History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century Volume II Part 50

[819] Infirmos quosdam nuper Christo lucrifactos sacerdotes offensos ea sentirem ex tacitis palloribus ac suspiriis. (Ibid., p. 9.) I could see, by the silent paleness and sighs of certain priests lately gained to Christ, and not well confirmed, that they were overpowered.

[820] Frustra diu movi omnem lapidem. (Zw. Op. iii, p. 9.)

[821] Ibi ego quiescere ac suspiriis rem agere cpi apud eum qui audit gemitum compeditorum. (Ibid.) Then I began to be quiet, and to plead the cause with sighs before Him who hears the groaning of the prisoners.

On the 9th April, the Two Hundred a.s.sembled. "We wish to have our pastors here," immediately exclaimed the members who were in favour of the Reformation. The Lesser Council resisted. but the Great Council decided that the pastors should be present to hear the charge, and answer it, if they thought fit. The deputies from Constance were introduced, and then the three curates of Zurich, Zuinglius, Engelhard, and old Roschli.

After the parties thus brought face to face had for some time eyed each other, the coadjutor rose. "Had his heart and his head been equal to his voice," says Zuinglius, "he would, in sweetness, have surpa.s.sed Apollo and Orpheus, and in force the Gracchi and Demosthenes."

"The civil const.i.tution," said the champion of the papacy, "and Christianity itself, are threatened. Men have appeared teaching new, offensive and seditious doctrines." Then, after speaking at great length, he fixed his eye on the a.s.sembled senate, and said, "Remain with the Church, remain in the Church. Out of it none can be saved.

Ceremonies alone can bring the simple to the knowledge of salvation,[822] and the pastors of the flocks have nothing else to do than explain their meaning to the people."

[822] Unicas esse per quas simplices Christiani ad agnitionem salutis inducerentur. (Ibid., p. 10.)

As soon as the coadjutor had finished his speech, he and his party were preparing to leave the council-hall, when Zuinglius said to him, warmly, "Mr. Coadjutor, and you who accompany him, remain, I pray you, till I have defended myself."

_The Coadjutor._--"We are not employed to dispute with any man whatever."

_Zuinglius._--"I mean not to dispute, but to explain to you, without fear, what I have taught up to this hour."

_Burgomaster Roust to the Deputies of Constance._--"I pray you listen to the curate's reply."

_The Coadjutor._--"I too well know the man with whom I would have to do. Ulric Zuinglius is too violent for any man to dispute with!"

[Sidenote: THE REPLY OF ZUINGLIUS.]

_Zuinglius._--"When did it become the practice to attack an innocent man so strongly, and afterwards refuse to hear him? In the name of our common faith--in the name of the baptism which both of us have received--in the name of Christ, the author of salvation and life, listen to me.[823] If you cannot as deputies, at least do it as Christians."

[823] Ob communem fidem, ob communem baptismum, ob Christum vitae salutisque auctorem. (Zw. Op. iii, 11.)

After firing a volley into the air, Rome retired with hasty steps from the field of battle. The Reformer only asked to speak, and the agent of the papacy thought only of flight. A cause thus pleaded was already gained on the one side and lost on the other. The two hundred could not contain their indignation; a murmur burst forth in the a.s.sembly.[824] The burgomaster again pressed the deputies. They felt ashamed, and silently resumed their seats. Then Zuinglius said:

[824] Cpit murmur audiri civium indignantium. (Ibid.)

"The Coadjutor speaks of seditious doctrines subversive of civil laws.

Let him know that Zurich is quieter, and more obedient to the laws than any other town in Switzerland, and this all good citizens attribute to the gospel. Is not Christianity the most powerful safeguard of justice among a people?[825] What are ceremonies good for, unless it be to sully the face of Christ and Christians?[826]

Yes, there is another method than these vain observances to bring simple people to the knowledge of the truth--a method which Christ and the Apostles followed in the gospel itself! Have no dread of its not being comprehended by the people! Whoever believes comprehends. The people can believe, and therefore can comprehend. This is a work of the Divine Spirit, and not of human reason.[827] For the rest, he who does not find forty days sufficient may, for me, if he likes, fast every day in the year! All I ask is, that n.o.body be compelled to do so, and that, for neglect of the minutest observance, the Zurichers be not accused of separating from the communion of Christians...."

[825] Imo Christianismum ad communem just.i.tiam servandum esse potentissimum. (Ibid., p. 13.)

[826] Ceremonias haud quicquam aliud agere quam et Christo et ejus fldelibus os oblinere. (Ibid.)

[827] Quidquid hic agitur divino fit afflatu, non humano ratiocino.

(Ibid.)

"I did not say so," exclaimed the Coadjutor. "No," said his colleague, Dr. Brendi, "he did not say it." But the whole senate confirmed the a.s.sertion of Zuinglius, who continued:

[Sidenote: DECISION OF THE GRAND COUNCIL.]

