a single
pardon, and he soon after left Switzerland.

A strong impetus was given to the reform by the appearance of the plague,
or "great death," which swept over Switzerland in the year 1519. As men
were thus brought face to face with the destroyer, many were led to feel
how vain and worthless were the pardons which they had so lately
purchased; and they longed for a surer foundation for their faith. Zwingle
at Zurich was smitten down; he was brought so low that all hope of his
recovery was relinquished, and the report was widely circulated that he
was dead. In that trying hour his hope and courage were unshaken. He
looked in faith to the cross of Calvary, trusting in the all-sufficient
propitiation for sin. When he came back from the gates of death, it was to
preach the gospel with greater fervor than ever before; and his words
exerted an unwonted power. The people welcomed with joy their beloved
pastor, returned to them from the brink of the grave. They themselves had
come from attending upon the sick and the dying, and they felt, as never
before, the value of the gospel.

Zwingle had arrived at a clearer understanding of its truths, and had more
fully experienced in himself its renewing power. The fall of man and the
plan of redemption were the subjects upon which he dwelt. "In Adam," he
said, "we are all dead, sunk in corruption and condemnation."(254) "Christ
... has purchased for us a never-ending redemption ... His passion is ...
an eternal sacrifice, and everlastingly effectual to heal; it satisfies
the divine justice forever in behalf of all those who rely upon it with
firm and unshaken faith." Yet he clearly taught that men are not, because
of the grace of Christ, free to continue in sin. "Wherever there is faith
in God, there God is; and wherever God abideth, there a zeal exists urging
and impelling men to good works."(255)

Such was the interest in Zwingle's preaching that the cathedral was filled
to overflowing with the crowds that came to listen to him. Little by
little, as they could bear it, he opened the truth to his hearers. He was
careful not to introduce, at first, points which would startle them and
create prejudice. His work was to win their hearts to the teachings of
Christ, to soften them by His love, and keep before them His example; and
as they should receive the principles of the gospel, their superstitious
beliefs and practices would inevitably be overthrown.

Step by step the Reformatio