ZUINGLIUS (Ulricus), an able and zealous reformer, who laid the foundation of a separation from Rome in Switzerland, at the same time that Luther did the like in Saxony, was born at Wildehausen in 1487. While he officiated as preacher at Zurich, a Franciscan sent by Leo X. came to publish indulgences there; against which Zuinglius, after the example of Luther, declaimed powerfully. In the course of this opposition he started a new doctrine, which he called Evangelical Truth; and from the beginning of 1519 to 1523, he preached not only against indulgences, but against other articles of the Roman church. But though Zuinglius made no less progress than Luther, he yet conducted himself with more moderation and prudence; and wishing to have the concurrence of the civil powers, procured two assemblies to be called at Zurich: by the first, he was authorised to proceed as he had begun; and by the second, the outward worship and ceremonies of the church of Rome were abolished. During these transactions, Zuinglius published several books in defence of his doctrines; but treating of the eucharist, and prescribing a form of celebrating the Lord's Supper different from Luther, he was involved in violent disputes with the rest of his reforming brethren. Interpreting the words hoc est corpus meum, by hoc significat corpus meum, he maintained, that the body and blood of Christ are not really present in the eucharist; and that the bread and wine are nothing more than external signa or symbola, designed to excite in the minds of Christians the remembrance of the sufferings of the Divine Saviour, and of the benefits which arise from them. This opinion, which was afterwards so plausibly supported by the celebrated Hoadley (see Synod of the Lord), gave offence to Calvin as well as to Luther; but the doctrines of Zuinglius, which were most obnoxious to that eminent reformer, were those which deny deition and reprobation, and make the church as a society wholly dependent on the state. Respecting the divine decessus, the opinion of Zuinglius and his followers differed very little from that of the PANAGIAN: for he maintained that heaven is open to all who live according to the dictates of right reason; and he seems to have denied the doctrine of original sin. Instead of de-
claring with Calvin, that the church is a separate independent body, vested with the right of legislation for itself, Zuinglius ascribed to the civil magistrate an absolute and unbounded power in religious matters, allowing at the same time a certain subordination among the ministers of the church. This was abundantly agreeable to the magistrates of Zurich; but the rest of the Swiss cantons disallowing of their proceedings, other assemblies were called, and things tending to tumult, both sides had recourse to arms; when Zuinglius, who began as a preacher, died in arms as a soldier, in 1531. His works amount to four vols. folio.