offer of a free salvation , but fearlessly rebuked the evils and corruptions of the times . Many returned from the cathedral praising God . " This man ," they said , " is a preacher of the truth . He will be our Moses , to lead us forth from this Egyptian darkness ." -- Ibid ., b . 8 , ch . 6 . But though at first his labours were received with great enthusiasm , after a time opposition arose . The monks set themselves to hinder his work and condemn his teachings . Many assailed him with gibes and sneers ; others resorted to insolence and threats . But Zwingli bore all with patience , saying : " If we desire to gain over the wicked to Jesus Christ , we must shut our eyes against many things ." -- Ibid ., b . 8 , ch . 6 .
About this time a new agency came in to advance the work of reform . One Lucian was sent to Zurich with some of Luther ' s writings , by a friend of the reformed faith at Basel , who suggested that the sale of these books might be a powerful means of scattering the light . " Ascertain ," he wrote to Zwingli , " whether this man possesses sufficient prudence and skill ; if so , let him carry from city to city , from town to town , from village to village , and even from house to house , among the Swiss , the works of Luther , and especially his exposition of the Lord ' s Prayer written for the laity . The more they are known , the more purchasers they will find ." -- Ibid ., b . 8 , ch . 6 . Thus the light found entrance .
At the time when God is preparing to break the shackles of ignorance and superstition , then it is that Satan works with greatest power to enshroud men in darkness and to bind their fetters still more firmly . As men were rising up in different lands to present to the people forgiveness and justification through the blood of Christ , Rome proceeded with renewed energy to open her market throughout Christendom , offering pardon for money . Every sin had its price , and men were granted free license for crime if the treasury of the church was kept well filled . Thus the two movements advanced , --one offering forgiveness of sin for money , the other forgiveness through Christ , -- Rome licensing sin and making it her source of revenue ; the Reformers condemning sin and pointing to Christ as the propitiation and deliverer .
In Germany the sale of indulgences had been committed to the Dominican friars and was conducted by the infamous Tetzel . In Switzerland the traffic was put into the hands of the Franciscans , under the control of Samson , an Italian monk . Samson had already done good service to the church , having secured immense sums from Germany and Switzerland to fill the papal treasury . Now he traversed Switzerland , attracting great crowds , despoiling the poor peasants of their scanty earnings , and exacting rich gifts from the wealthy classes . But the influence of the reform already made itself felt in curtailing , though it could not stop , the traffic . Zwingli was still at Einsiedeln when Samson , soon after entering Switzerland , arrived with his wares at a neighbouring town . Being apprised of his mission , the Reformer immediately set out to oppose him . The two did not meet , but such was Zwingli ' s success in exposing the friar ' s pretensions that he was obliged to leave for other quarters .
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