wingli stood to Geroldseck gave him
encouragement to take a bolder step. Whatever he needed in the way of
scientific help Geroldseck permitted him to buy for the monastery and
was glad to add thus to its treasures. Zwingli was always grateful for
his protection and support, and at a later period, when he had left
Einsiedeln, gave utterance to the following expression, "You have never
looked back, after you laid your hand to the plough. You are indeed the
friend of all scholars, but me you have loved like a father, having not
only admitted me to your friendship, but to the most intimate
confidence of your heart. Go on, as you have begun; stand firmly at
your post. God will in the end lead you to the goal. No one can gain
the crown, who does not fight bravely for it." Most willingly did he
respond to the order of the unprejudiced Administrator, to go, with his
friends, Zink, [OE]chslin, and Schmied, to the convent under the
supervision of Einsiedeln, there to relieve the nuns from the duty of
singing matins, to recommend to them the reading of the German Bible,
and to grant permission to any, who might wish it, to leave the convent
and marry.[8]

But the most powerful weapon of his spirit was the living word.
Proceeding cautiously, step by step, he as yet only attacked abuses in
Einsiedeln; nevertheless his pulpit discourses made a deep impression,
and already the number of pilgrims began to diminish, yea, many brought
back again the presents, which they had carried away. Reports are still
extant of the sermons preached at the festival of the Consecration of
the Angels, in 1517, and those of Whitsuntide, 1518.[9] The first must
have been bold, and according to the testimony of Hedion, who was
present, the second were "beautiful, thorough, solemn, comprehensive,
penetrating, evangelical, in the power of their language reminding one
of the oldest church-fathers." A part of the monks were scandalized,
but the Abbot and Geroldseck encouraged and protected the orator.

The attention of Rome was drawn to these things; but it did not at all
abandon the hope of winning him back again. A _literal and faithful_
translation of the letter, sent to him from Zurich, on the 14 August
1518, by Antonio Pucei, nuntio of the Apostolic See, is here added:

"Glorious by virtues and merits, commended as well by experience as by
the testimony of your honorable fame, you have found such favor in the
eyes of our Lord, the Pope and the Apostolic