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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c8c5408 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60152 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60152) diff --git a/old/60152-0.txt b/old/60152-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2d74075..0000000 --- a/old/60152-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19285 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Reformation in Europe in the -time of Calvin. Vol. 2 (of 8), by Merle d'Aubigné - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: History of the Reformation in Europe in the time of Calvin. Vol. 2 (of 8) - -Author: Merle d'Aubigné - -Release Date: August 23, 2019 [EBook #60152] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF REFORMATION IN EUROPE, VOL 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Wilson, David Edwards, Colin Bell, Chris -Pinfield and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive). - - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Obvious printer errors corrected silently. - -Hyphenation has been rationalised. Inconsistent spelling (including -accents) has been retained. - -Small capitals have been replaced by full capitals. Italics are -indicated by _underscores_. - -Running headers, at the top of each right-hand page, have been converted -into Sidenotes and moved in front of the paragraphs to which they refer. - - - - - THE - REFORMATION IN EUROPE - IN THE TIME OF CALVIN. - - VOL. II. - - LONDON - PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. - NEW-STREET SQUARE - - HISTORY - OF - THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE - IN THE TIME OF CALVIN. - - BY J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNÉ, D.D. - - AUTHOR OF THE - 'HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY' ETC. - - - 'Les choses de petite durée ont coutume de devenir fanées, quand elles - out passé leur temps. - - 'Au règne de Christ, il n'y a que le nouvel homme qui soit florissant, - qui ait de la vigueur, et dont il faille faire cas.' - - CALVIN. - - - VOL. II. - GENEVA AND FRANCE. - - LONDON: - LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN. - 1863. - - - CONTENTS - OF - THE SECOND VOLUME. - - - BOOK II. - FRANCE. FAVOURABLE TIMES. - - CHAPTER XIII. - JOHN CALVIN, A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ORLEANS. - (1527-1528.) - -Calvin's Friend—The Students at Orleans—Pierre de l'Etoile—Opinions -concerning Heretics—Calvin received in the Picard Nation—Calvin -nominated Proctor—Procession for the Maille de Florence—Distinguished by -the Professors—His Friends at Orleans—Daniel and his Family—Melchior -Wolmar—Calvin studies Greek with him—Benefit to the Church of God - PAGE 1 - - CHAPTER XIV. - CALVIN, TAUGHT AT ORLEANS OF GOD AND MAN, BEGINS TO - DEFEND AND PROPAGATE THE FAITH. - (1528.) - -Wolmar teaches him about Germany—Orleans in 1022 and 1528—Calvin's -Anguish and Humility—What made the Reformers triumph—Phases of Calvin's -Conversion—He does not invent a new Doctrine—I sacrifice my Heart to -Thee—His Zeal in Study—He supplies Pierre de l'Etoile's place—Calvin -sought as a Teacher—He seeks a Hiding-place for Study—Explains the -Gospel in Private Families—His first Ministry - 14 - - CHAPTER XV. - CALVIN CALLED AT BOURGES TO THE EVANGELICAL WORK. - (1528-1529.) - -Calvin at his Father's Bed-side—His first Letter—Beza arrives at -Orleans—Calvin goes to Bourges—Brilliant Lessons of Alciati—Wolmar and -Calvin at Bourges—Wolmar calls him to the Evangelical Ministry—The -Priest and the Minister—Calvin's Hesitation—He evangelises—Preaches at -Lignières—Recalled by his Father's Death—Preachings at Bourges—Tumult - 27 - - CHAPTER XVI. - BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY, A MARTYR - FOR THE GOSPEL. - (1529.) - -Margaret's Regret—Complaints of Erasmus—Plot of the Sorbonne against -Berquin—His Indictment prepared—The Queen intercedes for him—Berquin at -the Conciergerie—Discovery of the Letter—He is imprisoned in a strong -Tower—Sentence—Recourse to God—Efforts of Budæus to save him—His Earnest -Appeals to Berquin—Fall and Uprising of Berquin—Margaret writes to the -King—Haste of the Judges—Procession to the Stake—Berquin joyous in the -presence of Death—His Last Moments—Effect on the Spectators—Murmurs, -Tricks, and Indignation—Effect of his Death in France—The Martyrs' -Hymn—The Reformer rises again from his Ashes - 41 - - CHAPTER XVII. - FIRST LABOURS OF CALVIN AT PARIS. - (1529.) - -Calvin turns towards a Christian Career—His old Patrons—Calvin's Sermon -and Hearers—Determines to go to Paris—Focus of Light—Coiffart's -Invitation—Professor Cop goes to see him—Visit to a Nunnery—An Excursion -on horseback—Devotes himself to Theology—Speaks in the Secret -Assemblies—Movement in the _Quartier Latin_—Writings put into -circulation—Calvin endeavours to bring back Briçonnet—Fills the Vessels -with costly Wine—Efforts to convert a young Rake—Beda attacks the King's -Professors—Calvin's Scriptural Principles—Small Beginnings of a great -Work - 63 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - MARGARET'S SORROWS AND THE FESTIVITIES OF THE COURT. - (1530-1531.) - -Margaret promotes Unity—Progress of the Reformation—Death of the Queen's -Child—Orders a _Te Deum_ to be sung—Marriage of Francis I. and -Eleanor—Crowd of learned Men—Margaret in the Desert—The Fountain Pure -and Free—Fatal Illness of Louisa of Savoy—Margaret's Care and -Zeal—Magnificent but chimerical Project - 82 - - CHAPTER XIX. - DIPLOMATISTS, BACKSLIDERS, MARTYRS. - (1531.) - -Charles V. accuses the Protestants—The German Protestants to Francis -I.—The King sends an Envoy to them—The Envoy's Imprudence and -Diplomacy—Queen Margaret's Prayer-book—Lecoq's Sermon before the -King—_Sursum Corda_—Lecoq's Interview with the King—Lecoq's -Fall—Fanaticism at Toulouse—Jean de Caturce finds Christ—Twelfth-night -Supper—Caturce arrested—His Degradation—He disputes with a Monk—Two -Modes of Reformation - 93 - - CHAPTER XX. - CALVIN'S SEPARATION FROM THE HIERARCHY: HIS FIRST - WORK, HIS FRIENDS. - (1532.) - -Daniel tries to bind Calvin to the Church—Calvin resists the -Temptation—His Commentary on Seneca's _Clemency_—His Motives—His -Difficulties and Troubles—Zeal in making his Book known—Calvin's Search -for Bibles in Paris—An unfortunate _Frondeur_—Calvin receives him -kindly—Various Attacks-The Shop of La Forge—Du Tillet and his -Uncertainty—Testimony rendered to Calvin—Relations between Queen -Margaret and Calvin—He refuses to enter the Queen's Service—The Arms of -the Lord - 110 - - CHAPTER XXI. - SMALKALDE AND CALAIS. - (MARCH TO OCTOBER 1532.) - -William du Bellay and his Projects—Luther opposed to War—Alliance of -Smalkalde-Assemblies at Frankfort and Schweinfurt—Luther's Opposition to -Diplomacy—No Shedding of Blood—Du Bellay's Speech—Du Bellay and the -Landgrave—The Wurtemberg Question—Peace of Nuremberg—Great Epochs of -Revival—Francis I. unites with Henry VIII.—Confidential Intercourse at -Bologna—Plan to emancipate his Kingdom from the Pope—Message sent by -Francis to the Pope—Christendom will separate from Rome - 126 - - CHAPTER XXII. - A CAPTIVE PRINCE ESCAPES FROM THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR. - (AUTUMN 1532.) - -Alarm occasioned by this Conference—Christopher of Wurtemberg—His -Adversity—The Emperor and his Court cross the Alps—Christopher's -Flight—He is sought for in vain—Claims the Restoration of Wurtemberg - 142 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - THE GOSPEL PREACHED AT THE LOUVRE AND IN THE - METROPOLITAN CHURCHES. - (LENT 1533.) - -Roussel invited to preach in the Churches—His Fears—Refusal of the -Sorbonne—Preachings at the Louvre—Crowded Congregations—Effects of these -Preachings—Margaret again desires to open the Churches—Courault and -Berthaud preach in them—Essence of Evangelical Preaching—Its -Effects—Agitation of the Sorbonne—They will not listen—Picard, the -Firebrand—Sedition of Beda and the Monks—The People agitated—God holds -the Tempests in his Hand - 150 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - DEFEAT OF THE ROMISH PARTY IN PARIS, AND MOMENTARY - TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL. - (1533.) - -The Chiefs of the two Parties imprisoned—Beda traverses Paris on his -Mule—Indignation of the King—He insults the Deputies of the -Sorbonne—Duprat imprisons Picard—Priests and Doctors summoned—Francis -resolves to prosecute the Papists—Condemnation of the three Chiefs—Is -the Cause of Rome lost?—Grief and Joy—Illusions of the Friends of the -Reform—A Student from Strasburg—The four Doctors taken away by the -Police—Belief that the Reform has come—The Students' Satire—Their Jokes -upon Cornu—Appeal of the Sorbonne—Fresh Placards—Progress of the -Reform—If God be for us, who can be against us?—Agitation—Siderander at -the Gate of the Sorbonne—Desires to speak to Budæus—Fresh Attacks -prepared - 165 - - - CHAPTER XXV. - CONFERENCE OF BOLOGNA. THE COUNCIL AND CATHERINE DE MEDICI. - (WINTER 1532-1533.) - -The Parties face to face—The Emperor demands a Council—Reasons of the -Pope against it—Moral Inertia of the Papacy—The Pope's -Stratagems—Italian League—Tournon and Gramont arrive—They try to win -over the Pope—A great but sad Affair—Catherine de Medici—Offer and -Demand of Francis I.—The Pope's Joy—Thoughts of Henry VIII. on the -proposed Marriage—Advantages to be derived from it - 188 - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - INTRIGUES OF CHARLES V., FRANCIS I., AND CLEMENT VII. AROUND - CATHERINE. - (WINTER 1532-1533.) - -Doubts insinuated by Charles V.—Let the Full Powers be demanded—The -King's Hesitation—The Full Powers arrive—The Emperor's new Manœuvres—His -Vexation—Charles V. demands a General Council—Francis I. proposes a Lay -Council—Importance of that Document—True Evangelical Councils—Charles -condemns and Francis justifies—Secularisation of the Popedom—The Pope -signs the Italian League—Cardinals' Hats demanded—Vexation of Charles V.