[An Account of the Faith of Huldreich Zwingli Submitted to the Roman Emperor Charles]
We who are preaching the Gospel in the cities of a Christian State,* were anxiously awaiting, O Charles, holy Emperor of justice, the time when an account of our faith, which we both have and confess, would be asked of us also.
While we are standing in readiness for this, there comes to us the report, more by rumor than by definite announcement, that many have already prepared an outline and summary of their religion and faith, which they are offering you. Here we are in a great dilemmaf ; for, on the one hand, love of truth and desire for public peace urge us all the more to do ourselves what we see others doing; but, on the other hand, the shortness of the time deters us, not only because all things must be done very speedily and as it were superficially, on account of your haste, (for this also rumor announces) ; but also because we, who are acting as preachers of the Divine Word in the cities and country districts of the State already mentioned, are settled and separated too far apart to be able to assemble in so brief a time, and deliberate as to what is most fitting to write to your Highness. Moreover, as we have already seen the confession of the others and even their refutation by their opponents, which seem to have been prepared even before a demand was made for them, I believed that it would not be improper if I alone should forthwith submit an account of my faith, without anticipating the judgment of my people. For if in any business one must make haste slowly, here we must certainly make haste swiftly, since by handling this matter with careless neglect we run into the danger of being suspected because of silence or of being arrogant because of negligence.
To you then, O Emperor, I ofi’er a summary of my faith, with this condition, that at the same time I declare solemnly, that I entrust and permit the judgment not only of these articles,
*Zwingli refers to Zurich, Berne and Basle, in whose name he writes.
Literally: “Between the sacrifice and the stone of slaughter,” a Latin idiom which means: “We are in a great dilemma.” For the Latin adage, inter sacrum et saxutn stare, used by Plautus and other Latin writers, see Desiderii Erasmi Collectanea^ Adagiorum Veterum, chil. I, cent. I, No. 15, in his Opera, Leyden 1703, Vol. II, p. 33.
36 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli but of all that I have ever written or, by the grace of God, shall yet write, not to one man only, nor to a few merely, but to the whole Church of God, as far as it speaks by the command and inspiration of the Word and Spirit of God.
First of all, I both believe and know that God is one and He alone is God, and that He is by nature good, true, powerful, just, wise, the Creator and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible; that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are indeed three persons, but that their essence is one and single. And I think altogether in accordance with the Creed, the Nicene and also the Athanasian, in all their details concerning the Godhead himself, the names or the three persons.
I believe and understand that the Son assumed flesh, the human nature, indeed the whole man, consisting of body and soul, which He truly assumed of the immaculate and perpetual virgin Mary; but this in such a manner, that the whole man was so assumed into the unity of the hypostasis or person of the Son of God, that the man did not constitute a separate person, but was assumed into the inseparable, indivisible and indissoluble person of the Son of God. And, although both natures, the divine and the human, have so preserved their character and peculiarity that both are truly and naturally found in Him, yet the distinct peculiarities and activities of the natures do not separate the unity of the person any more than in man soul and body constitute two persons. For as these are of the most diverse nature, so they function by diverse peculiarities and operations ; nevertheless man, who consists of them, is not two persons, but one. So God and man is one in Christ,* the Son of God from eternity and the Son of Man from the time appointedf ; one person, one Christ; perfect God and perfect man J ; not because one nature becomes the other, or because the natures are fused together, but because each remains its peculiar self ; and yet, the unity of this person is not broken by this retention of the peculiarities.
Hence one and the same Christ, according to the character of the human nature, cries in infancy, grows, increases in wisdom
*Quoted from the Athanasian Creed, art. 37; see Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, II, 69.
f/. e., from the time of his birth.
IQuoted from the Athanasian Creed, art. 32.
An Account of the Faith of Zwingfli 37
[Luke 2: 52], hungers, thirsts, eats, drinks, is warm, is cold, is scourged, sweats, is wounded, is cruelly slain, fears, is sad and endures what else pertains to the penalty and punishment of sin, though from sin itself He is most remote. But according to the peculiarity of the divine nature, with the Father He controls the highest and the lowest [i. e., heaven and earth], he pervades, sustains and preserves all things, gives sight to the blind, restores the lame, calls to life the dead, prostrates His enemies with His word, when dead resumes life, ascends to heaven and sends from His home the Holy Spirit. All these things, however diverse in nature and character, the one and the same Christ does, remaining the one person of the Son of God, in such a way that even those things that pertain to His divine nature are sometimes ascribed, on account of the unity and perfection of the person, to the human nature, and those things that pertain to the human nature are sometimes attributed to the divine. He said that He was the Son of Man in heaven, [John 3: 13], although He had not yet ascended into heaven with the body. Peter asserts that Christ suffered for us [I Peter 2 : 21], when the humanity alone could suffer. But on account of the unity of the person it is truly said both that : “The Son of God suffered” [Lk. 9 : 22], and that ”the Son of Man forgives sins” [Mk. 2 : 10] . For He who is the Son of God and of man in one person suffered, according to the peculiar quality of His human nature ; and He who is the Son of God and of man in one person forgives sins, according to the peculiar quality of the divine nature.
It is just as when we say that a man is wise, although he consists of body no less than soul, and the body has nothing to do with wisdom, nay rather is a poison and an impediment to knowledge and intelligence ; and again we say that man is torn with wounds, when his body alone can receive wounds, but his soul in no way. Here no one says that two persons are made of the man, when to each part that is attributed which belongs to it; and vice versa no one says that the two natures are fused when that is predicated of the entire man which, because of the unity of the person, belongs indeed to the entire man, but because of the peculiar qualities of the parts to one only. Paul says: ”When I am weak, then I am strong” [II Cor. 12: 10]. But who is it that is weak? Paul. Who at the same time is
38 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli truly strong? Paul. But is not this contradictory, inconsistent, intolerable? Not at all. For Paul is not one nature, although one person. When, therefore, he says, “I am weak,” the person who speaks is undoubtedly Paul, but what he says is neither predicated nor understood of both natures, but of the weakness of the flesh only. And when he says, ”I am strong and well,” undoubtedly the person of Paul speaks, but only the soul is meant. So the Son of God dies, He who according to the unity and simplicity of His person, undoubtedly is both God and man ; yet He dies only with respect to His humanity. Thus not I alone do believe, but all the orthodox, whether ancient or modern, did likewise so believe regarding the deity, the divine persons as well as the assumed human nature. So also believe those who today acknowledge the truth.
