Ecclesiastical history epitomized containing a faithful account of ye birth life & doctrine, crucifixion & ascension of ye holy Iesus : with the lives of ye apostles evangelists & primitive fathers & other famous men in ye Christian Church both antient & modern who have couragiously confessed & suffered glorious martyrdomes & persecutions under several tyrannical governours both heathenish and Romish : faithfully continued to ye reformation and since deduced to this present age / carefully collected by J.S. ... ; in two parts.

The Life of ZUINGLIUS.

HƲldericus Zuinglius was by birth a Switzer, being by his Parents educated in Learning, and kept to the studying of sacred Books, profiting so much that at ten years old he went to Basile, from whence after some time he departed to Berne, where he was Instructed under the Tutorage of Henry Lupulus a famous Divine. When after a while going to Vi∣enna, he Commenced Master of Arts, where he stu∣died so hard that he got Valerius Maximus by heart; and gave his mind much to the study of the Scrip∣tures, insomuch that he could readily expound many of the difficult Phrases therein contained, and then began he to think upon the Doctrine of Reforma∣tion, which having well weighed he plainly per∣ceived, it agreed in all Points with the Holy Scrip∣tures: Whereupon he Preached against the Cor∣ruptness of the times, and the Licentious living of the Romish Clergy, laying open their wicked Practi∣ces

and Idolatrous worship, withdrawing many from the Romish to the reformed Religion, so that with∣in a while he grew so Famous, that he was chosen Pastor of a Church, called our Lords Hermitage, by Theobaldus Baron of that part of the Country where it stands. There he Preached against the worship of Images, and other abominable Ceremo∣nies, in the Romish Church.

About a year after his Pastorship, one Sampson a Franciscan Fryer being sent by the Pope to sell In∣dulgences, came into those parts whom Zuinglius greatly opposed, plainly proving him to be an Im∣postor and deceiver of the People, insomuch that he perswaded the People to keep him out of Zurick: up∣on which the Indulgence-Merchant trotted to Bade∣na where he exposed his Trumpery to sail, and often would fall into a fit of Bawling; Behold they fly, behold they fly, meaning the Souls that were delivered out of Purgatory by his Indulgences.

Anno Christi 1520. the Senate of Zurick at the in∣stance of Zuinglius, commanded the reformed Mini∣sters to Preach freely, and frame their Doctrine ac∣cording to Scripture; and not to teach any Traditi∣ons, at which the Bishop of Constance was greatly troubled, and desired that the Faith might be conti∣nued according to the Church of Rome, till such time as a Councel could be called. But Zuinglius defended them, and the Magistrates of Zurick called a Sy∣nod, desiring the Bishop either to come in Person, or send his Doctors; Whereupon he sent his Chap∣lain: but he not being able to prove any thing Er∣roneous, in the Doctrine of Zuinglius, made an Ex∣ception against the Synod, and so departed. So that the Senators at the request of Zuinglius, not only confirmed the Preaching Minister, but also restrain∣ed

the Monasteries, only allowing the Monks and Fry∣ers a Competency; they imployed the Over-plus to Charitable uses, and Commanded that all Images in Churches should be taken down, and burnt, which was done accordingly, as likewise the Mass to be a∣bolished, and the Lords Supper to be Administred as it was wont in the primitive Churches; they also forbid Procession and remove the Martyrs Tombs, to prevent the Peoples worshipping them; whereupon a Notary belonging to the Councel stood up, and grievously Complained that they had taken away the Ancient worship of the Romish Church, against all right; whereupon a great Dispute arose between him and Zuinglius about the Admi∣nistration of the Sacrament, and many Arguments used on both sides, so that it was put off to a further hearing, during which time Zuinglius dreamed that he being Non-plussed and sitting down a hea∣venly Messenger stood by him, and said, O thou Slug∣gard why dost thou not answer him out of the 12. of Exo∣dus? At which he awaking immediately started up, and taking his Bible turned to the Proof, and there found, this is the Passover of the Lord. The which text he afterwards opposing against his Adversary, not only confounded him, but highly satisfied the whole Assembly, insomuch that the next Sacrament day most of the Inhabitants of Zurick were present.