— -Projected Interview between the King and the Pope—The Marriage will take -place - 202 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - STORM AGAINST THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE AND HER - MIRROR OF THE SOUL. - (SUMMER 1533.) - -Uneasiness and Terror of the Ultramontanes—Plot against the Queen of -Navarre—_The Mirror of the Sinful Soul_—Beda discovers Heresy in -it—Denounces it to the Sorbonne—Assurance of Salvation—The Queen -attacked from the Pulpits—Errors of Monasticism—The _Tales_ of the -Queen of Navarre—Search after and Seizure of the _Mirror_—Rage of -the Monks against the Queen—Margaret's Gentleness—Comedy acted at the -College of Navarre—The Fury Megæra—Transformation of the Queen— -Montmorency tries to ruin her—Christians made a Show - 219 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - TRIUMPH OF THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE. - (AUTUMN 1533.) - -Montmorency—The Prior of Issoudun—The Police at the College—Arrest of -the Principal and the Actors—Judgment of the Sorbonne denounced to the -Rector—Speech of Rector Cop—The Sorbonne disavows the Act—Le Clerq's -Speech—The University apologises—Reform Movement in France—Men of -Mark—New Attacks - 236 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - CATHERINE DE MEDICI GIVEN TO FRANCE. - (OCTOBER 1533.) - -The Marriage announced to the Cardinals—Stratagems of the Imperialists -to prevent it—The Swiss—The Moors—The Pope determines to go—Catherine in -the Ships of France—The Pope sails for France—Various Feelings—The -Pope's Arrival at Marseilles—Nocturnal Visit of the King to the -Pope—Embarrassment of the First President—Conferences between the King -and the Pope—The Bull against the Heretics—The Wedding—Catherine's -Joy—What Catherine brings—The Pope's Health declines—The Modern Janus - 247 - - CHAPTER XXX. - ADDRESS OF THE RECTOR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS. - (NOVEMBER 1533.) - -Calvin and Cop share the Work—Inaugural Sitting of the University in -1533—Calvin's Address—The Will of God is manifested—Effect of the -Address—Indignation of the Sorbonne—One only Universal Church—The -University divided—Interest felt by the Queen—Calvin summoned by the -Queen—No one shall stop the Renewal of the Church—The Rector going in -State to the Parliament—Stopped by a Messenger—Cop's Flight—Order to -arrest Calvin—He is entreated to flee—Calvin's Flight—Disguise— -Probability of the Story—Goes into Hiding—Many Evangelicals leave -Paris—Margaret's Farewell - 264 - - CHAPTER XXXI. - CONFERENCE AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN FRANCIS I. AND PHILIP - OF HESSE AT BAR-LE-DUC. - (WINTER 1533-1534.) - -Christopher applies to Francis—Will the King unite with the -Protestants?—Du Bellay urges him—Du Bellay passes through -Switzerland—His Speech to Austria—Christopher's Friends—Du Bellay pleads -for him—His Threats—The French Envoy triumphs—The Landgrave's -Projects—Luther opposes them—Conversation between Luther and -Melanchthon—Their Efforts with the Landgrave—Conference between the -Landgrave and the King—Philip and Francis come to an Understanding— -Francis asks for Melanchthon—The Treaty signed—Contradictions in -Francis I - 285 - - CHAPTER XXXII. - TRIUMPH AND MARTYRDOM. - (WINTER 1533-1534.) - -The Churches of Paris closed against the Gospel—Private -Assemblies—Dispersed by Morin—New Attack against the Faculty of -Letters—Lutherans threatened with the Stake—Three hundred Evangelicals -sent to Prison—Disputation between Beda and Roussel—Beda's Book -exasperates the King—Margaret intercedes for the Evangelicals—They are -set at liberty—Alexander at Geneva and in Bresse—He preaches at -Lyons—His Activity and Prudence—He is believed to possess Satanic -Powers—Margaret at Paris—The Populace hinder Roussel from -preaching—Alexander preaches at Lyons at Easter—Seized and condemned to -Death—Journey from Lyons to Paris—Appears before the Parliament—Put to -the Torture—Sacerdotal Degradation—Martyrdom—Testimony rendered to -Alexander - 303 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - WURTEMBERG GIVEN TO PROTESTANTISM BY THE KING OF FRANCE. - (SPRING 1534.) - -Interview between Du Bellay and Bucer—The great Fusion is -preparing—Francis I. aids it—His Hopes—Fears and Predictions in -Germany—Austria invokes the Help of the Pope—Sanchez's Interview with -Clement VII.—Consequences of the Temporal Power—The Landgrave advances -with his Army—Melanchthon's Trouble—The Landgrave's Victory—Terror at -Rome—Joy at the Louvre—Wurtemberg restored to its Princes—Religious -Liberty established by the Treaty—Accessions to the Reform - 326 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - SITTING AT THE LOUVRE FOR THE UNION OF TRUTH AND CATHOLICISM. - (SUMMER 1534.) - -A Student of Nismes arrives at Wittemberg—Melanchthon's Letter to -Margaret—Conversation between Margaret and Baduel—Francis I. sends -Chelius into Germany—Melanchthon's Anguish—Chelius received with -Joy—Melanchthon's Zeal—Diverse Opinions on the Union—Bucer's Approval -and Sincerity—Memoirs of the three Doctors—Sitting at the Louvre—Bucer -and Melanchthon denounce the Blemishes of Popery—Moderation—The Church -must have a Government—One single Pontiff—Justification and the Mass—The -Sacraments—Protest against Abuses—Melanchthon's Prayer - 342 - - CHAPTER XXXV. - THE GHOST AT ORLEANS. - (SUMMER 1534.) - -Death of the Provostess of Orleans—The Provost and the Friars—Vengeance -invented by the Cordeliers—First Appearance of the Ghost—Second -Appearance—The Provostess tormented for her Lutheranism—The Official's -Investigation—The Students in the Chapel—The Provost appeals to the -King—Arrest of the Monks—They are taken to Paris—The Novice confesses -the Trick—Condemnation—End of the Matter - 361 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - FRANCIS I. PROPOSES A REFORMATION TO THE SORBONNE. - (AUTUMN 1534.) - -Francis acknowledges his Mistakes in Religion—Promises Help to the -German Protestants—French Edition of the Articles communicated to Rome -and the Sorbonne—Alarm of the Sorbonne—The French Spirit—Discussion -between the King's Ministers and the Sorbonne—The Bishops and the Roman -Pontiff—Indifferent Matters—Prayers to the Saints and Saints' Days—The -Mass-mongers—Restoration of the Lord's Supper—Communion with Christ by -Faith—Transubstantiation and the Monasteries—An Assembly of Laymen and -Divines—Peril of Catholicism—England and France—Fresh Efforts of the -Sorbonne—Is Protestantism to be feared by Kings?—Uneasiness of Calvin's -Friends—Dangers of these Conciliations—An Event about to change the -State of Things - 375 - - - BOOK III. - FALL OF A BISHOP-PRINCE, AND FIRST EVANGELICAL - BEGINNINGS IN GENEVA. - - CHAPTER I. - THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, THE MIDDLE AGES. - (1526.) - -The Crisis—The Means of Salvation—The Nations behindhand—New Position of -Geneva—The Castles and the neighbouring Seigneurs—Pontverre against the -Swiss Alliance—The Gentlemen on the Highway—Violence and Contempt— -Sarcasms and Threats—The Genevans under arms—Moderation of the -Genevans towards the Disloyal—Favre's Mission to Berne—Cartelier's -Condemnation—Pardoned by the Bishop—The Bishop's Hesitation and Fear - 397 - - CHAPTER II. - THE GOSPEL AT GENEVA AND THE SACK OF ROME. - (JANUARY TO JUNE 1527.) - -Laymen and Ecclesiastics—Councillor Ab Hofen, the Friend of Zwingle, at -Geneva—His Christian Conversations—The Priests—The Politicians—Zwingle's -Encouragement—He cheers up Ab Hofen—Opposition and Dejection—Ab Hofen's -Departure, Death, and Influence—The Sack of Rome—Effects of this -Catastrophe—The Genevans compare the Pope and their Bishop—Union of -Faith and Morality - 412 - - CHAPTER III. - THE BISHOP CLINGS TO GENEVA, BUT THE CANONS DEPART. - (SUMMER 1527.) - -The Bishop desires to ally with the Swiss—The Swiss refuse—Plot of the -Duke against the Bishop—The Duke's Scheme—Preparations and Warning—The -Bishop escapes—Failure of the Plot—Terror of the Bishop—The Huguenots -wish to get rid of the Canons—The Bishop puts the Canons in prison—The -Bishop desires to become a Citizen—The Syndics call for Lay -Tribunals—The Bishop grants them—Joy of the Citizens—Prerogatives of the -Bishop questioned—The Duke's Irritation—A Ducal Envoy releases the -Canons—They quit Geneva—Various Opinions about their Departure - 425 - - CHAPTER IV. - THE BISHOP-PRINCE FLEES FROM GENEVA. - (JULY AND AUGUST 1527.) - -Bishopers and Commoners—Complaints against the Priests—A Young Woman -kidnapped by the Bishop—The People compel him to restore her—Right of -Resistance—Quarrels of the two Parties—The Duke's Threats—The Bishop's -Fears—He determines to quit Geneva—His Night Escape—He arrives at St. -Claude—Hugues returns in safety—The Hireling abandons his Flock - 443 - - CHAPTER V. - EXCOMMUNICATION OF GENEVA AND FUNERAL PROCESSION OF POPERY. - (AUGUST 1527 TO FEBRUARY 1528.) - -The Duke tries to gain the Bishop—The State of Geneva constituted—The -Ducal Arms fall at Geneva—Geneva excommunicated—Geneva interdicts the -Papal Bulls—Funeral Procession of Popery—Complaints of the -Priests—Attempt to deprive Bonivard of St. Victor's—Bonivard on -Excommunication—The Duke claims Authority in Matters of Faith—Resolute -Answer of the Genevans—Canons sharply reprimanded by the Duke—Intentions -of Charles - 456 - - CHAPTER VI. - THE KNIGHTS OF THE SPOON LEAGUE AGAINST GENEVA AT THE CASTLE OF - BURSINEL. - (MARCH 1528.) - -Complaints of Bonivard about Geneva—Certain Huguenots go to St. -Victor's—Bonivard's Address to them—Faults to be found in it—Huguenots -eat Meat in Lent—The Meeting at Bursinel—Pontverre and the Spoon—The -Fraternity of the Spoon—Alarm in Geneva—Rights of Princes and -Subjects—Bonivard defends Cartigny—The Savoyards take the -Castle—Bonivard fails to retake it—Progress of the Gospel in Geneva—Duke -and Bishop reconciled—The City looks upon the Bishop as an Enemy - 469 - - CHAPTER VII. - INTRIGUES OF THE DUKE AND THE BISHOP. - (SPRING AND SUMMER 1528.) - -The Bishop desires to withdraw the Criminal Administration from the -Syndics—Noble Answer of the Genevans—The Bishop's Irritation—His furious -Reception of a Genevan Envoy—Calm of the Genevans—The Duke convokes a -Synod—Speech of Bishop Gazzini—Coldness of the Swiss—Ducal Intrigues in -the Convents—The Order of the Keys—The Syndics at the Dominican Convent - 484 - - CHAPTER VIII. - DEATH OF PONTVERRE. - (OCTOBER 1528 TO JANUARY 1529.) - -Pontverre plunders Bonivard—Convokes the Fraternity at Nyon—Insolence of -Pontverre when passing through Geneva—Conference at the Castle of -Nyon—Resolutions adopted there—Pontverre desires to take Geneva by -Treachery—Again attempts to pass through Geneva—His Insolence, Jests of -the Genevans—Struggle on the Rhone Bridge—Pontverre flees—Last Struggle -and Death—Act of Divine Justice—Honours paid him—Violence of the Nobles -increases—Courageous Enterprise of Lullin and Vandel—A Genevan -crucified—The Night of Holy Thursday—The Day of the Ladders - 495 - - CHAPTER IX. - THE REFORMATION BEGINS TO FERMENT IN GENEVA, AND THE OPPOSITION - WITHOUT. - (APRIL 1529 TO JANUARY 1530.) - -Disorders and Superstitions in Geneva—Speech on the Saints' -Bodies at St. Gervais—The Souls from Purgatory in the Cemetery—Protest -at St. Gervais—Negative Reform—Representations -of the Bishop—Genevans trust in God—The Cantons cool -towards Geneva—The Swiss propose to revoke the Alliance—Energetic -Refusal of the Genevans—They incline towards the -Reform—Gazzini asks an Audience of the Pope—His Speech -about Geneva and Savoy—The Pope's Answer—Letter of -Charles V. to the Genevans—Emperor and Pope unite against -Geneva - 513 - - CHAPTER X. - VARIOUS MOVEMENTS IN GENEVA AND SECOND IMPRISONMENT OF - BONIVARD. - (MARCH TO MAY 1530.) - -The Procurator-Fiscal's Complaints to the Council—Penalty denounced -against the Lutherans, and against Impure Priests—Building the Wall of -St. Gervais—Discourse of the Evangelical Swiss—Vandel wishes for a -Preacher at St. Victor's—Bonivard claims his Revenues—His difficult -Position—The Duke covets St. Victor's—Bonivard visits his sick -Mother—Bonivard's Enemies at Geneva—He goes to Friburg—Determines to -give up his Priory—Bellegarde welcomes Bonivard—Bonivard and his Guide -in the Jorat—He is treacherously arrested—Bonivard at Chillon—His Future - 529 - - CHAPTER XI. - THE ATTACK OF 1530. - (AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER.) - -Arrest of the Fiscal Mandolla—The Bishop takes his part—Hastens his -Plans against Geneva—Bishop's Appeal to the Knights—He gives them their -Instructions for the War—Crusade to maintain the Holy Faith—Prisoners in -the Castles—Projects at Augsburg and Gex—De la Sarraz at the head of the -Knights—Troops march against Geneva—Plans of the Enemy—A Friburg Herald -maltreated—The Savoyard Army occupies the Suburbs—Preparations for the -Assault—The Emperor receives Intelligence of the War—The Army -retires—What is the Cause?