ise to a lively and earnest
debate. It could not escape the older statesmen how readily results,
not to be foreseen, flow from a violation of forms, whilst others,
looking at events in Germany, the humor of the people, and the growing
in difference toward the ordinances of ecclesiastical courts, trembled
less at the approaching transformation; nay, the boldest and most
decided ardently wished it. In fact, the resolution to grant Zwingli's
petition was at last carried. Besides, the Council could justify itself
with the Bishop by his own inactivity, by his refusal of the just
prayer to institute a synod or convocation of learned men for the
examination of the Reformer's doctrine. Thus he had only himself to
blame, if part of the power, which he might yet have been able to
secure, was already taken from him by the public proclamation of
Zurich, dated January 3d, 1523. The substance of this paper is
contained in the following extract:

"We, the burgomaster and Small and Great Councils of the city of
Zurich, to all the clergy in our diocese our salutation and favorable
regard. Discord and dissension have sprung up among us between the
preachers. Some believe they have proclaimed the Gospel faithfully and
fully; on the contrary others affirm that these same persons sow error,
mislead their hearers, and are heretics, whilst they on their part at
all times and to every one declare themselves ready to be judged by
God's Word. Therefore with the best intentions and for the sake of
God's honor, peace and Christian unity, it is our will that ye
ministers, pastors and preachers, all in general and each in
particular, or even other priests, who may have a mind to speak, to
inveigh against or else to instruct the opposite party, appear before
us on the day succeeding Emperor Charles' day at early council-time at
our council-house, and when ye dispute, to do it with appeal to the
genuine Scripture in the German tongue and language. With all diligence
will we, with the aid of several learned men, note down, whether it
seems good to us, and, if it accord with the Holy Scripture, send each
one home with the command to go on or leave off; so that every one may
not preach from the pulpit without warrant, only what seems good to
him. We will also point out this to our gracious Lord of Constance, so
that your Grace or your deputies, as you wish, may be there also. But
if any one should be so perverse as not to produce the real Divine
Scriptu