History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, Volume 3Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
History
History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, Volume 3
Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
Reformation
When the assembly met again in the afternoon, the council declared
that Master Ulrich Zwingle, not being reproved by any one, might
continue to preach the holy Gospel, and that the rest of the clergy in
the canton should teach nothing that they could not substantiate by
Scripture.
"Praised be God, who will cause his holy Word to prevail in heaven and
earth!" exclaimed Zwingle. Upon this Faber could not restrain his
indignation. "The theses of Master Ulrich," said he, "are contrary to
the honour of the Church and the doctrine of Christ; and I will prove
it." "Do so," replied Zwingle. But Faber declined his challenge,
except it should be at Paris, Cologne, or Friburg. "I will have no
other judge than the Gospel," said Zwingle. "Sooner than you can shake
one of its words, the earth will open before you."[473] "The Gospel!"
sneered Faber, "always the Gospel!......Men might live in holiness,
peace, and charity, even if there were no Gospel."[474]
[473] Es müss das Erdrych brechen. Zw. Opp. i. 148.
[474] Man möcht denocht früntlich, fridlich und tugendlich läben, wenn
glich kein Evangelium were. Bull. Chron. p. 107; Zw. Opp. i. 152.
At these words the spectators rose indignantly from their seats. Thus
terminated the disputation.
CHAPTER II.
Papal Temptations--Progress of the Reformation--The Idol at
Stadelhofen--Sacrilege--The Ornaments of the Saints.
[Sidenote: PAPAL TEMPTATIONS.]
The Reformation had gained the day; it was now to accelerate its
conquests. After this battle of Zurich, in which the most skilful
champions of the papacy were dumb, who would be bold enough to oppose
the new doctrine? But weapons of a different kind were tried.
Zwingle's firmness and republican bearing overawed his adversaries;
accordingly they had recourse to peculiar measures to subdue him.
While Rome was pursuing Luther with her anathemas, she endeavoured to
win over the reformer of Zurich by gentleness. The dispute was
scarcely ended when Zwingle received a visit from the captain of the
pope's guard--the son of the burgomaster Roust. He was accompanied by
the legate Einsius, the bearer of a papal brief, in which Adrian VI.
called Zwingle his beloved son, and assured him of "his special
favour."[475] At the same time the pope urged Zink to gain over
Zwingle. "And what has the pope commissioned you to offer him?" asked
Oswald Myconius. "Everything," replied Zink, "except the papal
chair."[476]
[475] Cum de tua egregia virtute specialiter nobis sit cognitum. Zw.
Epp. p. 266.
[476] Serio respondit: Omnia certe præter sedem papalem. Vita Zwingli,
per Osw. Myc.
[Sidenote: ZWINGLE'S FIRMNESS--FABER'S HOSTILITY.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account