honor, our bodies, our 
 goods and our lives, and are willing to defend the same by the 
 Holy Word of God; " but it seemed also to be the general wish 
 to remain in alliance with the Confederates, and, if it were pos- 
 sible, in peace. Thus the people of Wjedensehweil and Richter- 
 schweil gave notice, that they would be neighbors with them at 
 Hoefen and Zugerberg, who had always dealt with them in 
 friendship and love, as they also did with them as far as pos- 
 sible. Thalweil also prayed that war would not be begun for 
 the sake of one or two, be they clergy or laymen. For the rest 
 they were pleased with the just commands of the Lords and all, 
 which they heretofore had so excellently managed, for they had 
 always acted like wise men. Not in the ill-will of the Confed- 
 ates, but in their instigation from Zurich, the reasons of the 
 discord were to be sought — in their instigation by a minority 
 still present in the Council, who were opposed to the Gospel 
 and addicted to taking pensions, at least secretly, by perverse 
 
158 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 clergymen, by the people of the convents, by unwearied letter- 
 writers and forgers of lies. "There is talk" — says a memorial 
 from Wiedikon, Albisrieden and Atetajtten — "that all the op 
 position only comes from our own midst, and therefore we de- 
 sire that such base-intentioned persons be looked after, be they 
 in the Council or elsewhere, and be compelled to keep still and 
 quiet and cease their contrariety. So will we ever pledge to 
 the noble city of Zurich life, honor and fortune. We beg our 
 Lords only to hold bravely to their mandates and the Word of 
 God, and we will faithfully aid them in using and protecting 
 the same. " In like manner the congregations of Neuamt write : 
 " We have reason to know, that You, our Lords and Superiors, 
 are not one in the Small and Great Councils, but are divided in 
 this business, which is a great trouble to us. Therefore we 
 earnestly pray you to put away all such discord and be united, 
 so will we also pledge our persons and our property to God's 
 Word and our Lords." — "Nothing is kept secret" — ^wrote 
 Buelach — "in Your Small and Great Council, but everything is 
 continually published through the whole Confederacy, and this 
 grieves us. We pray you therefore to make diligent inquiry 
 and expel the babblers, and drive off them who are opposed to 
 God's Word; then it should be cared for that the entire coun- 
 try should not be disturbed by them. " Eglisau asked for the 
 same thing with the addition: "If you, dear Lords, are not 
 strong enough to punish such people, we will help you with 
 our persons and our property." That from Kuemlang carries 
 the same sense : " Further, it is our wish and advice, that You, 
 as our Lords and Superiors, will look after the adversaries of 
 God's Word, both those who sit in your Council and those who 
 are of the clergy, be they priests or monks, and expel them 
 from the city and canton, for it is certain that the greatest dis- 
 pleasure of the Confederates has sprung from this source; and 
 if You, as our Lords and Superiors, are not strong enough for 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 159 
 
 them, we will stand by you with our persons and our property, 
 for such things can be endured no longer. " With a hanker- 
 ing side-glance at the fat possessions of the monasteries, they of 
 the Four Wards wrote : " We have received the friendly and 
 gracious communication of our Lords with great thanks, and 
 wish to be among those who pledge person, soul, honor and 
 property to the Word of God and their Lords and Superiors, 
 especially to those who mean %ell, and not to the base, who 
 strive against God's Word. For the rest, it is our wish, that 
 You, as our Lords and Superiors, would punish and drive away 
 those wicked ones, who fight against God's Word, be they in 
 the Council, in the city, or in the canton, be they clergymen 
 or laymen, for it is certain, that the displeasure of our Confed- 
 erates has, for the most part, arisen from this quarter by their 
 letter- writing and other rebellious acts; and if you are not 
 strong enough to punish or drive them away, we will aid you 
 with our persons and our property to drive them off. In the 
 third place, be it our will and opinion, that you will take care 
 of and drive away by the help of God's Word, all the soup- 
 eaters, who crowd together, as is well known, in the monas- 
 teries; for if this be not done, we will see if we also cannot 
 some day obtain such eating and drinking. " And still more 
 fully Riespach and Hirslanden: "It is also our earnest opinion, 
 whereas numerous and manifold speeches and lies have hitherto 
 been written and sent off by the clergy and laj'men to the con- 
 federates generally and particular cantons and cities, and have 
 been little inquired into as yet, by which great injury and loss 
 of reputation may fall upon the city of Zurich and its territory, 
 since when our people go from home, be it to Luzern, Zug, 
 Baden or other parts, then they all say : Such reports came 
 from Zurich; — therefore we wish this business to be better 
 looked into; and if the Gospel is to be protected, such persons 
 ought to be punished according to their deserts. We also pray 
 
160 
 
 tlEE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 our Lords, that, where there are ill-minded priests, who will 
 not obey their statutes and always speak and act against the 
 Gospel, God's Word, all such be thrust from their livings and 
 the churches supplied with good pastors; for it strikes us that 
 otherwise we can never hope for peace. Further, we pray our 
 Lords to sequester the property of the monasteries and the 
 canons, so that it may go to the aid of the poor, who every- 
 where sit before our churchd^ so that the Confederates and 
 other strangers may not say : "If they are such good Christians 
 in Zurich, why do so many poor people sit before all the 
 churches? Hence we think that the tithes, which we raise, 
 more justly belong to the poor than to nonsensical priests, who 
 write here and there behind the back of the government. 
 Hence it is our urgent prayer to our gracious Lords of Zurich,, 
 that they deliberate on the above-cited points, and if then it 
 seems better to their wisdom to do so than to leave it alone, we 
 all and each one in particular will pledge his soul, honor, body 
 and goods to the city of Zurich, and esteem you, our dear 
 Lords, as true fathers, as we hope you will find us good, will-, 
 ing, dutiful and submissive children, even unto death." 
 
 The tenor of these answers was sufficient to show the govern- 
 ment, that, even if it wished, it could no longer delay the 
 progress of the reformation, and that only by. action, just as de- 
 cided as cautious, would it be possible to prevent an outbreak of 
 the flame, which already appeared in scattered sparks. 
 
 Hence an ordinance of the Council was passed for the re- 
 moval of the images in the most quiet way, vrith forbearance 
 and care. Whoever had presented any to the churches, or had 
 caused them to be made at his own cost, could take them home 
 without molestation. If the majority in a congregation were 
 opposed to their removal, then it was commanded to wait till 
 they were better informed. All processions were forbidden, 
 even the pilgrimage to Einsiedeln, in memory of the victory at 
 
tlPE or ZWINGLI. 101 
 
 Taetiweil. The latter, celebrated by a dangerous mingling of 
 both sexes in a march of several days and in the monastery, 
 was discontinued accordingly, and this was regarded as an act 
 of hostility. But why should public thanks to the Supreme 
 Disposer of battles, why should joyful remembrance of the 
 bravery of their father's cease ? 
 
 The reform of the clerical foundations and monastic life was very 
 thorough. Mention has already been made of that in the Chapter 
 of Canons at the Great Minster. Now, it also voluntarily sur- 
 rendered its secular jurisdiction to the government, but guarded 
 itself on the other hand against the delivery of its rich church- 
 ornaments, which were likewise demanded by the Council and at 
 length taken. Their value went to cover a part of the expenses of 
 the Canton, which were greatly increased by the commotions of 
 the age. At the same time Catherine von Zimmern, abbess of 
 Frauminster, gave up to the burgomaster and councils, under the 
 assurance that she and the sisters would receive an adequate sup- 
 port, the convent along with its rights and revenues. The 
 Chapter of Canons at Embrach, the Cistercians at Cappel and the 
 Augustinians at Heiligenberg, near Winterthur, asked of their 
 own accord for a suppression or, a re-organization for a more 
 useful end. The remaining cloisters were taken under the care 
 of the government. Toward the Dominicans of the city the 
 greatest severity had to be shown. They held the richest pos- 
 sessions; and yet, like the Franciscans, were pledged to poverty 
 by the rules of their order. "On Saturday, Deo. 3d, 1524," 
 — Felix Weiss narrates — "the burgomaster and the councils 
 
 . ordained, that the three men of the monasteries, namely, the 
 Dominicans, the Augustinians and the- Franciscans, should 
 be united, and the younger portion of them taught trades. If 
 any did not wish to remain, to these a viaticunj was to be given; 
 and to all who desired to remain in the monastery a comfortable 
 
 support for life and permission to die a peaceful death. Thus, 
 
 14* 
 
162 UrE 01" ZWINGLI. 
 
 on the Saturday aforesaid, in the afternoon, without iotice or 
 ■warning, the three chief officers and other members ofj the 
 council, accompanied by the police of the city, led the Do- 
 minicans all at once to the Franciscans; and directly after 
 that they went to the Augustinians and summoned them 
 all. They were obliged to lay down their keys of office in 
 presence of my lords on a table in the convent-parlor. After a 
 long speech and friendly words, they again led them over the 
 upper bridge to the barefooted friars; and thus the rulers of 
 the city, of the Small and Great Councils, honestly disposed of 
 the people in all the monasteries. Soon after, their portion was 
 assigned them, so that those who were willing to stay in the 
 monastery of the Franciscans, would receive lodging and 
 shelter there and wood enough; besides, to each one 6 shocks 
 of grain, 6 buckets of wine and 32 pounds Holler were prom- 
 ised every year." 
 
 Out of the ordinary revenues of the government, aided by 
 the property of the suppressed monasteries, schools were found- 
 ed, an alms-house, ' a lazaretto for the plague-stricken, and an 
 orphan-asylum. The hospital was enlarged, and suitable sala- 
 ries awarded to its spiritual • and lay attendants. Scholastic 
 education was greatly needed, and where qualified teachers 
 could not be obtained from the city, they were called from 
 abroad. Thus Myconius was brought back to Zurich. Eu- 
 dolph Collin followed him from Luzern. Wiesendanger came 
 from the village of Dynhart, after him Pellikan from Alsace; 
 all in order to teach the ancient Janguages. 
 
 Zwingli now resolved to marry, and on the 2d of April) 
 1524, led Anna Reinhart, * in whom he found the guardian 
 
 * She was the widow of Hans Meier of Knonau, who died in 1520, 
 and had a son by him, named Gerold, whom Zwingli loved like a father 
 and to whom he dedicated a work on the education of youth. Litfid 
 is known of her during her marriage with Zwingli. But a single 
 
LIFE or ZWINGH. 163 
 
 angel of his earthly existence, before the altar, to take the 
 pledge of fidelity in the presence of God and the congregation. 
 Henceforth the priests wished to be, above all, Christians; but 
 to all Christians without exception, the call has been made ac- 
 cording to the language of the Aposle, to become priests by in- 
 ward consecration, priests without love of power and without 
 the spirit of caste. 
 
 short letter is extant, written by her husband from Bern, in which he 
 asks her to send a cap-pattern to one of her relations there. Solomon 
 Hess in his Biography thinks that Zwingli read his writings aloud to 
 her. The author begs leaye to doubt this, indeed rather to believe, 
 that he would have heartily laughed, if the laarned stuflF was tedious to 
 her. Mind and heart she certainly had, and he talked with her not 
 merely about kitchen and cellar; but she probably studied him more 
 in hia actions, than in his works. 
 
CHAPTER FOURTH. 
 
 SANQEBS OF TBE BEFOBMATION AND ZWINQLl's BATTLE AQAItlSI THEM. 
 
 times we hear such frequent 
 
 of the word radicalism. What 
 
 is its true meaning, according to 
 
 Al its derivation ? Action, that pen- 
 
 Sj etrates to the roots. We can im- 
 
 p agine a good radicalism, which 
 
 S would tear out by the roots all the 
 
 life, and also a bad, which would up- 
 
 t ■" I r'inth 
 
 ll ll 
 
 I root all that is good. The first strives to unite, the 
 1 second to divide. Experience teaches that neither 
 the one, nor the other, is continually prosperous. 
 Why? Because new tares and wheat spring up 
 ' anew; and again why? Christ has given us the 
 reason: Because the Lord of the harvest has put 
 off the time of separation. Should this make us in-,^ 
 different, and negligent in the cultivation of the garden? — We 
 would soon feel the merited results in its dreary desolation. 
 No, it ought to teach us that to every individual his daily labor 
 is appointed, and to every generation of men its conflict; that 
 none can so finish its task, or will so finish it, that the succeed- 
 ing durst sit down at ease; but that one is the most fortunate 
 which has foresight enough to separate the good and the worth- 
 less plants in their earliest stages, the better to cherish the 
 
 164 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 165 
 
 former and as much as possible to keep down the latter. "What 
 then is the great, the most important want of political and so- 
 cial life ? It is — education. But mere instruction is not edu- 
 cation. For in that case the best men would come from the 
 institutions, which are most richly endowed, and yet experience 
 so often teaches us directly the contrary. Indeed, the most 
 important part of education, more influential yet than instruc- 
 tion, without which the latter would be eternally defective, ia 
 example. And here again we are referred to the Word of 
 Christ, which summons us to look for fruit. This is the doc- 
 trine of religion; to call fruit into life, is the task of the 
 church. Let her see to providing example, and the school in- 
 struction, and let both strive honestly to unite knowledge with 
 example. Then only can, then only will their influence be 
 harmonious. 
 
 He who pens these remarks is not concerned about the ob- 
 jection, which may be made : What will example, what will all 
 our endeavor to call into existence nobler examples avail, if a 
 one-sided training of the understanding to mock at example 
 and laugh to scorn everything noble in life, teaches that the 
 highest good is to be sought in base, private advantage ? if all 
 our means of correction, all authority to interfere be given up? 
 The element of the church is faith — faith in the inward power 
 of truth and goodness, which does not sufier itself to be disr 
 heartened by results that appear insignificant, or even by the 
 momentary preponderance of evil. He who has it not, let him 
 not devote himself to her service. They who have it, let them 
 secure a circle of operation as free as possible j and this is the 
 course of wisdom for rulers. 
 
 Let us now return to Zwingli, a man in whom such faith and 
 knowledge were joined, and learn to know him also in his battle 
 with the dangers, into which his bold undertaking led him. 
 
 The public religious conferences had wakened in the city oif 
 
16G 
 
 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Zurich a spirit of inquiry, not, it is true, of that unrestricted 
 kind which seeks a philosophical basis for the dogmas of faith, 
 according to the deductions of human reason, but of that higher 
 order, which looks to their agreement with Holy Scripture. 
 When this was settled, investigation was at an end; but in the 
 settlement there were peculiar diiEeulties. Who would warrant 
 the accuracy of the translation, when disputes arose? Who 
 would decide whether the obscurer passages should be under- 
 stood according to the bare sound of the words, or if a more 
 spiritual meaning were applicable? — Synods? Church Councils? 
 They were necessary, indispensable for the maintenance of order 
 in the church. They could work very beneficially for the im- 
 provement and spiritualization of systems of doctrine. But to 
 surrender to them the deciding power in matters of faith — ^that 
 would have been a return to the abandoned principle of Cathol- 
 icism. To this prelacy and intolerance would have been joined 
 inevitably. Or should every individual be left to decide ac- 
 cording to his own caprice ? How then could divisions, sects 
 and endless controversies be avoided ? 
 
 Here again faith lent her aid, faith in the inward truth of 
 the Divine Word. It ought to vindicate, it will vindicate 
 itself, the more it is preached by an educated ministry, which 
 believes in its teachings. In this conviction Zwingli and his 
 friends found their support and did not heed the dangers and 
 the temporary confusion, produced by the overthrow of existing 
 ecclesiastical forms in Zurich. 
 
 Just in proportion as the Holy Scriptures became known 
 through the press and the pulpit, interpreters arose on all sides. 
 Here it was simplicity, there presumption, and in the majority 
 passion or selfish projects, which prompted them. By this 
 means the people, a short time before so sensible and quiet, 
 were evidently disturbed and excited. Most pernicious dogmas 
 like these — that learning was superfluous, that Christians ought 
 
lilPE OP ZWINGLI. 167 
 
 to own no property, that a nation of brothers needed no govern- 
 ment — they attempted to support by the language of Scripture, 
 which was distorted, falsely translated, or torn out of its con- 
 nection. The general ignorance was too great not to favor the 
 growth of imposture ; and the ambition, avarice and debauchery 
 of numbers afforded too many opportunities of temptation to 
 cunning seducers, who spared no amount of travel, writing and 
 dissimulation in order to win adherents and increase the army 
 of dupes. Now let us consider the most important facts. 
 
 From their eager violation of existing church usages with 
 unholy parade, and their notorious behavior at the Second Ee- 
 ligious Conference we have become acquainted with several 
 leaders of this disorderly party, Conrad Grebel, William 
 Roeubli and Simon Stumpf. Two others, Felix Manz and 
 John Broedlein, were added; the first of whom by his scientific 
 culture, and the second by his strength of character, as well as 
 by his stubbornness and pride, which did not indeed allow of 
 entire harmony of feeling, soon drew attention, as among the 
 most dangerous. 
 
 Manz, like many others in that dissolute age, the intelligent 
 son of a clergyman, had acquired a considerable knowledge of 
 the Hebrew language, little known at that time, and when the 
 want of instruction in it began to be generally felt, he thought 
 himself specially called to become a teacher of it. And had a 
 place been immediately created for him and richly endowed out 
 of the revenues of the newly organized Chapter of Canons, it is 
 highly probable, at least if Bullinger's representation of the 
 man be true, that he would have chosen the nobler path of pure 
 scientific activity. But this was not done, and with Grebel he 
 appeared at the head' of the insurgents. In the house of his 
 mother at Zurich, in the New Town, he instituted a nightly 
 meeting, where at first a slight dissatisfaction with the course, 
 which the work of reform had taken, was expressed only in 
 
1G8 LIFE 0]? ZWINGLI. 
 
 general terms ; but by degrees more decided projects were ma- 
 tured — to possess themselves, if possible, with the direction of 
 affairs, and, as they styled it, to found a new church. To this 
 plan they next sought to win over Zwingli. Stumpf and Manz, 
 as he himself tells us, had repeated conversations with him on 
 this subject. They begged him to bring no doctrines into the 
 pulpit, except such as they would agree upon among themselves 
 beforehand. "No one" — said Manz still further — "is to be 
 received into our church, who has not the assurance in himself 
 that he is without sin." — "And will you belong to it?" asked 
 Zwingli with a stern look. Manz was silent; but from that 
 time forth, he and his associates began to calumniate the Ke- 
 former everywhere and throw obstacles into his path. 
 
 But the actual outbreak of disturbances was occasioned by 
 Brcedlein. A year before, whilst pastor at Quarten, in the 
 bailiwick of Sargan, he had made himself conspicuous. With 
 Roeubli he was among the first of the clergy, who violated the 
 rules of fasting and the vow of celibacy. He had done both in 
 the assurance of evangelical right and Christian liberty; and 
 when the landvogt spoke to him about it, he made answer not 
 in the most courtly terms : The landoogt ought to punish the 
 lewd and adulterous persons who swarm in his neighborhood, 
 instead of him and his virtuous wife. He was bound rather to 
 protect him, and compel the other clergy to marry. The 
 special sanctity of the priesthood was at an end. If one steals, 
 then you should hang him, even though he would anoint his 
 whole body with oil. The tale-bearers had lied about him like 
 rogues. "Still" — he concluded in a tone somewhat more 
 moderate — "I build my hopes not on men of this world. That 
 much you ought to know of me. God has numbered all the 
 hairs of my head, and not a sparrow falls to the ground without 
 His will, so neither can any one injure me or my wife, if it be 
 not His will, and therefore, dear landvogt, you need send 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 169 
 
 neitier thirty nor a hundred men to fetch her. If she has 
 sinned against God, then send the smallest child, and she must 
 come. But if you wish to take, or cause her to be taken from 
 me by force, then know, that you act against Grod, divine right- 
 eousness and the Gospel. Yet I will not repel force by force. 
 1 once indeed thought it necessary to do this; but God has com- 
 manded me otherwise, and hence I may not teach it to my 
 brethren." 
 
 In fact, the landvogf, at the requisition of the ruling cantons, 
 threw him into prison. How he escaped is not known. After 
 the Religious Conferences in Zurich we find him as assistant at 
 Zollikon, and here he seems to have been the first to introduce 
 into Switzerland the doctrines of the Anabaptists, which else- 
 where had caused so much dissension. Of all, who sought by 
 means of these doctrines to create discord, to make a show or 
 found a party, we can say, that, without exception, they were 
 men of narrow minds, or, in worse cases, hypocrites with dishon- 
 orable private aims. Though it cannot be denied, that in later 
 times respectable men have lived in our country under the 
 name of Anabaptists, and are even yet to be found, still their 
 moral worth springs not from their otherwise innocent mode of 
 baptism, but from their religious exercises, their simple way of 
 living, and the good examples, which they have before their 
 eyes. Yet here also we durst not forget, that it is not the part 
 of history to examine articles of faith, but to keep to events 
 and the external phenomena of life. 
 
 In May, 1424, when the decree of the government was issued 
 for the abolition of images and the mass, it was told in Zurich, 
 that the inhabitants of Zollikon, roused by the preaching of 
 Broedlein, had broken down the images and altars in the church 
 and even carried away the baptismal font; that the doctrine 
 had spread among them, that it was unchristian to baptise chil- 
 dren, because riQ examples of it were found in the Gospel, 
 
 15 
 
170 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 although frequent mention was made of the baptism of adults; 
 that in fact a deluded multitude had desired to be baptised 
 again; that it had been granted to them by several, who set 
 themselves up for apostles; that some ran about in the houses 
 preaching, explaining the Scriptures and administering the 
 Supper; that others, and those often the most simple, pretend- 
 ed to prophesy ; and that in general an improper and blasphe- 
 mous game was carried on in religious matters. They were in- 
 formod also that Manz and Grebel had appeared there, and the 
 foolish movement was beginning to spread over the surround- 
 ing country. 
 
 Whilst a portion of the people fell in with such follies, dis- 
 turbances arose at the same time in the opposite quarter. The 
 majority of the inhabitants of Meilen would no longer suffer 
 their two priests, who had married, to enter the church. They 
 broke into their houses, wasted their wine and provisions, and 
 it was only with difficulty that the government succeeded in 
 bringing about a sort of compromise between the shepherds and 
 their flock. 
 
 A month later followed the so-called " Storming of Ittingen." 
 The landvogt in the Thurgau had taken the reformer (EchsH 
 prisoner, and was conveying him by night to the tower at Stein. 
 He cried out for help; the watchful citizens of Stein, on the strength 
 of documents, which gave the right to do this only to them, 
 hurried after, to set him at liberty. Their neighbors of Stamm- 
 heim, in the canton of Zurich, joined them, and the whole 
 country was soon in motion ; but the captors had a considerable 
 start, and the Thur, swollen to the full, prevented the passage 
 of the excited multitude. In a rage they then fell upon Itti- 
 gen, the hated monastery of the Carthusiang. If was plundered, 
 and set on fire by some one, who was never found out; which 
 act, as is easy to imagine, awakened the parne^t jnterfgreijce of 
 the Confederates. 
 
LIFE OF ZV/INGLI. 171 
 
 They who were most deserving of punisliment fled. Zurich 
 herself cast into prison some others, who were suspected, on ac- 
 count of their prominent plrice among the insurgents, and not 
 powerful enough to make resistance. These were Hans Wirth, 
 sub-vogt at Stammheim, with his two sons, both priests, and 
 Burkhart Ruetiman, suh-vogt at Nusbaumen. But tlie Con- 
 federates demanded the delivery of the prisoners at Baden be- 
 fore the court of the ruling cantons, since the criminal act was 
 committed in the Thurgau, and not in the canton of Zurich. The 
 Council of Zurich had to comply. But in Baden the prisoners 
 were tried for other things than the transactions in the Thurgau, 
 put to the rack, and with the exception of one of Wirth's sons, 
 actually executed. The sentence was unjust. Not even the 
 most remote personal participation in the plundering and burn- 
 ing of Ittingen could be proved against them. For the part 
 they took in the removal of the images at Stammheim, which 
 chiefly kindled the hatred of the Confederates, they were not 
 responsible to them. That the government had delivered up 
 these men, so beloved in the circle of their home, to such a 
 fate, produced a very unfavorable impression on the inhabitants 
 of the northern part of the canton, the more so, because the 
 condemned had met death in a brave and Christian manner, 
 and aided not a little to increase the disorders, which afterwards 
 prevailed there. 
 
 At this juncture the flame broke out in the Grennan prov- 
 inces lying beyond the Rhine. Thomas Muenzer, at a later 
 period leader of the Saxon Anabaptists, had come to Basel in 
 Frickthal, and Waldshut in Cleggau. In Waldshut he made 
 the acquaintance of the preacher at that place, Balthasar Hueb- 
 meier, who, though a man possessed of an honest will, a toler- 
 able knowledge of Scripture and great courage, was yet apt to 
 lend a willing ear to everything new and striking. When 
 preaching at Eegensburg he had raised a riot against the Jews, 
 
172 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 then founded a ciapel for pilgrims, then turned to the doctrines 
 of Luther, and was just now as ready to embrace those of the 
 Anabaptists. 
 
 Through him Waldshut became for a short time the chief 
 seat of this disorder, from which, in church and state, such 
 hazardous consequences were to be feared. First led by 
 Muenzer, and after he had gone to the Hartz Mountains, by 
 Simon Roeubli, who had been expelled from the territory of 
 Zurich, Huebmeier set himself up as the apostle of Anabaptism, 
 and, according to his own confession, rebaptized the greater part 
 of the inhabitants of Waldshut. The warnings of the Austrian 
 government, at first-mild and then earnest, had no effect upoa 
 them, and the demand for the dismission of the obnoxious 
 preachers was also in vain. On the contrary, similar fanatics 
 and adventurers of every sort streamed thither from all sides, 
 and when Austria armed herself for severe measures, formal re- 
 sistance was determined on. Volunteers for this purpose were'' 
 obtained chiefly from the territories of Zurich. At the first 
 news of the outbreak the government sent a courier to demand 
 their return; but after hearing an address from Kudolph Collin, 
 who, formerly a canon at the Minster, was obliged to leave the 
 territory of Luzern on account of his adherence to the Reform- 
 ation, and had now joined them with upright feelings and an 
 honest purpose, they declared they would rather die than return 
 home. And their answer won for them immediately a party in 
 the Council. "We are attracted" — so they wrote — "to the 
 Christian brethren at Waldshut, who sigh under oppressive 
 tyranny, not by money, nor for our own private ends — only for 
 the defence of God's Word and from a regard to the honor of 
 Zurich. The Spirit of the Lord has called them to arms; there 
 is no seditious person among them; their captain is Jesus 
 Christ." 
 
 Meanwhile, affairs in Waldshut took a turn, which might 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 173 
 
 have been foreseen by tlie prudent. The noise of war drowned 
 the devotions of piety. It was a matter of indifference, whether 
 psalms or frivolous songs were sung in the camp. Nay, it fared 
 worse with the former. Huebmeier himself, at his trial,tells of 
 a supper in the house of a merchant, where he sat at the side 
 of the captain amid music and hurrahs. And what the further 
 aims of these pious warriors were is shown by a letter still ex- 
 tant, written by one of them to the " dear brother and image 
 in God, Heiny Aberly in Zurich," which contains the follow- 
 ing: "See, that you send us yet forty or fifty well-armed, 
 Christian fellows; for if there were more of us here, we would 
 then be a council of affairs against the enemy and my lords 
 (the government of Zurich ) ; and if we would again be warned 
 home and then go, it would serve to the damage and hindrance 
 of the kingdom of God. " 
 
 This unholy proceeding was soon detected by Collin and 
 other men of honor. They returned home, obedient to the re- 
 newed summons of the government. Those who staid behind 
 no longer concealed their plan of open resistance; and this 
 spreading over the surrounding country entered also the bound- 
 aries of Zurich. 
 
 The first news of it was received by the government from the 
 landvogt of Eglisau. The payment of taxes and villanage 
 were refused. A deputy of the Council was pelted with stones. 
 The rebellion extended more and more into the mountain re- 
 gions. A swarm of insurgents fell upon the monastery of 
 Kueti — ^the abbot having escaped with the money, jewels and 
 archives — and rioted and caroused there. In many parishes 
 the alarm was sounded; the house of the Knights of 
 St. John at Bubikon was surprised and met a fate similar to 
 that of Eueti. The government with great difficulty succeeded 
 in producing a momentary calm, by a decree inviting the ex- 
 cited country people to hand in their demands and wishes in 
 
 15* 
 
174 LIFE OF ZWINGIil. 
 
 writing. This was done by the districts of Grueningen, Kyburg, 
 Greifensee, Eglisau and Andelfingen, and thus it soon came to 
 light in what close connection these disturbances in Zurich 
 stood with those, which then, under the name of the Peasant's 
 War, set a great part of Germany in a blaze. Streams of blood 
 and executions by thousands suppressed it there. In Switzer- 
 land such dreadful scenes could be prevented. 
 
 Still, the complaints, handed in by the districts of Zurich 
 just named, were closely eopied after the twelve articles, which 
 the rebellious peasants of Germany everywhere demanded of 
 their lords. But if reasons for rebellion are to be sought in the 
 tyranny of many nobles, as well as in the confused ideas of the 
 people, then, instead of finding abuses in Switzerland, in the 
 canton of Zurich, there was less cause for complaint against the 
 oppression of the people by the government at no period of her 
 history. 
 
 The Council therefore, conscious of an upright purpose and 
 Strengthened by the increase of the city-guilds, took the points 
 of complaint, which were presented, into consideration. To 
 yield as far as was fair and just, to hold firmly to all that was 
 sustained by sealed treaties and documents, was the general 
 leading principle. It is true, another might have been em- 
 braced, that which has been wrought into our existing political 
 life and immoveably planted there, the principle of entire 
 equality, and the rather because the feeling that it was not al- 
 together foreign to the Gospel, was expressed in the memorials 
 of the people. But the contest for and against this principle 
 could not be carried on by one government; duty and prudence 
 enjoined a rigid maintenance of rights guaranteed by documents 
 as long as possible. Upon another field, that of science, and 
 where the Gospel would be appealed to, theological science, it 
 must be decided beforehand. On this field Luther and Zwingli 
 actually carried on the battle and both showed the impropriety 
 
LIFE OF ZAVINQLl. 175 
 
 of using passages of Scripture, and of wresting them from 
 their true meaning, in the affairs of state. 
 
 The government of Zurich on her side kept simply to the 
 letter of the articles received from the different districts. These, 
 agreeing in the main points, still varied as to special privileges, 
 customs and the annoyaiice of some parts of the canton by 
 others.* All were examined and its own answer sent to each 
 district. The reply to the first point, which was the same to all, 
 ran thus : " Since you have declared, that you will have no lords 
 for protectors, save God and the city of Zurich, it needs no an- 
 swer and is clear of itself, that we will have one God, and My 
 Lords are only your natural lords and superiors in temporal 
 affairs, for they have not obtained dominion over you by any 
 kind of tyranny or warlike power, but bought it freely and with 
 ready money. Let them then retain it; for we all should give 
 to God what is due to Him, and to worldly authority what is 
 due to it; and My Lords hope, that you, their subjects, will 
 also find it so." 
 
 Although considerable relief was promised in regard to some 
 of the points complained of, still the envoys of the Council, who 
 were appointed to convey the answer into the different districts, 
 nowhere met with a favorable reception. The universal cry was 
 that nothing further could be done without an assembly of the 
 people, and on Whitmonday, June 5th, an announcement was 
 made to this effect, with a call to the oldest man of every 
 household to appear on the field near Toess. 
 
 It is not at all necessary, in our day, when such things are so 
 common, to describe this first convention of the people. The 
 only difference between it and ours, consisted in this, that no 
 formal resolutions were drawn up beforehand, and no one un- 
 
 * In sutistanca, they had reference to the relation of the people to 
 the government, the tithes, the rate of interest, Tillanage, freedom of 
 trade, the property of the monasteries and the right to choose preachers. 
 
176 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 dertook, or understood how, to preside. Hence the mass was 
 broken up into groups of blustering declaimers or curious spec- 
 tators, among whom the deputies of the government went about, 
 pacifying here, instructing there, and again perhaps using 
 threats ; but " We are to be bidden no longer " — resounded again 
 and again from the incensed multitude — "We wish the cities 
 t/O get used to walking; for ourselves we will ride once as lords 
 ef the day." The popular landvogt, Lavater of Kyburg, suc- 
 ceeded in persuading several of the most influential to pacify 
 their friends and neighbors. But the citizens of Winterthur 
 took the wisest course. They invited the entire host into their 
 town, entertained them liberally, and thus made them forget 
 their enterprise for a while. 
 
 But the matter was soon taken up again. And for this the 
 inhabitants of the region between the rivers Rhine and Thur 
 were chiefly to blame. In closer connection with their German 
 neighbors, and excited at the same time by grievances suffered 
 in consequence of the Storming of Ittingen, they meditated a 
 separation from Zurich; in any case they intended to deal with 
 the government not in the character of subjects, but in that of 
 an independent party. Meanwhile the government seeing the 
 importance of the crisis, roused itself for prompt action. First 
 of all, some of its prominent members were empowered to raise 
 troops and money, and in general to make all arrangements for 
 defence in the city itself. Then it was resolved to appeal, as 
 before, to all the districts of the canton, that still remained 
 peaceful, viz : those on the lake, in Limatthal, in the free baili- 
 wicks and in the so-called Neuamt, (new bai.iwick). The 
 same mode of proceedure, observed before, was again employed : 
 a delegation from the Council, their explanations and inquiries, 
 and a request for a written answer. 
 
 Information in regard to all that had occurred was given to 
 the assembled congregations in the form of a long vindication. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 177 
 
 They were again reminded of the endeavors of the government 
 to keep aloof from every dangerous foreign influence and main- 
 tain the Grospel ; and then the points of grievance, handed in 
 by the turbulent districts, and the answers sent by the govern- 
 ment were laid before them : " More than a thousand florins have 
 My Lords expended already on account of these people, espe- 
 cially those on the other side of the Thur, and their disorderly 
 doings. How miserably the assembly at Toess ended, you v.'ill 
 all have learned by this time, and that a new one, still more 
 numerous, is announced to meet at Kloten. Our Lords hope, 
 that, if you are invited, you will not go, but if they desire it, 
 and you do, let it be only to warn them back to duty ; and 
 although we believe everything good of you, that yet you will 
 inform the government of your mind, the rather because the 
 people of the lake have been one with the city of Zurich from 
 time immemorial and esteemed as burghers of the same, and it 
 is hoped will be so forever." 
 
 Of the answers sent in, as far as they are still extant, the 
 most characteristic may be here quoted : 
 
 " To the notice " — wrote Manedorf — " which Our Lords have 
 laid before us concerning a strange convocation in the duchy of 
 Kyburg and several manors, our answer is : When our Lords 
 agreed, with their whole canton, to give the go-by to all princes 
 and lords, and thereby spared the blood of many honest people, 
 then we gave them praise and thanks therefor, and it is our 
 earnest will and opinion that Our Lords ought to adhere to that 
 and punish all who trangress their prohibition, whether for the 
 French or other lords, each one according to his desert. Foi 
 this we are willing to pledge person and property, and- so wa 
 have already signified to Our Lords. Since they have read 
 before us the articles and grievances, under which the honest 
 people of the manors think they lie, we confess that we have 
 no part at all in them. And since Our Lords have come a second 
 
178 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 time to learn what our feelings may be toward them, in regard 
 to the preachings of the Holy Gospel, we again pray them to 
 keep steadfastly txj it, and if any one, whoever he may be, wishes 
 to oppress them in this, we cheerfully pledge to them our honor, 
 our lives, our property, and whatever else God has given us. 
 Thus, it is again our humble prayer and desire that you have 
 the Holy Gospel, aforenamed, still preached more and more, and 
 hope that by God's Word many things, of which the poor man 
 now complains, may be done away. But it seems to us, that 
 selfishness yet prevails, and is little willing to relieve the common 
 man, and that there are several preachers, who, after beginning 
 to preach the Holy Gospel, now deceive themselves. Since 
 then we learn, that Our Lords have banished several preachers 
 from their territory,* although they knew they preached nothing 
 but the Holy Word of God and what they knew could be proven 
 by the same, it yet grieves us and it is our humble prayer, that 
 whoever he may be, preacher or peasant, who is enlightened by 
 God to preach the Holy Gospel and prove it by Holy Scripture, 
 that you let him do it, so that this Holy word may come to light; 
 though it strikes us, as above stated, that several preachers have 
 wilfully deluded themselves. Further, when Our Lords were 
 concerned, lest war should arise against the confederates, they 
 sent guns to us everywhere in the canton, but now demand them 
 back again, which appears strange to us, since just at this very 
 time they are building bulwarks in the city. If war is to be 
 feared, then there will be fresh need of the guns; but if you are 
 building bulwarks against us, then God have pity ! But we 
 hope He will send his grace and peace between us all. Lastly, 
 since Our Lords have informed us that the people of Kyburg 
 and the manors will assemble again on next Thursday at Kloten, 
 und perhaps send to us, to learn our feelings toward them, and 
 
 * EoBubli, Stumpf, and BroecUein, whom we have mentioned. 
 
LirE OF ZWINGLI. 179 
 
 that we ought to send thither two honorable men, who may pro- 
 mot peace and quiet, we answer, that, up to this time, no one, 
 either from the duchy or elsewhere, has conae with a request 
 to our congregation. But should any one come, then will we 
 act upon his summons in a proper manner." 
 
 " We have " — write the people of Kilchherg — " listened to Our 
 Lords' oral and written notice, long as it is, and entrust this 
 business to our Lords. They are wise and sensible enough to 
 know what may serve the interests of the city and of us in the 
 country, and how to order matters to our well-pleasing, and we 
 will always stand by Our Lords, as good, honest people. And 
 hence we pray, that, if we should send any one to Kloten, Our 
 Lords will not take it amiss ; because we do it for no other 
 purpose than to give good counsel and advise them to disperse." 
 
 The congregation of Thalweil likewise report, that they 
 " heard the articles read ; that they were long and much of 
 them they could not understand, and therefore could give but 
 brief answers. Hence they would let the former answers re- 
 main ; that they were willing to place person and property at 
 the disposal of Our Lords, as far as concerns the fatherland, 
 and they must stand aloof from foreign lords. They would 
 send to Kloten like they of Kilohberg." 
 
 Still more confiding was the answer from Horgen : " The con- 
 gregation of the people of the bailiwicks deplore that the notice 
 and demand should be necessary. They also vfiH send no one 
 either to Kloten or elsewhere, if Our Lords or the Canton desire 
 it, for they wish to speak and to do their best, always to be 
 obedient to Our Lords and adhere faithfully to the Word of 
 God. We entrust the matter to Our Lords, who know well what 
 may be to the praise and honor of them and the city." 
 
 In the name of the "honest men of Soengg," the envoys of 
 the Council were informed, that they would oot lay anything 
 to the charge of others, but whatever their loving neighbors on 
 
180 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 Lake Zuricli and in the free bailiwicks would agree upon, that 
 would satisfy them also ; and they were ready to place wholly 
 at the disposal of Our Lords, in the hour of need, their persons 
 and property. 
 
 They of jRegenshergi complained, that several of their neigh- 
 bors had threatened, that, if they did not go to Kloten on 
 Thursday, " they would run through their houses." Therefore 
 they had appointed " two discreet and honorable men ; but still 
 would pledge their person and property to Our Lords." 
 
 The letter from the bailiwick of Regenstorf bears strong 
 marks of a clerical pen : " Since, in these perilous times, various 
 dissensions have arisen between you. Our Lords, and some parts 
 of the canton, touching tithes, interest and other grievances, 
 out of which sundry conspiracies and meetings have grown and 
 prospered so far, that a part has subscribed the other article and 
 still subscribes; all which is better known to you than to us; 
 what will result from it no one can tell; many fear more evil 
 than good ; may God overrule all for the best ! — ^Hitherto we 
 have abstained from all further progress in these affairs. But 
 now, since one cries out, 'not so,' and another, 'may be so,' 
 and we have been invited to a meeting of the Kyburgers, and 
 their deputies, and have had the seventeen articles shown to 
 us — and since, after all this, very lately, the honorable Master 
 Jos von Kusen and Master Wegmann were sent to us by you 
 with friendly greetings, and withheld nothing touching affairs 
 now current and your labor and trouble therewith, and explained 
 to us particularly, by word and writing, about the three com' 
 munities of Kyburg, Grueningen and Greifensee, and several 
 other matters, and asked us for our answer — we then resolved 
 with one accord, that it would be too difficult to communicate 
 such a reply at once, and therefore desired a postponement till 
 to-day; and now this again is the will, vote and opinion of our 
 community, assembled anew concerning this business, that we 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 181 
 
 will still, and so long as you act in a Christian manner and 
 faithfully, according to the Divine Word, place our lives and 
 property at your disposal. For although, if we thought to com- 
 plain much were fit and proper and would help us, we would 
 lay certain grievances and articles before you, yet, on the other 
 hand, we remember the teachings of the holy Evangelists and 
 Apostles — which warn you and us, and show how one part ought 
 to conduct itself toward the other — and your diligence, love, con- 
 cern and labor with and toward us, though we therein have per- 
 ceived that you have also slackened somewhat; so, then, we live 
 in hope that you will continue to act as true fathers are bound to 
 do toward their sons, masters toward faithful servants and pious 
 rulers toward their subjects ; and establish whatsoever is pro- 
 fitable, peaceful and Christian, and, on the other hand, that you 
 will blot out and uproot whatsoever is ungodly, unjust and unfair, 
 and therefore, we commit the whole business to you, as our 
 loving lords; for such we esteem you according to the flesh, 
 and in conclusion, pray you take not our delay amiss." 
 
 Our last quotation will be from the memorial of a general as- 
 sembly in Freiamt, which contains the following singular pas- 
 sage : "After we learned from you, our Lords, many articles 
 of the bailiwicks ' beyond you,' we find in them some things, 
 which please us, and some which do not. But yet it is our 
 wish to remain as aforetime, and be obedient to you, our Lords. 
 But as several things have been referred to us by the other 
 bailiwicks, they ought to be discussed at Metmenstetten, and 
 arbitrators, who will act for the best, in all these matters sent 
 thither. We wish to keep free from sedition with our persons 
 and property, as much as we can, and trust that you will treat 
 us also as you treat the other bailiwiqks. Furthermore, we 
 hope that you will suffer that article to remain to us, where- 
 by no man may be seized or ridden over, who has law on his 
 side, as the bailiffs roll shows, and also, as regards army-service 
 
 16 
 
182 LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 
 
 in conjunction with the confederates, that it may continue as 
 hitherto. How you treat with the cities,* it does not concern 
 us. Touching the clergy, this is our opinion : If we give to 
 them as heretofore, then they also ought not to deprive us of 
 anything. They often go away and visit each other, by which 
 we lose the administration of the several sacraments. And we 
 thought, if we came before you, Our Lords, you would believe 
 them rather than us; which has occasioned offence to the 
 whole parish." 
 
 By these memorials the government was convinced that in a 
 great part of the canton, and especially the more wealthy and 
 intelligent portion, there was still determination enough to 
 support order, and hence it durst venture ±o summon deputies 
 from the turbulent districts in sufficient numbers to a conference 
 before the Great Council. With them all the preachers of these 
 districts were invited, and the negotiations took place on 22d 
 of June, 1525; concerning which the protocol expresses itself 
 substantially in the following manner : 
 
 " Whereas, ye deputies from the duchy of Kyburg and the 
 territories of Eglisau, Greifensee, Grueningen Andelfingen, 
 Buelach, Neuamt and Ruemlang, together with all the curates 
 and preachers, have sat to-day before My Lords in behalf of the 
 articles, ^n which the members of the several communities have 
 thought themselves to be aggrieved, ajid especially in regard to 
 the tithe, and these things have truly come to light — that here- 
 tofore the aforenamed preachers have frequently preached from 
 the pulpit and elsewhere, and other persons have asserted in 
 taverns behind their wine, that, according to the divine law 
 and justice, no one is bound to pay tithes, whereby the common 
 people have become seditious and strengthened in such a be- 
 lief — and whereas in order to reach the bottom of this matter, 
 
 * Outside of the Confederacy. In what relation, is not clear from 
 the connection. 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 183 
 
 it has been discussed and handled in various meetings, and ex- 
 plained at length by Master Ulric Zwingli, that in the beginning 
 the tithe was laid for a pious purpose, though afterward perverted 
 and abused, but yet that it was a just debt and can be fairly 
 complained of by no one — it shall be henceforth the concern of 
 the government that the whole tithe be restored to its right 
 channel and applied to the wants of the needy. Because, more- 
 over, the deputies of the abovenamed communities have made 
 it appear, that these disorders have sprung from the clergy alone 
 and their inconsistent preaching, and they have thus been 
 tauo-ht and instructed, and hence have given the whole business 
 into the hands of My Lords ; and because they have framed 
 excuses for themselves from the speeches of these clergy, since 
 several of them have spoken and preached more for disorder and 
 strife than brotherly unity, be this answer, after a fair hearing, 
 given to the rebels, that they at once go home and busy them- 
 selves in peaceful affairs, and if there are any good-for-nothing 
 people in their own dioceses, who wish to stir up discord, dis- 
 order and rebellion, that they drive them off, so that we may 
 not again witness such improper and wanton doings, as lately 
 happened at the monasteries of Toess and Kueti ; then will My 
 Lords, as soon as other business permits, sit upon their articles, 
 and with the help of Master Ulric Zwingli and other learned 
 and sensible men, take counsel, and see what, according to the 
 Divine Word, can be remitted, and wbat not. But in the mean- 
 time, every man must pay interest and tithes in church and 
 state, according to the decree last issued." Then this special 
 admonition was directed to the clergy : " That they shall look 
 well and truly into the Holy Scriptures, busy themselves with 
 the plain preaching of the Gospel, practice the same, and strive 
 more after peace than discord; for if they do not so, the re- 
 fractory will be punished according to his desert and as oppor- 
 tunity allows." 
 
184 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 By these proceedings the raalcontents were silenced for the 
 present, but the government felt that something more was needed 
 for the restoration of order. At a time, when the religious 
 movements occasioned new and unforseen expenses to the State, 
 it could not abandon any of its former sources of revenue. 
 Hence the tithe-question was clothed with special importance. 
 All the tithes were not church-property ; a part of them be- 
 longed to strangers, to whom the government was bound to give its 
 protection, and to the same protection the church also had a claim, 
 which was not done away, but only changed. Besides a mere 
 declaration on the part of the government, that the tithe must be 
 paid, nothing more was done. But conviction had to be wrought 
 in the public mind, and to 'do this, again devolved on Zwingli. 
 
 But before he laid the subject before the people, he endeavored 
 to settle whatever was unstable and wavering in the opinions of 
 the Great Council, so that the authorities might proceed the 
 more firmly in their line of action. Still the belief prevailed 
 among many of the members, that the tithe was purely a re- 
 ligious affair, and this position was strongly maintained by the 
 Secretary, am Gruet, who, Bible in hand, met Zwingli with his 
 own weapons. It is true, that here he could only appeal to the 
 Old Testament, but this yet held too important a place iu 
 Zwingli's system of doctrines, to suffer the Reformer lightly to 
 reject jts authority for an isolated case. He showed, however, 
 in a long and spirited debate with am Gruet, before the Great 
 Council and a crowd of other hearers, that the Levitical priesthood, 
 for whom the tithe had been introduced into the Old Testament, 
 came to an end with the Gospel ; and by this, according to his 
 view, the question had been brought back from the sphere of 
 religion into that of civil law. But neither am Gruet, on the 
 one side, nor the Anabaptists on the other, were disposed to let 
 him slip with so cheap a victory. Am Gruet would yield no- 
 thing, and in fact the following passage is found in the protocol 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 185 
 
 of the Great Council, "that neither of the two contending 
 parties has so triumphed that the other is obliged to yield, and 
 that My Lords are not displeased with the warning and expo- 
 sition of their Secretary, but think he has acted according to 
 his duty and his oath." But the decisive battle, which now 
 drew near, was first to be fought with the Anabaptists.. 
 
 During the interval, Zwingli prepared for the people a de- 
 tailed exposition of the rights of the church and state to the 
 tithe, which the government then used as a general and final 
 decree for the disturbed districts. The scrupulous payment of 
 the great tithe* for the future was afso enjoined upon them in 
 an earnest tone. In regard to the so-called little tithe, the 
 government promised strict inquiry, the removal of abusSs, and 
 a diminution of it, as far as possible. 
 
 In the greater part of the canton, through the cautious language 
 of the Council, the exhortations of the more sensible, and the 
 conviction, which won its way into the minds of many, civil 
 order was re-established. One of the creators of disturbance, 
 Sucsstrunk by name, was indeed put to death by the sword, 
 and the pastor of Westenbach, who especially distinguished 
 himself by his ill-timed discourses, was thrown into prison for 
 several days and punished with a fine — acts easy to be explained, 
 when we consider the severity of punishments in that age and 
 the grievous losses, which the state sufiered by this insiirrection. 
 
 Only one district of the Canton was not yet pacified : the 
 territory of Grueningen. Here the Anabaptists still retained 
 numerous adherents, and these Anabaptists and their fierce 
 battle with Zwingli are the objects to which we must now turn 
 our attention. 
 
 The Holy Scripture is the great record of the religious edu- 
 
 * This includod not only the seven articles, (corn, rye, oats, barley, 
 wheat, wine, hay), but whatever else each district had paid into the • 
 great tithe from time immemorial. 
 
 16* 
 
185 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 cation of the human race. It shows us man primeval in the 
 unconscious innocence of nature; then the patriarchal era with 
 its simple, uniform manners along with its untamed passion ; 
 and then again the most active intercourse of nations, the most 
 savage wars, the hierarchical state and the elective and hered- 
 itary monarchy. It gives us lofty poetry in the Psalms, the 
 grandest didactic poem in the Book of Job, and a collection of 
 proverbs, the fruit of the ripest experience and knowledge of 
 life. It makes us acquainted with idolatry in its most fearful de- 
 generacy, and then, with the adoration of one God and the conflict, 
 rising to the highest pitch of heroism, against this degeneracy. 
 But this God is a mere national God, to be known only within 
 the confined limits of the Jewish state, living personally only 
 here, in and with the people. We see the consequences of this 
 contracted view : hate instead of love, stubbornness instead of 
 docility, stagnation instead of progress. With this first period 
 the books of the Old Testament close. 
 
 Is it possible to understand the Gospel, which now follows, 
 in its grandeur, truth, purity and love, without a knowledge of 
 the age, which preceded it? or the prejudices, against which, 
 He, who revealed it, had to contend ? We find varying opinions 
 among those who wrote it — the stamp of diverse authorship • 
 here Judaistio narrowness, there freer elevation, homely sim- 
 plicity, and again deep glow and feeling. We even find con- 
 tradictions, historical and chronological, and yet, what unity in 
 all that is essential — what agreement in all that contributes to 
 peace in life and comfort in the hour of death; in all that 
 determines our actions and confers worth upon them ! Are 
 there any other writings, for whose investigation, for whose 
 explanation, so much sagacity, so much science, so much con- 
 scientiousness are demanded ? Such are the questions, which 
 very naturally crowd upon us, when we once more survey the 
 m ui, in whom all these qualifications are joined, as he goes forth 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 187 
 
 to battle witli a multitude of others, who possess them only 
 partially and hence dangerously. 
 
 And thus we return again to those disturbers, before alluded 
 to, in the bosom of the Reformed party, who assailed Zwingll 
 more boldly than any monk, and whose scientific culture, adroit- 
 ness, and, in the end, desperation, prepared for him a far more 
 violent conflict. Conrad Grebel has already been represented 
 to us as morally and physically depraved. The higher spirit, 
 which once attracted Zwingli's entire love to him as a youth, 
 richly endowed by nature, had not yet sunk so far, that it did 
 not show some clear sparks, and sometimes even break out into 
 a momentary blaze. 
 
 But when he saw that Zwingli penetrated his inmost soul, 
 understood, pitied and then despised him, he conceived the 
 most intense bitterness against him, which at last deepened into 
 hatred — hatred that stopped at no means to secure revenge. 
 Gathering all his strength, nerving all his powers to their highest 
 pitch, his self-confidence increased ; the various modes of in- 
 terpretation, which isolated passages of the Holy Scriptures 
 admit, made it possible for him to maintain, with a tolerable 
 appearance of truth and certainty, dogmas at variance with those 
 of Zwingli. The support, which he found from those of like 
 mind, the followers who adhered to him, awakened in the head 
 of this fanatic the delusion that he had received a call to be 
 a prophet, and pictured to him a final victory over Zwingli, or 
 at least placed in view the crown of martyrdom, in which latter, 
 one and another of them, perhaps, saw, not without an inward 
 satisfaction, an atonement for the conscious guilt of their former 
 lives. Here again, the simple presentation of the facts will 
 furnish proof for this opinion. 
 
 "May God and our Lord Jesus Christ grant it!" wrote 
 Martin Luther, in the beginning of the year 1525, "since 
 a new storm is brewing. 1 had almost settled down to rest^ 
 
188 LIFE OF ZV^NGLI. 
 
 thinking the battle over, when all at once this rises up, and it 
 happens to me as the wise man says : If a man leave off, then 
 he must begin again. Doctor Andrew Carlstadt has deserted 
 us and become our bitterest enemy." This defection of Carl- 
 stadt, who wished to proceed in the work of reformation more 
 thoroughly than Luther, demanding the destruction of images, 
 and setting very little value on external worship, was spoken of 
 with praise everywhere, and especially at Waldshut, by Thomas 
 Muenzer, during his visit to the borders of Switzerland, about 
 the middle of the year 1524. Muenzer likewise professed these 
 same principles, yea, was ready, for his part, to go still further 
 than Carlstadt himself. Just at this time, the fanatical pro- 
 ceedings in Zollikon, before described, the breaking of the 
 images there and the removal of the baptismal font, took place. 
 That Grebel and Manz were privy to this, and made frequent 
 journeys to and from Zollikon, appears with entire certainty 
 from reports afterward received. With Muenzer they did not 
 become personally acquainted. Before they could accomplish 
 this, he had traveled back to G-ermany; but his influence on 
 Swiss affairs is evident from two letters sent to him soon after 
 by Grebel and his friends. 
 
 "Dear brother Thomas," began one of them, "for God's 
 sake, do not be surprised, that we address thee without title 
 and urge thee as a brother to communicate with us by writing 
 in the future, and that we, uninvited and unacquainted with 
 thee, have ventured to open up a correspondence. God's Son, 
 Jesus Christ, has prompted and impelled us to this act of 
 friendship and brotherhood, and to make known the following 
 points. Moreover thy work in two small volumes, on * Faith 
 Feigned,' have encouraged us. Hence, if thou wilt take it 
 kindly, it shall be a source of good to us, if God will. Thou 
 shouldst also know that thou along with Carolostadtius art 
 esteemed amongst us as the purest proclaimer and preacher 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 189 
 
 of tte pure Word of God, although ye are little thought of by the 
 lazy theologians and doctors at Wittemberg. We are also thus 
 reprobate toward our learned pastors. With them everything 
 depends on man, everything is done by him, so that they preach 
 a sinful, pleasant Christ, and good discrimination is wanting to 
 them, as thou shewest in thy little books, which have beyond 
 measure instructed and strengthened us poor folks." But then, 
 passing over the chief point, re-baptism, which had won for them 
 a party in Zurich, and as a badge of confession, as a banner, had 
 enabled them -to keep together — they thus continue : " Because 
 thou also hast uttered thy protest against infant-baptism, we trust 
 thou actest not against the eternal word, wisdom and command of 
 God, according to which we ought to baptise believers alone, and 
 thou baptisest no child. If thou, or Carolostadius will not write in 
 full against infant-baptism with all that belongs thereto, why and 
 how we ought to baptise, then will I, Conrad Grebel, try my hand 
 and complete what I have begun, against all who hitherto (except 
 thee) have written on baptism at large and deliberately, and main- 
 tained the senseless, blasphemous form of infant-baptism; but if 
 God do not prevent then am I, and then will I and all of us be sure 
 of persecution from the learned and other people." Grebel also 
 wrote to Luther and informed Jluerner of it, in his second letter, 
 in which, moreover, he warns him not to preach resistance against 
 princes with carnal weapons. " For if thou must suffer on account 
 of thy doctrines know indeed that it cannot be otherwise. Christ 
 must still suffer in his members. But he will strengthen them and 
 keep them fi»m unto the end. God grant his grace to thee and us. 
 For our parsons are also fierce and wrathful toward us, and call us 
 villains in the open pulpit and Satannas in angelos lucis convertos 
 (wicked spirits in the garb of angels of light). In time we will 
 see this persecution pass over us. Therefore pray God for me."* 
 
 * The subscription of this letter is claaracteristic : Conrad Grebel, 
 Andreas Castelberg, Felix Manz, Heinrioh Aberly, Johannes Eroedlin, 
 
190 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 In accordance witli this view, Grrebel and his friends prudently 
 avoided stirring up any formal rebellion. And there is nothing 
 at all to show that they had any direct share in the political 
 movements, which we have already narrated, although their 
 doctrines concerning the fraternal communion of Christians 
 and the unscripturalness of tithes and rents, as they uttered 
 them in general terms, could not but exert an indirect influence 
 upon them. But in these discourses they always added ex- 
 hortations to a resistance merely passive. By this means they 
 attracted a crowd of followers, persons of excitable feelings and 
 women especially, just in proportion as the doctrine of martyr- 
 dom stood high in the Catholic church. Indeed it often seemed 
 as if persecution was only delayed too long for these people. 
 Grcbel thus wrote to Vadiauus : "They talk of disturbers. They 
 can be known by their fruits — decrees of exile and executions 
 by the sword. I do not think the persecution will be delayed." 
 But neither Zwingli nor the government thought of such a 
 proceeding. They freely confessed that this would only aggra^ 
 vate the evil. 
 
 First then, because already, at sundry times, whole troops of 
 these deluded creatures from Zollikon and the neighboring 
 country, had come into the city, clad in sackcloth and ashes, 
 and girt about with ropes, and cried out in the public squares : 
 "Wo to Zurich !" and because a so-called confession of one of 
 their number, a former monk, who usually went by the name 
 of G-eorge Blaurock (Bluecoat) and whom his disciples hailed 
 as a second Paul, was spread far and wide and made a great 
 noise, the government ordered a conference to be held with 
 them at the council-house. The following are the literal contents 
 of Blaurock's Confession : " I am a door. He who enters by me 
 
 Hans Oggenfuss, Hans Huitif, thy countrymen of Hall, and seven new 
 disciples of Muenzer rather than Luiher, 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 191 
 
 will find pasture, but he who enters elsewhere, is a thief and a 
 murderer, as it is written : I am a good shepherd ; a good shep- 
 herd lays down his life for his sheep ; so I also give my body 
 and life and soul for my shqep, my body to the tower and my 
 life to the sword, or fire, or the wine-press, where it will be 
 pressed out of the flesh as the blood of Christ on the cross. I 
 am a beginner of baptism and the bread of the Lord, along with 
 my chosen brethren, Conrad Grebel and Felix Manz. There- 
 fore, the Pope with all his followers is a thief and a murderer; 
 in like manner, Luther with all his followers is a thief and a 
 murderer ; Zwingli also and Leo Judse with all their followers 
 are thieves and murderers, until they make this same confession 
 also. I have asked my gracious Lords of Zurich, and still ask 
 them, for leave to dispute with Ulrich Zwingli and Leo Judas ; 
 I may not obtain it, but yet I await the hour, which my 
 Heavenly Father has ordained therefor." 
 