A while after Eccius the Popish Law-giver sent to Baden, to the Embassador of Zurick, to Com∣plain against Zuinglius, which he understanding wrote an Apology to the Embassador, wherein he declared: That if Eccius could lay any thing of He∣resie to his Charge, as he pretended, he would at all times be ready to Vindicate himself by the word of God, and that he would Dispute with him, by writing or word

of Mouth. To which Eccius writ a reply, desiring the Dispute, and appointed the place, to be either at Lucerna or Baden; but Zuinglius answered that he would not venture his Person at those places, by reason he had been already condemned there as a Heretick, but if he would come to Zurick he would freely Dispute with him; the Senators of Zurick sent to him likewise, that he would come thither upon the publick Faith; but he refused, accusing Occolam∣padius also; but a while after, the twelve Cantons resolved that it was necessary they should meet at Zurick, which Eccius and Occolampadius did accord∣ingly: Whereupon the Dispute was held between them, but it came to no Perfection; so that nine of the Cantons concluded that Zuinglius and his Ac∣complices should be Excommunicated, but they proceeded not to Sentence.

About a Twelve-month after, another Dispute was held at Bern, the which the Popish Cantons op∣posed, but it notwithstanding went on, after which it was decreed that the Mass, Altars, Images, and other superstitious Trumpery should be abolished, and that the Divine Service should be continued ac∣cording to the Word of God, and also they writ the day and year of their abolishing Popery, up∣on a Pillar set up for that purpose, in Letters of Gold that it might remain as a Memento to Posteri∣ty, the like Reformation was Effected at Basil.

About this time a Sect of Anti-Baptists began to spread their Erroneous Opinions, and Preach against the Baptism of Infants, baptizing them∣selves anew; against these Zuinglius opposed him∣self; wherefore they began to rail upon him, and to asperse him with Lyes and Calumnies, insomuch that the Senate taking notice of it, some of them

were imprisoned, and others Proscribed, of which three or four were put to Death.

The Monks and Fryers being cast out of their Cells and Monasteries, at the Procurement of Zuin∣glius sought by all means to take his Life, laying Ambushments for him, so that the Senators ap∣pointed him a Guard.

Anno Christi, 1531. they of Zurick and Bern, a∣greed to stop the coming of Provision to the three Cities of the Popish Cantons, which caused them to take Arms, and coming into the Territories of Zu∣rick before they were expected, they set upon a Garrison of one thousand men, who sent to the Ci∣ty for Aid, upon which Forces were Levyed, in the Head of which Zuinglius advanced, for fear any should charge him with Cowardize, though he had been a great disswader from cutting off the Pro∣vision, but the Zuricks coming to the top of the Hill, and perceiving their men were fighting and in present Danger, they encouraged each other, and ran down the Hill, at the bottom of which the Passage was so straight, that they could go but two abrest, upon which being met before they could range themselves in Battel, the Popish Cantoniers fell upon them that were foremost and put them to the Rout, killing many of them; Zuinglius being amongst those that advanced, he was thrice overthrown, and still got up again, but being the fourth time run in with a Spear, he fell down upon his Knees and said; Well, they can kill the Body, but cannot kill the Soul.

When the Souldiers came to strip the slain, Zuin∣glius was found alive lying upon his Back with his eyes up to Heaven, whereupon they asked him if he would have a Priest to Confess him; to which he answered, no; they then bid him, call upon the Vir∣gin

Mary, which he also refusing they thrust him in with a Sword, and so he expired without fetching a Groan: and as soon as they knew it to be him, they Cut his Body in four pieces and burnt it, when the next day his Heart was found unperished by the Fire, tho the rest of his Body was Consumed.

Before this Battel a Comet appeared, which he said Prognosticated his Death; and declared it open∣ly in his Sermons, fourteen days before he fell in Battel: He was a man of great Courage, full of Meekness, very Liberal to the Poor, and Learned in all the studies that Age was capable of, he was slain in the manner aforesaid, in the year 1531.