tly pointed out, amongst other things, what evil would ensue
to them and the Common Confederacy, if the Five Cantons, _i.e. the crew
of pensioners_, should get the upper hand. All this had no effect upon
them. It could easily be seen that there were yet those in the Council,
who did not disdain the wages of blood, and were the best friends of
the Five Cantons and enemies to the Gospel. Further, the city had
managed ill and could expect little good to come of it. And because she
would not follow him and the truth, and he was continually blamed for
every disaster that happened, he would now bid them farewell." He said
this with tears, according to the testimony of Werner Steiner, one of
his friends, and then left the council-house.

The alarm was general; much was said here and there. At last the two
burgomasters and several of the most prominent members were
commissioned to persuade him to retract his resolution. The meeting
took place about noon of the same day. Zwingli asked time for
reflection; and on the 29th of July appeared again before the Council
to say that he would not abandon the post, in which the city had placed
him until death. The effect of this declaration was soon manifest in
the reviving spirit of the Council. None of its members were permitted
to resign, and on the 6th of August the following ordinance was
published: "That for some time past manifold discord, anger and
contrariety have arisen in the Councils and among the burghers, so that
certain individuals have frequently refused to execute the business and
commands imposed upon them, and thereby encouraged others to purpose
the same, is well known to us; and we desire that every one, be he of
the Small or of the Great Council, when entrusted with an embassy, on
horseback or otherwise, will dutifully perform it, unless he make oath
that he could not do so, without the sacrifice of his life. If any fail
in this duty, he shall be arraigned, and an inquiry held as to the
proper punishment."

Zwingli, seeing the chief danger in the vacillation of Bern and her
lack of energy, resolved, since, just at that time, another meeting in
Bremgarten had been brought about by the advocates of peace, to use all
his personal influence with Jacob von Wattenwyl and Peter im Haag, the
Bernese deputies there. He entered the city at night-fall, accompanied
by Peter Collin and Werner Steiner. The consultation took place
immediately, in the house of Bullinger and in his p