 This hour came on the 17th of January, 1525. Bullinger, 
 who was personally present, gives a description, but only a brief 
 one, of the event. The Great Council, the scholars and the 
 clergy were there; Manz, Grebel, Blaurock, Roeubli, Ludwig 
 risetzer, of whose work against images we have before spoken, 
 were the chief antagonists of Zwingli. The latter began with 
 an acknowledgment, that for some years he had himself been of 
 the opinion, that it were better to postpone the baptism of in- 
 fants to a more advanced age, but, after mature reflection, had 
 reached a difiorent conviction, which he thought sustained by 
 the true sense of the Holy Scriptures, and then he unfolded this 
 in an extended conversation with the Anabaptists. Whoever 
 desires a more thorough knowledge of his views on this point 
 will find them in his work on " Baptism, Re-baptism and Infant 
 Baptism." * His main arguments for the latter were the fol- 
 
 * Suldreieh Zwinglts 'Werke. Herausg. von Schuler und Schulthesa. 
 Band II. Abthg. 1. S. 230. ff. 
 
192 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 lowing: Baptism is the external sign of admission into the 
 society of Christians. To have received it once is sufficient. 
 Adults were baptised by the Apostles, because they who first 
 joined the church were of full age. The Holy Scriptures con- 
 tain indeed no example of infant-baptism; but then just as 
 little can be proven from them, that it was not practised. 
 Mention of it occurs in the very oldest church-fathers. It took 
 the place of circumcision, which had been commanded in the 
 Old Testament, and strengthened the obligations of Christian 
 parents, whilst it became to the children themselves a pledge 
 and perpetual token of fidelity to Him who lovingly bade little 
 children even to be brought to Him. 
 
 Light triumphed over darkness, science over sophistry, calm- 
 ness over passion and stubbornness, the church over the sect, 
 and the friend of reason and order over the demagogues. But 
 it was a victory known only to the higher and educated classes; 
 the people remained, and now the fanatics appealed to them, 
 giving out everywhere, that Zwingli had not been able to with- 
 stand them. They held firmly to the letter, that resort of 
 all intriguers and wranglers. Meanwhile, the Council resolved, 
 the next day, that all children should be baptised within a 
 week, that they, who would not permit it, should be banished 
 from the canton; and that the congregation in Zollikon should 
 restore the baptismal font. Grebel and Manz were enjoined to 
 keep the peace. There was to be no more controversy about 
 baptism, but, if desired, other articles of faith might be dis- 
 cussed. Roeubli, Broedlein and Ludwig Hsetzer received an 
 order to leave the district within eight days. 
 
 But now resistance began with appeals to the Scripture, that 
 we ought to obey God rather than men. Eoeubli, Broedlein 
 and Hsetzer left the canton; but the first kept up an exciting cor- 
 respondence with his followers, from Waldshut, whither he had 
 betaken himself, and Broedlein, from Hallan. The l.atter wrote : 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 19'3 
 
 " John, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to preach the Gospel, 
 to the pious Christians, called of Grod, in the Christian congrega- 
 tion at Zollikon. Ye know, dear brethren, how I proclaimed 
 to you the Word of God faithfully, clearly, simply, and did not 
 deal with it as treacherous landlords, who pour water into the 
 wine; ye know, how I have had courage, to live among you, to 
 labor with my own hands and burden no one; ye know also, 
 that for the truth's sake I have been driven from you by the 
 will of God; finally, ye know, how faithfully I have warned you 
 not to fall away from grace. This very day I call heaven and 
 earth to witness that I taught you the truth. Abide in it, and 
 ye are God's, and He is yours, and ye are blessed. Fall away 
 from it, and ye are children of wrath, and God is far from you ; 
 ye are wretched orphans, and will flee before the moth. how 
 ardent and joyful have I been, since I came from you ! Verily, 
 I have not wept, but sung. how glad I will be, if God suf- 
 fers me to return to you again ! When I had gone some dis- 
 tance, Christ came to us; yea, Christ in the person of his dis- 
 ciple; for a pious brother of Bern, Christian by name, traveled 
 with us as far as Kloten, and left us the next day. Verily, 
 verily, I often slipped on the road, but did not fall. Verily, 
 verily, when we got over Eglisau, I and Wilhelm (Roeubli) 
 despaired of our lives. I thought God had forsaken us. We 
 lost the right path, and wandered about all that day, even 
 among sticks and bushes. But God had thus willed it. Short- 
 ly we came to pious people and at last to Hallan. I left my 
 wife and children there, and we went over to SchaiFhausen. 
 Verily, we found there our dear brother, Conrad Grebel. We 
 visited Doctor Sebastian (Hofmeister) and took supper with 
 him. Verily, he is of one accord with us in the matter of bap- 
 tism. Would to God, it stood better with him in other things. 
 We returned again to Hallan. The day after, Wilhelm went to 
 Waldshut. On the next Sunday after Candlemas, I preached 
 
 17 
 
191 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 in Hallan and found a great harvest there, but few reapers. 
 The people earnestly desired to heai- me, and to this very day 
 desire it. The clergy are as they may be. Antichrist still 
 rules powerfully among the people. Pray God to enlighten 
 them. Dear brethren, abide in faith, love and hope. Let no 
 one terrify you. He who preaches to you any other Gospel, 
 than I have preached, let him be accursed. Greet one another 
 with the kiss of peace. Beware of every brother, who acts 
 disorderly and not according to that, which he and you have 
 learned. Beware of false prophets, who preach for pay. Shun 
 them. Exhort ye one another and continue in the doctrine, 
 which ye have received. The peace of God be with you all ! " 
 That a letter of this sort — that the incessant exhortation and 
 preaching of the leaders of the fanatics, who remained behind, 
 bore legitimate fruit, was soon apparent from a succession of ex- 
 travagant scenes in all parts of the canton. In entire districts 
 the women particularly rose up. Troops of them streamed 
 together, if any of these apostles came into the neighborhood, 
 and begged from them re-baptism, or a sermon. The edicts of 
 the government were praised by some, but scorned by others ; 
 even the clergy assailed them and strife sprang up in the 
 churches. We have a lively picture of a scene of this kind 
 in a letter from the Commander Schmied. "In the action 
 taken" — he writes — "before the congregation at Eck, on ac- 
 count of your edict. My Lords, Pastor Bodmer, of Esslingen, 
 called for Christian excommunication, i. e. the overthrow and 
 rejection of your authority in the matter of baptism. There- 
 upon Master Laurence told him, that he and his followers had 
 hitherto prevented Christian exeommunication. Then Pastor 
 Bodmer walked up and said to Master Laurence : You lie like 
 a vagabond and knave, and if he abused him as a Baptist, he 
 did not speak like a gentleman. Sir Burgomaster ! That such 
 a worthy and Christian man as Blaster Laurence should be 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 195 
 
 called a Tagabond and knave before his own church, and that 
 by a Baptist, as was certainly done, is to me intolerable, and I 
 ask that he may be helped to his just rights, so that such things 
 occur not again. There was such an uproar in the church — 
 they all rose up, joiued together, pressed forward and crowded 
 so knavishly through each other, that Master Laurence could not 
 observe who did it. Then the suhvogt commanded peace. 
 Such an outbreak did this Baptist produce." 
 
 This, and reports of a similar character, which were sent in from 
 the canton, induced the government to place Grebel, Manz, and 
 some dozen of the most stiff-necked rebels of respectable edu- 
 cation in the monastery of the Augustines, where Zwingli and 
 the two other people's priests of the city received orders to visit 
 them frequently. It was hoped they would be finally set right. 
 But what a triumph it was for them, when they succeeded in 
 puzzling Zwingli with one of his own assertions ! He had said 
 that no one, according to the New Testament, had been bap- 
 tised a second time. Did he not know that Paul rebaptised 
 those twelve in Ephesua, who had already been baptised by 
 John? * The report of this victory over the hitherto invincible 
 champion spread through the canton with amazing rapidity. 
 " He is fallen," so they cried, " the false prophet, the great dragon ; 
 the Spirit of the Lord is with us. The Gospel will now be 
 everywhere brought to light. Away with taxes ! Away with 
 the sword ! No Christian will wish to be a ruler ! We are all 
 brethren. Sell your goods, lay all together on one heap. Let 
 there be no poor any longer and no rich ! " A second conference 
 before a select assembly had now but little influence. The 
 matter must be decided before the people, and Zwingli began 
 to arm himself for the work. Meanwhile, he grappled with the 
 subject in his sermons. He showed the difference between the 
 baptism of John and that of Paul,, brought out the antagonism 
 
 * Acts of the Apostles, xix, 3-5. 
 
196 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 between tte letter and the spirit, and unfolded the consequences 
 of the doctrines of the deluded fanatics, in such a clear, lively 
 and convincing manner, that a storm of applause resounded 
 through the church at the close of one of these sermons. The 
 city was won. 
 
 But the canton yet remained. " Zwingli has the advantage 
 in the protection of the government and the city," they cried. 
 " Those, who are best able to contend with him, have been 
 exiled, or not permitted to appear. Had it been otherwise, he 
 must have yielded." Many honest, well-meaning people believed 
 this; and the following petition, sent into the government, 
 seems to have sprung from such a belief: " Honorable, wise, 
 gracious Lords, we are indeed free to confess, that you have 
 trouble and labor on our account, and on the other hand, that 
 we are daily involved in great anxiety. Now, we are willing to 
 suffer, and call upon Grod to help you and us to peace, which 
 can indeed be brought about, if Your Worships propose a pub- 
 lic conference, and invite other people to it; let them be those, 
 who have been cast out because of this business, and others 
 also. Then, whatever is established from the Word of God, to 
 that we pledge you our bodies and our lives, our honor and our 
 good's. But if indeed you wish an answer from us, it can be 
 nothing else, than the public confession, that we have not grace 
 from God to talk with Master Ulric, so that he can understand 
 us, or ability to speak straight from the heart. 
 
 "Therefore, Vfe pray you, gracious Lords, to permit one or 
 two men at our cost to enter your city with a sufficient assurance 
 of a safe return, since they durst not travel every road for the 
 sake of the Divine Word, because Master Ulric himself has not 
 hitherto shown them much favor. These shall point out on our 
 behalf all the Scriptures, so that every man may thoroughly 
 perceive whether he has been right or wrong in his views of 
 them. Oh God ! we desire nothing else than truth and right- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 197 
 
 eousness, in which by the grace of God we wish to continue till 
 death. Then, aa we have always declared to you, gracious 
 Lords, we will pledge our bodies and lives to Your Worships 
 and to the Word of God and Divine righteousness, gracious 
 Lords ! Let the matter, for God's sake, come before a public 
 conference, as in the case of images and the mass. Believe us 
 truly; we wish to do what is right. May God help us thereto ! 
 We hope and know that the truth of the Divine Word will 
 come clearly to light, and Your Worships will be content with 
 us. Give us, therefore, for the sake of God and his mercy, a 
 favorable answer." 
 
 Upon this, Zwingli himself requested the government to in- 
 stitute a public conference, and the order for it was drawn up 
 on Monday, November 6th, 1525, with a full and free safe-conduct 
 , for all those, who thought themselves in a condition to defend 
 their variant doctrines. Zwingli, Leo Jud83 and Caspar Gross- 
 man, people's priests at the Dominican church, were selected as 
 champions to make reply; and Wolfgang Joner, abbot at Cappel, 
 the Commander Schmied, Sebastian Hofmeister of Schaff hausen, 
 and Vadianus of St. Gall, as presidents for the occasion. The 
 Anabaptists appeared in numbers under their leaders, Manz, 
 Grebel and Blaurock; many of them had come from distant 
 countries; the department of Grueningen, at the command of 
 the government, sent thither twelve deputies. Scarcely had 
 the conference opened at the Council House, in presence of the 
 Two Hundred and a crowd of hearers, who filled up all the 
 chamber, when a newly arrived troop of fanatics pressed 
 in with the cry : "OZion! Zion! Rejoice Jerusalem !" 
 and threw everything into confusion. To prevent such dis- 
 turbances and to obtain more room, the assembly removed to 
 the church of the Great Minster. Here the battle continued 
 for three days, from morning till late in the evening. Speeck 
 was denied to no one : access to none, who wished to hear. 
 
 17* 
 
198 LIFE Of ZWINGIil. 
 
 Public opinion grew more favorable to the people's priests. On 
 the third day the attacks of the Anabaptists became weaker ; 
 their self-confidence vanished. Only one of them, who had re- 
 peatedly asserted that he could end the contest with one word, 
 but had still been held back by his associates, who themselves 
 thought him too wild, broke through at last and placed him- 
 self, with an inflamed visage, and all the motions of a conjurer, 
 before the people's priest, and cried out : " Zwingli, I conjure 
 thee, by the living God, to tell us the truth." The latter an- 
 swered very calmly: "That shalt thou hear. Thou art as 
 clownish and seditious {i peasant, and as simple as any Our Lords 
 have in the canton." A universal roar of laughter followed, 
 and the act was closed. 
 
 The government then issued a public statement concerning 
 the events of this controversy, which, along with other things, 
 concluded with the following words : " After the Anabaptists 
 and their followers have disputed three days, from morning till 
 evening, in our Council House and the Great Minster, in our 
 presence and that of a large crowd of men and women, and 
 every Baptist has spoken all he had to say, without let or 
 hindrance, it has at last been found from the most powerful 
 arguments, based upon the Word of God, that Master Ulric 
 Zwingli and his associates have fairly conquered the Anabaptists, 
 annihilated re-baptism, and upheld the baptism of infants. It 
 has also been clearly evident, during the entire conference, that 
 the creators, defenders, sectarians and wranglers of Anabaptism 
 have played their part in a wicked, bold, and shameless spirit, 
 in that they, a sect and conspiracy against the commandment of 
 God, have undertaken and devised means to bring us over to 
 them, in their contempt of all temporal authority and planting of 
 disobedience, and destruction of love toward our fellow-men ; for 
 they think themselves better than other Christians and without 
 sin, as all their words and works, and even their behavior plainly 
 
LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 199 
 
 show." Subjoined was an order forbidding any furtJier cases 
 of re-baptism on pain of a fine, or threats of severer punishment, 
 if that did not prove sufficient, Manz, Grebel, Blaurook and the 
 other leaders of the sect wore brought before the Council and earn- 
 estly exhorted to confess tbeir errors, but in vain. They were 
 thrown into the Tower. Whilst there, means were found to com- 
 pose an address, which wa.s soon widely spread and roused up the 
 most stubborn of their followers to new resistance. Hence, when 
 the landvogl Berger made known the edict of the government in 
 Grueningen, many of the inhabitants publicly declared they would 
 not submit to it. He then summoned more than a hundred of 
 the most zealous men and women to the castle. Here the twelve 
 deputies, who were at the conference in Zurich assured them 
 with one accord, that Zwingli had conquered, begged them to re- 
 nounce their errors, reasoned with them, along with the landvogt, 
 the whole day, and when at last each was asked for his decision, 
 thirteen yielded; all the others persevered in their opposition. 
 Meanwhile, the prisoners in Zurich led the government to 
 hope, that if their liberty were restored, they would behave peace- 
 fully. It was granted ; but immediately they scattered themselves 
 through the canton, and the flame broke out anew. This was 
 also increased by Hubmeyer, who after the taking of Waldshut 
 by the Austrians in December, 1525, came to Zurich as a 
 fugitive, and, having likwise held a conference with Zwingli, 
 Eeo Judae and Myconius, in presence of the Councils, declared 
 himself overcome and ready for a recantation from ^e pulpit 
 of the Frauminster Church. Instead of which, to the great 
 surprise of the congregation, he began again to advocate re- 
 baptism. Zwingli, who occupied the second pulpit, on the 
 opposite side, interrupted him at once and brought him to 
 silence.* He excused himself afterwards by saying, that he 
 
 * BuUinger has a description of the ocouirence in his " Origm of 
 the Anabaptists." 
 
200 HFB OF ZWINOLI. 
 
 knew not what lie did, the devil must hare been in him, and 
 then once more recanted in the Frauminster and the church at 
 Gossau, in the department of Grueningen. 
 
 Bu now the lovers of order and quiet were everywhere fully 
 aroused. The government was universally censured for its 
 forbearance, and most of all in the department of Grueningen 
 itself. The landvogt was importuned for severer measures. 
 " It is truly a great thing" — he wrote to the Council — "that 
 you, gracious Lords, have for the third time caused a conference 
 to be held with these people, who speak openly of all the con- 
 ferences and your desire to do justice, in the most insolent 
 fashion, in spite of your edict, and are not willing to acknowledge 
 they have done wrong. Hence the magistracy have written 
 and prayed the Council and advised, that they come together 
 again on Tuesday, to take the business boldly in hand, for it 
 is publicly declared : ' I hear indeed, if My Lords only re- 
 ceive five pounds, it matters little what the Baptists talk or say 
 concerning all the conferences and edicts; they do no wrong.' 
 In this way great injustice will be done you. Therefore do not 
 take this amiss from me ; for the magistracy with your assist- 
 ance would have passed afar different judgment on the Baptists, 
 and plans would have been formed, which would have produced 
 peace, quiet and obedience. The fines would have been laid on 
 the great disturbers, strife-makers, hedge-preachers and baptisers, 
 and not on poor, simple, miserable men, not on women and 
 childre^ of whom many have been deluded; yet these are fined 
 as heavily as the -chief actors in the play. Henceforth the 
 business must be taken in hand boldly; you will not find me 
 wanting." 
 
 In fact the government was now fully alive to the emergency. 
 As soon as any one was convicted of having repeated baptism, 
 he was seized and thrown into prison. The prisons became 
 crowded; Manz, Grebel, Blaurock and fifteen others were con- 
 
Lli'E OF ZAVINGH. 201 
 
 fined in the so-called New Tower.* Their sentence was severe : 
 "Nothing shall be given them hut bread and water, and they 
 shall lie on straw and thus be left to die in the Tower. Let it 
 then be the business of every one to forsake his projects and 
 errors arid be obedient," 
 
 The estravagances of the Anabaptists of St. Gall, which were 
 then carried to the maddest extreme, might really have con- 
 tributed to the severity of this sentence. Grebel, during an 
 earlier sojourn there, had sown the seed, of which these were 
 the ripened fruits. They burnt the Bible, because it said: 
 "The letter kills." They sported with puppets; led about dancing 
 apes tied to a string; wept childishly, and were comforted with 
 apples, and cast off all their clothes, because they must become 
 like little children, of whom alone was the kingdom of heaven. 
 Yea, in the end, one of them, Leonard Schucker, desired the 
 death of his brother, because God had commanded it. He 
 drew his sword and struck off his head in the presence of his 
 father and all his sisters. 
 
 Thus, at last, the fruits showed, in a more lively manner than 
 all the learned conferences, what was to be thought of the 
 dogmas of this sect; and yet the prisoners in Zurich still had 
 secret friends. An opportunity was given them to escape by 
 night, which they used, and once more spread through the 
 canton, pretending that the Angel of the Lord had delivered 
 them from prison, as he formerly had Paul and Silas. But 
 now the pious jugglery came to a close. A law was passed, that 
 whoever, belonging to the canton, would hereafter re-baptise an 
 adult, he should be drowned without mercj. Nevertheless it 
 was done by Blaurock and Manz, as well as by Filk and Ilaimann, 
 two natives of the department of Grueningen They were all 
 apprehended. Blaurock, because a foreigner, was whipped with 
 
 * Called in latter times among the people, The Heretic's Tower. 
 
202 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 rods and banished from the canton ; the other three were drown- 
 ed in the Limath on the 5th of January, 1525. They persevered 
 to the last in their stubbornness, or constancy, to maintain which 
 Manz was even encouraged by his aged mother. Their be- 
 havior left no impression on the people, who were sick of these 
 foul doings. 
 
 The great length of the sentence delivered shows how 
 anxious the government was to be justified in its acts, and in 
 deed the public weal seemed, after what had gone before, to de- 
 mand such an issue. Of Grebel's end no rej)ort has reached us. 
 But to later times has been left the problem of the thorough 
 instruction of the people, toleration in matters of faith, contempt 
 where morals, and punishment, sore punishment; where the 
 sanctity of the law has been invaded. 
 
 !«<»» »ll 
 
CHAPTER FIFTH. 
 
 BEFENCB or THB OLD OBDEB. BISE OP THr HEW. 
 
 hold firmly to the existing order 
 \i of things is not always proof of 
 evil design, obstinacy or narrow- 
 ness, as innovators are wont to as- 
 a.-^ sert; it may spring from strength 
 'fViitS'' — b"^ ^^ character, the experience of 
 S-'wiiESi-.^^ wisdom, and, if the existing order 
 be good, even from a conviction of duty. Was this 
 true of Catholicism ? Let us apply the test. In 
 the heart of man there lies a world full of rest and 
 peace, full of blessed love, full of confidence in 
 eternal duration and a God of power to uphold and 
 protect ; and this gives us the victory over all the 
 darkness and plagaes of earth. It speaks in living 
 
 tones in the innocent child. To children, said 
 
 Christ, belongs the kingdom of heaven. With growing years, 
 with the birth of self-consciousness guilt comes to life, earlier in 
 this one, later in that one, but once to all. It is the inheritance 
 of earth. The nursery, the school, personal experience, the 
 history of the world teaches it. 
 
 In one alone there was no guilt to be found. How came He ? 
 How did he walk? What need anxiously to inquire, when 
 actions speak ? He did not teach from the pulpit ; he wrote 
 203 
 
204 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 nothing; He uttered isolated sentences, a few parables; He 
 comforted; He healed; He labored only three years, and three 
 years sufficed to shake the world and to bring peace again to the 
 world. "Who of the gray sages of Greece and Home did so 
 much? Well could He say, in his crown of thorns, when the 
 judge asked him: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" — Thou 
 sayest! And can He, who lives in the Gospel, since we have 
 it everywhere, need a vicar on earth — a vicar on a worldly 
 throne, in a gorgeous palace? Has no one ever blushed at 
 the thought? Catholicism is still here, still stands erect. It 
 must have a better foundation than a mere untenable assump- 
 tion.* But where can this be found? 
 
 It lies in the power of the senses and in faith in this power. 
 It is justified of this faith, justified again by all experience. A 
 sound body, with the senses in full vigor, bears up and sustains 
 the spirit also. Indeed, the world of sense, like that of the 
 spirit, has a higher position. Its centre, its life-organ, is the 
 heart, and this same heart is the field for all the conquests of 
 earth. It was left for Christianity to reveal this secret, f In 
 right relations, and if the spiritual is the leading element, the 
 creations of art, belonging to the world of sense, are aids to 
 Christianity. They elevate the spirit and complete the conse- 
 cration of divine worship. Whenever this right relation was 
 observed, the Catholic church grew and prospered. But two 
 
 * No one will think ill of a Protestant for believing that the Catholic 
 church could exist in greater spiritual unity, worth and security under 
 national bishops, primates and patriarchs, without a Pope. 
 
 f For scientific readers: But how near an approach did not the Greeks 
 and Eomans already make to it ? The old proverb : Mens sana in corpore 
 aano, shows a recognition of the equal position of the world of sense 
 and the world of spirit, as well as their reciprocal necessity. This 
 saying is likewise the key to all philosophy ; the clue to reconciliation 
 between spirit and matter, consciousness and guilt, freedom and ne- 
 cessity, self-determination and determination from witiout. 
 
LIFE OF Z^V1NGLI. ' 205 
 
 deviations from it, wHicli the Papacy needed and used for the 
 strengthening of its dominion, weakened and finally in the 
 sixteenth century brought it nigh to destruction : monkery and 
 the celibacy of the clergy. Whatever there was of good in the 
 monasteries, derived its origin from the most ancient times, 
 when, for example, into our own fatherland Christian men, of 
 scientific culture, Gallus, CoUomban and Siegfried, wandering 
 hither from distant Ireland and Scotland, brought science and 
 agriculture into regions that lay waste, at a time when the 
 rule of Benedict, although one of the best, had not yet been 
 introduced into the oldest monastic foundations, St. Gall and 
 Disentis. But as soon as this was inoculated upon the life-giving 
 Stem, it gradually degenerated.* Just as little was celibacy 
 practised by the clergy of the Catholic church before the age 
 of Gregory VI. (Pope from 1073—1085). The priests lived 
 like other men, members of families, and did not stand aver 
 the people, but among them and with them. But monastioism 
 and celibacy rest upon the principle, that the senses are to be 
 feared, which, like all fear, except the fear of God, is inwardly 
 untrue. This principle is also unchristian. Christianity does 
 not teach us to fear our senses, but to watch over them, use 
 them and honor them; for "the body is the temple of the Holy 
 Ghost." Christianity admits no death, not even that of the 
 body — no impersonality. Only a rude, broken covering of earth 
 remains behind. "Destroy this temple," said Christ, "and in 
 three days I will build it up again." Hence let us take care 
 not to lay unnatural restraint upon our bodies, lest at the same 
 time we destroy the spirit. 
 
 * The so-called " Scottish Cloisters," to which old St. Gall especially 
 belonged, were zealous in the culture of science. Benedict himself 
 held it in low esteem. The peculiar monastioism, which took its rise 
 from the fanatics of the Thehaid, was, moreover, only a reaction against 
 the preponderance of the sensuous element in Hellenism. 
 
 18 
 
206 LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 
 
 But the Papacy, which strove to produce in the pastor a 
 complete mortification and in the flock an undue excitement of 
 the senses, engendered in the former severity and pride, in the 
 latter laxity or stubbornness, and in this way created an unnatural 
 separation between the priests and the people, which can not 
 exist along with brotherly communion, as taught by the Gospel — 
 and thus, because inwardly untrue and at war with nature, it has- 
 tened toward destruction and was already on the verge of it in 
 the sixteenth century.* Why then did it only partially suc- 
 cumb? Why did it afterwards again, rise to greater power? 
 Every one-sided movement is struggled against in the most 
 active and even passionate manner by that which it opposes. 
 Its only argument lay, therefore, in the faults of its assailants', 
 of which it cunningly knew how to take advantage. We will 
 now see how these faults began gradually to develope. The 
 facts will speak for themselves. 
 
 On the watch, to spy out every weak point, the defenders of 
 the old order followed the firm course of the courageous Re- 
 former. Nothing could be discovered before the year 1523. 
 
 * From Pope Gregory VII., we may date especially the unnatural 
 schism between church and state, which are not two separate elements, 
 hut spring from the same root and are filled with the same living power. 
 From this time forward, the Hohenstaufens were obliged to fight against 
 the church, and Adrian and Innocence made war upon the state. Af- 
 terwards they strove with equal ill-success to reconcile the parts, 
 which stood over against each other in proud independence. But is a 
 healthy existence conceivable without religion, or an active religion 
 without life ? The state would become a philosophical abstraction ; 
 the church a deceptive mist-image. The universal church (without 
 form) stands over the state ; the established church (with form) in the 
 state. The universal church is only visible in its fruits; the es- 
 tablished church in its external arrangement, which it must receive 
 from the state, or subject to its approval. The universal church is un- 
 changeable, eternal ; the established church variable, accidental. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 207 
 
 But now came the war on images, then the bm-ning of Ittingen, 
 then the insurrection of the peasantry, then the passing of 
 armed Zurichers to and from Waldshut, endangering the peace 
 with Austria; then the Anabaptists rose from the very bosom 
 of the new church, and lastly, Zwingli was attacked in the 
 Great Council by the secretary Am Gruet, touching the matter 
 of tithes, and again, a second time, in regard to the Lord's 
 Supper — a prelude to his subsequent controversy with Luther. 
 "Here," cried they, "you have the fruits." We have seen 
 the best answer to this reproach in the triumphant victory of 
 Zwingli over all these difficulties. Another path must be chosen. 
 They began to learn from their antagonist. 
 
 "We will take the reformation into our hands," said the 
 most sensible. At a diet in Luzern, to which Zurich and 
 Schaffhausen were not invited, a proclamation was drawn up 
 and ratified by nine cantons, of which the following are the 
 substantial contents : " Since, to our sorrow, it has come to pass, 
 by the preaching, writing and teaching of Luther and Zwingli, 
 that our ancient Christian faith is put to scorn, the ordinances 
 of the Church despised and nothing any longer left ; therefore, 
 in order that men may not live more inclined to evil than to 
 good, wholly abandoned, without fear and punishment for self- 
 will ; in order that no one may make a creed for his own head 
 and understanding, and because the Chief Shepherd of the 
 Church is silent amid our cares and perplexities, and sleeps, we 
 Confederates have thought it necessary to take care of ourselves, 
 and, until the time arrives when a Council will allay the discord, 
 set forth the following articles : By no one, whether clergyman or 
 layman, shall the XII. articles of the Christian creed be assailed; 
 and just as little shall the Seven Sacraments, as the Church has 
 ordained them and heretofore held them. No layman shall go 
 to the Sacrament without confession and absolution ; and no one 
 shall receive it under two forms. No change shall be made in 
 
208 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 tlie ceremonies, wMch, derived from the Word of God, haye 
 come down to us from the Holy Fathers and our worthy an- 
 cestors. Because the rules of fasting, based on reasonable and 
 Christian arguments, have reached us through the Holy Fathers, 
 we will not suffer the scandal arising from their transgression to 
 exist amongst us. They shall be observed according to the 
 order and pleasure of each Canton. We will suffer no reviling 
 of the Most Holy Virgin. We believe, that She, and the 
 other saints, by their intercession with God, can protect us and 
 obtain for us grace. He who speaks to the contrary shall be 
 severely punished according to the sentence of his lords. No 
 one shctll undertake to abuse, carry off, or break to pieces images, 
 paintings and crucifixes. Whatever of church-revenues they 
 possess, shall be guaranteed to the houses of God. And because 
 much discord and perversity have been stirred up by the 
 preachers, so that this may be done away and the Gospel in its 
 true meaning preached to us and the common people, as the 
 ancient teachers have left it behind recorded in many valuable 
 books, it is our serious intention, that no one shall preach the 
 Word of God, wherever we have power to rule, unless he has 
 been first examined by his spiritual ordinary, duly admitted and 
 duly consecrated, and has a credible certificate of this, as every 
 priest should. No layman shall preach; no hedge-preacher 
 shall any where be tolerated, but driven off and punished with 
 severity. Our preachers shall also preach, teach and instruct 
 without any covetousness and seek naught therein, but the 
 salvation of souls and their improvement. Item, since wrong 
 views and contradictions have been groundlessly revived by the 
 Zwinglian or Lutheran sect, touching purgatory and prayers for 
 the dead, in which all Christian souls, our ancestors and we 
 ourselves have believed, we warn all true men not so wantonly 
 to forsake our true faith for the . false sayings of Luther. We 
 wish also that no one preach, write or speak such things in our 
 
lilFE OF ZWINGLI. 209 
 
 territoiy. He who does so, shall be punished according to 
 the judgment of his lords. The houses of God, cloisters, 
 foundations and churches, shall be permitted to retain their 
 rights and privileges ; no violence shall be used against them, nor 
 their dues kept' back, or taken from them without law. 
 
 "Item, although it may be true that the Canon Law, many 
 ordinances and statutes have been framed by the Holy Fathers, 
 teachers. Pope and Councils with a good design, yet since this 
 Canon Law and these statutes have been increased by degrees 
 and made more severe; since many of them are exorbitant and 
 have been misused against us laity, so as to cause us great in- 
 jury and ruin; and since in this sad time, when the wolf has 
 broken into the sheep-fold of Christ, the Chief Watchman and 
 Shepherd slumbers, we deem it our duty, as civil authorities, 
 to come to the rescue in some measure ; not that we at all wish 
 thereby to oast off our allegiance, or place ourselves in opposition 
 to the Roman and universal Christian Church, but only for the 
 suppression and prevention of further disasters, rebellion and 
 the division of our Confederacy. But if by a general Christian 
 Council or competent assembly, to which deputies are invited 
 and are present from our Confederacy, this schism is removed 
 and unity again restored to the Church, we will not be sundered 
 therefrom, but act like our forefathers, as a good, pious, obedient 
 Christian people. 
 
 " And therefore, we ordain first, that our people's priests and 
 pastors shall not addict themselves to avarice, as has too often 
 been the case heretofore, namely : that they and their curates 
 shall not keep back the Holy Sacrament from us and ours for the 
 sake of money. Still, it is our purpose that, whatever from 
 ancient times has been assigned in each canon to the pastor or sa- 
 cristan, it shall continue to him and yield him a fair support ; 
 but if any one in the collection thereof is dealt with severely 
 and dangerously, it shall concern the civil authority, so that the 
 
 18* 
 
210 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 common man be not overmatclied. Item, the priests of every 
 rank sliall conduct themselves in a decent and pious manner, 
 and set a good example to us laity, for hereafter that will not 
 be endured from them, which has been hitherto. Every pastor 
 shall also remain with his parishoners during the death-struggle, 
 and minister to them and comfort them faithfully, according to 
 the Christian rule, at the risk of losing his benefice. Since, 
 moreover, there has been great abuse in this, that a priest has 
 employed two or more curates to perform the duties of his parish 
 and then taken his leave, we will suffer it no longer, and hence- 
 forth, no priest shall possess more than one parish and cure of 
 souls, and shall live there himself. Also, no one shall make a 
 secret agreement with another, at the peril of losing his benefice. 
 Yet, we make this exception; a pastor may receive several 
 livings in the foundations and monasteries, where hitherto it 
 has been the custom and privilege not to reside therein per- 
 sonally, so that the excellent foundations and monasteries be 
 not curtailed in their privileges. Item, where a young man has 
 a benefice, or, being still under age, is too young to become a 
 priest, he may indeed be permitted to enjoy the benefice, on 
 condition of procuring the services of a fit and worthy priest in 
 his stead. But, if he reaches the proper age, and does not then 
 oecome a priest, or is not capable and virtuous enough for the 
 office, he shall be deprived of the benefice. 
 
 " Item, because several priests have already ventured to take 
 wives, it is our opinion, that no benefices should be bestowed on 
 them, and they ought to be forbidden the exercise of their 
 priestly office; and those persons belonging to the monastic 
 orders, who have left their cloisters and their order, or have 
 married, ought to be deprived of their benefices and expelled 
 from their monasteries ; still, be it reserved to each canton and 
 each authority to deal further with them, or show mercy. Item, 
 in regard to spiritual jurisdiction and excommunication we have 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 211 
 
 considered and ordered at this time, since matters have gone so 
 sadly and no One has given them any attention, that no clergy- 
 man shall cite, summon, or call up a layman, and no layman a 
 clergyman, or one of his own estate, before a spiritual tribunal, 
 except alone in the matter of marriage, and in what concerns 
 error and dispute about the holy sacraments, or the monasteries 
 and churches, or the welfare of the soul, or infidelity. But in 
 so doing, it is our opinion, if it chance in regard to marriage- 
 affairs and other business, that we laymen might be summoned 
 and tried before a spiritual court; still, the whole business 
 shall not come first either before the bishops, or their officials, or 
 commissaries, or before a spiritual judge, but before each civil 
 authority, and then after each civil authority has investigated 
 the matter, it shall then proceed to give judgment and explar 
 nations thereon, or else hand over the business, if they think it 
 necessary, to the spiritual judge. All judicial proceedings be- 
 fore the spiritual judge, and especially at Constance, shall be 
 transacted in German and written out in German, as the cus- 
 tom is in several bishoprics, so that wo laity also may hear and 
 understand what is done. Item, since between the Sunday, 
 when the Alleluia is omitted,* and Shrove Tuesday, during 
 which season every other person indulges in worldly pleasures, 
 wedding festivals are forbidden to the common man, and be- 
 cause this prohibition is remitted for money, it is our order and 
 opinion, that it be granted without pay. Since we and ours 
 have been burdened with manifold Romish indulgences, it is 
 our opinion, that from this time forth no indulgences should be 
 granted for the sake of money, in any place or corner of our 
 cantons. Furthermore, the Pope and bishops hold and reserve 
 
 * The seventh Sunday after the day of the Holy Three Kings, in 
 old almanacs, Is styled, "Alleluia Niederlag" from an ordinance of 
 Alexander II., that on this day, neither the Hallelujah, nor any other 
 song of praise durst be sung. 
 
212 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 for themselves alone certain sins and transgressions, and hence 
 it happens, they will not give the people absolution without the 
 payment of a large sum, and no dispensation is granted to any 
 one, even in a case of decent and honorable emergency, unless 
 it be outweighed with gold — therefore, it is our opinion, that 
 what may be brought to pass by popes and bishops for gain, 
 shall be granted to the people and the poor common man, by 
 every pastor without charge, notwithstanding the power of the 
 Pope and the bishops, until it be further determined. Every 
 canton also shall and may consult with its pastors and clergy, 
 and devise a plan, as to how and in what form the gross abuses 
 of the confessional may be punished. In regard to the courtesans, 
 who invade our livings, it is our plain order and opinion, that 
 where such Romish knaves come, they shall be cast into prison 
 and punished in such a manner, as that henceforth we shall be 
 rid of them. Because the priesthood, in some part at least, 
 have been guilty of wicked deeds, altogether improper and in- 
 decent, which, if they had been committed by the laity, would 
 have been punished with death; and these evil-doers, when 
 handed over to the bishops and the superiors of their orders, 
 have been lightly dealt with and set free, and because crime 
 and follies increase among them, and give rise to every kind of 
 discord and disturbance — ^in order that this evil may be cured, 
 whoever perpetrates such a crime as to forfeit his life, each 
 authority, under which such a clergyman has been seized, shall 
 execute him for that crime, just like a layman, notwithstanding 
 his consecration." 
 
 "Item, because the common people have been greatly dis- 
 turbed in their faith by the printers, and the books published 
 by Luther or Zwingli and their followers, it is our will, that no 
 one shall print or keep such books for sale in our cities, cantons 
 and territories; and, when they are seized on a colporteur, he 
 shall be heavily punished ; and whoever has such books for sale 
 
LIFE or zwiNdiii. 213 
 
 and takes ttem to a mercliant, the mercTiant shall tear them to 
 pieces, or throw them into the mire, and not be accountable 
 . therefor. But such works as the Old and New Testament, the 
 Holy Gospels, the' Bible and other Christian books of the twelve 
 Apostles and Saints, their lives and- doctrines, may be bought 
 and sold. Item, whereas it is very plain that the poor common 
 man who has been everywhere subjected to restrictions of a 
 hard and severe character, by clerical prelates and convents, as 
 well as by noble and plebeian judges, in their restraints on mar- 
 riage, their lowering of prices, their rents and other feudal 
 claims and privileges, and especially among our bailiwicks and 
 dependencies, which now highly grieves and surprises us Con- 
 federates, and because, according to the terms of the federal com- 
 pact no one canton can break off from the others in its rights, 
 claims and privileges, and as in our bailiwicks collectively abuses 
 and grievances have been very much practised against the com- 
 mon people, by the monasteries, nobles and judges, therefore, ,be 
 it hereby resolved, that we take measures to alleviate and pass 
 judgment therein, so that the poor common man may not be 
 burdened by the lowering of prices, and heavy ground-rents, 
 and so severely bound, but that favor and a remedy may be 
 discovered. Item, in regard to the restraints on marriage, that 
 is, when a man takes a wife, and a woman a husband, beyond 
 the jurisdiction of his feudal lord, and the lord undertakes to 
 punish him therefor, it is our will and ordinance, that no one 
 be so punished, seeing that marriage is a sacrament, and every 
 one should be free in such a case. But whoever desires a part- 
 ner, and is able to pay a ransom, and procure his or her liberty, 
 it shall not be refused, but granted for a reasonable sum of 
 money. Should the lord be too severe, it shall be the duty of 
 the magistrate, in every place and corner, where it occurs, to 
 mediate therein and settle it according to equitable principles. 
 Item, it shall be the bounden duty of every convent to hand in 
 
214 IHFE 01? ZWINGLI. 
 
 to the authorities a faithful account of its revenue, outlay, pwj- 
 eessions and all its business. Item, although the clergy have 
 hitherto been free and exempt from all burdens and incum- 
 braaces, and have so overawed the secular authorities with the 
 ban of excommunication, that they never dared to lay upon them 
 taxes, fines, school-money, customs, tolls, licenses, fees and 
 other burdens, yet as there is no foundation for this custom in 
 the Holy Scriptures, it having been introduced among simple 
 Christian people by spiritual laws of their own invention, so 
 that they might not be loaded with the same burdens; there- 
 fore, it is the wiU and purpose of our Lords and rulers, that all 
 priests, whether secular or belonging to the monastic orders, 
 shall share in all these, so that the common people may con- 
 tinue obedient to the civil authorities, according to the Christian 
 rule; none of them shall oppose this, and it shall also be sent 
 everywhere in the city and canton. And, finally, we Confeder- 
 ates reserve the right to add to, to take from, and to alter the 
 articles here drawn up, if, in the meantime, anything better be 
 discovered, even as our Confederacy stands responsible toward 
 Grod and the world, and may be praiseworthy, useful and honor- 
 able." 
 
 This long document, which Bullinger alone has preserved 
 entire, we here present with slight abbreviation, because it ex- 
 hibits, in a manner more lively than any description could, the 
 position in the state then held by the church, wherever the 
 Reformation had not yet taken deep root. Great defects were 
 acknowledged by all the governments, and the will was at hand 
 to apply the remedy. But points of faith must be left un- 
 touched. Hence, these were summed up in the introduction. 
 On the contrary, no special reverence is shown for the Pope 
 and the higher position assumed by the clergy; indeed, in sev- 
 eral essential particulars, a decided purpose is expressed to hold 
 them in check, and if necessary even to resist them. There ia 
 
LIFE OF ZWINCJLl. 215 
 
 room to conjecture, that if these articles had been carried into 
 practice, they would ha-ve exerted a powerful influence against 
 the Reformation, so far, perhaps, as to have confined it to Zurich, 
 and even in the end to have suppressed it here. 
 
 But the impossibility of this soon appeared. The Great 
 Councils of Bern, Solothurn and especially Basel durst no longer 
 venture to enforce the general enactments against the married 
 clergy, for the maintenance of rules of fasting and for the pres- 
 ervation of purgatory among the doctrines of faith, whilst on 
 the other side, wherever they still had firm footing, the priest- 
 hood opposed all the articles, which would set limits to their 
 greediness and love of power. Hence the general resolutions 
 were not carried out, and only showed the more strongly the 
 inward weakness of the Papacy. 
 
 But already, before this time, the first inconsistency, to which- 
 Zwingli himself was obliged to submit, came to the aid of his 
 opponents. He had declared that the Gospel was able to en- 
 dure any trial ; that to prove the right and utter the results of 
 his examination should be free to every one, and as he claimed 
 this right in full measure for himself, he, for his part, denied 
 it to no other man. Yet the State did this, and Zwingli fell 
 in with the measure. As early as January, 1523, the following 
 ordinance was published: "Masters Ulric Zwingli and Henry 
 Utiger of the Canons, and Master Henry Walder and Master 
 Binder of the Councils, are appointed to inspect everything 
 which shall be printed in the city of Zurich, and the printer 
 shall be informed and command given him, to undertake to 
 print nothing without their knowledge and approval." Thus, 
 the censorship of the press, which, till now, had only been ex- 
 ercised by the bishops and the Pope, was introduced by the 
 State, by a republican state, and at a time when this state was 
 subjecting the exclusive, established faith, to every kind of in- 
 vestigation. Whence this inconsistency ? It did not spring 
 
216 XIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 from the Reformer, but only from the unavoidable necessity of 
 his age, in which the capability of judging had not yet pene- 
 trated the mass of the people.* 
 
 This was immediately perceived and made use of by the 
 Papacy* Her skillful orators did not in the least blame the 
 censorship of the press in Zurich, but thought it very judicious ; 
 but, " why then," asked they, " do you attack us for restrictioos 
 
 * Concerning the relation of Zwingli to his age, the author published 
 an article in the Swiss Monthly Chronicle for the year 1819, from 
 which, as the periodical was confined to a narrow circle, he ventures 
 to insert here a short extract. "The great man goes in advance of 
 his age. His bold, firm step wins for him a host of trusting and- pow- 
 erful adherents. Prudence hesitates ; fear trembles ; and the evil- will 
 refuses to follow him. Self-interest, justly in dread of every blazing 
 up of the truth, mingles in the drama with cunning art ; a separation 
 ensues ; and he who would bring peace to all the world, has brought a 
 sword ; but still completes his work, if he suffer for it, or is so happy 
 as to fall. By the sacrifice of himself the hero becomes a saint. Eye- 
 witnesses of his labors, noble enough to admire him, able enough to 
 support him, but not strong enough to take his place, guard with loving 
 hearts his memory and his words ; the solitary staff for a race, which 
 had the desire, but not the requisite maturity, to take into itself the 
 entire spirit of the illustrious dead. More and more was the letter 
 now anxiously guarded, and in it the living, creative spirit was se- 
 curely and faithfully handed down to a more enlightened age. And 
 this age was first able to understand the great man fully, to prize his 
 services and value his doctrine. It is surprising that centuries ago 
 any one should think, as it delights in thinking ; it honors the noble 
 of former times as its spiritual kindred ; but let it beware of pride, 
 for if he were to rise again amid the means, the experience, the know- 
 ledge of this age, he would soon hasten in advance of it also, as they 
 ever do, who regard not that, which one generation of men style truth, 
 but the eternal fundamental truth of all ages ; who have not pious 
 feeling alone — not wisdom alone ; to whom alone it is revealed, by 
 whose earnest and constant endeavor it is attained, to be wise and 
 good at the same time." 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 217 
 
 and watchfulness, when you yourselves cannot do without them ? 
 To-day you declare faith shall be free, that it can sustain any 
 trial, and to-morrow suppress the writings of those who will not 
 prove it in your way. Truly, like us, you need an authoritative 
 creed. Only with us the old Church gives the command, with 
 you the new Zwingli. This is very far from being a sufficient 
 reason to induce us to go over to yoUr party." What adequate 
 reply can be made ? In fact the time had not yet come, when 
 the Reformation could stand by its own strength; the dis- 
 tinguished man alone sustained it. In this, lies the reason why 
 Zwingli was indispensable to Zurich — in this the secret of his 
 power in the State as well as the Church. 
 
 Also aware of this, the defenders of the Old Order were more 
 and more convinced, that its maintenance or new establishment 
 in the Confederacy, could only become possible, if they succeeded 
 in putting Zwingli to silence, and for the attainment of this end 
 they mustered all their powers. Hence, an offer from Doctor 
 Eclr, of Ingolstadt, known through his earlier famous disputa- 
 tion with Luther, and mentioned before in the beginning of this 
 work, to come personally to Switzerland and do battle with the 
 Reformer, was very welcome to the leaders of this party. As 
 soon as Zwingli heard of it, he wrote to this champion and in. 
 vited him to Zurich : here he could attack him and point out to 
 his hearers, who needed it most, the errors of their teacher. 
 "It is time,'' he concludes, "for me to leave off, if I have been 
 a false prophet. But rather would I find out a way, if there 
 be time, to prevent thee from deceiving the poor people with 
 thy imposture. May God have pity on thee, take away thy 
 stony heart and give thee one so warm, that one can write to 
 thee with joy ! " The Council of Zurich also sent an invitation 
 to Eck, along with a letter of safe-conduct, pledging him a safe 
 passage through the canton, coming and going. Eck declined 
 it with the remark, that he must appear wherever the diet 
 
 19 
 
218 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 would appoint. The latter, after manifold negotiations with 
 the bishops, after a final weighing of the different views of the 
 governments themselves, resolved, in March of the year 1526, to 
 accept the offer of Eck, to whom the general-vicar Eaber had 
 joined himself, and assemble a religious conference at Baden, 
 in the middle of October. To these preparatory consultations 
 and to the sessions of the diet Zurich had not been invited for a 
 long time. In vain had she complained of it. But now she 
 received a cold letter, almost hostile in its tone, from her sister- 
 confederates, of which the following are the essential contents : 
 " It cannot be concealed from you, that for a good while there 
 has been much talk of a disputation. Transactions of this sort 
 have not at all been displeasing and repugnant to your feelings 
 heretofore. Well ! Now we are to act for a final restoration 
 of peace. Require Zwingli and his associates to appear here 
 along with your deputies, and thus show yourselves as those, 
 who would willingly suffer discord, ill-will and disturbance to 
 be put away, and themselves be taught what is better." It is 
 easy to imagine, that, on such an invitation, Zurich found the 
 matter worthy of more mature consideration before she could 
 accept. 
 
 The government had undoubtedly begun and proceeded, 
 without heeding the frequent prayers and warnings of her 
 Confederates, in a thorough work of reformation within the 
 limits of her own canton; beyond these she had neither ex- 
 ercised, nor sought to exercise, a direct ecclesiastical influence. 
 What she had done, was in strict accordance with her rights; no 
 law of the Confederation had been violated by her. And yet 
 the confederates continued to assume more and more the atti- 
 tude of judges over her. When the deputies from the Zurich 
 Council appeared in the midst of the diet, at the close of the 
 discussion in regard to the conference at Baden, they were ex- 
 eluded, called in again, if they thought fit tp cpifie, not asked 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 219 
 
 for their opinion, and simply informed of what tad been de- 
 termined without their assistance, and what they were now 
 expected to carry into excution. In the same form, a knowl- 
 edge of these decrees was a second time communicated to the 
 government. The doctrines of Zwingli were styled heretical 
 beforehand, and he was charged with being the author of se- 
 dition; then it was resolved: "It is not our will that any 
 changes be made in the faith, and, as dutiful members, we havo 
 no thought of sundering ourselves from the Holy Church ; but 
 in order that Zwingli may be obliged to leave off his seditious 
 teachings in our Confederacy, and the common people in some 
 measure redeemed from error and rendered peaceful, we make 
 arrangements for the disputation." 
 
 After such a declaration, what was the part demanded of the 
 free state of Zurich? That she should appear in the circle of 
 her confederate sisters in the attitude of a poor sinner ; take 
 back whatever she had established after mature trial ; seize the 
 Reformer and arraign him before an inquisition, by which he 
 had already been prejudged as a heretic. And then what 
 anxiety, what memories connected themselves with Baden, the 
 place of the conference? It stood in close dependence on the 
 most embittered cantons. The majority of its own citizens were 
 hostile to the Reformation. Here, a short time before, the 
 blood of the men of Stammheim and Burkhard Ruetiman had 
 been shed by an unrighteous sentence, out of mere religious 
 hatred and in violation of pledges ; from thence, the same year, 
 Nicolas Hettinger, of whom we have already spoken, had been 
 delivered up to Luzern, to fall by the sword, in spite of all the 
 intercessions of the Zurich government. The principles of the 
 Romish Church in regard to those, whom she esteemed heretics, 
 were well known. It had been openly^ declared by several, and 
 believed by many, that they were not bound to keep faith with 
 «uch persons. Just about this time, (December 11, A. D. 
 
220 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 1525), Pope Clement VII., to wtom the Zurichers had sent 
 the Secretary Am Grruet, to collect the arrears due for military 
 services, wrote thus : " If you do not forsake your new, ungodly 
 errors, how can you expect us to satisfy these claims, lawful as 
 they may be, without going counter to righteousness and the 
 fear of God, since that cannot be justly allowed to heretics, 
 which they have inherited from their forefathers ? " In Frei- 
 burg, Zwingli's writings were burnt, and his effigy in Luzern. 
 Several states had given orders to seize him, wherever he could 
 be found. His brother-in-law, Leonard Tremp, wrote to him 
 from Bern : " As you value your life, take care you go not to 
 Baden ; for no safe-conduct will be observed in your case ; that 
 I know." Can the government of Zurich be blamed for not 
 wantonly exposing the man, in whose existence the entire de- 
 velopment of its political and religious life was closely bound up ? 
 And yet, when we see how the Messiah, whose Gospel the 
 Reformer proclaimed, delivered himself up to the unjust judges; 
 when we read his declaration: "Whoso loveth his life shall 
 lose it;" when we hear Martin Luther say, as he began his 
 journey to Worms; "And, if there were as many devils there, 
 as tiles on the houses, I will yet go," and see him step forth 
 courageously before the wrathful monarch and the empire;— 
 indeed we might almost wish that Zwingli had not declined the 
 challenge to battle, nor given his enemies occasion to triumph, 
 and cry out to all the world that he did not dare to defend his 
 own cause. CEcolampadius, who, sent by his government, 
 had appeared there with unflinching courage, wrote to him 
 from Baden : " Elsewhere than here, on the field of battle, we 
 cannot meet these our opponents with befitting energy. Mere 
 writing is not sufficient. Thou wilt expose thyself to danger, as 
 is the case with us all. Yet perhaps thou knowest more than I. 
 Do as thou thinkest best for the Gospel of Christ, to whom our 
 life, as much or as little of it as still remains, alone belongs." 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 221 
 
 Not for one moment did Zwingli falter in the path, which he 
 had marked out for himself. Though his faith continued firm 
 and strong till the hour of his death, still there lay also in his 
 character a spirit of worldly prudence, which rendered intoler- 
 able the thought of becoming a sacrifice to the craft of his 
 opponents, who, instead of honoring his courage, would rather 
 perhaps have laughed at him as a credulous dupe, in their joy 
 over the success of their unworthy plan. The author of this 
 work will neither justify, nor blame him on this account. His 
 duty is, to present a faithful picture of the great man, leaving 
 the reader to form his own judgment. But let us hear a few 
 passages touching this point, from a long letter of his to the 
 government of Bern, which had urged Zurich to accept the 
 invitation to take part in the Conference : " I beseech you, wise 
 and pious Lords, in the most pressing manner, to have my an- 
 swer to your letter, which was sent to my Lords, but had re- 
 ference to myself, read aloud and weighed with earnest and 
 mature consideration; for I am not all opposed to, but in favor 
 of a disputation. It is only the place that I cannot abide, and 
 these are my reasons : No place stands open to me, since the 
 cantons of Luzern, Uri, Schwytz, Unterwalden and Zug have 
 the supremacy; for the aforenamed cantons have called me a 
 heretic, summoned me to appear before them, rejected my 
 doctrines, burnt my books and reviled me without any hearing 
 whatever. It is a manifest pre-judgment. They themselves 
 confess, that the disputation was only planned, in order to silence 
 Zwingli. This is also a pre-judgment. As the aforenamed 
 cantons have commanded me to be taken prisoner, how could I 
 trust their safe-conduct? In the safe-conduct itself there is 
 a proviso, that every one must behave agreeably to that safe- 
 conduct; a common article where there is no danger; but it 
 would not be enough for me at Baden ; for just as soon as I 
 woiuld say : " The Pbpe is Antichrist "-^jiist Bo soon would they 
 
 19* 
 
222 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 cry out against me, that I had forfeited my safe-conduct. Then, 
 the Five Cantons, along toiih Faber and Ech, have made arrange- 
 ments beforehand, behind our backs, in regard to the disputa- 
 tion, which ought to be impartial ; and they have permitted the 
 most scandalous writings of Faber and Eck against me to be 
 sold freely, nay, to be hawked about at the Diet, whilst they would 
 neither hear nor look at my answers. For these and other 
 reasons, I would give a friendly caution to my gracious, loving 
 Lords, to believe no one, who pretends that I wish to avoid the 
 disputation. I do not ; but only the place. Besides, there are 
 three most excellent articles altogether omitted in the safe-conduct, 
 viz : that the Bible alone should be the source and ground of ar- 
 gument; that no judge should be placed over God's Word; and 
 finally, that the controversy should be carried on freely, and with- 
 out interruption, on all points in dispute. But, indeed, there 
 is no need to speak of safe-conduct or articles, whilst they will 
 hold the disputation at Baden. I will not haden (bathe)." 
 
 GEoolampadius now headed the Reformed party at the Con- 
 ference, in Zwingli's stead. Berchthold Haller, preacher at 
 Bern, joined him. They two, and several others of like mind, 
 kept up the battle for sixteen days, against Eck, Faber, the 
 not unlearned but extremely passionate Doctor Murner of Strass- 
 burg, preacher at Luzern, and their friends, who were present 
 in great numbers. Meanwhile Zwingli was not idle. Every 
 evening a report of the proceedings was brought to him from 
 Baden, for inspection, counsel and advice. According to his 
 own statement, he did not see his bed for nearly three weeks. 
 (Ecolampadius and his friends had to contend with no despica^ 
 ble antagonists, in the presence of hearers, the majority of 
 whom were prejudiced against them. And the difficulty was 
 increased by the fact that Eck and Faber, to whom it was as- 
 signed to draw up theses for dispute, cunningly enough passed 
 over the perplexing points touching the Church, the power of 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGlil. 223 
 
 the Pope, tlie celibacy of the clergy, the rules of fasting and 
 the like, but pushed into the foreground, on the contrary, as 
 the most important, those touching the Mass, because they 
 could assail the view of Zwingli and (Bcolampadius on the 
 Lord's Supper in part with Luther's own arguments. A letter 
 from Erasmus against this view also came to their aid, which 
 was, according to a report, extant in the university of Paris, 
 read at Baden with great applause, and did the more injury to 
 the Reformers, the higher the opinion of Erasmus was prized 
 by liberal theologians. 
 
 Amid all this, CEcolampadius knew how to keep his ground 
 manfully. His quiet demeanor and moderation served him no 
 less than his learning, in which he was scarcely inferior to 
 Zwingli himself. One of the Catholic party is said to have cried 
 out, whilst he was speaking : " if the long, yellow man were 
 only on our side !" His external appearance, as, clad in simple 
 clothing, he appeared in a rough-hewn, unadorned pulpit, was 
 only the more dignified in contrast with the richly carved throne 
 on which Eck, Faber and their distinguished friends sat in 
 silken robes, puffed up, and hung around with golden chains 
 and crosses. At the close of the Conference, the latter declared 
 the victory theirs. This decision was likewise ratified by the 
 four presidents, the majority of the deputies of the Diet and by 
 far the greater number of the attendant scholars and clergymen. 
 Only ten of the latter came out, over their own signatures, in 
 favor of CEcolampadius, and with him against the justness of 
 the theses put forth by Eck and Faber. Berchthold Haller, 
 along with several others, retired before the termination of the 
 Conference. Before the assembly broke up, Thomas Murner ap- 
 peared, by permission of the presidents, and read aloud forty 
 propositions, which he had posted up as the errors and blasphemous 
 assertions of Zwingli, on the church-doors at Baden, and declared 
 himself ready publicly to prove as such against him ; but since 
 
224 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 tlie challenged party had staid away in a cowardly fashion, he 
 could, in accordance with all law, human and divine, proclaim 
 him, this tyrant of Zurich, and his followers, dishonorahle, per- 
 jured, sacrilegious and God-forsaken people, of whose company 
 every honest man ought to be ashamed, and shun them as per- 
 sons unclean and ripe for damnation. Zurich had to endure 
 this, which was reported to her, and a haughty letter from the 
 deputies of the Twelve Cantons besides. Much was said in it 
 about Zwingli's lies ; he was accused of ridiculing the Confed- 
 erates, of making seditious speeches, and of a never-ceasing 
 hostility. They were now tired of this disorder, and if the 
 government of Zurich would not banish the everlasting disturber, 
 they then would be compelled to make known to their subjects 
 in city and canton the injury they suffered, — to appear before 
 the bailiwicks, so that the honest people might become acquainted, 
 not with Zwingli's little book and slanderous invectives alone, 
 but the reply of their Confederates also. What would come 
 out of this, the Council of Zurich might consider in their 
 wisdom. 
 
