In Switzerland from 1516 to 1525 - James Aitken Wylie

coming from the ends of the earth to hear. Yet
there were those among this crowd of pilgrims who
were not able to receive it as "good news." They
had made a long journey, and it was not pleasant to
be told at the end of it that they might have spared
their pains and remained at home. It seemed,
moreover, too cheap a pardon to be worth having.
They would rather travel the old road to Paradise
by penances, and fasts, and alms-deeds, and the
absolutions of the Church, than trust their salvation
to a security so doubtful. To these men Zwingli's
doctrine seemed like a blasphemy of theVirgin in
her own chapel.
But there were others to whom the preacher's
words were as "cold water" to one athirst. They had
made trial of these self-righteous performances,
and found their utter inefficacy. Had they not kept
fast and vigil till they were worn to a skeleton?
Had they not scourged themselves till the blood
flowed? But peace they had not found: the sting of
an accusing conscience was not yet plucked out.
They were thus prepared to welcome the words of
Zwingli. A Divine influence seemed to accompany
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