in a dignified
manner, and zealous use was made of this fact to his reproach.[5]

Remarkable phenomena began to develop themselves from this
pulpit-battle against the monks. Hot-headed characters, old and young,
impelled sometimes by a conviction of the truth, but oftener by conceit
and a desire to make a noise in the world, interrupted the awkward
preachers in the midst of their discourses, and accused them of
teaching error and even lies. A tumult arose in the church. It might
easily become a theatre of dishonorable strife. The Council arrested
several of the most violent of these stormers and forbade all such
disorderly behavior in future. Already the monks were in hopes they had
won the day; but Zwingli did not suffer them to escape, and probably at
his suggestion the preachers of the three orders were unexpectedly
summoned to the house of the provost, where with a deputation from the
government, the burgomaster Roist at its head, the three people's
priests, the commander Schmied and all the canons were assembled, and
Zwingli, being called on, began to read aloud from a written document
to each individual, the errors which he had taught. They were greatly
amazed, and denied some things, but admitted others. An attempt was now
made to have the chapter of canons appointed as umpire and mediator,
but Zwingli instantly opposed it with all his might: "I"--said he--"am
bishop and pastor in Zurich; to me the care of souls is committed, and
I have given my oath thereon, the monks not. They should hear me, not I
them. Indeed, if they ever again preach lies, I will mount the pulpit
and rebuke them publicly." Only in the conviction of his own strength
durst he venture to use such language. Only their felt weakness struck
his opponents dumb. Dr. Engelhart and the Commander Schmied also sided
with Zwingli. The Councils saw themselves obliged to follow the men of
learning, and the burgomaster concluded the act with the words: "Yes,
Masters of the Orders, this is also the opinion of my colleagues, that
henceforth vi u must preach the Gospel, Paul and the Prophets, and let
Scotus, Thomas[6] and such stuff lie."

The monks, compelled now to restrain themselves somewhat in the pulpit,
renewed their attacks the more stubbornly in private houses,
confessionals, drinking-gardens and wherever else they could do so with
safety. From Bunden, Constance, Luzern and Schwyz reports of their
calumnies reached him through his friends. Nothing p