 Meanwhile, the tidings, that a victory was gained, spread on 
 all sides. "We thank the Most High" — wrote the deputies 
 of the Twelve Cantons from Baden to Duke William of Ba- 
 varia — "that Your Princely Grace sent over to us the highly- 
 renowned Doctor Eck ; for truly he has defended, according to 
 the Holy Divine Scriptures, his Christian theses — the chief 
 points, which the Lutheran or Zwinglian deluding, heretical 
 sect have ventured to assail and pervert — so bravely and with such 
 skill, that undoubtedly good will come of it; and it will be ad- 
 mitted by every sensible man, possessed of a good conscience, 
 that truth and victory are on our side — with our old, undoubted 
 Christian faith." Eeports of the triumph of the Catholics 
 reached Zwingli from his friends also. Comander, pastor in 
 Chur, told him of letters reoeive'd there, and of the alarm of all 
 
LIFE OF ZWIXGLI. 225 
 
 the friends of reform. George Mangolt wrote from Constance : 
 "Every day letters arrive here from Baden. how the 
 Papists rejoice ! They say that (Ecolampadius is overthrown; 
 that he has been vanquished in three points already, and will 
 be completely so in a few days; that he is like a child — ^as soon 
 as he is laid hold of with a little more earnestness than usual 
 he begins to tremble, yea, even to weep." Indeed, great hopes 
 were built on the issue of the Conference by all the friends of 
 the Old Order. Zurich appeared to stand alone, deserted by 
 all her sister-confederates. Berchthold Haller was intimidated; 
 CEcolampadius, though he did not yield, looked into a dark 
 future, for he could number as many enemies as friends in 
 Basel. Under these circumstances, everything depended on 
 Zurich, and especially the firmness of Zwingli. 
 
 After taking earnest counsel, it was resolved to send the fol- 
 lowing declaration to all the Twelve Cantons : " We havs ex- 
 amined your letter touching ourselves and our preachers, and 
 are filled with grea,t surprise, grief and regret. We and our 
 preachers are attacked therein with haughty, sharp and violent 
 words, although in our own opinion we are innocent. We had in- 
 deed thought that the many things, which he and we have sent to 
 you from pen and press, would have been honorably considered 
 and well received by you and your advisers. Neverthelessj 
 Master Ulric will vindicate himself But to you, dear Con- 
 federates, because you desire an answer from us at the next 
 Annual Reckoning, we send what follows : We have violated 
 no treaty, given ear only to the Divine Word, and invited any 
 one to prove us in error. No one has come to do this. It is 
 well known how we have been excluded from the Diet, and 
 how, without consulting us and in the face of Our protest, the 
 Conference was traiiferred to Baden. You ask us to pro- 
 hibit Master Ulric Zwingli from publishing books and writings 
 against you, because it is contrary to our treaties, and yet it is 
 
226 LIFE OF Z^VINGLI. 
 
 clear to you and all men, that Doctor Eck and Faber, and their 
 adherents, have issued sundry little books and writings for the 
 dishonor, shame and derision of us and our preachers, which 
 were carried, sent over and circulated at the Diet, and in many 
 other places, far and near, with boastful pomp and rejoicing, 
 and have been read and listened to with evident relish ; and truly 
 it ought and must deeply pain and grieve us, as pious, honest, 
 faithful Confederates, that such strange, foreign, slanderous and 
 wicked people, who, beyond doubt, wish not only to lessen and 
 obstruct the profit, honor, piety and welfare of our glorious 
 Confederacy, but according to their race and nation, under a 
 false show of good, to obliterate and utterly destroy it, should 
 receive almost more respect, confidence and esteem than we. 
 And yet, God knows, we have never had any higher wish than 
 to live on friendly terms with you, our dear Confederates, 
 and assist in all things, which might serve to the praise, profit, 
 honor and welfare of the United Confederacy; and as formerly, 
 in the pressure of war and other secular affairs, we faithfully 
 pledged to you our persons, honor and property, like good, honest 
 Confederates, and poured out our blood, so would we now do, 
 without looking back, as our pious forefathers, when our coun- 
 try calls for it. If then, you had written, that you wished to 
 appear before our congregations, we indeed would have made no 
 objections; but since it is contrary to treaties and old, praise- 
 worthy custom and usage to do so without our consent, we hope 
 you will follow them. If complaints only were to be made, 
 truly we would have more reason to urge them than you. What 
 hard and unbecoming speeches are not we and ours compellea 
 to hear, when we meet you and yours in market-places, for 
 buying and selling ! And did not that foreign monk. Doctor 
 Murner of Luzern, for the first time, at this Diet, publish against 
 us a little book, full of scandal and lies, and go to the furthest 
 lengths of malice, when out of an envenomed, envious heart, he 
 
LIFE OF ZAVINGLl. 227 
 
 defamed and abused us and ours in the highest degree, in the 
 presence of natives and foreigners, after the disputation held at 
 Baden, and all with such knavery, that, amid many piou.", hon- 
 est men, who heard him, there was little displeasure, and yet 
 no one called him to order ? Indeed it were much better if we 
 sought to put away such people, who bring no honor dr profit to 
 either party. Heretofore matters proceeded very difierently at 
 the Diet, when we conversed together about that which might 
 promote the honor, the happiness and the welfare of our Con- 
 federacy, and lived in old friendship, brotherly fidelity and love." 
 
 The answer of Zwingli, who was the most aggrieved, was 
 thought to be more rude and independent: "That I" — he 
 wrote — "have reviled the Twelve Cantons, is, honorable Lords, 
 unjustly charged against me; but that I would expose the prac- 
 tices of Faber, who can justly blame me for that ? Faber him- 
 self couid not stand, if he would visit me in the place, where 
 we have pledged sufficienc. security to Eck and him. That 
 more word.s of scandalous abuse stick in me than words of Holy 
 Writ and truth, 1 must allow you to say. You, the Five Cantons, 
 have proclaimed me a heretic before all the conferences or dis- 
 putations, which cannot be made out, though I should not 
 stand up .to answer you. If there be real, genuine desire to 
 learn the Word of God in truth, we must not attempt it with 
 courtesans, the whole Papacy and such dishonest people, who like 
 Eck have spoken so scandalously in regard to an estimable Con- 
 federacy. That I have often been blamed by you for lying, 
 falsehood and deceit, I must likewise commend to God. But 
 I do indeed think, if this letter of your deputies were read at 
 home before the Twelve Cantons, the smaller number would be 
 pleased with it. Pardon me, dear Lords, I also know in part 
 how things went at the Diet." 
 
 "Since then, it is your opinion, that my Lords ought to 
 thrust me aside and the like, I tell you, they a,re too pious for. 
 
228 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 that; because tliey know well that you first assailed me and so 
 often, that I was obliged on their account to write, for the pre- 
 servation of God's Word, their honor and my own. It seems to 
 me, that your faith is but ill kept toward my Lords and me; (for- 
 give me, gracious Lords) though heretical opinions are tolerated 
 in the pulpits of several cantons, I must keep silence in mine, 
 and their honest people, when they do business among you, are 
 often and disgracefully abused, and there is no punishment or 
 redress.'' 
 
 " Finally, you say, if my Lords do not cast me off, you will take 
 occasion to make known at Zurich, before the city and the canton, 
 what you have suffered from them and me ; to which I answer : 
 If the Articles of Confederation would permit, I would be willing 
 that you, my Lords, and I should freely explain how matters 
 have been going, not only before the communities of my Lords, 
 but before all the people of the entire Confederacy. Eut since 
 this may not be, do you keep to the Articles of Confederation 
 and your own communities, and leave the communities of my 
 Lords in peace; for if you were to come before them, there is 
 no doubt they would give you in their simplicity, in all honor 
 and fairness, as good and earnest answers as my Lords themselves. 
 In regard to these things, gracious Lords, that for God's sake 
 you were wUling to go into yourselves and not always act in a 
 passion !" 
 
 Of course, language of this kind was not just calculated to 
 calm the minds of his opponents, and could not but wound 
 deeply the pride of the Five Cantons, who were implacable enough 
 without it. It appeared the more intolerable to them, because 
 they regarded themselves as conquerors, yea if they could only 
 agree, in a certain measure, the second authors and founders 
 of the Old Confederacy, that held fast to the faith and customs 
 of their ancestors. Nearly all the Confederate deputies in 
 Badea happened to belong also to the friends of the Old Order, 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 229 
 
 and particularly the ambassador from Bern, Caspar von Mue- 
 linen. Their agreement in opinion gave assurance to the can- 
 tons, who now undertook to publish the acts of the disputation. 
 It is probable that this was not done without the consent of the 
 remaining deputies, with the exception perhaps of Adelberg 
 Meier. Leaving Basel out of view, in Bern, Glarus, kSchaff- 
 hausen, Appenzell and partly even in Solothurn, the confidence 
 in the Five Cantons was not so strong as among the deputies of 
 these states at the Diet, and when they brought home a report 
 of the proceedings in Baden, a very decided feeling was mani- 
 fested among the councils and people. Our attention must now 
 be directed chiefly to Basel and Bern. 
 
 In Basel, the higher classes, with but few exceptions, were 
 unfavorable to the Keformation. The bishop and the chapter 
 of the Cathedral exercised considerable influence. The Uni- 
 versity also, in the greater part of its members, was not the least 
 inclined to the new dogmas and forms. CEoolampadius, who, a 
 short time before, had become a professor there, stood nearly iso- 
 lated among his colleagues, especially since Pellican (Conrad 
 Kuersner), former teacher of the Hebrew language, his tried friend 
 and companion in the faith, had accepted a call to Zurich. Eras- 
 mus, startled from his proud and comfortable ease — summoned 
 from his student's chamber, whence he was accustomed to lord it 
 'over the learned world, to conflicts before turbulent assemblies of 
 the people, began to exhibit more and more dislike toward this re- 
 volutionary agitation. When he met CEccilampadius, to whom 
 he had before shown much good-will, on the street, he turned 
 away from him with an aversion, which he did not strive to con- 
 ceal. It is true, he disdained also to take part in the dark doings 
 of the monks, those heresy-hunters of the Roman Seej but ap- 
 pears to have seen, not without pleasure, the quarrel, then al- 
 ready rising between the Reformers themselves, touching the 
 doctrine of the Lord's Supper, and used it so, as to decide in 
 
 20 
 
230 LIFE OP ZWINaLI. 
 
 favor of no party, read lectures to all, and maintain as long as 
 possible his former superior position over against them. His 
 correspondence, indeed, all his connection -with Zwingli had 
 ceased. But the latter had to experience something still more 
 severe in the behavior of Glareanus, the first and warmest friend 
 of his youth. As late as the first Religious Conference in Zu- 
 rich he had expressed to Zwingli his joy and approval of the 
 result, and for a time took his part with Erasmus. Now he 
 turned away from the Reformers more decidedly than the old 
 theologian himself, became more and more violent in his enmity 
 to them and their cause, and like Erasmus, though two months 
 earlier, left Basel, which had become hateful to him, in order 
 to settle as an academical teacher in the still Catholic University 
 at Freiburg, in the Breisgau.* In the Small Council there waa 
 
 * It may not be immteresting to many readers to learn something 
 of the after fate of this man, who occupies so prominent a place in 
 the foregoing history. His last letter to Zwingli, as far as known, is 
 dated February llth, 1523, and his last to Myconius, September 4th, 
 1524. In these already he complains of the restless agitation in Basel, 
 rising up in hostility to every more moderate view : "It is my convic- 
 tion," he writes, "that at present obstacles are thrown in the way 
 of the sciences as well as of the Gospel, by none more than by those 
 who made us believe, they would have swallowed both. Yet one durst 
 not complain aloud; for that old, 'Leave me my Christ untouched,' has 
 lately become a litany among them.' " Now more than ever his life 
 was devoted to the study of Grecian and especially Eoman antiquity ; 
 for theology and church history he never had any great affection. In 
 the beginnings ofthe Reformation he looked chiefly at the victory of 
 science, the revival of the study of the languages, the need of a more 
 thorough investigation of the classical ages, and was, therefore, favor- 
 able to it. But as soon as this Reformation ventured forth from the 
 narrow circles of the academical lecture-room, the student's chamber 
 and the polite world, to move in which had become a matter of neces- 
 sity to him, upon the theatre of public life, and appeared under demo- 
 cratic forms ; as soon as unlearned advocates for it rose up beside the 
 educated and strove for approval and influence with the people, wound- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI 231 
 
 a minority, few in numbers, with Adelberg Meier at their 
 head, in favor of reform; in the Great Council the number 
 
 ing his refined taste ty their rude manners and their rough language, 
 he began to grow uneasy. He feared directly the opposite of what he 
 had first hoped for, the final overthrow of all tliorough scientific cul- 
 ture. Of the great transformation wrought in the life of the church 
 and the people, with its beneficial results for religion and politics, he 
 had no sense, because he never traveled beyond his Roman and 
 Grecian studies. The bitterness of his feelings found vent in subtle 
 and sometimes malicious scorn. Even in presence of his scholars and 
 house-companions, whose number, as he always kept a boarding house, 
 was seldom under twenty, he allowed himself to call OilcoLimpadius 
 " (Ecodiabolos " (House-devil), or " Schlampadius." It can readily bq 
 imagined that when this became known it created a dislike toward him 
 among his former admirers, and especially among the young. He re- 
 ceived an unequivocal proof of it, when passing through Zurich. Having 
 arrived there with wet garments, he asked his host for the loan of a 
 dry coat that he might walk out. The latter assured him, perhaps 
 maliciously, that he had only a yellow one to spare, which he durst 
 not off'er him. In spite of the strange color Glareanus put it on ; but 
 scarcely had he appeared on the street, when he saw himself sur- 
 rounded by a troop of mocking school-boys, to whom he had probably 
 been betrayed. "Ay! ay! Glareanus, how you are tricked out ! We 
 must learn your verses," and similar things were shouted in his ears. 
 On his return, the landlord met him with the words : " Out of the 
 mouths of children and sucklings hast thou prepared praise for thy- 
 self." His opinion of the age became more and more gloomy. His 
 secret grudge against it is particularly visible in his letter to MgiAins 
 Tschudi, who, like him, had remained true to the Catholic confession. 
 "The young men of the present day," he wrote in 1550, "resemble 
 those of Sodom and Gomorah. Drunkenness, perfidy, ungodliness, 
 dishonoring of the holy have overpowered all their natures. Never 
 was the world so corrupt as now." And yet, at that very time, he 
 had often so many hearers in Freiburg, that, instead of the usual lec- 
 ture-room the Aula (the hall for examinations and celebrations) had to 
 be given up to him. He continued to exercise his chosen calling with 
 unwearied activity, until he closed his eventful life in the seventy- 
 fourth year of his age. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding his 
 
232 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 was larger, but also a minority. Among the burgliers, on 
 the other hand, the party of CEoolampadius increased daily. 
 To this, his behavior at Baden, which drew praises even 
 from his opponents, contributed no little. The fluctuating 
 opinions, in regard to the doctrine of the Lord's Supper, 
 had caused him, previous to the Conference at Baden, to 
 make known his view on the subject in a special work. The 
 Council forbade its publication, because nothing so stirred up 
 the passions of men like this. But now, since the matter had 
 been publicly handled by him, in the Religious Conference, 
 there was no longer any reason to keep it back from the press. 
 Sent forth by one of the most famous professors in the Univer- 
 sity, contradicted by none of his colleagues,* it came to be 
 looked upon in a certain measure as a confession of faith on the 
 part of the faculty. At the same time, also, (Ecolampadius, to 
 the great annoyance of his adversaries, succeeded in obtaining 
 the introduction of church-singing in German; for the govern- 
 ment, in accordance with the feeble advice of Erasmus, in an- 
 swer to the question as to how it should act amid the zeal for 
 innovation breaking out on all sides, adopted vacillating measures ; 
 to-day it suffered the departure of individual monks and nuns 
 from their cloisters ; to-morrow, in order to make such cases 
 less frequent, it denied the rights of citizenship to those who 
 had gone out, and rendered the practice of any worldly calling 
 difficult; now it ratified episcopal laws, and then arbitrarily 
 abolished festival-days ; in one church it supported the celebra- 
 tion of the mass, in another allowed it to be abolished, so that 
 
 dislike to the Reformation, tlie General Inquisition at Madrid, as late 
 as the year 1667, included him among " the authors of cursed memory, 
 ■whose works, published or yet to be published, are forbidden without 
 exception." 
 
 * The polemical treatise of Erasmus on th'ij same subject appeared 
 earlier j besides, Erasmus was not actually a teacher in the University. 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 233 
 
 Basel was as good as given up by the Five Cantons. They re- 
 fused the Council there permission to examine the acts of the 
 Religious Conference at Baden before their publication, and on 
 the 13th of July, 1526, resolved, in connection with Freiburg 
 and Solothurn, to keep the oath of confederation as little with 
 Basel as with Zurich and St. Gall. 
 
 So determined were the Five Cantons, especially since the 
 Conference at Baden, only to acknowledge in the future those 
 of their Confederate-sisters as such, who would adhere along 
 with them to the former doctrines of the church. What au- 
 thority they arrogated to themselves in this respect over the 
 others, is plainly visible in their behavior toward Bern. Not- 
 withstanding her repeated requests, the acts of the Baden 
 Conference were not communicated to her; her conduct was 
 subjected to severe censure, and it was resolved to send 
 thither a delegation to confirm the alliance by an oath; but 
 only after the Great Council and the consulting deputies of the 
 districts had declared solemnly beforehand, that Bern would 
 not desert the Five Cantons in matters of faith, yea, would even 
 recall her former grant in favor of the free interpretation of the 
 Scriptures. Indeed, she was obliged to draw up a sealed de- 
 claration to this effect. But with that even the Five Cantons 
 were not satisfied. "A command" — so it is enjoined in the 
 letters of their Conference at Luzern — " shall be given to our 
 envoys at the swearing of the treaty as to what more shall be 
 said to our Confederates at Bern, which they shall indeed hear.'' 
 What this may have been will become intelligible to us, when 
 we have taken a nearer view of the religious and political con- 
 dition of Bern, as it then was. 
 
 From the earliest period of the Confederacy down, a mutual 
 ■friendship had existed between Bern and Zurich. In the old 
 wars against Zurich, when all the Confederates appeared in ' 
 hostile array against her, Bern had stood out for a long time; 
 
 2b* 
 
234 LITE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 and at great sacrifice, had endeavored to bring about a re- 
 onnciliation, and was tlie first to reach out again the hand 
 of peace. She thankfully acknowledged the true help, which 
 Zurich had aiforded her in the Burgundian wars. Not seldom 
 was she solicited to act aa mediator, in disputes, which 
 Zurich had with her own subjects, and always discharged her 
 commission with kindness and honor. In the quarrels also 
 with other states, arising in consequence of the reforms in 
 Zurich, she took no part in the hostile measures contrived 
 against her, and the insults ofiered to her ambassadors ; on the 
 contrary, did all she could to preserve peace. But a short time 
 before the Conference at Baden, she had publicly declared : 
 " Though our dear Confederates of Zurich should not be willinsr 
 to accept the proposals of compromise drawn up by us, we 
 have still unanimously resolved neither to separate from them 
 nor from our other allies, but faithfully to adhere to all sworn 
 treaties." This was the disposition of the canton; this the 
 policy of the government, which, among all the Swiss states, 
 was the least inclined perhaps to enter into religious polemics 
 and ecclesiastical movements. Political and warlike interests 
 prevailed with it; with the people, those of a material nature. 
 Become wealthy by agriculture, rejoicing in ease and prosperity, 
 they felt little need of subjecting their faith to trial, and had 
 just as little occasion to defend it at any great sacrifice. In 
 spiritual matters they stuck to their leaders, whose contrary 
 views, especially since the Conference at Baden, began to show 
 a bolder antagonism. And yet it was rather the external form 
 than the inward substance, which they regarded; the usages 
 of the church, rather than the dogmas, which they assailed; 
 the dominion rather than the teachings of the priests, against 
 which they rose up. The mode of conflict was also different.' 
 Teachers were closely watched; great caution enjoined on the 
 preachers ; attacks on points of faith not sufiered either in the 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 235 
 
 pulpit or in disputations; and' yet, on the other hand, fully as 
 much freedom of speech prevailed in private life as in Zurich : 
 the nuns of gentle birth in Koenigsfeld left their convent and 
 married without hindrance, and even the head of the priestly 
 order, Provost Nicholas von Wattenweil, had taken to wife 
 Clara Mai, a Dominican sister of the Convent in the Island. 
 Amid storms of applause, the Banneret Manuel had allowed a 
 play to be performed publicly in the Street of the Cross by a 
 young burgher, in which the church authorities, the cardinals, 
 the traffic of indulgences and various ceremonies were held up 
 to ridicule. The powers then ruling had no special esteem for 
 the Pope, and would not tolerate the supremacy of anybishops, 
 but just as little also the commanding influence of a reformer. 
 Such a state of things could not last long in any case, but 
 the very means, by which the Five Cantons hoped to prevent 
 the breach, led directly to it. These were their assumptions of 
 guardianship; their legations; their letters and strictures on 
 every ordinance of the Council in Bern, which they did not 
 like; the conduct of their envoys at the swearing of the treaty 
 in that place; their request that the deputies of Zuricli sent 
 for this purpose might not be admitted to witness the ceremony; 
 their private conferences, to which Bern also was not invited; 
 their incessant appeals to that sealed promise, which had been 
 extorted only under the protests of many and to the dis- 
 satisfaction of a large portion of the people, and lastly, their 
 threats to appear before the Bernese districts. Yet it was 
 Thomas Murner, who finally brought the matter to an issue. 
 If Eck and Faber were undoubtedly fitted by their noble ex- 
 ternal appearance — their scientific and wordly training, to gain 
 influence among the higher classes, so was the barefooted monk 
 not less the man, to work upon the multitude : to inspire some 
 with enthusiasm and rouse up others to anger. We have seen 
 with what dogmaticfd, cunning and rude language he assailed, 
 
236 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 at Baden, not only Zwingli, but tlie Zurichers, and all the 
 adherents of the Keformer, to the great displeasure of many, 
 especially the Bernese. The publication of the Acts of the 
 Disputation was now committed to this man, by the government 
 at Luzern. In compliance with truth, it must be said, that he 
 was guilty of no falsification; for the printed copy agrees ac- 
 curately with the manuscripts of the four secretaries, which are 
 still extant; but they would not believe this in Basel or Bern, 
 without comparing the documents, on account of the violent 
 assertions contained in other writings which he then published. 
 Among these, everything else was eclipsed by the so-called 
 Libel Almanac, whose appearance, with its vulgar wit, its coarse 
 language and its blood-thirsty spirit, was demanded by party- 
 hatred. The almanac of the Zurichers gave rise to its publica- 
 tion, because they had omitted the names of the saints. In- 
 stead of these, those of the Eeformers and their most promi- 
 nent adherents were now introduced under opprobrious epithets, 
 with printed caricatures alongside. It was issued in Luzern — 
 under the eyes of the government — and widely circulated. And 
 as the preachers and other respectable men of Bern were not 
 spared in it, the government demanded satisfaction — indeed 
 united with that of Zurich for this purpose. These two states 
 were thus drawn nearer and nearer together. The former ap- 
 peared at the conferences instituted by the latter in opposition to 
 those of the Five Cantons, and when, on Easter Tuesday of the 
 year 1527, the election for the Councils arrived, the friends of 
 reform carried the day by a decisive victory. Some of the most 
 violent of their opponents were ousted from both Councils, and 
 several others, among whom was Caspar von Muelinen, before 
 mentioned as deputy at Baden, were obliged to go back from 
 the Small to the G-reat Council; but the question was put to 
 all the districts of the Canton, whether, in order to please the 
 Five Cantons, they would adhere to that forced resolution to 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 237 
 
 alter nothing in matters of religion, which would only lead to 
 difficulty, and since it had heen published, had produced nothing 
 but hate and discord ? The number of persons in city and 
 canton, who were decidedly in favor of it, was small, and hence 
 the ordinance was issued by both Councils, that the free preach- 
 ing of the Grospel should be restored, exercised and protected, 
 but that no changes should be allowed in the use of the sacra^ 
 ments and churchly customs, except by general consent and 
 approbation. 
 
 But whilst these things were taking place in Bern, another 
 storm was brewing among the enemies of the Reformation at 
 Zurich. Notwithstanding all that had gone before, some were 
 still found here, who secretly drew pensions, and these in unison 
 with the discontented clergy, formed a dangerous party, whose 
 hopes were newly revived by the result of the Conference in Ba- 
 den. To them Zwingli's opponents in the other cantons silently 
 turned, and the Reformer was threatened with a new battle. 
 Let us hear his own description of it, in a letter to his friends in 
 Basel and Strassburg : " For some time back, a great deal of 
 movement, a bustling and joyful assembling has been observed 
 in the troop of our Catilinarians,* as soon as the cause of the 
 Gospel met with any difficulty in the way. It was clear as 
 sunlight that these people would attempt the same thing, as 
 those whose infamous deeds cannot be unknown to you, who 
 have read the writings of Cicero and Sallust. I confess, that, 
 when their speeches and actions more and more plainly be- 
 trayed their plans hitherto concealed, I, on m'y part, began to 
 sound the alarm of treason. I succeeded also, in spite of the 
 boldness and hypocrisy with which they came out against me, 
 
 * Adherents of Cataline, a Roman, whose criminal tampering with 
 the dregs of the people, whose attempt at their head to revolutionize 
 Poome, and whose defeat by Cicero the consul then in power, are pic- 
 tured in a graphic manner by the historian Sallust, 
 
238 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 in intimidating tlieir fortress, in undermining their walls. 
 They believed that they had been unobserved. I gave them 
 to understand that this was not the case, and that I myself 
 could perhaps make a disclosure. It happened thus. I found 
 myself, without their knowledge, in possession of a certain 
 letter, and had gleaned besides something here and there. 
 Hereupon the better portion of the people, who desired to put 
 an end to intrigues, succeeded so far that a dictatorship was in- 
 stituted, not indeed after the fashion of the Romans, in the 
 person of a single individual, but a commission of twelve men, 
 who received authority to apprehend and try. The investiga^ 
 tion begins. Much comes to light, some things important and 
 some not. Now, G-rebel, the father of Conrad, the leader of 
 the Anabaptists, is beheaded. He, who stood in the highest 
 consideration amongst us, had received from the Emperor, the 
 King of France and the Pope more than 1000 gold-florins un- 
 der pretence of benefits bestowed on his son. Several escaped, 
 for the gates were negligently guarded; one on a cart, con- 
 cealed under a load of nibbish and dung. Another, a hunch- 
 backed man, was put to the rack. The dictatorship and in- 
 vestigation still continue. As for me, I exhort some to take 
 example from such a result, and others to aid in rooting up the 
 evil." 
 
 The hatred of the defeated party, their friends and their 
 followers, may easily be imagined. But for once there was no 
 prospect of a speedy revenge. Several attempts on their be- 
 half were made in the canton without success. To Buelach, 
 where something had been undertaken in favor of the crimi- 
 nals, the government wrote : " We hear that you venture to 
 hold meetings on account of the punishments we have inflicted 
 on the disobedient and invite others thither. This sounds 
 badly in face of your solemn pledges, to give the go-by to all 
 foreign lords. Cease from such intrigues, or we will take the 
 
LirE OP ZWINGLI. 239 
 
 matter in hand for you witli such earnestness and boldness, 
 that, with the help of God, we will become your masters, and 
 not you ours." Respect for the Reformer grew; his influence 
 began to spread widely, even, beyond the limits of the canton. 
 After the narration of these events, we turn back again to 
 the afiairs of Bern. The power of this state, the ideas, which 
 were entertained of the sagacity of its rulers, made it evident, 
 that, just as the case was decided here, so would it be in a good 
 portion of the Confederacy. And now, within the walls of 
 Bern, Zurich and the Five Cantons had to fight their next 
 battle. They did it first by embassies j but whilst the Zurich- 
 ers deported themselves with modesty, the Five Cantons 
 used rough, domineering language, which found no approval 
 even from those, who otherwise were not well inclined toward 
 the Reformation. But the Bernese felt more and more sensibly 
 the inconvenience arising from the discord, which passed over 
 from the sphere of religion into that of their politics. Both 
 parties longed for a decision. The proposal to hold a religious 
 conference of their own, met with growing favor. Both parties 
 counted on victory. The opponents of the Reformation 
 grounded their hopes on the issue of the Conference at Baden, 
 and on the aid promised them by Conrad Treger of Freiburg, 
 Provincial of the Augustines, who had some reputation for 
 learning. Haller and his friends turned their eyes to Zwingli. 
 They did not rest until the Council, which at first intended to 
 restrict the invitation to the Conference to narrower limits, had 
 extended it to the whole Confederacy. In the most anxious 
 letters Haller entreated the Reformer not to remain away. He 
 sent the theses drawn up by him and his colleague, Francis 
 Kolb, to Zwingli for revision, with the request to have them 
 printed in Zurich. The town-clerk of Bern did the same thing, 
 in the name of the Council. Zwingli promised, sent books and 
 advice, and spread the Bernese letters of invitation also among 
 
240 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 his friends in Germany. "We have/' Haller had written, 
 " the wolf by the ears, but only between door and hinge, and 
 do not know how to deal with him. Therefore, there is some 
 hope among all good Christians here that thou wilt come. Thou 
 knowest what is now laid on Bern, and what great scandal, 
 scorn and shame would at once fall upoa the Gospel and us, 
 if we should not prove sufficient for the task. The burgomaster 
 Roist, when he was last here, gave us to hope, that he would 
 also come. Have no fear of way-laying, our government will 
 provide for your safe-conduct. Believe me, many call for you. 
 But others prophesy that my Lords will not ipake much out 
 of the disputation, and the last disappointment will be greater 
 than the first. Stand by me, or rather undertake it thyself. 
 I have written to QScolampadius, but do not know whether he 
 will come; he has answered that he would like Zwingli to sup- 
 port us. Summa; He has bathed, (^gehadet), thou shouldst 
 lead the bear-dance." * 
 
 Zurich had heard the resolution of the Bernese with great 
 joy. Immediately a public safe-conduct was made out for all 
 travelers to Bern, and attendance at the Conference recom- 
 mended to all belonging to the canton, especially to the priests, 
 who had not yet joined in the Reformation; but Zwingli, who 
 had urgently begged for permission, was commanded to go thither, 
 and the learned Pellikan and Collin, along with the preacher 
 Megander, to assist him, all at the expense of the government. 
 
 What anxiety, on the other hand, this disputation created 
 among the Five Cantons, appears from their attempts to pre- 
 vent it. Immediately after the resolution of Bern was made 
 known to them, by her public proclamation, they called together 
 a conference in Luzern, at which also Freiburg, Solothurn and 
 
 * [CEoolampadius had played the hero at the Conference of Baden, 
 he had gebadet ; Zwingli should now do the same at Bern, in whose 
 coat of arms the bear occupied a prominent place. — Translator. '\ 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 241 
 
 Glarus were represented. A letter of warning was there re- 
 solved on. The Five Cantons believed, moreover, it should be 
 drawn up, less in the name of their governments than in that 
 of the Confederacy. From that very moment, when they be- 
 gan to fear, lest other states would likewise venture to unite 
 with Zurich, their strenuous efforts were directed to the pres- 
 ervation at least of a majority of votes in the General Diet. In 
 this they could not fail. They were sure of Freiburg, they 
 counted on Solothurn, but Glarus they endeavored to secure by 
 the same means which had proved abortive with Bern. Here, 
 however, they seemed to succeed better. In fact, the general 
 assembly of the canton handed over at their request a sealed 
 promise not to separate themselves in matters of faith. In this 
 posture of affairs, they held immoveably firm to the opinion, 
 that whatever seven or eight out of thirteen states thought fit, 
 should be considered the decision of the Confederacy. But our 
 whole earlier history shows how varying the practice was in 
 this respect, how single cantons, how a united minority of them 
 often refused to acknowledge the resolutions of the majority; how 
 differently the very Articles of Confederation themselves, and 
 their right to enforce obedience were explained, or stre'tched, to 
 suit particular cases. But, if ever it was their design to justify 
 the political liberty of each individual member of the Confed- 
 eracy, then surely it must be so in matters of religion, which 
 are nowhere touched on in the letter of these Articles, whilst 
 the dominion of one over the consciences of the others, is far 
 less in harmony with their spirit. 
 
 So had Zurich looked upon the matter from the beginning. 
 So was it now regarded by Bern, with a more decided purpose 
 not to surrender the principle involved. From this time forth 
 two parties began to form themselves in our country, who were 
 diametrically opposed in their views of the nature and obliga- 
 tions of the Articles of Confederacy. The question at first 
 
 21 
 
242 LIFE OF Z'\VINGLI. 
 
 by no means took tie same shape as it did in later times : Shall 
 only one ecclesiastical system, or several, be allowed within the 
 limits of a single state? much less that which it now holds in 
 America : Shall the state not concern itself at all about the 
 religious creed of its citizens? Religion and politics, church 
 and state were then thought to be inseparably bound together. 
 Only this was asked : Shall a single state choose its own eccle- 
 siastical system, or be suffered to change it by its own sovereign 
 authority ? or has it no such right ? Must law be given to it 
 perpetually from without, by a power which stands over it, 
 ■which even has its head on the other side of the Alps ? The 
 Five Cantons, who adhered to the latter view without faltering, 
 were not willing to maintain it merely within their own limits, 
 but wished to have it uttered and acknowledged as a funda- 
 mental principle of the Confederacy, and the minority to submit 
 to the majority in its application. - 
 
 This shows itself plainly in the contents of a letter sent by 
 them to Bern, directly before the Religious Conference held 
 there. "Truly," so it runs, "with no less fear than wonder 
 have we, dear Confederates, received your notice of a conference. 
 What can have induced you to make such a move — ^you, who 
 not two yearsago would have esteemed an undertaking of that 
 kind contrary to all honesty. Christian order and law, and a 
 breach of old usages and sworn treaties ? and so we esteem it. 
 Whence comes it? Ah, God mend it! only because you have 
 given too long a rein to your seditious, wicked preachers. They 
 have persuaded you to this thing, in order to color somewhat, 
 and in some measure to plaster over with a deceitful show their 
 defeat at Baden, where by the might and splendor of the truth, 
 by the Holy Scripture itself, they were struck to the earth as 
 blind men, Remember what you and yours swore together 
 with us, for which you gave us sealed documents, yet in our 
 possession. Therefore, yfe heseeph you, irx the most pressing 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 243 
 
 and earnest manner: Abandon your project. Let us know, 
 whether you will do this. On Sunday before New Year the 
 deputies of the VIII. Cantons will be in Luzern. On that day 
 we will look for your answer to this efifect. But if ^all this 
 warning is of no ^avail, then we desire you to summon your 
 bailiwicks on a certain day previous to the disputation, and 
 give us notice of that day in due time. Then will our Lords 
 and Superiors send their embassy to you, and speak with you 
 and yours, not otherwise than becomes propriety, and is neces- 
 sary and convenient for us; and, if God will, you and yours, 
 us and ours will be preserved from great misfortune and harm. 
 Meanwhile, perhaps, rude speakers may exhort you not to suffer 
 yourselves to be lorded over by several cantons, ruled, taught, 
 and compelled to believe what may be pleasing to them. 
 
 "Ah, dear Confederates! Neither our Lords and Superiors, 
 nor we, ever had any disposition to rule and lord it over you. 
 We bring and compel you to receive no new faith. What is our 
 desire and thought? Only that you and we may remain with 
 each other, dwell peaceably together and rule as your and our 
 forefathers did in the old, true. Christian faith. In this your 
 ancestors and yourselves, your canton and your people have 
 reached great honor. In this did you becftme Confederates. 
 In this have your ancestors and ours, you and we gained many 
 honorable victories. God be praised therefor ! With such a 
 faith, and with the universal Christian Church we desire to 
 remain, and pray God from the heart that He would prevent 
 you by His grace from separating, not alone from us Eight 
 Cantons, but much more from all Christendom." 
 
 Yet this letter, although made out in the names of the Eight 
 Cantons, was not signed by Glarus and Solothurn; not by 
 Glarus, because there also public opinion was rising up more 
 and more in favor of Zwingli's reforms, which obliged the 
 deputies to be very guarded; not by Solothurn, because she 
 
244 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 hesitated about expressing herself so strongly to her neighbor 
 Bern, to whom she was bound by so many ties. Its imperious 
 language, though couched in soothing terms, was ill suited to 
 prevail with Bern. It roused there a feeling of proud inde- 
 pendence, and how deep a wound it made, appears from the an- 
 swer: 
 
 " You begin your letter to us with reproaches of dishonor. 
 Faithful, dear Confederates, we had expected better things of 
 you. What we did was done for the Christian purpose of honor- 
 ing God. We hope that treaties have in no wise been violated 
 thereby; but, indeed, we would commend to your consideration, 
 whether the insolent and haughty letter of your envoys be in 
 accordance with them. You conjecture that our preachers 
 have been the occasion of this Conference, in order to repair 
 their injuries at Baden, and color over their defeat. Dear Con- 
 federates, you should not deem us such persons as ever to rest upon 
 any class of men the ground and assurance of our true, primitive, 
 Christian faith. Still less can we discover that we have given 
 theii too long a rein, because you are ill pleased that we suffer 
 the uncorrupted Word of God to be preached and spread every 
 where amongst us. Far be it from us to cut ourselves off from 
 the Christian Church, whose head is Christ himself; much 
 rather would we do, what becomes good Christians, defend and 
 protect her. And since you remind us of our sealed document, 
 although we are obliged to give neither you nor others an an- 
 swer concerning it, yet we freely admit that we swore on that 
 day an oath, on account of faith, not of the Confederacy, but in 
 no wise pledged ourselves to you or others to believe what you 
 or they believe. That your forefathers and ours entered into 
 the Confederacy and took oaths of friendship in the same faith we 
 do not deny. But what they at the game time held in their hearts 
 is known to God alone. Had they become so well acquainted 
 with the treachery of Antichrist as you and we, they would 
 
tlEE OF ZWINGLI. 245 
 
 hardly have remained so long in error. Since then you invite 
 us to summon our bailiwicks, so that your envoys may appear be- 
 fore us and them, know ye, that such a step is not in accordance 
 with the Articles of Confederation, and we therefore desire you 
 to abstain from it. And since you suppose there are rude peo- 
 ple amongst us, who say they do not wish to be lorded over by 
 other cantons, nor ruled, nor compelled to believe — there is 
 truth in it. We are just as unwilling to go beyond^the Articles 
 of Confederation, when asked by you, as you would be, if asked 
 by us ; we will, by no means, suffer or permit this. Finally, 
 we understand that unfriendly missives against us have been 
 printed in Luzern, and it cannot be forgotten by you, what was 
 formerly decreed at the Diet on this account. We pray you, 
 therefore, to put a stop to it, else we shall be obliged to print 
 replies. This is what we send you in way of answer to the 
 letter of your envoys, so that henceforth you may know how to 
 negotiate in the matter, and guard against such insolent, dis- 
 graceful writing." 
 
 The Five Cantons responded to this provoking language by 
 unfriendly measures. They refused their subjects permission 
 to go to Bern, and denied a safe-conduct to travelers who 
 passed through their boundaries. The government of Luzern, 
 excited to the highest pitch of hostility by the passionate Doctor 
 Mumer, did not prevent him from attacking Bern and her 
 government in the most unmeasured style in various libelous' 
 writings, issued by a printing-house of his own. All this in- 
 creased the hatred toward that state and the favorable inclina- 
 tion toward Zurich. ^ 
 
 Here collected, in the meantime, all those persons from 
 Eastern Switzerland and the neighboring parts of Germany, 
 wJio intended to be present at the conflict in Bern. On New 
 Year's evening fifteen hundred and twenty-eight were enter- 
 tained at the chamber of the Canons by the government of 
 
 23* 
 
246 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 Zurich-. The day following, preachers and scholars, more than 
 a hundred in number, they set out, surrounded by a troop of 
 armed meiji to command respect, for it had been rumored that 
 in the free bailiwicks, where the Five Cantons swayed the ma- 
 jority of the rulers, they would be threatened with danger. 
 They reached Bern on the the third evening, where also Qilco- 
 lampadius and the theologians of Strassburg, Bucer and Capito, 
 had already arrived. Religion had put science in motion. 
 From the union of both, politics were to receive their direction. 
 The events in Bern were to determine the fate of Switzerland. 
 Statesmen as well as scholars acknowledged this. The city had 
 neglected nothing in order to make clear its honor, its rectitude 
 and its hospitality. The government had exhibited firmness on 
 all sides. To the Emperor himself, who in a very earnest tone 
 had issued a positive command to abolish the Conference, it had 
 been replied respectfully, but decidedly, that the preparations 
 had already gone too far to permit this. 
 
 On the sixth of January the business was opened in the 
 church of the Franciscans. Of splendid accommodations for 
 one party and mean ones for the other, as at Baden, there was 
 nothing to be seen. Several times were the opponents of the 
 Eeformers requested to assist each other. "You see" — said 
 the landvogt Manuel, who was appointed to summon the 
 speakers according to the rules — "how they confess the articles 
 to be good, and faithfully keep together; therefore, I pray and 
 warn you once more, for Grod's sake, to bring into one place 
 your opposing speakers, and assist each other by counsel, writing 
 and speaking. This our gracious Lords will accept with great 
 gratitude as a favorable token of your good-will." 
 
 Into the particulars of the Conference it is not needful to 
 enter here. The whole story and the result are pictured for 
 us in a report, still extant, from the pen of a zealous Cafholic, 
 who was an ear-and-eye-witness : " What I have so often said," 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 247 
 
 writes Jacob of Muonster, priest at Solothurn, to a lawyer in 
 Majence — " has been clearly exhibited at this heretical gather- 
 ing. We are going downwards, only by our own indolence, 
 and because the head^ of our church do nothing for science. 
 Several of our adherents in Bern, hitherto members of the 
 government, had implored the bishops even with threats, to 
 send hither learned men, able to cope with the heretics. 
 No one came ; no one sent. At last appeared a certain Augus- 
 tinian brother. They call him Provincial Conrad Freger. He 
 brought with him skill in talking, but of true eloquence and 
 science I could not discover a trace. When proof from the 
 Scripture was demanded, he traveled off. I found nothing in 
 him but a barefaced monk, although others looked for a prodigy. 
 Still more boisterously did a certain Dominicaster beat about 
 him with passages of Scripture for several days, but in the end 
 showed that he understood no Greek. The best among them 
 was the schoolmaster of Zofingen. They call him The Letter. 
 What he quoted from the writings of the Fathers, in defence 
 of the church, was worth hearing. He knew more than all the 
 others put together; yet sufficient power was lacking in him also. 
 Thus must we mourn over our want of skill and contempt of 
 science. Oh, if Erasmus had only been present ! But I should 
 tell you something about the heretics. My bile was stirred up — 
 hence, only a little. They did not appear to me so sure of their 
 cause, that we could not have frightened them, if we did not 
 gain a victory, by able speakers, versed in the Scriptures, 
 which, however, we must confess, are not with us in everything. 
 I often saw them not agreed as to the answer to be given ; one 
 often putting anxious questions to the other, often whispering 
 to him. Several were only encouraged and roused up by the 
 pertinacious veheme-nce of Zwingli. This beast is in fact more 
 learned even than I had thought. The saucy (Ecolampadius 
 may understand the Prophets and the Hebrew language better, 
 
248 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 and perhaps equal him in Greeli, but falls far behind him in^ 
 fertility of mind, power, and clearness of representation. How 
 Capito should be rated I could not discover. Bucer spoke more. 
 And, if he had the same learning and knowledge of the languages 
 as Cpcolampadius and Zwingli, he would be far more dangerous, 
 so graceful is his gesture and manner, and so pleasant his 
 speech. Thus we stood, wretchedly equipped against the most 
 skillful heretics. Here roared a little mass-priest one moment, 
 and there again another. Alas ! they were taught choral sing- 
 ing and nothing else. Honor to that schoolmaster Letter ! and 
 yet he himself has not gone beyond the letter. And what was 
 now the issue ? Our decided overthrow. How easy it could 
 have been prevented, had our bishops only turned their atten- 
 tion more to humane studies than to base wenches. Thou wilt 
 ask : Is there no longer any hope of mastering this extension 
 of heresy? It is certainly slim. The Luzernese, at the head 
 of the Five Cantons, have taken all possible pains to do this, 
 more, in fact, than all the bishops together; but from our weak 
 defence, the belief has been impressed on the multitude, that 
 we have nothing to defend, and the majority has overcome the 
 better minority. Now the Zurichers can have their own way 
 with them. Thou knowest what cunning they possess and 
 what immoveable constancy." 
 
 After the German Conference^ which lasted eighteen days, 
 a shorter one followed in the Latin language, for the priests of 
 the bailiwicks of ^len and Granson. William iFarell, a learned 
 Frenchman, who for some time had been laboring for the Ke- 
 formation with the most unwearied zeal, in Western Switzer- 
 land, had to do with opponents still more ignorant than those 
 which fell to his German friends. This part of the proceedings 
 was so sadly lacking in earnestness and dignity, that the details 
 of it were not suffered to appear in the Acts of the Conference, 
 which were immediately put to press and published by the 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 249 
 
 government of Bern. Zwingli also exerted a powerful influence 
 upon the city in general, by two sermons. It is narrated, that, 
 during the delivery of one of them, a priest threw off the mass- 
 robe, which he had already put on, with the words: "If the 
 mass does not rest on firmer grounds, I will never celebrate it 
 again." With gratitude the government of Bern gave a liberal 
 recompense to the foreign scholars and ambassadors and an 
 escort until they had passed beyond their borders. Two weeks 
 after the Conference, appeared their detailed ordinance touching , 
 the re-organization of the church-system. In it they cut them- 
 selves loose from all former connection with the bishops : " Since 
 you" — so they say — ^^"in spite of all prayers and invitations 
 have staid away from the Disputation, and since you indeed 
 shear the poor sheep, but have not pastured them, we deprive 
 you of your selfish trade, and neither we, nor they who come after 
 us, wish to be bound in any way to you or your successors." All 
 deacons and pastors are released from their oath to them, and 
 required henceforth to give it to the government. He who 
 refuses, is to be banished. In regard to the mass, images and 
 monasteries, they will be dealt with as in Zurich. Liviao- 
 benefactors of ecclesiastical institutions are allowed to take back 
 their gifts. For the rest, account shall be afterward Tendered 
 to the government. Yet, it is expressly added: "Not that we 
 wish to appropriate sucTi gifts to our own use, as they are still 
 to be called gifts of God, but so to dispose of them that our 
 honor and justice will stand clear before God and the world." 
 Finally, the rules of fasting and celibacy were abolished, but 
 self-government was demanded for the freedom restored. On 
 this point the document speaks thus: "And as we have, here- 
 tofore punished, in the rate of ten pounds, those who have eaten 
 flesh and eggs on forbidden days, so will we henceforth fine at 
 the same rate all who take more than their nature can'bear, 
 pouring it down after the ninth sleepingrcup, and thoee who 
 
250 LIFE OP ZWINGLI 
 
 drink on and carouse ; when they are guilty of it frequently, 
 heavier punishment is reserved, to be laid on each one accord- 
 ing to circumstances.'' 
 
 From what has just been narrated, we see the influence ex- 
 erted by Zwingli upon Bern. Let us now take into considera- 
 tion the reaction of Bern upon Zwingli. When he began his 
 great work in Zurich, the path of its development could 
 scarcely have been marked out before his eyes. He little 
 thought of political commotion. Even the mischief arising 
 from desertions and pensions, which he only fought against on 
 account of their evil effects on religion and morals, could be 
 prevented without change either in the government of the 
 several states, or in the ground-work, nature or language of the 
 Articles of Confederacy. The refusal of Zurich to take part 
 in the French Alliance awakened displeasure, it is true, among 
 her sister-cantons, but even this was followed by no direct 
 disturbance of her relations with them. Now came the division 
 of the bishopric, already an influential step. A new principle 
 was introduced into the ecclesiastical, which was so closely in- 
 terwoven with the political life. But this principle was re- 
 jected by all the other states up to the Conference of Baden. 
 The Five Cantons and the party belonging to the old faith 
 hoped from this Conference so glorious an acknowledgment 
 of it in the others, that even Zurich would be obliged to 
 submit. It happened otherwise. Bern also fell away from 
 the principle of the Five Cantons. A new idea of the Confed- 
 eracy began to form itself in opposition to the old; but even 
 here again some difference prevailed. The ecclesiastical reform 
 in Zurich had been effected by appealing to the people and with 
 their aid. By it and through it, also, the democratic tendency 
 in political life attained the victory. Tpward the close of the 
 year 1527, no more traces of the activity of a Secret Council 
 are to be found; all business'of any importance had to be brought 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 251 
 
 from the Small before the Great Council, from whence the 
 people were generally informed of it, and not seldom asked for 
 their opinion. In particular emergencies, indeed, the Great 
 Council clothed some of its members with dictatorial power, 
 but only for a few weeks and under public accountability. But 
 the more democratic the form of political life becomes, just so 
 much the more indispensable are culture and the religious ele- 
 vation of the people. The strengthening of a sense of right 
 demands as a necessary counterpoise, an exalted sense of duty. 
 Thus state and church go together, indissoluble in their mutual 
 relations, in consequence of which every commotion in the 
 sphere of one, reacts inevitably on that of the other; but whilst 
 the authority of the state rests upon law and its severe admin- 
 istration, the power of the church ought to be grounded only upon 
 conviction, faith, freedom and love, for these are the require- 
 ments as well as the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel. In 
 a democracy the law must be a most complete defence against 
 the wicked ; the Gospel the basis of all improvement. As the 
 principles of the church and of the state differ in this way, so do 
 they also in the mode of their use. This difference was clearly 
 apprehended by Zwingli. We see it above. , The ecclesiastical 
 and political reforms of Zurich had shaped themselves accord- 
 ing to these principles. In all religious matters, conviction was 
 first sought; in all political, proof that the letter of the law 
 would justify or demand it, was sufficient. Whatever may be 
 the relation of the church to the state in otherforms of govern- 
 ment, this must continue the most suitable fo!" a democracy. 
 Bern, on the other hand, was never democratic. It is true, in- 
 deed, that even here ecclesiastical reform was only possible by 
 the removal of some of the inost influential heads of the aris- 
 tocracy, which, however, did not succumb as completely as in 
 Zurich, so that even the friends of the Eeformation and of 
 Zwingli, who form the middle class, worked their way into the 
 
iVL LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 government, accepted partly from necessity and partly of tteir 
 Own accord, aristocratic forms and principles. The closer the 
 connection between Bern and Zurich now became, the less 
 could a reaction of the former upon the latter be prevented. 
 The commercial city was rather disposed to treat with her sub- 
 jects, the knightly to issue her commands. In Zurich the 
 Great Council had, through Zwingli's influence, become the 
 ruling authority; in Bern, as might be expected from her 
 character, it was always the Small. As long as the Reforma- 
 tion was confined to Zurich, the ecclesiastical tendency pre- 
 dominated; in proportion as it passed over to Bern, Basel and 
 other states, the political gained the upper hand. The ques- 
 tion, whether the Church or the Holy Scriptures ought to 
 decide in matters of faith, was scientific and historical; that, as 
 to how the Articles of Confederation should be interpreted; 
 ■what was the limit of the Diet's authority, and for what single 
 states might resist a majority of the others, belonged to the 
 sphere of public law. By the accession of Bern to Zurich, and 
 the common position, which they had now to assume and main- 
 tain against the Five Cantons, Zwingli was obliged to take up 
 this question touching the Confederacy, to give counsel, to 
 mingle in politics, to tread the slippery path with one foot, as 
 it were, whilst the other remained on the firm foundation of re- 
 ligious principle. The consequences of this vacillating course 
 are apparent, from the beginning of the year 1528 onward, in 
 the striking change manifest in his mode of dealing with the 
 affairs of his own canton. The same man, who hitherto had 
 done homage to the principle of absolute publicity, who ex- 
 pected in favor of Christianity, as he found it in the Holy 
 Scriptures and drew it thence, a more lively acknowledgment 
 from the sound sense of the people than from learned craftiness; 
 from the uncorrupted feelings of men than philosophical arro- 
 gance, to whom Christianity was the most elevated — the only 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI 253 
 
 worthy religion for a nation; who, therefore, had to look to the 
 people for the maintenance of his reformatory measures; this 
 same man began now to employ all the arts of a politician, for 
 the upholding and spread of these same measures of reform — 
 a bold undertaking, altogether too bold — one that compelled 
 him to play a double part, in which superhuman effort he at 
 last fell a bloody sacrifice. As we proceed, this will become 
 more clear and evident from authenticated facts. 
 
 At the time, when Zurich yet stood alone among her sister* 
 confederates, shortly after the Conference of Baden, when her 
 repeated vindication, her fourth complaint against exclusion 
 from the public councils in direct violation of treaties re- 
 sounded unheard, and her letters to the Five Cantons were no 
 longer read, and threats multiplied^ the neighboring imperial city 
 of Constance found herself in a like forsaken condition. There 
 also, through the preaching of Ambrosius Blaarer, a friend of 
 Z wingli, and others, the reformation of the church had made such 
 active progress, that the bishop and the majority of the canons 
 withdrew in anger to Ueberlingen and Moersburg, and the Em- 
 peror caused the city to feel the weight of his displeasure ; but the 
 Council, devoted to the new order of things, looked around be- 
 yond the walls for support in case of need. The necessity ap- 
 peared the greater, because the suspicion prevailed among many 
 of the citizens that Austria, sure of the secret approval of the 
 head of the Empire, would use the favorable moment to take 
 possession of a place so well situated on the frontier. The be- 
 havior of the Archdueal Vicegerent, Marcus Sittich von Ems, 
 strengthened the suspicion. His troopers rode up close to the 
 gates of the city. He himself looked about in the neighborhood 
 for a spot, as he said, on which to pitch a camp. In these 
 straits Constance turned toward Zurich and sought a defensive 
 alliance with her. After long negotiations, conducted in secret, 
 this was at last concluded on the 25th of December, 1527, a 
 
 22 
 
254 LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 
 
 few days before the Zurichers set out to the Conference at Bern. 
 They carried the news thither. Bern also, in a certain measure 
 by storm, was won over as a party. As early as the 6th of 
 January, 1528, the very day on which the Religious Conference 
 was opened, the majority of the Great Council expressed their 
 willingness to take the matter in hand. The name given to 
 the Alliance, the Christian Buergerrecht, (Citizen's rights), 
 was easy to understand, not so its spirit. In the ancient treaties 
 the Fiv^ Cantons had surrendered the privilege of contracting 
 other alliances without the common consent of all the states; 
 the three original cantons, therefore, could not permit any de- 
 liberation among separated cantonal authorities. Zurich, on 
 the contrary, and Bern, at the time of their accession to the 
 Confederacy, had reserved this privilege in writing. As a natu- 
 ral consequence, the ties of the Federal Compact were viewed 
 somewhat differently by its members. To the original cantons 
 they appeared closer ; to the cities, especially Zurich, less re- 
 strictive. This conflict of opinion had contributed not a little 
 to the duration and violence of the old Zurich War, in the pre- 
 ceding century. Now it revived again, and that at a most 
 unpropitious moment. In the Buergerrecht, stipulations were 
 certainly made in regard to the Emperor and Empire, as well 
 as the Confederates, so that the obligations under which the 
 two cities had come toward them, seemed to be ratified on the 
 face of it; but this same Buergerrecht spoke also of the possi- 
 bility of warlike expeditions, the division of whatever might be 
 conquered, and the privilege of enlarging and extending itself 
 to other cities and territories. Here lay the manifest germ of 
 a new confederacy, resting on new foundations, and the subse- 
 quent movements of Zwingli, since expressions incontestibly 
 show that he, more perhaps than any statesman in Zurich, had 
 thought of such an issue. The further the Eeformation ad- 
 vanced, the more did it appear to him an affair of historical 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 255 
 
 d:evelopemenfc, the author of new conditions in political life; but 
 to these very changes, many of those, who were favorable to the 
 new religious views, showed themselves decidedly averse; for 
 to them the federal compact, under its existing forms, was a 
 thing to be kept inviolably sacred. The time had come when 
 a two-fold choice was placed before him; either of his own ac- 
 cord to reti^ altogether from the sphere of politics and, plant 
 himself upon purely religious ground, where he might be un- 
 assailable; or else to become more completely a politician, i. e. 
 the soul of a faithful band of the most resolute and able mem- 
 bers of the gov^ninent, who, now in a narrow circle and in 
 profound secrecy, prepared and paved .the way for the most 
 important business, such as that for which Zwingli himself, at 
 an earlier period, had demanded the greatest possible publicity. 
 The embarrassment into which his retreat would throw the 
 heads of the government, his unrivalled skill in doing business, 
 the hope, that he might cherish, of seeing his political plans 
 succeed as well as his reforms in the church, his own conviction 
 of their necessity in order to uphold the religious movement, 
 and his peculiar position as the citizen of a free state, who 
 could not, as a man of science; be overlooked in the ordering 
 of his country's affairs — all this together drew him toward the 
 second and more dangerous path. 
 
 Although, we observe with concern, that he now takes this 
 path; although a foreboding of the fruitless struggles, which he 
 thus prepared for himself, is awakened within us, there is also 
 at the same time a growing admiration of the power displayed 
 by him, and his persevering activity, not only in the field of 
 politics, but in his vocation as a teacher, preacher, and theo- 
 locical writer, which he yet fulfilled with undiminished fidelity. 
 He, who feels such strength within, durst aim at the very highest. 
 Not in blind hatred of the existing order, would he destroy it : 
 out of party-spirit, pride, or lust for doiuinion : a noble image of a 
 
256 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 fiither-land not split asunder, but made young again, reviving in 
 fuller vigor under new forms, hovered before his soul. Heart 
 and head had contributed to its outlines; nor was its realization, 
 by means of a sincere and general eflFort, beyond the range of 
 possibility. Can it then be imputed to him as a crime, that so 
 few comprehended his ideal, that the time was not ripe for it? 
 In Bern, meanwhile, the negotiations touching the Christian 
 Buergerrecht were actively carried on by the government during 
 the Religious Conference, in spite of the opposition, as it ap- 
 pears, of a party averse to the Alliance. Eoist and the town- 
 clerk, Mangolt, sent information of this to Zurich in several 
 letters. They spoke of consultations with intimate acquaint- 
 ances, with trusty friends, and of the confidential but unofficial 
 communications of the latter. Zwingli also, busy as he was 
 during the session of that Diet, aided the Zurich Council by 
 drawing up two opinions for the removal of certain doubts on 
 the part of Schwytz. After a happy issue in ecclesiastical as 
 well as political matters, Zwingli ascended the pulpit once more 
 and took his leave: "Understand now" — so he concluded his 
 discourse — "the liberty, which Christ gives you, and abide 
 therein according to the word of the Apostle. You know un- 
 der what a yoke our consciences groaned, and how we were led 
 from one false hope to another; from one law to another. But 
 now you see that freedom and hope rest upon knowledge and 
 trust ; upon confidence toward God through Jesus Christ, His 
 only-begotten Son. Never suffer yourselves to be robbed of 
 freedom and the salvation of your souls. Nothing requires so 
 much courage as this. And as our forefathers, thanks be to 
 God ! stood up everywhere bold and unterrified in defence of 
 personal liberty, much more should we stand fast in those 
 things, which give us peace of conscience here and make us 
 eternally joyful hereafter; not doubting that God, who has en- 
 lightened and drawn you, will also draw our dear neighbors, 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 257 
 
 the other Confederates, in his own good time, so that we in true 
 friendship, to which right knowledge is in no wise opposed, 
 may become more harmonious than we ever were before. May 
 God, who has created and saves us all, bestow this upon them 
 and us ! " 
 
 Whilst concord between Zurich and Bern appeared to be re- 
 stored and their union made stronger than ever, the news of the 
 prevailing alliance was received in Luzern with the liveliest in- 
 dignation. At a Diet held there, to which he had come on 
 other business, a Bernese ambassador, William von Diessbach, 
 was called to account by the Five Cantons. It is very probable 
 he affirmed that his Lords had a right to make the treaty. — 
 Amid outbursts of displeasure, the session was immediately 
 raised, but after his departure it was again opened. "The 
 Devil take the old faith;" said the Bernese upon the street, "it 
 is no longer tenable." This saying, reported to the sergeants 
 of the Council, increased their wrath. The parties were sepa- 
 ted. To organize and strengthen themselves was a natural con- 
 sequence. 
 
