Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812 edition. Excerpt: ... to have afforded the example of constant submission to the established power. If anciently the warlike and unfeeling disposition of the laity had rendered desirable the more gentle and peaceful dominion of the clergy, this state of things had ceased. It was time to renounce an authority several functions of which were incompatible with the character of a minister of peace." However justly these reflections appeared to Zwingle to be founded, he was in no haste to make them known. He was too deeply penetrated with the importance of the subjects that employed him, not to feel the necessity of meditating long before he gave any publicity to his ideas; and he only allowed himself to submit them to the examination of some learned men with whom he maintained an active correspondence. Zwingle followed this course during the ten years of his abode at Glaris. Without directly attacking the abuses authorised by the Romish church, he confined himself in his sermons to the doctrines TM Zuinglii, Op. T. i. and ii. which he found clearly laid down in the scriptures, and to the moral precepts to be deduced from them. He took every opportunity of repeating to his audience, that in matters of faith, we ought to refer ourselves to the word of God contained in the scriptures, to regard as superfluous all that was unknown, and as false, all that was contrary to them. The time was not yet come for unfolding the consequences of this maxim; it was necessary to prepare the minds of men to receive the new light, and Zwingle thought that this could not be done better than by insisting upon the practice of all the christian virtues, while most of the preachers of his time recommended nothing to their flocks but the external exercises of devotion." With so much...
