s, it is our plain order and
opinion, that where such Romish knaves come, they shall be cast into
prison and punished in such a manner, as that henceforth we shall be
rid of them. Because the priesthood, in some part at least, have been
guilty of wicked deeds, altogether improper and indecent, which, if
they had been committed by the laity, would have been punished with
death; and these evil-doers, when handed over to the bishops and the
superiors of their orders, have been lightly dealt with and set free,
and because crime and follies increase among them, and give rise to
every kind of discord and disturbance--in order that this evil may be
cured, whoever perpetrates such a crime as to forfeit his life, each
authority, under which such a clergyman has been seized, shall execute
him for that crime, just like a layman, notwithstanding his
consecration."

"Item, because the common people have been greatly disturbed in their
faith by the printers, and the books published by Luther or Zwingli and
their followers, it is our will, that no one shall print or keep such
books for sale in our cities, cantons and territories; and, when they
are seized on a colporteur, he shall be heavily punished; and whoever
has such books for sale and takes them to a merchant, the merchant
shall tear them to pieces, or throw them into the mire, and not be
accountable therefor. But such works as the Old and New Testament, the
Holy Gospels, the Bible and other Christian books of the twelve
Apostles and Saints, their lives and doctrines, may be bought and sold.
Item, whereas it is very plain that the poor common man who has been
everywhere subjected to restrictions of a hard and severe character, by
clerical prelates and convents, as well as by noble and plebeian
judges, in their restraints on marriage, their lowering of prices,
their rents and other feudal claims and privileges, and especially
among our bailiwicks and dependencies, which now highly grieves and
surprises us Confederates, and because, according to the terms of the
federal compact no one canton can break off from the others in its
rights, claims and privileges, and as in our bailiwicks collectively
abuses and grievances have been very much practised against the common
people, by the monasteries, nobles and judges, therefore, be it hereby
resolved, that we take measures to alleviate and pass judgment therein,
so that the poor common man may not be burdened by the lowering of
prices,