Secondly — I know that this supreme Deity, which is my God, freely determines all things, so that His counsel does not depend upon, the contingency of any creature. For it is peculiar to defective human wisdom to reach a decision because of preceding discussion or example. God, however, who from eternity to eternity surveys the universe with a single, simple look, has no need of any reasoning process or waiting for events; but being equally wise, prudent, good, etc.. He freely determines and disposes of all things, for whatever is, is Plis. Hence it is that, although having knowledge and wisdom, He in the beginning formed man who should fall, but at the same time determined to clothe in human nature His Son, who should restore him when fallen. For by this means His goodness was in every way manifested.
Since this goodness contained mercy and justice within it. He exercised justice when He expelled the transgressor from the happy home of Paradise, when He bound him to the mill of human misery and by fetters of disease, when He shackled him with the law, which, although it was holy, he was never able to fulfil. Here, twice miserable, man learned that not only his flesh had fallen into tribulation, but that his mind also was tortured by the dread of the law he had transgressed. For he saw that, according to its intent, the law is holy and just and a declaration of the divine mind, so that it enjoined nothing but what equity taught, yet he saw at the same time that by his deeds he could not satisfy the intent of the law. Being thus con-
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 39 demned by his own judgment, having abandoned all hope of attaining happiness, and departing in despair from God’s sight, he had no prospect but that of enduring the pains of eternal punishment. All this was a manifestation of the justice of God.
Then, when the time came to reveal His goodness, which He had determined from eternity to display no less than His justice, God sent His Son to assume our nature in every part, except as far as it inclined to sin, in order that, being our brother and equal. He could be a mediator, to make a sacrifice for us to divine justice, which must remain holy and inviolate, no less than to His goodness. Thereby the world might be sure both of the appeasing of the justice and of the presence of the goodness of God. For since He has given His Son to us and for us, how will He not with Him and because of Him give us all things [Rom. 8 : 32] ? What is it that we ought not to promise ourselves from Him, who so far humbled himself as not only to be our equal but also to be altogether ours? Who can sufficiently marvel at the riches and grace of the divine goodness, whereby He so loved the world, i. e., the human race, as to give up His Son for its life [John 3 : 16] .
This I regard as the heart and life of the Gospel; this is the only medicine for the fainting soul, whereby it is restored to God and itself. For none but God himself can give it the assurance of God’s grace. But now God has liberally, abundantly and wisely lavished it upon us that nothing further remains which could be desired; unless someone would dare to seek something that is beyond the highest and beyond overflowing abundance.
Thirdly — I know that there is no other victim for expiating sin than Christ (for not even was Paul crucified for us) ; no other pledge of divine goodness and mercy more certain and undisputable (for nothing is as certain as God) ; no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved than that of Jesus Christ [Acts 4: 12]. Hence there is left neither justification nor satisfaction based on our works, nor any expiation noi intercession of all saints, whether on earth or in heaven, who live by the goodness and mercy of God. For this is the one, sole Mediator between God and men, the God-man Christ Jesus. But the election of God remains firm and unchangeable. Those whom He elected before the foundation of the world He elected
40 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli in such a manner as to make them His own through His Son ; for as He is kind and merciful, so also is He holy and just. All His works, therefore, savor of mercy and justice. Hence His election also justly savors of both. It is goodness to elect whom He will ; it is justice to make the elect His own and to unite them to Himself through His son, who for us has become the victim to satisfy divine justice.
Fourthly — I know that our primeval ancestor and first parent, through self-love, at the pernicious advice suggested to him by the malice of Satan, was induced to desire equality with God. When he had determined upon this crime, he took of the forbidden and fatal fruit, whereby he incurred the guilt of the sentence of death, having become an enemy and a foe of his God. Although He could therefore have destroyed him, as justice demanded, nevertheless, being better disposed, God so changed the penalty as to make a slave of him whom He could have punished with death. This condition neither Adam himself nor anyone born of him could remove, for a slave can beget nothing but a slave. Thus through his fatal tasting of the fruit he cast all of his posterity into slavery.
Hence I think of original sin as follows : An act is called sin when it is committed against the law ; for where there is no law there is no transgression, and where there is no trangression there is no sin in the proper sense, since sin is plainly an offense, a crime, a misdeed or guilt. I confess, therefore, that our father [Adam] committed what was truly a sin, namely an atrocious deed, a crime, an impiety. But his descendants have not sinned in this manner, for who among us crushed with his teeth the forbidden apple in Paradise? Hence, willing or unwilling, we are forced to admit that original sin, as it is in the children of Adam, is not properly sin, as has been explained ; for it is not a misdeed contrary to law. It is, therefore, properly a disease and condition — a disease, because just as he fell through self-love, so do we also ; a condition, because just as he became a slave and liable to death, so also are we born slaves and children of wrath [Eph. 2: 3] and liable to death. However, I have no objection to this disease and condition being called, after the habit of Paul, a sin ; indeed it is a sin inasmuch as those born therein are God’s enemies and opponents, for they are drawn into it by the condition of birth, not by the perpetration of a definite crime,
An Account of the Faith of Zwingrli 41 except as far as their first parent has committed one.
The true cause, therefore, of discord with God and of death is the crime and offense committed by Adam, and this is truly sin. But that sin which attaches to us is in reality a disease and condition, involving indeed the necessity of death. Nevertheless, this would never have taken place through birth alone, unless sin had vitiated birth ; hence the cause of human misery is sin and not birth ; birth only in as far as it follows from this source and cause. This opinion can be supported by authority and example. Paul in Romans 5: 6 [read 5: 17] says: ”If by one man’s sin* death reigned by one, much more,” etc. Here we see that the word “sin” is properly used. For Adam is the one by whose fruit death hangs upon our shoulders. In chapter 3 : 23 he says : “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” i. e., the goodness and liberality of God. Here sin is understood as a disease, condition and birth, so that we all are said to sin even before we come forth to the light, i. e., we are in the condition of sin and death, even before we sin in act. Thia opinion is irrefutably strengthened by the words of the same writer, Rom. 5 : 14, “Death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression.” See, death is our lot, even though we have not sinned as Adam. Why? Because he sinned. But why does death destroy us when we have not sinned in this way? Because he died on account of sin and, having died, i. e., being condemned to death, he begat us. Therefore we also die, by his guilt indeed, yet by our own condition and disease, or if you prefer, by our sin, improperly so called. The example [we spoke of] is as follows: A prisoner of war by his perfidy and hostile conduct has deserved to be held as a slave. His descendants become serfs or slaves of their master, not by their own fault, guilt or crime, but by their condition which was the result of guilt; for their parent of whom they were born had merited it by his crime. The children have no crime, but the punishment and requital of a crime — namely a condition, servitude and the workhouse.
