The word ‘pensions’ meant a fairly wide range of things in 16th century Zurich covering everything from mercenary service to papal payments. In this sermon, Zwingli lambasted them all. He was outraged by the many Swiss youth who were being killed on foreign fields in wars that had no bearing on the Confederation; and he was equally outraged by the Papacy’s attempt to ‘buy’ loyalty in Switzerland for Rome and against the Reform. So he fired both barrels and attacked both chief aspects. On the 12th of March, 1525, the sermon was published. It begins:
Zwingli stuond am sontag nach Fridolini imm mertzen an die kantze und prediget vom allten stand der Eydgnoschafft, wie einfallte und fromme lüth vor zyten gewesen, die grosse syg und träffliche gnad von gott gehept.
Ietzund habe sich das volck verkert; darumb straffe uns gott so ernstlich. Und uns werde nitt mögen gehulffen werden, wir nämind dann widerumb an unser fordern frommkeit, unschuld und einfelltikeit. Sunst werdint wir für und für rysen, fallen und zuoletzt gar zerfallen, ja zerschmëtteren. Gott werde den übermuot nitt lyden. Er zeigt an, wie zweyerley adels were in der Eydgnoschafft, welche vil me schadens thätind, denn der allt adel vor allten zyten ye gethan hätte.
The US government needs to pay attention to the anti-mercenary service aspects of the sermon. Maybe fewer of our children would be dead in foreign deserts.
Goodness… that is one brave man… prophet even.
luther was willing to work with the power of the state but zwingli and calvin were willing to speak truth to power.
word…