The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 132

The European Union in Prophecy
and the influence exerted here would be widely felt. The ecclesiastics by whose
invitation he came to Zurich were, however, desirous of preventing any innovations,
and they accordingly proceeded to instruct him as to his duties. "You will make every
exertion," they said, "to collect the revenues of the chapter, without overlooking the
least. You will exhort the faithful, both from the pulpit and in the confessional, to pay
all tithes and dues, and to show by their offerings their affection to the church. You
will be diligent in increasing the income arising from the sick, from masses, and in
general from every ecclesiastical ordinance." "As for the administration of the
sacraments, the preaching, and the care of the flock," added his instructors, "these are
also the duties of the chaplain. But for these you may employ a substitute, and
particularly in preaching. You should administer the sacraments to none but persons
of note, and only when called upon; you are forbidden to do so without distinction of
persons."-- Ibid., b. 8, ch. 6.
Zwingli listened in silence to this charge, and in reply, after expressing his
gratitude for the honour of a call to this important station, he proceeded to explain
the course which he proposed to adopt. "The life of Christ," he said, "has been too long
hidden from the people. I shall preach upon the whole of the Gospel of
St.
Matthew,…drawing solely from the fountains of Scripture, sounding its depths,
comparing one passage with another, and seeking for understanding by constant and
earnest prayer. It is to God's glory, to the praise of His only Son, to the real salvation
of souls, and to their edification in the true faith, that I shall consecrate my ministry."-
- Ibid., b. 8, ch. 6. Though some of the ecclesiastics disapproved his plan, and
endeavoured to dissuade him from it, Zwingli remained steadfast. He declared that
he was about to introduce no new method, but the old method employed by the church
in earlier and purer times. Already an interest had been awakened in the truths he
taught; and the people flocked in great numbers to listen to his preaching. Many who
had long since ceased to attend service were among his hearers. He began his ministry
by opening the Gospels and reading and explaining to his hearers the inspired
narrative of the life, teachings, and death of Christ. Here, as at Einsiedeln, he
presented the word of God as the only infallible authority and the death of Christ as
the only complete sacrifice. "It is to Christ," he said, "that I desire to lead you--to
Christ, the true source of salvation." -- Ibid., b. 8, ch. 6.
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