Ecolampadius-Reformation at Basle [pp. 218-236]

Progress of the Reformation.
urgy of the Holy Supper; the change, however, was not to be
made without an earnest resistance on the part of the adherents
to Rome, who just then began to hope that they might regain
the whole of their lost ground. Indeed the reformed cause in
Switzerland put on a very gloomy aspect. The burning of the
convent of Ittengen had roused the Romanists almost to madness; while their hopes of success were raised to a high pitch, by
the treaty concluded between Charles V. and Francis, in which
these monarchs bound themselves to labour for the extirpation
of the new-born heresy. While these dark clouds were gathering over the good cause, the Reformer not at all dismayed by
them, went to Baden to meet Dr. Eck, and other able and
learned opposers of the gospel, in a public discussion. Here he
made a very favourable impression, even on the minds of his
auditors most hostile to his views; and during the progress of
the debate, they were heard to whisper to each other, "Ah! if
we only had that yellow-looking man on our side, to defend our
religion!"
On his return to Basle he published a more extended liturgy,
and introduced the practice of singing the Psalms in German.
The last was a most popular measure, and greatly helped the
cause of Reformation. The hymns were not as melodious as
they might have been, and the Papists made much sport of
them; but they supplied a long felt want of thousands of pious
hearts. As dangers thickened, the activity of the Reformer
was redoubled; he preached every day, he composed and published a Catechism for children, and during the prevalence of
the plague in 1526, he devoted himself with unwearied constancy
to the sick and dying. Meanwhile the councils swayed, pendulum-like, now to this side, now to that, and they might have
continued in this Laodicean state for a long time, if the
burghers had not at last taken the thing into their own hands.
On the 22d of October, 1527, about four hundred citizens met
to consult about what should be done to terminate the differences
between the Reformed and the Romish preachers. They
applied to the council, and were told that all the corporations
should be assembled on the next Sunday to deliberate on the
affair. In the meantime, as the council showed a disposition
to postpone the meeting, a large body of citizens assembled,
1851.]
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