—The Mercy of God—15,000 Swiss -arrive—Soldierly Controversy—Burning of the Convent of Belle Rive—Good -Catholics quartered at St. Claire—Mass at St. Claire; Preachings at St. -Pierre—Castles taken and burnt—Devotedness of the Nuns of St. -Claire—Truce of St. Julian - 547 - - CHAPTER XII. - GENEVA RECLAIMED BY THE BISHOP, AND AWAKENED BY THE - GOSPEL. - (NOVEMBER 1530 TO OCTOBER 1531.) - -Emperor's Letter to the Genevans—Their Answer—Fresh Armaments of the -Duke—Decision of the Diet of Payerne—Pardon and Pilgrimage to St. -Claire—Pilgrims sent back—Fresh Pardon; Religious Liberty—Repasts of the -Pilgrims and Sarcasms of the Genevans—Angels protect St. Claire—The -Pardon followed by an Awakening—_De Christo meditari_—Farel watches -Geneva—Comprehends its Wants—Desires to send Toussaint to Geneva—He -shrinks from the Struggle—Zwingle's Prayer; Fears of the -Genevans—Examination of the Suspected—Friburg and Berne—Allies of the -two Parties at Cappel - 573 - - CHAPTER XIII. - DANGERS TO WHICH THE DEFEAT AT CAPPEL EXPOSES GENEVA. - (OCTOBER 1531 TO JANUARY 1532.) - -Geneva attacked because elected of God—Defeat of Cappel—Triumph of the -Romanists—Berne turns her back on Geneva—The Duke and his Army -approach—Reply of Geneva to Berne—Seven Black Knights without Heads—God -prepares Geneva by Trials—Effects produced within by Evils from -without—The Swiss Patricians desire to rescind the Treaty—Geneva appeals -to the People of Berne—The Great Councils are for Geneva—Retirement and -Death of Hugues - 591 - - CHAPTER XIV. - AN EMPEROR AND A SCHOOLMASTER. - (SPRING 1532.) - -The Emperor desires to give Geneva to the Duke's Son—Zeal of the Duke, -Firmness of the Genevans—The two Spheres of Christianity—Insufficiency -of Negative Protestantism—Olivétan at Chautemps' House—His Piety, Zeal, -and Courage—Conversations and Sermons—Olivétan's Discourse—The -Judge—Carnal Men—Intellectual Men—Redemption by Blood—The Spirit of -Jesus Christ—The Pioneer—Olivétan's Work - 603 - - CHAPTER XV. - THE PARDON OF ROME AND THE PARDON OF HEAVEN. - (JUNE AND JULY 1532.) - -Roman Jubilees—Fermentation at Geneva—A Power which devours everything -that is given to it—Gospel Pardon of all Sins—Tumult around the -Placards—Fight in the City—Catholic Intervention of Friburg—The Council -strives to give Satisfaction—Reaction of the Evangelicals—Order to -preach without Fables—The Nuncio and the Archbishop at Chambéry—Joy of -the Evangelicals out of the City—The little Flock of Payerne—Letter of -the Lovers of the Holy Gospel—The Standard-bearers of the Gospel of -Christ—The Standard raised in Geneva—Geneva attacked by both -Parties—Which will prevail?—The Struggle grows fiercer every day—The -Strong Things of this World destroyed by the Weak - 615 - - - - - HISTORY - OF THE - REFORMATION IN EUROPE - IN THE TIME OF CALVIN. - - - - - BOOK II. - FRANCE. FAVOURABLE TIMES. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - JOHN CALVIN A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ORLEANS. - (1527-1528.) - - -Calvin, whom his father's wishes and his own convictions urged to -abandon the priestly career, for which he was preparing, had left Paris -in the autumn of 1527, in order to go to Orleans and study jurisprudence -under Pierre de l'Etoile, who was teaching there with great credit. -'Reuchlin, Aleander, and even Erasmus, have professed in this city,' -said his pupils; 'but the Star (Etoile) eclipses all these suns.' He was -regarded as the prince of French jurists.[1] - -When Calvin arrived in that ancient city to which the Emperor Aurelian -had given his name, he kept himself apart, being naturally timid, and -repelled by the noisy vivacity of the students. Yet his loving -disposition sighed after a friend; and such he found in a young scholar, -Nicholas Duchemin, who was preparing himself for a professorship in the -faculty of letters.[2] Calvin fixed on him an observing eye, and found -him modest, temperate, not at all susceptible, adopting no opinion -without examination,[3] of equitable judgment, extreme prudence, and -great mildness, but also a little slow in his movements. Duchemin's -character formed a striking contrast with the vivacity, ardour, -severity, activity, and, we will add, the susceptibility of Calvin. Yet -he felt himself attracted towards the gentle nature of the young -professor, and the very difference of their temperaments shed an -inexpressible charm over all their intercourse. As Duchemin had but -moderate means, he received students in his house, as many of the -citizens did. Calvin begged to be admitted also, and thus became one of -the members of his household. He soon loved Duchemin with all the energy -of a heart of twenty, and rejoiced at finding in him a Mommor, an -Olivétan, and even more. He wanted to share everything with Nicholas, to -converse with him perpetually; and they had hardly parted, when he began -to long to be with him again. 'Dear Duchemin!' he said to him, 'my -friend, you are dearer to me than life.'[4] Ardent as was this -friendship, it was not blind. Calvin, true to his character, discovered -the weak point of his friend, who was deficient, he thought, in energy; -and he reproved him for it. 'Take care,' he said, 'lest your great -modesty should degenerate into indolence.'[5] - -[Sidenote: THE STUDENTS AT ORLEANS] - -The scholar of Noyon, consoled by this noble friendship, began to -examine more closely the university population around him. He was -surprised to see crowds of students filling the streets, caring nothing -for learning, so far as he could tell. At one time he would meet a young -lord, in tight hose, with a richly embroidered doublet, small Spanish -cloak, velvet cap, and showy dagger. This young gentleman, followed by -his servant, would take the wall, toss his head haughtily, cast -impertinent looks on each side of him, and want every one to give way to -him. Farther on came a noisy band composed of the sons of wealthy -tradesmen, who appeared to have no more taste for study than the sons of -the nobility, and who went singing and 'larking' to one of the numerous -tennis-courts, of which there were not less than forty in the city. Ten -_nations_, afterwards reduced to four, composed the university. The -German nation combined with 'the living and charming beauty of the body' -that of a mind polished by continual study. Its library was called 'the -abode of the Muses.'[6] - -Calvin made a singular figure in the midst of the world around him. His -small person and sallow face formed a strong contrast with the ruddy -features and imposing stature of Luther's fellow-countrymen. One thing, -however, delighted him: 'The university,' he said, 'is quite a -republican oasis in the midst of enslaved France.' The democratic spirit -was felt even by the young aristocrats who were at the head of each -nation, and the only undisputed authority in Orleans was that of Pierre -de l'Etoile. - -[Sidenote: ÉTOILE ON HERETICS.] - -This 'morning-star'[7] (as the registers of the Picard nation call him) -had risen above the fogs and was shining like the sun in the schools. -The great doctor combined an eminently judicial mind with an -affectionate heart; he was inflexible as a judge, and tender as a -mother. His manner of teaching possessed an inexpressible charm. As -member of the council of 1528, he had advocated the repression of -heresy; but he had no sooner met Calvin at Orleans than, attracted by -the beauty of his genius and the charms of his character, he loved him -tenderly. Although opposed to the young man's religious opinions, he was -proud of having him as his pupil, and was his friend to the last: thus -giving a touching example in the sixteenth century of that noble -christian equity which loves men while disapproving of their opinions.[8] - -Calvin, sitting on one of the benches in the school, listened -attentively to the great doctor, and imbibed certain principles whose -justice no one at that time in all christendom thought of disputing. -'The prosperity of nations,' said Pierre de l'Etoile, 'depends upon -obedience to the laws. If they punish outrages against the rights of -man, much more ought they to punish outrages against the rights of God. -What! shall the law protect a man in his body and goods, and not in his -soul and his most precious and eternal inheritance?... A thief shall not -be able to rob us of our purses, but a heretic may deprive us of -heaven!' Jurists and students, nobles and people, were all convinced -that the law ought equally to guarantee temporal and spiritual goods. -'Those insensate and furious men,' said the code which Pierre de -l'Etoile was expounding to his pupils, 'who proclaim heretical and -infamous opinions, and reject the apostolic and evangelical doctrine of -the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one only Godhead and one holy -Trinity, ought first to be delivered up to divine vengeance, and -afterwards visited with corporal punishment.[9] Is not that a _public -offence_?' added the code; 'and although committed against the -religion of God, is it not to the prejudice of all mankind?'[10] - -Pierre de l'Etoile's youthful hearers received from these words those -deep impressions which, being made while the character is forming, are -calculated to last through life. The mind of man required time to throw -off these legal prejudices, which had been the universal law of the -understanding for more than a thousand years.[11] Could it be expected -that a young disciple, rising up against the most venerable teachers, -should draw a distinction between the temporal and the spiritual sphere, -between the old and the new economy, and insist that, inasmuch as grace -had been proclaimed by virtue of the great sacrifice offered to eternal -justice, it was repugnant to the Gospel of Christ for man to avenge the -law of God by severe punishments? No: during the sixteenth, and even the -seventeenth century, almost all enlightened minds remained, in this -respect, sunk in lamentable error. - -Calvin, bashful and timid at first, gradually came round; his society -was courted, and he conversed readily with all. He was received into the -Picard nation. 'I swear,' he said, 'to guard the honour of the -university and of my nation.'