s than those whom I have led. But this matters not. I will bear no
other name than that of Christ, whose soldier I am, and who alone is my
chief. Never has one single word been written by me to Luther, nor by
Luther to me. And why?... That it might be shown how much the Spirit of
God is in unison with itself, since both of us, without any collusion,
teach the doctrine of Christ with such uniformity."(245)

In 1516 Zwingle was invited to become a preacher in the convent at
Einsiedeln. Here he was to have a closer view of the corruptions of Rome,
and was to exert an influence as a Reformer that would be felt far beyond
his native Alps. Among the chief attractions of Einsiedeln was an image of
the Virgin which was said to have the power of working miracles. Above the
gateway of the convent was the inscription, "Here a plenary remission of
sins may be obtained."(246) Pilgrims at all seasons resorted to the shrine
of the Virgin, but at the great yearly festival of its consecration,
multitudes came from all parts of Switzerland, and even from France and
Germany. Zwingle, greatly afflicted at the sight, seized the opportunity
to proclaim liberty through the gospel to these bond-slaves of
superstition.

"Do not imagine," he said, "that God is in this temple more than in any
other part of creation. Whatever be the country in which you dwell, God is
around you, and hears you.... Can unprofitable works, long pilgrimages,
offerings, images, the invocation of the Virgin or of the saints, secure
for you the grace of God?... What avails the multitude of words with which
we embody our prayers? What efficacy has a glossy cowl, a smooth-shorn
head, a long and flowing robe, or gold-embroidered slippers?... God looks
at the heart, and our hearts are far from Him." "Christ," he said, "who
was once offered upon the cross, is the sacrifice and victim, that had
made satisfaction for the sins of believers to all eternity."(247)

To many listeners these teachings were unwelcome. It was a bitter
disappointment to them to be told that their toilsome journey had been
made in vain. The pardon freely offered to them through Christ they could
not comprehend. They were satisfied with the old way to heaven which Rome
had marked out for them. They shrank from the perplexity of searching for
anything better. It was easier to trust their salvation to the priests and
the pope than to seek for purity of heart.

But another class received with gladness the