Among the spectators were Sebastian Hofmeister and James Amman of Zurich; they held in their hands the Holy Bible in Greek and Hebrew. The bishop's vicar desired that all strangers should be excluded. Hofmeister understood this to be directed against him. "We have come provided with a Greek and Hebrew Bible," said he, "in order that no violence may be done in any manner to Scripture. Yet sooner than prevent the conference, we are willing to withdraw."--"Ah!" exclaimed the priest of Dintzen, looking at the books of the Zurichers, "if the Greek and Hebrew languages had never entered our country, there would have been fewer heresies!"[635]--"St. Jerome," said another, "has translated the Bible for us; we do not want the books of the Jews!"--"If the Zurichers are turned out," said the banneret of Ilantz, "the _commune_ will interfere."--"Well then," replied others, "let them listen, but be silent." The Zurichers remained accordingly, and their Bible with them. [635] Wäre die Griechische und Hebraische Sprache nicht in das Land gekommen. Füssl. Beytr. i. 360. After this Comander stood up and read the first of the theses he had published; it ran thus: "The christian Church is born of the Word of God; it must abide by this Word, and listen to no other voice." He then proved what he had advanced by numerous passages from Scripture. "He trod with a firm step," said an eye-witness,[636] "each time setting down his foot with the firmness of an ox."--"There is too much of this," said the vicar.--"When he is at table with his friends listening to the pipers," said Hofmeister, "he does not find it too long."[637] [636] Satzte den Fuss wie ein müder Ochs. Ibid. 362. [637] Den Pfeiffern zuzuhören, die......wie den Fürsten hofierten. Ibid. [Sidenote: THE SCHOOLMASTER--SACRAMENTS--RESULTS.] Then a man arose and advanced from the midst of the crowd, tossing his arms, knitting his brows, blinking his eyes,[638] and who appeared to have lost his senses; he rushed towards the reformer, and many thought he was about to strike him. He was a schoolmaster of Coire. "I have committed several questions to writing," said he to Comander; "answer them instantly."--"I am here," said the reformer of the Grisons, "to defend my doctrine: attack it, and I will defend it; or else return to your place. I will answer you when I have done." The schoolmaster remained a moment in suspense. "Very well," said he at last, and returned to his seat. [638] Blintzete mit den Augen, rumfete die Stirne. Ibid. 368. It was proposed to pass on to the doctrine of the sacraments. The Abbot of St. Luke's declared that he could not approach such a subject without awe, and the horrified curate in alarm made the sign of the cross.