is not our
business; hence we turn back to Zwingli.

He had now preached for three whole years in Zurich, and the agitation,
as we have seen, was certainly great. Still no one had as yet violated
existing church-usages or actually assailed them. No opportunity for
public interference on the part of the temporal and spiritual
authorities had yet occurred. Indeed it was the policy of the Nuncio to
keep in with the influential Reformer, since, as the deputy of a prince
then at war with France, he was proscribed by the other twelve cantons,
and could only hope for protection in neutral Zurich, where he
anxiously sought it.

During Lent in the year 1522 several individuals ventured for the first
time to transgress the episcopal ordinance in regard to the eating of
meat, in a dissimilar manner it is true. Christopher Froschauer, a
printer, having in the course of his business visited the Frankfort
Fair, and become thus acquainted with Luther's writings and a witness
of the spiritual awakening in Germany, had, when compelled by labor
severer than usual, partaken along with his workmen of more
strengthening food than was allowed, yet without concealment on the one
hand and without seeking publicity on the other. For quite different
reasons William Roubli, an outlawed clergyman from Basel, whom Zwingli
himself has styled a rash and foolish babbler, and Hans Gunthelm, an
impudent deserter, had not only done the same with great parade and
loose talk, but had attempted also to induce other families to join
them. Gladly did Zwingli's enemies seize this opportunity to lodge
complaints before the Council. An investigation was held and Froschauer
defended himself with dignity. The Council desired the opinion of the
chapter of canons, the three people's priests in the two cathedrals and
at the church of St. Peter, and thus the battle began in the very midst
of the authorities. The parties were nearly balanced, more talent on
the one side, greater numbers on the other.

The result was an affirmation of the rights of the Pope and the
bishops, and a feeble explanation, which left the government free scope
to act for itself--and it all ended in a simple reprimand to the
transgressors. But Zwingli's opponents were by no means satisfied. They
applied now to the bishop, and a few days after, Melchior Vattli,
suffragan of Constance, John Wanner, cathedral-preacher, and Doctor
Brendlin appeared with an embassy to the chapter of canons. At th