Ambrosius Blarer

Ambrosius Blarer (sometimes Ambrosius Blaurer), (April 4, 1492 – December 6, 1564) was an influential reformer in southern Germany and north-eastern Switzerland.

Reformation of Constance

In February 1525, Blarer started preaching in Constance and he soon became a leading figure of the local Reformation. With his cousin and co-reformer Johannes Zwick and their brothers, Konrad Zwick and Thomas Blarer respectively, who were members of the city council (Thomas later became mayor), Blarer had a spiritually as well as influentially effective team to continue the reformation.

Related Topics:
Johannes Zwick - Konrad Zwick - City council

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The Constance Reformers were very idealistic, hoping to cleanse the city of all sin and evil. In 1526, a moral law was passed which prohibited dancing, drinking, swearing, adultery, etc. Enforcing the law proved difficult at first, until a new strategy was introduced in 1531; from then on all citizens had to take turns in functioning as moral guardians, reporting every violation of the law to the council. This eliminated the danger of the people?s anger at the rules to be directed at any one person, as well as the danger of systematically overlooking friends and family.

Related Topics:
Sin - Moral law

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Another speciality of the Constance Reformation was their love for music. Ambrosius wrote many educational and religious songs which were sung as part of the liturgy. Several of his songs can still be found in the Swiss Evangelical Hymn-Book.

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