be not
done, we will see if we also cannot some day obtain such eating and
drinking." And still more fully Riespach and Hirslanden: "It is also
our earnest opinion, whereas numerous and manifold speeches and lies
have hitherto been written and sent off by the clergy and laymen to the
confederates generally and particular cantons and cities, and have been
little inquired into as yet, by which great injury and loss of
reputation may fall upon the city of Zurich and its territory, since
when our people go from home, be it to Luzern, Zug, Baden or other
parts, then they all say: Such reports came from Zurich;--therefore we
wish this business to be better looked into; and if the Gospel is to be
protected, such persons ought to be punished according to their
deserts. We also pray our Lords, that, where there are ill-minded
priests, who will not obey their statutes and always speak and act
against the Gospel, God's Word, all such be thrust from their livings
and the churches supplied with good pastors; for it strikes us that
otherwise we can never hope for peace. Further, we pray our Lords to
sequester the property of the monasteries and the canons, so that it
may go to the aid of the poor, who everywhere sit before our churches;
so that the Confederates and other strangers may not say: 'If they are
such good Christians in Zurich, why do so many poor people sit before
all the churches?' Hence we think that the tithes, which we raise, more
justly belong to the poor than to nonsensical priests, who write here
and there behind the back of the government. Hence it is our urgent
prayer to our gracious Lords of Zurich, that they deliberate on the
above-cited points, and if then it seems better to their wisdom to do
so than to leave it alone, we all and each one in particular will
pledge his soul, honor, body and goods to the city of Zurich, and
esteem you, our dear Lords, as true fathers, as we hope you will find
us good, willing, dutiful and submissive children, even unto death."

The tenor of these answers was sufficient to show the government, that,
even if it wished, it could no longer delay the progress of the
reformation, and that only by action, just as decided as cautious,
would it be possible to prevent an outbreak of the flame, which already
appeared in scattered sparks.

Hence an ordinance of the Council was passed for the removal of the
images in the most quiet way, with forbearance and care. Whoever had
presented any