"Worthy citizens, let not this accusation move you! The foundation of the Church is that rock, that Christ, who gave Peter his name, because he confessed him faithfully. In every nation whosoever believeth with the heart in the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. This is the Church out of which no man can be saved.[828] As to us ministers of Christ, to explain the gospel and follow it is the whole of our duty. Let those who live by ceremonies make it their business to explain them." This was to touch the sore part.

[828] Extra illam neminem salvari. (Ibid., p. 15.)

The Coadjutor blushed and said nothing. The two hundred adjourned, and afterwards, the same day, decided that the pope and cardinals should be requested to explain the controverted point, and that in the meantime flesh should not be eaten during Lent. This was to leave matters on the old footing, and answer the bishop in such a way as to gain time.

This struggle had advanced the work of the Reformation. The champions of Rome and of the Reformation had been in presence of each other, and before the eyes of the whole community, and the advantage had not been on the side of the pope. This was the first engagement in what was to be a long and severe campaign, and to exhibit many alternations of grief and joy. But a first victory at the outset gives courage to the whole army, and fills the enemy with dismay. The Reformation had obtained possession of a territory of which it was not again to be deprived. If the Council deemed it necessary to proceed with some degree of caution, the people loudly proclaimed the defeat of Rome.

"Never," said they in the exultation of the moment, "never will they be able to rea.s.semble their beaten and scattered troops."[829] "You,"

said they to Zuinglius, "have with the spirit of St. Paul attacked these false apostles and their Ananias, their whited walls.... The utmost the satellites of antichrist can now do is to gnash their teeth against you!" Voices were heard from the centre of Germany joyfully proclaiming "the glory of reviving theology."[830]

[829] Ut, vulgo jactatum sit, nunquam ultra copias sarturos. (Zw. Ep.

203.)

[830] Vale renascentis Theologiae decus. (Letter of Urban Regius.

Ibid., 225.)

At the same time, however, the enemies of the gospel mustered their forces. If they were to strike there was no time to be lost, for it would soon be beyond the reach of their blows. Hoffman laid before the chapter a long accusation against the Reformer. "Were the curate even able," said he, "to prove by witnesses what sins, what irregularities have been committed by ecclesiastics in such a convent, such a street, such a tavern, it would still be his duty not to give any names. Why does he give out (it is true I have scarcely ever heard him myself) that he alone draws his doctrine at the fountain-head, and that others search for it only in sinks and puddles?[831] Is it not impossible, seeing the diversity of spirits, for all to preach the same thing?"

[831] Die andern aber aus Rinnen und Plutzen. (Simml. Samml. Wirz i, p. 244.)

[Sidenote: GRIEF AND JOY IN GERMANY.]

Zuinglius defended himself at a full meeting of the Chapter, scattering the accusations of his opponent "as a bull with his horns tosses straw into the air."[832] The affair which had appeared so serious ended in laughter at the canon's expence. But Zuinglius did not stop here; on the 16th April, he published a treatise _On the free use of food_.[833]

[832] Ut cornu vehemens taurus aristas. (Zw. Ep. p. 203.)

[833] De delectu et libero ciborum usu. (Zw. Op. i, p. 1.)

CHAP. XII.

Grief and Joy in Germany--Ambush against Zuinglius--Mandate of the Bishop--Archeteles--The Bishop addresses the Diet--Prohibition to attack the Monks--Declaration of Zuinglius--The Nuns of tenbach--Zuinglius' address to Schwitz.

The Reformer's immovable firmness delighted the friends of truth, and particularly the Evangelical Christians of Germany, so long deprived by the captivity of the Wartburg, of the mighty apostle who had first raised his head in the bosom of the Church. Pastors and faithful people, now exiled by the inexorable decree which the papacy had obtained at Worms from Charles V, found an asylum in Zurich. Nesse, the professor of Frankfort, whom Luther visited when on his way to Worms, in a letter to Zuinglius says--"Oh, how I am delighted to learn with what authority you preach Christ. Speak words of encouragement to those who, by the cruelty of wicked bishops, are obliged to flee far from our churches in sorrow."[834]

[834] Et ut iis, qui ob malorum episcoporum saevitiam a n.o.bis submoventur, prodesse velis. (Zw. Ep. p. 208.)

But the adversaries of the Reformation did not confine their cruel plots against its friends to Germany. Scarcely an hour pa.s.sed at Zurich in which the means of getting rid of Zuinglius were not under consideration.[835] One day he received an anonymous letter, which he immediately communicated to his two vicars. It said, "Snares environ you on every side, mortal poison is ready to deprive you of life.[836]

Eat only in your own house, and of bread baked by your own cook. The walls of Zurich contain men who are plotting your ruin. The oracle which revealed this to me is truer than that of Delphi. I am on your side, you will yet know me."[837]

[835] Nulla praetereat hora, in qua non fierent...consultationes insidiosissimae. (Osw. Myc. Vit. Zw.)

[836] ?t??a fa?a?a ?????

(Zw. Ep. 199.) Poisoned draughts are ready.

[837] S?? e??; agnosces me postea. (Ibid.)