[12] Yet he did not suffer himself to be -bound by the university spirit: he had a larger mind than his -fellow-students, and we find him in relation with men of all nations, -towards whom he was drawn by a community of affection and study. Etoile -gave his lessons in the monastery of Bonne Nouvelle. Calvin listened -silently to the master's words, but between the lessons he talked with -his companions, went in and out, or paced up and down the hall like the -rest. One day, going up to one of the pillars, he took out his knife and -carved a C, then an A, and at last there stood the word CALVIN, as the -historian of the university informs us. It was _Cauvin_ perhaps, -his father's name, or else _Calvinus_, for the students were fond -of latinising their names. It was not until some time after, when the -Latin word had been retranslated into French, that the Reformer bore the -more familiar name. This _Calvin_ long remained on the pillar where -the hand of the young Picard had cut it—a name of quarrels and -discussions, insulted by the devout, but respected by many. 'This -precious autograph has disappeared,' says the historian, 'with the last -vestiges of the building.'[13] - -[Sidenote: CALVIN HEAD OF THE PICARD NATION.] - -The Picards, proud of such a colleague, raised him to the highest post -in the nation—that of proctor. Calvin was thus in the front rank in the -public processions and assemblies of the university. He had to convene -meetings, examine, order, decide, execute, and sign diplomas. Instead of -assembling his _nationals_ at a jovial banquet, Calvin, who had been -struck by the disorders which had crept into these convivial meetings, -paid over to the treasurer the sum which he would have expended, and -made a present of books to the university library.[14] Erelong his -office compelled him to display that firmness of character which -distinguished him all his life. This hitherto unknown incident is worthy -of being recorded. - -Every year, on the anniversary of the Finding of the Body of St. Firmin, -the inhabitants of the little town of Beaugency, near Orleans, appeared -in the church of St. Pierre, and, after the epistle had been chanted, -handed to the proctor of the Picard nation a piece of gold called -_maille de Florence_, of two crowns' weight.[15] 'The origin of -this ancient custom,' they told Calvin, 'was this. On the 13th of -January, 687, the body of St. Firmin the martyr having been solemnly -exhumed, a marvellous change took place in nature. The trees put forth -fresh leaves and blossoms, and at the same time a supernatural odour -filled the air. Simon, lord of Beaugency, who suffered from leprosy, -having gone to the window of his castle to witness the ceremony, was -restored to health by the sweet savour. In token of his gratitude he -settled an annual offering of a gold _maille_, payable at first to -the chapter of Amiens, and afterwards to the Picard students embodied in -their nation at Orleans.'[16] - -Calvin, who blames 'the old follies and nonsense which men substitute -for the glory of Jesus Christ,' did not place great faith in this -miracle. However, as the tribute was not paid in 1527, he resolved to go -with his 'nation' and demand it. He assembled his fellow-students, and -placing a band of music and the beadles in front, he led the procession; -all his 'nationals' followed after him in a line, and in due course the -joyous troop arrived at Beaugency, where the _maille_ was placed in -his hand. It bore in front an image of John the Baptist, and on the -reverse a fleur-de-lys with the word _Florentia_. The Picard -students were satisfied, and, with their illustrious chief at their -head, resumed the road to Orleans, bringing back the golden -_maille_ in triumph, as Jason and the Argonauts had in days of yore -returned from Colchis with the golden fleece. The procession reentered -the city amid the shouts of the university. Calvin was one day to rob -the _dragon_ of a more magnificent treasure, and nations more -numerous were to show their joy by louder shouts of gladness.[17] - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S STUDIES AND FRIENDS.] - -Although Calvin would not separate from his fellow-students, he often -suffered in the midst of this noisy and dissolute multitude, and turned -with disgust from the duels, intrigues, and excesses which filled so -large a space in the student life. He preferred study, and had applied -to the law with his whole heart.[18] The vivacity of his wit, the -strength of his memory, the remarkable style in which he clothed the -lessons of his masters, the facility with which he caught up certain -expressions, certain sentences, which fell from their lips, 'the starts -and flashes of a bright mind, which he displayed at intervals,'—all -this, says a Roman-catholic historian, soon made him distinguished by -the professors.[19] - -But he was destined to find something better on the banks of the Loire: -the work begun at Paris was to be strengthened and developed at Orleans. -Calvin, always beloved by those who knew him, made numerous friends, -especially among certain men attacked by the priests, and whose faith -was full of christian meekness. Every day he had a serious conversation -with Duchemin.[20] In order to lessen his expenses, he had shared his -room with a pious German, formerly a grey friar, who having learnt, as -Luther said, that it is not the cowl of St. Francis which saves, but the -blood of Jesus Christ, had thrown off his filthy frock[21] and come to -France. The Picard student talked with him of Germany and of the -Reformation; and some persons have thought that this was what first -'perverted Calvin from the true faith.'[22] - -[Sidenote: DUCHEMIN, DANIEL, WOLMAR.] - -Next to the house of Duchemin where the wind of the new doctrine was -blowing; next to the library, whose curator, Philip Laurent, became his -friend: Calvin loved particularly to visit the family of an advocate -where three amiable, educated, and pious ladies afforded him the charms -of agreeable conversation. It was that of Francis Daniel, 'a person,' -says Beza, 'who, like Duchemin, had a knowledge of the truth.' He was a -grave and influential man, possessing inward christianity, and (perhaps -his profession of lawyer had something to do with it) of a very -conservative mind, holding both to the forms and ordinances of the -Church. Calvin, on leaving the schools, the library, and his study, used -to seek relaxation in this house. The company of educated and pious -women may have exercised a happy influence over his mind, which he would -have sought in vain in the society of the learned. And accordingly, -whenever he was away, he did not fail to remember his friend's mother, -wife, and sister Frances.[23] - -In the company of these ladies he sometimes met a young man for whom he -felt but little sympathy: he was a student from Paris, Coiffard by name, -lively, active, intelligent, but selfish.[24] How much he preferred -Daniel, in whom he found a mind so firm, a soul so elevated, and with -whom he held such profitable conversations! The two friends were agreed -on one point—the necessity of a Reformation of the Church; but they soon -came to another point which at a later day occasioned a wide divergence -between them. 'The reformation,' said the advocate, 'must be -accomplished in the Church; we must not separate from the Church.' The -intercourse between Calvin and Duchemin gradually became less frequent; -the latter, being naturally rather negligent, did not reply to his -friend's letters.[25] But Calvin's attachment for Daniel grew stronger -so long as the reformer remained in France, and to him almost all the -letters are addressed which he wrote between 1529 and 1536. - -But all these friendships did not satisfy Calvin; at Daniel's, at -Duchemin's, at the library, and wherever he went, he heard talk of a man -whom he soon burned to know, and who exercised over him more influence -than all the rest. A poor young German of Rotweil, named Melchior -Wolmar, had come to Paris, and, being forced to work for a living, had -served for some time as corrector for the press.[26] Greedy of -knowledge, the youthful reader quitted his proofs from time to time, and -slipped among the students who crowded round the illustrious John -Lascaris, Budæus, and Lefèvre. In the school of the latter he became a -sincere christian; in the school of the former, a great hellenist. When -he took his degree of M.A. along with a hundred others, he occupied the -first place. Having one day (when in Germany) to make a speech in his -mother-tongue, Wolmar asked permission to speak in Greek, because, he -said, that language was more familiar to him. He had been invited to -Orleans to teach Greek; and being poor, notwithstanding his learning, he -took into his house a small number of young children of good family. 'He -was my faithful instructor,' says one of them, Theodore Beza; 'with what -marvellous skill he gave his lessons, not only in the liberal arts, but -also in piety!'[27] His pupils did not call him _Melchior_, but -_Melior_ (better). - -[Sidenote: STUDY OF GREEK.] - -Calvin, whose exalted soul was attracted by all that is beautiful, -became attached to this distinguished professor. His father had sent him -to study civil law; but Wolmar 'solicited him to devote himself to a -knowledge of the Greek classics.' At first Calvin hesitated, but yielded -at last. 'I will study Greek,' he said, 'but as it is you that urge me, -you also must assist me.' Melchior answered that he was ready to devote -to him abundantly, not only his instruction, but his person, his life, -himself.[28] From that time Calvin made the most rapid progress in Greek -literature. The professor loved him above all his pupils.[29] In this -way he was placed in a condition to become the most illustrious -commentator of Scripture. 'His knowledge of Greek,' adds Beza, 'was of -great service to all the Church of God.' What Cordier had been to him -for Latin, Wolmar was for Greek. - -[Footnote 1: 'Jurisconsultorum Gallorum princeps.'—Bezæ _Vita -Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 2: 'Jam dedisti nomen inter rei litterariæ professores.'— -Calvinus Chemino, Berne MSS. This letter will be found in the _Letters -of John Calvin_, published in English at Philadelphia, by the learned -Dr. Jules Bonnet, to whom I am indebted for the communication of the -Latin manuscripts.] - -[Footnote 3: 'In ea natus es dexteritate, quæ nihil imprudenter -præjudicare soleat.'—Calvinus Chemino.] - -[Footnote 4: 'Mi Chemine! amice mi! mea vita charior!'—Calvinus Chemino.] - -[Footnote 5: 'Vide ne desidem te faciat tuus pudor!'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 6: Le Maire, _Antiquités d'Orléans_, i. p. 388.—_Theod. -Beza_ von Baum, i. p. 27.] - -[Footnote 7: 'Ille quasi stella matutina in medio nebulæ et quasi sol -refulgens emicuit.'—Bimbenet, _Histoire de l'Université des Lois -d'Orléans_, p. 357.] - -[Footnote 8: Ibid. pp. 354-357.] - -[Footnote 9: 'Hæretici divina primum vindicta, post etiam ... ultione -plectendi.'—_Justiniani Codicis_ lib. i. tit. i.: _De summa Trinitate, -et ut nemo de ea publice contradicere audeat_.] - -[Footnote 10: 'Publicum crimen, quia quod in religionem divinam -committitur in omnium fertur injuriam.'