CHAPTER SIXTH. 
 
 OSaANIZATION OF THE CABTIES. BBBACH OF THE OENEBAL PEACE 
 
 |0T only was the reciprocal relation 
 of the states within the Confederacy 
 changed by the conclusion of the 
 Buergerrecht ; but that of the entire 
 nation toward foreign countries was 
 I just as much altered. Early in the 
 I beginning of February, 1528, a letter of the Emperor, 
 written from' Spire, reached Luzern, with complaints 
 i about this alliance; very similar ones were received 
 from the authorities of the Austrian Government at 
 t Ensisheim and Inspruck, and still a fourth one from 
 the captains of the Swabian League. " Constance," 
 such was their general drift, "is not at all competent to con- 
 clude a treaty of this kind without the consent of the Emperor, 
 nor have the Confederate Cities any right to enter into it. 
 It is not impossible that it may yet be the occasion of war, and 
 the damage resulting may be ascribed to their own foUy by the 
 Confederates." This warning was very acceptable to the depu- 
 ties of the Eight Cantons. It was immediately communicated 
 to the Zuriohers. "You see," was the language of the accom- 
 panying letter, "whither the necessity of finding allies for the 
 maintenance of your superstition must lead you. Do not hope 
 258 
 
LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 259 
 
 that we will stand by you in case of war. It is not our doing ; 
 we, who wish to uphold the laws, regulations and customs of 
 our fathers, will not be accused of disturbing the peace of the 
 Empire. We exhort you, by virtue of our Confederation, to 
 abstain from unlawful alliances." But neither Zurich and Bern, 
 on the one hand, nor Constance on the other, were moved by 
 all this. " We have," answered they, " strictly examined our 
 Confederate Charter, our Imperial Privileges, the Hereditaiy 
 Union with Austria — all necessary documents, and have no- 
 where been able to find, that we have transcended law or privi- 
 lege. And Constance is just as little subject to Austria or the 
 Swabian League, as we. Why do they then wish to interfere ? 
 Our Biierfferrecht xras devised not for disturbing the peace of 
 the Empire, but to aid in preserving it." Agreement became 
 more and more difficult. The Five Cantons, already standing 
 in hostile attitude toward Zurich and Bern, sought to persuade 
 GlaruS, Freiburg and Solothurn to a closer, special union " for 
 the maintenance of the old, true Christian faith, the holy seven 
 sacraments and particularly the office and sacrifice of the mass, 
 with all good Christian rules, benedictions and usages, as handed 
 down from our forefathers, nothing excepted " — for the suppres- 
 sion of every innovation in the Common Territories, and armed 
 succor, if either there or on their own soil an attack is made on 
 that faith, whose support and defence should be the highest 
 duty, higher even than the preservation of the Confederacy. 
 From Jreiburg they received an unconditional assent; from 
 •Glarus and Solothurn, where the friends of Reform were in- 
 creasing in number, one with provisos attached. Wall is ( Valois) 
 also joined the alliance. More anon. The time had come, 
 when the Five Cantons began likewise to look beyond the limits 
 of the Confederacy. Austria was the nearest to them. Zurich 
 and Bern had sought foreign aid in order to carry out their in- 
 novations more securely, why should they refuse the same for 
 
260 , LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 the preservation of the old faith, for upholding the unity of the 
 church. Through the bishops of Chur, especially through their 
 friends in Graubuendeo, they hoped to obtain access to the 
 authorities of the Archducal government in Inspruck. Mean- 
 while these projects were kept secret for a long time within a- 
 naxrow circle of those who could be trusted. They first.came 
 to light, when, in the summer of 1528, a second alliance in 
 addition to the Christian Buergerrecht was concluded between 
 Zurich and Bern, who were moved thereto, as they said, by the 
 violent suppression, on the part of the Eight Cantons, of all at- 
 tempts at Reform in the Common Territories. "Since," so it is 
 recorded in the original documents relating to this matter, " our 
 dear Confederates of the Eight Cantons are^ot only offended 
 and show themselves averse to us and our adherents in our 
 Christian enterprise, but have even taken occasion specially to 
 pledge and bind themselves to remain true to the old faith, as 
 they call it, and have attempted to seduce several of ours from 
 their Christian enterprise and respect and obedience to us, 
 promising them help, counsel, encouragement and succor against 
 us, all for the suppression of the Divine Word and of the duty, 
 which our people owe to us, it is not only becoming in us, but 
 our great necessity demands it, so that the Divine Word and 
 evangelical truth may not in any measure be kept down by 
 outrage and violence, but that we and ours may be allowed to 
 remain in the free enjoyment thereof without any fear or terror 
 of man." — And thus one measure of mistrust and dislike con- 
 tinually provoked another still more hostile. There was less 
 and less concealment in the efforts of each to strengthen their 
 party. 
 
 Any one acquainted with the history of Switzerland knows 
 wbat ties of relationship, of agreement in their manners and 
 mode of living, and neighborly intercourse existed from the 
 most ancient times, between the inhabitants of Obwalden and 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 261 
 
 those of the Haslithal and a part of the Bernese Oberland. 
 Their friendship was kept alive by popular festivals celebrated 
 in common, and also by the reverence which was paid, espe- 
 cially in the interior of Switzerland, to Saint Beatus, who, as 
 the first promulgator of Christianity in that region, dwelt in a 
 cave on the shore of lake Thun, called by his name, and re- 
 ceived canonization. Numerous pilgrimages were made thither 
 from the Five Cantons. The rumor, that the relics of the saint, 
 exhibited there on such occasions, had been cast into the lake 
 by order of the Bernese government, awakened universal indig- 
 nation. But this was not true. Two deputies of the Council 
 had taken possession of them in order to carry them to Inter- 
 lachen and bury them afterward. In complaints against the 
 abolition of their pilgrimages, the inhabitants of the Bernese 
 Oberland joined with their neighbors of Unterwalden. Pastoral 
 races are very tenacious of old customs. If these be taken away 
 their respect for law is often shaken at the same time. The 
 government of Bern had to experience this. Between the two 
 Jakes of Thun and Brienz lay, under the lordly supervision of 
 Bern, the wealthy Augustinian cloister of Interlachen. Its 
 domain extended over a great part of the surrounding country 
 and through the mountain-valleysjpf Lauterbrunnen and Grrin- 
 delwald. The monks of that period were in good repute neither 
 for their learning nor their morals. The Provost himself 
 Nicholas Trachsel, was destitute both of external and internal 
 dignity. And when the doctrines in regard to the uselessness 
 of monkery, the unscriptutalness of spiritual lordship, and the 
 rights of Christian liberty now began to spread among the 
 people subject to the foundation, they immediately applied them 
 to deliverance from all dependence ; from the duty of paying 
 rents and tithes. If the one, said they, is au invention of man; 
 so is the other. If we are to receive the Gospel, which teaches 
 liberty among brethren, then will we also become our own mas- 
 
262 LIFE OP ZWINBI-I. 
 
 tors, an independent canton like Uuterwalden and Uri. The 
 Provost, wlio did not know how to resist them, fled with a few 
 friends to Bern, where, for a decent maintenance, he surren- 
 dered the monastery along with its domains and privileges 
 into the hands of the Council. Under sanction of thd Great 
 Council, an agreement was quickly made by the government 
 with the assembled convent; its seal, documents, revenues and 
 jewels were brought to Bern; an oificer was sent thither, and 
 the whole converted into a bailiwick. But the people belong- 
 ing to the monastery, who asserted that they ought to have had a 
 voice in the change, at once preferred a complaint. When the 
 government tried to postpone investigation, a violent insurrec- 
 tion broke out, which found sympathy even in some parts of 
 their own district. New hopes were excited among the friends 
 of the . Old Order by this uprising of the malcontents, with 
 whom the inhabitants of the Haslithal and other Oberlanders 
 also joined, at the instigation of their neighbors in Obwalden. 
 The Council was in great perplexity. Some of its own members 
 secretly rejoiced — but only the most violent. With others, 
 who also were little favorable to the E.eformation, the sense of 
 duty, which demanded the sacrifice of personal inclination to 
 the interests of the state, predominated. From this class chiefly, 
 a commission was chosen to examine on the spot the grievances 
 of the malcontents and negotiate with them. They succeeded 
 in restoring political prder by lessening their rents, tithes and 
 other taxes; by remitting more than 50,000 pounds of out- 
 standing dues, and a promise of increased support for the poor 
 and sick; but to allay the religious excitement was a far more 
 difiicult task. 
 
 Here, for the first time, the two religious parties appeared in 
 arms against each other. The occasion was given by a split 
 arnong the Oberlanders themselves — division in a matter, where 
 no majority could decide. In the Haslithal the Reformation 
 
LIFE 01? ZWINGLI. , 263 
 
 had found resolute adherents. They and the preachers sent 
 hither from Bern were a source of daily vexation to their fellow- 
 citizens of the old faith, who surpassed them in numbers. The 
 latter sought advice from their neighbors of Obwalden, who, on 
 their part,, very willingly came forward and tried to gain over 
 their allies to the support of the Oberlanders. In this they 
 were not unsuccessful. Even the ruling authorities of the Five 
 Cantons exhorted them to hold fast to the old religion in public 
 or in private, and hinted at coming events and help just at 
 hand. Under the pretext of looking once more upon the bones 
 of Saint Beatus, the Abbot of Uri, the landamman and several 
 prominent Zugers came to Interlachen. Ought not the wicked 
 attempt of the innovators to commit them to the earth be pre- 
 vented? Captain Schoenbrunner of Zug, asserted that he had 
 concealed at least part of the relics in his cap and thus saved 
 them. "Come to us in future," they now said, "as we hereto- 
 fore made pilgrimages to you. St. Beatus lies with us." The 
 public mind became more and more disturbed in the Haslithal. 
 One Sunday in June, some of the leaders, instigated by persons 
 from Obwalden, called together a general assembly of the people. 
 The question was started whether the mass should be restored ; 
 and it was decided in the affirmative by a vote of one hundred 
 and fifty one, against one hundred and eleven. Dispatches im- 
 mediately went forth to Obwalden and Uri for priests, and several 
 were conducted by the country people of the Five Cantons, yea, 
 by the very magistrates, with drums and fifes to Hasle and 
 Brienz; and mass was again celebrated amid great rejoicing. 
 What should the government do? It was a perilous undertak- 
 ing for them to carry out changes in worship against the decided 
 will of a majority of the people. Some members of the Coun- 
 cil declared their opposition to it. The mass, they thought, 
 might be permitted, without bringing back episcopal power and 
 foreign church-rule. But the Great Council firmly rejected 
 
264 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 every such compromise. Copies of the treaties, hy which they 
 had come under the dominion of Bern, were sent to the in- 
 habitants of the Haslithal, and appeals made to their duty of 
 submission to the highest authorities of the Canton, even in 
 ecclesiastical afiairs. It was all in vain. The adherents of 
 the old faith, stirred up by their new priests, determined to 
 yield under no circumstances. They asked help from Obwalden ; 
 they ventured to appear before the deputies of the Five Can- 
 tons, assembled at Beckenrled, with a similar request. But no 
 resolution was passed in their favor; even Uri and Zug came 
 out strongly against any interference incompatible with the 
 federal laws. The affair was regarded in a different light by 
 Obwalden, and, under the name, it is true, of an embassy to 
 mediate between the parties in the valley, a delegation was 
 sent thither, accompanied, however, by twenty-eight young 
 men adorned with fir-twigs, the defiant badge of the old party. 
 Instead of reconciliation they brought fiercer quarrels. The 
 friends of the Reformation were roused, when they ventured to 
 call them heretics. Deputies from both sides now hastened to 
 Bern, with prayers for succor from one and a declaration from 
 the other, that they were willing to obey in all things, except 
 matters of faith, which neither the Confederation nor the gov- 
 ernment, but the Church alone, had a right to touch. In this 
 emergency, where they ought to issue commands, but where 
 those commands could not be executed, was a source of un- 
 easiness to the most skillful statesmen. Meanwhile this much 
 was clear, that a protest must be uttered against every inter- 
 ference from abroad. The scJiultheiss of Erlach, along with 
 two members of the Small and three of the Great Council, went 
 to Sarnen. All save Councillor Wagner belonged to the luke- 
 warm friends of the Eefoanation. It was hoped that their 
 language would, for this reason, be less offensive in Obwalden. 
 The schultheiss, in his address, kept wholly within the limits 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGfLI. 265 
 
 of a political consideration of the question. But when, among 
 various cutting remarks, it was cast up to him, that the very 
 Articles of Confederation, to which he appealed, and which 
 were formerly, by reason of the common, venerable faith of their 
 pious forefathers, sworn to in the names of the 'Saints, had been 
 first brought into contempt by Bern and violated by her anti- 
 christian innovations: "The Articles of Confederation," said 
 Erlach, " do not touch upon religion, and grant full liberty in 
 regard to it." — "Well !" replied the old landamman, Halter, 
 "if you yourselves say, that the Articles of Confederation do 
 not touch upon religion, then they cannot be violated even by 
 our intervention in matters of faith; and if your people or 
 others appeal to us for sympathy or succor, where true Chris- 
 tianity, as we have received it from our old fathers, is con- 
 cerned, we will pledge our persons and property for its main- 
 tenance, and still keep our honor towards you." The more 
 clearly the Bernese tried, after this, to exhibit the distinct 
 peculiarities and rights of church and state before the assembly 
 at Hasle, the more did they fall, perhaps to the injury of their 
 cause, into that confusion of ideas, which is altogether una- 
 voidable, when we do not know how to discriminate between 
 Christ's kingdom of faith and love, resting only on his Gospel, 
 intended both for this world and the other, whose very element 
 is freedom, and a government under tyrannic forms established 
 by men in his name. As a true knowledge of the first lies at the 
 the foundation of the visible church, it alone can exert a bene- 
 ficial influence upon the life of the state ; yea, without this in- 
 fluence nothing worthy of being so called can possiljly exist. 
 The opposite, found in the latter, leads only to discord. 
 
 But for such a discrimination of ideas that age was not at 
 all prepared. Prejudiced opinion and passion triumphed. — 
 A multitude of excited people, from all the vallies of the 
 Oberland, streamed into Hasle. " "We ourselves," said they, 
 
 23 
 
236 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 " desire to uphold the faith, the faith of the church, and 
 be separate from the government. On this faith only have 
 we sworn allegiance; if it be taken away, our obligations 
 are dissolved. We will fall in with the Coafederates, who 
 hold fast to the old pledges.'' Before the eyes of the schult- 
 heiss and his companions, in direct violation of the law, 
 leaders were chosen, the ministers of Grindelwald, ^sche and 
 G-steig driven out of their houses with their families, mass- 
 priests placed in their stead, the adherents of the government 
 threatened and compelled to fly, reports of the help promised 
 by their neighbors circulated on all sides — indeed, after several 
 weeks of agitation and violence, the greater part of the Ober- 
 landers, assembled at Interlachen, swore under no circumstances 
 to separate themselves from the real Catholic church, to seek 
 justice from none but the Seven Cantons of the Old Confed- 
 eracy ; to suffer no persons to be punished except under their 
 sentence ; to keep possession of the cloister and its domains, 
 and to render mutual aid with their persons and property. 
 
 Bern was thrown into great embarrassment. Berchthold 
 Haller wrote to Zwingli : " The Small Council has l.ost its head ; 
 it is given up by us Evangelicals. We have to hunt up the 
 members at their country-seats; the vintage serves as an ex- 
 cuse for their absence and neglect of duty. Those of the Great 
 Council murmur, lament and rave ; but even they can find no 
 remedy. They try by adjournments and tricks to avoid the 
 necessity of sending out troops. Meanwhile the power of 
 Antichrist increases everyday." But ^the impotence was not 
 so universal as represented by the timid preacher. Courage 
 revived ; the Confederates were written to for a faithful examin- 
 ation of affairs and help in the hour of need, and a vanguard 
 was sent to Thun; but the march of the entire army was de- 
 layed, because the soldiers were not to be trusted in all cases. 
 This yras to be expected. Conflicting religious views and the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 267 
 
 boldly proclaimed resolution of tlie Oberlanders to risk every- 
 thing for their party, might seem to those, who had favored the 
 Keformation more from necessity than inward conviction, no 
 sufficient reason to take up arms against them. Something else 
 had to be added to justify the expedition. But it did not last. 
 Even the lukewarm were compelled to acknowledge that de- 
 termined action had become just as much a duty as a necessity. 
 The- insurgent Oberlanders themselves, though united for 
 the maintenance of the old faith, were no wise so in, reference 
 to their position toward the government. Among a portion of 
 them the feeling of loyalty was not wholly extinct. They did 
 not wish to separate themselves from the state of Bern, nor re- 
 fuse obedience in political matters. It was otherwise with the 
 more violent, who, for the time being, had the upper hand. 
 These latter desired a formal breach with the government. 
 They continued to believe in the possibility of forming an in- 
 dependent canton of the Confederacy, under a constitution and 
 laws of their own making. Moreover, they hoped, should 
 their Catholic neighbors lend them aid, to secure and in- 
 crease at the same time their real power ; and in the youthful 
 heads of Obwalden especially such hopes had found sympathy. 
 In fact, eight hundred men set out for the Oberland, and that 
 under the banner of the canton, which was carried by a grand- 
 son of the friar Nicholas von Flue, and six hundred men of 
 Uri were ready to follow them in spite of the disapprobation 
 of their own Council.' This rash proceeding was a breach of 
 the General Peace, according to the spirit and letter of the 
 Articles of Confederation, and the Bernese government had 
 henceforth a perfect right to resist it by arms in the most 
 energetic manner. And so it happened. Under the command 
 of the Schultheiss Von Erlach, five thousand men provided 
 with artillery and all necessary supplies marched out. From 
 the very moment, when the power of the government was dis- 
 
263 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 played, the confidence of its friends increased and the courage 
 of its enemies sank. Many of the Oberlanders, who were in 
 Interlachen, saw the arrival of the men of Obwalden with con- 
 cern, knowing their cause would be rather endangered than 
 promoted by them. They began to rue the step they had taken, 
 and quietly to desert the ranks of the insurgents. A hurried 
 embassy from Basel, the inhabitants of the country around 
 Sarnen, and even a deputation from Luzern showed the men 
 of Obwalden that their invasion was a breach of the Federal 
 Compact, with good effect upon the more considerate. Cold 
 weather was approaching, and the^ain poured down in tor- 
 rents; they became fearful, if they did not speedily return 
 home, of finding the mountain-passes blocked up with snow, 
 and hence the Bernese advanced without resistance, whilst the 
 enemy retreated and in the end dispersed. The more peace- 
 able and better-thinking people of the Five" Cantons expected 
 this turn of affairs, yea even wished it. " Then the peasants," 
 so writes Captain Shoenbrunner of Zug in his journal, which is 
 still extant, " went back again to their Lords of Bern, which 
 was not improper; for it is natural for every man to cleave to 
 his own." 
 
 The punishment that followed was truly severe : the restitu- 
 tion of all property stolen or destroyed, payment of costs, the 
 acceptance of the Reformation, the surrendry of their banners 
 with the seal of the canton, anij the abrogation of all privileges 
 ^nd immunities, formed the chief items. The oath of uncon- 
 ditional obedience had to be sworn on their bended knees. — 
 "Then," we are told by a contemporary, "the horse-guards 
 were sent into all the insurgent villages, and especially into the 
 valley of Grindelwald to apprehend the real authors of the 
 mischief, the ringleaders and the pillagers. Then were the 
 houses of the rebels ransacked, and their cattle, goods and 
 possessions, and whatever property belonged to the Unterwal- 
 
LIFE OP ZWINOLI. 269 
 
 deners in tlie canton were taken and confiscated to the city of 
 Bern, though afterward through pity much was given back 
 again to women and children. Hereupon some arrived from 
 Halse, Brienz, Grindolwald, Habkeren and Rinkenberg in 
 chains. These they sent with the others, who were captured 
 on the ascent at Oberhofen, to Thun, and thence to be dealt 
 with, according to their deserts, well guarded to Bern." A 
 number of the parties most deeply implicated escaped punish- 
 ment by fleeing to Obwalden. Among these was a certain 
 Hans im Sand, an aged, wealthy and, in other respects, esti- 
 mable man. He afterward crossed over the Bruenig by stealth 
 to visit his family, and was then betrayed, condemned and be- 
 headed. In accordance with the barbarous custom of the age, 
 his widow was obliged to pay the executioner, who went him- 
 self to get his wages. At the earnest request of those, who 
 had remained faithful, part of their privileges were gradually 
 restored, first to the inhabitants of the Haslithal and then to 
 the people of the monastery. Most of the captives were set , 
 free through the prayers of friends or by giving bail. On the 
 other hand, the brotlier of the Provost of Interlaohen and two 
 more of the principal rebels were executed, and Christian Kolb, 
 who had everywhere stirred up the insurgents to excess and 
 violence, was not only slain but quartered. 
 
 After this victory, the government of Bern addressed itself 
 to the establishment of the Reformation in the entire canton as 
 well as to its more rapid diffusion in all parts of the Confeder- 
 acy. St. Gall, where the mass and images had already been 
 laid aside, now joined the Christian Buergerrecht. In Basel, 
 the middle class took a still bolder stand against the more aris- 
 tocratic party belonging to the old faith. The Council was 
 divided and cramped; one burgomaster stood opposed to the 
 other. Now ihe deputies of the cantons and now those of the 
 cities appeared with attempts at mediation. The churches re- 
 
 23* 
 
270 LIFE OF ZWINGM. 
 
 echoed with the mutual recriminations of the mass priests and 
 the preachers. (Ecolampadius wisely continued to speak in 
 favor of peace, but he could not bring it about j for the time 
 for anything like compromise had gone by. Crowds of armed 
 men broke into the churches by force, altars were overthrown^ 
 pictures and images dashed to pieces, dragged into the streets 
 and burned : the Small Council was compelled to exile twelve 
 of its members, and the Great Council to increase its number 
 byjthe admission of four associates from each guild. A com- 
 mittee, appointed by them and armed with full authority, suc- 
 ceeded in restoring quiet. The introduction of the Reformation 
 into the whole canton followed these events. In Glarus also, 
 Schaff hausen, Appenzel and Graubuenden the new party gained 
 strength every day. Even Solothurn no longer stood firm in 
 the old faith, especially since Berchthold Haller had been called 
 thither as a preacher. 
 
 In all directions, with unremitting zeal, by his counsel, by 
 his writings, by his correspondence, Zwlngli wrought upon the 
 government of Zurich, which committed to him the drawing up 
 of its opinions, and, as appears from the protocols, usually gave 
 him a voice, during the latter years of his life, in the most im- 
 portant deliberations of a political nature. When the thorough 
 measures, which he wished and demanded, met with resistance 
 from those, who were yet averse to church-reforms, he procured, 
 by means of a fiery sermon, about the close of the year 1528, 
 the passage of a law compelling the members of Small and 
 Great Councils, man for man, to declare and avow their faith, 
 and accept preaching and the Lord's Supper in the Evangelical 
 mode. Some were excluded from the Small Council, who 
 would not make this promise. Equally clear, from his corres- 
 pondence, is the great attention bestowed by him on events oc- 
 curring outside of the fatherland ; the proceedings of the Im- 
 perial Diet, the mandates of the Emperor, and the measures of 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 271 
 
 Aiisti-ia. Even before the treaty of the Buergerrecht was rat- 
 ified with Constance, he received hints from diiferent quarters 
 in regard to secret negotiations carried on between the authori- 
 ties of the Austrian government and the Five Cantons. The 
 apprehensions might perhaps be exaggerated. But they struck 
 him as important. Hence he did not strive to conceal the pos- 
 sibility of war J and a historical work, which would give a full 
 portrait of so great a character, durst not suppress the fact, that 
 previous to the Conference in Bern he had prepared for such an 
 emergency a very elaborate plan of defence, which is still ex- 
 tant in his own hand-writing.* He, who would censure him 
 for this, should not, on the other side, forget the courageous 
 spirit which, at a time, when Zurich stood almost alone in the 
 Confederacy, still, relying only upon the truth and justice of the 
 cause to be defended, thought it possible to maintain the battle 
 against such overwhelming odds as then existed. In this feel- 
 ing the pamphlet was thrown off, from the beginning of which 
 we make the following extract : " The author has pondered 
 over this counsel for the honor of God and the good of Christ's 
 Gospel, so that wickedness and injustice may not get the upper 
 hand and put down the fear of God and innocence. In the 
 first place', it should be proclaimed in all parishes in the city and 
 canton, that all men earnestly beseech God never to let us 
 counsel or act contrary to His divine will; and also, if it be 
 consistent with that divine will, to remove all victory from oui 
 enemies and bring forth the honor of His Word, as well as 
 grant us grace to live in accordance with his will. Of course 
 this work should begin at home; for there is need to let all 
 the people in the city and canton know with what violence and 
 treachery some of the Confederates have acted toward us, all 
 which has been borne with a patient, Christian spirit, in hope 
 
 * It is printed at large in Escher and Hoitinger, txiet Schweizorisclie 
 Gcschichto und Landeskundo. Bd. II. S. 263 ff. 
 
^r« LIFE OP ZWINGLT. 
 
 of a change for the better; that now no choice is left but to 
 defend ourselves in a knightly fashion, or else to renounce God 
 and His Word; and that it is the determination of the good 
 city of Zurich to lose everything : state, goods, town, country, 
 body and life, rather than abandon the truth she has professed. 
 Each and every district ought to be commanded, in case any one 
 is not willing thus seriously and honestly to stand by the Word 
 of God, the city and the canton, to notify him in the beginning, 
 that he must go off in three days under suitable conditions. 
 But whoever has courage enough to pledge soul, honor, life and 
 property to God's Word and the city of Zurich, to him shall be 
 said that you have received such and such counsels, and that 
 you yourselves act wholly for God, and will protect yourselves 
 and Him from all harm." These counsels now follow. They 
 furnish proofs of -his knowledge of foreign and domestic rela- 
 tions as well as the arts of political life and stratagems of war. 
 He afterward shows how they ought to conduct themselves to- 
 ward the Emperor, France, other neighbors, every canton of 
 the Confederacy, their allies and the common territories. He 
 Unfolds the advantages of striking the first blow, of suprises in 
 war; he enters even into the nature and use of various kinds of 
 weapons. But then, he concludes : " These crude and smoke- 
 gtained plans I have hastily brought together for the sake of 
 certain violent and dishonest persons, who, beyond all propriety 
 and in the teeth of the Federal Compact, threaten the good 
 city of Zurich with war. Still, I have an undoubting hope 
 that Almighty God will not let the pious people of the Confed- 
 eracy suffer for the treachery of a few, nor permit us thus to 
 sit in judgment on each other. I have prayed from the bottom 
 of my heart, that he will defend his city in some other way than 
 the one here pointed out, and cause the pious, common people 
 to dwell peacefully together in one Confederacy." How deeply 
 concerned he was in guiding the ship of state is clear from the 
 
LIFJS or ZWINGLI. 273 
 
 fact, ttat in tliis same sketch he even designates the indi- 
 viduals, who might be safely entrusted with the command of 
 the dififerent batalions as well as with seats in the council of 
 war, adding, it is true: "But a muster can hurt nobody." 
 From such labors he hurried oiT to write letters to theologians, 
 to study the Holy Scriptures, to mount the pulpit, to draw up 
 ecclesiastical regulations and formulas of worship. Only such 
 a man was able to carry out the Reformation in a free state. 
 Instead of condemning him, we must keep this steadily in view, 
 and be careful not to form our judgment according to the ideas 
 of the nineteenth, but of the sixteenth century. 
 
 Over against this activity of the Reformed, that of the 
 Catholic party now developed itself in silence, but with no less 
 energy. This became manifest at the close of the year 1529. 
 At the same time the adherents of the Reformation had already 
 gained so great a preponderance in Glarus, that there, as in 
 Bern, the sealed promise, given to the Five Cantons, of fidelity 
 to the old faith could no longer be upheld as a law of the land. 
 A number of parishes in the Thurgau and the valley of the Rhine 
 had applied to Zurich for Evangelical preachers. In spite of 
 the landvogt of the Five Cantons, who had gone to prevent 
 them, they made their appearance there, and the church-regu- 
 lations of Zurich were introduced under the very eyes of the 
 Catholic envoys. The Toggenburgers also, through the unde- 
 niable influence of Zwingli, rose up against the ecclesiastical 
 supremacy of their liege-lord, the Abbot of St. Gall. He, sick 
 and deserted by a portion of the members of his convent, had 
 been carried to Rorschach, whilst the burghers of the city be- 
 gan more freely to exercise a control and gradually to assume 
 the command in the monastery, and even in the cathedral. In 
 Graubuenden, the Abbot of St. llucien, one of the most power- 
 ful supports of the Bishops and the Catholic party, had been 
 executed for bribery and criminal intrigues, and in Sohaennis, 
 
274 LIFE OP ZWINQLT. 
 
 in the very presence of a threatening embassy from Sehwyz, 
 the wooden images of the Saints were brought out into the 
 street. "See," cried the excited youth to them, "here is the 
 road to Sehwyz; here to Glarus; here Zurich. Choose which 
 you will take; you have a safe-conduct. If you cannot travel you 
 must burn." When the Catholic rulers wished to avenge this 
 outrage, the burghers of Wesen sought aid from Zurich, which, 
 because she had no jurisdiction in that region, was denied 
 them. 
 
 If the Keformation should continue to spread in this way, 
 what was left for the Five Cantons, except to throw open at 
 last their own territory for its entrance, or, surrounded by op- 
 ponents, to see themselves overwhelmed in case of war, and 
 reduced, perhaps, to the most fearful want by the obstruction 
 of commerce ? Under these circumstances many, whose ideas 
 of affairs were just, gradually yielded, and what had for a long 
 time been secretly hoped for by a few, an alliance with their 
 powerful neighbor, Austria, who likewise remained loyal to the 
 faith, found increasing favor among the rulers of the people. On 
 the 14th of February, 1529, deputies of the Five Cantons met 
 the Austrian authorities at Feldkireh. Whether they had in- 
 vited them thither, as a historian of Luzern informs us, or 
 whether, as said by several reporters of the opposite party, one 
 of whom was himself present as a spy, the suit of the Austrian 
 counsellors at first failed through the great coldness with which 
 it was received by the Confederates, can scarcely be ascertained 
 now. The records afford no proof for either view. In the 
 meantime, a draught of a mutual treaty was made, which, if 
 approved by the Archduke Ferdinand, King of Hungary and 
 Bohemia, as well as by the Councils and parishes of the Five 
 Cantons, was to be ^published and ratified as a definitive alli- 
 ance in Waldshut. This took place in April, and in the same 
 month King Ferdinand himself handed over a copy of the doou- 
 
LIFE OF ZAVINGLI. 275 
 
 ment to the Diet of tLe collective states assembled in Baden, 
 with the explanation that the alliance was intended neither to 
 aggrieve, nor attack or injure, but simply to protect the old, 
 true faith, to uphold peace and order, and was open to every 
 Christian government, which desired to entSr it. At the same 
 time, the Zurichers and Bernese must have clearly seen, that it 
 was a counter-part, and a suspicious one, of the Christian Buer- 
 gerrecht. On the side of the Reformed only one imperial city 
 came forward, whilst on that of the Catholics stood the mightiest 
 of the neighboring states, and that with articles capable of a 
 far wider application than any in the Christian Buergerrecht^ 
 They commenced by declaring, that every reform in matters of 
 faith, yea even the representation of the necessity of such a 
 thing was interdicted in the territories of the allies, and that 
 whosoever " would undertake to raise up and form new lawless 
 sects among the people," he should be taken by the magistracy,-, 
 supported of course by the allies, and punished "in honor, body 
 and life, or according to the form laid down for that crime." 
 "What was now to be done in the territories held by Zurich and 
 Bern in common with the Five Cantons ? Could the former 
 permit th-e inhabitants, who wished for reform and sought aid 
 for its introduction, to be punished by the vogts (bailiffs) per- 
 haps with fire and sword, merely because their religious con- 
 victions were not those of a part of their rulers? Then the 
 possibility of a war, even within the limits of the Confederacy, 
 was expressly provided for, and in that event the Austrian 
 quota wa^to be 6,000 foQt-soldiers, 400 horsemen and a supply 
 of artillery. Other associates beyond the Confederacy had 
 likewise permission to join the alliance and "march against the 
 enemy and rebels within, in full force and at their charges." 
 Finally, what was afterward regarded as an act of special injustice 
 to the cities of Zurich and Bern and the chief cause of the un- 
 hapy turn of the religious war, the prohibition of the necessaries 
 
276 LIFE OF Z^VINfTT/I. 
 
 of life was made also a principle of this alliance, a lawful mode 
 of fighting, and preferred and recommended in case strife should 
 break out. 
 
 As soon as the two cities had received certain information 
 that the alliance was concluded, before the documents were yet 
 delivered to the Diet by King Ferdinand, they instituted a 
 convention of the collective cantons, not embraced in the alli- 
 ance. All, with the exception of Freiburg, were present at it. 
 A resolution was now passed to send an embassy to Luzern and 
 into the Five Cantons, praying for the abandonment of a con- 
 nection, which would necessarily shake the Confederacy to its 
 very foundations. This embassy of the seven states was joined 
 by delegates from the allied cities of St. Gall; Chur, Muehl- ' 
 hausen and Biel. 
 
 But the animosity of the parties had already grown to such 
 a height that little was to be hoped for from conciliatory meas- 
 ures. Still many were found on both sides, who continued to 
 favor peaceful counsels and desire a dispassionate, and, above 
 all, a national discussion of the questions at issue. Some 
 months previous to this, the Council at Zug had written to 
 that of Zurich : They were not willing to believe in the rumor 
 of hostile intentions against the Zurichers and designs of pil- 
 lage among the peasantry on the further side of Lake Zurich; 
 then the letter proceeds — "for we have observed with great 
 pleasure, what friendly intercourse exists between our people 
 and yours, who lie together on th6 borders. So would we also 
 act toward you, and spare neither day nor night to bfthg about 
 peace, reconciliation and unity." Bern discovered 'a similar 
 kind disposition among her Catholic neighbors in Entlebuch 
 "Every day" — ^it was written to the bailifi" and commons of 
 that place — " the people of the Emmenthal speak of the friendly 
 manner in which you have behaved toward them, and how you 
 lately cast into prison one who defamed us. For this, accept 
 
LIFE OP ZWINOIiI. 277 
 
 our hearty thanks. And although much may have been said to 
 you, how we perhaps intended to compel you or others to embrace 
 the new faith, as it is called, we freely declare that we never 
 thought of such a thing, and would do it on no account, for faith 
 is the gift of God alone; but if any one would force us from our 
 resolution, we must defend it, as those who are bound always to 
 give an answer for our faith according to the Holy Scripture." 
 In Luzern itself, even among individual members of the gov- 
 ernment, a friendly feeling was still found by the envoys of 
 Zurich, who in the beginning of the year were sent thither to 
 lay complaints against Thomas Murner. They wrote from this 
 city to the Council at Zurich : " It is the common talk at Lu- 
 zern that the peasantry, who border on us and the Bernese, are 
 so well content with their neighbors, that there is nothing like 
 it, and they say together that they will have no war with each 
 other, but mutually agree to pledge their persons and their ser- 
 vices and not trouble themselves about religion." This was 
 also confirmed by Von Knonau, the Ziirichan landvogt. 
 , Relying on this spirit, which still survived, at least among a 
 portion of the people even in the other Catholic cantons, a full 
 statement was drawn up, to be laid by envoys before the Coun- 
 cils, and if permitted, before the general assemblies (landge- 
 meinen) of the Five Cantons. "No doubt," so it ran, "there 
 is still, dear Confederates, many a good honest man among you, 
 who may justly consider what injury, reproach and danger to us 
 all and our common fatherland must spring from such an alliance, 
 and into whose hands and power we will fall — those namely, who 
 have never favored, but always hated us, and even taught their 
 children to hate us from the cradle. Indeed, many a dwelling 
 will become desolate, if they, who began this, persevere in their 
 undertaking. But how can they do it, when we, on our part, 
 yet desire to remain your true and faithful Confederates; to 
 adhere to our treaties and oaths with you, and to prove to you 
 
 2-1 
 
278 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 our friendship, love and duty without stint of life or property ? 
 And since many and various slanders, about our two cities Zu- 
 rich and Bern, have circulated among you, as though they had 
 made a special agreement to arm themselves against you with 
 artillery, guns, ships, marchings and other warlike devices, 
 placed the bell over you and used foul words to your disparage- 
 ment; do not lend a ready ear to such fables! for indeed 
 such a thing has never entered our heart or mind, much less 
 have we ever attempted to do it." 
 
 The reception of the embassy was of a more friendly char- 
 acter in Schwyz, and that before a full meeting of the general 
 assembly. They heard the message calmly. A written answer 
 was promised and given not without cordiality. This, however, 
 may have been partly due to the secretary. 
 
 The event in Zug was not quite so peaceful. Open discord 
 reigned among the counselors, a majority of whom were zeal- 
 ous advocates of the alliance. Admission to the general as- 
 sembly (landsgemeine) was not granted to the deputies. We 
 are told in their report : "They pretended they had an excitable 
 population, and were concerned lest our presence would create 
 great confusion ; for they were much more passionate and in- 
 tolerant in the assemblies than the councils." In Altorf a 
 difference was made between Zurich and Bern; between the 
 decided cantons and those that were more accommodating. — 
 The former were thanked ; the latter, and Zurich especially, 
 were charged with interfering in matters of faith, where they 
 had no business so to do. Of the new faith, they said : " Would 
 to God it were buried ! " Then an attempt was made, as had 
 been done before by Schwyz, to maintain it as a principle in 
 the government of the Common Territories, that even in eccle- 
 Biastical affairs the majority of vbtes among the ruling cantons 
 should decide. Of all the points at-issue this was the most 
 difficult. Over it the strife continually broke out anew. — 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 279 
 
 Proudly and piously spoke the Luzerners: They would follow 
 their forefathers in everything, in adherence to the Federal 
 Compact, and in love, but only when it did not deviate from 
 the faith. Seditious persons now try to undermine this, as 
 once the serpent sneaked around our first parents in Paradise. 
 From such poison they would preserve their children and chil- 
 dren's children. They had been prompted to do what they 
 now did, in the face of censure, by the intrigues, embassies and 
 negotiations of other cantons among themselves, in the territo- 
 ries as well as with foreigners, the defiance with which their 
 just complaints had been met and the arming of the Zurichers. 
 In Obwalden a very hostile disposition at last revealed itself. 
 Here a bitterness of spirit had been left behind by the unsuc- 
 cessful inroad into the Haslithal, which was essentially increased 
 by the claims of Bern for indemnification, the sojourn of fun-i- 
 tive Oberlanders and the execution of Hans im Sand, who had 
 enjoyed special favor in Obwalden. With all their efforts the 
 mediating cantons had not yet been able to restore peace, but 
 only to prevent the outbreak of a second war-. The deputies 
 of Obwalden and those of the Reformed cities still gave each 
 other short words and exchanged sullen looks, when they met 
 at the Federal Diet. But in Sarnen the most unfriendly re- 
 ception awaited the embassy of the Confederates. Only the 
 envoys of those cantons, which had not yet spoken out decidedly 
 for the Reformation, were treated with a certain moderation, 
 and notified that the sharp language, which must be used, had 
 but a partial reference to them. Then the Federal Compact 
 was revoked with all apostates from the true faith, and pity ex- 
 pressed that it had not been done before. They and the other 
 Forest Cantons were the true, old Confederates, they had won 
 the prize of liberty, they .had admitted the rest of the cantons 
 into the Confederacy. Why should these now wish to be their 
 masters ? But the Emperor, Austria, France, Savoy and Wallis 
 
280 
 
 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 ( Vxlais) will indeed lielp them to prevent it. A written answer 
 was refused. On the other hand they got a sight of the esoutch- 
 eous of Zurich, Bern and Basel painted on a gallows in the 
 house of the secretary of state (J,andsclireiher) and when they 
 complained of it, the excuse was, it meant nothing, — a foolish 
 fellow had dauhed it there. 
 
 Great was the exasperation at this news, particularly in Zu- 
 rich. Now openly and earnestly they set about arming them- 
 selves, refused peace beforehand without the humiliation of Ob- 
 walden, and called upon Bern by letters and an embassy not to 
 make the least abatement in its unsettled grievances against that 
 district, but rather to insist with redoubled zeal on satisfaction 
 and the fullest indemnity. Indeed, 2wingli wished to go yet 
 further. He had expressly desired, in the Privy Council, by 
 which all the more important business of state was again dis- 
 posed of, that no peace would be concluded with Obwalden, 
 if she would not renounce all pensions, abandon the alliance 
 with Austria and give up all the bailiwicks for a term of office. 
 But Bern was by no means so ready for war. In the Council, 
 jealousy or mere political shyness of the often hasty interference 
 of Zurich, appears to have given new animation to the party 
 opposed to her. "We are," wrote Haller to Zwingli, "as un- 
 sound as ever in our government; and though we now at 
 Easter possess the Small and Great Councils, yet we are fearful 
 that nothing good will be done here, because all those, who 
 have hitherto shown themselves hostile to the word of God, 
 are returning to power, and if that happen, then you may ex:- 
 pect nothing else from us, than that nothing good will be un- 
 dertaken." Under seal of the strictest silence he communicated 
 to him the fact, that in eight days at furthest no more than a crown 
 would be found remaining in the public treasury. " If the Ober- 
 landers knew this," he added, " do you suppose they would 
 leave us unmolested ?" It appears also, when Zurich became 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 281 
 
 still more urgent, and earnestly declared she would not suffer 
 it, but prevent it by force of arms, if necessary, that the new 
 landvogt of Baden, an Unterwaldner, entered the city on horse- 
 back about the time of the election of public officers, and an 
 embassy from Bern with prayers for more peaceful deliberation 
 and more moderate councils, uttered the assurance that she was 
 less inclined than ever to such a course. "In the opinion of my 
 Lords," said its spokesman, "it would be better yet to prevent 
 by friendliness an unpleasant issue. They are not willing to 
 begin war before they know more certainly the disposition of 
 their people, who are ready for an outbreak, now when the sun 
 shines, but when it rains, their courage falls. A part of Our 
 peasantry have concluded a formal treaty with their neighbors 
 of Luzern not to injure one another. We would not compel 
 them to do so. You know very well that the Word of God en- 
 joins nothing else but peace and quiet. True, dear Confederates 
 and Christian townsmen of Zurich, you yourselves at first de- 
 sired to accomplish everything by kindness. Indeed, faith can- 
 not be administered at the point of the spear and halberd. And 
 then remember, the Emperor has not so much to do, that if we 
 attempt anything, he cannot march out against us. Then we 
 have the Wallisers (people of the canton of Valais) witb us, 
 who are waiting, and if we would undertake anything with the 
 Confederates, they would march home again in an hour, even 
 if they had to leave their beds; and who could hinder them? 
 Lastly, there is the negotiation with the Duke of Savoy not yet 
 settled, and we know not where we are. Therefore, we pray 
 you, for the sake of Christ's passion, not to be so violent." 
 
 But this language availed nothing; for on the same day 
 dreadful tidings arrived. Jacob Kaiser, surnamed the Lock- 
 smith of Utznach, the place of his birth, had a benefice and set- 
 lement given him at Neftenbach, in the canton of Zurich. 
 Now he received a call as a preacher to Oberkirch, in Gastef> 
 
282 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 Before he resigned Ms former charge, he sometimes visited his 
 new parish. Being much hated by the Sohwyzers, because 
 when pastor at the Ufnau he had declared himself strongly op- 
 posed to image-worship, the bailiff (yogi) ia Utznach, which was 
 under the dominion of Schwyz and Glarus, caused him to be 
 apprehended, as he journeyed through, and brought to Schwyz.* 
 This was done in pursuance of an order, -which all the bailiffs 
 of the Five Cantons had received, to keep an eye on innovating 
 preachers in the Territories, and seize them, and hand them 
 over to justice. Like an earlier victim in Schwyz, another in 
 the Thurgau, and three preachers delivered to the Bishop at 
 Mosrsburg, by Catholic bailiffs of that place. Kaiser was con- 
 demned to die at the stake. In vain did Zurich intercede for 
 him ; in vain did she write more earnest letters; in vain did 
 she send the treasurer Edlebach to Schwyz. On the day of his 
 execution the Schwyzers answered : " The territory of Utznach 
 belongs not to you it is a property bought by us and our Con- 
 federates of Glarus. For what we do there you have no right 
 to call us to account. And if the parson is so dear to you as 
 you say in your letter, then you should have kept him at home, 
 and not suffered him to come among our people. This would 
 have been most agreeable to us, and certainly much better for 
 him." Such scorn and the flames of the faggot were decisive. 
 War was determined on. 
 
 * So it is expressed in the verbal process of the Privy Council ; that 
 he was once pastor at Schwerzenbaoh in Greifensee, Bullinger informs 
 us. " 
 
CHAPTER SEVENTH. 
 
 imST OAMPAIQU. ZWINOLI AND LUIHEB. 
 
 ■iMa 
 
 |W0 primal forces live and move in 
 man, the one more in this individ- 
 ual, the other more in that one; 
 they both spring from above : Feel- 
 ing and Understanding. Original, 
 • childlike Feeling is the inner law; 
 but it does not know itself. The 
 ^f^pi '"iwakening Understanding seeks the law, but finds it 
 not; for around them and between them settle the 
 mist of earth, the smoke and vapors of passion. 
 Power is needed to work their way up out of the 
 mist; a celestial sun to scatter it. That sun is 
 Love. In Love, as well as in Power, God has re- 
 vealed himself. Ouly in the loving act, in revela- 
 f; tion, are Feeling and Understanding able to find 
 each other, to understand each other, and then also first to un- 
 derstand themselves. Now, and in this way alone, does growth 
 in true knowledge begin. With it disunion, discord is no 
 longer possible; all discord, even that which is internal, springs 
 from want of knowledge. The error is most lamentable, when 
 Feeling fears the Understanding, and the Understanding hates 
 Feeling. This it is, which can lead to war for religion. No 
 war for religion is permitted to end with the overthrow of one 
 283 
 
284 
 
 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 of these. Grod will not have it so; for he has created Feeling 
 and Understanding as immortal, mutually completing sisters. 
 Did Zwingli not know this? "Was he perchance a man of a 
 one-sided understanding, imprisoned in mist, who sought 
 knowledge in his own strength, but for this very reason was 
 never able to discover the truth ? Did he desire to subject Feel- 
 ing to the Understanding, to subdue faith to the yoke of the 
 letter — of the letter, which men invented to express tlieir 
 thoughts, whilst the Spirit, who proceeds from the Father, 
 does not reveal himself in words made of letters, but in the 
 Word of Love, the loving act ? They tried it, who came after 
 him, who were not able to comprehend him; but they have 
 been shamefully wrecked with their ever swelling formulas of 
 confession. The church of Zurich under Zwingli, and then 
 under the antistes Klingler (1688-1713) — what a sad con- 
 trast ! Yet here is not the place to speak of it. 
 
 Faith, that feeling of the Divine will, of the Divine revela- 
 tion, transformed into knowledge, had struck its roots as deep 
 into the nature of Zwingli as into that of Luther. Who can 
 doubt it, when he reads thus in his Explanation of the Chris- 
 tian Faith, as preached by him, which in the year of his death 
 was dedicated to the King of France : " Faith must be tho 
 source of our works. If it go before, then the work is accept- 
 able to God. If it be wanting, then all that is done, is false, 
 and hence not only displeasing to God, but an abomination. 
 Therefore Paul says: "Everything, which is not of faith is 
 sin." Now faith comes only from the Spirit of God; hence 
 they, who have faith, look to the will of God as to a perfect 
 rule. For this reason, not only those works, which are done 
 contrary to the law of God, are blameable, but those also which 
 are done without regard to it. Whatever is done thus without 
 the law, i. e. with no regard to the Word and will of God, is 
 also not done of faith; what is not done of faith is sin, and sin 
 
LIEE OP ZWINGLI. 285 
 
 God abhors. Thus it comes, that even if any one performs a 
 worls which Grod has commanded, giving alms, for example, but 
 without faith,* such a work is not pleasing to God; for when 
 we go back to the source from whence the almsgiving springs, 
 which is not done of faith, then we find that it has proceeded 
 either from vain-glory, or a desire to receive more in return, or 
 from some other bad motive. And who is not convinced that 
 9uch a work is unacceptable to God ? " f 
 
 After such expressions of the Reformer every one will be 
 readily convinced, that Zwingli wished to create no controversy, 
 to achieve no victory of the understanding, which only regu- 
 lates and analyzes, at the expense of pious feeling.J That war, 
 which can only be called religious, because the parties them- 
 selves very wrongly believed they served religion thereby, was 
 not allowed by Christianity, as it came from the hands of its 
 founder, not by the Church established by Him, not by the 
 unity of this Church, unity in her Master and Exampler abid- 
 ing yet in the Gospel and the hearts of all true believers. It 
 was actually of a political more than of a religious nature ; for 
 
 * Which, according to the Gospel and Zwingli's views elsewhere un- 
 folded, (see M. Huldr. Zwingli's Schriften im Auszug v. Usteri und 
 Vrnglin, Bd. I. Abth. 2, S. 387,) is one with Love. 
 
 ■j- For the German translation of this passage from the Latin of 
 Zwingli, the author was indebted to the above-mentioned work of Usteri 
 Voegelin, 
 
 X All activity of the understanding is in its nature formal. Hence 
 in order to pass over into reality, if it would become more than an 
 exercise of the mind, which can be endlessly prolonged, it needs positive 
 material. As soon as it transcends the positive and enters the region of 
 so-called pure ideas, the dominion of the intellect, it runs into nothing, 
 becomes u. negation. The natural consequence of this dominion of the 
 intellect, of which many now dream, is the popular doctrine : " Let ua 
 eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. " To this the very wisest leg- 
 islation of all nations has given too little attention. 
 
286 LIFE OF ZWINGU. 
 
 a Church which exercises temporal authority, whose heads rule 
 over land and people, set up compulsory dogmas of faith and 
 deliver to judgment those, who do not submit to them, is also a 
 political, a worldly power. Or ought we regard the nuncios, 
 who drive along in carriages drawn by four horses, to be re- 
 ceived by the thunder of cannon, as apostles, when Christ would 
 send them forth, staff in hand, without money, without change 
 of raiment? 
 
 Proceeding from this stand-point, Zwingli saw in the war, 
 which he himself undoubtedly advised, only a political conflict. 
 On the one side appeared to liim, imbued as he was with the 
 idea of a purely spiritual kingdom of God and Christ, a worldly 
 po-jfer defending itself not by the lawful, yea, necessary weapons 
 of science and sound judgment, but by anathemas and the 
 flames of the faggot, and on the other, those who wished to at- 
 tain and defend liberty, without which neither a religion of the 
 heart nor of the head, nor a faith matured to conviction by the 
 agreement of both, was possible. With this feeling he wrote 
 to his friend in Bern: "The peace, about which many now 
 talk so much., is war; the war, which I wish, peace. There 
 can be no security either for the truth, or her worshippers, till 
 tbe ground-pillars of tyranny be overthrown. Do not lose con- 
 fidence in me, because I must say this. With God's help I 
 will prove myself worthy of it." But, even if the question, 
 according to the judgment of the Reformer, was fairly one of 
 an external, political nature, when logically carried out, it would 
 talse the form of opinion in some, or of principle in others. 
 Yet never will such questions be solved by weapons of iron. 
 *The blind iron usually wounds the principle for which it was 
 drawn out, and its defender first. " Put up thy sword in its 
 sheath," said Christ to Peter, " for they, who take the sword, 
 shall perish by the sword ;" and for Zwingli it was a prophetic 
 word. Only for material interests, lying equally before the eyes 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 287 
 
 of all the world; only when the duty of fighting against the 
 violation of national treaties or human laws, or else for uphold- 
 ing them, does true policy take up the sword, and in this re- 
 spect the statesmanship of Bern seems more prudent; yea, more 
 in harmony with the Federal Compact, than that of Zurich. 
 But there are moments in the lives of nations, when prudence 
 will no longer avail, and energetic action, even passionate en- 
 deavor, becomes a necessity. In such cases each one has to 
 appeal to his own conviction of duty, and his justification lies 
 in his willingness to sacrifice himself thorefor. Over the corpse 
 of the noble victim, the censuring voice of posterity is silent. 
 
 He, who accompanies the Reformer with undiminished sym- 
 pathy along his path, which from this time forth becomes more 
 and more slippery, will find the truth of what has been said. 
 The grand achievement, which he desired, perhaps rather an- 
 ticipated — the formation of a strong league in the midst of 
 Europe, controlling extremes ; a league of concord, and yet of 
 the free developement of individual members in their peculiar 
 customs and forms of government; united by the spiritual bond 
 of a common faith, of a common submission to the Gospel, em- 
 braced with a pure mind and carried out in practice; satisfy- 
 ing the understanding and contenting the heart; one in its 
 aim of worshipping God; diverse in its mode, according to the 
 usage and wants of the country; tolerating philosophical as 
 little as dogmatical dictators; repudiating alike the Propaganda 
 and the Jesuits; a league whose members are not exclusive 
 like Jews, but helpful like Christians — the nineteenth century 
 can see it realized, if in its free presses a manly openness is 
 able to triumph over wholesale robbery and keep down human 
 devilishness, as well as the spirit of hypocrisy. 
 
 On the 1st of June, a secret council was held in Zurich, to 
 consider the outrage of the Schwyzers. Some wished to prohibit 
 the exportation of provisions, others to revoke the treaties, and 
 
288 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 a third party to declare war without delay. The last course 
 was adopted by the Great Council on the 3d of June, and the 
 tidings sent to Sehwyz in the following language : " Our greet- 
 ing first ! Pious, circumspect, wise, should our good friends 
 and faithful, dear Confederates be !, Your haughty and defiant 
 letter we have received and considered, and though you accuse 
 us therein of not keeping covenant with you, we think we have 
 done it as faithfully and better than you have heretofore; than 
 you, who have persecuted, unjustly punished, given into other 
 hands, violently and unrighteously dragged beyond the juris- 
 diction and laws, which belonged to us as well as you, miserably 
 tortured and killed many an honest man merely for asserting 
 his faith and maintaining the honor of God, by which we and 
 our people, who are pious, honest Christians, if God will, have 
 also been greatly and severely injured, reviled and shamfully 
 abused, as to our honor and old, praiseworthy customs; ill- 
 treated in a wanton manner without cause, surrounded, beaten, 
 defied, and a pious priest under our protection, whom it became 
 us to save, pounced upon beyond your jurisdiction, carried off 
 in a scornful, unjust fashion, before God and to our great dis- 
 pleasure, burned to death for adhering to God's Word, since 
 you had no other charge against him. Because now you have 
 always suffered such outrages and injuries to pass by without 
 punishment, because you have despised all our warnings and 
 embassies, publicly transgressing in many instances the Articles 
 of Confederation, and because we see that no justice can be 
 hoped for from you, we are obliged, in order to rescue and 
 maintain the Divine truth, its honor and ours, to chastise you 
 for such wantonness, injustice and violence with our own hand, 
 in the strength of God, and intend also, with as much strength 
 and grace as God gives us, to take vengeance on you without 
 mercy. But we have warned you of it and kept our honor. Thus 
 you can understand the motives of our action ; you yourselves de- 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 289 
 
 sired nothing (flse, since you have provoked us to this course 
 by your violence and gross injustice,'' In consequence of the 
 threatened passage of the bailiff (yogi) of Unterwalden that 
 way to Baden, Bern was written to : That the friendly exhorta- 
 tion to moderate measures had come too late. They had certain 
 intelligence that Unterwalden intended to escort her landoogi 
 to Baden with an armed force. Bern must not permit this ac- 
 cording to her own solemn declaration. And she is there 
 strongly besought to join the Zurichers, now promptly rising in 
 self-defence. 
 
