Swiss Reformer
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Rome and was to exert an influence as a Reformer that would be felt far
beyond his native Alps. Among the chief attractions of Einsiedeln was
an image of the Virgin which was said to have the power of working
miracles. Above the gateway of the convent was the inscription, “Here
a plenary remission of sins may be obtained.”—Ibid., b. 8, ch. 5.
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Pilgrims at all seasons resorted to the shrine of the Virgin; but at the
great yearly festival of its consecration multitudes came from all parts
of Switzerland, and even from France and Germany. Zwingli, greatly
afflicted at the sight, seized the opportunity to proclaim liberty through
the gospel to these bondslaves of superstition.
“Do not imagine,” he said, “that God is in this temple more than
in any other part of creation. Whatever be the country in which you
dwell, God is around you, and hears you.... Can unprofitable works,
long pilgrimages, offerings, images, the invocation of the Virgin or
of the saints, secure for you the grace of God? ... What avails the
multitude of words with which we embody our prayers? What efficacy
has a glossy cowl, a smooth-shorn head, a long and flowing robe, or
gold-embroidered slippers? ... God looks at the heart, and our hearts
are far from Him.” “Christ,” he said, “who was once offered upon the
cross, is the sacrifice and victim, that had made satisfaction for the
sins of believers to all eternity.”—Ibid., b. 8, ch. 5.
To many listeners these teachings were unwelcome. It was a bitter
disappointment to them to be told that their toilsome journey had been
made in vain. The pardon freely offered to them through Christ they
could not comprehend. They were satisfied with the old way to heaven
which Rome had marked out for them. They shrank from the perplexity
of searching for anything better. It was easier to trust their salvation to
the priests and the pope than to seek for purity of heart.
But another class received with gladness the tidings of redemption
through Christ. The observances enjoined by Rome had failed to bring
peace of soul, and in faith they accepted the Saviour’s blood as their
propitiation. These returned to their homes to reveal to others the
precious light which they had received. The truth was thus carried
from hamlet to hamlet, from town to town, and the number of pilgrims
to the Virgin’s shrine greatly lessened. There was a falling off in the
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offerings, and consequently in the salary of Zwingli, which was drawn
from them. But this caused him only joy as he saw that the power of
fanaticism and superstition was being broken.