—Ibid. tit. v.: _De Hæreticis_.] - -[Footnote 11: The Justinian code dates from 529 A.D., just a thousand -years before the time of Calvin's studies; but the greater part of the -laws contained in it were of older date.] - -[Footnote 12: Bimbenet, _Hist. de l'Univ. des Lois d'Orléans_, p. 30.] - -[Footnote 13: Bimbenet, _Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans_, p. 358. The -prefecture now occupies the site of Bonne Nouvelle.] - -[Footnote 14: Ibid. pp. 40, 41, 51, 52, 358.] - -[Footnote 15: This _maille_ was probably the gold florin of Florence. -The _giglio fiorentino_ is the badge of this city, and John the Baptist -its patron. - - 'La lega suggellata del Batista,' - -says Dante in the _Inferno_, xxx. 74.] - -[Footnote 16: M. Bimbenet, chief greffier to the Imperial Court of -Orleans, gives this tradition in his _Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans_, -pp. 161, 162, 179-358.] - -[Footnote 17: _Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans_, pp. 173, 176, 179.] - -[Footnote 18: 'Ut patris voluntati obsequerer, fidelem operam impendere -conatus sum.'—Calv. _in Psalm_.] - -[Footnote 19: 'Singularem ingenii alacritatem,' &c.—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. -de l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. ix.] - -[Footnote 20: 'Longa consuetudine diuturnoque usu.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 21: 'Läusige Kappe.'] - -[Footnote 22: _Remarques sur la Vie de Calvin, Hérésiarque_, by J. -Desmay, vicar-general, p. 43.] - -[Footnote 23: 'Saluta matrem, uxorem, sororem Franciscam.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 24: 'De Coiffartio quid aliud dicam, nisi hominem esse sibi -natum?'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva MSS.] - -[Footnote 25: _Calvin's Letters_, Philadelphia, i. p. 32.] - -[Footnote 26: Wolmar, _Commentaire sur l'Iliade_.] - -[Footnote 27: Beza, _Vie de Calvin et Histoire des Eglises Réformées_, -i. p. 67.] - -[Footnote 28: 'Quam liberaliter paratus fueris te mihi officiaque tua -impendere.'—Calv. _in 2ᵃᵐ Ep. ad Cor._] - -[Footnote 29: 'Præ cæteris discipulis diligere ac magnifacere eum -cœpit.'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. ix.] - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - CALVIN TAUGHT AT ORLEANS OF GOD AND MAN; BEGINS TO - DEFEND AND PROPAGATE THE FAITH. - (1528.) - - -Calvin was to receive something more from Wolmar; he was about to begin, -under his guidance, the work of all his life—to learn and to teach -Christ. The knowledge which he acquired at the university of Orleans, -philosophy, law, and even Greek, could not suffice him. The moral -faculty is the first in man, and ought to be the first in the university -also. The object of the Reformation was to found, not an intellectual, -but a moral empire; it was to restore holiness to the Church. This -empire had begun in Calvin; his conscience had been stirred; he had -sought salvation and found it; but he had need of knowledge, of increase -in grace, of practice in life, and these he was about to strive after. - -[Sidenote: WOLMAR AND CALVIN STUDY THE EPISTLES.] - -Melchior, like Melanchthon, had set himself to study the Holy Scriptures -in the original languages, and in them had found light and peace. -Calvin, on his side, 'having acquired some taste for true piety,' as he -informs us, 'was burning with a great desire to advance.'[30] The most -intimate confidence and the freest communication were established -between the professor and the scholar. Melchior spoke to Calvin of -Germany and the Reformation; he read the Greek Testament with him, set -before him the riches of Christ announced therein, and, when studying -the Epistles of St. Paul, explained to him the doctrine of imputed -righteousness which forms the essence of their teaching. Calvin, seated -in his master's study, listened in silence, and respectfully embraced -that mystery so strange and yet so profoundly in harmony with the -righteousness of God!... 'By faith,' said Wolmar, 'man is united to -Christ and Christ to him, so that it is no longer man whom God sees in -the sinner, but his dearly beloved Son himself; and the act by virtue of -which God makes the sinner an inheritor of heaven, is not an arbitrary -one. The doctrine of justification,' added Wolmar, 'is in Luther's -opinion the capital doctrine, _articulus stantis vel cadentis -Ecclesiæ._'[31] - -But Calvin's chief teacher was God. At Orleans he had more of those -struggles, which are often prolonged in strong natures. Some take him -simply for a metaphysical thinker, a learned and subtle theologian; on -the contrary, no other doctor has had more experience of those tempests -that stir up the heart to its lowest deeps. 'I feel myself pricked and -stung to the quick by the judgment of God. I am in a continual battle; I -am assaulted and shaken, as when an armed man is forced by a violent -blow to stagger a few steps backwards.' The light which had rejoiced him -so much when he was in college at Paris, seemed almost to have faded -away. 'I am like a wretched man shut up in a deep dungeon, who receives -the light of day obliquely and in part, only through a high and narrow -loop-hole.' He persevered, however; he fixed his eyes on Jesus, and was -soon able to say: 'If I have not the full and free sight of the sun, I -distinguish however his light afar, and enjoy its brightness.'[32] - -People at Orleans soon found out that there was something new and -strange in this young man. It was in this city, in the year 1022, that -the revival of modern times, if we may so speak, had begun among the -heads of a school of theology at that time very celebrated. Priests and -canons had told the people who listened to them, both in Orleans and in -the neighbouring towns, 'that they ought to be filled with the gift of -the Holy Spirit; that this Spirit would reveal to them all the depths -and all the dignity of the Scriptures;[33] that they would be fed with -heavenly food and refreshed by an inward fulness.'[34] These -_heretics_ had been put to death at Orleans. Would they be seen -rising again, after more than five centuries, in the city and even in -the university? Many doctors and students opposed Calvin: 'You are a -schismatic,' they said; 'you are separating from the Church!' Calvin, -alarmed at these accusations, was a prey to fresh anguish. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S ANGUISH AND HUMILITY.] - -Then, as he informs us, he began to meditate on the Psalms, and in the -struggles of David he found an image of his own: 'Ah!' he exclaimed, -'the Holy Spirit has here painted to the life all the pains, sorrows, -fears, doubts, hopes, anxieties, perplexities, and even the confused -emotions with which my mind is wont to be agitated.... This book is an -anatomy of all the parts of the soul.... There is no affection in man -which is not here represented as in a glass.'[35] This man, whom the -Romish and other legends describe as vain, proud, and insensible, -desired to see himself as he was, without screening any of his faults. -'Of the many infirmities to which we are subject,' he said, 'and of the -many vices of which we are full, not one ought to be hidden. Ah! truly -it is an excellent and singular gain, when all the hiding-places are -laid open, and the heart is brought into the light and thoroughly -cleansed of all hypocrisy and foul infection.'[36] - -Such are the principles by which the Reformation has triumphed. Its -great organs desired that men's hearts should be 'cleansed of all foul -infection.' It is a singular delusion of those writers who, seeing -things otherwise than they are, ascribe this divine work to vile -interests and base passions. According to them, its causes were jealousy -of the Augustine monks, the ambition of princes, the greed of nobles, -and the carnal passions of priests, which, however, as we have seen, had -but too free scope during the middle ages. A searching glance into the -souls of the Reformers lays bare to us the cause of the revival. If the -writers of whom I have spoken were right, the Reformation ought not to -have waited until Luther for its accomplishment; for there had existed -for ages in christendom ambitious princes, greedy nobles, jealous monks, -and impure priests. But what was really a new thing was to find men who, -like the reformers, opened their hearts to the light of the Holy Spirit, -believed in the Word of God, found Jesus Christ, esteemed everything in -comparison with him as loss, lived the life of God, and desired that -'all hiding-places should be laid open,' and men's hearts cleansed of -all hypocrisy. Such were the true sources of the Reformation. - -The adversaries of the Gospel understood the danger incurred by the -Church of Rome from the principles professed by Calvin; and hence they -called him wicked and profane, and, as he says, 'heaped upon his head a -world of abuse.' They said that he ought to be expelled from the Church. -Then the student, 'cast down but not destroyed,' retiring to his -chamber, would exclaim: 'If I am at war with such masters, I am not, -however, at war with thy Church, O God! Why should I hesitate to -separate from these false teachers whom the apostles call thy -enemies?[37]... When cursed by the unrighteous priests of their day, did -not thy prophets remain in the true unity of thy children? Encouraged by -their example, I will resist those who oppress us, and neither their -threats nor their denunciations shall shake me.'[38] - -[Sidenote: PHASES OF CALVIN'S CONVERSION.] - -The conversion of Calvin, begun at Paris, was completed at Orleans. -There are, as we have said, several phases in this work. The first is -that of the conscience, where the soul is aroused; the second is that of -the understanding, where the mind is enlightened; then comes the last, -where the new man is built up, where he strikes deeper root in Christ, -and bears fruit to God. At Paris, Calvin had heard in his heart the -divine voice calling him to eternal life; at Orleans, he constantly -studied the Holy Scriptures,[39] and became 'learned in the knowledge of -salvation,' as Theodore Beza tells us. The Church herself has gone -through similar phases: the first epoch of her history, that of the -apostolic fathers,[40] was that of simple piety without the scientific -element; the second, the age of the apologists, was that of a christian -understanding seeking to justify its faith in the eyes of reason. Calvin -had followed this road; but he did not give way to an intellectualism -which would have brought back death into his heart. On the contrary, the -third phase began immediately, and from day to day the christian life -became in him more spiritual and more active. - -The conversion of Calvin and of the other reformers—we must insist upon -this point—was not simply a change wrought by study in their thoughts -and in their system. Calvin did not set himself the task of inventing a -new theology, as his adversaries have asserted. We do not find him -coldly meditating on the Church, curiously examining the Scriptures, and -seeking in them a means of separating a portion of christendom from -Rome. The Reformation was not the fruit of abstract reasoning; it -proceeded from an inward labour, a spiritual combat, a victory which the -reformers won by the sweat of their brow, or rather ... of their heart. -Instead of composing his doctrine chapter after chapter, Calvin, -thirsting for righteousness and peace, found it in Christ. 