Protestant Revolt in Switzerland and England 1 2 1 these thirsty souls of the truth, let them remain in doubt, frighten them by human ordinances, and leave them to live and die- in uncertainty as to the truth? Really, my pious brethren, this is no small thing. God will not demand of us what pope, bishop, and council have established and commanded, nor how long this or that has been a laudable and ancient usage ; but he will find out how his divine will, word, and commandments have been kept." At these words of Zwingli's every one remained silent for a time, and no one wanted to say anything, till the burgo- master of Zurich arose and urged any there present who wished to speak upon the matter, or knew anything to say, to step forward. But no one spoke. Meantime Gutschenkel [a buffoon from Berne], standing in front by the door, cut a ridiculous caper, and cried out : "Where are now the 'bigwigs' that boast so loudly and bravely on the streets ? Now step forward ! Here is the man. You can all boast over your wine, but here no one stirs." Everybody laughed at that. . . . [The vicar then replied :] " Since I have been summoned The vicar by Master Ulrich, I will say, my dear sirs, that some hun- recalls the dreds of years ago it happened that heresy and dissension g ies of the arose in the Church, the causes and beginners of which past, were Novatians, Montanists, Sabellians, Ebionites, Marcion- ites, and others, by whose false teachings and errors many doctrines like these of our times were planted in men, and many believing folk were led astray. Among these heretics some asserted that there was no efficacy in prayers to the dear saints and the Mother of God, or in their intercession ; and that purgatory, too, did not exist, but that all these were man's invention, and the like. In order to close up such ways of error many pious bishops and fathers met in many places, at one time in Asia, then in Africa, then some- where in Greece, that they might hold synods and councils, to put a stop to heresy and such things. And afterward ordinances and decisions were made by the holy fathers and the popes, that such heretical views should not be held, having been rejected by the Christian Church.