If it please some one to call these a crime, because they are
•The Vulgate has “unius delicto,” hence the Authorized Version “by one man’s offence.” The Greek text reads: Tip rov evo^ napanTuiuari, hence the Revised Version translates: “By the trespass of one.”
42 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli suffered for a crime, I do not object. I acknowledge that this original sin, through condition and contagion, belongs by birth to all who are born from the love of man and woman ; and I know that we are by nature children of wrath, but I doubt not that we are received among the sons of God by grace, which through the second Adam, Christ, has repaired the fall. This takes place in the following manner:
Fifthly — It is evident, if in Christ, the second Adam, we are restored to life, as in the first Adam we were delivered to death, that in condemning children born of Christian parents, nay even the children of heathen, we act rashly. For if Adam by sinning could ruin the entire race, and Christ by His death did not quicken and redeem the entire race from the calamity inflicted by the former, then the salvation conferred by Christ is no longer a match for sin. Moreover (which God forbid) the word is not true: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” [I Cor. 15: 22]. But, whatever must be the decision about the children of heathen, this we must certainly maintain that, in view of the efficacy of the salvation procured through Christ, those go astray who pronounce them subject to an eternal curse, not only on account of Christ’s reparation already mentioned, but also on account of God’s free election, which does not follow faith, but faith follows election, about which see the following article. For those who have been elected from eternity have undoubtedly been elected before faith. Therefore those who because of their age have not faith, should not be rashly condemned by us ; for although they do not as yet have it, yet God’s election is hidden from us. If before Him they are elect, we judge rashly about things unknown to us. However, regarding the children of Christians we judge differently — namely, that all children of Christians belong to the church of God’s people and are parts and members of His Church. This we prove in the following way: It has been promised by the testimonies of almost all the prophets that the Church is to be gathered from the heathen into the Church of the people of God. Christ himself said : ”They shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” [Matth. 8: 11], and, ”Go ye into all the world,” etc. [Matth. 28: 19]. But to the Church of the Jews their infants belonged as much as the Jews themselves. No less, therefore, belong our infants
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 43 to the Church of Christ than did, in former times, those of the Jews; for if it were otherwise the promise would not be valid, as then we would not sit down with God on the same terms as Abraham. For he, with those who were born of him according to the flesh, was counted as in the Church. But if our infants were not thus counted with the parents, Christ would be sordid and envious towards us in denying us what He had given to the ancients, which it would be impious to say. If it were not so with our children, the entire prophecy regarding the call of the Gentiles would be void. Therefore, since the infants of Christians no less than the adults, are members of the visible Church of Christ, it is evident that they no less than the parents are of the number of those whom we judge elect. How godlessly and presumptuously do those judge who surrender to perdition the infants of Christians, when so many clear testimonies of Scripture contradict it, which promise not merely an equal but even a larger Church from the Gentiles compared with that of the Jews. All this will be plainer when we expound our faith concerning the Church.
Sixthly — Of the Church, therefore, we thus think, namely, that the word ”Church” in the Scriptures is to be taken in various meanings. It is used for the elect, who have been predestined by God’s will to eternal life. Of this church Paul speaks when he says that it has neither wrinkle or spot [Eph. 5: 27]. This is known to God alone, for according to the word of Solomon [Prov. 15: 11], He alone knows the hearts of the children of men. Nevertheless those who are members of this church, since they have faith, know that they themselves are elect and are members of this first church, but are ignorant about members other than themselves. For thus it is written in Acts [13: 48] : ”And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Those, therefore, that believe are ordained to eternal life. But no one, save he who believes, knows who truly believe. He is already certain that he is elect of God. For, according to the apostle’s word [II Cor. 1: 22], he has the seal of the Spirit, by which, pledged and sealed, he knows that he has become truly free, a son of the family, and not a slave. For the Spirit cannot deceive. If He tells us that God is our Father, and we confidently and fearlessly call Him Father, untroubled because we shall enter upon the eternal inheritance, then it is
44 The Works of Huldreich Zwinofli certain that God’s Spirit has been shed abroad in our hearts. It is therefore settled that he is elect who has this security and certainty, for they who believe are ordained to eternal life. Yet many are elect who as yet have no faith. For the mother of God [Mary] , John and Paul, did not believe while infants, and yet they were elect, even before the foundation of the world. But this they knew not, either through faith or revelation. Were not Matthew, Zacchaeus, the thief on the cross and Magdalene elect before the foundation of the world? Nevertheless, they were ignorant of this until they were illumined by the Spirit and drawn to Christ by the Father. From these facts it follows that this first church is known to God alone, and they only who have firm and unwavering faith know that they are members of this church.
Again, the “Church” is taken in a general sense for all who are rated as Christians, i. e., those who have enlisted under His name, a large^number of whom acknowledge Christ publicly by confession or participation in the sacraments, and yet at heart shrink back from Him or are ignorant of Him. To this Church, we believe, belong all those who confess Christ’s name. Thus Judas belonged to the Church of Christ and all those who turned away from Christ. For by the apostles Judas was regarded as belonging to the Church of Christ no less than Peter and John, although it was by no means the case. Christ knew who were His and who were the devil’s. This church, therefore, is visible, albeit it does not assemble in this world. It consists of all who confess Christ, even though among them are many reprobates. Christ has depicted it in the charming allegory of the ten virgins, some of whom were wise and others foolish [Matth. 25] . This church is also sometimes called elect, although it is not like the first without spot. But as it is considered by men the Church of God, because of known confession, so for the same reason it is styled elect. For we judge that they who have enlisted under Christ are believers and elect. Thus Peter spoke to “the elect scattered abroad throughout Pontus,” etc. [I Pet. 1:1]. Here he means by “elect” all who belonged to the churches to which he is writing, and not those only who were properly elected of God; for as they were unknown to Peter, he could not have written to them.
