Zurich, before 17 January 1525

Wise, prudent, merciful, dear lords and brothers.

In your wisdom you certainly know how much strange talk is going around. Some maintain that a newborn child, as soon as it comes from the mother's womb, is to be baptized, and that this can be proved from holy Scripture. Others believe on the basis of the divine word that infant baptism is bad, false, and that (rather than being true) it was contrived by and grew out of the Antichrist, the pope, and his followers. Among those holding the latter belief, I too have been charged by some people with being a rebel and inhuman. But I have been accused too quickly and unjustly, and the accusation cannot be shown to have any truth. All those with whom I have had anything to do will testify that I have nowhere engaged in any rebellion, nor anywhere, in any way, taught or told them anything that has brought or can bring rebellion. For this reason I am accused unfairly. Since I am thus charged — even though untruthfully — I have thought it necessary that I now deliver to you, my merciful, dear lords a justification and explanation of my faith.

I would certainly have thought that, should you be presented with the truth, you would respect it. Your shepherds [the Zurich clergy] have repeatedly maintained [their interest in a disputation], and they have always negotiated with me on the following basis, namely that one should let Scripture speak, and that we should neither add to it nor delete anything from it.