 But Bern, for some time back, had been endeavoring, prin- 
 cipally through Luzern, to bring Unterwalden into a more 
 peaceful humor. She had not yet put any troops under arms, 
 and had received information from the Five Cantons that they 
 too would not be the first to do it. Hans Edlebach, who was 
 sent to Lenzburg, to hasten the march of the expected contin- 
 gent, had to suffer bitter reproaches from the landvogt and the 
 Bernese residing there : Was it prudent to iegin war during 
 such a famine ? Was it like a Confederate, not to suffer the 
 law first to take its course ? Wife it fair dealing toward Bern, 
 to rise up against every warning, and without giving her notice 
 beforehand ? Zurich may now bring to an end alone what she 
 has commenced alone. To this the Zurichers wrote in reply : 
 " We would sooner have expected death, than that your aid 
 should have failed us up to this time ; what guilt will rest upon 
 you, if calamity overtake us ? " But Zurich was in no wise hin- 
 dered by this delay, and the declaration of the Bernese imme- 
 diately following, that though they would now march out, it 
 was only for the support of their ally and not to encourage the 
 war. One division of troops was sent to Bremgarten an(^ Muri : 
 another placed at the west end of the lake tq hold Sch^yyz in 
 check, whilst another marched nqcler Jficob Wqrdmueller to 
 the country lying around Bapperaohweil, so that the Toggcn- 
 
 •' 25 
 
290 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 burgers, the people of Gaster, and the evangelical portion of 
 the Glarners might be encouraged to join them. To his coun- 
 trymen of Toggenburg Zwingli was particularly favorable. 
 "Dear comrade," he wrote to his friend Werdmueller, "I hope 
 the Toggenburgers will not fail, yet hasten to communicate with 
 the town-clerk of Lechstensteg ; for a general assembly to consult 
 about affairs was held on Wednesday, the 9th day of June. 
 Take care and keep the advice secret. If you act against Tog- 
 genburg, you must not speak of taking possession of the coun- 
 try, for they will not suffer such a thing, having some time 
 since made themselves free by their military power." Less 
 consideration was shown toward the Thurgau. Lavater, the bail- 
 iff (jjogt) of Kyburg received orders to occupy the territory for 
 Zurich, with the reservation of the rights^ of Glarus, and notify 
 the inhabitants that the Five Cantons would be allowed no share 
 in the government without their own consent, which was an 
 open violation of existing treaties, and founded on the right of 
 conquest. The chief force, consisting of 4,000 picked men, 
 well armed and provided with numerous guns, marched under 
 George Berger to the borders of Zug. Berger had served in 
 Italy with honor. He maintained severe discipline in the 
 army. Idle women, who usually followed the Swiss expeditions 
 in great crowds, were not suffered here. On the other hand, 
 in spite of the scarcity just then prevailing, an abundant stock 
 of provisions was furnished ; a good spirit prevailed among the 
 soldiery. It was a long time since Zurich had displayed such 
 power. From .the Steps of the senate-house the burgomaster 
 Walder exhorted the departing troops to discipline and a fearless 
 defence. Commander Schmied was appointed army-chaplain. 
 Without a summons froni itlje government Zwingli rode along, 
 a halberd on his shoulder. The report of the outbreak, Zurich's 
 declaration of war, communicated to the Fpur Cantons by 
 ^^hwyZj ^ef |^§m alsg in motion. Flying appat^ls ■syoftt out at 
 
LIFE OP Z'\VINGLI. 291 
 
 the same time from Zug. First, volunteers hastened thither; 
 then came the militia of Schwyz, of Uri, of Unterwalden — the 
 latter well armed and particularly eager for war. Messengers 
 were despatched to Waldshut and Feldkirch for Austrian aid. 
 The Zurichers halted at Cappel. A declaration of war was 
 also made against the Five Cantons. It resembled that against 
 Schwyz, but with an additional reference to the doings of the 
 Unterwaldners and to the Austrian alliance. On the morning 
 of the 9th it was sent to Zug, and directly after the Zurichan 
 force, strengthened by new accessions, took up the line of march. 
 They had not yet crossed the boundaries of the canton, when 
 the landamman ^bli came up against them from Baar. He 
 was a man of irreproachable character, a leader of the people in 
 his canton, esteemed and beloved by the Confederates, trained 
 in the school of life, keeping in view the wants of the present, 
 but both by education and disposition unfitted for scientific and 
 religious controversy. As related by Bullinger, who was an 
 eye-witness, this man begged "the Lords of Zurich with tearful 
 eyes; begged them as strongly as he could, for God's sake and 
 that of the whole Confederacy, to stay quiet where they were 
 without actual operations and approach, till he would ' return 
 again in the course of a few hours; for he had good hopes, by 
 the aid of other honorable, honest people, who also were in a 
 fair way to separate, with the help of God's grace, to make an 
 honorable peace, which would redound- to the good of the Con- 
 federacy ; besides,, great bloodshed would be avoided and no 
 poor widows and orphans made ; for this, he trusted in the 
 Holy Gospel, which teaches us peace, love and unity. More- 
 over^ he had also found a moderate, friendly opinion in the 
 Five Cantons, that it would be a great calamity,-if one Confed- 
 erate would wretchedly kill the other, when their forefathers so 
 often and closely pledged together their persons, property and 
 blood ; and a like opinion existed here among those, who had 
 
292 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 suffered much pain and injury in war. We ought not, said he, 
 grant such pleasure to the foes and enemies of our common 
 country. He, therefore, most earnestly plead only for some 
 hours to do his best to prevent the sad dismemberment of the 
 Confederacy. 
 
 Discordant views prevailed amongst the Zurichers. Yet the 
 majority were won over by this true-hearted, patriotic speech. 
 After a short deliberation, the leaders declared themselves ready 
 to halt, and a courier was dispatched to Zurich for instructions. 
 But Zwingli approached the Iandamrn,an, who had formerly 
 been one of his most intimate friends in Glarus, with the words : 
 " Dear amman, thou wilt be obliged to account to God for this 
 peace. Now, whilst our enemies are in our power and unpre- 
 pared you give them good words. Thou believest them, and 
 boldest" back. Hereafter, when they are prepared, they will 
 not make peace with us; who then will separate us?" "Dear 
 comrade," replied the amman, " I trust in God. He will make 
 all right. Act always for the best " 
 
 The brief truce, which now followed, was diligently used by 
 both parties. The Catholics brought together their chief force 
 in the country of Baar. Auxiliaries from Wallis ( Valais), 
 Livinen and the valley of the Esch joined them. Their little 
 array swelled to eight thousand. That of the Zurichers was 
 strengthened from the Thurgau and St. Gall. A third just as 
 important, that of the Bernese aided by Basel, Biel and Muehl- 
 hausen, under the schultJieiss Von Diesbach, had reached 
 Bremgarten. Full thirty thousand men, unlike in view and 
 disposition, stood under arms. The Confederate policy was in 
 the camp of the Bernese. "We will attack the aggressor,'' 
 said they, " wherever he comes from. We will suffer no war, 
 till all l.'iwful remedies are exhausted." They had written the 
 same to Zurich, where hurrying envoys from Glarus, Appenzel, 
 the Three Cantons, Solothurn and Preiburg arrived every hour 
 
LIFE OH ZWINGLI. 293 
 
 with plans for a settlement of the difficulties. Bern had also 
 convoked at Aarau, a Diet for the whole Confederacy. Even 
 from Strasburg the Mayor Sturm had come as a mediator. A 
 spirit of peace began to pervade the opposing camps. Besides, 
 many were anxious to return home. They thought of their 
 agricultural labor, which in the month of June was particularly 
 needful. The necessity for shedding blood had not yet stirred 
 the feelings of the multitude. Neighbors of the different con- 
 fessions still held intercourse with each other. The out-posts 
 had agreed not to injure each other; one party looked on the 
 peaceful sports of the other at the ring and the hurling of 
 stones. That beautiful feature of old Swiss cordiality was 
 manifested, when milk was brought from one side, bread from 
 the other, and the hostile warriors, with jokes over the limits 
 to be guarded, ate the common food from one vessel. It drew 
 an exclamation of surprise from the Mayor of Strasburg, who 
 witnessed it. 
 
 According to old usage, when -the militia had marched out, 
 -the Council of Zurich gave over to the commons-at-war (Jeriegs- 
 gemcine) the instruction of the negotiators at the Diet in Aarau. 
 There was one man particularly to whom this was little pleasing, 
 who apprehended evil results — Ulric Zwingli. Should all the 
 fruits of his earnest endeavor, all the hopes for evangelical free- 
 dom, involved in this breach, be lost ? He feared a too ready 
 compliance. " Gracious, loving Lords," he wrote, " our messen- 
 gers come in again this moment. I observe indeed how the 
 matter stands. They now give good words, and pray and beg. 
 But do not be misled, and regard no wry faces, but command 
 us, beforehand, to act with earnestness, not to surrender our 
 advantage, but to accept only a solid peace ; for no one can give 
 better words than these people, and when we are out of the field, 
 they will return in one month and attack us. For God's sake 
 act boldly. By my life, I desire not to mislead you, nor give way 
 
294 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 myself. One cannot write everything. Stand fast in God. 
 Yield nothing to wry faces, till the right is established. God 
 be with you. In haste, in haste ! " 
 
 After this he did his utmost in the camp at Cappel, so that 
 the treasurer, Rudolph Thumeisen, the deputy to Aarau, was 
 instructed to demand positively, liberty to preach the Gospel 
 everywhere in the Territories, the abrogation of the Alliance 
 with Austria, the abjuration of all pensions and the punishment 
 of those, who would propogate and dispense th'em, the costs of 
 the war and indemnification for the children of the martyred 
 Jacob Kaiser. Meanwhile in Aarau the continuance of the 
 armistice only was determined on, and the porosecution of the 
 negotiations by arbitrators in the vicinity of the camps trans- 
 ferred to Steinhausen, in the canton of Zug. 
 
 It had been previously said, that the commons-at-war (lands- 
 gemeinden) should themselves hear the complaints and arguments 
 of the opposing parties. The leaders and deputies of the army 
 of the Five Cantons made the beginning in the camp of the Zu- 
 richera. An eye-witness, Kessler of St. Gall, has given the fol- 
 lowing graphic picture ot the event. It is here told in his own 
 words: "Now, at the request of the Five Cantons, it was ap- 
 pointed, that, on the next Monday, a committee should come over 
 from their camp into ours, in order to interrogate each other as 
 well as the friendly arbitrators. So a high scaffolding was raised 
 upon barrels in the field before Cappel. On this was placed 
 the banner of Zurich, with all the ensigns and officers then 
 encamped at Cappel, and around the scaffolding stood the com- 
 mon soldiers. After the committee of the Five Qantons, thirty 
 in number, had- been conducted over by the Zurichan trumpe- 
 ter, the umpires approached; one rose after the other on the 
 scaffold, speaking to the army and exhorting them to hold fast 
 the purpose to submit on both sides to a friendly and moderate 
 treaty of peace, seeing not only the sorrow, the misery and the 
 
LIVE OF ZWINGLI. 295 
 
 great damage and ruin, that must accrue to us from this present 
 misuaderstanding, if it should come to the shedding of blood; 
 but on the other hand, also, the great joy that would arise 
 among our foreign hereditary enemies; and that nothing else 
 can at last result from it, but that we, weakened by our own 
 discord, will be the more easily conquered and ruled by those 
 enemies, for whom, when united, we were always strong enough. 
 Besides, the great dislike of the people of Germany and other 
 countries, during our campaigns there, must be considered; and 
 if our poor widows and orphans are left, what scanty crusts of 
 bread will be doled out to them. Therefore, we implore you, 
 for God's sake, to make peace with each other like faithful, 
 pious Confederates, who, in times past, have fought and suflFered 
 so much together. Hereupon, Captain Escher of Zurich stood 
 forward, and disclosed in general and special to the deputies 
 of the Five Cantons the cause and articles of the war now 
 declared against them, reviewing with sharp words their un- 
 kind, shameful and scandalous doings so long persisted in, but 
 which could henceforth be no longer endured or suffered, con- 
 sistently with justice and honor. After this, the deputies, gen- 
 tlemen and captains of the Five Cantons rose up ; among the 
 first schultheiss Hug of Luzern; and each gave answer to the 
 articles and the accusation touching his Lords. Nevertheless, 
 something should be done. They desired that every effort 
 should be made to bring about a lasting peace, lest, as was be- 
 fore said by the arbitrators, we might be compelled to murder 
 and destroy each other. But so far as might be, they desired 
 a just settlement, promising to abide thereby. Then it was 
 proposed to retire a little out of the crowd to a particular spot; 
 and the captains and the 'commons conferred among themselves, 
 and decided that a committee of the same number as theirs 
 should be sent into the camp of the Five Cantons, to disclose 
 to the common soldiery, the business, which had not yet reached 
 
296 LIFE or zwiNoxi. 
 
 them^ There were present also Master Ulric Zwingli, Master 
 Conrad Schmied, the Commander, chosen preachers from the 
 city and canton of Zurich, men wholly inclined to purge the 
 Confederacy from all unfairness, unrighteousness and pride, 
 and restore piety and honor. When his turn came, Master 
 Ulric spake very plainly, that they who were there might un- 
 derstand, declaring that the cold apology of the Five Cantons 
 and their appeals to the law, which before this had been little 
 regarded by them, reminded him of condemned criminals, who 
 when led to punishment cried out for justice, in order to pro- 
 long their lives. Then he spoke of the sin, the danger and the 
 injury springing from the pensions, undeservedly taken from 
 kings and princes, countries and people, and addressed the 
 aforementioned schuUheiss, Hug, by name : It is well known 
 what he is and has been for years, and whence be has been 
 enriched by so many thousand crowns ; they are earnestly ex- 
 horted to put it away, el-se peace, quiet and unity would never 
 be seen in the Confederacy." 
 
 With milder words Escher sought to allay the rising discon- 
 tent of the deputies of the Five Cantons, who, after a notice 
 that the leaders of the' Zurichers should remember to appear 
 also before their commons-at-war, withdrew and were honorably 
 conducted out of the camp. 
 
 Kain in torrents, as it fell abundantly during this summer, 
 poured down on the following day, the fifteenth of June. The 
 overflowing of the Loretz prevented any meeting. On the 
 sixteenth, with clearing skies and glad sunshine, fifteen of the 
 most prominent Zurichers, to whom several people from the 
 country were added, rode over into the camp of the Fivs 
 Cantons. 
 
 Here also, as with the Zurichers, the reception took place 
 amid warlike display and the thunder of cannon. The leaders 
 affirmed that more than 12,000 men were under arms. They 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQIJ. 297 
 
 stood well drawn up ; defiance in every face. The Unterwald- 
 ners were particularly well armed, partly with bows and partly 
 in heavy coats of mail. Hans Escher opened the discussion, 
 glad of the opportunity to represent in its true light the misap- 
 prehended cause of Zurich before so large an assembly of Con- 
 federates. First, be read aloud a detailed list of grievances, 
 published by the government itself. "All this," he then con- 
 tinued, "we would have borne for the sake of the common 
 peace, but when your rulers concluded an alliance with yon 
 power, which your own forefathers have always considered their 
 most dangerous enemy, and which is now, perhaps more than 
 ever, ours, how could we keep quiet any longer ? Still, we 
 were not the first to march out. The Unterwaldners took up 
 arms before, to place their vogt in Baden. Our troops, when 
 they came to Muri, found a meal prepared for them. Yet we 
 do not wish to deal in mutual crimination to our own injury, 
 but rather to favor the liberty, which we have inherited from 
 our fathers, or what is the welfare of all, according to the 
 Gospel to which we adhere, the restoration of the old Con- 
 federate pledges, which, as we ask them from you, we are also 
 willing and ready to give to our Confederates." The country- 
 people supported the speech of the citizen. Upon many of the 
 hearers the impression was evidently good, for a general belief 
 prevailed among the Catholics, that the country-people of Zurich 
 had only submitted to the Reformation with reluctance. Others, 
 on the contrary, thought the grievances in the paper of the 
 Zurich Council exaggerated. "When have we refused you 
 justice?" said they. "How often have you appealed to us in 
 vain ? " — " Yes," rejoined the treasurer Funk, an active young 
 man, and one of Zwingli's warmest adherents — " we know your 
 ways of doing justice. That unhappy pastor 'made an appeal 
 and you referred him to the executioner." The rash word 
 was spoken. "Funk! you had better been silent," one of his 
 
298 «. LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 companions called out to him. A fearful tumult arose; the 
 troops put themselves in motion. The more considerate warned 
 the Zurichers to retire without delay, and secured them by a 
 detailed escort. 
 
 The negotiation continued in Steinhausen and the Zuriehan 
 camp. The issue lay in the hands of the Bernese. Without 
 them, Zurich was no longer able to carry on the war. The 
 favorable moment had passed. Time had been given to the 
 Five Cantons to gather and strengthen their army. The sight 
 of theii; collective force raised the courage of individuals. In 
 numbers they were not inferior to the Zurichers; surpassed 
 them rather. And then, they beheld an abundance of provisions 
 in the Zuriehan camp, whilst in theirs, and at home in their 
 vallies, want and famine prevailed, on account of the prohibition 
 against importation. The assurance of this accessible and need- 
 ful booty whetted their thirst for combat. To know that the 
 power of deciding lay with the present leaders of the Bernese, 
 made the prospect intolerable to Zwingli. He found in the 
 schuItJieiss Diesbach, their general, a lukewarm friend of the 
 Reformation, and in him and most of the others advocates, rather 
 than opposers, of pension-taking. The, latter practice found 
 such special favor among the Bernese Counsellors, that even 
 Nicholas Manuel, otherwise one of the most powerful heads 
 of the Evangelical party, declared before the assembly of the 
 Zuriehan leaders in the camp at Cappel, that Zwingli's de- 
 mand on the Five Cantons for the abolition of pensions need 
 expect no support from Bern. This drew- angry words from 
 the Reformer: "Well then! we can put the question to the 
 whole commons-at-war ; we can also send an embassy to Bern 
 h^erself, to learn how the city and canton think. I know it and 
 can prove it by writings, which I promise to produce, that that 
 people, as well as ours, abhor pensions. Who maintain them? 
 Some great families, who live by them." — "It will come to 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 299 
 
 this," replied Hans Esolier, "we must first put questions every- 
 where ; the councils of leaders are no longer of any account ; 
 one has just as much to say as another; squire and knight, 
 common man and captain; now, let all, for my sake, cry out at 
 once; then at least we will he done with the matter; if we 
 ourselves cannot strike because of discord, then let the others 
 strike." Zwingli confessed that he had gone too far, and 
 smothered his chagrin. He had hoped for a victory of princi- 
 ples, but now saw only the possibility of a temporary com- 
 promise, achieved by political arts. The men, from whom there 
 was nothing to hope in support of the Reformation, in one can- 
 ton, and everything to fear in regard to the others, stood at the 
 helm and saw their power continually secured by foveign influ- 
 ence and foreign gold. He beheld the times coming, when the 
 old Adam would again awaken in Zurich herself. Earlier or 
 later, the seed sown, so he foreboded, must be again stifled and 
 the tender fruit sunk under the rank growth of sprouting 
 weeds. 
 
 Meanwhile the arbitrators in Steinhausen did all they could, 
 and when Bern used just as decided language against the Five 
 Cantons as against Zurich, then a treaty was formed, with 
 which the statesmen of the latter canton said they would be 
 satisfied. First of all, the Territories were to be left to their 
 own free choice in matters of religion ; to declare for one sys- 
 tem or the other. The alliance with King Ferdinand was to 
 be abolished and its documents annihilated. Doctor Murner 
 was to be arraigned before the Confederates in Baden, to an- 
 swer for defamation of Zurich and Bern. These were the 
 chief articles. What the Five Cantons should pay as costs of 
 the war, and indemnification to the surviving family of Jacob 
 Kaiser, was left to the arbitrators to determine afterward. 
 But Zurich and Bern were expressly empowered, if the con- 
 ditions binding on the Five Cantons were not fulfilled, to con- ' 
 
iJOO LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 tinue the interdict ngainst the exportation of provisions, until 
 they would comply. It was simply uttered as a wish that the 
 Five Cantons would also abolish pensions. 
 
 The leaders of the armies communicated the rough draft of 
 the treaty to their several governments. In Bern it was re- 
 ceived with universal joy. " We permit you," wrote the gov- 
 ernment to her members in the field, " to omit, in the affair of 
 the Unterwaldners, whatever might waken strife anew, be it so 
 far only as is consistent with our honor. It is hoped, being 
 now again united, as was necessary, we will be able to bestow a 
 glance on our foreign enemies. Henceforth no more strangers, 
 be they Burgundians, Netherlanders, Austrians, Lorrainers or 
 others should be allowed to threaten our borders with impunity. 
 We should, after the manner of our fathers, defend ourselves. 
 Sound the Five Cantons and tell us, if they would refuse to 
 arm." Just this, meanwhile, was the most difficult point. 
 Under various pretexts they tried to put off the delivery of the 
 deeds of the Austrian alliance. Then Zurich ordered those 
 of her militia, who were already prepared for a return home, to 
 stay, and called back others, who had marched off. The arbi- 
 trators begged. The Bernese threatened ; the Banneret, Peter 
 im Haag, said : " If the document be not produced immediately, 
 we will fetch it in procession." At last, on the 25th of June, 
 about 2 o'clock in the night, it was brought to Cappel. What 
 further happened, is related by Thomas Platter, an eye-witness, 
 in these words : " As every one was now up, they came together 
 into a room, and the amman of Grlarus took the document ; for 
 he had all along been the chief umpire. He gave it to a scribe 
 to open ; it was terribly broad and long ; the like I have never 
 seen, and I think it had nine seals on it; one large one, that 
 was golden. Then the scribe began and read a long preface of 
 titles, such as one reads on the square at Basel, on St. John's 
 day J after that, the Five Cantons, also, under the titles by 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 301 
 
 which they are known. They had made a league. Then the 
 amman stniek his hand upon the document and said : ' It is 
 enough.' Then one behind me, who was doubtless a Zuricher, 
 cried out: 'Read the thing through, that we may hear how 
 traitorously they would have dealt with us.' The amman 
 turned to him and spake: 'How read it through? You 
 must hack me into little pieces first, before I will sufifer it.' 
 Therewith he laid the document together and said : ' You are 
 alas ! without this, too highly exasperated against each other ; 
 take a little knife, first cut off the seals, and then slit the parch- 
 ment into long strips, give it to the scribe in a little cap, that 
 he may throw it into the fire.' What became of the seals I 
 do not know." • 
 
 Joyfully the Zurichers marched to their homes; Zwingli 
 with anxiety in his heart. He gave utterance to it in the fol- 
 lowing verses, which he also set to music : 
 
 Now mount the chariot, I>ord, 
 
 We know not where to go. 
 Thy hand mnst now uplift the sword 
 
 And smite the haughty foe. 
 
 God, for thy honor and our land 
 
 Blast Satan's progeny, 
 And teach thy faithful flock to stand 
 
 Ever more firm in Thee. 
 
 To hitter strife, put an end ! 
 
 And waken love anew ; 
 Kind hearts to parted brethren send, 
 
 Old feelings warm and true. 
 
 The Landfriede (General Peace) was concluded; quiet ap- 
 peared to be restored in the Confederacy. Then a foreign country 
 laid claim to the Swiss Reformer. In the spring of 1529, the 
 majority of the princes and cities, assembled at the Imperial Diet 
 in Spire, endeavored to check the progress of the Reformation 
 
 26 
 
o02 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 in Germany, by stringent resolutions. Conflicting doctrines in 
 regard to the Lord's Supper especially, should not be allowed. 
 No more ecclesiastical innovations were to be permitted until 
 approved at an ecumenical council. The states of the Empire, 
 which were already inclined to the Gospel, entered protests 
 against this compulsory act, and received thence the name of 
 Protestants. The most active of these Protestants was the 
 landgrave Philip of Hesse. Resolved to carry through the 
 rising opposition, even against the Emperor himself if necessary, 
 he directed his chief attention to the maintenance and estab- 
 lishment of concord among the Protesters themselves. Al- 
 though the Confederates, from the nature of their special com- 
 pacts (buende) and their s^ggles after national independence, 
 had actually more and more torn lose from connection with the 
 German Empire, they were still always formally counted as be- 
 longing to it, — indeed, said so themselves, whenever it suited 
 their advantage. But, just before the election of the then 
 reigning Emperor, the Diet, in the name of the collective 
 cantons, wrote a complimentary letter to the Electoral Princes, 
 under cover of the privilege due to them as members of the 
 Empire. Now also the resolutions of the Imperial Diet were 
 communicated by the Emperor, and a demand made upon them 
 for their execution. It is easy to imagine that the Protestant 
 Princes would strive likewise to gain them over to their party. 
 Philip of Hesse especially, looked toward Zurich and Zwingli. 
 Early in April, he had addressed him from Spire. He desired 
 a personal interview. At the same time it might serve to heal 
 the dispute beween the Saxon and Swiss Reformers, which had 
 taken a disagreeable turn, and contributed more than anything 
 else to make the cause of the Gospel suspicious in the eyes of 
 the Catholics, yea, even hateful to them. The chief obstacle 
 in the way of an understanding lay in the manner of seeking 
 it — by a general formula, a declaration drawn up in words, 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 303 
 
 though the Gospel itself did not contain such a thing. Few in 
 that age had the sound judgment of the later landgrave, Wil- 
 liam of Hesse, who, in the year 1566, wrote to Bullinger : 
 "What Christ, the Chief Schoolmaster, has not seen fit to ex- 
 plain, we men should not undertake to explain for ourselves." 
 That Christ, offering himself up in love, would continue to live 
 in all the members of his church to the remotest ages, and so 
 declared at the last breaking of bread and pouring out of wine 
 in the circle of his disciples, must be clear to every reader of 
 the Gospel. Whether and how he continues to live in them, 
 deeds only can show : the confession of the heart, not that of 
 the lips, which Christ himself does not require of us. 
 
 But when, in spite of this, such a thing was required, it was 
 necessarily apprehended in a plainer sense by some of the Re- 
 formers, and in a more profound one by others, according to 
 the individual peculiarities; at the same time it was regarded 
 as more free or more binding according to the spirit of the 
 the nations and the governments, which they represented. 
 This will best appear from the history viewed in its connection. 
 
 It has already been intimated in this work that the mass, 
 in view of its significance and determining power, forms the 
 ground-work of the cultus, or form of worship in the Catholic 
 Church. Yet Catholic writers themselves have admitted and 
 publicly expressed it, that, long before the Eeformation, dan- 
 gerous ideas concerning the mass prevailed among the people, 
 which, fostered designedly by the clergy, and even by the Popes, 
 led to great abuses, being employed, through the founding of 
 masses for souls, to entice immense sums of money from pious 
 superstition. We may suppose, that the Reformers turned 
 their attention chiefly to these abuses, and first of all were 
 obliged to attain for themselves a right view of the design of 
 the Lord's Supper. According to the doctrine of the Catholic 
 Church, the bread and wine were changed, by the consecration 
 
304 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 of the priest, into the real body and blood of Christ, so that 
 thus, by the transaction of the mass, the personal Christ was 
 once more sacrificed, as it were, and in this way the redemption 
 of mankind by the sufferings and death of Christ dwelling in 
 mass, was, in a certain measure, daily renewed, for the salvation 
 • of all the living, or even the departed, for whom mass was 
 founded. 
 
 This mode of representation was unanimously rejected by the 
 Reformers; but in order to prove it invalid, they had to resort 
 to explaining the words of the Gospel, and here they began to 
 diverge more and more from each other. We all know, that 
 Christ simply expressed himself thus: "Take, eat; this is my 
 body, broken for you; do this in remembrance of me;" that 
 after supper he also took the cup, saying : " This cup is the 
 New Testament in my blood ; as oft as ye drink of it, do it in 
 remembrance of me." Zwingli, with his searching glance, his 
 methods of examination, strengthened by the study of the 
 lively, vigorous authors of antiquity, his penetration into the 
 spirit of language and his dislike to everything contrary to the 
 course of nature, ordained by God himself, soon arrived at a 
 mere allegorical exposition of these words, and understood by 
 the expression, This is, simply. This signifies. But he did not 
 entertain this view alone. Before he ventured to utter it pub- 
 licly, a Dutch jurist, Cornelius Horn, had actually done it. 
 Zwingli caused his work to be printed in Switzerland, and 
 promoted its circulation. In the Conference at Zurich touch- 
 ing the mass, he for the first time came out openly as an advo- 
 cate of this view; but he did not satisfy the bulk of his hearers. 
 The not unlearned under-clerk, Joachim am Gruet, opposed 
 him, even attacked him, in a second Conference before the Coun- 
 cils and scholars, with tolerable success, and availed himself of 
 the objection, against the reference of the Eeformer to a multi- 
 tude of Scripture passages, where Christ in parables likewise 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 305 
 
 made use of the word "is," plainly instead of "signifies," that 
 they were only parables, whilst the Supper was a transaction so 
 solemn, that such an arbitrary, audacious mode of interpretation 
 could in no wise be admitted. How Zwingli was at first em- 
 barrassed by this objection, and how he afterward succeeded in 
 refuting it, he may tell us in his own language. 
 
 " Undoubtedly," says he in one of his works,* " no easy task 
 was before me, namely, to cite an example for my mode of in- 
 terpretation, derived from no parable. I began to think over 
 it, to look for it everywhere; in vain! I could find nothing. 
 The 13th of April was at hand ; f I tell the truth ; (willingly 
 would I keep silent, for I well know many will make a mock 
 of it; but it is God's finger; my conscience constrains me to 
 speak), early in the morning, before the break of day, I dreamed 
 that I, yet full of chagrin, was once more attacked in battle 
 with the under-clerk, and so beaten that I could discover no 
 way of escape, and my tongue refused to do its office. This 
 anguish tormented me in an incredible manner, as such things 
 do in dreams, during the deceitful night. (I wish to tell it 
 only as a dream, although it concerns me much ; although that is 
 important enough for me ; which I have learned, thanks be to 
 Grod ! through whose power alone anything is possible). As by 
 the stroke of an enchanter's wand, I saw a comforter stand be- 
 fore me, (whether he was white or black, I cannot say; I re- 
 late a dream). ' Wherefore, thou awkward one,' he asks, 'dost 
 thou not oppose him with the passage in the twelfth chapter of 
 the second book of Moses ? It is the Lord's passover.' I awoke, 
 sprang out of bed, looked at the passage, thought over it and 
 preached from it in the morning before the congregation, and, as 
 I hope with sufficient power. The sermon swept the mists 
 
 * De Eucharktia. Zwingli'e Works, by Sohuler and Sohultheiss, 
 LatinoTun seriptorum pars prima, p. 341. 
 ■(• Thursday of Passion-week, 1525. 
 
 25=*= 
 
306 
 
 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 from the eyes of all those, who, on account of the above-men- 
 tioned difficulty, had not been able to obtain a clear view, and 
 three days after, on the festival of the resurrection, such a pass- 
 over of the Lord was celebrated, as I have never yet seen, and 
 the number of those, who hankered after the flesh-pots of Egypt 
 tvas less than any one would have ventured to hope." 
 
 In the beginning, Luther also had looked at this mode of in- 
 terpretation, but discovered in the bias of his mind greater 
 difficulties, to which others of an external nature were added. 
 As early as the year 1524, he had written to the " Christians 
 at Strassburg:" "This I confess — ^if any one had been able to 
 assure me five years ago that there was nothing in the Sacra- 
 ment but bread and wine, he would have done me the greatest 
 service. I then endured such a severe temptation and so strug- 
 gled and writhed, that I would willingly have been delivered, 
 for I plainly saw that by it I could have dealt the heaviest 
 blow against the Papacy; but I am fast and cannot get out. 
 The text is too powerful here and will not suffer itself to be 
 wrested of its meaning by words." The thing, which had es- 
 pecially awakened his dislike to the Zwinglian view, and which 
 he does not here tell us, was the circumstance, that, before 
 Zwingli had yet expressed himself publicly in regard to the 
 Lord's Supper, Doctor Carlstadt had come out in Saxony with 
 a still bolder interpretation, by which he attempted to break up 
 the connection of Christ's own words of institution in such a 
 way, that half of them lost all their meaning. In a violent 
 work, that met with approval in many places, he then spread 
 abroad this interpretation. This Carlstadt was to Luther a 
 glowingly-hated stone of ofience, which everywhere laid in his 
 way. Whilst Luther was in the Wartburg, he had headed the 
 furious image-stormers in Wittemberg. He now made his 
 home in Orlamuend, where he supplanted the preacher, disre- 
 garded all the ordinances of the Elector, and excited the people 
 
LIFE OF ZWIN6LI. 307 
 
 to such a degree, that when Luther went into the country, at 
 the command of the Prince, to restore order, he was pelted 
 with dirt and stones, and pursued with the cry : "Drive off, in 
 the name of a thousand devils, and break your nec'k ! " De- 
 prived of his situation, after such doings, Carlstadt went to 
 Strassburg, and then to Switzerland. Meanwhile, his writings 
 were forbidden by the Council at Strassburg. Zwingli, oa 
 the other hand, declared this to be unjust, because Carlstadt'a 
 writings contained neither godless nor fanatical errors. Hence- 
 forth Luther began to transfer his hatred against Carlstadt 
 more and more to Zwingli, although the latter, in his 
 work, "On true and false Religion," only excused Carlstadt's 
 interpretation, but in no wise approved, rather assailed itj and 
 when QScolampadius also issued his treatise on the Lord's Sup- 
 per, Luther came out openly in the most passionate letters 
 against the Swiss Reformers. " For myself," says he, in one 
 of them, " I confess, that I do not think Zwingli a Christian 
 with all his doctrines, for he holds and teaches no part of the 
 Christian faith rightly, and has become seven times worse than 
 when he was a Papist, according to Christs's judgment: 'The 
 last state of that man shall be worse than the first.' I make 
 such a confession, that I may be without blame before God and 
 the world, because I have no share in Zwingli's doctrines, nor 
 will have to all eternity ! " * 
 
 To allay this strife was the task which the landgrave Philip 
 of Hesse, proposed to himself. This Prince, then in his twenty- 
 fifth year, a man of scientific culture, an indefatigable ruler, be- 
 loved by his people and feared by his more powerful neighbors, 
 on account of his decided and "enterprising character, was the 
 soul of the Protestant party. To the Elector of Saxony, who, 
 possessed of more prudence and timidity, stood along with him 
 at its head, he wrote : " Rather would I give up body and life, 
 
 * Martin Luther's Works, edited by Pfizer, p. 600. 
 
308 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 land and people, tlian abandon God and his Word." At his 
 court lived Duke Ulric, of Wuertemberg, an exile, driven from 
 his country by the Emperor, and the Svrabian League, but un- 
 daunted, eager for war, and continually busied with plans for 
 recovering his princely seat. At an earlier period he had spent 
 some time in Switzerland and became personally acquainted 
 with Zwingli, and through him the landgrave was also brought 
 into connection with the Reformer. Thinking clearly and feel- 
 ing dearly ; imbued also with the spirit of the Holy Seriptures, 
 he thought, if stubbornness did not prevent it, a mutual under- 
 standing was yet possible, and resolved to spare no pains in 
 order to attain it. Zwingli and CEcolampadius willingly con- 
 sented to his proposal of a Conference. They only wished it to 
 be held in Strassburg, because Zwingli especially despaired of 
 receiving permision from the Zurich Council for the dangerous 
 journey to Marburg, the residence of the landgrave, and so 
 long an absence. The consent of the Saxons was more difficult 
 to obtain. Melancthon from timidity, and because he did not 
 wish to break fully with the Catholics, reconciliation with whom 
 he thought yet possible, and Luther from dislike avoided the 
 Conference; the former even privately requested the Elector 
 not to permit them to go. " It is not well," he said, " for the 
 landgrave to have much to do with the Zwinglians ; he has 
 taken, moreover, a greater liking to them, than is necessary; 
 for the matter has come to such a point, that acute people, like 
 the landgrave, regard it with the deepest interest, and the un- 
 derstanding seizes readily upon what it comprehends, especially 
 if men of learning, who can give the matter from Holy Scrip- 
 ture, are inclined that way, and we know that many scholars now 
 adhere to Zwingli." 
 
 It is clear that the Swiss were regarded by the Saxons as 
 radical stormers, unprincipled innovators, who, amid their 
 mountains and their republican aifairs had forgotten all respect 
 
LIFE OP Z\VINaLI. 309 
 
 for law and order. " I am sick;" wrote Melanehton to one friend, 
 "an indescribable anguish of soul torments me; I can scarcely 
 breathe. Thou knowest wherefore. The Elbe has fearfully 
 overflowed its banks. Even in Hesse I saw a great stone torn 
 out of the side-walk of a church by the might of the floods, as 
 though done by the contrivances of art. Still other signs hap- 
 pen. Christ defend us!" and to another: "Rather would I 
 die, than live to see this Zwinglian afiair pollute our just cause." 
 Luther spoke thus against the landgrave himself: "I know 
 well what the devil is after. God grant I may be no prophet ; 
 for if it were not a false trick, but a real purpose among them 
 to seek peace, they would not attempt it in such a glorious 
 fashion through great and mighty princes; for we, by God's 
 grace, are not so savage and wild, that they could not long ago 
 have tendered to us, as they yet can, the humble endeavors for 
 peace, of which they boast ; but I know that I will not basely give 
 way to them. I cannot; because I am so fully persuaded that 
 they err, and are themselves, morever, unsettled in their opin- 
 ions." At last, Melanehton made the proposal to invite some 
 Papists to the Conference as witnesses, though in fact rather to 
 pave the way for their final consent ; and for a long while yet, 
 both he and Luther wished to have CBoolampadius as an oppo- 
 nent, and protested against the appearance of Zwingli. 
 
 But such spectres were not visible to the landgrave Philip. 
 He was one of those princes, who, conscious of their own power 
 and of love to their people, by whom in turn they are beloved, 
 can look without fear even on republican afiairs; a man in 
 whom faith lived, and who without hesitation, therefore, suf- 
 fered the spirit to live ; and, acting thus, hoped, with youthful 
 assurance, to calm down the violent combatants by his influence, 
 if he could only get- a personal interview with them. This ap- 
 pears best from his own words : " Dear Master Erhard," so he 
 wrote some years after this period, to another of the zealots in 
 
310 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 tlie Eucharistic controversy, the Wuertemberg preacher, Erhard 
 Schnepf, " I hear that you will not leave Blarer (preacher at 
 Constance) unmolested in the confession, with which Luther 
 and Philip (Melanchton) are still satisfied, but press upon him 
 with sophistical language, and have made many persons anxious 
 lest you would break down more than you build up, which I 
 myself do not yet accuse you of, but should it happen, it will 
 grieve many a pious man. Hence, it is my prayer, that you 
 will proceed gently; be no disputer of words, but a promoter 
 of faith, love and good works, and not, as the old proverb says, 
 ' raise a spoon and break a bowl ;' for you might have a zeal, 
 when you have reached a sure understanding, to press it upon 
 others and yet not reach the heart; and besides, to speak hu- 
 manly, do great injury to the Gospel; as, for example, many 
 pious people might be brought thereby to persecution and ruin, 
 when the matter was not even worth talking about. Therefore 
 proceed wisely, that you may not become a partaker of such 
 blood and such destruction. It will not do to plunge thus into 
 matters. The Apostles acted prudently; they did not thus re- 
 ject people for trifling errors. I point this out to you, as one, 
 who heartily desires you to treat of things, that will promote 
 the cause of the Gospel, unity, and love also. Understand your- 
 self, and do not go further than God allows. Let not the old 
 Adam lord it over the new. You have not been preaching 
 long. It is needful to exhort you. Adieu." 
 
 Guided by such a noble endeavor to restore harmony among 
 the Protestants, he pursued his mark with unwearied zeal, and 
 obtained the consent of the Elector of Saxony, (who now re- 
 quired his learned men to attend the Conference), and at length 
 that also of Luther and Melanchton, who, under date of July 
 8th, 1529, wrote to him as follows: "Since Your Princely 
 Grace has received our two letters, and still insist upon our 
 coming to Marburg, in the confident hope that concord will re- 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 311 
 
 suit from it, we wish with a cheerful and ready mind to con- 
 tribute our part thereto, and by God's grace, if sound and well, 
 will appear at Marburg on the day appointed. The Father of 
 all mercy and unity grant His spirit that we may come together 
 not in vain — for profit and not injury. Amen. Christ be Your 
 Princely Grace's Governor and Guide !" 
 
 Zwingli also, when Philip had repeated the invitation to 
 Marburg and pledged himself for the security of the journey, 
 set out. He ventured to say nothing to the government; had 
 even entreated the landgrave to confine his request to the 
 Privy Council. On the first day after his departure, he began 
 a letter to the Council, in which he apologises for not commu- 
 nicating the request to them, and says in addition: "It was 
 not done with any intention to slight your Worships, but in or- 
 der to discharge my duties with greater fidelity to you, since I 
 forsaw you would not grant me permission, because of the in- 
 terest you take in my welfare; for the distance by the routa we 
 go is 60 miles,* and the place strange to us on account of its 
 religion, though secure enough, being in the territory of the 
 landgrave, and the learned there all hostile to us, and our 
 number is only three. So also friends, in whom we could con- 
 fide, are few, from Zurich until very far down the Rhine. Yet 
 it would not be right for me to remain away, since by this the 
 whole plan would be frustrated, and many excellent men of 
 the opposition brought thither on a fruitless journey. Then it 
 would be interpreted, as if we were afraid of a friendly con- 
 ference. Therefore, I pray your Worships, in the most humble 
 manner, not to take my going off amiss, for I was loth to hear 
 others despise you; and remember too that my staying away 
 might result in injury to the truth and the disparagement of 
 your good name. Otherwise you may hope in God, that we, by 
 His aid, will give a faithful, undaunted support to the truth 
 
 * Equal to 270 English miles. — Translator, 
 
312 
 
 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 and bring no scandal on our church." He then apologized 
 likewise for the departure of Collin, the professor of the Greek 
 language, whom he had taken with him ; asked, since Basel had 
 granted a member of the Council to CEcolampadius, that the 
 same might be done for his assistance; and nominated the 
 treasurer, Ulric Funk, on account of his cleverness and knowl- 
 edge of the Latin language, who, as soon as he had received 
 permission, hastened to join him. Immediately after his de- 
 parture from Zurich, his enemies crept out of their hiding- 
 places. Nonsensical reports were circulated. "He has run 
 away with a party of rogues," said some; the " Devil has carried 
 him off," said others. In Basel they met (Beolampadius and 
 the deputy of the Council, Eudolph Frei. The plan was, that 
 from thence he should proceed along with CEcolampadius by 
 water to Strassburg. He asked for a moderate advance of mon- 
 ey; because riding "on a hired horse cost a great deal," he 
 would be obliged to buy one at Strassburg, which would leave 
 him little for the expenses of the journey, and then, being 
 compelled to borrow, would " become a laughing-stock." " To 
 my wife," he concluded, "let Master Stall tell as much of the 
 matter as a woman ought to know," for when I left her, I said 
 no more than that I was going to Basel on business." In 
 Basel, where he tarried nearly two weeks, he preached to a 
 great concourse of people. The time was also employed by him 
 in political negotiation. This imperial city desired then ad- 
 mission into the Christian Buergerrecht on the same terms as 
 Constance. The mayor, Sturm, likewise invited to the Con- 
 ference by the landgrave, along with Bucer and Hedio, was an 
 experienced statesman, and not without influence at the Im- 
 perial Diet. He had connections in France. Reports had 
 been received concerning the reconciliation of the Emperor with 
 the Pope, against whom he had been carrying on war, and his 
 arrival in Italy and the general sweeping measures toward the 
 
LIFE OF -ZWINGLI. bl3 
 
 Protestants, to be apprehended from this combination of spirit- 
 ual and temporal power. They 'were communicated confiden- 
 tially to the Zurichers. Some of them Zwingli wrote down. 
 The most important he sent to the Privy Council with the post- 
 script: "This comes from the real cabinet of art.~" "Were 
 it not wicked," he again wrote from Strassburg, "we might 
 encourage the Venetians to withstand them so boldly, that the 
 Emperor would be finished in Italy, and not able to escape over 
 the mountains." On the 18th of September they left the city 
 and, by a circuitous route, which they had to choose for safety, 
 reached Marburg on the 29th. The day after, the Saxon schol- 
 ars, Luther, Melanchton, Justus Jonas, from Wittemberg, and 
 several others, made their appearance. From Nuremberg, came 
 Andrew Osianderj from Swabian Halle, John Brenz; from 
 Augsburg, Stephen Agricola; all likewise invited by the land- 
 grave. In an humble letter, signed "Your Princely Grace's 
 obedient servant and poor little worm," Carlstadt also begged 
 for admission, but received a polite refusal. The entire com- 
 pany was lodged 'in the castle. A Latin poem written by Pro- 
 fessor Curicius conjured them to begin the Conference with 
 such calmness, and prosecute it with such dignity, that the 
 world may know the Spirit of Grod had presided over it. 
 
 Strangers from various countries had arrived in considerable 
 numbersj but no one received admittance, except those who 
 were invited; the Duke of Wuertemberg, the Count of Fuers- 
 tenberg, several courtiers, the professors of the University and 
 the Hessian preachers. Zwingli's request, that the proes,edings 
 should be written down by secretaries under oath, and the Latin 
 language used, was declined by the landgrave; likewise the 
 wish of Luther and Melanchton, for the aid of respectable 
 Papists. Immediately after his arrival, Luther had received a 
 visit of courtesy from QScolampadius, Bucer and Hedio; Zwingli 
 remained without a greeting from the side of his opponents. 
 
 27 
 
314 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Justus Jonas studied physiognomy and manners. He pretended 
 " to see in Zwingli a certain tincture of rustic arrogance; in 
 (Eoolampadius a wonderfully mild nature; in Hedio, no less 
 humanity and liberal culture; in Bucer, under the mantle of 
 sagacity and penetration, fox-like cunning." 
 
 On the 20th of September, the landgrave first joined his 
 guests at the supper-table. Here he espressed the wish that 
 on the following morning Luther would hold a special iconver- 
 sation with OScolampadius and Zwingli with Melanchton. He 
 hoped by thus placing a vehement character over against a 
 gentle one in each case, to render the after approach of the 
 chief combatants more easy perhaps. The Saxons were the com- 
 plainants. They accused the Swiss of errors in various points. 
 But everything soon gave way to the doctrine of the Lord's 
 Supper. For three hours Luther tried his fortune with (Eoo- 
 lampadius, and Melanchton with Zwingli for six. Agreement 
 continued impossible. Yet Luther sent the news in a letter, 
 that the conflict had been carried on in separate chambers, in a 
 friendly tone. 
 
 On the morning of the 2d of October, at six o'clock, the dis- 
 cussion began in the presence of from 50 to 60 persons, invited 
 or admitted, in the Hall of the Knights. At a special table; 
 opposite to Zwingli and CEcolampadius, sat Luther and Me- 
 lanchton; in their immediate neighborhood, the landgrave, 
 surrounded by his courtiers; the others rather behind. Feige, 
 the chancellor of state, opened the Conference in the name of 
 the Prince, with an address. After unfolding the pure, suc- 
 cessful, grand beginning of the Reformation, he then contin- 
 ued: "but now, some of the leaders themselves, animated by a 
 schismatic spirit, have hurried on too rashly, and been so far 
 misled, that they, who were bound ever to remain faithful at , 
 the head of the cause, and, by their common power and mutual 
 support, sweep away every vestige of error, have now not only 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI, '61b, 
 
 deserted their post, but even attacked each other, to the great 
 joy and delight of the enemy. Therefore, if they cannot find 
 sufficient reasons for concord in the Gospel itself, and their duty 
 to promote the welfare of the Church they ought not to give 
 their bitterest enemies occasion to rejoice ^nd exhibit so sad a 
 spectacle of disunion. His Princely Grace wishes to prescribe 
 neither aim nor measure to this Conference ; but would remind 
 the members, that wherever similar transactions have taken 
 place, men of true learning, even if they had written somewhat 
 roughly and severely against each other before, had then laid 
 aside wrath and bitterness, so the unlearned might the better 
 perceive, that they sought truth and love more than a mere 
 defence of their own opinions with sharp and quick words. 
 Those who now take this course, cannot fail to win praise and 
 thanks, whilst the others, who do not like unity, but obstinate- 
 ly persist in a delusion once embraced, from which all heresies 
 spring, will thereby give an undoubted proof, that the Holy 
 Spirit does not reign in their hearts, and has never been among 
 them with his gifts. His Princely Grace hopes that the pres- 
 sent Conference will have a happier termination, and closes 
 with the gracious desire, that the very learned Masters will 
 understand and receive all this in the best spirit.'' On their 
 side thanks were now given to the landgrave for his trouble, 
 and a promise made, to carry on the discussion without any 
 bitterness, in a respectful and friendly manner; but, although 
 unity should be sought with the most ardent zeal, this at the 
 same time could not be effected at the expense of divine and 
 revealed truth, and Christ's words would be preferred before 
 all others. 
 
 After this, the discussion was commenced by Luther's writing 
 on the table with chalk, these words in thfe Latin language : 
 "JBbc est corpus meum'' (This is my body). With great mild- 
 ness and learning CEcolampadius now unfolded his view, which 
 
316 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Luther, however, in spite of every challenge, refused to con- 
 tradict, falling back always upon the verbal expression. "Be- 
 loved sirs," said he, "as long as these words stand, I cannot 
 really get over them, but must confess and believe, that the 
 body of Christ is there." — Springing up, Zwingli asked: "Is 
 He indeed tJiere, Doctor, corporealiy there ? There also in the 
 sacrament, is He daily broken anew ? In what then do you 
 differ from the Papists?" The scene became more Jively; 
 Luther's replies more bitter. He complained that Zwingli 
 wished to trip him, to give his words wantonly another mean- 
 ing than he had intended. The latter controlled himself some- 
 what, brought up passages of Scripture for explanation, came 
 forward with remarks on the grammar, with interpretations of 
 the Church Fathers and carried the discussion even into the 
 sphere of philosophy and physics. In no way did Luther per- 
 mit himself to be caught; turned back always to the letter, and 
 declared, that he would do it; that we durst not in this case 
 deviate therefrom, because the Lord had so expressed himself; 
 and unconditional faith must transcend all doubt ; and " if the 
 Lord Grod placed crab-apples before me and commanded me to 
 take and eat, I durst not ask, wherefore?" "God commands 
 us to eat neither dirt nor crab-apples," said Zwingli. — When it 
 came to such sharp words, the landgrave interposed somewhat, 
 or one of the others present, Qilcolampadius occasionally re- 
 lieving his friend, and Melanchthon Luther. For two whole 
 days the discussion lasted, with a diminishing prospect of agree- 
 ment. The Saxons were evidently irritated by Zwingli's uncon- 
 strained behavior and bold language. He gave them plainly 
 to understand, that he feared in Luther a sort of new Pope. 
 "I will not have it," once dropped from the lips of the latter, 
 "Must youthen have everything just as you wish?" asked 
 Zwingli. 
 
 It had become clear to the landgrave that a mutual under- 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 317 
 
 standing was impossible, and still more clear, when the Mayor 
 of Strassburg rose up with a complaint, that Luther had also 
 charged the preachers of his city with teaching error. This 
 accusation should not be permitted to lie against themj he 
 could not return home with such news. Bucer and Hedio 
 themselves desired Luther to speak out decidedly, and prove 
 wherein they taught falsely j but he would not do it, nor tes- 
 tify that they were true pastors. "I am," said he, "neither 
 your lord nor your judge ; you wish neither me por my dbc- 
 Irines; our spirit and yours do not accord ; therefore I will give 
 you no testimonial. You also do not need it, for you boast 
 everywhere, you have learned nothing from us. This, more- 
 over, every man can see for himself, and we would not have 
 such disciples." 
 
 "No!" exclaimed the landgrave with warmth, "you shall 
 not separate in such a fasion, my Lords. You must draw up 
 certain points, acceptable to both, and give them your common 
 signature, so that an evidence, at least, of your external agree- 
 ment is at hand, if that which is internal cannot be reached. 
 Confer among yourselves how and as long as you please; but 
 before this I cannot suffer you to depart." The theologians 
 came together, and on the 4th of October produced fifteen ar- 
 ticles on the chief doctrines, which were signed by Luther, 
 Melanchton, Jonas, Osiander, Brenz, and Agricola, on the one 
 side, and QScolampadius, Zwingli, Bucer and Hedio on the 
 other. The last words of it ran thus: J' and although we have 
 not been able now to agree, as to whether the true body and 
 blood of Christ are corporeally present in the bread and wine, 
 yet one party ought to exercise Christian charity toward the 
 Other, as far as each conscience can possible allow it, and both 
 parties ought to beseech Almighty God fervently, to lead us by 
 His Spirit to a right understanding. Amen." 
 
 In conclusion, the landgrave exhorted them to part as 
 
 27* 
 
818 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 brethren. "Then Zwingli said," as Bullinger narrates, "there 
 ■were no people on earth, with whom he would rather be united 
 than the Wittenbergers, and he would cheerfully acknowledge 
 Luther and his friends as brethren. QScolampadius, Bucer 
 and Hedio had also the same feeling; but Luther was by no 
 means willing to acknowledge them as brethren in return, and 
 said : It took him by surprise, that they would call him brother, 
 whose doctrine on the sacrament they esteemed false; they 
 could not themselves think much of their own." In regard to 
 the same event, he wrote to Jacob Probst of Bremen: "They 
 promised with many words, they would yield this much to us, 
 that the person of Christ was really, though spiritually, present 
 in the Holy Supper, if we would only esteem them worthy of 
 the name of brother, and in this way feign a reconciliation. 
 Zwingli begged it with tears in his eyes before the landgrave 
 and all present, whilst he added : ' There are no men with whom 
 I would rather be united than with the Wittenbergers.' With 
 the greatest zeal and as urgently as possible they endeavored to 
 appear in harmony with us and never could endure my saying: 
 'You have another spirit than we.' As often as they heard it 
 they were inflamed. Finally, we granted so much, that it might 
 stand at the conclusion of the article, not indeed that we were 
 brethren, but that we would not withdraw from them our love, 
 which is due even to an enemy. So now, the shame rests on them, 
 that they would not receive the name of brother and must ■ 
 separate as heretics; meanwhile we agreed, in our controversial 
 writings, no more to make war on each other, in the hope that 
 the Lord would open their hearts. Thou canst tell this confi- 
 dentially. As a preacher of Christ, who is the Truth, I write 
 the truth. By it thou canst quietly oppose all liars and dis- 
 turbers. They behaved toward us with incredible humanity 
 and compliance. But, as it now appears, all was show, in order 
 to bring about a hyppcntioal concord ajad make us the pactnera 
 
lilPE OF ZWINGLI. 319 
 
 of- their errors. how cunning Satan is ! But Christ is still 
 wiser. He has preserved us. I am no longer surprised, if they 
 lie shamelessly. I see that they could not do otherwise, and 
 am glad of it; for they have reached this point under the 
 guidance of Satan, that they hetray themselves not merely by 
 their secret intrigues, but openly before all the world." 
 
 Sad of heart, the landgrave left Marburg before Luther and 
 Melanchton. Since concord was not to be restored among the 
 theologians, it became so much the more necessary to secure a 
 closer connection of the governments. He held various con- 
 sultations on this subject with Zwingli, Sturm and several of 
 their associates. The political consequences flowing from the 
 Conference, will be detailed in the next chapter; concerning 
 those of a religious and scientific nature, this much may be 
 yet said : , 
 
 The enemies of the combatants alone derived gain from it. 
 Their hatred against the Reformation appeared now to be 
 wholly justified. " Here you have," said they, " the -eflfects, 
 when children tear loose from the Everlasting Mother. They 
 now turn against themselves the intellectual weapons, so highly 
 bepraised, which they havfe used against us. What others are 
 left for them against us, save those of iron?" Now, to these 
 neither Luther nor Melanchton would have recourse. But 
 Zwingli tried it, and — fell. The Reformation seemed about 
 to go backward. Paralyzing formulas took the place of the 
 living Gospel : first, the Augsburg Confession; then, the Hel- 
 vetic, and for cithers again, the XXXIX Articles of the Epis- 
 copal Church of England. Protestant Popes rose up beside 
 the Catholic, who, from this time forth, wore his triple crown 
 with greater security. It is true, indeed, that Zwingli also 
 handed in a confession of faith at the Imperial Diet, but only 
 in defence, not to force it upon others. He expressly said, in 
 the letter to the Emperor, which accompanied it:'"! atofie de- 
 
320 IIPE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 liver it, without encroaching on the rights of jpy people." Ac- 
 cording to his view the Gospel only is unassailable. What- 
 ever of ti-ue or false man adds to the interpretation of the Divine 
 law, he does it on his own responsibility. With this view tole- 
 rance and love, as well as progressive science, are possible; all 
 others lead to stiffness and intolerance, and such was the result 
 then on all sides. Or is it perchance an evangelical spirit, which 
 breathes in Calvin's article: "That the heretic should be pjin- 
 ished with death," and in the funeral pile of Servetus ? Were 
 the rack-chambersof Queen Elizabeth* much more Christian 
 than the dragonades of Louis XIV., and did Ireland live more 
 happily under the yoke of a High Church forced upon her, 
 than Spain under the Inquisition ? Were the persecutions be- 
 gun at the Synod of Dort, justified by the anathemas, with 
 which the Council of Trent disgraced itself? 
 
 All have erred. Instead of kindling new passions, the call 
 of our age goes forth, to unite rather in a common acknowledg- 
 ment of sin. This is the confession in which all can again find 
 themselves; but the Gospel is the light that shows the way to re- 
 conciliation. What is there yet to hinder it? Two enemies, and 
 in two verses a spirited poet (Goethe) has thus portrayed them : 
 
 Thou must reign through victory, 
 Or a servant kneel and lose, 
 Suffering or triumph choose, 
 Th' anvil or the hammer be. 
 
 This is the one ; the principle of the absolutist, in a spiritual 
 or worldly mantle; and the other, the principle of the dema- 
 gogue in the Jacobin's cap, as well as in the Jesuit's garb, forms 
 the counter-part : 
 
 'Tis foolish to wait for improvement in fools; 
 
 Ye children of prudence, make them your tools. 
 
 * Lingard's History of England, Vol. VIH, Ch. 3 and 6. 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGIJ. 821 
 
 Of such wisdom the Gospel knows nothing; it demands fra- 
 ternal assistance and love, and does not permit rank without 
 humility, requiring from those, who stand in the highest places, 
 subordination under God. Perhaps (for who can fathom the 
 ways sf Providence ? ) the adherents of the above-named princi- 
 ples will yet again reach out the hand of friendship to each other. 
 Then will begin the last, severest battle; but the Gospel 
 must triumph, for the Church of Christ, tinder her one, Divine 
 Head, perpetually revealing himself in history and the power 
 of love, is founded upon a rook; then also will all human 
 order be custom refined by science ,and ennobled by art and 
 nature, a unity in substance, with endless diversity in form — 
 the adversary of all revolutions. 
 
CHAPTER EIGHTH. 
 
 INTERNAL CONDITION OF SWITZEEIAND AFTEE THE PIBST CAMPAIQH. 
 
 THE ABBOT OF SAINT aAU. POLITICAL RESULTS OF THE 
 
 MAEBUKO CONFERENCE. 
 
 H^'if 
 
 I — 
 
 / / 
 
 "WINGLI'S absence had lasted 
 ^ClrtS "* * // ' seveaweeks,fromthe3dof Septem- 
 
 P^Y* ' J I "* ^^^ *° ^^^ ^^^^ °^ October, 1529. 
 '*' ' ' ^ ' i It^' On his return home, he did not 
 ^ in y^ ' find the country in that peaceful 
 
 Al^S|*^ •'a ^«sf ' condition, which the well-disposed 
 jEVi^V ' — / - — and the short-sighted had hoped 
 / '"•JnH I elusion of the Landfriede (General 
 
 ^J]^-rf Peace), and his arrival in no wise tended to lessen 
 the agitation. The Landfriede granted the choice 
 fll* of their own ecclesiastical system to the inhabitants 
 
 ii^i^ of the Common Territories. Where the mass had 
 f ''~\ been abolished and images burned or carried away, 
 lu jj*] according to its letter, they who did these things 
 i\.'*'^ I* could not be punished, either in person, standing 
 or property J but just as little, on the other hand, in places 
 where they still existed, could those who preached a different 
 doctrine enter, until invited by a majority of the parishioners. 
 Special conferences between cantons were interdicted, in so far 
 as they had reference to the affairs of the Confederacy, but al- 
 lowed to those who were authorized to transact business for the 
 
 322 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. ■ * 323 
 
 Buergerrecht and alliances of like cliaracter. The following 
 injunction was issued by the deputies of all the Thirteen Can- 
 tons : " In order that we may not be again plunged into dis- 
 union and greater discord, through reviling and recrimination, 
 all and every one shall be specially forbidden, on pain of severe 
 punishment, to deal in unbecoming scandal, wanton, useless 
 and injurious words of shame, abuse, filth and insult, scornful 
 expressions, disparagements and taunts, such as human inge- 
 nuity knows how to devise; no one shall any longer venture to 
 pick at, assail or blacken his neighbor with slanders, books of 
 libel, prints, sayings, songs, verses and other means of provoca- 
 tion ; but each one shall suffer his neighbor to remain quiet, 
 undisturbed and in every wdy unmolested in the enjoyment of 
 peace.'' The summer of the following year was fixed upon as 
 the time of payment for the indemnity to cover the additional 
 expenses incurred by the war and the support of the surviving 
 relatives of the pastor Kaiser, who was burned at the stake, 
 and authority was given to the Reformed Cities to stop the ex- 
 port of provisions into the Five Cantons, in case of refusal. In 
 regard to the rents, tithes and revenues of the monasteries and 
 clerical foundations, they could either continue as heretofore, 
 be allowed under changed conditions, or abolished altogether. 
 Every one of these articles contained material for a future ex- 
 plosion. It was impossible to comply with them fully, because 
 on the one side a conviction of their justice or expediency was 
 wanting, and on the other they were considered as far too lax in 
 their requirements — ^because individual cases usually occurred 
 in such a shape that their conditions were not applicable in 
 every particular, and finally, because the embers of passion 
 still glowed in the bosoms of those who were in power; and 
 among the leaders of both parties, the desire of carrying out 
 their own ecclesiastical system or political plans outweighed 
 their interest in the welfare of their common fatherland. 
 