Finally, the “Church” is taken for every particular con-
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 45 gregation of this universal and visible Church, as the Church of Rome, of Augsburg, of Lyons. There are still other meanings of the word “church,” which it is not necessary to enumerate at present. Hence I believe that there is one Church of those who have the same Spirit, through whom they are made certain that they are the true children of the family of God ; and this is the first fruits of the Church. I believe that this Church does not err in regard to truth, namely in those fundamental matters of faith upon which everything depends. I believe also that the universal, visible Church is one, while it maintains that true confession, of which we have already spoken. I believe also that all belong to this Church who give their adherence to it according to the rule and promise of God’s Word. I believe that to this Church belong Isaac, Jacob, Judah and all who were of the seed of Abraham, and also those infants whose parents in the first beginnings of the Christian Church, through the preaching of the apostles, were won to the cause of Christ. For if Isaac and the rest of the ancients had not belonged to the Church, they would not have received the Church’s token, circumcision. Since these, then, were members of the Church, infants and children belonged to the primitive Church. Therefore I believe and know that they were sealed by the sacrament of baptism. For children also make a confession, when they are offered by their parents to the Church, especially since the promise offers them to God, which is made to our infants no less, but even far more amply and abundantly, than formerly to the children of the Hebrews.
These are the grounds for baptizing and commending infants to the Church, against which all the weapons and war engines of the Anabaptists avail nothing. For not only are they to be baptized who believe, but they who confess, and they who, according to the promise of God’s Word, belong to the Church. For otherwise even the apostles would not have baptized anyone, since no apostle had absolute evidence regarding the faith of one confessing and calling himself a Christian. For Simon the impostor, Ananias, Judas, and no one knows who, were baptized when they declared their adherence to Christ, even though they did not have faith. On the other hand, Isaac was circumcised as an infant without declaring his adherence or believing, but the promise acted in his behalf. But since our
46 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli infants are in the same position as those of the Hebrews, the promise also declares their adherence to our Church and makes confession. Hence, in reality baptism, like circumcision (I am speaking of the sacrament of baptism) pre-supposes nothing but one of two things, either confession, i.e., a declaration of allegiance or a covenant, i. e., a promise. All of which will become somewhat clearer from what follows.
Seventhly — I believe, indeed I know, that all the sacraments are so far from conferring grace that they do not even convey or dispense it. In this matter, most powerful Emperor, I may seem to thee perhaps too bold. But my opinion is firm. For as grace comes from or is given by the Divine Spirit (when I speak of grace I use the Latin term for pardon, i. e., indulgence or spontaneous favor), so this gift pertains to the Spirit alone. Moreover, a channel or vehicle is not necessary to the Spirit, for He Himself is the virtue and energy whereby all things are borne, and has no need of being borne; neither do we read in the Holy Scriptures that visible things, as are the sacraments, carry certainly with them the Spirit, but if visible things have ever been borne with the Spirit, it has been the Spirit, not the visible things that have done the bearing.
^^’ Thus when the rushing of the mighty wind took place [Acts 2:2] at the same time the tongues were conveyed by the power of the wind; the wind was not conveyed by the power of the tongues. Thus the wind brought the quails and carried away the locusts [Nu. ll:31ff; Ex. 10:4ff]; but no quails nor locusts were ever so fleet as to bring the wind. Likewise when a wind, strong enough to remove mountains, passed Elijah [I Ki. 19: 11] the Lord was not borne by the wind, etc. Briefly, the Spirit breathes wherever it wishes, i. e., just as the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, and canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit [John 3:8], i. e., invisibly and imperceptibly illumined and drawn. ’*^ Thus the Truth [Christ] spake. Therefore, the Spirit of grace is conveyed not by this immersion, not by this drinking, not by that anointing. For if it were thus, it would be known how, where, whence and whither the Spirit is borne. If the
“presence and efficacy of grace are bound to the sacraments, they work whithersoever they are carried; and where they are not
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 47 used, everything becomes feeble. Nor can theologians plead that the proper disposition of the subject is demanded as a prerequisite [for the right use of the sacraments]. For example, the grace of baptism or of the Eucharist (so they say) is conferred upon him who is first prepared for it. For he who according to their opinion receives grace through the sacraments, either prepares himself for it or is prepared by the Spirit. If he prepares himself, we can do something of ourselves and prevenient grace is notliing. If he is prepared by the Spirit for the reception of grace, I ask whether Tiis be done through the sacraments as a channel or independent of the sacraments? If the sacraments mediate, man is prepared by the sacrament for the sacrament, and thus there will be a process ad infinitum ; for a sacrament will be required as a preparation for a sacrament. But if we be prepared without the sacrament for the reception of sacramental grace, the Spirit is present in His goodness before the sacrament, and hence grace has been shown and is present before the sacrament is administered.
From this it follows (as I willingly and gladly admit in regard to the subject of the sacraments) that the sacraments are given as a public testimony of that grace which is previously present to every individual. Thus baptism is administered in the presence of the Church to one who before receiving it either confessed the religion of Christ or has the word of promise, whereby he is known to belong to the Church. Hence it is that when we baptize an adult we ask him whether he believes. And only when he answers “yes,” then he receives baptism. Faith therefore, has been present before he receives baptism, and is not given by baptism. But when an infant is offered, the question is asked whether its parents offer it for baptism. When they have answered through witnesses that they wish it baptized, then the infant is baptized. Here the promise of God precedes, that He regards our infants, no less than those of the Hebrews, as belonging to the Church. For when members of the Church offer it, the infant is baptized under the law that, since it has been born of Christians, it is regarded by the divine promise among the members of the Church. By baptism, therefore, the Church publicly receives one who has previously been received through grace. Hence baptism does not convey grace but the Church certifies that grace has been given to him to whom it is
48 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli administered.
I believe, therefore, O Emperor, that a sacrament is a sign of a sacred thing, i. e., of grace that has been given. I believe that it is a visible figure or form of the invisible grace, provided and bestowed by God’s bounty; i.e., a visible example which presents an analogy to something done by the Spirit. I believe that it is a public testimony. Thus when we are baptized the body is washed with the purest element; by this it is signified that by the grace of divine goodness we have been gathered into the assembly of the Church and of God’s people, wherein we should live upright and pure. Thus Paul explains the mystery in Romans VI. The recipient of baptism testifies, therefore, that he belongs to the Church of God, which worships its Lord in soundness of faith and purity of life. For this reason the sacraments, which are sacred ceremonies (for the Word is added to the element and it becomes a sacrament*) should be religiously cherished, i. e., highly valued and treated with honor. For though they are unable to bestow grace, they nevertheless associate visibly with the Church us who have previously been received into it invisibly ; and this should be regarded with the highest veneration, since with their administration the words of the divine promise are declared and pronounced.
