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Light Kindled in Switzerland
107
unless it be according to the constitution; now, in matters of faith,
the Bible is our constitution.
The calm, clear reasoning of the Reformer, so gently and mod-
estly presented, appealed to minds that turned in disgust from Eck’s
boastful assumptions.
The discussion continued eighteen days. The papists claimed
the victory. Most of the deputies sided with Rome, and the diet pro-
[116]
nounced the Reformers vanquished and declared that they, together
with Zwingli, were cut off from the church. But the contest resulted
in a strong impetus to the Protestant cause. Not long afterward the
important cities of Bern and Basel declared for the Reformation.
[117]
11
Ibid., bk. 11, ch. 13.