the Three Leagues (the Grisons), from Wallis
(_Valais_), from Rothweil, from the _landgraviate_ of the Thurgau and
the nobility there, and from the district of Sargan, as well as by the
French ambassadors, and those of the Duke of Milan, and the Countess of
Neuenberg. Gervasius Schuler and Henry Bullinger preached sermons in
favor of reconciliation and concord; but how could the negotiations
proceed, when the Five Cantons demanded the raising of the prohibition,
before a single word should be spoken? To own thus publicly that they
were wrong, and had acted hastily, was too much even for Bern, and
hence she united with Zurich in requiring, before any promise to raise
the prohibition could be made, a declaration on the part of the Five
Cantons, that they would abide by the _Landfriede_, so interpreted,
that the free preaching of the Gospel would be secure not merely in the
Territories, but in districts also immediately under the rule of its
adversaries. By this means the breach became yet wider, and the humor
in which the deputies of the Five Cantons took their leave, led those
of the burgher-cities to look for speedy and dangerous results. Before
parting they consulted over the most urgent measures. Zurich affirmed,
there were certain indications, that the Five Cantons were arming and
would appear on the frontiers under pretext of carrying away grain, but
at the same time with the determined purpose of making a formal
invasion. It would be prudent to anticipate them; at any rate to
appoint leaders and a place of rendezvous for soldiers at once, and to
agree upon a plan for a campaign in case of necessity. The deputies,
with the exception of those from Basel and St. Gall, said that they had
no authority for going so far. If Zurich were attacked, the Bernese
thought she should "not be too ardent, and overshoot the mark, but wait
for an advantage and not make assault, until well assured, though
obliged to restrain one hamlet, or two or three together, and then she
should hasten to inform us and the other Christian co-burghers of it,
and then we of Bern will send quickly such a number of people as we
think advisable, and with the rest, because we have to keep an eye on
the Wallisers, will press against the Luzerners and Unterwaldners, so
that the Five Cantons will be compelled to keep themselves apart."

Meanwhile the advocates for peace were unwearied in their efforts.
Already a second meeting in Bremgarten was appointed, an