For if we think otherwise of the sacraments, namely that their external use cleanses internally, it would be but a return to Judaism, which believed that, by various anointings, oblations, offerings, sacrifices and feasts, sins could be atoned and grace could be purchased and secured. Nevertheless, the prophets, especially Isaiah and Jeremiah, always most steadfastly urged in their teaching that the promises and benefits of God are given by God’s free goodness, and not with respect to merits or external ceremonies.
I believe also that the Anabaptists in denying baptism to infants are entirely wrong ; and not here only, but also in many other points, of which this is not the place to speak. That men might avoid their folly and malice, I have been the first to teach and write against them,t not without danger, but relying
*A quotation from Augustine’s Commentary on the Gospel of John, Tract LXXX, §3; cf. Migne, Patrologia Latina, XXXV, col. 1840.
fThe first tracts of Zwingli against the Anabaptists were published in
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 49 on God’s help, with the result that now, by God’s goodness, this plague among us has greatly abated. So far am I from receiving, teaching or defending anything of this seditious faction.
Eighthly — I believe that in the holy Eucharist, i. e., the supper of thanksgiving, the true body of Christ is present by the contemplation of faith. This means that they who thank the Lord for the benefits bestowed on us in His Son acknowledge that He assumed true flesh, in it truly suffered, truly washed away our sins by His blood ; and thus everything done by Christ becomes as it were present to them by the contemplation of faith. But that the body of Christ in essence and really, i. e., the natural body itself, is either present in the supper or masticated with our mouth and teeth, as the Papists or some* who look back to the fleshpots of Egypt assert, we not only deny, but constantly maintain to be an error, contrary to the Word of God. This, with the divine assistance, I will in a few words, make as clear as the sun to your majesty, O Emperor. First, by citing the divine oracles; secondly, by attacking the opponents with arguments derived therefrom, as with military engines ; lastly, by showing that the ancient theologians held our opinion. Meanwhile, thou Creator, thou Spirit, be present, enlighten the minds of thy people, and fill with grace and light the hearts that thou hast created !
Christ Himself, the mouth and wisdom of God, saith: ”The poor ye have always with you ; but me ye have not always” [John 12:8]. Here the presence of the body alone is denied, for according to His divinity He is always present, because He is always everywhere, according to His other word: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” [Matth. 28 :20] , viz., according to divinity, power and goodness. Augustine agrees with us.f Neither is there any foundation for the assertion of the opponents that the humanity of Christ is whereever the divinity is, otherwise the person is divided; for this
1525, see Zwingli’s TFerfce, ed. of Schuler and Schulthess, Vol. II, pt. I, pp. 230-303 and pp. 337-369.
*The Lutherans.
See Augustine’s Homilies on the Gospel of John, Tract L, §13, where he writes: “In respect of His divine presence we always have Christ; in respect of His presence in the flesh it was rightly said to the disciples, ‘Me ye will not have always.’ ”
50 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli would destroy Christ’s true humanity. Only the deity can be everywhere. That humanity is in one place, but divinity everywhere, divides the person just as little as the Son’s assumption of humanity divides the unity of the divine essence. Indeed, it would be easier to effect a separation in the unity of essence if one person of the divine being would assume the form of a creature but the others not at all, than to separate the person if the humanity be at one place but the divinity everywhere ; since we see even in creation that bodies are confined to one place, but their power and influence extend very far. An example is the sun, whose body is in one place, while his power pervades all things. The human mind also surmounts the stars and penetrates the underworld, but the body is nevertheless in one place.
Christ says also : “Again I leave the world and go to the Father” [John 16: 28]. Here the word “to leave” is used, just as “to have” before, so that the opponents cannot say: “We do not have Him visibly.” For when He speaks of the visible withdrawal of His body, He says : “A little while and ye shall not see me,” etc. [John 16 : 16] . Neither would we maintain anything but a delusion if we were to contend that His natural body were present, but invisible. For why should He evade sight, when He nevertheless would be here, who so often manifested himself to the disciples after the resurrection? “But, it is expedient for you,” He says, “that I go away” [John 16: 7]. But if He were here, it would be expedient that we should see Him. For as often as the disciples thought about seeing Him, He manifested Himself openly, so that neither sense nor thought might suffer in aught. “Handle me,” He says; and “Be not afraid, it is I,” and “Mary, touch me not,” etc. [Lk. 24: 39; John 6:20; 20:17].
When in departing He commended His disciples to His Father, He said : “I am no more in the world” [John 17 : 11] . Here we have a substantive verb (“I am no more in the world”) ,* no less than in the words : “This is my body ;” so that the opponents cannot say that there is a trope here, since they deny that substantives admit of the trope. But the case has no need of such arguments, for there follows : “But these are in the world.” This antithesis clearly teaches that He was not, according to His human nature, in the world at a time when His disciples were.
- Kal OVK ElfJ.1 kv T^ KOff/ltfi.
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 51
And that we may know when He took His departure — not, as they invent rather than explain, when He made Himself invisible — Luke says: “While he blessed them he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” [Lk. 24:51]. He does not say: “He vanished,” or “rendered himself invisible.” About this Mark says : “After the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God” [Mk. 16:19]. He does not say: “He remained here, but rendered his body invisible.” Again Luke says in Acts: “When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up ; and a cloud received him out of their sight” [Acts 1:9]. A cloud covered Him, of which there would have been no need if He had only removed His appearance but otherwise had continued to be present. Nor would there have been any need of removal and elevation. Again : “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven” [Acts 1: 11]. What is clearer than this? “From you,” he says, “he was taken up;” therefore. He was not with them visibly or invisibly, according to His human nature. When, then, we shall see Him return as He departed, we shall know that He is present. Otherwise He sits, according to His human nature, at the right hand of His Father until He will return to judge the quick and the dead.
But since there are some who deprive the body of Christ of restriction to a place and say that He is not in a place, let them see how clearly, and with closed eyes, they oppose the truth. He was in the manger, on the cross, at Jerusalem when his parents were on their journey home; in the sepulchre and out of the sepulchre; for the angel says: “He is risen, he is not here: behold the place where they laid him” [Mk. 16: 6]. And that they may not be able to say that His body is everywhere, let them hear: “When the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst” [John 20 : 19] . What need had He of coming if His body was everywhere, but invisible? It would have been enough to come, but merely as one who was present to manifest Himself. But let such sophistical trifles be gone, which rob us of the truth both of Christ’s humanity and of the Holy Scriptures.