'Placed as in -the furnace of God (they are his own words), the scum and filth of his -faith were thus purified.' Calvin was put into the crucible, and the new -truth came forth, burning and shining like gold, from the travail of his -melted soul. In order to comprehend the productions of nature or of art, -we must study closely the secrets of their formation. We have on a -former occasion sought to discover the generative principle of the -Reformation in the heart of Luther; we are now striving to discern it in -Calvin also. Convictions, affections, intelligence, activity—all these -were now in process of formation in that admirable genius under the -life-giving rays of truth. - -[Sidenote: 'I SACRIFICE MY HEART TO THEE.'] - -There came a moment when Calvin, desirous of possessing God alone, -renounced the world, which, from that time, has never ceased to hate -him: 'I have not sued thee by my love, O Christ,' he said; 'thou hast -loved me of thy free will. Thou hast shone into my soul, and then -everything that dazzled my eyes by a false splendour immediately -disappeared, or at least I take no count of it. As those who travel by -sea, when they find their ship in danger, throw everything overboard, in -order that, having lightened the vessel, they may arrive safely in port; -in like manner I prefer being stripped of all that I have, rather than -be deprived of thee. I would rather live poor and miserable than be -drowned with my riches. Having cast my goods into the waves, I begin to -have hope of escape since the vessel is lightened.... I come to thee -naked and empty.... And what I find in thee is not a trifling vulgar -gain: I find everything there.'[41] Thus lifting up his hands to God, -Calvin offered the sacrifice of a heart burning with love. He made this -grand thought the charter of his nobility, his blazon, and engraving -this design on his seal, a hand presenting a heart in sacrifice, he -wrote round it: _Cor meum velut mactatum Domino in sacrificium -offero_—'O Lord, I offer unto thee as a sacrifice my heart immolated to -thee.' Such was his device—such was his life. - -The eyes of many began already to be turned upon him with admiration. -The surprising clearness of his mind, the powerful convictions of his -heart, the energy of his regenerated will, the strength of his -reasoning, the luminous flashes of his genius, and the severe beauties -of his eloquence—all betokened in him one of the great men of the age. -'A wonderful mind!' says Florimond de Rémond, one of his chief -adversaries, 'a mind keen and subtle to the highest degree, prompt and -sudden in its imaginations! What a praiseworthy man he would have been, -if, sifting away the vices (heresy), the virtues alone could have been -retained!'[42] There was doubtless something wanting in Calvin: he may -not have had that smiling imagination which, at the age he had now -reached, generally gilds life with the most brilliant colours; the world -appeared to him one wide shipwreck. But, possessing the glance of the -eagle, he discovered a deliverance in the future, and his powerful hand, -strengthened by God, was about to prepare the great transformations of -the Church and of the world. - -He was indefatigable in labour. When the day was ended, and his -companions indulged in dissipation or in sleep, Calvin, restricting -himself to a slight repast for fear of oppressing his head, withdrew to -his room and sat down to study the Scriptures. At midnight he -extinguished his lamp,[43] and early in the morning, when he awoke and -before he left his bed, he 'ruminated,' says Beza, on what he had read -and learnt the night before.[44] 'We were his friends, we shared his -room with him,' said Theodore Beza's informants. 'We only tell you what -we have seen.'—'Alas!' adds the reformer, 'these long vigils, which so -wonderfully developed his faculties and enriched his memory, weakened -his health, and laid the foundation of those sufferings and frequent -illnesses which shortened his days.'[45] - -[Sidenote: CALVIN SOUGHT AS A TEACHER.] - -His taste for Holy Scripture did not divert Calvin from the study of -law. He was unwilling that the labours of his profession should suffer -in any degree from the labours of piety. He made such remarkable -progress in jurisprudence that he was soon looked upon, by both students -and professors, as a master and not as a scholar.[46] One day, Pierre de -l'Etoile begged him to give a lesson in his place; and the young man of -nineteen or twenty discharged his duty with so much skill and clearness, -that he was considered as destined to become the greatest jurist in -France. The professors often employed him as their substitute.[47] - -To knowledge he joined communion. While still continuing to follow the -lessons of Etoile, Calvin 'sought the company of the faithful servants -of God,' as he tells us. All the children of God (he thought) should be -united together by a bond of brotherly union. He mixed also with -everybody, even with the gainsayers, and if they attacked the great -doctrines of Gospel truth, he defended them. But he did not put himself -forward. He could discern when, how far, and to whom it was expedient to -speak, and never exposed the doctrine of Christ to the jeers of the -unbeliever by imprudence or by the fears of the flesh. When he opened -his mouth, every one of his words struck home. 'Nobody can withstand -him,' they said, 'when he has the Bible in his hand.' - -Students who felt a difficulty in believing, townspeople who could not -understand, went and begged him to teach them.[48] He was abashed. 'I am -but a poor recruit,' he said, 'and you address me as if I were a -general.'[49] As these requests were constantly renewed, Calvin tried to -find some hiding-place where he could read, meditate, and pray, secure -from interruption.[50] At one time it was the room of a friend, a nook -in the university library, or some shady retreat on the banks of the -river. But he was hardly absorbed in meditation or in the study of -Scripture, before he found himself surrounded by persons eager to hear -him, and who refused to withdraw. 'Alas!' he exclaimed, 'all my -hiding-places are turned into public schools.'[51] - -Accordingly he sought still more private retreats; for he wished to -understand before he taught. The French love to see clearly into things; -but their defect in this respect is that they often do not go deep -enough, or fail to observe that by going deep they arrive at truths in -whose presence the most eminent minds ought to confess their -insufficiency and believe in the revelation from God. In the middle ages -there had been men who wished to bring the mysteries of the catholic -faith to the test of reason;[52] Abelard was at the head of that -phalanx. Calvin was not a new Abelard. He did not presume to fathom -impenetrable mysteries, but sought in Scripture the light and the life -of his soul. - -[Sidenote: HE TEACHES IN PRIVATE FAMILIES.] - -His admirers returned to him. Several citizens of Orleans opened their -houses to him, saying: 'Come and teach openly the salvation of man.' -Calvin shrank back. 'Let no one disturb my repose,' he said; 'leave me -in peace.' His repose, that is to say his studies, were his only -thought. But these souls, thirsting for truth, did not yield so easily. -'A repose of darkness!' replied the most ardent; 'an ignoble peace![53] -Come and preach!' Calvin remembered the saying of St. Chrysostom: -'Though a thousand persons should call you, think of your own weakness, -and obey only under constraint.'[54] 'Well, then, we constrain you,' -answered his friends. 'O God! what desirest thou of me?' Calvin would -exclaim at such moments. 'Why dost thou pursue me? Why dost thou turn -and disturb me, and never leave me at rest? Why, despite my disposition, -dost thou lead me to the light and bring me into play?'[55] Calvin gave -way, however, and understood that it was his duty to publish the Gospel. -He went to the houses of his friends. A few men, women, and young people -gathered round him, and he began to explain the Scriptures. It was quite -a new order of teaching: there were none of those distinctions and -deductions of scholastic science, at that time so familiar to the -preachers. The language of the young man possessed an admirable -simplicity, a piercing vitality, and a holy majesty which captivated the -heart. 'He teaches the truth,' said his hearers as they withdrew, 'not -in affected language, but with such depth, solidity, and weight, that -every one who hears him is struck with admiration.' These are the words -of a contemporary of Calvin, who lived on the spot, and in the very -circle in which the Reformer then moved. 'While at Orleans,' adds this -friend, Theodore Beza, 'Calvin, chosen from that time to be an -instrument of election in the Lord's work, wonderfully advanced the -kingdom of God in many families.'[56] - -It was at Orleans, therefore, that Calvin began his evangelist work and -manifested himself to the world as a christian. Calvin's activity in -this city is a proof that he was then converted to the Gospel, and that -he had been so for some time; for his was not one of those expansive -natures which immediately display externally what is within them. This -first ministry of the reformer negatives the hypotheses which place -Calvin's conversion at Orleans, or at Bourges somewhat later, or, even -later still, during his second residence at Paris. - -Thus the young doctor, growing in knowledge and acting in love, refuted -the objections of the gainsayers, and led to Christ the humble souls who -thirsted for salvation. A domestic event suddenly withdrew him from this -pious activity. - -[Footnote 30: Calvin, _Préface aux Psaumes_.] - -[Footnote 31: ('The touch-stone of a standing or of a falling Church.') -'Wolmarus lutheranum virus Calvino instillabat.'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de -l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. ix.] - -[Footnote 32: Calvin, _Institution_, liv. iii. ch. ii. 17-19.] - -[Footnote 33: 'Sancti Spiritus dono repleberis, qui scripturarum omnium -profunditatem ac veram dignitatem te docebit.'—Mansi, _Gesta Synodi -Aurelianensis_, xix. p. 376.] - -[Footnote 34: 'Deinde cœlesti cibo pastus, interna satietate -recreatus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 35: Calvin, _Préface des Commentaires sur les Psaumes_.] - -[Footnote 36: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 37: 'Quos pronuntiabant apostoli esse habendos pro hostibus, -ab iis cur dubitassem me sejungere?'—_Opusc. Lat._ p. 124; _Franç._ -p. 169.] - -[Footnote 38: _Opuscules._] - -[Footnote 39: 'Interea tamen ille sacrarum litterarum studium simul -diligenter excolere in quo tantum etiam promoverat.'—Bezæ _Vita -Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 40: From 70 to 130 A.D.] - -[Footnote 41: Calvin, _in Ep. Johan._; _Pauli ad Philip._ &c.] - -[Footnote 42: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. x.] - -[Footnote 43: 'Ad mediam usque noctem lucubrare.'—Bezæ _Vita -Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 44: 'Mane vero, quæ legisset, in lecto veluti concoquere.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 45: 'Et tandem etiam intempestivam mortem attulit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 46: 'Doctor potiusquam auditor haberetur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 47: 'Quum sæpissime obiret ipsorum doctorum vices.'