324 , LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 Since Catholic bailiffs ruled in the Territories, who could 
 blame them for watching anxiously over those communities, in 
 which the mass and images were still retained, and for striving 
 to prevent the entrance of Reformed preaching, the influx of 
 Zwinglian doctrines and writings? But who, on the other 
 hand, could take umbrage, if individual members of congre- 
 gations, in the wish to hear at least the new doctrines, en- 
 deavored to win over their neighbors and friends, and thus 
 gain a majority, in order to call in a preacher? Such persons 
 generally turned to Zurich, where they found support, whilst 
 the bailiffs made complaint of it at the meetings of the Diet or 
 to the Five Cantons; nor did they complain the less also of 
 their fierce invectives, mutual strife and immunity from pun- 
 ishment. Here the will to punish was wanting; there the 
 power, especially if the offenders belonged to the distinguished 
 classes, as they frequently did. But the circumstances of the 
 abbot and monastery of St. Gall afforded the chief material for 
 a new quarrel; and these it will be necessary now to describe 
 in detail. f" 
 
 The monastery of St. Gall, from its very origin, played an 
 important part in the history of our fatherland; in the first 
 centuries by its scientific reputation as a renowned and influ- 
 ential seminary of learning, and afterward on account of its in- 
 creasing possessions, its political influence and the rank of its 
 abbot as a prince of the empire. The abbot ruled over that 
 tolerably extensive district, lying between Wyl and Roschach, 
 on Lake Constance, under the title of the " Old Province," and 
 also, from the year 1469, over the County of Toggenburg, under 
 that of the "New Province." The abbacy of St. Gall consti- 
 tuted the' first and most considerable of the so-called Allied 
 Cantons; its deputies appeared at the sessions of the Diet, and 
 its armed soldiery marched out with the other confederates in 
 their wars. The County of Toggenburg enjoyed no mean privi- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 leges ; it had the choosing of its own general council (landrath), 
 the right of appointing lower courts, subject, it is true, to the 
 sanction of the abbot, and for the protection of these privileges 
 stood under one common law with the states of Schwyz and 
 Glarus, to which, at a later period, the abbot also was admitted 
 for the security of its rights. He had also formed an alliance 
 with the four states, Zurich, Luzcrn, Schwyz and Glarus, on 
 behalf of his possessions, by which these cantons were pledged 
 to protect him and his abbey, with all his subjects, in their 
 rights and liberties. For this service, half the fines accruing in 
 the territories of St. Gall were paid over to them, and the de- 
 pendants of the abbot were bound to obey their call in time of 
 war. For the exercise of these rights and the performance of 
 their duties, the Four Cantons, each every two years in suc- 
 cession, placed a governor-general at Wyl, who was ex-officio a 
 member of the abbot's privy council, and took rank immediately 
 after him. 
 
 This position had been filled, from the beginning of the 
 year 1529, by Jacob Frei, a member of the Zurich Council. 
 The abbot, Francis Geissberg, now for a long time an invalid, 
 found it entirely beyond his power to make any efiectual re- 
 sistance to the attacks, by which he saw himself and his monas- 
 tery threatened from the city of St. Gall, his own subjects and 
 the Reformed Confederacy. Every day the doctrine of the 
 unscripturalness of clerical dominion gained ground, and pene- 
 trated even among the brethren of the convent, a, part of whom 
 threw off their monkish garments. The majority, however, 
 remained firm to their vows. The abbot, already far gone in 
 dropsy, had himself conveyed to Eosehach, where, in a fortified 
 castle, he was more secure than in a cloister standing open to 
 invasion from the burghers of St. Gall. There, on the 21st of 
 March, he died, and this was the moment that Zurich and the 
 city of St. Gall had waited for, to take measures against the 
 
 28 
 
S26 LIFE or ZWINGH. 
 
 monastery itself, but principally against its political rights. 
 Meanwhile eleven of the monks, one month before, had pledged 
 themselves under a solemn oath, even on compulsory removal 
 from the cloister, to renounce none of the rights of the convent, 
 but rather to uphold them in every possible manner. For six 
 days, the death of the abbot was kept secret even in Roschach, 
 and his food carried into him as though he were yet alive, 
 whilst the monks assembled in Eappersehweil and there elected 
 one of their number, Kilian German, in his stead. The news 
 of this action awakened the livliest displeasui'e among the 
 Zurichers, who had relied on the power of the burghers of St. 
 Gall to prevent it. But priestly cunning triumphed, and Ger- 
 man afterward succeeded in obtaining an acknowledgment, first 
 from two cantons of the protectorate, Luzern and Schwyz, and 
 then with much trouble from Glarus also. Three months later, 
 the election was ratified by Pope Clement the VII., and proofs 
 of consideration and ofiers of any amount of help received 
 from Austria. 
 
 The new abbot, a man of talent, descended from a branch 
 of the distinguished family of the Toggenburgers, as soon as 
 the choice had fallen on him, made known his purpose plainly, 
 not to rest until he and his convent had come again into full 
 possession of their rights; until the religious usages were re- 
 stored, and divine worship celebrated after the old mode in the 
 church of the foundation. But just as plainly did Zurich and 
 St. Gall declare that this should not be. The subjects of the 
 monastery were now roused up by Zurich, and many in Tog- 
 genburg began to hope even for complete deliverence from all 
 foreign rule. Reconciliation had become impossible. In a let- 
 ter of advice, drawn up by Zurich and St. Gall, it is expressly 
 said : "Matters have come to this pass, that either our Lords, 
 together with our confederates and christian fellow-citizens of 
 St. Gall and the entire population of the abbacy (^Gottcshau- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLT 327 
 
 scJiente), to whom our Lords have pledged life and property, 
 for the ministry of the Divine Word, or else Sir Kilian, the 
 pretended abbot, must bend and break." 
 
 In this business Zwingli took a very active part. His plans 
 iu relation to it were so comprehensive that he did not look for 
 entire approval in Zurich herself. Not only were the lawful 
 claims of the two cantons, Luzern and Schwyz, to a share in 
 the deliberations on the afiiiirs of St. Gall, wholly set aside, but 
 Glarus also was not to be hcai;d, except in so far as she agreed 
 with Zurich in the fundamental principle laid down by him. 
 This principle, that all spiritual lordship is unscriptual, and 
 therefore unjust — a principle, which he was ready to avow, 
 defend and prove clearly on the field of science, he carried over, 
 as already shown, into the sphere of politics and wished to ap- 
 ply it to a treaty made in times, when men knew nothing of 
 it, and with parties, who did not even yet recognize it. Hence 
 an opinion drawn up by him has this heading : " Advice how 
 the deputies ought to treat, either with or without the deputies 
 of Glarus, so that the monastery of St. Gall, its abbot and its 
 monks may be surprised, overcome and put up at auction with 
 their monkhood and lordship, and knocked down to the Four 
 Cantons." On the margin is added: "Not to be read before 
 the burghers" (Great Council). 
 
 It was then proposed, in plain language, to send full orders to 
 the governor-general to call together the subjects of the abbey 
 everywhere in their several parishes, and announce to them that 
 Zurich was resolved, as far as lay in her power, to prevent the 
 acknowledgment of the abbot elect and the choice of any suc- 
 cessor ; since there could be no concord between monkery and 
 the Gospel — that she had no desire to invade the rights of the 
 Four Cantons in their character of common wardens, and hence 
 would act not merely in her own name, but in conjunction with 
 Glarus, in case the latter were willing, with the proviso also of 
 
328 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 a full report to the otiier two cantons, " until God would make 
 them of the same mind" — and, that it was just as much her 
 intention to respect the rights of the people of the abbacy, with 
 whom " she would cheerfully sit down, hear their grievances and 
 judge therein with moderation and dispatch, as is becoming in 
 such affairs, meanwhile pledging person and property not to 
 suffer them to be injured or oppressed, so far as life and prop- 
 erty can reach. Let it be known too in what a friendly and 
 brotherly manner Zurich and Glarus have ever behaved toward 
 their subjects, and that up to this time their rule has never 
 been dreaded. Letters and seals should also be prepared, 
 which, if God please, no one shall break in all coming time. 
 All this done, the serious question should be put to the people 
 of the abbacy, whether they will agi'ee to break up the monas- 
 tery, and if so, it shall be done promptly and peacefully, 'unless 
 resistance is offered." It appears, however, that this was not 
 anticipated, for several other doubtful points are added to the 
 opinion, with the express injunction : " These must not be made 
 known to the people of the abbacy, until the business is fin- 
 ished." But if peaceful measures did not suffice to carry out 
 the plan, compulsion was to be used: "If any one wishes to 
 fight, an appeal for help shall be made to our confederates of 
 St. Gall and the people of the abbacy, and with God's favor the 
 places shall be taken by force of arms." ^s soon as they arc 
 taken, Luzern and Schwyz shall be written to, and the proceed- 
 ing justified on the score of necessity, the hostility of the abbot 
 against Zurich, and the urgent need of the people of the ab- 
 bacy. Meanwhile those monks, who can be caught, shall be 
 thrown into prison, a thorough search made, inventories drawn 
 up, and "if the treasure cannot be found, the monks who know 
 anything about it, shall be further questioned upon o4th, until 
 the whole truth come to light. When everything is finished 
 and sealed before the government at Zurich, the people of the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 329 
 
 abbacy stall take the oath of allegiance, whilst Toggenburg is 
 silenced by hopes of greater freedom." In fine, the opinion 
 gives it as the aim of all these counsels, " that the monk may 
 no longer be a stallion to beget more of his kind, but bridled, 
 harnessed and taught to obey the rein." 
 
 This plan was certainly radical, but not evangelical. It was 
 not possible that Luzern and Schwyz ; not possible that the Cath- 
 olic cantons generally, could suffer these violations of Confeder- 
 ate faith, and of sealed treaties to pass by unheeded. And 
 Glarus, although the majority of her people sympathized in 
 Zwingli's views of the unscriptual character of spiritual lord- 
 ship, and were by no means favorable to the abbot and his rule, 
 nevertheless felt hurt by the arbitrary action of Zurich and the 
 air of guardianship which she assumed even toward her. 
 
 Bern also was far from sharing in the unbridled zeal of her 
 sister city on the Limath, whose intervention in the affairs of 
 St. Gall was not the least among the reasons, that held her 
 sword in the scabbard, during the first campaign, in the sum- 
 mer of the year 1529. But then Zurich endea\ored to defend 
 the steps she had taken against the abbot by the articles of the 
 Landfriede ; this treaty, it was said, would secure the city of 
 St. Gall from punishment for what she had permitted in regard 
 to the monastery, for its occupation, the disorders which had 
 ensued, and the removal of the images from the churches, as 
 well as confirm and guarantee peace to those parishes in Tog- 
 genburg, where the preaching of the Gospel and a synodical 
 rule had been introduced by the advice of Zwingli. The po- 
 litical relations, both of the people of the abbacy and of the 
 Toggenburgers remained in an unsettled state. Had the Five 
 Cantons known it, they never would have approved of conditions, 
 by which the abbot could be deprived of his territorial rights. 
 
 During the campaign he had fled to Bregenz and Ueberling- 
 en, carrying along the archives and jewels of the monastery. 
 
 28* 
 
330 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 With tis conventuals, who had found refuge at Einsiedeln in 
 Schwyz, he kept up a constant correspondence. Through his 
 relatives he secured a devoted party in Toggenburg, and, by 
 means of the monies at his command, adherents in various parts 
 of Switzerland to undertake and further his cause. After the 
 conclusion of the Landfriede (General Peace) he ventured to 
 return home again, and even rode through a portion of the 
 Zurichan territory in disguise. Zwingli's stay in Marburg was 
 of great service to him. He furnished the diiferent parishes 
 in Glarus with his authentic titles. There was a powerful 
 movement amongst the people, but the Keformed majority tri- 
 umphed in the end. The deputies to a conference of the four 
 protectorate cantons at Wyl received a commission to act in 
 harmony with Zurich; but numbei's of the 'opposite party 
 withdrew reluctantly from the assembly, lamenting " that old 
 letters and seals had no more value, since many a Saint Friodli* 
 hung miserable, naked and bare on the rolls of parchment." 
 
 At this conference of the protectorate cantons held at Wyl, 
 the abbot wished to conduct his cause in person. Zurich, to 
 whom his absence was all-important, sent an order to the gov- 
 ernor-general secretly to fill the castle with a garrison of trusty 
 men. Kilian, learning this and fearing an ambuscade, staid 
 away; but the people of the abbacy appeared before the deputies 
 of the cantons with a petition, which showed that they knew 
 how to carry out the doctrine of the unscriptural character of 
 spiritual lordship to a further extent than was pleasant even 
 to Zurich herself "Accordingly, since the Holy Word of 
 God does not direct or oblige us, we do not wish henceforth to 
 have this or any other aibot; and because we are without 
 court or council, and so exposed to outrage that no one scarcely 
 is safe, we desire permission to have a chief-bailiff, a court, a 
 council and similar officers of our own, so that crime may be 
 
 * The image of St. Fridolin, in the cantonal seal of Glarus. 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 831 
 
 puuished, the peaceful and good protected, evil-doers suppressed, 
 and a happy life led; for, as we pay rents and tithes we ought 
 not to be left without law; and that you may see we do not 
 ask for anything unreasonable, aged persons can yet be found, 
 who remember that such a chief-bailiff and council, as we now 
 desire, formerly existed among the people of the abbacy." 
 
 None of the Pour Cantons was at all willing to grant this 
 petition. The deputies of Luzern and Schwyz simply defended 
 the rights of the abbot, complained to the Zuriohers of the 
 tyrannical proceeding of their governor-general and requested 
 the removal of the garrison from the castle. Zurich and Glarus 
 endeavored to quiet the people of th» abbacy by promising to 
 send home a report and afterward to communicate the views of 
 their governments. The resolution now passed by the privy 
 council of Zurich plainly unfolds its policy in this affair. — 
 ' Whereas you, our worthy deputies,'' so it reads, "cannot but 
 see and regard the petition of the people of the abbacy as a 
 desire, under show of a good spirit, to obtain the liberty of 
 the flesh, to shake off authority, to lay hold of the rein with 
 their own hands and appropriate to themselves power and rule, 
 and the administration of the higher ofiices; and as you also 
 cannot presume, that either you or we of the two cantons 
 (Zurich and Glarus) have a right to act in this matter without 
 the knowledge and approval of the other cantons; you will 
 perceive that it is not advisable to grant them, just at this time, 
 a chief bailiiF, judge, council and high courts of dignity and 
 appeal; we are only able, in order that they may have no reason 
 to complain about justice and law, to allow them now, in the 
 beginning, to fill the lower courts, as they have come down 
 from antiquity, with honest, upright, sensible and God-loving 
 men, but the principal posts of government, the high offices, 
 to which sovereignty pertains, must continue as they are, until 
 it is seen what course the abbot and the two cantons, who sup- 
 
332 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 port him, will take.'' It was then proposed, to place the chief 
 power iu the hands of the governor-general for the interim, to 
 associate with him for this purpose able men, and appoint them 
 a court of appeal in judicial eases; but for the final settlement 
 of affairs, to call together a second conference of the four pro- 
 tectorate cantons, and should Luzern and Schwyz refuse to take 
 part in it, to signify to them, that they were determined to 
 proceed without them." It is then to be presumed," continues 
 the letter of advice to the deputies, "if they thus see, that the 
 abbot cannot be restored, they will quietly agree with us of the 
 two cantons to take charge of the government. But should 
 they persevere in their opposition and attempt to use any force on 
 behalf of the abbot against pur purpose and that of the honest 
 people, it will then be our duty to curb force with force, until 
 honest people, perchance our Confederates of Bern and others 
 shall interpose and help to make a treaty of peace. And then 
 indeed it will be discovered, whose shall be the rule and au- 
 thority, and who shall be lord or servant, and thereby the desire 
 for self government among the people of the abbacy shall be 
 broken and every thing rightly settled, ordered and secured by 
 charter, how and in what form, henceforth, court, law, dignities, 
 offices and all authorities shall be held, and how and what 
 grievances shall be redressed for the honest people." 
 
 Zurich acted from this time forward, in accordance with 
 these views, and at the close of the year, after Luzern and 
 Schwyz had repeatedly declined to take part in a second con- 
 ference, she issued, in connection with Glarus, an ordinance, 
 of which the following is the substance: "Henceforth the 
 governor-general is the chief ruler of the abbey-territory. As 
 heretofore he shall be appointed for a term of two years by each 
 of the four protectorate cantons in succession. He shall take an 
 oath to favor the Divine Word and protect the same. Only 
 then are his subjects bound to obey him. This governor is to bo 
 
• lilFE OF ZWINGLI, 333 
 
 supreme judge, instead of the imperial bailiff. The high court 
 shall consist, besides him, of twelve men, of whom he has the 
 selection of four, and the territory of the other eight. In con- 
 junction with these, or a majority of them, he shall appoint also 
 the officers of the territory. The parishes shall be left free to 
 choose their own preachers, who, however, must be examined 
 and appi'oved, either at Zurich, St. Gall or Constance. Only 
 with the consent of the governor and the twelve can they bo 
 removed, or suspended from office. Rents, tithes and other 
 lawful taxes, which are to be applied according to a former re- 
 solution, shall be paid over to a receiver, appointed by the city 
 of St. Gall, who shall render a faithful account of the same. 
 Whatever unchristian burdens have been laid upon the poor in- 
 habitants by superstition or monkish rule, shall be abolished, 
 and in order that the honest people may be the better able to 
 help the poor in these dear times, the two cantons cheerfully 
 authorize them to appropriate the ornaments and jewels of the 
 churches to this more christian purpose." 
 
 In vain did the abbot protest against these arrangements; in 
 vain did he threaten to look out for other protectorate cantons; 
 in vain did he beg for active interference on the part of Luzern 
 and Schwyz. Still discouraged by the untoward issue of the 
 first campaign, they advised him to yield for a while, in hope 
 that affairs would take a more favorable turn, and indeed thought 
 it best that he should withdraw for a time. This' he did, and, 
 went to Ueberlingen, where, in the beginning of the year 1530, 
 amid much rejoicing, he found the object of his desires. 
 
 The proceeding of Zurich against the abbot and the monas- 
 tery was carried on mainly by Zwingli ; and that with increased 
 zeal since his return to the fatherland. More and more, after 
 the Marburg Conference, did he display the character of a 
 politician — sometimes daring in the choice of his means. Thus 
 he was to show himself to be only a man ; and, as the most in- 
 
334 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. , 
 
 flucntial statesmen are very often obliged to do, as a Tenement 
 man; forever striking must the contrast remain between the 
 greatest of all ages and all countries, and Him, who was indeed 
 tempted in all things like as we are, but who alone was never 
 overcome. 
 
 Without doubt the Savior of the world directed his attention 
 to political life, and Christianity and politics are in no wise 
 antagonistic. On the contrary, it is the aim of Christianity to 
 elevate and ennoble even earthly relations; it is the true reli- 
 gion of the people. No saying is so misunderstood, so entirely 
 twisted from its real meaning, as that uttered by Christ : " My 
 kingdom is not of this world." This earth, the theatre of 
 divine love and power, is represented as a vale of teara — a 
 welcome doctrine to all secular and spiritual lords, who, through 
 its spread, have only the less opposition to fear against their 
 iron rule; and, only the more secure in the enjoyment of their 
 state, agree in making it truly an abode of sorrow to millions 
 of their subjects. There is no doubt that Christianity teaches 
 us to bear and suffer; no doubt that it says: "Whosoever shall 
 smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also," and 
 "whosoever shall compel thee to go with him one mile, go with 
 him twain;" no doubt that it teaches the duty of submission to 
 rulers, and has no sympathy with rebellion and self-aid, by re- 
 sort to arms; yet far more strongly and impressively does this 
 same Christianity speak to magistrates and rulers, and tell them 
 that men are not born lords and slaves, but brethren, and that 
 they are the greatest who are the servants of all. Christianity 
 wishes no forms of government, nor will it make them lawful, yea 
 necessary, whilst overgrown wealth may find out means to chain 
 down despairing poverty, by which reckless debauchery may 
 riot in palaces, whilst in the hut, hard by, the restless laborer 
 cannot earn bread enough to prolong his miserable existence. 
 It will have the right to moderate enjoyment purchased by self- 
 
LIFE OF ZWXNGLI. 335 
 
 control and self-denial, and the capability to govern ptoven by 
 tbe capability and practice of obedience; along with greater 
 rights it places greater duties ; with greater advantages it in- 
 variably connects greater burdens — and whilst it enjoins sub- 
 mission to*God as an equal duty upon all, it does not malie 
 order in the state rest upon parchments or voluminous codes 
 of laws, upon standing armies or public prisons, but upon the 
 law written in the heart, upon love and a sense of duty. 
 
 Whether the time has ever arrived in any single countiy for 
 such a transformation of politics, such a religious consecration 
 of the forms of public life, is quite another question. That it 
 did not exist in the days of Christ, that the seed was then only 
 planted in the earth, to spring up afterward, when watered by 
 the noblest blood, he himself has acknowledged and declared ; 
 but that the hour will yet come, when the grain of mustard-seed 
 will grow up into a great tree and overshadow all the earth with 
 its branches, he has also proclaimed; and happy the rulers, 
 happy the law-givers, who have power to understand their great 
 mission in the light of true Christianity. Why was the first ap- 
 pearance of the Keformers hailed with such universal joy, their 
 annunciation of the Gospel with such hosannas, by the people? 
 Because the presentiment had been awakened in millions of 
 hearts that the day of freedom was dawning and the hour of 
 their deliverance from spiritual and corporeal bondage had ar- 
 rived. But what could liberty do for minors, who had been 
 neglected for centuries, for the uneducated, for congregations 
 without schools and incapable of comprehending the better re- 
 ligious instruction, which made but slow progress from the lack 
 of qualified teachers ? Fanatics, like the leaders of the Ana- 
 baptists, took hold of their excited minds and caused Luther 
 and Zwingli to tremble at the consequences of their own bold- 
 ness. The bands which were loosened, were partly drawn 
 tighter again by Luther in monarchical Germany, in that he 
 
336 LIFE OF ZWINOLI. 
 
 adhered the firmer to belief upon authority*, and by Zwingli ia 
 republican Switzerland, in that, from the man of the people, ho 
 became the man of the government. Moreover the necessary 
 enthusiasm among the people died away, till an hour of later 
 trial, and it became an easier thing for the active'enemios of 
 the Reformation to awaken repentance in some, produce indif- 
 ference in others, and win over individuals by means of pro- 
 mises. To the subjects of the abbot they used language like 
 this : "What do you gain by casting off allegiance to your 
 former sovereign, when you only get a severer one in his stead ? 
 Par more seldom does an ecclesiastical government call out its 
 people to war; it gives a more efficient support to the poor; 
 it does not lessen, nay rather increases the number of holidays; 
 preaches no austere and gloomy morality ; is patient and long-suf- 
 fering, provided only no attack be made upon the faith." There 
 were not a few, who lent open ears to such appeals. At a con- 
 ference between their deputies and those of the Glamors at 
 Wyl, the Zurichers were obliged to feel this. Envoys came 
 also from Luzern and Schwyz, and the newly reviving party 
 of the old faith rallied around them. Then arose a tumult 
 among the latter, and for a moment the danger was so great 
 that the Glarners meditated flight, but the Zurichers ordered 
 an alarm to be sounded. The people ran in from all sides, and 
 the majority was found favorable to the Reformation, at least 
 not hostile to Zurich. This soon appeared in their language 
 and behavior. A treaty was now concluded between the parties, 
 and the provisional government of the Zurich captain acknowl- 
 edged and guaranteed by a permanent garrison of trusty soldiers 
 in the castle. But Luzern and Schwyz renewed their com- 
 plaints before a conference of the Five Cantons, and it was re- 
 
 * Belief, at tlia command of the cliurch, even without personal con- 
 viction. 
 
LIFE OE ZWINGLI. 337 
 
 solved to appeal to Bern with a full representation of the faith- 
 less conduct of Zurich in the afifair of St. Gall, and an earnest 
 protest against it. Tyro skillful orators, the schuUheiss Golder 
 of Luzern, and Joseph Amberg of Schwyz, were commissioned 
 to do this. They behaved with great propriety and moderation, 
 promising, on their part, a careful guard over their own people, 
 and a strict observance of the Land/riede: "Dear Confeder- 
 ates," so they said at the close of their speech, "we place in 
 your hands our fate, as well as our rights. Both we believe 
 have been grossly violated by the conduct of Zurich. If we 
 are wrong, then point out to us the rule; if the men of Zurich, 
 then will you not be willing to support them in it; but believe 
 not us alone, hear also the men of Zurich; believe not them 
 alone, hear us also. Indeed ! we only desire to abide by sealed 
 treaties." Haller, who immediately reported it to Zwingli, 
 did not conceal from him the fearful impression, which this 
 speech made upon public opinion. "They have not," he added 
 with anxietyy "yet deceived us; but they will." But it was 
 not merely the affair of St. Gall, which began to awaken dis- 
 cord in ' the relations between Zurich and Bern. There was 
 something far more important still. And here it becomes nec- 
 essary to give a general sketch of the political views, which 
 Zwingli had brought back from Marburg. 
 
 The Emperor Charles ^V., after an absence of several years in 
 Spain, returned to Italy in the summer of 1529. In Genoa, 
 where he landed, he was met by an embassy from the landgrave 
 Philip and the German Estates who had signed the Protest 
 against the resolutions of the Imperial Diet of Spire. This 
 they were commissioned to hand over to him with respectful 
 representations. But so ill was it received, that the envoys for 
 a time were concerned for their personal safety. Audacious in 
 the highest degree must this step of a few princes and cities 
 have appeared to the head of ,the Empire, to him, who, not 
 
 29 
 
338 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 many years before, had humbled, by the defeat of Pavia, the 
 mighty King of France, whose sons he still held in a Spanish 
 prison as Hostages for the father, -who was set at liberty — ^him, 
 who had caused the Pope even to feel his power, but was now 
 reconciled to Eome, and offered his aid for the more energetic 
 suppression of all ecclesiastical innovations in Germany. Sur- 
 rounded by Spanish counsels, by the clergy of that nation and 
 Italians, he was busily engaged in forming various plans for 
 future action, and only lingered yet in Italy, until he could be 
 crowned Eoman Emperor, by Clement II., which event occurred 
 at Bologna on the 24th of Febrtiary, 1530. Meanwhile reports, 
 warnings of the coming tempest having reached Grermany and 
 Switzerland, produced an active correspondence between the 
 Protestant princes, the landgrave Philip, Duke Ulric of Wur- 
 temberg and the authorities of the more important cities. A 
 personal interchange of opinions took place at Marburg, and the 
 danger which threatened the free preaching of the Gospel and the 
 Reformation was acknowledged on all sides, even by Luther and 
 Melanchthon; but as in the doctrine of the Lord's Supper, so 
 now also, on the field of politics, Luther and Zwingli stood de- 
 cidedly opposed to each other, and so little did the former share 
 in the bold views of the latter, that theenterprising landgrave 
 wholly despaired of an understanding with Luther, and com- 
 municated his plan of resistance against the Emperor first of all 
 to a narrow circle, composed of Zwingli, Sturm and a few trusty 
 friends of like mind. 
 
 The Saxon Eeformer had, it is true, approved of the protest, 
 made by the princes and cities favorable to the Gospel, against 
 the resolutions of the Imperial Diet at Spire, but to go further, 
 to offer actual resistance, he regarded as unlawful. He saw in 
 Charles the consecrated head of the Empire, to take up arms 
 against whom appeared to him rebellion. It had first to be 
 proved to him by lawyers, betler acquainted with the Imperial 
 
lilFE OF ZWINGLI. 339 
 
 Constitution than he, that the individual Estates of the Empire 
 had full authority to preserve their independence in spiritual 
 matters, in every possible way, and then only did he yield a re- 
 luctant consent to the league afterward formed among the Prot- 
 estants at Schmalkald. He was strongly opposed to inviting 
 the Swiss to take part in it, until they were reconciled to his 
 view of the Lord's Supper. More genial than Zwingli, trained 
 to implicit obedience in the monastery, in earlier life a hard 
 student of the church-fathers; whilst the Switzer in those 
 years, when the most vivid and lasting impressions are made, 
 had devoted his attention to the history of the ancient republics, 
 the study of^Roman and Grecian authors; Luther, although he 
 publicly and resolutely condemned the severity and arbitrary 
 conduct of princes, and warned them with boldness and power, 
 was yet far more inclined to the doctrine of passive resistance 
 against evil, the disarming of the enemy by innocent suffering, 
 submission to every existing form of government, even though 
 unjust and tyrannical — a doctrine which lies in the spirit of the 
 Gospel, and was not only preached but practised by Christ him- 
 self, and confirmed by his own example. It is worth our while to 
 hear the two Reformers on this fundamental point. Their 
 peculiar views of it have naturally influenced their judgment in 
 political matters. 
 
 "It is the law of Christ," says Luther, "not to resist evil, not 
 to grasp the sword, not to defend ourselves, not to revenge our- 
 selves, but to give up life and property, that he may take, who 
 will. For we have yet enough remaining" in our Lord, who 
 will not forsake us, since he hath so promised. Suffering, suf- 
 fering — ^the cross, the cross is the law of Christ; this and 
 nothing else. Will ye thus fight and not agree to let the coat 
 go with the cloak, but try to get back the cloak again, though 
 you should wish rather to die and leave the body, than not to 
 love your enemies and do them good ? ye easy Christians ! 
 
340 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 Dear frienrls, Christians are not so common, that they can be 
 gathered in a heap ; a Christian is a rare bird ! Would to God 
 the most of us were only good, pious heathen, observing the 
 natural, to say nothing of the Christian law! Christians are 
 not to fight for themselves with the sword t)r harquebusses, but 
 with the cross and patience ; even as their general, Christ, does 
 not wield the sword, but hangs upon the cross. Hence their 
 victory does not lie in conquest and. dominion or power, but in 
 defeat and weakness, as St. Paul says: "The weapons of our 
 warfare are not carnal, but in God," and again, <' His strength 
 shall be made perfect in our weakness." According to the 
 Scripture, it is not proper for any one, who will be a Christian, 
 to set himself up against the authority, which God has placed 
 over him, be it just or unjust; but a Christian should suffer 
 violence and wrong, especially from his sovereign; for although 
 Imperial Majesty does wrong and violates duty and oath, his 
 imperial sovereignty is not thereby abolished, nor the allegiance 
 of hia subjects, as long as the realm and the Electoral Princes 
 re'^ard him as Emperor and do not depose him. Yet though 
 an emperor or prince break all the commandments of God, he 
 still remains an emperor and prince, and is bound to God by 
 oath in a higher, and then to man in a lower degree. Were it 
 right to resist Imperial Majesty when it does wrong, then we 
 might do so in all cases, and remain without any authority or 
 any obedience in the world, since every subject could use this 
 argument, that his sovereign broke the laws of God. How then 
 shall we act? Thus shall we act: Let it be granted to Imperial 
 Majesty, that no prince or lord shall defend us against him, but 
 that the land and people lie open to the Emperor as his own, 
 and God commands this, and no one should desire otherwise of 
 his princes and lords. Every one should then stand for him- 
 self and maintain his faith at the risk of his body and his life, 
 and not drag the princes into danger with him, or trouble them 
 
LIFE Off ZWINGLI. 341 
 
 ■with petitions for aid, but let the Emperor do witli his own as 
 he will, so long as he is Emperor. But if the Emperor desire, 
 beyond that, though the land and people lie open to him, to 
 compel the princes also to attack, besiege, slay and banish their 
 subjects for the Gospel's sake, and the princes know that in 
 this the Emperor is wrong, and against God, then it falls back 
 upon their own faith, for they should not obey the Emperor, in 
 what they do not approve, nor help him, nor become partners 
 of his sin; it is enough that the land and people are left un- 
 protected and the Emperor unhindered, and they should say ; 
 If the Emperor wishes to persecute our subjects, as they are 
 also his own, he may act according'to his conscience; we are 
 not able to prevent him. But we will not help him in it, nor 
 approve of his course; for we must obey God rather than 
 man." * 
 
 In regard to the impropriety of all individual resistance to 
 authority, Zwingli agreed with Luther, and just as severely 
 condemned everything that bore the character of riot or re- 
 bellion; but entertained, on the other hand, far more liberal 
 views concerning the rights of the people, in their collective 
 capacity, against their rulers; and here, supported by passages 
 from the Old Testament, whilst Luther relied exclusively on 
 the New, he developed a theory (an assemblage of propositions), 
 which must have no doubt appeared suspicious to the German 
 Keformers, living as they did under monarchical forms of gov- 
 ernment, and indeed, just as readily as his freer exposition of 
 the words of the Lord's Supper, might have called forth that 
 saying of Luther : "You have quite another spirit than we." 
 
 " Where a prince is overbearing and a wanton spendthrift," 
 so he writes, "and the people undutiful and devoted to their 
 own advantage, there tumults break out. But this also does 
 not happen without that Divine Providence, which has nnm- 
 
 , * Luther's Works by Pfitzer. p. 795, 796, 829, 830. 
 
 29* 
 
342 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 bered all the hairs of our heads, and by which the wantonness 
 of the tyrant and the recklessness of the people are alike con- 
 trolled. A seditious people are led only by wild passions ; by 
 rage and fury, not by reason. Kulers should then take care 
 not to give occasion to the people to rebel. If they are truly 
 wise and God-fearing, if they practice justice and equity, then 
 God will not give them up to the wrath of the multitude ; for 
 He is mightier than they and does not forsake them, who trust 
 in him and serve him. And- we must warn the people also not 
 to plunge themselves into ruin by sedition. Tumults are gen- 
 erally excited by those who aspire after honors and riches. 
 Now, that it may not seem as if Christians care more for the 
 human than the divine, they should obey even tyrants in things, 
 that only oppress the body, and pay taxes to them, so that the 
 Gospel may not be reviled on their account. A whole nation, 
 on the other hand, can and should, in a lawful manner, with 
 moderation and the fear of God, resist the unjust power of the 
 tyrant, and if they do it not, then will they be punished by 
 God along with the wicked prince. And how we may deal 
 with such rulers, is shown by the clear example of Saul, whom 
 God repudiated, although he had chosen him at first. Indeed 
 if such wanton kings be not thrust away, the whole' nation will 
 be punished for it. Hence, when Manasseh, King of Judah, 
 had done the most wicked abominations, " thus saith the Lord 
 God of Israel, Behold I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem 
 and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall 
 tingle." In short, if the Jews had not suffered their King to 
 riot thus unpunished, God had not punished them. We must 
 pluck out the offending eye and cut off the diseased hand and 
 foot. How this is to be done, it is easy to observe. Not by 
 death-blows, wars, tumults, but by quite other means, for God 
 hath called us to peace. Does the king or the lord of the com- 
 mon hand choose to do evil? then let the common hand. put 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 343 
 
 Lim away, or be punished with him. Has he been elected by 
 a small number of princes? then let those princes know that 
 his wicked life can be borne with no longer, and he must be 
 deposed. But here the difficulty arises : the tyrant may rush 
 forth and murder them. That matters not; it is far more 
 glorious to be put to death for well-doing, according to God's 
 will than afterward to be slain with the guilty by the hand of God. 
 But canst thou not endure the way, nor venture on it? then 
 suffer with the wanton tyrant and be punished at last along with 
 him, and still the hand of God is stretched-out and threatening. 
 Is the tyrant chosen by no one? Has he inherited the king- 
 dom ? I da not know what reason such kingdoms have to spare 
 him ; for suppose the born-king is a child or a fool, still they 
 must take him as their lord-. But how can he rule ? It must 
 follow, that he is not, according to the common proverb of a 
 king's son, either a fool or a king, but both together, a fool and 
 a king. Moreover, the kingdom must be governed by other 
 wise ones. Were it not better then to make a wise man king? 
 for "_ wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child ! " They 
 describe a tyrant as one who rules by his own power and after 
 his own notion. Thus, I do not know whence it comes, that 
 thrones are hereditary, unless from the common consent of the 
 people. If now there be a tyrant, this or that individual should 
 not undertake to kill him ; a tumult would arise and the king- 
 dom of God is "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy 
 Ghost." But if the entire mass of the people with one accord, 
 or the greater, part of them, though they may be far from 
 anarchy, depose the tyrant, then God is with them."* 
 
 Now, in Zwingli's eyes the Emperor was a tyrant of this very 
 stamp, especially since his reconciliation and close alliance with 
 the ^ope. From this he augured the worst results — the sup- 
 
 * Zwingli's Works in the edition of Usteri and Voegelin. Vol. IT. 
 Part 2, pp. 453, 455, 450 
 
314 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 pression of the Keformation and the freedom of the Grospel, all 
 political liberty and even the subjugation of the Confederacy 
 itself. "The Emperor," says he in a communication to his in 
 timate political associates, "arrays friend against friend, or foe 
 against foe, and then thrusts himself in between as a mediator, 
 though all the while a partisan, ever intent on upholding the 
 Papacy, and promoting, first of all, his own power and interests; 
 and if he make war in Germany, he will do" all he can to marshal 
 the Castellan of Musso* against the Confederacy, the Bishops 
 of Constance against the city of Constance, the Bishop of 
 Strassburg against the burghers of Strassburg, the Five Cantons 
 against Zurich, the abbot of St. Gall against the city, Duke 
 George of Saxony against Dulie John, to usurp his position as 
 electoral prince, the Bishops on the Rhine against the Land- 
 grave of Hesse, and similar enemies everywhere against the 
 Evangelical Cities — and then he will march into Germany as a 
 mediator, and with fair but hypocritical words befool the cities 
 and lords, till they submit to him." To provide and arm against 
 such plans he regarded as lawful, yea as an imperative neces- 
 sity, desired a European alliance for this purpose, and publicly 
 censured those who remained careless and inactive. "Ruined 
 or lazy," he wrote to Conrad Zinck of Constance, a member 
 of the Council, "are they, who look on idly and never trouble 
 themselves about raising up a force sufficient to make the Em- 
 peror feel, that he will labor in vain to restore the dominion 
 of Rome, occupy the Free Cities and conquems Helvetians. 
 Rouse Linden; rouse your neighbors to action. He is a fool 
 who builds upon the friendship of a tyrant. Long ago Demos- 
 thenes observed, that nothing is so hated by such a despot, 
 as the freedom of the cities." Ever since the Marburg Con- 
 
 * A powerful and dangerous enemy of the Keformed party in 
 Switzerland, especially in Graubuenden, and he occupied the strongly 
 fortified castle of Masso on the northern shore of Lake Como 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 845 
 
 ference, his connection with the Landgrave Philip was very in- 
 timate. Their correspondence, relating more to politics than 
 to articles of faith, was carried on partly by signs mutually 
 agreed upon, the name Pharoah being used for that of the 
 Emperor. Indeed Zwingli went a step further than the Ger- 
 man prince himself. He seriously thought of the possibility 
 of removing Charles, and even wished it. "So great," he 
 wrote to Jacob Sturm of Strassburg, "is the wickedness and 
 perversity of the Emperor, that I believe the whole world 
 should join together to rid itself of such a burden, in any way 
 possible," and to the Landgrave Philip, in a style full of dreamy 
 hope : " Our kind, gracious Lord causes me to write thus freely 
 like a child, to Your Grace, for I am confident in God, that he 
 has appointed Your Grace to^great things, which I may indeed 
 think of, but not speak." 
 
 Such being the disposition of the E,eforme)B, it was not to be 
 expected, that after his return from Marburg he would confine 
 himself to the sphere of theology, or even to political affairs 
 within the limits of the Confederacy. More and more' did he 
 accustom himself to look beyond the boundaries of the father- 
 land, and gradually induced a portion of the Zurich statesmen 
 to do'the same. In Marburg already, the fundamental features 
 of a close alliance, to check the growing preponderance of the 
 Emperor, was agreed upon. The Landgrave undertook to ad- 
 vocate the cause among his own princes; Zwingli among the* 
 Free Cities in Southern Germany, by means of influential cler- 
 gymen and councillors, of whom he counted a considerable 
 number among his correspondents. Through Switzerland a 
 bridge was sought to Italy. The powerful republic of Venice 
 was to hold the Emperor in check there, at least to aid in pre- 
 venting the employnient of all his forces against Germany; but 
 a progress so daring, so foreign to tFe peaceful and cautious 
 policy of the Cantons, as set forth by Zurich herself, some years, 
 
346 LIFE or ZWINGLI 
 
 before, when the defensive alliance was concluded with France, 
 could not but awaken suspicion and discord among the Con- 
 federates ; hence it could only be discussed in the most confi- 
 dential circles. Whether any one in the government of Bern 
 knew anything about it, is uncertain. That it should be at- 
 tempted is indeed almost incredible, did we not remember, how 
 very easy it is for great minds, encouraged by former results, to 
 persuade themselves that everything is possible to their own 
 powers. In what a narrow circle the resolution to send an 
 envoy to Venice was passed is evident from the fact, that he 
 was not a statesmen who was appointed, but Professor Collin, 
 Zwingli's intimate friend, and the companion of his journey to 
 Marburg, a man of no political experience, yet one who, in va- 
 rious walks of life, as canon, tradesman, partisan and public 
 teacher, had tried his fortune, and proved himself useful in all; 
 and who, besides dexterity and boldness, was also possessed of 
 a thorough knowledge of the Italian language. Provided with 
 credentials, somewhat ambiguous in their form,* he set out 
 from Zurich alone ; on the 11th of December, put to flight 
 luckily two robbers, who attacked him on the plain of Brescia, 
 and was introduced to the Doge and Council in Venice on the 
 28th of the same month. In his report to the Privy Council 
 of Zurich may be found his address on that occasion." He rep- 
 resented himself as a deputy of the Council of Zurich in 
 agreement with -the cities of the Christian BuergerrecM, com- 
 munities living jointly under free constitutions, like that of 
 Venice. Natural and common interests bound them to resist a 
 universal, all-devouring monarchy, such as the Emperor aimed 
 .it. He expressed the wish that Venice would enter into cor- 
 
 * On this point Collin himself .says in his report: "The creden- 
 tials could neither be read nor miderstood, for they were very badly 
 written and in the most confused stylo ; but I let them understand 
 enough to satisfy theln.'' 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 347 
 
 respondence with Zurich, who would act for the other allied 
 cities, to communicate to them what happened in Italy on the side 
 of the Emperor, or what transpired of his dangerous schemes. 
 He excused the sending of a solitary, youthful, undistinguished 
 man, io such an enlightened republic by the necessity of the 
 case, the desire to avoid notice, — to conceal the movement to- 
 ward a close alliance between two free states from the watchful 
 glance of the Emperor and his assistants. 
 
 But Venice herself had just then concluded a treaty of peace 
 with the Emperor. This was disclosed to the deputy, and a 
 reply made to his offer in very general terms, so that the dis- 
 trust, which a mission of such doubtful appearance awakened in 
 the minds of the Doge and the Senate, could not escape his 
 notice. He was strictly questioned as to what Confederate 
 cities composed this Buergerrecht, what opposed it, and what re 
 mained neutral. Everything was written down. The ceremo- 
 nies with which he was dismissed, and a present of twenty 
 crowns show also that no great importance was attached to the 
 embassy. Far otherwise did they receive the ambassadors, who 
 in former years had appeared before them in the name bf the 
 whole Confederacy. Although- an attempt was made to keep 
 the matter secret, it yet became known, and produced indigna- 
 tion among those who were not privy to it, and chagrin at the 
 sorry roll which such crooked dealings obliged them to play. 
 Zwingli alone and his princely confidents were not discouraged. 
 "The transaction with the Venitians," he wrote to Duke Ulric 
 -of Wuertemberg, " is greatly despised, but, as I observe from 
 your letter, may yet turn to our advantage. For with my 
 cousin (the Landgrave) there is no lack of devotion in person 
 and property, as you can in some degree learn froni his letters. 
 Therefore hs is willing to aid as much as possible toward a set- 
 tled understanding, especially on account of the Venitians; for 
 we may depend very much on the wheel of fortune to bring 
 
34S LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 about, what we never have been able to accomplish hitherto 
 with great cunning. Time and opportunity are gone ; they will 
 not wait. The raging hand also is not idle; he prepares one 
 grave after another.'' Pursuing his design with unshaken res- 
 olution, Zwingli hoped in the end to make it intelligible to the 
 Swiss citieSj who had formed the Christian Buergerrecht, that 
 the alliance must be increased, in order to array against the 
 great powers pledged for the destruction of liberty, great ones 
 for its maintenance. In fact, at the close of the year, Strass- 
 burg was also admitted into the Buergerrecht; but when this 
 city along with Zurich and Basel proposed that it should be 
 extended likewise to the Landgrave of Hess, Bern raised diffi- 
 culties, and at last refused consent, with the remark, that she 
 could not justify before her own subjects the admission of so 
 remote a prince. Zwingli was highly displeased. "Bern 
 always," he wrote to a friend, "sends hears to negotiate," and 
 to another: "The Bear is lying in the pains of travail, — ^is 
 jealous of the Lion (Zurich) and acts very unfairly towards 
 himj but in the end she will have done with her tricks and 
 take the manly resolution to bear away the victory." Certainly 
 the Bernese government would have reason for anxiety in re- 
 gard to the growing preponderance of Zurich in the Buerger- 
 recht, if Zwingli could bo supported in it both by Strassburg 
 and the Landgrave; but its reluctance no doubt was just as 
 much owing to its peculiar policy, which was always less con- 
 cerned about the infusion of philosophical or theological princi- 
 ples into the national life, than about the maintenance of ex- 
 isting treaties and friendly relations as far as possible with all 
 the Confederates. 
 
 The Anabaptists were still very active in Germany, but more 
 so in Switzerland. In the countries favorable to the Reforma- 
 tion, the people were inore violent, excited and difficult to rule 
 and satisfy. Freedom of inquiry, of thought, had been applied 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 349 
 
 to political as well as theological matters. If it was boldly 
 proclaimed from the pulpit: 'The kingdom of the Pope is 
 not of God, because he lays upon us unnatural restraint, loads 
 our consciences and makes us carry unnecessary burdens/ the 
 transition was easy to the question: 'Shall the rule of the 
 prince draw the skin over our ears at his own caprice ? ' Only 
 two remedies for this evil were available in monarchical coun- 
 tries; either wisdom and moderation on the part of the princes 
 themselves — a paternal government, according to the demands 
 and in the spirit of the Gospel — or, where the rulers, as was yet 
 frequently the case, were not qualified or able to achieve this, 
 a revival of the doctrine of passive obedience — subjection in 
 worldly things, as Luther maintained it. It is clear, that to 
 uphold this doctrine in a republic was a more difficult task, and 
 we have already shown,''hat Zwingli could not be numbered 
 among its advocates. On the political arena the diflFerence be-' 
 tween his reformation and that of Luther began to grow more 
 and more yisible, and so hateful did the former become, that 
 the Landgrave of Hesse even was obliged to come back again 
 toward Luther, and exhort Zwingli to greater prudence and 
 caution, especially after a saying of Erasmus had found its way 
 to the ears of the nobles, that the design was to bring in de- 
 mocracy under the cloak of the Gospel. 
 
 Meanwhile the Emperor Charles had arrived in Germany 
 and opened the Imperial Diet at Augsburg in person, in the 
 summer of 1530. Here they, who were supposed to favor 
 Zwingli's views, were in very ill repute. "On all sides," Jacob 
 Sturm wrote to him, "we are suspected, as though we were 
 hatching with foreign nations some marvellously dangerous plot 
 for the overthrow of the Emperor and the Empire; yea, we are 
 regarded as open rebels. Thou knowest how thoroughly false 
 this is ; yet there are some who, therefore, wish also to hear 
 nothing about our articles of faith, because, they say, the report 
 
 30 
 
350 LIFE 07 ZWINGLI. 
 
 goes,* that some of us have boasted, that we have provisions, 
 arms and soldiers enough, not only to repel force with force, 
 but also to invade the territory of our neighbors. There are 
 those who affirm that we have already portioned out among 
 ourselves the ecclesiastical principalities, before the victory, and 
 I know not what other follies. In short, the Papists, and even 
 those who otherwise have declared themselves for the Gospel, 
 act against us here, openly and secretly, so that our destruction 
 would be decided on, if it only depended on them. If the 
 Lord himself does not pity us, does not stand by innocence and 
 truth, then will our mighty and raging foes yet devour us alive. 
 No one defends us more than the Landgrave, and even he does 
 not venture to do it publicly, but only to advocate our cause iii 
 narrower circles. To us, ears and access are completely closed; 
 we are crippled in all our members. From an appeal in person, 
 or from thy servants here,, whom thou couldst entrust with the 
 Gospel, there is nothing to hope; should circumstances mean- 
 while take a more favorable |;urn, I will send you word." And 
 yet the Landgrave of Hesse, in a special ponference with the 
 Emperor, had fearlessly defended himself and his friends, with- 
 out however giving anting them the name of Zwingli, a con- 
 fession of faith from whose hand had just then reached Augs- 
 burg, and was viewed with the greatest displeasure. The in- 
 genious Switzer had woven into it some passages of a political 
 nature, which, though cautiously done, in his opinion, could 
 not but produce an unfavorable impression in the Imperial 
 Court, as it then stood. It contains among other things : " I 
 
 * A confession of faith, from the four cities, Strassburg, Constance, 
 Memmingen and Lindau, whicli was especially presented to the Impe- 
 rial Diet at Augsburg, but neither received nor read, like the so-called 
 Augsburg Confession drawn up by Luther and Melauchton, and signed 
 by the German Princes, even the Landgrave Philip, at least during any 
 session of the Estates of the Empire. 
 
LIFE or ZWINGLI. 351 
 
 well know that the ruler, chosen or appointed in a lawful man- 
 ner, occupies the place of God, no less than the priest; but as 
 the priest should be a minister of heavenly wisdom and good- 
 ness, to defend the faith and bring errors to light, so also should 
 the ruler be a minister of divine goodness and justice; good- 
 ness, in that he listens to and cares for his subjects with fidelity 
 and self-sacrifice, like God; justice, in that he holds in check 
 the impious and wicked and protects the innocent. If he 
 does this, then he preserves a quiet conscience, and has indeed 
 nothing to fear; if he does it not, and thus surrounds himself' 
 with fear and terror, I cannot think that his conscience will be 
 idle, only because he has been chosen, or placed there, consti- 
 tutionally. Yet, for my part, I believe that a Christian should 
 obey such a tyrant until the opportunity is ofi'ered, of which 
 Paul speaiks : " Canst thou make thyself free ? then delay not." 
 But this opportunity will be pointed out to him by God alone, not 
 by man, and that not doubtfully, but as clearly and plainly, as 
 when Saul was rejected and David chosen his successor." It 
 is easy to see, that, amid the universal excitement then pre- 
 vailing, language like this, so unusual in documents laid before 
 the Imperial Diet, as well as him who employed it, would be 
 styled dangerous. More than ever did Charles and his brother 
 Ferdinand, King of Hungary, withdraw their favor from the 
 Reformed party and incline toward the Catholics. But just in 
 proportion as Zwingli was convinced, that the number and 
 hatred of his enemies in the German Empire were increasing, 
 his own earlier dislike to France and fear of an alliance with 
 her, appear to have essentially diminished. Already, in the 
 secret political conferences held at Marburg, he directed his at- 
 tention to that country, and it may indeed have been through a 
 French channel, that a portion of the news concerning the 
 transactions of the 'Emperor in Spain and Italy, especially with 
 the Bomaa See, reached there. Still the French monarch, 
 
352 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 Francis I., was not at all friendly to the Eeformation. In his 
 own kingdom he tried to keep it down by force. His queen, 
 a sister of Charles V., did much to strengthen this feeling. 
 Just at that time letters from her brother at Augsburg, full of 
 bitter complaints against the spirit of the Protestants, so hostile 
 to all civil and ecclesiastical rule, were received in France. 
 But what the King was not willing to suffer in his own do- 
 minions, he beheld not without secret pleasure in those of his 
 envied and hated rival, for so he always considered the Empe- 
 ror, in spite of all ties of relationship. Out of policy, therefore, 
 in order to weaken the power of Austria, he supported the 
 German Protestants; and out of policy his envoys in Switzer- 
 land, Dangerant, seigneur de Boisrigault and Maigret, seigneur 
 de Yillequoy, sought access even to Zwingli. With Maigret it 
 appears to have been equally a matter of spiritual interest; for 
 he was inclined to the Gospel and in after life became a decided 
 Huguenot. 
 
 We have seen how Zurich, as well as the other cantons, was 
 formerly kept back from entering into a closer alliance with 
 France chiefly through Zwingli's efforts. It is remarkable to 
 observe now a total change in his views. Let' us not condemn 
 him unjustly, but hear him once more toll his own story. The 
 true picture of the event will show that apparent inconsistency 
 only sprang from an abiding enthusiasm, in behalf of the one 
 great idea, to which he had consecrated his life. " The am- 
 bassadors of the King of France," he writes to Jacob Sturm, 
 "have asked me for an opinion, as to how the power of the 
 Emperor might be broken, or circumscribed, which I have 
 written out in Latin; I had refused it twice, and only when 
 they applied the third time, sent it to them with the knowledge 
 of the Privy Council. It is now (Feb. 28th, 1530) the seventh 
 day since Collin was despatched with it to the French embassy. 
 I cannot tell whether my paper will be sent along with the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 353 
 
 messenger to the King or not." This document was in the 
 form of a letter, addressed to the cities of the Christian Buer- 
 gerrecht. " It is a known fact," so it begins, " that in former 
 centuries no kings and no people offered a more steady resist- 
 ance to the overgrown power atid tyranny of the Roman Em- 
 peror than the most Christian kings of France and the people 
 of Helvetia. Through them, not only their own liberties, but 
 those also of other princes, nations and cities have been main- 
 tained. Hence this alliance of powers — the greater one of 
 France and the lesser of the Confederates (which latter are 
 not able by themselves to sustain so great a war) cannot be 
 dissolved without injury to the cause pf universal freedom. This 
 the kings of France have always kept in view. And, although 
 at present the ' Five Cantons continue to stand aloof from the 
 cities of the Christian Buergerrecht, and this in fact does not 
 the less grieve the King of France, than if (God forbid !) his 
 two sons were at variance, still he preserves the feelings and 
 the policy of his ancestors, who valued the friendship and at- 
 tachment of no people more than that of the Confederates. 
 HenceJ if he cannot effect a treaty with all Switzerland, on ac- 
 count of the above-mentioned schism, he is yet at least willing to 
 conclude one with the cities of the Christian Buergerrecht, as 
 well as those cantons, which are not distant in their views, 
 namely, with Glarus, Solothurn, Appenzel and the Toggen- 
 burgers; and it shall be of such a character, that even the 
 Zurichers, who would not join the one concluded several years 
 ago, can no longer have any reason to stand aloof, because it 
 contains no articles contrary to the Divine law. For this pur- 
 pose it shall also be submitted beforehand to the theologians 
 and preachers of the -Gospel in the Confederacy, since it is the 
 dearest wish of the most Christian King himself, that the Gospel 
 shall be maintained in its purity." The chief articles proposed 
 by Zwingli are the following : Twenty years for the duration of 
 
 30* 
 
354 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 this alliance, whose special duty it shall be to defend the 
 Christian religion, and that against every man who may assail 
 it, without exception. If one of the two parties is disturbed, 
 because it has received the Gospel or for other reasons, then 
 the other shall send aid at the first call; should it, on the con- 
 trary, make the attack, then authority is given, to help only, if 
 the reasons of the attack be found lawful. The troops of the 
 cities in the service of the king shall be paid by him. If they 
 desire- help, then the king shall send whatever of cavalry and 
 guns the treaty calls for, at his own cost. The articles of the 
 Perpetual Peace, already existing with France, are to continue 
 likewise in full force. 
 
 In a private letter sent to his near acquaintance, Maigret, 
 along with this scheme, Zwingli also proposed, if the King 
 would consent, to open the alliance to the Landgrave of Hesse, 
 who, though "a young man, was yet prudent far beyond his 
 years, magnanimous and resolute,'' and said there would be no 
 reason either to regret the admission of the Duke of Wuertem- 
 burg, "who, though driven from his country, was living in 
 exile, but with a stout heart, and possessed of Uncommon 
 abilities, in union with ripe experience; and I may do much 
 also among other cities near the borders of Switzerland. This 
 I now say to thee, only in confidence." 
 
 It is evident that the Reformer had made himself familiar 
 with the idea that his scheme would not be presented to the 
 King in such a form. Indeed, how could the ambassadors have 
 dared even to send it ? The very form of the scheme — Zwi^gli 
 venturing to speak in the name of the King, and demand, more- 
 over that the public act, to be issued by him and the council 
 of his own canton, should be first subjected to the censorship 
 of certain preachers — would very probably have appeared to 
 Francis extremely arrogant. For the Gospel he cared nothing. 
 His heart was set upon Lombardy, for the possession of which 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 355 
 
 he had already waged two wars with Charles. But to carry out 
 his plans there, he needed the aid of the, Swiss, and hence the 
 allusion fo a division amongst them in the scheme would have 
 ensured it an unfavorable reception. Some .d^'js afterward, 
 Zwingli received written notice from both the ambassadors, that 
 the time had not yet come to entertain propositions of this 
 nature. Dangerant used such ambiguous language as to leave 
 it doubtful whether he anticipated similar communications in 
 the future, or wished to ridicule the whole affair. Maigret, 
 who was well-disposed, remained in constant intercourse with 
 the Reform^er, and, at a later period, seems to have made a 
 generous use of a sojourn of several motiths in France, to kindle 
 there a more friendly feeling ow his behalf, of which indeed 
 there was great need.* He it was, who, after his return to 
 Switzerland, exhorted Zwingli to develope the substance of his 
 religious doctrines in a personal letter to the French King, in the 
 hope, that by this means much of the prejudice of that monarch 
 against them might be removed. The Reformer consented. 
 In June of the last year of his life, the writing was finished and 
 sent to Paris, where it is still extant in the Royal Library, a 
 striking monument of firm faith, as well as noble candor. As 
 before, against the Emperor, he also speaks against the French 
 King in regard to political matters. Here we can only quote 
 the beautiful passage, which, though little apprehended in that 
 
 * In a letter, written from France, by a German, in the year 1530, 
 to the Privy Council of Strassburg — ^in order to urge them, by a dele- 
 gation of sldllful speakers, to the French Court, in the name of the 
 German Protestants, to secure the entrance of the Reformation there, 
 and to send along, if possible, a learned theologian — it is expressly 
 stated:' "Zwingli, (Ecolampadius, or Carlstadt should be sent by no 
 means, for they are too much hated, on account of the Sacrament ; 
 others, except Lutherus, may come ; yet, as before said one of the 
 delegation should be able to speak French, in order to deliver the 
 address before the Eng." 
 
