Page 106 - From Here to Forever (1982)

102 From Here to Forever
afterward wrote, “and the Scriptures began to be much easier to
me.”2
The doctrine preached by Zwingli was not received from Luther.
It was the doctrine of Christ. “If Luther preaches Christ,” said the
Swiss Reformer, “he does what I am doing. ... Never has one single
word been written by me to Luther, nor by Luther to me. And Why?
... That it might be shown how much the Spirit of God is in unison
with itself, since both of us, without any collusion, teach the doctrine
of Christ with such uniformity.” 3
In 1516 Zwingli was invited to preach in the convent at Ein-
siedeln. Here he 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, said to have the power of working miracles. Above the gate-
way of the convent was the inscription, “Here a plenary remission of
sins may be obtained.”4 Multitudes came to the shrine of the Virgin
from all parts of Switzerland, and even from France and Germany.
Zwingli 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. ... Can unprofitable works, long
pilgrimages, offerings, images, the invocation of the Virgin or of
the saints secure for you the grace of God? ... What efficacy has a
glossy cowl, a smooth-shorn head, a long and flowing robe, or gold-
embroidered slippers?” “Christ,” he said, “who was once offered [111]
upon the cross, is the sacrifice and victim, that had made satisfaction
for the sins of believers to all eternity.”5
To many it was a bitter disappointment to be told that their
toilsome journey had been in vain. Pardon freely offered through
Christ they could not comprehend. They were satisfied with the way
Rome had marked out for them. It was easier to trust their salvation
to the priests and pope than to seek purity of heart.
But another class received with gladness the tidings of redemp-
tion through Christ, and in faith accepted the Saviour’s blood as their
2Ibid., bk. 8, ch. 6.
3D’Aubigne, bk. 8, ch. 9.
4Ibid., bk. 8, ch. 5.
5Ibid., bk. 8, ch. 5.