These testimonies deny the presence of Christ’s body anywhere but in heaven, scripturally speaking, i. e., as far as Scrip-
52 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli ture tells us about the nature and properties of the body assumed by Christ. And however far the contradictions, which are involved in our propositions regarding the power of God, drive us, we ought not to wrest it to such a point that we believe that God acts contrary to His Word. That would be a sign of impotence, not of power. Moreover, that the natural body of Christ is not eaten with our mouth. He Himself showed us when He said to the Jews, disputing about the corporeal eating of His flesh: “The flesh profiteth nothing” [John 6:63], namely, eaten naturally, but eaten spiritually it profits much, for it gives life.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” [John 3:6]. If, therefore, the natural body of Christ is eaten with our mouth, what else than flesh can come out of flesh, eaten naturally? And lest anyone think lightly of this argument, let him hear the second part: “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Therefore, that which is spirit, is born of the Spirit. If then the flesh is salutary to the soul, It should be eaten spiritually, not carnally. This applies also to the sacraments, that spirit is born of Spirit, and not of any corporeal matter, as we have already indicated.
Paul announces that if he once knew Christ according to the flesh, henceforth he would know Him no more after the flesh [II Cor. 5:16].
In view of these passages we are compelled to confess that the words: “This is my body,” should not be understood naturally, but figuratively, just as the words : “This is Jehovah’s passover” [Ex. 12:11]. For the lamb that was eaten every year with the celebration of the festival was not the passing over of the Lord, but it signified that such a passing over had formerly taken place. Besides there is the temporal succession, in that the Lord’s Supper followed the eating of the lamb; which reminds us that Christ used words similar to those employed at the passover, for succession leads to imitation. Moreover, the arrangement of the words is the same. The time affords an additional argument, since in the same evening meal the passover was discontinued and the new act of thanksgiving was instituted. A further consideration is the characteristic of memorials, in that they take the name from the thing which they commemorate.
Thus the Athenians named aeiaax^^i-a, [removal of debts]
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 53 not as though the debts were remitted every year, but because what Solon once did* they continually celebrate ; and this their celebration they dignify with the name of the thing itself. Thus those things are called the body and blood of Christ which are the symbols of the true body. Now follow the proofs :
As the body cannot be nourished by a spiritual substance, so the soul cannot be nourished by a corporeal substance. But if the natural body of Christ is eaten, I ask whether it feeds the body or the soul? Not the body, hence the soul. If the soul, then the soul eats flesh, and it would not be true that spirit is only born of Spirit.
In the second place, I ask : What does the body of Christ, eaten naturally, bring about? If it be the forgiveness of sins, as one party claims, then the disciples obtained forgiveness of sins in the Lord’s Supper, and therefore, Christ died in vain. If that which is eaten imparts the virtue of Christ’s passion, as the same party claims, then the virtue of the passion and redemption was dispensed before it had taken place. If the body is fed for the resurrection, as another [Luther] very ignorantly asserts, much more would the sacrament heal our body and deliver it from sickness. But Irenaeusf wants to be understood differently, when he says that our body is nourished by Christ’s body for the resurrection. For he desires to show that the hope of our resurrection is strengthened by Christ’s resurrection. Behold, what an appropriate figure of speech !
Thirdly — If the natural body of Christ was given to the disciples in the Supper, it necessarily follows that they ate it
•Through seisachtheia, or removal of debts, Solon in 594 B. C. rescued the peasants of Attica. The debts, with which the farms were encumbered, were cancelled. Servitude for debt was annulled and Attic citizens who had been held in slavery were set free by the State purchasing their freedom. ffEKraxT^eta is literally a shaking off ( crticrfiog ) of a burden (ax’&oc).
Luther had quoted him for his view. See Irenaeus, “Against Heresies,” Bk. IV, c. 18, 5, where he writes: “Then again, how can they say that the flesh, which is nourished with the body of the Lord and with His blood goes to corruption, and does not partake of life? … For as the bread, which is produced from the earth, when it receives the invocation of God, is no longer common bread, but the Eucharist, consisting of two realities, earthly and heavenly; so also our bodies, when they receive the Eucharist, are no longer corruptible, having the hope of resurrection to eternity.” Roberts, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, p. 486.
54 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli as it then was. But it was then capable of suffering ; hence they ate a vulnerable body, for it was not yet glorified. For if they say : They ate the same body, yet not as it was capable of suffering, but the same as it was after the resurrection, I reply : Either He had two bodies, one not yet glorified and another glorified, or one and the same body was at the same time capable of suffering and incapable. And so, since He dreaded death so much He was doubtless unwilling to suffer, but wanted to make use of that bodily endowment, by virtue of which He was free from pain. Therefore He did not truly suffer, but only by appearance ; in this way Marcion* is again brought back by these blindfolded gladiators. Six hundred arguments could be adduced, 0 Emperor, but we shall be content with these.
Moreover, that the ancients agree with us on the last part of this article I shall now establish by two witnesses, both of the first rank, viz. :
By Ambrose, who in the [Commentary on the] First Epistle to the Corinthians says concerning the words: “Ye do show forth the Lord’s death,” etc. : “Mindful that by the Lord’s death we have been freed, we signify in our eating and drinking the flesh and the blood which were offered for us,“t etc. Now Ambrose is speaking of the food and drink of the Supper, and asserts that we signify those things which were offered for us.
By Augustine also, who in this thirtieth discourse on Johnt affirms that the body of Christ which rose from the dead must be in one place. Here the printed copies have “can be” instead of “must be,” but incorrectly, for in the Master of the “Sentences [Peter Lombard] and the Canonical Decrees [of Gratian], in which this opinion of Augustine is quoted,** the reading is
*Marcion, a Gnostic of about 150 A. D. appears to Zwingli as a type of docetism, i.e., the view that Christ had only an apparent body.
See Migne, Patrologia Latina, XVII, 256.
$See Migne, op. eit., XXXV, 1632.
••Augustine writes: ‘“The body of the Lord, in which he rose again from the dead can only be in one place (uno loco esse potest) ; but his truth is everywhere diffused.” Commentary on John, Tract XXX, §1 (Migne, Patrol. Lat., XXXV, 1632). But instead of the words: “can only be in one place,” a number of later Fathers express the meaning of Augustine more forcibly when, in quoting these words, they substitute “must only be in one place.” Thus even the Benedictine editors remark: “All editions and Mss., which we had the privilege of consulting, agree in reading: uno loco
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 55
“must.” By this we plainly see that whatever the ancients said so excellently concerning the Supper, they thought not of the natural but of the spiritual eating of Christ’s body. For since they knew that the body of Christ must be in one place, and that it is at the right hand of God, they did not withdraw it thence to submit it for mastication to the foul teeth of men.
