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

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Prot. Ref. in Germany and Switzerland, I. 181, 186 (8th ed., Baltimore,
1875).
Berne, the largest, most conservative and aristocratic of the Swiss cantons,
which contains the political capital of the Confederacy, was the first to
follow Zurich, after considerable hesitation. This was an event of decisive
importance.
The Reformation was prepared in the city and throughout the canton by
three ministers, Sebastian Meyer, Berthold Haller, and Francis Kolb, and
by a gifted layman, Niclaus Manuel,—all friends of Zwingli. Meyer, a
Franciscan monk, explained in the convent the Epistles of Paul, and in the
pulpit, the Apostles’ Creed. Haller, a native of Würtemberg, a friend and
fellow-student of Melanchthon, an instructive preacher and cautious
reformer, of a mild and modest disposition, settled in Berne as teacher in
1518, was elected chief pastor at the cathedral 1521, and labored there
faithfully till his death (1536). He was often in danger, and wished to retire;
but Zwingli encouraged him to remain at the post of duty. Without brilliant
talents or great learning, he proved eminently useful by his gentle piety and
faithful devotion to duty. Manuel, a poet, painter, warrior and statesman,
helped the cause of reform by his satirical dramas, which were played in the
streets, his exposure of Eck and Faber after the Baden disputation, and his
influence in the council of the city (d. 1530). His services to Zwingli
resemble the services of Hutten to Luther. The Great Council of the Two
Hundred protected the ministers in preaching the pure gospel.
The Peasants’ War in Germany and the excesses of the Radicals in
Switzerland produced a temporary reaction in favor of Romanism. The
government prohibited religious controversy, banished Meyer, and ordered
Haller, on his return from the Baden disputation, to read Romish mass
again; but he declined, and declared that he would rather give up his
position, as he preferred the Word of God to his daily bread. The elections
in 1527 turned out in favor of the party of progress. The Romish measures
were revoked, and a disputation ordered to take place Jan. 6, 1528, in
Berne.
The disputation at Berne lasted nineteen days (from Jan. 6 to 26). It was
the Protestant counterpart of the disputation at Baden in composition,
arrangements and result. It had the same effect for Berne as the
disputations of 1523 had for Zurich. The invitations were general; but the
Roman Catholic cantons and the four bishops who were invited refused,