356 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 age, and even violently cpnsured by Luther, shows in the most 
 vivid manner, how far he stood above his century, and how 
 thoroughly he was penetrated by the conviction that Christian- 
 ity is designed to be the universal religion — the kingdom of 
 God, which must embrace all, who have an honest will. "I 
 believe," says he, "that the souls of the faithful in Christ, as 
 soon as they have torn themselves loose from the earthly hull, 
 rise to heaven, enter into closer union with the Godhead and 
 enjoy an eternal happiness. Here, most Christian King, thou 
 durst hope, if only like a David, a Hezekiah, a Josiah, thou 
 hast made a wise use of the power, which God has entrusted to 
 thee, to see Him in his essence, his form, in his almightiness 
 and goodness, to become the partaker of the fruits of his bless- 
 ing, not scantily, but to full satisfaction ; yet not to that satiety 
 which produces disgust, but that which, in blissful fulness, like 
 the streams that roll everlastingly down to the sea and out of 
 the pores of the earth renew themselves again, water the land- 
 scape, cover it with smiles and adorn it with a rich growth of 
 flowers. The happiness, which we enjoy, will be without end, 
 can never be exhausted, for no weariness comes there ; it is 
 ever new and ever the same. Then durst thou also hope to be 
 taken yonder into the communion, the society, the confidence 
 of all, who, from the beginning of the world, have led holy, 
 wise, believing, steadfast, brave and righteous lives. There 
 wilt thou find the two Adams, the saved and the Savior, Abel, 
 Enoch, Noah", Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Moses, Joshua, 
 Gideon, Samuel, Phineas, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and the God- 
 bearing Virgin of whom he prophesied, David, Hezekiah, 
 Josiah, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul; there also Hercules, 
 Theseus, Socrates, Aristides, Antigonus, Numa, Camillus, the 
 Catos and the Scipios; there Louis the Pious, and thy fore- 
 fathers, the Louises, Philips, Pepins, as many of whom as 
 walked by faith. In fine, never has there been a noble man, 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 357 
 
 never has there existed a pure spirit, a true heart from the be- 
 ginning of the world till its end, whom thou wilt not find there, 
 enjoying communion with the Father." 
 
 Let us now turn back to the Five Cantons. The Landfriede 
 had operated to their prejudice, as compared with their Eeformed 
 Confederates. Still they strove in general to enforce its pro- 
 visions, but according to that interpretation, which, at the con- 
 clusion of the treaty, they had put upon certain ambiguous 
 articles. Special conferences among themselves, and with other 
 co-religionists were not at all abandoned; but neither was this 
 the case on the side of the Reformed. Yet when they met for 
 the transaction of private business, the voice of moderation, 
 especially in the beginning, was not seldom heard. Thus, at a 
 meeting in Altorf, toward the end of August, 1529, Uri de- 
 clared with warmth, " that, if any one of the Five Cantons wrere 
 attacked contrary to the Peace, she would pledge life' and prop- 
 erty for its defence, but that in several cantons unbecoming 
 -language was used, and sundry markings done with badges (fir- 
 twigs upon their hats), which was improper and a violation of 
 the Lamd/riede; this they wished to maintain, and hence did 
 not approve of such things, and it is their friendly request, that 
 every canton will see it put away from among its people, though 
 they have done it; for if war should come on account of such 
 reasons above-named, she would promise nothing, and would 
 feel bound to render no aid; the Emperor in the meantime 
 should not be written to." A month later, at a another con- 
 ference in Brunnon, Zug, in whose midst vehement passions 
 were still alive, was warned in a similar strain, and "the deputy 
 told of the unbecoming words which they used, that they should 
 be put away, lest confusion might arise therefrom ; " and again 
 at prunnen, in the beginning of the year following, it was re- 
 solved, that "words of reviling and abuse be put away, since 
 they can lead to nothing good." They, who were guily of these 
 
358 
 
 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 offences, were, for the most part, proiid, insolent partisan lead- 
 ers, dreaded on account of their lawless character and warlike 
 propensities, or else,, head-strong young men, sons of politi- 
 cians and distinguished councillors, and hence it was the more 
 diiEcult to apply a remedy. The Zurichers declared themselves 
 little satisfied with fines, or the imprisonment of some poor fel- 
 low or obscure hot-head, dragged out of an ale-house, when, on 
 the other hand, in a large company, in presence of distinguished 
 members of the Reformed party, a man like Captain Shojnbrun- 
 ner of Zug was allowed to read, with ill-concealed malice, a 
 dirty libel in which Zwingli was accused of unnatural excesses 
 and a loathsome disease; but, on complaining bitterly of this, 
 they only received the answer: "Our Lords have told Henry 
 Shoenbrunner, that his conduct does not please them." It was 
 not the abusive language of an obscure individual, which crea- 
 ted such a stir, but that of an influential man, one who, a. short 
 time before, had been sent to the Imperial Diet at Augsburg 
 and there honored with a personal interview by King Ferdi- 
 nand, the Emperor's brother. 
 
 But, as among the Reformed, so also among the Catholics, 
 it was found very difficult to persuade the most prominent 
 leaders to use measures of conciliation. The Zugers distin- 
 guished themselves by their wild passion and energy. In order 
 to increase their influence, they sought and obtained admission 
 into the old confederation of the Four Forfest Cantons, and they 
 were the first who broached the idea of another alliance with 
 Austria. At the very time, when Collin was dispatched to 
 Venice, bailiff Thoss of Zug set out for Genoa, and obtained an 
 audience of the Emperor, whom he followed to Bologna, where 
 he was graciously received by the Pope. Bern had informed 
 Zurich of this occurrence, and expressed her anxiety. Perhaps 
 it was through his reports, that the Five Cantons were induced 
 to send a delegation to the Imperial Diet at Augsburg, in the 
 
LII'E OF ZWINGLI. 3.)9 
 
 summer of 1530. The delegation consistsd of the landvogt 
 of the canton of Luzern and the son of the then schultheiss, 
 Hug, to whom Baptista ah Isola of Genoa was yet added. 
 The latter, who probably accompanied Thoss on his return 
 home, had received from Luzern the rights of citizenship and 
 became the leader of a troop of Italian auxiliaries, which, in 
 the subsequent war, the Papal legate enlisted for the Five 
 Cantons. Besides the deputies, there went thither Captain 
 Schcenbrunner of Zngj.the schultheiss Hebolt of Solothurn ai-d 
 Eennward Goeldin, a distinguished Zuricher, who, from indig- 
 nation at the law against desertion, had left his native city and 
 espoused the cause of the Five Cantons. The abbot of St. Gall 
 followed. At the Imperial Diet they all sought assistance from 
 the Emperor, or at least endeavored, for the encouragement of 
 friends and the terror of foes, to make the impression that they 
 would obtain it. For this purpose reports of their brilliant re- 
 ception and the marks of honor bestowed on them were spread 
 everywhere — ^how often they had spoken with the Emperor and 
 his brother — ^how often they had been summoned to confer with 
 influential and illustrious men. But, on the other hand, reports 
 of quite a different character reached Switzerland from the ob- 
 servers of the Reformed party, of whom an unknown citizen of 
 St. Gall appears to have been the most active. His long let- 
 ters, full of details, were immediately communicated by St. Gall 
 to the allied cities. Touching the abbot and the embassy of 
 the Five Cantons, he expresses himself in the following man- 
 ner : " Kilian, the pretended abbot of St. Gall, came hither on 
 the 9th of July. I have seen him several times, and conversed 
 with his chamberlain and his chancellor on the street, when 
 they saluted me ; yet they betrayed nothing. The chancellor 
 told me, that his gracious lord was here only to receive a fief 
 from the Bishop of Chur; item, to wait and see also what would 
 be- done at the present Diet and likewise how it would go with 
 
SCO LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 others of the clerical order, as well as himself. Indeed, his 
 case is such, that even if the just-named abbot had received 
 wise council, he could not, in my judgment, accomplish any- 
 thing. The"said Kilian lodges with one Fischer, at a hotel in 
 some obscure street. On the 10th of the present month, he 
 dined with the Bishop of Constance; and then on the 11th, in 
 front of the Bishop's chamber, paced up and down, giving vent 
 there to his sorrow, anguish and misery, and cries to the Virgin, 
 for more than an hour, before he was admitted; then without 
 doubt the words of the said bishop gave him comfort; though 
 I hope their scheme will prove a gross failure, since I, by the 
 help of God, as far as I can learn the issue of this business, will 
 send My Lords the very earliest information thereof. Touching 
 the embassy of the cantons : First, the deputies of Luzern ar- 
 rived on the 5th day of this month (July). By the command 
 of the Emperor, they are lodged at a respectable inn, not far 
 from the court of the Emperor and King. The vogt of the 
 canton has presented and- delivered to the Emperor many let- 
 ters, without doubt supplications and apologies for royal treaties 
 and seals broken on compulsion and other similar things in 
 ■writing. But I cannot see, that the Empetor can give them 
 any special attention, till the decree of the Diet, in regard to the 
 faith and other articles of like nature, are made known. Then, 
 there are deputies from Zug, but I cannot see, that they do 
 much business, except to curry favor with the men of Luzern 
 and keep up appearances, by begging money for the gham-abbot 
 Kilian and offering him a placebo (i. e. delusive promises of 
 help) ; thus at no cost to themselves (but I forget — Kilian must 
 undo his purse-strings and be his own treasurer apd steward) 
 they can see the Emperor, King and members of the Imperial 
 Diet; therefore, if the Emperor, sometime ago, wished to form 
 an alliance with th'im, which caused them to be regarded as very 
 distinguished and nsefyl; now, upon near acquaintance, he 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 361 
 
 will possibly load them with costly gifts and marks of honor. Mark 
 Sittich (Austrian governor of the frontier-province of Vorari- 
 berg in the Tyrol) is laboring hard for this. Although, gracious 
 Lords, great plans and schemes are devised for the persecution 
 of the Common Confederacy, to wit, the evangelical cities — 
 Bern, Zurich and their allies and Christian co-burghers, yet 
 are they, in my judgment, only vain, proud and bragging fools, 
 who busy themselves here, in a restless and violent manner, in 
 these proceedings against us. On the fourth day of July, Mark 
 Sittich made loud complaint to the Emperor about the Zurich- 
 ers, how they withheld by force what belonged to him. The 
 Zurichers should be written to on the subject. These things 
 need looking after, and I now give Mark's scheme and plan of 
 action with the names : Thus, the Christian cities in the three 
 cantons are to be surprised, assaulted and taken; namely, by 
 the Duke of Savoy, with the help of "Wallis ( Valais) and Frei- 
 burg proceeding against Bern ; item, the Emperor against Basel 
 and Constance, and Mark Sittich, with squadrons from the 
 abbacy and over the Rhine, and the hostile countries beyond, 
 against us. Then the city of Strassburg is to be besieged. In 
 case the cities, bound by their burgher-oath, send forth troops 
 to aid their comrades, these troops are to be suddenly attacked 
 upon the road and no one left to tell the tale. — All this would 
 perhaps take place, if the Turk had not marched against Vien- 
 na. I have good hope in God, our Redeemer, that these fel- 
 lows will fail in many, yea more than half their plans. There- 
 fore, you, my Lords, may be unterrified if such stories reach 
 your ears, for our Savior does not bless such base designs. 
 And though it should happen, it will only redound to His 
 honor and glory." 
 
 From these and similar reports we may certainly infer, that 
 the deputies of the Five Cantons, as well as the abbot of St. 
 Gall, did their utmost in Augsburg, to win over the Emperor 
 
 31 
 
862 LME OF ZWINGLI 
 
 and individual members of the Imperial Diet to their cause, 
 and found also zealous advocates. Yet no record of any formal 
 resolution passed in their favor, or a revival of their alliance 
 with Austria, is extant. On the contrary, they appear lu Lave 
 returned home not altogether satisfied, and toward the close 
 of the year 1530, their general behavior exhibits more of des- 
 pondency than hope, whilst Zurich assumed a still more hostile 
 attitude; and Zwingli himself was little inclined to oppose 
 it. Through his efforts, his exhortations, his correspondence, 
 his travels the Reformed party grew stronger day by day. Zu- 
 rich was everywhere ready with her mediation, or protection — 
 with complaints, if the Five Cantons, with threats, if their 
 subjects endeavored to prevent the preaching of the Gospel. 
 Here, in the territories, in which the Catholic states also had a 
 share, a monastery was broken up to-day, because the mass of 
 its occupants so desired, and sometimes too, as happened at 
 Katharinenthal, near Diessenhofen, because intimidated by force 
 and terror, and there to-morrow, in a parish hitherto devoted 
 to the old faith, the Reformation, after repeated voting, was 
 carried by a small majority. Of course a preacher was imme- 
 diately sent thither, and rarely did they stop, until they had 
 obliged the ejected Catholic priest to retire. Some time pre- 
 vious, the Thurgovian landweibel (high sergeant), one of the 
 most powerful props of the Old Eaith party, when passing 
 through Zurich in the retinue of a landvogt from Unterwalden, 
 had been there thrown into prison and beheaded; and the 
 landvogt Stocker from Zug, on complaint made to Zurich by 
 the Thurgovians, found himself, through the assistance which 
 the former granted to the people, compelled to flee the territory. 
 The landvogt Kretz from Unterwalden met with the same 
 treatment in the Rheinthal, but in this case without the aid of 
 Zurich. It certainly cannot be denied, that a considerable 
 portion of the clergy — of the monks, who were ejected from the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 363 
 
 Territories in consequence of the Keformation, •were men with- 
 out knowledge, often without morals and generally of little 
 worth, and that the three civil functionaries just-mentioned, 
 had, by their harshness, immorality and acts of violence, stirred 
 up the righteous indignation of the people^ yet the forms, un- 
 der which Zurich proceeded, were not those of confederate 
 law, but the offspring rather of an arbitrary will, whose continued 
 assumption of power tended only to awaken the most bitter ani- 
 mosity amongst the Five Cantons, and found no approval with 
 her own party, including even the cities of the Christian Buer- 
 gerrecht. The good end could not justify the unlawful means. 
 And still less was this the case, when, in spite of the decided 
 protest of the other cantons of the protectorate, she allowed 
 herself to make a one-sided scale of salaries, increasing the reve- 
 nues of benefices in the parishes, which had accepted the Ref- 
 ormation, at the expense of the rest; and compel Catholics, 
 who had resigned these benefices, to call in Reformed preachers 
 and pay them more, than required by the treaties. In vain did 
 the Five Cantons raise a voice of protest at all the sittings of 
 the general Diet; in vain did they send embassies with com- 
 plaints and prayers for redress to the other states. Zurich 
 pushed forward, secure of support from the majority of the 
 people in the Territories. 
 
 But more yet was in reserve, and principally through Zwingli's 
 influence. He too sank under the weakness of our common hu- 
 manity; as Luther and Calvin in solitary moments, as Borromeo 
 and Francis de Sales, as the Apostles themselves. One alone 
 never yielded, and proved by that very fact, that He had come 
 from God. A writing of the Reformer, still extant, its margin 
 covered with corrections, improvements and additions — signs of 
 great mental agitation — shows incontestibly, that with him also, 
 in hours, when his feelings may have been embittered by the 
 unworthy attacks to which he saw himself more and more ex- 
 
364 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 posed, hatred had prevailed over love, passion over calmness 
 of spirit, and earthly policy over the guidance of faith. It has 
 this heading: "What, in the dealings of the Five Cantons, 
 there is need for Zurich and Bern to ponder over." It affords 
 us a deep glance into his inner life, and reveals to us the plans 
 with which he was occupied; and whilst the cold-blooded read- 
 er, who sees in history only the results of human struggles, and 
 declares those most successful, where the most comprehensive 
 means have accompanied the grandest designs, may read these 
 with admiration of Zwingli's political sagacity, he, on the other 
 hand, who measures all things by the rule of the Gospel, will be 
 obliged to condemn them. 
 
 Any one, who derives his knowledge of the history of that 
 period from original sources, and has read the numerous bills 
 of complaint, handed in, even at the recesses of the general 
 Diet, by the people of the Common Territories, and the results 
 of the investigations, which, in most cases, proved them to be 
 just and well-founded, can imagine the indignation which 
 Zwingli's view of the case called forth. But to an honest will 
 other means of redress stood open, before resort to such extreme 
 measures — to plans that would shake the Confederacy to its very 
 foundations. But indeed, it is almost certain, that these plans 
 were never formally laid before the authorities of Zurich and 
 made the subject of official deliberation. They may have been 
 communications to a narrow, confidential circle of friends, 
 drawn up more as a frank confession of his own political faith, 
 than with any hope that their complete execution was so easily 
 possible in the coming age. Still, they afford us the necessary 
 key to a right understanding of the part played by him in the 
 affairs of the Confederacy, during the last two years of his life, 
 and hence we cannot omit here the main ideas. "In ancient 
 times," so he writes, " Zurich and Bern united as confederates 
 with the Four Forest Cantons, Luzern, Uri, Schwyz, and Un- 
 
 31* 
 
LIFE OS ZWINGLI. 365 
 
 terwalden. The power of both parties was then equal and they 
 held faithfully together, but the burden of ihe wars against 
 their enemies on all sides was great. The cities were the bul- 
 warks ; they had not the mountains, the passes, for their de- 
 fence. As their territory increased, the greater injuries fell 
 upon them and the greater costs. With fairness they could 
 have demanded a change in the relative proportion of right in 
 the federal councils. But Zurich and Bern were content with 
 some insignificant grants, respecting the division of booty ac- 
 cording to the number of soldiers, which the treaty of Stanz 
 allowed them ; and the Cantons still kept twice as many votes 
 as the cities, although the latter, yea even sometimes one of 
 them performed as much as all the former put together. This 
 produced arrogance among those who, in the beginning, were 
 modest. Thei/ were the governors of the common bailiwicks; 
 thei/ acted often without consulting the cities. They have 
 strengthened themselves in our times by the admission of a fifth 
 canton. They concoct everywhere their schemes, before the 
 meetings of the federal diet; for them the fruit must ripen, 
 where they did not sow. Shall the two cities endure this any 
 longer? They are confronted with the federal league, in oppo- 
 sition to the treaty of Stanz, which guarantees their rights, 
 their number of votes at the diet, in relation to the Territories; 
 but every claim, privilege or -power, is dissolved or broken, 
 according to divine and human law, when they are misused. 
 The land of Palestine is an example. In eternity was it prom« 
 ised to the children of Israel. In eternity were they driven 
 out from it, when they transgressed the commandment of God. 
 Home brought into subjection Alba Longa and the Sabines, from 
 whom she herself had sprung, because they did not keep the 
 peace and act fairly as neighbors. In history such examples are 
 innumerable, and it is God's Word that says : ' Put away the evil 
 from among you." Moreover, it is highly necessary for our 
 
366 LIFE or ZWINQLI. 
 
 union to lessen their power, or to separate from them. For 
 years back, neither discipline nor order has been found in their 
 midst. And where these fail, no government can stand. If it 
 be said, they have their own rights, their own power, their 
 own government, which must be left to them, and though these 
 all be abused, we have no right to say anything, then the 
 answer is : No compact can exist contrary to justice, and if 
 the one party overlooks this, falls away from it, then the other 
 should hold them to it, yea, compel them, and if the Five Can- 
 tons are henceforth lost to all sense of right, then it is " certain, 
 that they must be punished and will be uprooted." So the 
 eleven tribes of Israel slew the twenty five thousand Benjamites, 
 and so the Romans punished the Carthaginians, until they 
 brought them into complete subjection. 
 
 "Two things onl^ are now to be considered — when and how 
 we shall punish them. When? Truly it is best to attack 
 them at, once. 
 
 " France will remain neutral ; the Emperor is entangled in 
 the aflFairs of Germany; they can obtain no help either from 
 Confederates or foreigners, are ill supplied with guns and other 
 necessaries, and besides, there are also many good people among 
 them, whose hearts are more with us than with them. Only, 
 do not begin with prohibiting the export of provisions; this 
 will not suffice, and prove rather injurious to ourselves. 'By 
 destroying the bailiwicks (yogteien), by annulling the federal 
 compact, and by invading their territory, we must force them 
 to obey;' and if the latter will not do, because it seems too 
 dreadful, then let us immediately lay hold on one of the other 
 means. 
 
 "Sow so? The best is, for our two cantons in concert to 
 seize on the bailiwicks, indeed to hold back their rights from 
 each of the others, who have share in the government of the 
 Territories. Then it may be the most advisable to divide the 
 
LIPE OF ZWINGLI. 367 
 
 bailiwicks. But the division is not to be made according to the 
 number of the ruling powers ; their method is not to be establish- 
 ed by a majority of votes; for, in that case, Zurich and Bern 
 would be shamefully cheated, since the majority has always 
 been on the side of the Five Cantons. No ! if justice is to be 
 done, let the ruling powers be broken into three- equal parts — 
 Zurich and Bern to form two, and the rest one. Indeed if real 
 power, influence and importance were taken into account, Zurich 
 and Bern would be entitled to six-sevenths. Fairness requires 
 the division to be made according to the proportion of two to 
 one. And this can and will happen, if both cities are united, 
 if, in the prosperity of the one, the other seeks hers also, and 
 desires no increase for herself without the increase and advan- 
 tage of her neighbor. Each shall endeavor also to form alliances 
 with foreign cities lying near; yet not alone, but in common, 
 ever going hand in hand, pledging friendship for friendship, 
 and neutrality for neutrality. In all the other cantons, sensible 
 people shall be informed, what great injury may result to them 
 from the continual mismanagement of the Five Cantons at 
 home and abroad. Hence it will follow, that the other cantons 
 will also let the Five drop; for their power now, since the in- 
 troduction of artillery into all wars, is so small, that no danger 
 need be apprehended from them. Then too, the cities are 
 better armed than they, and will accordingly gain, if their power 
 ■is broken or diminished. Moreover, the ignorance of the Five 
 Cantons, in everything that belongs to government, is a reason 
 why we must separate from them ; for, if brothers keep house to- 
 gether, and one of them does nothing and only squanders, then 
 they must divide, or the spendthrift will bringthem all to poverty. 
 " But, that they cannot govern, is proved by all their pro- 
 ceedings in the German and French bailiwicks. In the French 
 cantons they have ruined the bailiwicks by taking bribes for 
 sentences and appeals and doing it so scandalously, that no hon- 
 
368 LIFE OP ZWINQLI. 
 
 est man can see or hear it without great pain. It is fast coming 
 to a rupture also in the German bailiwicks. Thither they send, 
 either haughty and avaricious vogts, or those of loose character, 
 who rob, break every thing to pieces, and so behave that every 
 one grows tired of them, and if a separation does not take place, 
 the general indignation will in the end be transferred to the 
 vogts of the cities also; for already have several of the latter 
 been imprisoned for following their shameful example. These 
 riotous fellows drink, gamble and live with lewd women, to the 
 great scandal of honest people. In short, if we be not divided 
 from them, or their power be not so diminished, that they must 
 stand in dread of Zurich and Bern, then surely a schism will 
 be created among the cantons, as terrible as that between the 
 Guelfs and Ghibelines in Italy. Summa summarum : He, 
 who cannot be master shall be a miserable slave. This is writ- 
 ten down hastily, in order that both cities may see what is the 
 most pressing want of the time, and the more bravely lay hand 
 to the work. No one should indicate the author, but say : God 
 grant grace ! " 
 
 God indeed does grant grace to every thing, which, out of a 
 pure knowledge of it, happens according to his will, and falls 
 back upon it. And God did grant grace to every manly, true, 
 loving word of the Reformer, uttered in behalf of spiritual free- 
 dom, to the unmasking of hypocrisy and abominable priestcraft — 
 grace to every thing that he did and suffered, to bring back 
 faith in the Word of God to the only foundation, upon which 
 it rests unshaken, purity of heart and will, and the personal ex- 
 perience of the blessing, which springs from all truly evangel- 
 ical conduct. For this Zurich thanks him, and is bound so to 
 do, as long as she exists. But God is also just. No departure 
 from the right path can be long continued without injurious 
 consequences, and least of all in the strongest and most highly 
 gifted. The deviation from those plans, perhaps the greatest error 
 
LIFli OF ZWINOLI. 363 
 
 of his life, and all that was done in the spirit of them — thj 
 servant of the Gospel, which requires kindness, patient correo- 
 tion of a straying brother, and in civil life the sacred observanca 
 of treaties, he and Zurich must mourn over. 
 
CHAPTER NINTH. 
 
 VAIN ATTEMPTS AT EBCONCILIATION. EXPORTATION OF QBAIN PKO- 
 
 HIBITBD. OUTBREAK OP "WAR. BATTLE OF CAPPEL. 
 
 ZWINGLI'S DEATH 
 
 VJQ i^HE 
 
 ■^fy- J 
 
 more rapid the advance of 
 Zurich, the slower that of Bern 
 f became. She could count less on 
 I ?£9g?-^' ,- -"■gsoffii m^ the support of her own subjects 
 p 3 ^^ *-^ '.^g CK than the former. In the Oberland, 
 \ '^^r^* \ ' "^^i^ ^M tlie- fire yet glowed beneath the 
 '* ' * '^L ij^^i-M ,,,^^ ashes ; discontent prevailed among 
 the mass of those, who were punished on account 
 of the rebellion of 1528. With that rude people, 
 the Reformation, hastily carried out, and not as yet 
 rooted in their minds and hearts, had tended to 
 weaken the bonds of allegiance. Signs of war ap- 
 peared also in the west. Geneva, with whom she 
 had formed a defensive alliance, was threatened by 
 the Duke of Savoy, and not fully relying on her own 
 citizens, called on Bern for help. The Government delayed, 
 but finally asked the Confederates for their usual contingent. 
 The Five Cantons refused it ; and Zurich also, concerned for 
 her own safety, hesitated about marching an army to such a 
 great distance. Urged by the repeated demands of Geneva, 
 Bern at last sent out 5 000 men, who passed through the Pays 
 370 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 371 
 
 de Vaud, burning and pillaging, to the great terror of the in- 
 habitants, and in the end became troublesome in Geneva itself, 
 through their want of discipline. A treaty with Savoy, con- 
 cluded .at St. Julien, restored peace for a while; but the lack 
 of zeal manifested by Zurich, in not coming to the succor, 
 could not but dampen the sympathy of the Bernese in her af- 
 fairs. 
 
 Two new events occurred, to make her condition only the 
 more critical. The biennial term of the governor-general of St. 
 Gall expired with the close of the year 1530. A Luzerner was 
 to take the place of the retiring Zuricher. Before she would 
 give her consent to the change, Zurich demanded of him a 
 public avowal, ia favor of the Reformation, and an oath to pro- 
 tect the people of the abbacy. Luzem entreated her to dis- 
 pense with such an avowal, and be content with that oath, by 
 which he was pledged to maintain the Landfriede, on the 
 ground that this of itself would serve to protect the Reforma- 
 tion, wherever introduced by a majority of votes. Zurich per- 
 sisted in her demand. She wished all others to put the same 
 construction on the Landfriede that she did. In consequence 
 of this, the governor-general Frei not only refused to leave Wyl, 
 but marched also at the head of an armed troop of the abbey- 
 people, beyond the limits of his jurisdiction, to compel two 
 parishes in the Rheinthal, where strife had arisen, to accept the 
 Reformation. Vainly had Bern, on complaint of the Five 
 Cantons, implored Zurich to keep faith and admit the Luzemese 
 governor-general, on the strength of the pledge required by the 
 Landfriede, thus giving his administration a trial. No escape 
 being left for the Five Cantons, except an appeal to the Con- 
 federates, a General Diet was assembled in Baden, on the 8th 
 of January. The unanimous instruction of the Five Cantons 
 at tffis Diet shows the position which they were resolved to main- 
 tain, as well as what was expected from their federal associates. 
 
"72 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 " We had hoped," so said their deputies in accordance with 
 their commission, " that all our Confederates had been suffi- 
 ciently convinced by deeds, of our firm purpose to uphold the 
 peace and all treaties. But to us of the Five Cantons, in gen- 
 eral, and each in particular, such manifold injury has been 
 done, since the treaty of the Landfriede, so many innovations 
 exacted, and so many attacks made upon our rights, that to 
 detail all this would be an endless and perplexing task. Some- 
 thing, however, . shall be presented, to show that we do not 
 complain without reason. 
 
 " In the first place, we have to speak about the governor- 
 generalship of St. Gall. The place fell by right, on last St. 
 Catharine's day, to our Confederates of Luzern ; but you, Con- 
 federates of Zurich, prevented the governor from entering on 
 his office, brought up new articles, which you required him to 
 receive beforehand, and demanded an oath to the peasants ; and 
 when we justly complained, you sent in return detailed mis- 
 sives, without any color of law, (which may be examined, if 
 necessary), and formally refused in the end to respect our 
 rights. We are highly aggrieved that any canton in our Con- 
 federacy should lose all regard to justice, and that ' new con- 
 trivances should be found for twisting and glossing over our 
 covenants and treaties,' so that no one may be bound to let law 
 be law. Of such 'glossing over,' our forefathers knew nothing; 
 in their time also everything went better than now. Then, 
 too, our Confederates of Schwyz have been denied justice in 
 another case. But, though you may think, Confederates of 
 Zurich, that you have good reasons for acting thus, it yet does 
 -not become you to be yourselves the only judges of the validity 
 of these reasons. 
 
 " Moreover, the government of the Territories has already 
 been often discussed here in Baden. We believe, that the 
 present resolutions would be valid, as soon as passed by a ma- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINOLI. 373 
 
 jority of the ruling cantons. For if the majority of votes is of 
 no avail among those possessed of equal rights, how can treaties 
 ever exist? Leagues and covenants are then made in vain. 
 From rulers we become servants, if we must do that only which 
 is commanded by a majority of one or two cantons. Indeed, 
 in this way, we would by force and against law be driven out 
 of all the bailiwicks, in which our forefathers won their share 
 honorably and honestly, by the sword or by other means ; and 
 should we brook this from those who call themselves our 
 friends and Confederates? God forbid ! and with His help we 
 will not suffer it. 
 
 "Touching that which you, in connection with Glarus and 
 Wallenstadt, did there against our rights, an impartial court 
 has' been appointed according to your own request; but you 
 have threatened, that if the judges do not decide in youi; favor, 
 you will compel them so to do. Your governor in St. Gall, in- 
 stead of taking leave, at the expiration of his term of office, 
 has stirred up the people of the abbacy and led them into the 
 Rheinthal, where neither you, nor yours, nor the governor have 
 any right to act without us. There he has surprised and mal- 
 treated two poor congregations, because the majority have re- 
 solved to remain true to the Old Faith. Who can live with 
 such friends, that do them more harm than enemies ? Though 
 we have suffered much from you hitherto, yet is our manhood 
 unextinguished. We are lovers of peace. God is with such. 
 He grants victory to the despised, and truly, he has not yet 
 denied it to us. 
 
 " We do not wish at this time to relate minutely all that we 
 have experienced-at your hands in the Thurgau, Sargans, Baden 
 and the County of Toggenburg. Because, up to this time, we 
 have been everywhere deprived of our rights, we now send this 
 last message to you and all the Confederates. The deputies 
 shall especially inquire, whether, in the future, you and your 
 
S74 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 adherents will keep tlie federal compact and Landfreide with 
 us, let a majority be a majority, act fairly, and whether deeds 
 will go hand in hand with your promises. If this happen, 
 then we will pledge ourselves also to do all that becomes honest 
 Confederates. But if you. Confederates of Zurich, and who- 
 ever agrees with yoii in these affairs, will not desist from your 
 undertaking, nor return to the federal compact and Landfriede, 
 do not conceal it, so that we, on our side, may know what to 
 do. And, if you are neither willing to do the former, nor 
 make known to us the latter, then shall our deputies appeal to 
 our dear Confederates of Glarus, "Freiburg, Solothum, Schaff- 
 hausen and Appenzell in the following manner : 
 
 "Dear Confederates, you have now heard how we have been 
 treated, since the conclusion of the Landfriede. You know, 
 moreover, how, just lately at a General Diet in Baden, when 
 we paid down the money required by that treaty, Zurich and 
 her adherents gave us a promise to abide faithfully by the 
 federal compact and the Landfriede, and particularly to respect 
 and obey the majority in the bailiwicks, as far as worldly affairs 
 are concerned. How they have kept this promise, we leave 
 you to judge. Though we do not now know, what may be 
 done by others, we yet feel bound to uphold the Landfriede, 
 which we indeed have never violated, but always observed, for 
 you are aware how urgently we were solicited to pay over the 
 money alluded to, lest further disturbance might arise there- 
 from — and hence we demand and exhort you, by our federal 
 compact and the Landfriede, of which you yourselves are 
 parties,- to aid and support us in teaching the Zurichers and 
 their adherents, that they must observe these treaties, according 
 to their plain letter, and let a majority be a majority, as they 
 are bound to do by all law, human and divine, and that you 
 proceed therein with such earnestness, as becomes good Con- 
 federates; for we will no longer endure any more violence of 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 375 
 
 ttis sort. If no improvement takes place, we will seek out 
 ways and means, to protect ourselves from injustice and abide 
 by our own people. In this may tbe Holy Trinity aid us ! 
 Now, we desire from you a final answer, whether you will help 
 us to ouj rights. If not, we will attend no more sessions of 
 the General Diet, and with the best feelings do not conceal it 
 from you." 
 
 Of all the charges made by the Five Cantons, Zurich applied 
 none to herself. She had never violated nor attacked their 
 rights in worldly things, even in the remotest manner. How 
 could she then pledge herself to restore these rights? The 
 whole dispute had arisen from an incorrect, forced interpreta- 
 tion of the Landfriede by the Five Cantons. iThe governments 
 did not stand opposed to each other in religious matters, and 
 the freedom of the Gospel or its limitation was not to be de- 
 cided by a majority of the ruling powers in the Territories. 
 The Landfriede itself guaranteed the former; therefore Zurich 
 maintained, that she stood here also on perfectly legal ground ; 
 and, in respect to the governorship of St. Gall, had acted like- 
 ,wise in the spirit of this Landfriede, so that, if the Luzernese 
 governor was not willing to comply with the conditions of 
 Zurich, it was not hor fault. 
 
 From these declarations of the parties, it is evident that the 
 task of mediator was not an easy one. A new event occurred, 
 to render it still more difficult. At the north-eastern extremity 
 of Lake Como, stood the strongly-fortified mountain-castle of 
 Musso. It was then occupied by' Jacob Midicis, a bold and 
 skillful adventurer, who had played an active part in the earlier 
 Italian wars. Supported by his hired bands, he frequently 
 sailed forth from his hiding-place, to the great disturbance of 
 his neighbors in Valtlin and Graubuenden. He even ventured 
 to interrupt the commerce of Graubuenden with Milan, and 
 surprised and murdered two envoys, sent with complaints to 
 
376 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 the Duke, on their return home. Yet more dangerous plans 
 of his, in union with the Austrian authorities, against the Ke- 
 formed Confederates, were talked of, and the report received 
 some color of truth from the increasing preparations fior war, 
 as well as an attack at Morbagnio, upon the Graubuendners, 
 who had marched out to secure their possessions, and whom, 
 after a stout defence, he compelled to retreat. An appeal was 
 now made to the Confederates for armed assistance. They all 
 promised, and dispatched 5,000 men; the Five Cantons only 
 persevered in refusing to furnish their quota. 
 
 "Here you see," said Zurich to the mediators, "their fidelity 
 to the federal compact; here you perceive with whom they 
 have secret intercouse — here, whether we were wrong in pow- 
 erfully opposing the hypocrites." But it soon transpired, that 
 Austria was not at all concerned in this affair, and rather dis- 
 approved the action of Medicis ; and the Five Cantons sought 
 to justify their inactivity by the necessity of defending their 
 own borders in such critical times. 
 
 The states of the Confederacy, favorable to peace, now supplied 
 the place of Schaffhausen, who had taken a decided stand 
 with the cities of the Buergerrecht, by calling in the French 
 embassy. The latter immediately turned to Zwingli himself. 
 " Dear highly esteemed man," they wrote to him, " we have 
 once .before expressed our urgent wishes, to thee, and thou 
 hast not answered us. Very lately the King sent one of 
 his nobles to us with another earnest command to do all in 
 our power in aiding to restore and strengthen peace and con- 
 cord between the Confederates. In this spirit we addressed 
 ourselves to the deputies (of the cities of the Buergerrecht^ 
 prescn't at Aarau. Since we learn that they will soon assemble 
 again in Zurich, we write to thee also.- We beg, we implore 
 thee, if, as we doubt not, the peace and welfare of Helvetia are 
 near to thy heart, to do all in thy power to prevent any hostile act 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. i377 
 
 against their Confederates from these men, whom we honor and 
 esteem, and aid in bringing about a reconciliation. Indeed 
 this is very urgent, for reasons which make it necessary, but 
 which we have not now time to communicate, they are so many; 
 and if thou knowest them thyself, thou wouldst esteem thyself 
 happy in such a work, and must hereafter in the opposite case 
 unavoidably condemn thyself; and that thou canst produce 
 either the one or the other, of that we are convinced. If you 
 push it to a war, not sis months will go by before it will take 
 such a turn, that the Zurichers will be sorry enough for what 
 we now know and foresee. We pray thee think over the con- 
 tents of this letter ; perceive therein a proof of our sincere re- 
 gard; inform us what can be done on your part to give the 
 business a happy direction. For ourselves, nothing will gain 
 us greater thanks from the King. On the contrary, if war 
 breaks out among you, the victorious party must in the end 
 be just as much weakened as the other. And beforehand 
 already, must they, who should be afraid to cause it, be for- 
 saken by their friends, because the latter, engaged to other 
 allies also, must condemn such cruel, reckless and passionate 
 conduct." 
 
 Zwingli did not suffer himself to be moved by this letter, 
 and Zurich likwise persevered in carrying out her fundamental 
 principle, tq, do^ everything for the freedom of the Gospel, even 
 where she did not rule alone, or had but a small share of the 
 sovereign authority — to do it also in the way of armed inter- 
 ference, if negotiation did not suffice. ' In vain did the advo- 
 cates of peace redouble their labors; in vain did the warnings 
 of Bern become more and more pressing. The governor-general 
 Frei still prolonged his official term at Wyl, stirred up the people 
 of the abbacy and conducted their affairs. A bill of purchase 
 for the monastery was made out by the city of St. Gall, and a 
 release of the Toggenburgers from all allegiance to the abbej^ for 
 
378 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 the sum of 15,000 florins, which was ratified by Zurich, and 
 through her exertions by Glarus also, in spite of protests from 
 Luzern and Schwyz. In the Thurgau, Zwingli succeeded in 
 applying the revenue, arising from fines in the lower courts, to 
 purposes of charity, against all opposition of the magistrates, 
 who had hitherto appropriated them to their own use. All this 
 increased continually the number of his enemies and the com- 
 plaints at the confederate assemblies, and among the advocates 
 of peace. The language of the Five Cantons became more 
 threatening; the subjects of Zurich, whom business led into 
 the interior, were obliged to hear words of bitter reviling, and 
 were even personally attacked; one of theril had his horse killed 
 in iEgeri. Much was reported about the rude speeches and 
 rough manners of certain prominent individuals. By all this, 
 on the other hand, Zurich sought to justify her conduct, and in 
 fact the displeasure of the remaining cities of 'the Christian 
 Buergerrecht was kindled anew against the Five Cantons, who 
 were not able to quell the growing barbarity- of many of their 
 subjects; a proof of general corruption in morals, just where the 
 greatest boast was made of ancient simplicity. The Keformer 
 meanwhile had aided in establishing synods in the Thurgau, in 
 Toggenburg and in St. Gall, and was frequently present at 
 their sessions. Everywhere he saw the resolution of a majority 
 of the people to fight, if necessary, for the Gospel. His pres- 
 ence inspired confidence and respect. In St. Gall he was 
 honored by a musical festival, projected by one of his numerous 
 friends, and in other places he preached to great crowds with 
 general applause. Zurich should be true to herself, was his 
 continual exhortation, and must persevere to the end. In 
 order, therefore, to exert a new and powerful influence upon 
 the cities of the BuergerrecM, Zurich invited them to hold a 
 conference; which, with all in attendance, was opened on the 
 6th of March. A detailed list of the vile calumnies to which 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 379 
 
 influential leaders in the Five Cantons had given currency was 
 presented, the declared resolution of Zurich not to suffer them 
 any longer, and the petition for aid to prevent and punish them 
 in the future. Bern regretted the calumnies, and acknowledged 
 that Zurich had sufficient reason to be angry, but pointed to the 
 mighty preparations for war, which the enemies of the Refor- 
 mation were making in the Empire and Italy. The Five Can- 
 tons may be well aware of this, had perhaps received secret 
 promises of assistance, and hence their leaders behaved more 
 rudely of late. Then the guilt of this abuse, though so pro- 
 voking in and of itself, should not be charged upon the cantons 
 as a whole, but only upon certain individuals. Besides, the 
 present scarcity of provisions should be thought of, and the 
 very last means for peace exhausted, before arms should be re- 
 sorted to. Hence her deputies proposed to send an embassy to 
 the Five Cantons, from the collective cities of the Buergerrecht, 
 even without Zurich, if she did not see fit to join it. Earnest 
 expostulation and at all events a hint about prohibiting the ex- 
 port of provisions, in case a hearing were refused, could not 
 remain without its due effect. Basel said that sending embas- 
 sies and letters were useless. The overbearing disposition of 
 these people, as well as their rudeness, was well known. — 
 Deputies could easily meet in such a way as would only widen 
 the breach. Let us once more call a Diet at Baden and bring 
 up, there our common complaints. Together we will demand 
 a speedy remedy. If they promise, it is well; if not, our 
 honor is preserved, though we break asunder, Schaffhausen 
 and St. Gtill expressed the same opinion, and Bern likewise fell 
 in with the invitation. 
 
 Meanwhile, the latter had not been wrong in her conjecture. 
 There were yet many undoubtedly in the Five Cantons, who 
 were neither guilty of such rough sayings and doings them- 
 selves, nor approved of them in others. Indeed, the majority 
 
380 LIJTE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 of the rulers saw well that their position, hitherto not unfavor- 
 able, would iDe endangered thereby; and willingly would they 
 have put away all such things, had it been possible to change 
 the nature of the people. Hence their deputies, to secure 
 whose attendance Bern had made great exertions, appeared in 
 the G-eneral Diet at Baden with a tolerable degree of modesty. 
 
 They desired a copy of the complaints of Zurich, answered 
 them as they were brought forward, point by point, as far as 
 they could do this beforehand, declared the willingness of their 
 lords to punish yet more severely after due investigation, and 
 excused their people by the fact that they also were obliged to 
 hear many a bitter speech among the Reformed, and one rude 
 word begets another. Their faith too had been frequently as- 
 sailed by the preachers, the mass spoken of with contempt, and 
 they themselves called 'blood-sellers' and 'money-eaters,' in 
 the pulpit. The sooner the cities would find out that such 
 things were also punishable, the more ready would they on 
 their side be to deal likewise with the unruly, and if their sen- 
 tences would sometimes be less severe than the cities had ex- 
 pected, they were at liberty to treat the perpetrators according 
 to their own pleasure, whenever they came within their juris- 
 diction. At this juncture, the neutral cantons earnestly ex- 
 horted the one party to fulfill its promises, and the other to be 
 satisfied with them. But when the deputies of the Tive Can- 
 tons wished to speak yet about the state of the Territories, the 
 Zurichers declared that they had no authority to touch upon 
 these things, and so they parted, Zurich and the Five Cantons ; 
 neither put in a right position, nor brought nearer to each 
 other. 
 
 But the former and Zwingli, in chief, were not at all inclined 
 to be satisfied with what was done. They saw increasing dan- 
 ger in the continued postponement of all active interference. 
 His sermons became warlike. Help mu.=t be extended to the 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 381 
 
 oppressed in the Five Cantons; the multitude of those, who 
 desired the freedom of the Gospel, but from whom it was with- 
 held in the most unjust and violent manner, against the plain 
 meaning of the Landfriede. " There is no longer any safety," 
 said Zwingli in the pulpit, "till the Keformation is thoroughly 
 carried out. Its enemies would long ago have given way, had 
 we only banished from our own midst all lukewarm, indiflferent 
 persons, and all secret traitors. Against these we must now 
 proceed with untiring zeal and unfaltering purpose, even in the 
 cities of the Buergerreclit. Our allies must be brought to 
 support us in this, and not drag us down with them into the 
 abyss through their culpable negligence." A deputation was 
 now sent thither, composed of members of the Council, who 
 visited Bern, Basel, ShafiFhausen and St. Gall, and communi- 
 cated an enlarged list of grievances, the warnings that had ar- 
 rived from abroad, and a review of the conduct of the Five 
 Contons in the affair with the tyrant of Musso, in which they 
 were accused of breach of covenant and a desire to bringi about 
 the ruin and destruction of the city of Zurich, as well as the 
 dismemberment of a glorious Confederacy. " We can no longer, 
 in any way, keep quiet and yet justiiy ourselves before our 
 own people. We can, may, and will no longer let the matter 
 drop, but undertake everything, which the high and serious 
 nature of the case demands, everything which may be needful 
 for the maintenance of Divine truth, and the deliverance of 
 all who adhere to the same." The answers of the collective 
 cities were asked for with all possible dispatch. 
 
 They arrived after a few days. Bern wrote in a grave and mod 
 erate tone ; she greatly deplored! the continued disturbances of 
 the peace; yet, "since matters had come so far, and out of re- 
 gard to their dangerous course," she prayed Zurich for this 
 time to use no violence against the Five Cantons, but remain 
 quiet till the next Buergertag (diet of the cities) in Aarauj 
 
382 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 to wliicli she had summoned her, Basel, Sohaffhausen, St. Gall, 
 Biel and Constance. She said also, she was now compelled to 
 declared positively, that if her Confederates and Christian co- 
 burghers of Zurich should ever employ any actual force, they 
 need count on no lielp from her ; and might shape their plans 
 accordingly. Basel and Schaflhausen showed far more sym- 
 pathy, but likewise wished for a general consultation before 
 further steps were taken. St. Gall begged Zurich to try peaceful 
 measures once more ; and if in vain, she then pledged herself 
 to abide true to her obligations. 
 
 Zurich promised to attend the appointed diet, but did not 
 suspend the preparations for war, which she had already begun. 
 Her deputies, the burgomaster Roist, the banneret Schweizer 
 and Jost von Knosen, appeared in Aarau with binding instruc- 
 tions. They were to surrender nothing, hear no more plans 
 of mediation, and consent to no longer delay of punishment. 
 Bern persevered just as decidedly in protesting against any 
 breach of the peace. By the urgent solicitation of the others, 
 the Zurichers were at last prevailed on, to give the decisive 
 answer in their own city, whither the collective deputies now 
 went with them, in order to lay the matter before the Council 
 itself. They were already agreed among themselves in no case 
 to go further than consent to proclaim and execute, in common 
 with Zurich, a decree against the export of provisions, as pro- 
 posed by Bern, and that only when all other milder measures 
 were exhausted. ^ i 
 
 With one accord they began to entreat the Council to lay 
 aside all warlike preparations, not wantonly to disturb the in- 
 ternal peace, whilst danger threatened from without, not to 
 carry bloodshed into the rural -districts, where so many inno- 
 cent people were yet living, not to destroy the ripening harvest, 
 the only hope of the poor, of so many widows and orphans ; but 
 Zurich vehemently resisted and would not give way in the 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 383 
 
 least. Once before, said the Councils, against our convictions, 
 in order to please others, we consented to a peace, which has 
 only resulted in our greater injury. Shall we now do it again, 
 and let slip out of our hands the advantage which we at this 
 moment possess? To wait till the Emperor, till Austria comes 
 to their aid, or perchance lends secret support to Medicis — to 
 hope for truth and faithfulness among those, to whom nothing 
 could be more welcome than our total destruction ? The pro- 
 posal also to lay an injunction on the export of provisions found 
 no favor in the beginning. This remedy was thought more 
 hateful than war itself. An honorable war was not contrary to 
 the Word of God ; 'but it would be unchristian to cut off bread 
 from the mouths of the guilty and the innocent — thus com- 
 pletely destroying the old, the sick, pregnant woman, children 
 and those otherwise oppressed by the tyranny of the Five Can- 
 tons. Bern endeavored to show the contrary, and the others 
 joined her. Bloody deeds once done could no more be recalled, 
 whilst the enemy at any moment could put an end to the want 
 occasioned by the prohibition, by simply giving satisfaction. 
 At last Zurich submitted, although, as it runs in the record, 
 i' reluctantly and sadly, only for the honor and pleasure of the 
 allies." 
 
 But Zwingli was so highly displeased with the resolution, 
 that, accordmg to Bullinger's narrative, he censured it even in 
 the pulpit. " He who is so bold," said he, " as to call another 
 ■' liar,' to the face, must let word and blow go together. If he 
 does not smite he will be smitten. Ye men of Zurich, have 
 cut off the supply of provisions from the Five Cantons as evil- 
 doers. Then ought ye now to follow the blow, and not leave 
 the innocent poor to starve. But since you sit still, as though 
 you had not sufficient reason for the punishment, you will oblige 
 them to beat and punish you, and this too will be done." 
 
 Immediately after the passage of the act, on the 21st of May, 
 
384 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 Bern issued her declaration to the Five Cantons, in the follow- 
 ing words: "Although, at the time of its ratification, it was 
 everywhere published and forbidden by the Landjriede, that 
 one party should attack the faith of the other, or do them in- 
 jury in person, honor or property, or revile or abuse them; al- 
 though we, on our side, have obeyed, and punished our people 
 in case of transgression, and although your deputies, a short 
 while ago at Baden, gave pledge that the same would be done 
 by you J nevertheless it has never been done. We, our neighbors 
 and our subjects, contrary to aH justice, dn defiance of the 
 federal compact and sworn treaties, have been reviled as Rogues, 
 heretics, villains, in every insulting manner, and accused of 
 scandulous crimes, by you and yours; of which we gave you 
 notice in writing, in March of this year. We have borne it 
 with patience, overlooked it, and urgently exhorted you to 
 punish the evil-doers according to their deserts. It has never 
 been done, and we must believe that you yourselves take pleasure 
 in it. Indeed we would have more than enough of right and 
 authority to proceed against you at once; but, that the inno- 
 cent, the widows and the orphans may^ be spared, we have 
 chosen a milder remedy, which we are permitted to use by 
 the Landfriede itself, in case you refuse to obey its stipulations. 
 Therefore, from the coming Whitsunday, neither you nor yours 
 shall approach our lands and territories in any manner, or carry 
 away from them anything, by which man must live, until you 
 have punished, according to the weight and magnitude of their 
 words and deeds, according to their desert, in person, honor 
 and property, the insolent, wanton revilers and abusers, whom 
 we have pointed out to you, and whom you will soon discover 
 for yourselves ; till you once go earnestly to work, and have 
 put away such unmanly and unchristian doings, so that we and 
 ours may remain secure in the presence of you and j^ours; for 
 such downright injustice, such words of scandal and shame, we 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 385 
 
 are no longer able to endure. Take your measures accord- 
 ingly." On the 27th of May, followed the declaration of Zurich 
 still more ample in its details and more severe. 
 
 What Zwingli had correctly, and what the well-meaning ad- 
 vocates of peace still more correctly anticipated, became more 
 and more evident from day to day. The cities of the Buergar- 
 recht who had mutually pledged themselves " to persevere to- 
 gether and not lay aside the prohibition, except by the common 
 consent and knowledge of all," could neither retreat nor advance. 
 It did not, as they hoped it would, rouse up every power, hurry 
 along the cautious and irresolute and unite them all together. 
 Instead of this, it gave them time for reflection, time to con- 
 sider the matter on all sides ; censures were heard ; the feelings 
 were appealed to, especially pity, which found eloquent advo- 
 cates in the frontier districts. On the other hand, the exas- 
 peration of the Catholics increased from week to week, and 
 overpowered gradually those who were hitherto peacefully in- 
 clined, and as want penetrated their abodes, even the secret 
 friends of the Keformation. " It is barbarous. Our forefathers 
 never dealt thus with each other. If individuals have sinned, 
 is it fair that innocent woman and children should suffer for it ? " 
 Skilfully was this disposition made us of, by those particularly, 
 who were conscious of their own guilt. They did everything 
 to represent the measure in its most hateful light. " No giving 
 way, till the prohibition is raised," was heard in all parts of 
 the country, resounded from every quarter against the advocates 
 of peace, who still did not relax their efforts, but wrote letters, 
 and traveled from place to place with unwearied zeal. Courage 
 rose with the pressure of want. " We must go and fetch the 
 food, which is so inhumanly denied us." So far from opposing, 
 their Reformed neighbors frequently aided them in these at- 
 tempts. Provisions were concealed in bales of goods, which 
 were allowed to cross the line, and very often the Bernese 
 
 33 
 
386 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 authorities were deceived by their own subjects to the adyantage 
 of the needy. And we do not find, that, when discovered, 
 such proofs of brotherly compassion, and perhaps even of a 
 secret leaning toward the old system, were severely punished 
 by them. 
 
 On the other hand, the prohibition, once declared, waa 
 sternly carried out by Zurich. With the rest, it was only 
 form ; with her, reality. By an embassy to Glarus she induced 
 the Landsgemeine (commons) of that canton, with a majority, 
 it is true, of only about thirty votes, to adopt it as a principle, 
 and as soon as this was accomplished, she demanded of Wesen 
 and the inhabitants of the Territory of Gaster, subjects of 
 Glarus, but at the same time also of Schwyz, to execute the 
 prohibition against the latter. At this, Bern was highly dis- 
 pleased, and wrote to Zurich : " We beg you to consider how 
 hard it is for a subject to refuse provisions to his lord, and 
 therefore to act moderately and not be too rash, remembering 
 how willingly you would receive it from your own, if they were 
 to deny you saleable commodities; think well over the matter." 
 This remonstrance had little effect upon Zurich, and henceforth 
 the hateful features of a measure, which she had originally 
 opposed with all her power, and only adopted, because no other 
 way of escape stood open, became more and more visible. 
 
 At this juncture, envoys from Freiburg, Solothurn and Ap- 
 penzell, along with the two ambassadors of France, appeared 
 again in Zurich with offers of aid in new negotiations for peace. 
 The Frenchmen declared, that the people of the Five Cantons 
 had asked for their intercession, and although their statement 
 before the Council was ill-received, on account of certain allu- 
 sions to the passionate behavior of Zurich as not strictly evan- 
 gelical, still the latter consented to attend another General Diet 
 of the Confederacy, to be held at Bremgarten, because Zurich and 
 Bern refused to appear in Baden, which they blamed for an 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 387 
 
 offensive partiality toward the Five Cantons. The meeting 
 took place on the 14th of June. It was attended by all the 
 States, by deputies from the city of Chur, from the Three 
 Leagues (the G-risons), from Wallis ( Valais), from Rothweil, 
 from the landgraviate of the Thurgau and the nobility there, 
 and from the district of Sargan, as well as by the French am- 
 bassadors, and those of the Duke of Milan, and the Countess of 
 Neuenberg. Gervasius Schuler and Heniy Bullinger preached 
 sermons in favor of reconciliation and concord; but how could 
 the negotiations proceed, when the Five Cantons demanded the 
 raising of the prohibition, before a single word should be spoken ? 
 To own thus publicly that they were wrong, and had acted 
 hastily, was too much even for Bern, and hence she united with 
 Zurich in requiring, before any promise to raise the prohibition 
 could be made, a declaration on the part of the Five Cantons, 
 that they would abide by the Landfriede, so interpreted, that 
 the free preaching of the Gospel would be secure not merely in 
 the Territories, but in districts also immediately under the rule 
 of its adversaries. By this means the breach became yet 
 wider, and the humor in which the deputies of the Five Cantons 
 took their leave, led those of the burgher-cities to look for speedy 
 and dangerous results. Before parting they consulted over the 
 most urgent measures. Zurich affirmed, there were certain in- 
 dications, that the Five Cantons were arming and would ap- 
 pear on the frontiers under pretext of carrying away grain, but 
 at the same time with the determined purpose of making a 
 formal invasion. It would be prudent to anticipate, them; at 
 any rate to appoint leaders and a place of rendezvous for soldiers 
 at once, and to agree upon a plan for a campaign in case of 
 necessity. The deputies, with the exception of those from 
 ' Basel and St. Gall, said that they had no authority for going 
 so far. If Zurich were attacked, the Bernese thought she 
 Bhould "not be too ardent, and overshoot the mark, but wait 
 
388 riEE OF ZWINOLI 
 
 for an advantage and not make assault, until well assured, though 
 obliged to restrain one hamlet, or two or three together, and 
 then she should hasten to inform us and the other Christian 
 CO burghers of it, and then we of Bern will send quickly such 
 a number of people as we think advisable, and with the rest, 
 because we have to keep an eye on the Wallisers, will press 
 against the Luzerners and Unterwaldners, so that the Five 
 Cantons will be compelled to keep themselves apart." 
 
 Meanwhile the advocates for peace were unwearied in their 
 efforts. Already a second meeting in Bremgarten was appoint- 
 ed, and the French ambassadors, on the 4th of July, addressed 
 Zurich and Bern once more. " Some days ago," they wrote, 
 "several respectable men from the Five Cantons were with us, 
 not, it is true, in an official capacity. They gave us a lively 
 picture of the distress in their country, and exhorted us to beg 
 you to exercise that charity toward them, which is due from 
 one Christian to another. They assured us, that by a voluntary 
 raising of the prohibition, you would so win upon the heart of 
 the Five Cantons, that any reasonable demand of yours would 
 readily be granted, and the most obstinate even would be 
 obliged to give way. Therefore, mighty lords, we have con- 
 sented, for the honor of God, for the sake of the King, and in 
 obedience to that precept of the Grospel, which you profess: 
 'Love not your friends only, but your enemies also', urgently to 
 beseech you: Do away with this misery! Remember, that 
 they are your Christian brethren, your neighbors ; that they 
 speak your own language; that you are one nation, friends, 
 kinsmen — were united in old times, and must be again in the 
 future. Show love and mercy toward them, as you would wish 
 them to do toward you. Withhold not from them that bless- 
 ing, which God has bestowed on you. Regard not the words 
 of abuse, nor anything else, by which they have injured you. 
 Thousands among them are innocent of these things; as was 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 389 
 
 indeed abundantly shown in Bremgarten. Truly you will fol- 
 low the command of God, you will act as the Gospel teaches ; 
 in future generations it will bring you honor. Wise and be- 
 loved lords, we write in haste before the Diet meets again. 
 We wish to put an end to the famine as speedily as possible. 
 Fulfil our prayers, and we pledge you our King will remember 
 the favor and repay it gladly, as far as in him lies." 
 
