body,
but the soul they can not kill. The Scripture ought never to be used
for quarrelling, or display, but for the improvement of our lives, and
if perchance I have spoken too harshly to any one, during the present
Conference, I ask his forgiveness." Zwingli did the same. The
presidents now laid down their office with a petition for Hottinger and
the other prisoners, in which the Abbott of Cappel, the Commander of
Kuessnacht and the Provost of the Great Minster joined.

The issue of this Conference formed a new epoch for Zurich. The
government prudently resolved to do nothing rashly, to change nothing
suddenly. Even images and relics should not be taken from the churches
for a while, yet, where it was possible, covered, locked up, but in no
case injured. He, who wished to read mass, or to assist in the reading,
was permitted once more to do so. The rules of fasting also were to be
observed; but the Great Council had already put forth the declaration,
that in spiritual affairs it would henceforth be the court of decision
with the advice of the people's priest, or _bishops_, as it styled the
pastors of the congregations in a public document.[14] Hottinger, on
account of his rash conduct, was banished from the canton for two
years, and Lorenz Hochruetiner, who with foolish obstinacy had repeated
the act, for life. Several associates of these "Idol Stormers" had to
lay down considerable sums as bail for their peaceful behavior. Simon
Stumpf, people's priest at H[oe]ngg, whose name occurs above, was
obliged to leave the country, till permission for his return could be
granted, "on account of his rough sermons, speeches and other things he
had done."[15]

The most pressing want, just then, was the instruction of the ignorant
_priests of the people_. Hence, by order of the government, Zwingli
prepared a small book, under the title of "Christian Introduction," in
which the chief articles of evangelical doctrine, and founded on these,
a decision against the former dogmas and practices of the Church were
brought together in the plainest possible language. This was placed in
the hands of all the preachers in the canton, with the summons to
adhere to this pattern in their discourses. At the same time it was
sent to the governments of the collective states, to the bishops of the
Confederacy and to the University of Basel, with the request that it
might be tested and refuted, if it contained any points at war with the
Gospel. The