Oswald displayed the greatest activity in favour of his friend. He exerted all his powers in defending him, and happily succeeded.[691] He went to burgomaster Roust, to Hoffman, Frey, and Utinger. He praised Zuinglius for his probity, honesty, and purity, and confirmed the Zurichers in the favourable opinion which they had of the curate of Einsidlen. Little credit was given to the speeches of his adversaries. The most influential persons said, that Zuinglius should be preacher at Zurich. The canons said so also, but in a whisper. "Hope," wrote Oswald to him with a full heart, "for I hope." At the same time he told him of the accusations of his enemies. Although Zuinglius was not yet become altogether a new man, he belonged to the class of those whose conscience is awakened, and who may fall into sin, but never without a struggle, or without remorse. It had often been his resolution to stand alone in the midst of the world, and maintain a life of holiness. But when he saw himself accused, he did not pretend to boast that he was without sin. Writing to canon Utinger, he said, "Having nobody to go along with me in the resolutions which I had formed, several even of those about me, being offended at them, alas! I fell, and like the dog of whom St. Peter speaks, (2 Ep. ii, 22,) returned to my vomit.[692] Ah! God knows with what shame and anguish I have torn up these faults from the depths of my heart, and laid them before Almighty God, to whom, however, I would be less afraid to confess my misery than to mortal man."[693] But while Zuinglius confessed himself to be a sinner, he, at the same time vindicated himself from the most offensive charges which were brought against him. He declared that he had ever abhorred the idea of invading the sanctity of married life, or seducing innocence,[694]--vices at that time but too common, "or the truth of this," says he, "I appeal to all with whom I have lived."[695] [691] Reprimo hæc pro viribus, imo et repressi. (Ibid., p. 54.) [692] Quippe neminem habens, comitem hujus instituti, scandalisantes vero non paucos heu! cecidi et factus sum canis ad vomitum. (Zw. Ep. p. 55.) [693] En, cum verecundia (Deus novit!) magna, hæc ex pectoris specubus depromsi, apud eum scilicet, cum quo etiam coram minus quam cum ullo ferme mortalium confiteri vererer. (Zw. Ep.) [694] Ea ratio nobis perpetuo fuit, nec alienum thorum conscendere nec virginem vitiare. (Ibid.) [695] Testes invoco cunctos, quibuscum vixi. (Ibid.)