t yet penetrated the mass of
the people.[6]

This was immediately perceived and made use of by the Papacy. Her
skillful orators did not in the least blame the censorship of the press
in Zurich, but thought it very judicious; but, "why then," asked they,
"do you attack us for restrictions and watchfulness, when you
yourselves cannot do without them? To-day you declare faith shall be
free, that it can sustain any trial, and to-morrow suppress the
writings of those who will not prove it in your way. Truly, like us,
you need an authoritative creed. Only with us the old Church gives the
command, with you the new Zwingli. This is very far from being a
sufficient reason to induce us to go over to your party." What adequate
reply can be made? In fact the time had not yet come, when the
Reformation could stand by its own strength; the distinguished man
alone sustained it. In this, lies the reason why Zwingli was
indispensable to Zurich--in this the secret of his power in the State
as well as the Church.

Also aware of this, the defenders of the Old Order were more and more
convinced, that its maintenance or new establishment in the
Confederacy, could only become possible, if they succeeded in putting
Zwingli to silence, and for the attainment of this end they mustered
all their powers. Hence, an offer from Doctor Eck, of Ingolstadt, known
through his earlier famous disputation with Luther, and mentioned
before in the beginning of this work, to come personally to Switzerland
and do battle with the Reformer, was very welcome to the leaders of
this party. As soon as Zwingli heard of it, he wrote to this champion
and invited him to Zurich: here he could attack him and point out to
his hearers, who needed it most, the errors of their teacher. "It is
time," he concludes, "for me to leave off, if I have been a false
prophet. But rather would I find out a way, if there be time, to
prevent thee from deceiving the poor people with thy imposture. May God
have pity on thee, take away thy stony heart and give thee one so warm,
that one can write to thee with joy!" The Council of Zurich also sent
an invitation to Eck, along with a letter of safe-conduct, pledging him
a safe passage through the canton, coming and going. Eck declined it
with the remark, that he must appear wherever the diet would appoint.
The latter, after manifold negotiations with the bishops, after a final
weighing of the different views of the governments themselves,
res