—Bezæ -_Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 48: 'Omnes purioris doctrinæ cupidi ad me, discendi causa, -ventitabant.'—_Præf. in Psalm._] - -[Footnote 49: 'Novitium adhuc et tyronem.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 50: 'Tunc latebras captare.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 51: 'Ut mihi secessus omnes instar publicæ scholæ essent.'— -_Præf. in Psalm._] - -[Footnote 52: 'Catholicæ fidei mysteria ratione investiganda.'—Abelard, -_Introd. ad Theol._ p. 1059.] - -[Footnote 53: 'Ignobile otium colere.'—_Præf. in Psalm._] - -[Footnote 54: Chrysostomus, _De Sacerdotio_, lib. iv.] - -[Footnote 55: Calv. _Præf. in Psalm._ p. 3.] - -[Footnote 56: Théod. de Bèze, _Histoire des Eglises Réformées_, p. 6.] - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - CALVIN CALLED AT BOURGES TO THE EVANGELICAL WORK. - (1528-1529.) - - -[Sidenote: CALVIN LEAVES ORLEANS.] - -One day, probably at the beginning of April 1528, about the Easter -holidays, Calvin received a letter from Noyon. He opened it: it -contained sad news! his father was seriously ill. He went at once to -Duchemin in great agitation: 'I must depart,' he said. This friend, and -many others, would have wished to keep him in a place where he had -become so useful; but he did not hesitate. He must go to his father; he -would, however, only stay as long as was necessary; as soon as the sick -man was better, he would come back. 'I promise you to return shortly,' -he said to Duchemin.[57] Calvin, therefore, bade farewell to his -cherished studies, to his beloved friends, and those pious families in -which he was advancing the kingdom of God, and returned to Picardy. - -We have but few particulars of his sojourn at Noyon. Assuredly his -filial piety indulged at his father's bedside in what has been termed -with reason the sweetest form of gratitude. Yet the weak condition of -the episcopal secretary was prolonged, without any appearance of -imminent danger. A question began to rise up in the young man's heart: -shall he go, or shall he stay?[58] Sometimes, when seated by the sick -man's pillow during the watches of the night, his thoughts would -transport him to Orleans, into the midst of his studies and the society -of his friends; he felt himself impelled, as by a vigorous hand, towards -the places that were so dear to him, and he made in his mind all the -arrangements necessary for his return.[59]... Suddenly his father's -disease grew worse, and the son did not quit the sufferer's bedside. The -old secretary, 'a man of sound understanding and good counsel,' says -Beza, was much respected by those around him, and love for the author of -his days was profoundly engraven in the young man's soul. 'The title of -father belongs to God,' he said; 'when God gives it to a man, he -communicates to him some sparks of his own brightness.'[60] - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S FIRST LETTER.] - -Erelong a crisis appeared to take place; the doctors held out hopes: the -patient might recover his health, they said.[61] Calvin's thoughts and -desires were turned once more towards Orleans; he would have wished to -go there instantly,[62] but duty was still the strongest, and he -resolved to wait until his father's convalescence was complete. Thus one -day after another glided away.[63] Alas! the doctors were deceived. -'There is no longer any hope of a cure,' they soon told him; 'your -father's death cannot be far off.'[64] Calvin, therefore, determined -(14th of May, 1528) to write to Duchemin, which he had not yet done -since his departure. It is the first of the reformer's letters that has -been handed down to us. 'You know,' he says, 'that I am very exact in my -correspondence, and that I carry it even to importunity.[65] You will be -astonished, perhaps, that I have been wanting in my extreme punctuality; -but when you know the cause, you will restore to me your friendship, -should I perchance have forfeited it.' He then tells Duchemin of his -father's condition, and adds: 'Happen what may, I will see you -again.'[66] What did happen is not very clear. Calvin was at Noyon, as -we have seen, on the 14th of May, 1528; perhaps he remained all the -summer with the sick man. It has been concluded from this letter to -Duchemin that Gerard Calvin died shortly after the 14th of May; at that -time _the approach of death_ was certain, according to the doctors; -but doctors may be mistaken. According to Theodore Beza, he died during -his son's residence at Bourges, nine or ten months later, and a passage -from Calvin, which we shall quote further on, confirms Beza's testimony, -of itself so decisive. - -One circumstance, which has some interest, seems to show that Calvin was -not at Orleans during the latter part of this year. On the 5th of -December, 1528,[67] eight months after his sudden departure, a boy eight -or nine years old arrived at Melchior Wolmar's house in that city. He -had a sickly look, but was a well-made child, playful and well-bred, -with a keen glance and lively wit. This boy, who was one day to be -Calvin's best friend, belonged to a Burgundian family. His father, -Pierre de Beza, was bailli of Vezelay, a very old town, where the child -was born on the 24th of June, 1519,[68] and received the name of -Theodore. One of his uncles, named Nicholas, seignior of Cette and of -Chalonne, and councillor of parliament, having paid the bailli a visit a -few months after the child's birth, adopted him, being an unmarried man, -and took him to Paris, although he had not been weaned.[69] Nine years -later (1528), at the recommendation of an Orleanese, who was connected -with the Bezas and a member of the royal council, the uncle sent his -nephew to Wolmar, who was described to him as very learned in Greek and -of great experience in education. Nothing in Calvin's biography written -by Beza indicates that the latter met Calvin at that time at Orleans. -When Margaret of Valois, who was Duchess of Berry, endeavoured about -this time to gather together a number of pious and learned men in her -university of Bourges, she invited Wolmar there;[70] and it was here -that young Beza saw Calvin for the first time. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN GOES TO BOURGES.] - -The scholar, set at liberty by the apparent restoration of his father's -health, had once more turned his thoughts towards his studies. He -desired to take advantage of the instruction of a doctor whose -reputation surpassed even that of Pierre de l'Etoile. All the learned -world was at that time talking of Alciati of Milan, whom the king had -invited to Bourges, and to attend whose brilliant lessons the academic -youth flocked from every quarter. Calvin had other motives besides this -for going to that city. Under Margaret's influence, Berry had become a -centre of evangelisation. Returning, therefore, to Orleans, he made -known his intention of going to Bourges, and the professors of the -university where he had studied, and even taught with credit, -unanimously offered him the degree of doctor. It would appear that his -modesty did not permit him to accept it.[71] - -There were fewer resources at Bourges than at Orleans. 'As we cannot -live as we wish,' said the students, 'we live as we can.' Everything was -dear: board alone cost one hundred francs a year.[72] 'France is truly a -golden country,' bitterly remarked a poor scholar, 'for without gold you -can get nothing.' But the Noyon student cared little for the comforts of -life; intellectual and spiritual wealth satisfied him. He was anxious to -hear Alciati, and was surprised to find him a tall corpulent man, with -no very thoughtful look. 'He is a great eater,' said one of his -neighbours, 'and very covetous.'[73] Intelligence and imagination, -rather than sentiment, were his characteristics: he was a great jurist -and also a great poet. Mingling literature with his explanation of the -laws, and substituting an elegant style for barbarism of language, he -gave quite a new _éclat_ to the study of the law. Calvin listened -with admiration. Five years later Alciati returned to Italy, allured by -greater emoluments and greater honours. - -Erelong Calvin gave himself up entirely to other thoughts. Bourges had -become, under Margaret's government, the centre of the new doctrine in -France; and he was accordingly struck by the movement of the minds -around him. There was discussing, and speaking, and assembling, wherever -the sound of the Gospel could be heard. On Sunday students and citizens -crowded the two churches where Chaponneau and Michel preached. Calvin -went with the rest, and found the christian truth pretty fairly set -forth 'considering the time.'[74] During the week, evangelical truth was -taught in the university by Gamaire, a learned priest, and by -Bournonville, prior of St. Ambrose. - -[Sidenote: WOLMAR'S APPEAL TO CALVIN.] - -But nothing attracted Calvin like Wolmar's house. It would appear that -this scholar had arrived at Bourges before him.[75] It was there that -Calvin met young Beza, and then began in Theodore's heart that filial -piety which continued all his life, and that admiration which he -professed afterwards in one of his Latin poems, where he calls Calvin - - Romæ ruentis terror ille maximus.[76] - -And truly Calvin was training for this. If Wolmar at Orleans had -confirmed the christian faith in him, Wolmar at Bourges was the first -who invited him distinctly to enter upon the career of a reformer. The -German doctor communicated to the young man the books which he received -from beyond the Rhine—the writings of Luther, Melanchthon, and other -evangelical men.[77] Wolmar, modest, gentle, and a foreigner, did not -think himself called to do in France what these illustrious servants of -God were doing in Germany: but he asked himself whether there was not -some Frenchman called by God to reform France; whether Lefèvre's young -fellow-countryman, who united a great understanding with a soul so full -of energy, might not be the man for whom this work was reserved. - -Wolmar seems to have been to Calvin what Staupitz was to Luther; both -these doctors felt the need of minds of a strong temper for the great -things that were about to take place in the world. One day, therefore, -the professor invited the student to take a walk with him, and the two -friends, leaving behind them that old city, burnt down by Cæsar and -Chilperic, rebuilt by Charlemagne, and enlarged by Philip Augustus, drew -near the banks of the Auron, at its confluence with the Yèvre, and -strolled here and there among the fertile plains of Berry.[78] At last -Wolmar said to Calvin, 'What do you propose doing, my friend? Shall the -Institutes, the Novels, the Pandects absorb your life? Is not theology -the queen of all sciences, and does not God call you to explain his Holy -Scriptures?'