Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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forgetting the difference between the Old and the New dispensation. “Let
us be firm,” he wrote to his peace-loving friends in Bern (May 30, 1529),
“and fear not to take up arms. This peace, which some desire so much, is
not peace, but war; while the war that we call for, is not war, but peace.
We thirst for no man’s blood, but we will cut the nerves of the oligarchy. If
we shun it, the truth of the gospel and the ministers’ lives will never be
secure among us.” f259
Zürich was first ready for the conflict and sent four thousand wellequipped
soldiers to Cappel, a village with a Cistercian convent, in the
territory of Zürich on the frontier of the Canton Zug. f260 Smaller
detachments were located at Bremgarten, and on the frontier of Schwyz,
Basel, St. Gall. Mühlhausen furnished auxiliary troops. Bern sent five
thousand men, but with orders to act only in self-defence.
Zwingli accompanied the main force to Cappel. “When my brethren expose
their lives,” he said to the burgomaster, who wished to keep him back, “I
will not remain quiet at home. The army requires a watchful eye.” He put
the halberd which he had worn as chaplain at Marignano, over his
shoulder, and mounted his horse, ready to conquer or to die for God and
the fatherland. f261
He prepared excellent instructions for the soldiers, and a plan of a
campaign that should be short, sharp, decisive, and, if possible, unbloody.
Zürich declared war June 9, 1529. But before the forces crossed the
frontier of the Forest Cantons, Landammann Aebli of Glarus, where the
Catholics and Protestants worship in one church, appeared from a visit to
the hostile army as peacemaker, and prevented a bloody collision. He was a
friend of Zwingli, an enemy of the mercenary service, and generally
esteemed as a true patriot. With tears in his eyes, says Bullinger, he
entreated the Zürichers to put off the attack even for a few hours, in the
hope of bringing about an honorable peace. “Dear lords of Zuerich, for
God’s sake, prevent the division and destruction of the confederacy.”
Zwingli opposed him, and said: “My dear friend, f262 you will answer to God
for this counsel. As long as the enemies are in our power, they use good
words; but as soon as they are well prepared, they will not spare us.” He
foresaw what actually happened after his death. Aebli replied: “I trust in
God that all will go well. Let each of us do his best.” And he departed.