He interpreted the Apostle by the Sermon on the Mount and by Plato.

He was still a good Catholic, without a thought of breaking away from the church.
[Sidenote: October, 1516-December, 1518] From Glarus Zwingli was called to Einsiedeln, where he remained for two years.

Here he saw the superstitious absurdities mocked by Erasmus.
Here, too, {151} he first came into contact with indulgences, sold throughout Switzerland by Bernard Samson, a Milanese Franciscan.
Zwingli did not attack them with the impassioned zeal of Luther, but ridiculed them as "a comedy." His position did not alienate him from the papal authorities, [Sidenote: September 1, 1516] for he applied for, and received, the appointment of papal acolyte.

How little serious was his life at this time may be seen from the fact that he openly confessed that he was living in unchastity and even joked about it.
Notwithstanding his peccadillos, as he evidently regarded them, high hopes were conceived of his abilities and independence of character.
When a priest was wanted at Zurich, [Sidenote: January 1, 1519] Zwingli applied for the position and, after strenuous canvassing, succeeded in getting it.
Soon after this came the turning-point in Zwingli's life, making of the rather worldly young man an earnest apostle.

Two causes contributed to this.