CHAP. Soleure. Reflections. organist of the cathedral, have been handed down to us, as of this description.1 At Soleure, which, like Friburg, continues a Roman-catholic canton, Zwingle had at this time partizans; particularly Melchior Macrinus, a man of learning, and secretary to the government. In the year 1522, Macrinus entered into a discussion with some priests, and the dean of Burgdorff, at the convent of Fraubrunnen, in the canton of Berne. The dean made Macrinus's too great acquaintance with the Greek language a matter of complaint against him-we may suppose, on account of the inconvenience it occasioned him, and of his not being himself overcharged with this kind of learning. The principal subjects of dispute were, the mass, and the power of the priests to offer a propitiatory sacrifice therein. Macrinus would acknowledge no sacrificing priest but Jesus Christ, nor any other propitiatory sacrifice than that which he had offered on the cross. The priests in consequence threatened to proceed against him on a charge of heresy. But it is remarkable that the magistrates of Soleure interfered on his behalf, and proposed, if the parties could not agree, to call in the aid of Zwingle and other learned men to decide between them. In the end, Meyer, of Berne, supported Macrinus so vigorously, that the affair terminated much to the satisfaction of the latter; and he wrote to Zwingle with great animation, assuring the reformer that they had many persons at Soleure who concurred in their sentiments.1 Thus, on its revival at the reformation, as on its first promulgation in the world, the gospel 'J. H. Hott, vi. 390-396. Ru. i. 150, 184. Gerd. ii. 244-5. 2 J. H. Hott. vi. 385, &c. Ru. i. 151-2. Gerd, ii. 248. 66 was every where opposed and persecuted, but every where made converts, and was attended with success, in a greater or less degree. Offensive as it may be to the prejudices and corrupt propensities of mankind, it has that in it which "commends itself to every man's conscience, as in the sight of God." And, just as at its first propagation the superstitions and abominations of heathenism fell before it, so did the mummeries and impostures, and, we must add, the idolatries of popery shew themselves unable to stand against it, when it was restored, and preached anew, with a measure of the same blessing of heaven accompanying it. Nay, the delusions which had prevailed did but prepare many to welcome more thankfully the great light" which thus arose upon them: for, though weak, erring, and depraved human nature readily admits the impostures which "the god of this world" practises upon it, and, even when it groans under their effects, is not able "to deliver itself, or say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" yet, when God himself arises to its aid, and sets his truth before men, they cannot but do homage to its superior excellence, and confess it to be infinitely more worthy of their regard, than that which had hitherto engrossed them. "What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? and like the hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" There will indeed always be those who will withstand it-hitherto, alas! it is to be feared, a great majority-men who "love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil;" "in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel A. D. 1522. CHAP. XV. of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine CHAPTER XVI. DISPUTATIONS OF ZURIC. PROGRESS OF THE THE Commencement of the year 1523 was marked by the occurrence of the first of those public disputations, or discussions, which so materially advanced the progress of the reformation in Switzerland. Zwingle finding himself more and more assailed, especially by the Dominican friars, with the charges of heresy, and of teaching principles subversive of the church and of the good order of society, addressed himself to the supreme council of Zuric, requesting that the subject might be brought to a hearing before them. He represented that he was perfectly willing, and even desirous, to submit his doctrine to examination; and that, if it could be proved erroneous, he would retract it: that, if the charges brought against him could be substantiated, he refused not to submit to the consequences: but that it was incompatible with his peace, and the peace of the citizens, and also with the honour of the council, as his patrons, that such charges should 1 The populace, it seems, often went the length of publicly giving the lie to the Roman-catholic teachers in the pulpit: nor could they be restrained from doing this by the punishments inflicted upon them. Ruchat, i. 157-8. A. D. 1523. First Dis putation f Zuric CHAP. be perpetually circulated, without ever being brought forward in a tangible shape, so that he could meet and fairly grapple with them, or be confronted with their authors. Only one thing he stipulated that the appeal should be made to the scriptures, as the sole rule of judgment, and not to mere custom or the traditions of men. The council in consequence took up the case; appointed a meeting to be held in their public hall, or senatehouse, on the twenty-ninth of January, and called upon all persons, who had any thing to allege against the doctrine or conduct of the chief pastor, to come forward and make their allegations, and to support them without fear. They invited the attendance of the clergy of the canton, generally; and addressed a special request to the diocesan, the bishop of Constance, to be present, either personally or by his representatives; and another to the diet of the cantons, then assembled at Baden, soliciting them to send deputies to assist on the occasion. It is to be observed, that the question which Zwingle proposed to submit to the council was not, generally, the truth or falsehood of his doctrine, (for we shall see that he disclaimed all human authority to pronounce definitively upon that,) but only whether he could be proved to have taught such unscriptural tenets, or to have been guilty of such other misconduct, as rendered him unworthy of their support; and whether therefore he should be silenced, or should be protected against insult and injury. No doubt also he sought the opportunity of making his real principles more generally known, and of bringing the arguments by which they were defended, as well as the weak |