rmally; but from the answers, yet to be quoted, it may be
gathered that, having generally deliberated over the matter, they were
decidedly averse to the proposal. Bern, and, by her advice, Solothurn
also, declined the invitation, with the prayer, that it might not be
taken ill on their part; but as injury as well benefit could grow out
of events of this kind, not to a single canton merely, but to the whole
Confederacy, the general interest ought to have induced them to confer
beforehand in common about the topics to be treated of, as well as
about those who were to be invited to the conference. The invitation
made a disagreeable impression on Luzern. "You inform us"--so runs the
letter from this city--"that quarrels and ill-will about spiritual
things are rife among you. This we are sorry to hear, and still more
sorry that you have not rooted them up long ago, for which neither
right nor might were wanting; and even ha it been so, we as pious
Christians would have willingly lent you aid. Now you invite us to a
conference; but along with our clergy, whom we think pious, we have
found in spiritual and temporal affairs, that such insignificant
assemblies are wholly unfit to deal with matters pertaining to faith.
We do not wish to attack images, far less the mass, upon which our
whole faith is founded. We wish to tread in the footsteps of our
fathers--to stand by that, which we have inherited from them and been
taught by them; for we do not regard them as seducers, but sainted and
pious people. We are willing also to have abuses put away; but by them
to whom it belongs. Therefore we send no one, and beg you to accept our
reasons in the best spirit."

Still more bitter was the refusal of Obwalden: "To serve you we are at
all times ready. But now you invite our learned men to you. Hence we
speak thus: We have no particularly learned people amongst us; only
pious, reverend priests, who expound to us the Gospel and the other
Holy Scriptures, as they were expounded to our forefathers; in which we
will trust as long as we live, unless the Pope or a Council revoke the
doctrine, and are ready to suffer death therefor. We also can not bring
ourselves to believe that the Lord God has given more grace to Zwingli,
than to the dear saints and teachers, who have suffered martyrdom and
death for the faith. We can not see that he leads such a spiritual
life, nay, that he is rather inclined to disturbance, than to peace and
quiet. Therefore