Augustine likewise teaches in the twelfth chapter “Against Adimantus”* that the three expressions: “The blood is the life,” and “This is my body” and “The rock was Christ,” were spoken symbolically, i. e., as he himself says, in a figure and figuratively. And among many other things he at length comes to these words: “I can interpret that command as given for a sign. For the Lord did not hesitate to say: ‘This is my body,’ when He was giving a sign of His body.” Thus far Augustine. Lo, a key for us whereby we can unlock all the declarations of the ancients concerning the Eucharist! That which is only a sign of the body, he says, is called the body.
Let them who wish go now and condemn us for heresy, only let them know that by the same process they are condemning the opinions of the theologians, contrary to the decrees of the Pontiffs. For from these facts it becomes very evident that the ancients always spoke figuratively when they attributed so much to the eating of the body of Christ in the Supper ; meaning, not that sacramental eating could cleanse the soul but faith in God through Jesus Christ, which is spiritual eating, whereof this external eating is but symbol and shadow. And as bread sustains the body and wine enlivens and exhilarates, thus it strengthens the soul and assures it of God’s mercy that He has given us His Son; thus it renews the mind by the confidence that, by His blood, the sins with which it was being consumed were destroyed. With these passages we shall now rest content, although any one could compile whole volumes in expounding and confirming the fact that the ancients are of our opinion.
esse potest. However, Ivonis Decreta, pars. II, c. 8 (Migne, CLXI, 151f), Gratianus, De Consecratione, Dist. II, c. 44 (Migne, CLXXXVII, 1752), the Master of Sentences, Bk. IV, Dist. 10, 1 (Migne, CXCII, 860) and after them Thomas Aquinas, Summa, pars 3, quaest. 75, art. 1, quote these words, uno loco esse oportet.”
*See Migne, op. cit., XLII, 144.
56 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli
Neither let the pamphlet recently published* concerning the opinions of the ancients, which it expressly promised to defend, move any one. For in a very short time we shall see the refutation of our very learned brother Oecolampadius, the object of whose exordium it was to defend the opinion of the ancients. But what things should be required in this matter for its clearer exposition and the refutation of the opponents we who hold this opinion have shown, I believe, abundantly, in many books, written to different persons.
Ninthly — I believe that ceremonies which are not through superstitious use contrary either to faith or to God’s word (although I do not know whether such be found) can be tolerated by charity until the light of day shines clearer and clearer. But at the same time I believe that by virtue of the same charity the ceremonies mentioned should be abolished when it can be done without great offense, however much the evilminded may clamor. For Christ did not forbid Mary Magdalene to pour out the ointment,* although the dishonest and evilminded Judas made an ugly disturbance. Images, however, which are misused for worship, I do not count among ceremonies, but among the number of those things which are diametrically opposed to the Word of God. But those which do not serve for worship and in whose cases there exists no danger of future worship, I am so far from condemning that I acknowledge both painting and statuary as God’s gifts.
Tenthly — I believe that the work of prophesying or preaching is most sacred, so that it is a work most necessary, above all others. For to speak scripturally or strictly, we see that among all nations the outward preaching of apostles, evangelists and bishops preceded faith, which nevertheless we attribute to the Spirit alone. For alas ! We see very many who hear indeed the outward preaching of the Gospel, but believe not, because there is a lack of the Spirit. Whithersoever, then, prophets or preachers of the Word are sent, it is a sign of God’s grace, that He wishes to manifest a knowledge of Himself to His elect ; and to whom they [the preachers] are denied, it is a
•Its title was: Quid de Eucharistia veteres et Graeci et Latini senserint dialogus, auctore Jo. Oecolampadio ; in quo etiam epistolae Phil. Melanchthonis et Jo. Oecolampadii insertae. 8vo. Tigurae 1526. It is also found in the Letters of Oecolampadius, fol. 130a-168b.
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 57 sign of His impending wrath. This can be inferred from the prophets and the example of Paul, who was sometimes forbidden to go to some, and again called to others.
But also the laws themselves and the magistrates can be assisted in maintaining public justice by no other means more effectually than by preaching. For in vain is that which is just taught unless they upon whom it is enjoined have a regard for what is just and love equity. But for this prophets prepare minds as ministers, and the Spirit as leader both of teachers and hearers. This kind of ministers, namely those who teach, comfort, alarm, care for and faithfully watch, we acknowledge among Christ’s people. That also we recognize, that they baptize, and in the Lord’s Supper administer the body and blood of Christ (for thus we also call figuratively the holy bread and wine of the Supper) , visit the sick, feed the poor from the resources and in the name of the Church ; finally this that they read the Scriptures, interpret them and make a public profession, by which either they or others are prepared for presiding at some time over the churches. But that kind of ministers, with bishop’s mitre and staff, who are mere numbers and born bread eaters, we regard as a useless burden on the earth and illegitimate. They are in the body ecclesiastical what goiters and hunchbacks are in the human body.
Eleventh — I know that the magistrate when lawfully installed, holds God’s place no less than the prophet. For as the prophet is a minister of heavenly wisdom and goodness, as one who teaches faithfully and brings errors to light, so the magistrate is the minister of goodness and justice. Of goodness, in that with fidelity and moderation, like God, he both hears and determines concerning the affairs of his people; of justice, in that he breaks the audacity of the wicked and protects the innocent. If a prince have these endowments, I believe that no fear need be entertained for his conscience. If he lack these, though he make himself an object of fear and terror, his conscience can in no way be cleared, upon the ground that he has been lawfully installed. Yet, at the same time I believe, that a Christian should obey such a tyrant, until that time comes whereof Paul says: “If thou canst become free, use it rather” [I Cor. 7: 21]. Nevertheless, I believe that this time is indicated by God alone, and not by man ; and this is done not obscurely but as openly as
58 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli when Saul was rejected and David became his successor. Regarding tribute and taxes, to be paid for protection, I am of the same opinion as Paul, Romans 13.
