re. People, who were lacking in means
to rise, and often justly low in public esteem, now called out likewise
for change, so that their old incapacity, or their old sins, might be
forgotten. The deeper the agitation, the more they hoped to gain. Then
already Grebel was numbered among them; the better spirit had wholly
forsaken him. Others of a like stamp clustered around him. To stand
with Zwingli they would have needed purer morals, more labor of the
mind, and above all self-denial. This would not do for them. They must
outstrip him therefore, in order to gain their end the more quickly.

It has already been remarked, that the first traces of their disturbing
influence appeared at the close of the disputation. Lame, frivolous
were the questions about mere externals in the administration of the
Supper, the form of the bread, the kind, as how it ought to be brought
to the mouth, the time of taking it which Grebel started--difficulties
that he would find everywhere; then, supported chiefly by Simon Stumpf,
people's priest at H[oe]ngg, he impugned the right of the government to
issue ordinances; all evidently designed to produce an excitement, to
rouse the spirit of sect, to make himself a party. With generous
forbearance Zwingli answered him, but here again Conrad Schmied spoke
out against fanaticism and a rage for destruction. He brought the
insurgents to silence, and then proceeded to deliver an ample discourse
on the need of better instruction, which met with general approbation.
His spiritual superiors had hitherto refused, for good reasons, to
inform the people. "The more need"--continued he--"is there, that you,
dear Sirs, should take the work boldly in hand. For money, you have
helped many an earthly prince to his land and his subjects, help then,
for God's sake, Christ our Lord to his dominion and honour."

No one opposed this. Then Zwingli spoke one more, begging all to hold
firm to the Gospel, and never to despond as long as they leaned upon
it. "What is done from the best motives will be misrepresented by
falsehood and slander. Thus it had been said here and there yesterday
evening that we would now degrade the body and blood of Christ into
sleeping-cups. No!"--cried he--"no one certainly wishes to do this."
Tears interrupted his speech and many other were heard to weep. "If God
will"--said Leo Judae--"we will all stand by the Gospel, and cheerfully
will I, if need be, lay down my life for it. They may kill the