 It is not surprising, that upon a portion of the councils at 
 least, some effect should be produced by such appeals, and no 
 less by the reports concerning the disposition of their own 
 people, which reached them from time to time. One of these 
 was communicated to Zurich by the commander of Hitzkirch, 
 Albert von Muelinen. It related to an event, that occured in 
 a popular assembly at Lenzburg. The government of Bern had 
 called it together, partly to correct false rumors by a special 
 deputation, and partly to explain the reasons of the prohibition 
 and exhort the people to perform their duty in case of need. 
 When now they were formally enjoined so to do, one 
 cried out: "Where is it written in the Gospel that' we must 
 deny food to our neighbor?" another: "We will have no war 
 for religions' sake ; if they are not willing to believe in God, 
 let them stick to the devil !" Another wished a delegate to be 
 sent to Bremgarten, and others still referred to a declaration 
 of the government made at the opening of the Reformation, 
 that it should begin and end in peace. The resolute behavior 
 of the Bernese deputies was scarcely able to prevent an actual 
 outbreak on the part of the malcontents. 
 
 Under such circumstances, the inactivity of some, the per- 
 plexity of others, and the ill-humor of a third class, rendered 
 Zwingli's situation more difficult from day to day, as the num- 
 ber of those, who blamed him with all the evil, and pointed 
 him out as an unceasing author of mischief, continued to in- 
 crease even in Zurich. Fierce was the anger of the Nobles' 
 
 33* 
 
390 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 Guild, because six of its members, accused of hostility to the 
 Reformation, had been obliged, chiefly through his exertions, 
 to withdraw, part from the Great and part from the Small 
 Council. The majority of the millers and bakers also opposed 
 him, because they attributed the fact, that the authorities had 
 of late become far more strict in their supervision, to his 
 preaching. "For, from the most ancient times," Bullinger, 
 who narrates this, adds, " preachers have had to bear the blame, 
 when obliged to preach against anything done contrary to the 
 "Word of God." To the burgher of the town, it was pretended 
 by his enemies, that he was seeking the favor of the couniry- 
 people, in order by their aid to keep down the cities ; to the 
 country-man, who, in the present condition of things, saw his 
 cottage, his undefended property, the life and fortune of his 
 family in continual peril, that he alone stood in the way of 
 peace with the Five Cantons. Intrigue, mistrust, disunion 
 reigned in the Council itself. It became more and more diffi- 
 cult to find suitable persons to execute important missions. 
 Several of the most experienced statesmen endeavored to with- 
 draw. The well-meaning sighed over the inextricable confusion. 
 Matters had already come to such a pass, that a feeling of 
 his own forsaken condition took hold of the Reformer himself. 
 " Hence he came," as Bullinger informs us, "before the Council 
 and burghers, on the 26th of July, and told how he had now 
 preached the Gospel for eleven years, and warned them with 
 the fidelity of a father, and thoroughly and often and abund- 
 antly pointed out, amongst other things, what evil would ensue 
 to them and the Common Confederacy, if the Five Cantons, i. e. 
 the crew of pensioners, should get the upper hand. All this 
 had no effect upon them. It could easily be seen that there 
 were yet those in the Council, who did not disdain the wages 
 of blood, and were the best friends of the Five Cantons and 
 enemies to the Gospel. Further, the city had managed ill 
 
LIFE OF ZAVINGLI. S9l 
 
 and could expect little good to come of it. And because she 
 would not follow him and the truth, and he was continually 
 blamed for every disaster that happened, he would now bid 
 them farewell." He said this with tears, according to the 
 testimony of Werner Steiner, one of his friends, and then left 
 the council-house. 
 
 The alarm was general ; much was said here and there. At 
 last the two burgomasters and several of the most prominent 
 members were commissioned to persuade him to retract his 
 resolution. The meeting took place about noon of the same 
 day. Zwingli asked time for reflection; and on the 29th of 
 July appeared again before the Council to say that he would 
 not abandon the post, in which the city had placed him until 
 death. The effect of this declaration was soon manifest in the 
 reviving spirit of the Council. None of its members were per- 
 mitted to resign, and on the 6th of August the following 
 ordinance was published : " That for some time past manifold 
 discord, anger and contrariety have arisen in the Councils and 
 among the burghers, so that certain individuals have frequently 
 refused to execute the business and commands imposed upon 
 them, and thereby encouraged others to purpose the same, is well 
 known to us; and we desire that every one, be he of the Small 
 or of the Great Council, when entrusted with an embassy, 
 on horseback or otherwise, will dutifully perform it, unless he 
 make oath that he could not do so, without the sacrifice of his 
 life. If any fail in this duty, he shall be arraigned, and an in- 
 quiry held as to the proper punishment." 
 
 Zwingli, seeing the chief danger in the vacillation of Bern 
 and her lack of energy, resolved, since, just at that time, 
 another meeting in Bremgarten had been brought about by the 
 advocates of peace, to use all his personal influence with Jacob 
 von Wattenwyl and Peter im Haag, the Bernese deputies there. 
 He entered the city at night-fall, accompanied by Peter Collin 
 
S92 LIFE OF ZWINGI/I. 
 
 and Werner Steiner. The consultation took place immediately, 
 in the house of Bullinger and in his presence. They all agreed 
 that it was now too late to recall the prohibition, except the 
 Five Cantons would first yield. Such a step of weakness would 
 only render them more overbearing. But to carry it out, and 
 yet remain at peace, was still more doubtful. The oppressed 
 would rise up, and then all the injury, resulting from the inva- 
 sion, and every kind of reproach, would be heaped upon them. 
 Whether Zwingli gave any further counsel, is not stated in 
 Bullinger's narrative. He simply adds, " the Bernese promised 
 to do their best." At all events, the Reformer departed with 
 a heavy heart. As if conscious that he would never meet again 
 on earth the friend, who went with him as far as the city-gate, 
 he took leave of him with weeping eyes, repeating three times 
 the words : " God keep thee, dear Henry, and be thou faithful 
 to the Lord Christ!" 
 
 This scene occurred on the night of St. Laurence's day, and 
 just at that time, according to Bullinger, the famous comet of 
 1531 first became visible. Zwingli gazed at it from the church- 
 yard of the Great Minster. "What can it portend?" was the 
 question put to him by the abbot George Mueller of Wettingen, 
 in accordance with the belief of the age. " It will cost me, my 
 George, me and many an honorable man his life. The truth 
 and the Church will suffer calamity, but God will not forsake 
 them ! " In the pulpit he spake in a similar strain : " Thou 
 wilt not punish pride, Zurich. Well then ! thou wilt be 
 punished thyself; a hedge of thorns will bristle about thy head. 
 The chain is forged, which will twist iny neck and that of many 
 a pious Zuricher. Still, God will maintain His Word, and 
 pride will have its fall. 
 
 It seems that he was already familiar with the thought of an 
 early death. Indeed, who knows if he did not desire it? What 
 could vindicate him in the face of his accusers and enemies 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 393 
 
 raging on all sides, like perseverance to the end, like death in 
 defence of his cause, the freedom of that Gospel, from which 
 alone he could hope for a better future, the regeneration of his 
 fatherland, of humanity? He may indeed at this crisis have 
 glanced back over his past life, and examined himself, whether 
 he was as blameless as he was steadfast, whether the good spirit 
 had not forsaken him. A clear conscience could bear witness 
 that he had never sought anything, save the truth and the wel- 
 fare and honor of his country. Perhaps in solitary moments the 
 question may have come up before him: "Art thou equally 
 content with all the means which thou hast employed ? " 
 
 This was the serious question. The answer could be more 
 or less satisfactory, just as the Keformer understood the mission 
 of his life. "The years of our life are three score and ten, 
 and by reason of strength they may be four score." As a rule, 
 the half of this period may be devoted to active duties. He, 
 then, who does not shrink from laying before the world the re- 
 sults of honest research and conviction; he who breaks a path 
 and removes obstacles, that stand in the way of others ; he who 
 wishes not only to sow but to reap, to behold the rich fruits of 
 his labor, can neither be idle nor reflect too long, in every case, 
 about the choice of means. These are often, in and of them- 
 selves, by no means blameless, and yet the only ones by which 
 the end can be speedily attained; for usually adversaries are to 
 be dealt with who are not all scrupulous themselves. They 
 must be beaten by their own weapons. Such in all ages, has 
 been the policy of men, especially those whom history calls 
 great. The Jesuits were neither the fir^t, nor the only politi- 
 cians who adopted the maxim, that the end sanctifies the 
 means; although they perhaps have given it the most damnable 
 application. If a man is fully bound by his calling to act with 
 promptness and decision, if the present generation, or his father- 
 land, suffers or gains by his action, then, his task is doubly 
 
394 LIFE 0]? ZWINGLI. 
 
 difficult, and cases may be supposed, wliere lie is not left free 
 to choose between means that are censurable and those that 
 are praiseworthy, but only between those that are less censura- 
 ble and those that are more so. Such is the unenviable position 
 of the statesman ; and it will thus continue, until public life is 
 so transformed, that fair and pure measures will suffice for its 
 maintenance; in other words, until the visible revelation of the 
 kingdom of God here below, which Christ proclaimed, which 
 he foresaw, and for which he himself scattered the seed in the 
 earth 
 
 This kingdom of God is that of universal freedom, truth and 
 love. It is built only upon a faith not imposed, upon a personal 
 conviction. Hence, to promote it is a very different mission, 
 one that belongs to the preachers of the Gospel. They should 
 employ none but the purest means, since their aim is altogether 
 pure and holy. Whether its coming will be slow or rapid, is 
 not for us here to consider. They are to seek greatness not by 
 ruling and domineering, but by serving and waiting, like their 
 Divine Exemplar. He who labors in His service, before whom 
 "a thousand years are as one day," full of unshaken trusty 
 leaves it to Him, to fix the time when His harvest shall be ripe. 
 To-day the seed falls among thorns; to-morrow it drops into a 
 fertile soil, and in the end fruit, sixty and a hundred-fold, will 
 not be wanting. But then a laborer in this kingdom, since it 
 often has to do with the wants and wishes of governments, or 
 the peculiarities of states, will be drawn by necessity to take part 
 i I secular affairs, to exert a direct influence upon political life ; 
 yet he durst not swerve from those fundamental principles, 
 which must guide his course; he cannot sacrifice the higher 
 calling to the lower. That in the bosom of the Keformer, along 
 with the peaceful review of all his labors and sufferings for 
 evangelical liberty, such a consciousness may have awakened, 
 in the last year of his life, some regret in regard to certain 
 
LIFE 01' ZWINGLI. 395 
 
 events in his political career, is quite probable from the deep 
 seriousness and melancholy, which we observe in him at this 
 period, as well as from the fervor with which he cast him- 
 self into the arms of the Supreme Disposer of all human destinies. 
 He was not at all angry, when reminded of the duty of forbear-' 
 ance and love, whenever he perceived that the exhortation came 
 from a heart that wished him well. To the end of his life he 
 continued on friendly terms with Valentine Tschudi, his suc- 
 cessor in Glarus, who, though cherishing all honor toward his 
 former beloved teacher, did not approve of his frequent rough 
 manner of proceeding, and without fear reminded him of the 
 patience and mildness required by the Gospel. At this very time, 
 when Zwingli was powerfully urging the use of compulsory meas- 
 ures against the Five Cantons, Tschudi wrote to him: "There 
 is an old proverb, dearest teacher, ' So many heads, so many 
 minds.' If from this source discord often arises about trifles, 
 need we wonder, should it become yet more violent, where the 
 most important matters are concerned ? In a time, when the 
 most learned are at their wits' end, I do not believe, like many 
 others, that we should fan their passions into a general blaze 
 by always accusing our enemies, but that the more care should 
 be taken, lest we slide from the common foundation of our 
 faith — love. Here only can we stand firm; all else is waver- 
 ing, dependent on accidental circumstances, as all earthly things 
 are. I cannot understand, how, though the old building be so 
 rotten, we can erect a new one, solely on the foundation- of the 
 letter, without love, without the communion of saints. How 
 many congregations did there not formerly flourish in Asia, in 
 Africa, in Greece ? What became of them, when their leaders 
 quarrelled, when under the mask of science, ambition arose, 
 and like Icarus, would soar with waxen pinions toward the sun ? 
 Human science is one thing; wisdom, kindled by the breath 
 of God, another; and that is love I see this love forsaking 
 
o[)d LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 even the most learned, and in its stead appear indiiference to- 
 ward God, contempt of authority, a trampling upon law and 
 judgment, a life of ungovernable passion. Exert your utmost 
 strength, honored teacher, to prevent it from vanishing alto- 
 gether. The mere knowledge of the Word cannot protect us, 
 if every one is allowed to interpret it as he pleases, if the spirit 
 of concord, the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them, who use it. 
 The generosity, which breathes through your last letter, and 
 of which in earlier days I received so many proofs, deserves 
 my warmest thanks. It may easily happen, that I will yet be 
 obliged to take refuge with one of my friends; for some are 
 angry at my slow progress, and others at my slight disposition, 
 to apologize for the old order. But I cannot abstain from aid- 
 ing the weak and comforting distressed consciences. I will 
 rather endure reproach for too much lenity, than render the 
 breach incurable by untimely violence. Little salvation as I 
 expect from ceremonies and external acts, I look for just as little 
 in science also, until the spirit of concord return to our bosoms, 
 and its peaceful culture be made possible. Indeed drag-chains 
 even can become indispensable to the wagon, when it rolls in 
 its rushing course down toward the abyss. Grod be with us ! 
 May his Spirit lead us into a secure haven ! Do all that in 
 thee lies, to attain this end." 
 
 But what could Zwingli do in the circumstances by which 
 he was surrounded ? To hold back the wagon, or to guide it, 
 was no longer in his power. A higher Hand had already seized 
 the reins, to direct it according to a plan, which, though dark 
 and mysterious to the men of that age, succeeding generations, 
 who are able to see all the events in their connection, have 
 learned to admire for its wisdom. We again draw near one 
 of those periods in the lives of nations, when everything must 
 be ventured for the cause of truth and liberty, the rights of 
 conscience preserved by death, past errors atoned for by a 
 
LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 397 
 
 glorious expiation, and the censure of posterity disarmed by 
 the magnitude of the sacrifice. 
 
 The Reformer continued firm as a rock. About the end of 
 August he wrote to Conrad Som of Ulm, after giving some 
 notice of the appearance of the comet : " I stand unshaken, 
 prepared for everything, seeking my help in God." He heard 
 without alarm, how people in one place were terrified by mon- 
 strous births, and how in another reports were afloat concerning 
 portentous signs, a shield and banner seen in the sky; ships 
 manned by spirit- warriors crossing Lake Luzern; and the shoot- 
 ing of guns by night, that wakened from slumber the neighbors 
 on the Eeuss. Ulric Meier, vogt of Schenkenberg, wrote to him 
 a long letter, telling how the inhabitants of an entire parish, he 
 himself, the preachers and a proprietor of that district, had seen 
 blood ooze from the earth, after a stormy night, more dreadful 
 than any he had ever before witnessed ; he gave him this accurate 
 information, so that he might not believe, if others should tell 
 him yet worse things; and had written moreover to the govern- 
 ment of Bern. Whether God had spoken, or whether it was 
 delusion or magic, may perhaps be discovered hereafter. But 
 why should stories like these, which undoubtedly produced a 
 fearful commotion in the trembling multitude, daunt him, who 
 was fixed in his faith, his action, his purpose — reconciled even 
 to the assurance of an early death ? One thing alone could 
 cause him pain — the thought of leaving behind his wife and 
 children, a growing family, destined perchance to feel the con- 
 sequences of every change of fortune. He desired for them an 
 easier life, than he had led; that they might not sink before 
 their time beneath a load of trouble and toil. "Spare your 
 young folks," he wrote to Berchtold Haller and Megander of 
 Bern; "they, who are now fairer than milk, redder than roses, 
 should not stalk along pale, withered, bloodless, with corpse- 
 like faces, slain in their bloom by the unnatural severity of ex- 
 
 34 
 
S98 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 cessive toil ? My stoulders are not granted to you all. I trust 
 in God, such times will not last forever. Spare yourselves also. 
 The future needs you ; for wtat will remain, if all the good 
 die?" 
 
 In such a mood he beheld the last effort of Zurich. It was 
 the 9th of September, 1531. From all quarters came in re- 
 ports of warlike preparations and movements in the Five Can- 
 tons. Schwyz and Uri at last consented to join the others in 
 an attempt to carry off the food denied them, by force of arms; 
 the Catholic landvogt in the free bailiwicks had already seized 
 on a wagon of salt at Bremgarten. A troop of auxiliaries, 
 obtained by Luzern through the mediation of the Nuncio and 
 paid by the Pope, was known to be on the march from Italy. 
 In a long manifesto, addressed to the Confederates, and espe- 
 cially her own subjects in city and country, the government 
 enumerated her just grievances against the Five Cantons, re- 
 plied, as far as she was able, to their complaints against Zurich, 
 offered once more to accept the Landfriede, in the sense in 
 which she understood and could only interpret it, and to raise 
 the prohibition, as soon as the insolent calumniators were pun- 
 ished, absolved herself, if this were not done, from all the con- 
 sequences, and concluded with these words : "We live in the 
 firm and assured hope, that you, our dear subjects, will be 
 equally concerned with us about the above-named scandal, 
 abuse, contempt and despising of our faith and of the Divine 
 Word, and other injuries done us, contrary to the federal com- 
 pact and the Landfriede, and that you will honestly and fairly 
 fulfill, as a loyal people, the offers and promises you have made 
 us; moreover, do not doubt that we, your lords and rulers, will 
 act toward you in all honor, friendship, fidelity, love and kind- 
 ness, and not forsake you in the hour of need; because we are 
 not seeking our own advantage, but the honor of God, and after 
 that, of the Common Confederacy, of our city and canton, and 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 399 
 
 then the honor, fame, profit and welfare of you aJI." Eudolf 
 Lavater, landvogt of Kyburg, was appointed commander-in- 
 chief, called into the city and full authority given to him, the 
 banneret Schweizer and Toenig, captain of the artillery, to 
 admit, if they saw fit, others into their council, to call out the 
 soldiery, and to march to battle, as soon as they found it nec- 
 essary) in short, to do everything needful "to protect and save 
 the interests and honor of the canton." A commission to this 
 efi'ect was handed over to Lavater. But with that effort all 
 power seemed to be exhausted. As if with the commission all 
 responsibility had been shifted from their shoulders to those 
 of others, neither firmness, promptitude, nor unanimity were to 
 be found in the Councils. Indeed there existed traces of actual 
 treason. Scarcely did an order go forth from one side to the 
 rural districts, before it was followed by a countermand from 
 the other. Troops, who were summoned, received on the way 
 notice to return home. Unwilling to see himself frustrated at 
 every pointy Lavater retired, for a while, to Kyburg. The in- 
 habitants of the frontiers toward Zug and Luzern, were partly 
 intimidated and partly incensed by a flood of disparaging re- 
 ports, which were sent thither. Petitions from Bern, not to 
 be too rash, not to make the first attack, were continually ar- 
 riving. These were supported by a majority of the members 
 of both Councils, who, paralyzed by fear, by a criminal regard 
 to their own private interests, or buoyed up by a haughty self- 
 confidence, affected to consider the step taken by the adverse 
 party as a mere show, or as greatly exaggerated by public ru- 
 mor. A hearing was granted to the ever-busy advocates of 
 peace, whose numbers were now swelled by a delegation from 
 Strassburg; and through their entreaties and promises,- every 
 decisive measure was postponed. Meanwhile, the courage of 
 the Five Cantons so increased, in view of the helplessness of 
 their opponents, that early in October, their deputies assembled 
 
400 LIFE OF ZWINQLI 
 
 in Brunnen, in order to take final action. Here the treaties 
 ■were first read, and then all were questioned, upon oath, by the 
 bailitf Richmuth of Schwyz, whether they had been so violated 
 by Zurich and Bern, that war could be lawfully declared against 
 them. It was decided unanimously in the affirmative, and on 
 the 9th of October, after a long explanation of all the motives 
 that prompted them to this course, the campaign was begun. 
 
 On the same day, 600 Luzerners and 50 volunteers from 
 each of the other cantons reached Hochdorf, and from thence, 
 strengthened by 400 men from the upper free bailiwicks, ad- 
 vanced to Hitzkirch. From the latter place, the commander 
 Von Muelinen fell back upon Bremgarten, and sent call after 
 call to Zurich for aid. On the 10th, the chief force of the 
 Five Cantons, each division under its own landamman and 
 schultheiss, advanced to Zug, where they waited for the approach 
 of the Zurichers. They brought with them a challenge against 
 Zurich, to the following efiect : 
 
 "We, the captains, bannerets and commons-at-war of the 
 Five old Christian Cantons make known to the Councils and 
 commons of Zurich, by this our letter : For a long time now, as 
 regards our fair and honorable rights and desires, contrary to 
 sworn treaties and the Landfriede concluded between us, con- 
 trary to Christian discipline and unity, contrary to Confederate 
 loyalty, love and friendship, and contrary to all natural law and 
 equity, have we been violently deprived and dispossessed of our 
 just rights in the government of St. Gall and the bailiwick in 
 the Rheinthal, not by you and your adherents only, but by our 
 own people also, whom in defiance of God, honor and law, you 
 have seduced from their allegiance. Not satisfied with the at- 
 tempt to create disunion amongst us by cunning and intrigue, 
 to drive us from our old, true Christian faith, you pretend that 
 we are not willing to hear the Word of God, nor to suffer the 
 Old and New Testaments to be read, and therefore call us un- 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 401 
 
 godly, malicioua sellers-of-flesli and perfidious reprobates; and 
 because we do not attach ourselves to your newly invented re- 
 ligion, you refuse to sell us provisions, and undertake to crush 
 us by hunger, and not us alone, but to destroy the very child 
 in its mother's womb. You grudge us this, though God gives 
 it, and it has not grown up as yours, nor upon your soil; for 
 what good, honest people would gladly send us, you will not 
 suffer to pass through your territories, which is an open and 
 wanton violation of the federal compact and the Landfriede. 
 And though we have made every reasonable oifer for the sake 
 of peace, quiet, and the perpetuation of our common Confed- 
 eracy, and for this end appealed for aid to the other cantons, 
 yet neither have you acknowledged our rights, nor has any one 
 shown a disposition to help us, and for a long time now we have 
 been obliged to suffer and endure this oppression and injustice; 
 and since there appears to be no end to overbearing and vio- 
 lence, and we can look for neither right nor fairness, we are 
 driven to complain to God's worthy Mother, to all the heavenly 
 host, and to all good men, who love justice and equity. If we 
 and ours were to suffer such scandal, shame, contempt, blasphe- 
 my and arrogance any longer, we would stand recreant before 
 God and the world. Wherefore, for the honor of religion and 
 truth and the glory of God's Holy Name, we are forced, by the 
 aid of Heaven, to put down such crime and tyranny, compelled 
 to take vengeance ; and so much and so far as God gives us 
 power, grace and strength, will we chastise you by the edge of ' 
 the sword and no longer abide such haughty oppression and 
 constraint; and we hereby boldly proclaim, that, against you 
 and your abettors, we will uphold our own honor and that of 
 our allies." 
 
 This decided movement on the part of the Five Cantons 
 produced the greatest confusion in Zurich. The commander 
 elect, the head of the board of war, was absent; the Councils 
 
 34* 
 
402 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 were wavering and split into factions, the majority of the peo- 
 ple without confidence or sympathy; and Zwingli, although 
 calm, to the last moment true to the call of duty, full of un- 
 shaken faith in the justice of his cause, and certain that a 
 better future would dawn upou his fatherland, had yet no hope 
 for the present; none for a speedy victory; none for himself. 
 Four days before his death, he said in the pulpit: "Our only 
 true possession is the friendship of God, from whom, neither 
 death nor any earthly power can sunder us;" and then again: 
 "They achieve the most glorious victory, who are actors and 
 not spectators jnerely. Hence, courage amid the perplexities 
 and dangers through which the holy cause of the Gospel must 
 be upheld! May others enjoy the fruit of our labors! We 
 will find rest in Heaven." 
 
 In such a frame of mind, he was not surprised by the reports 
 of his friend Bullinger, abbot of Cappel, whom Lavater had 
 sent to the Five Cantons as a trusty spy. These were of the 
 same tenor and spoke of the fixed determination of the enemy, 
 the first step already taken, and the distress and prayers for help 
 on the frontiers. At his request, or by order, of the govern- 
 ment, Lavater returned to Zurich on the 9th of October; but 
 just as the character of the news varied, an immediate dispatch 
 of troops was talked of in the Council, or its order already com- 
 municated, recalled. Nothing was done that day, but to send 
 several members to Bremgarten and Cappel, to reconnoiter. 
 A restless night was passed ; new warnings had arrived. On 
 the morning of the 10th, the pastor of RifEerschweil and the 
 landlord of the Albis made their appearance ; the one an eye- 
 witness of the flight of the people before the invading Catholics, 
 the other, a messenger from the deputies of the government, 
 with pressing entreaties to hasten the departure of the army. 
 The Small and Great Councils were called together, but the 
 meeting was by no means full. Perplexity, hesitation, and even 
 
LIFE 0¥ ZWINGLI. 403 
 
 secret joy at the confused state of affairs kept a portion of the 
 members at home. Lavater had also summoned to the senate- 
 house Zwingli, the banneret Sohweizer, William Toenig and 
 Hans Dseniker, to whom the conduct of the baggage train was 
 committed. They all agreed, that the alarm should be sounded 
 immediately, and first in the more remote districts, so that their 
 inhabitants might assemble under the banner simultaneously 
 with those who dwelt nearer. They notified the councillors 
 of their resolution, but again found opposition among them. 
 In vain did Lavater appeal to his commission. The dispatch 
 of some 100 men, under George Gooldli, was only effected 
 about noon, and that with the injunction, to venture on nothing 
 decisive, but to secure a good position. The artillery, which 
 ought to have gone with them, was not fully underweigh until 
 evening. At last, as night set in, about seven o'clock, permis- 
 sion was given to sound the alarm, which was now done very 
 irregularly throughout the canton, varying in proportion as 
 they, who were appointed to the service, were well-disposed, or 
 had, perchance, here and there, received secret counter-orders. 
 About midnight Peter Fuessli reached the summit of the Albis 
 with the artillery, for the draught of which he had found it 
 difiicult to procure teams. According to his narration, the 
 alarm was sounded in several '' MlcJihoerenen" (parishes); com- 
 motion reigned in nature. Tschudi tells us of an earthquake 
 on that night, " which mightily shook the canton, even moun- 
 tain and valley." On the morning of the 12th, about six 
 o'clock, the banner was hung out of the senate-house. But 
 the commander-in-chief had to wait some time before any sol- 
 diers collected around it. There was nothing like regular 
 division into companies or mustering beforehand. Whoever 
 had courage to come as a volunteer, placed himself in the ranks. 
 They were scarce 700 men, all told, councillors, clergy, and 
 gray-haired fathers in part, along with fiery youths; and so 
 
404 LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 
 
 they hurried off, for word was brought, that Goeldli had already 
 engaged the enemy on the other side of the mountain. 
 
 Zwingli also, responding to the summons of the Council, of 
 his own accord joined the departing troops. He had taken 
 leave of his wife and children and of his friends in such a way, 
 that, as BuUinger remarks, " they perceived he expected never 
 to return home again." Even his horse seemed to have a fore- 
 boding of evil. He shied, as Werner Steiner relates, and as 
 many saw with terror, backwards. Too sagacious not to observe 
 that he must encounter contradictory measures, the lukewarm- 
 ness of allies, and secret treachery, which he more than 
 once predicted; too manly to retire now in the hour of need; 
 too full of confidence in God, not to believe that He would 
 protect His own Gospel, -though it should for the moment call 
 for its martyrs, he acknowledged the duty of abiding by his 
 Zurichers, whose temporal and eternal welfare he desired from 
 the bottom of his heart, in the defence of their native soil, even 
 unto death; of proving by his own blood, that it was no mere 
 selfish ambition or love of revolution, which had prompted him 
 to speak and act, as in their blindness, his raging enemies had 
 asserted. Not in sullen stupefaction, not in a fit of frenzy or 
 of recklessness did he march forth, but with the earnestness of 
 a man, who knows what may happen, and, not girding him 
 self with his own hands, relies on the arm of Him, who is best 
 acquainted with the human heart, and pardons the multitude 
 of our errors, if only redeemed by faith, love, and a spirit of 
 self-sacrifice. A "Winterthurer, Hans Maaler, who rode one 
 rank behind him, narrates that he heard him pray for himself 
 and especially for the church of Christ with great fervency. 
 
 On the summit of the mountain the wearied soldiers were 
 obliged to rest for awhile. From the valley below, the thunder 
 of cannon was distinctly heard in the neighborhood of Cappel. 
 But how few in numbers, how motley was the host that here 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 405 
 
 assembled once more around tie banner ! A part, consisting 
 of the heavy-armed and the aged, were still climbing upward, 
 and the artillery, again delayed for want of horses, lingered far 
 behind. There was little to encourage a prudent general to 
 venture rashly, with such fragments of an army, from ground, 
 which he could hold even with these, down into the open field; 
 at least, whilst he could count with certainty on a considerable 
 increase in the course of a few hours, and could employ the in- 
 teiTal in the most needful instruction and arrangement of his 
 troops. There was reason also to hope, from the tenor of the 
 commands, which he had received, that Goeldli, as soon as he 
 could no longer defend himself at a distance with his cannon, 
 would rather fall back upon the mountain. It was, therefore, 
 military experience, and not cowardice, which led William 
 Toenig to advise a halt, till the arrival of those in the rear. 
 But Zwingli, whose thoughts dwelt only upon his last duty, 
 and the distress of his neighbors, attacked by an invading force 
 and anxiously waiting for help, immediately replied: "I will 
 go down to the good people in God's name ; to die with them, 
 or to aid in their deliverance." Lavater, already perhaps 
 despairing of success, but resolved to maintain his reputation 
 for personal courage, likewise spoke in favor of haste, whilst 
 the gray-haired banneret, Toenig, withdrew his proposal to halt. 
 " I am as stout as you,',' said he, " and you will find it so." 
 The event soon proved his saying true. 
 
 It was three o'clock in the afternoon, when the banner 
 reached Cappel. Only a few of the most active entered the 
 battle-field with it. The rest of the soldiers followed in great 
 disorder. For some time, Goeldli and his men, strengthened 
 by the inhabitants of the surrounding country, had sustained, 
 with trifling loss, the fire of the ^enemy's artillery, and answered 
 it with their own. Just as Lavater, Zwingli and the other 
 leaders came up, a pause ensued, in consequence of a council 
 
406 LIFE OF ZWINQLI. 
 
 of war in the hostile camp, which resulted in a change of po- 
 sition. The Zurichers also met to deliberate. The challenge 
 of the Five Cantons was produced by Goeldli and handed over 
 to Zwingli. It was now evening. A renewal of the battle 
 was no longer anticipated. Peter Fuessli proposed that the 
 cannon on hand should be removed to a hill, lying somewhat in 
 the rear, and a secure position taken behind it. The others, 
 though differing in opinion, went along with him to look at the 
 spot; but just at this most unfavorable moment, when deprived 
 of their best leaders, the Zurichers saw themselves threatened 
 by the enemy, who were close upon them. For whilst the 
 Catholic captains were discussing their affairs to little purpose, 
 and their main forces lay in the back-ground, the vogt Jouch 
 of Uri had slipped unperceived with a number of marksmen 
 into a little grove, which commanded the flank of the Zurichan 
 army. Volunteers from the Five Cantons, Unterwalden espe- 
 cially, advanced in front. Against these, all of the Zurichers, 
 who were most eager for the fray rushed, without waiting for 
 orders, and never dreaming of an ambuscade. Then an irregu- 
 lar conflict arose. Lavater, Zwingli and the greater part of 
 their companions returned to take their place in the ranks, as 
 soon as they heard of it. At this very moment, the rest of 
 the Catholics pressed forward, and all at once Jouch and his 
 marksmen opened fire. The peril of the Zurichers was mani- 
 fest. " How is it. Master Ulric," said Leonhard Burkhard, a 
 member of the baker's guild, who were not friendly to the 
 Reformer, "are the turnips salted? Who shall eat them?" 
 "I," said he, "and many an honest man here with me, in 
 God's hand, whose we are living and dead." "And I along 
 with you, though it cost me my life," added the former. He 
 too fell a victim. Lavater, seizing a lance, marched to the 
 thickest of the fight;. "Remember" cried he, "the honor of 
 God and Zurichj quit yourselves like men." The banneret 
 
LIFE OJF ZWINGLI. 407 
 
 Scliweizer did the same, and Zwingli, requested by Bernhart 
 Spruengleir to encourage the soldiers, spoke with a loud voice : 
 "Fear not; if we suffer, it is For God's sake. Call on Him. 
 He will strengthen us and ours." In fact he inspired in the 
 bosoms of the noblest among them courage to remain true to 
 their convictions unto death, and leave behind for future gen- 
 erations an example of duty fulfilled and honor saved.* After 
 a short and furious struggle, the half of the Zurichers present 
 lay stretched upon the field of battle ; the fourth part of whom 
 either expired iamediately, or afterward died of their wounds. 
 Zwingli whilst in the act of speaking to a soldier falling at his 
 side, was struck with such violence by a stone (as appeared 
 from the deep dinge in his helmet, which was brought to Lu- 
 zern as a tropy of war) that he also sunk down. In this pros- 
 trate condition he was stabbed a number of times in his legs. 
 "The body they can kill; the soul not." These are said to 
 have been hia last words. Around him lay eighteen others 
 of the most distinguished of the clergy^ — among them, Diebold 
 von Greroldseck, who had formerly called him to Einsiedeln, 
 Wolfgang Joner, abbot at Cappel, and the commander Conrad 
 Sohmid in the midst of 39 men of Kuessnacht. Seven 
 members of the Small and nineteen of the G-reat Council had 
 fallen. Besides these, there were sixty-five burghers of the 
 capital, eleven of Winterthur, and 410 men of the canton. 
 The banner, defended by Schweizer till he fell, was saved by 
 
 * The author did not think it necessary to give here all the par- 
 ticulars of the battle. A fuller description of it may be found in 
 hia larger work : " QescMchU der Eidgmossm wcehrmd der Zeiten der 
 Kirchmtrennung." II. 373, fF. Gelzer has a still more circumstantial 
 account in a special work, " Die Schlacht bei Oappel." Zurich. Sohult- 
 heiss. 1881. But the most accurate, including the minutest details, 
 even to the names of all who were killed, and everything that could 
 be collected from contemporaneous reports, is contained in BuUinger's 
 Chronicles, which were published a few years ago. 
 
408 LIFE OE ZWINGLI. 
 
 the heroic exertions of Hans Kambli, Adam Roef and Ulric 
 Denzler. By nightfall the Catholics had achieved a decided 
 Tiotory. They refrained from pursuit, and, collecting on the 
 meadows near the houses, knelt down to offer up a prayer of 
 thanksgiving. Many of them then sallied forth, torch in hand, 
 to visit the scene of carnage, but with different ends in view; 
 some to secure the clothing and the weapons of the slain; 
 others, inspired by revenge or fanaticism, to deal a finishing 
 stroke on those of the wounded, against whom they bore a 
 grudge ; but many also, prompted by the nobier motive of com- 
 forting and bringing help where it was yet possible. Salat of 
 Luzern thus gloried in his fanaticism : " Some, when asked, as 
 they lay struggling in the agonies of death, whether they wished 
 to confess and receive the holy sacraments, answered, Yes ! and 
 were thus preserved, according to Christian usage, and died as 
 good Christians. Others, when so asked, made the sign of No ! 
 These were then left to die like infidel dogs, or finished, per- 
 chance, by a stab or blow, so that they might the sooner he led 
 off to the Devil, as they were fighting on all fours." Bullinger 
 praises the humanity of the enemy in the following words ; 
 "On the contrary, there were not a few among the Five Cantons, 
 who deeply deploring this sad business as a great misfortune, 
 treated the captive Zurichers in a friendly manner, caused their 
 wounds to be bound up, and placed them beside their camp- 
 fires; for the night was cold, and a heavy frost lay upon the 
 ground. They regretted that the prohibition of the export 
 of provisions (without which the common people could not 
 have been induced to take up arms) had been laid, and that 
 such great injury had resulted from it, and honest Confeder- 
 ates set in hostile array against each other. A party of those who 
 were searching through the field of battle, came upon Zwingli. 
 He lay with his face to the earth. They turned him around and 
 and asked him, like the others, to confess. He repeatedlv shook his 
 
LIFE 01- ZWINGLI. 409 
 
 head, by way of denial. "Die then, stiiF-neoked heretic I" cried 
 Captain Vokinger of Unterwalden, and gave him his death-blow. 
 The news that his body was found, soon spread among the 
 Catholics. Numbers went out to look at it — among them, 
 Bartholomew Stocker of Zug, who had known and esteemed 
 the Reformer in his lifetime. He often afterward said, that 
 "in the form and color of his face he did not appear to be 
 dead, but alive, and, to his great surprise, looked just as he 
 did when he preached. Hans Schoenbrunner, formerly, the 
 head of the convent at Cappel, could not refrain from tears. 
 "Whatever thy faith was," said he, "I know that thou wert 
 an honest Confederate. God be merciful to thy soul !" But 
 rage prevailed among the majority, who demanded that the 
 body should be divided into five pieces, and one sent to each 
 of the Five Cantons; others wished it to be burnt. SchuU- 
 heiss Grolder and the amman Thoss exhorted them to leave the 
 dead rest, and judgment to God. They were overpowered by 
 loud cries, and withdrew. At the tap of the drum an inquisi- 
 tion was proclaimed, sentence passed and the corpse quartered 
 by tho executioner of Luzern, burned, and its ashes mixed 
 with those of a dead hog. What a religion, that could fancy 
 such frenzy would be pleasing to God ! 
 
 Terrible beyond description was the effect produced by the 
 fearful reports, which now reached Zurich, blow after blow. 
 Some, like Anna B,einhart, who received in succession the sad 
 tidings of the death of a husband, a son, a son-in law, a brother, 
 and a brother-in-law, submitted with Christian resignation. — 
 Others acknowledged in the calamity a judgment upon their 
 own sins, on account of the too little respect paid to the rights 
 of their Confederates, the violation of treaties and the forcible 
 introduction of reforms, which can only rest upon a sure basis, 
 when the result of conscientious persuasion. These views were 
 uttered in louder or softer tones. The most vulgar, cowardly 
 
 35 
 
410 LIFE or ZWINGLI. 
 
 and passionate gave vent to their secret hatred against certain 
 individuals. But then also, not a few were found, who, instead 
 of giving way to despondency, encouraged their neighbors, called 
 for redoubled exertions and cast themselves into the breach. 
 The government was roused. Directly after the receipt of the 
 first news, then about midnight, and again in the morning, Bern 
 was written to for speedy aid and the collective cities of the 
 Chistian Buergerrecht for an auxiliary force. As Lavater did 
 not appear for a time, other leaders were sent to the heights 
 of the Albis, in order to collect the fugitives and place them 
 in the ranks of the new troops, who were coming up. It would 
 have been yet possible to recover everything and wipe out the 
 disgrace of defeat, by resolution and concord. Of the former 
 there was enough; of the latter not. Indeed, the army of 
 Bern, which approached, was strong in numbers. It had set 
 out on the same day in which the battle of Cappel was fought, 
 but under a leader, the schultheiss Diessbach, who, swayed by 
 his personal dislike to the Reformation, wavered in his purpose 
 and did not push forward with zeal and activity. 
 
 The Zurichers, with ranks swollen by the arrival of several 
 thousand solders, were encouraged by Lavater, again in their 
 midst, and the governor-general Frei, next him in command, to 
 descend from the Albis and hazard another battle. They 
 earnestly begged the Bernese to march up rapidly through the 
 free bailiwicks and lend them support. The Five Cantons, 
 threatened thus in front and rear, would be compelled either 
 to fight, or to retreat. Diessbach refused. Even when Zurich, 
 at his request, withdrew her troops from the Albis, forsook her 
 own canton and joined the Bernese at Bremgarten, he still 
 hesitated. The united forces, now exceeding in number those 
 of the Catholics, occupied five days in advancing the distance 
 ot a few miles, where they again encamped. Frei could no 
 longer endure such treasonable inaction. On his own respon- 
 
LIFE OP ZWINOLI. 411 
 
 sibility, aided by the men of Basel, Sohaflfhausen, and St. Gall, 
 he pressed on by night to the Grubel. The Bernese slept with- 
 out concern. But the Gospel of Christ is not to be upheld by 
 swords and lances. A second time Zurich was beaten, and 
 her brave captain fell among the slain. 
 
 And yet the Catholics did not gain all they desired. Their 
 faith, as well as their former just position in the Confederacy, 
 were now secured, and the unnatural prohibition against the 
 export of provisions done away; but the Reformation still sur- 
 vived, and their victories did not give them power sufficient to 
 crush again the liberty of the Gospel, where it had taken root, 
 or to limit Zurich in her territorial rights. This, however, 
 they attempted to do, and directly after the defeat at Cappel 
 invited all the parishes on the further side of the Albis, together 
 with the entire population on the left shore of the lake, to aban- 
 don Zurich, swear allegiance to them and give hostages for 
 their fidelity in the future ; in return for which, they promised 
 to guarantee their original liberties and " receive and treat them, 
 as faithful, loving subjects should be by a mild and paternal 
 government." In case of refusal, they were to be dealt with 
 in "a hostile and warlike manner," without mercy. The offer 
 was unanimously rejected, and information sent to the Council 
 of Zurich, which was repeatedly assured, that they were 
 resolved to abide by the Gospel till death. The latter govern- 
 ment also remained unshaken, even by the new disaster at 
 the Gubel; indeed, now for the first time, exhibited a degree 
 of courage and activity, that was not looked for. And although 
 the Duke of Wuertemburg had been informed that "the trade 
 of our city is nearly ruined," orders were sent, only four days after 
 the defeat at Cappel, to the Zurichan allies, who were still 
 engaged in the siege of the castle Musso, on the borders of 
 Graubuenden : " Persevere, do not break up, nor let our affairs 
 trouble you, but prosecute the war boldly and earnestly, and 
 
412 LirE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 give the enemy no rest till he surrenders." This reply was 
 also made, when the Council of Bern, in contrast with the slug- 
 gish leaders of her army, referred the mediators, sent from 
 Solothum, Appenzell and Neunburg, to Zurich with the decla- 
 ration that without her consent their could be no talk of 
 peace : "It shall never be forgotten, but told to our children 
 and children's children." Her town-clerk was authorized, the 
 very day after the battle on the Grubel, to inform the soldiers 
 on the Italian frontiers : "We are ready to pledge hide and fur 
 and all that Grod has given us, not to abandon the field, till the 
 religious rights of the bailiwicks are secured." Word was 
 sent to the camp at Baar : "We wish to know what happened 
 at the defeat on the mountain, who was to blame and who was 
 innocent. You should remember every day the disgrace of 
 our city of Zurich and seek means to recover our lost honor." 
 Continually and repeatedly were the Bernese captains and the 
 government exhorted to prosecute the war with greater vigor ; 
 and when the latter, in order to justify her irresolution, referred 
 to the armed preparations on the Rhine and on her western 
 borders, against which she was obliged to guard, when she commu- 
 nicated the fact that the Archduke Ferdinand had, immedi- 
 ately after receiving the news of the disaster at Cappel, sat 
 more than half a day in council and, leaving the Imperial Diet, 
 ridden off to Inspruok, the indignant reply was made. 
 "We can get nothing more out of it than this, that all 
 our friends are on the other side of the Rhine, and your 
 reports and ours in no wise agree; and since these things are 
 not half so dreadful as represented to you, we beg you not to be 
 frightened at such bug-bears, but come manfully to our aid." 
 The Landgrave of Hesse, who had offered money and a thou- 
 sand men, and the Duke of Wuertemberg, who had placed at 
 their disposal all his heavy guns at Hohentwiel, were warmly 
 thanked ; but as there was less lack of men than of concord in 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 413 
 
 the camp, it was resolved to decline this foreign assistance, 
 which could scarcely have been used. 
 
 In the camp itself undoubtedly lay the chief causes of the 
 crippled condition of affairs, the confusion and the unfortunate 
 results. Not only did a continual strife prevail between the 
 Bernese and Zuriehan commanders, but the latter stood isolated 
 among his own people. He himself felt that he had lost the 
 confidence of his troops, and although he could point to unde- 
 niable proofs of his bravery in Italy, and of his undaunted spirit 
 and presence of mind in the popular rebellion at Toess, and al- 
 though he was among the last to leave the battle-field of 
 Cappel, and that only when all resistance had become impossi- 
 ble, yet an inner voice perhaps whispered to him, that among 
 the glorious band, whD had there laid down their lives, the 
 name of the chief commander should not have been wanting. 
 Intimidated and perplexed, he attempted no decisive measures. 
 " Of Lavater many said," so Bullinger tells us, " that he was 
 frightened, and durst no longer talk among and with the people. 
 The constrained position of the general had its effect upon the 
 army. Several of the cowardly and faithless began to desert, 
 rain set in, and provisions grew scarce. In spite of every en- 
 treaty, to protect at least the Zuriehan frontier, the army of 
 Bern retreated to Bremgarten." " Why do you hesitate to fol- 
 low?" said the ensign Hugi of Solothurn. "You shut your 
 eyes on your own necessities, as your fathers before you in the 
 old Zurich war. As they, so you are at variance; as th^, so 
 you have lost the hearts of your Confederate brethren; you 
 have no power to make further resistance, and yet you will not 
 give way." 
 
 And in fact the government did not consider it just then 
 consistent with honor and duty. It was resolved not to enter- 
 tain the proposals for peace made by the mediators; because one 
 of the conditions of the Catholics was, that in the Territories 
 
 35* 
 
414 LIFE OP ZWINGtLI. 
 
 it should be decided by a new vote whether they would return 
 to the old or continue in the new faith. Bern also assented to 
 this course. But now an army of 4,000 men from the Five 
 Cantons, among whom were the lawless foreign mercenaries of 
 Ab Isola, rushed upon the cottages and hamlets of the unpro- 
 tected territory of Zurich, overran the left shore of the lake, 
 and ravaged as far down as Thalweil. Terror seized the can- 
 ton. Many fled to the city; all the roads were filled with 
 weeping women and children, mingled with lowing herds, and 
 the alarm-bells resounded on every side. The councils were 
 called together and the troops still lying at Bremgarten sum- 
 moned by their honor and oath to hapten up without delay. 
 They obeyed, but in vain were the Bernese, first by the treas- 
 urer Eddlebach and then by the burgomaster Koist and two 
 associate councilmen, conjured by everything which they held 
 sacred, this once to come to the rescue of their old confederate- 
 sister, only to enter the city for its immediate protection, whilst 
 the Zurichers would fight without the walls. The cold answer 
 was, that they would think over the matter, and write to the 
 troops at Zofingen and the government at Bern. Not all of 
 Dieesbach's army shared this feeling with him. Jacob Mai 
 thrust his sword at the bear in the banner, as though he would 
 rouse him up to action. The field-chaplain Kolb spake thus to 
 the assembled soldiery : " Your forefathers in a like case would 
 have swum through the Rhine to attack the enemy; at the 
 slightest call they marched to battle; the G-ospel itself does not 
 move you." These words were uttered with impunity; but 
 yet they produced no eflect. The men of Solothurn, Basel, 
 SchafiFhausen, Biei and Muehlhausen also joined the Bernese. 
 Captain Friedbolt of St. Gall alone declared, that by order of 
 his superiors, he would place life and property at the disposal 
 of Zurich, and a small troop from Bischofiizell followed him. 
 The maiority of the Thurgovians and Toggenburgers, who were 
 
LIFE OP ZWINQIil. 'iiH 
 
 still encampecJ wiQi the Zuriohers, returned to theii Uomes. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Catholics retired again before the Zurichers, 
 marching up the left shore, with a reinforcement of 1,000 Graa- 
 buendners, ferried over from the right shore of the lake. The 
 army under Hans Esoher, who had succeeded Lavater in the 
 chief command, encamped above Horgen on the heights of the 
 Zimmerberg. Zurich now stood unsupported, except by her con- 
 federates of Graubuenden and a few from St. Gall. The rural 
 districts were sighing for peace, and the Five Cantons began also 
 to desire it. The absence of all the able-bodied men increased the 
 distress at home, which was already great enough by reason of 
 the famine;- the inclemency of an early winter, gave few charms 
 to a life in the field, and the hamlets on the frontier, crowded 
 with soldiers, began to feel the pinchings of want. TJnder 
 these circumstances a letter was addressed by the Five Cantons 
 to the "Parishes general and special, who are subject to Zu- 
 rich," requesting them to conclude a special peace with the 
 Catholics, in case the capital would refuse to do so. This pro- 
 duced a great excitement. Deputies from various parts of the 
 canton appeared before the government, with the earnest prayer, 
 that some means might be devised to prevent further invasion 
 and relieve them from the burdens of the war," which had now 
 became almost intolerable. After a long and violent struggle, 
 the peace-party triumphed in the Council. Negotiations were 
 opened; but the decision on the side of the Zurichers, accord- 
 ing to ancient custom, was transferred to the commons-at-war, 
 to whom the Council sent several of its most influential members 
 as deputies. 
 
 Whilst the latter were assembling, the leaders of the Catho- 
 lics deliberated over the conditions to be proposed. Their 
 views were conflicting. Several of the most violent asserted 
 that now the time had come to compel the city and canton of 
 Zurich to return to the old faith, and that the restoration of the 
 
416 iirE or zwingli. 
 
 mass should be made an indispensable conditiorr of peace.— 
 Zurich, the schultheiss Golder declared, would never consent 
 to this. He was supported in his opinion by the landammen 
 Froger and Toss. And they even succeeded in securing for 
 the inhabitants of the Territories, with the exception of the 
 free bailiwicks and the burghers of Kapperschweil and Wesen, 
 the privilege of retaining the Eeformation, provided all those, 
 who henceforth might wish to return to the mass, should be 
 permitted to do so. One solitary voice objected to this liber- 
 ality, ^gidius Tschudi deplored the result. "The counsel 
 was pernicious," said he, "and a great injury to the true 
 Catholic faith, to which God had given the victory. Accord- 
 ingly, neither the schultheiss, nor they who followed him, namely, 
 amman Froger of Uri and amman Toss of Zug, and several 
 others, lived many years afterward." 
 
 Meanwhile the consultation was opened in the Zurichan 
 camp by Escher, with the eshortation neither to be too fearful, 
 nor yet too passionate. ' He said that the position of Zurich was 
 critical, but not at all desperate ; and that God would undoubt- 
 edly defend his Gospel, in which we should persevere to the 
 last extremity. So to do was the unanimous resolution. But 
 then opinions varied as to what should be done in regard to 
 the Territories Several persons, and among whom Sergeant 
 George Mueller was prominent, made strong appeals to the sacred 
 duty, which bound them to act for the people of the Territories, 
 who had been summoned to a common resistance and assured 
 of protection and help, as they would for their o\ni. Others, 
 on the contrary, endeavored to uphold the right of the Five 
 Cantons to name conditions of peace in this case. But the 
 following speech of an aged amman, Suter of the Horgerberg, 
 had the greatest influence in bringing matters to a conclusion. 
 
 "Our general' has spoken for a long time, and exhorted us 
 nO[t to be in a hurry to make peace. This perhaps might suit 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 417 
 
 our Lords ia tie city. They have less to lose than we. Their 
 support and revenues are sure, but our houses and hamlets are 
 exposed to destruction. We have now been beaten twice by 
 the enemy, and suffered a great defeat. It is easily seen that 
 luck is against us. And there is no use to comfort ourselves 
 because we have an abundance of supplies and provisions and 
 our enemies none. For the greater their need, the greater will be 
 their desire to injure us. Necessity drives them. It has already 
 stirred up fury and revenge amongst them, and wrought great 
 mischief, not only that we have violated the federal compact and 
 the Landfriede toward them, but also that we have denied 
 them the right to take away provisions ; hence God is now 
 angiyat us and fights himself against us. We cannot rely on 
 the aid of the Bernese. What good has all their force done 
 us? We have not yet been able to prevail on them, in spite 
 of every prayer and entreaty, to defend the city of our Lords, 
 whilst we of the Horger are willing to incur the risk of danger, 
 notwithstanding, they can lie there in security, since our Lords 
 have commanded us to encamp against the main body of the 
 enemy. The Bernese marched up very slowly to the battle- 
 field of Cappel, and helped us very little, and they would not 
 consent to send their troops to the Zugerberg. Kemember the 
 old saying, handed down from our forefathers : " the men of 
 Zurich will suffer loss rather than dishonor; the men of Bern 
 dishonor rather than loss." When we of Zurich undertake 
 anything, we stake our all upon it, and look for success or fail- 
 ure ; but the Bernese are just the reverse, sharing the victory 
 with lis in every enterprise, without putting their own skins in 
 danger. * Some one has said, 'A loss should bring a man to his 
 senses.' Since then we have experienced loss upon loss, we 
 certainly ought to stop and think." 
 
 * On the contrary, in the civil wars between the two religious parties 
 during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Bernese "put 
 
418 LIFE OF ZWINGLI 
 
 After this the negotiations were prosecuted vigorotisly on all 
 sides. The commander-in-chief, with a numerous guard, went 
 over to the leaders of the Five Cantons ; a second meeting was 
 held the next day and a treaty of peace concluded, of which 
 the following are the chief articles : The Reformation shall be 
 guaranteed in Zurich and all her immediate dependencies, as 
 well as in those parts of the Territories, where it has already 
 been received ; yet all those, who may wish to return to the 
 mass, or to prove by a new vote, which is the prevailing party, 
 shall be at liberty to do so. Church property was to be divi- 
 ded according to the census. Zurich pledged herself to abstain 
 from any further intervention, where she had no claim to rule. 
 The Christian Buergerrecht and the first Landfriede were 
 abrogated. The few remaining articles were devoted to dama- 
 ges, or the restitution of property, which had been seized. 
 During the formation of the treaty the name of " Confeder- 
 ates" was once more heard. And now, after its conclusion, 
 the deputies dismounted from their horses and knelt down in 
 prayer. Then Captain Escher stepped up to the schuUheiss 
 Golder and the bailifis of the Five Cantons, and offered his 
 hand to each of them. Tears stood in every eye. They gave 
 each other their canteens to drink from, took a friendly leave 
 and returned to their respective camps. 
 
 But then a hard destiny, fines, punishments, the oppression 
 of soldiers, quartered upon them, and a partial loss of their 
 rights, were looked for by the inhabitants of Rapperschweil, the 
 people in Gaster and the free bailiwicks, and especially the 
 cities of Bremgarten and Mellingen. Zurich had attempted 
 to do what she could, at least for the latter, and invited them, 
 through Rudolph Stoll, to send deputies to her negotiation with 
 the Five Cantons. They refused to do it, relying on the pro- 
 
 their skins in danger," whilst the Zurichers did not; though with just 
 as little success, at least in the first. 
 
LIFE OP ZWINGLI. 4l9 
 
 teetion promised by the Bernese, a part of whose forces were 
 yet lying in their neighborhood. But these retired, as soon as 
 the Catholics turned against them with serious purpose, and 
 prepared for action, after the conclusion of the peace with 
 Zurich. Urgently and sadly did the two cities beg the Bern- 
 ese not to leave them helpless — to make some proposals at 
 least in their behalf. The schultheiss Mutschli rode to Aarau 
 after the commander Diessbach. He could remember, he there 
 said to him, that it was only with reluctance, and after repeated 
 orders from Zurich and Bern, that Bremgarten had prohibited 
 the sale of provisions to the Five Cantons — that the vengeance 
 of the enemy was sure, and their destruction very probable. 
 Thus also spoke the people of Mellingen, as weir as those of 
 the free bailiwicks. "We do not treat you in this manner wil- 
 lingly," answered Diessbach, "but under the pressure of neces- 
 sity. Act according to circumstances; Bern must take care of 
 her own rights." Then Mutschli turned away with the words: 
 "Jeremiah, the prophet, has spoken: 'Cursed be he who trusts 
 in an arm of flesh ! ' This has been fulfilled to us this day. 
 You cast us off in our misery. How can we then ever respect 
 your claims ? Grod in Heaven judge between us ! " Once more 
 they came to Zurich with prayers for succor, and immediately 
 five deputies were dispatched to the Catholics at Muri, to in- 
 tercede in their behalf. "You shall ride night and day," so 
 they were instructed, " and not give over till the oppression of 
 the people is removed, and you have obtained peace for them." 
 But the Five Cantons remained inexorable, and the best that 
 Zurich could do for her forsaken allies was to open her own gates 
 for the reception of the most needy. Richly did OTie of these 
 fugitives repay her for that act of kindness. In Henry Bul- 
 linger, the canton found the most worthy successor of her 
 reformer. His talent, his mildness of character, his wise 
 limitation of himself to what belonged directly to his calling, 
 
420 LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 
 
 appeased the wide-spread discontent with the clergy, especially 
 those from abroad, to whose instigations the late confusion and 
 disaster were attributed ; whilst on the other hand, his ample 
 stores of knowledge, his unshaken firmness, where duty was 
 concerned, and his unwearied zeal maintained the freedom of 
 the Gospel and the cause of the Keformation, as far as could 
 be in the midst of the general exhaustion. Meanwhile there 
 was no hindrance to the return of the old estate to the limits 
 of the canton and outside of it. Numerous altars were re- 
 stored. The Catholic church and her priests awoke to renew- 
 ed activity. Into the desolate cells of St. Gall, Muri, Einsie- 
 deln, Wettingen, Eheinau, Katharinenthal, Hermatschweil and 
 Gnadenthal marched back their exiled, or fugitive occupants, 
 and in the feeling of victory, arose to new and stronger power. 
 And now, what does this history teach ? What does it teach 
 every succeeding generation ? That in all centuries wisdom 
 and mildness, as well as rashness and violence, are the same. 
 The former are a blessing to the nations, full of light and 
 warmth j the latter only lead to unfruitful reactions.^ What- 
 ever the Reformers did and said for the liberty of the Gospel 
 has remained and borne rich fraits. All attempts on the other 
 hand, to help this liberty to a triumph, in the way of violence, 
 have only wrought injury. So, too, in our times, no good is 
 to be hoped for from any party, whether under civil or ecclesi- 
 astical form, the inspiring soul of which is not the divine 
 breath of love. The stronger the independence of the indi- 
 vidual and the power of national feeling rise along with the 
 everywhere growing freedom of the press, that engine of re- 
 formation in the hands of the Almighty, the more indispen- 
 sable does it become for those who would lead others, to win 
 them over by conscientious persuasion. But he alone can pro- 
 duce any permanent impression, who along with the free, true 
 and loving word unites the power of his own example. Think- 
 
LIFE OF ZWINGLI. 421 
 
 ers, indeed, might be willing to listen to the former, but the 
 latter, speaks more clearly than any mere doctrine sever can, 
 to the very heart of the people. Henceforward, naked power 
 can establish nothing. No longer can the strong mind (and this 
 is the character of the coming age) rule the world ; only the 
 strong and good will be able to show, how God rules it; but the 
 princes and nations, who recognize this the soonest, shall become 
 the wisest, and they also will attain the greatest power. 
 
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