ion begins. Much comes to light, some things important and
some not. Now, Grebel, the father of Conrad, the leader of the
Anabaptists, is beheaded. He, who stood in the highest consideration
amongst us, had received from the Emperor, the King of France and the
Pope more than 1000 gold-florins under pretence of benefits bestowed on
his son. Several escaped, for the gates were negligently guarded; one
on a cart, concealed under a load of rubbish and dung. Another, a
hunchbacked man, was put to the rack. The dictatorship and
investigation still continue. As for me, I exhort some to take example
from such a result, and others to aid in rooting up the evil."

The hatred of the defeated party, their friends and their followers,
may easily be imagined. But for once there was no prospect of a speedy
revenge. Several attempts on their behalf were made in the canton
without success. To Buelach, where something had been undertaken in
favor of the criminals, the government wrote: "We hear that you venture
to hold meetings on account of the punishments we have inflicted on the
disobedient and invite others thither. This sounds badly in face of
your solemn pledges, to give the go-by to all foreign lords. Cease from
such intrigues, or we will take the matter in hand for you with such
earnestness and boldness, that, with the help of God, we will become
your masters, and not you ours." Respect for the Reformer grew; his
influence began to spread widely, even, beyond the limits of the
canton.

After the narration of these events, we turn back again to the affairs
of Bern. The power of this state, the ideas, which were entertained of
the sagacity of its rulers, made it evident, that, just as the case was
decided here, so would it be in a good portion of the Confederacy. And
now, within the walls of Bern, Zurich and the Five Cantons had to fight
their next battle. They did it first by embassies; but whilst the
Zurichers deported themselves with modesty, the Five Cantons used
rough, domineering language, which found no approval even from those,
who otherwise were not well inclined toward the Reformation. But the
Bernese felt more and more sensibly the inconvenience arising from the
discord, which passed over from the sphere of religion into that of
their politics. Both parties longed for a decision. The proposal to
hold a religious conference of their own, met with growing favor. Both
parties counted on victory. The opponents of the Reform