TwELFTHLY — I belicve that the figment of purgatorial fire is as much an affront to the redemption of Christ freely granted to us as it has been a lucrative business to its authors. For if it be necessary by punishments and tortures to expiate the guilt of our crimes, Christ will have died in vain and grace will have lost its meaning. Can anything more wicked be imagined in Christianity? Or what sort of a Christ do they have who wish to be called Christians and yet dread this fire, which is no longer fire, but smoke? But that there is a hell, where the unbelievers, disobedient and public enemies are forever punished with Ixion and Tantalus,* I not only believe, but know. For when the Truth [Christ] speaks of the universal judgment, He asserts that after this judgment some will go into everlasting fire. [Matth. 25:41]. After the universal judgment, therefore, there will be everlasting fire. Hence the Anabaptists cannot cover up with His [Christ’s] word their error, that ‘61am, or “for ever” does not extend beyond the general judgment. For in this passage Christ is speaking of everlasting fire that will burn after the judgment and will torment the Devil and his angels, and the ungodly who despise God, and the savage men who suppress the truth with falsehood and do not mercifully and faithfully aid the necessities of their neighbor.
The above [twelve points] I firmly believe, teach and maintain, not by my own utterances, but by those of the Word of God ; and, God willing, I promise to do this as long as the mind controls these members, unless some one from the declarations of Holy Scripture, properly understood, explain and establish the reverse as clearly and plainly as we have established the above. For it is no less agreeable and delightful than fair and just for us to submit our judgment to the Holy Scriptures, and the Church, deciding in harmony with these by virtue of the Spirit. We could have explained everything more amply and exhaus-
*Ixion, king of the Lapithae in Thessaly, who, according to Greek mythology, boasted of having been intimate with Juno, was hurled by Jupiter into Tartarus, where he was bound to an ever revolving fiery wheel. Tantalus, who disclosed the secrets of the gods, was sent to the infernal regions, where he was tormented with unquenchable hunger and thirst.
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 59 lively, but since opportunity is lacking, we are content with these points, which we consider such that, while some one may readily pick flaws, which today is so common and easy, none will be able to pick it to pieces. If nevertheless anyone will attempt it, he will not do it unpunished. Then we shall perhaps draw forth what ammunition we have in reserve. Now we have presented enough testimony for the present.
Wherefore, most excellent Emperor, and ye other princes, rulers, nobles, deputies and heads of States, I beseech and implore you, by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Brother, by His goodness and justice, by His judgment, which He will pronounce on all according to their merits, whom no plan escapes, who brings to confusion the designs of princes that counsel and rule wickedly, who exalts the humble and overthrows the proud, in the first place, not to despise the lowliness of the petitioner. For even the foolish have often spoken opportunely, and the Truth itself [Christ] chose for the proclamation of its message the weak and men of low estate. Again, remember that you also are men, who yourselves can err and can also be misled by others. For every man is a liar [Rom. 3:4]. And unless he be taught something else by the inspiration of the Spirit than what he himself knows and desires, nothing can be expected of him than that he be overthrown by his own arts and plans. For the prophet Jeremiah says only too truly : ”Lo, they have rejected the word of Jehovah ; and what manner of wisdom is in them?” [Jer. 8:9].
Moreover, since you are the overseers of justice, none should know the will of God more thoroughly than you. But where else can this be sought than in His oracles? Do not shrink back, therefore, from the opinions of those who rely on God’s Word. For we see it happen every day that the more adversaries oppose it, so much the more does the Word of God shine forth and falsehood is banished. But if, as does not escape me, there are those with you who zealously defame us as ignorant and, if possible also as malicious, consider in the first place, whether we who adopt this view of the Gospel and the Eucharist, have ever so conducted our lives that any good man can ever doubt as to whether we can be regarded as good men? Furthermore, have we from infancy been so far removed from culture and literature that all hope of our being learned must be given up? Certainly
60 The Works of Huldreich Zwingli we boast of neither of these, since even Paul was what he was by the grace of God [I Cor. 15:10]. But even if a rather cheerful life has been our lot, it has never degenerated into luxury and shamelessness, nor, on the other hand, turned into cruelty, arrogance or obstinacy ; so that the designs of our enemies, often confounded by the good report of our life, have been forced to sound a retreat. Our learning, although greater than our enemies can bear or in the face of their consciences can despise, is notwithstanding far less than our followers think we possess.
However, to come to what we are aiming at, we have for many years made such studies in sacred and likewise in profane letters, that what we teach is not done thoughtlessly. May we also be permitted to praise the grace and bountifulness of God, so liberally bestowed upon our churches! Truly, the churches that hear the Lord God through us have so received the Word of God that falsehood and dishonesty are diminished, pride and luxury subdued, and violence and wrangling have departed. If these are not truly fruits of the divine Spirit, what are they then? Consider indeed, most excellent Emperor, and all ye princes and nobles, what good fruit the so-called “human doctrine” has produced for us! The masses that were bought increased the lust and the impudence of both princes and people. Likewise they introduced and increased the luxury of the pontiffs and the excesses of the ministrants of the mass. Yea, what wicked deeds have they not kindled? For who can distribute the wealth accumulated through the mass, unless we tie up the veins, so to speak, and stop them flowing?*
May God, therefore, who is far better than all of you — whom we both gladly call and believe to be most excellent men — grant that you may undertake to cut the roots of this and all other errors in the Church, and to leave and desert Rome with her rubbish which she has thrust upon the Christian world, and especially* on your Germany. Moreover, whatever force you have exerted against the purity of the Gospel may you direct against the criminal attempts of ungodly Papists, that justice, which has been banished by your indifference and our innocence, which has been obscured by artful misrepresentations,
*Zwingli seems to compare the Catholic Church to a robber, who will not release his ill gotten spoils, unless he is choked and rendered unconscious.
An Account of the Faith of Zwingli 61 may again be restored to us. There has been enough cruelty, unless it be not savage and cruel to issue unjust commands, to condemn, yea to slaughter, kill, rob and outlaw. Since this way has not been successful, we must certainly go another way. If this counsel is from the Lord, do not fight against God ; but if from elsewhere, it will fall to the ground by its own rashness. For this reason permit the Word of God to be freely disseminated and to sprout, O children of men, whoever ye be, who cannot forbid even a grain from growing. You see that this seed is abundantly watered by the rain from heaven, neither can it be checked by any heat from men so as to become parched. Consider not what you most of all desire, but what the world requires in regard to the Gospel. Take this counsel, such as it is, in good part, and by your earnestness show that you are children of God. Most devoted to your Majesty and all believers,
HuLDREicH Zwingli. Zurich, the 3rd of July, 1530.
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