This city is divided into three factions, viz. the papists who still have here their churches, images, masses, canonical hours, and bells, though they are in very small numbers as compared with the other inhabitants…. The second faction is that of the Lutherans, who are numerous, and complain greatly of the dismissal by the Government [the Empire] of some of their preachers, because they did not agree with certain other preachers of the faction of Zwingli in the matter of the eucharist; but the Government acted thus for the public peace. The third faction, which is that of Zwingli, is the greatest, and it comprises beyond comparison many more of the citizens, so that yesterday they celebrated the communion more Zwinglij, and side with him in all things as you know, and all the Evangelical preachers are unanimously in his favor….

On holidays, the aforesaid preachers preach ‘la scriptura sacra’ in five places…and they go without much ringing of bells. All the people sing the Psalms of David, most melodiously, causing great spiritual joy and consolation to the hearers….[the preacher] also exhorts them to pray for all sorts and conditions of men, as likewise for the propagation of the Gospel. They live very frugally, with regard both to apparel, household furniture, and daily food; and they administer exemplary justice. They also give daily lectures in Hebrew, Greek and Latin; and attend more than ever was the practice formerly to the education of youth, both as concerns literature and sound Christian morality.