[79] What new ideas then started up before Calvin! At Paris -he had renounced the priesthood, and at Bourges Wolmar urged him to the -ministry.... What should he do? - -This was quite another calling. In the theocratic and legal Church, the -priest is the means by which man is restored to communion with God. The -special priesthood, with which he is invested, is the condition on which -depends the virtue of the sacraments and of all the means of grace. -Possessed of a magical power, he works the greatest of miracles at the -altar, and whoever does not partake in the ministrations of this -priesthood can have no share in redemption. The Reformation of the -sixteenth century, by setting aside the formal and theocratic Church of -Rome, which was shaped in the image of the Jewish theocracy, and by -substituting for it the Evangelical Church, conformably to the -principles of Christ and his apostles, transformed the ministry also. -The service of the Word became its centre—the means by which, with the -aid of the Holy Ghost, all its functions were discharged. This -evangelical ministry was to work its miracles also; but whilst those of -the legal ministry proceed from a mysterious virtue in the priesthood, -and are accomplished upon earthly elements, those of the evangelical -ministry are wrought freely by the divine Word, and by a heartfelt faith -in the great love of God, which that ministry proclaims,—strange -spiritual miracles, effected within the soul, transforming the man and -not the bread, and making him a new creature, destined to dwell -eternally with God. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN HESITATES.] - -Did Calvin at this time see clearly the difference between the Roman -priesthood and the Gospel ministry? We doubt it. It was not until later -that his ideas became clear upon this important point. The notion, -however, of abandoning not only the priesthood, but also the study of -the law for the Gospel, was not new to him. More than once in his -retirement, he had already asked himself: 'Shall I not preach Christ to -the world?' But he had always shrunk away humble and timid from this -ministry. 'All men are not suited for it,' he said; 'a special vocation -is necessary, and no one ought to take it upon himself rashly.'[80] -Calvin, like St. Augustin, the ancient doctor whom he most resembled -(the irregularities excepted which mark the youth of the bishop of -Hippona), feared to undertake a charge beyond his strength. He thought -also that his father would never consent to his abandoning the law and -joining the heretics. And yet he felt himself daily more inclined to -entertain the great questions of conscience and christian liberty, of -divine sovereignty and self-renunciation. 'So great a desire of -advancing in the knowledge of Christ consumed me at that time,' he said, -'that I pursued my other studies very coldly.'[81] A domestic event was -soon to give him liberty to enter upon the new career to which God and -Wolmar were calling him.[82] - -Nor was this the only call he received at Bourges. Wolmar had spoken of -him, and several families invited him to their houses to edify them. -This took the young man by surprise, as it had done at Orleans; he -remained silent, lost in the multitude of his thoughts. 'I am quite -amazed,' he said, 'at seeing those who have a desire for pure doctrine -gather round me to learn, although I have only just begun to learn -myself!' He resolved, however, to continue at Bourges the evangelical -work which he had timidly commenced on the banks of the Loire; and he -brought more time and more decision to the task. - -[Sidenote: THE PREACHERS IN BERRY.] - -Calvin accordingly entered into relations with students and townspeople, -nobles and lawyers, priests and professors. The family of the Colladons -held at that time a considerable station in Berry. Two brothers, Leo and -Germain, and two sisters, Mary and Anne, were the first to embrace the -Gospel in Berry. Leo and Germain were advocates, and one of their -cousins, styled Germain II. in the genealogies, now eighteen years old, -afterwards became Calvin's intimate friend at Geneva. These ties of -friendship had probably begun at Bourges.[83] - -The evangelist soon extended his christian activity beyond the walls of -the city. Many natives of Berry, who had heard him at Bourges, had been -charmed with his addresses. 'Come and preach these beautiful words to -us,' they said. Calvin gradually laid aside his natural timidity, and -being cheerful and fond of walking, he visited the castles and -villages.[84] He introduced himself affectionately into all the houses -at which he stopped. 'A graceful salutation,' he said in after years, -'serves as an introduction to converse with people.'[85] He delivered -several sermons in these hamlets and country-seats. - -On the banks of the Arnon, ten leagues from Bourges, there stands a -little town named Lignières, at that time the seat of a considerable -lordship.[86] Every year certain monks came to preach in the parish -church, and were bountifully received at the château, where they -complained of their wretchedness in the most pitiable tone. This -offended the lord of Lignières, who was not of a superstitious -character. 'If I am not mistaken,' he said, 'it is with a view to their -own gain that these monks pretend to be such drudges.'[87] Disgusted -with their hypocrisy, M. de Lignières begged Calvin to come and preach -in their stead. The law-student spoke to an immense crowd with such -clearness, freedom, depth, and vitality, that every one was moved.[88] -'Upon my word,' said the lord to his wife, 'Master John Calvin seems to -me to preach better than the monks, and he goes heartily to work -too.'[89] - -[Sidenote: RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT AT BOURGES.] - -When the priests saw the young evangelist so well received, they cried -out and intrigued against him, and did all in their power to get him put -into prison.[90] It was at Bourges that Calvin began to see that -'everything among men is full of vexation.' He said: 'By the assaults -made against them, Christ sounds the trumpet to his followers, in order -that they may prepare themselves more cheerfully for battle.'[91] - -In this way Calvin laboured in the town, in the villages, and in the -châteaux, conversing tenderly with children, preaching to adults, and -training heroes and martyrs. But the same circumstance which had taken -him away from Orleans, suddenly occurred at Bourges. One day he received -a letter from Noyon, written probably by his brother Anthony. Alas! his -father was dead! and he was far from him, unable to lavish upon him the -attentions of his filial piety. 'While he was at Bourges his father -died,' says Theodore Beza, 'and he was obliged to return to Noyon.'[92] -The death was very sudden.[93] Calvin did not hesitate; he bade farewell -to Berry, to those pious families which he had edified, to his studies, -and to his friends. 'You held out your hand to me,' he said to Wolmar, -'and were ready to support me from one end to the other of my course; -but my father's death takes me away from our conversations and our -lessons.'[94] - -Bourges did not fall back into darkness after Calvin's departure. A -venerable doctor, named Michel Simon, perhaps that _Michel_ whom we -have already mentioned, displayed a holy boldness notwithstanding his -age. One day a Pelagian cordelier (as all the doctors of that order are) -had effrontery enough to maintain that man can be saved by his natural -strength alone. Simon confronted him, and succeeded in getting it laid -down that in the public disputations every proposition must be -established by the text of Scripture. This gave a new impulse to -theological studies. - -The priests came to an understanding with one another, and made their -preparations without saying a word. On the following Sunday, Michel -Simon, having entered the pulpit, was about to begin his sermon, when -the curé, with his vicars and choristers, entered the choir, and began -to chant the office for the dead. It was impossible either to preach or -to hear. The exasperated students rushed into the choir, threw the books -about, upset the lecterns, and drove out the priests, who ran off 'in -great disorder.' Simon, who remained master of the field, delivered his -sermon, and, to the surprise of his hearers, ended by repeating the -Lord's prayer _in French_, without adding the _Ave Maria_! Whereupon a -man, sitting in one of the upper stalls (he was the king's proctor), -stood up, and with a sonorous voice began: _Ave Maria, gratia_.... He -could not complete the sentence. A universal shout interrupted him; the -women, who are easily excited, caught up their little stools, crowded -round the proctor, and shook them over his head. These people were -catholics, disgusted with the priests, not with the disciples of the -Saviour. - -While the student of Noyon was devoting himself to the preaching of the -Gospel, extreme danger threatened him who had been his forerunner in -this work. - -[Footnote 57: 'Quod tibi promiseram discedens me brevi adfuturum.'— -Calvinus Chemino, May 14, 1528, Berne MS.] - -[Footnote 58: 'Ea me expectatio diutius suspensum habuit.'—Calvinus -Chemino.] - -[Footnote 59: 'Nam dum reditum ad vos meditor.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 60: Calvini _Opera_.] - -[Footnote 61: 'Sed cum medici spem facerent posse redire in prosperam -valetudinem.'—Calvinus Chemino.] - -[Footnote 62: 'Nihil aliud visum est quam tui desiderium.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 63: 'Interim dies de die trahitur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 64: 'Certum mortis periculum.'—Calvinus Chemino.] - -[Footnote 65: 'In litteris missitandis plus satis officiosum, ne dicam -importunum.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 66: 'Utcunque res ceciderit, ad vos revisam.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 67: 'Factum est ut ad te pervenirem anno Domini 1528, nonis -Decembris.'—Letter of Theodore Beza to Wolmar, Preface to the -_Confessio Fidei Christianæ_.] - -[Footnote 68: 'Anno Domini 1519 die 24 junii, placuit Deo O. M. ut mundi -lucem aspicerem.'—Letter of Theodore Beza to Wolmar, Preface to the -_Confessio Fidei Christianæ_.] - -[Footnote 69: 'Ut me quamvis adhuc a nutricis uberibus pendentem.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 70: 'Aureliæ primum, deinde Biturigibus, quum in eam urbem -regina Navarræ te evocasset.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 71: 'Eique discedenti doctoratus insignia absque ullo pretio -offeruntur.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 72: _Conrad Gessner_ von Hanhait, p. 22. _Theodor. Beza_ von -Baum, p. 12.] - -[Footnote 73: 'Vir fuit corpulentus, proceræ staturæ. Auri avidus -habitus est et cibi avidior.'—Panzivole, _De claris Legum Interpret._ -lib. ii.] - -[Footnote 74: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, p. 6.] - -[Footnote 75: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 76: 'Of Rome in its decline the greatest dread.'—Bezæ -_Icones_.] - -[Footnote 77: 'Libros quos e Germania acceperat, mittebat.'—Flor. -Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, ii. liv. vii.] - -[Footnote 78: 'Die quodam cum discipulo magister, animi gratia, -deambulans.'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_.] - -[Footnote 79: 'Ut posito Justiniani codice ad Theologiæ omnium -scientiarum reginæ studium, animum applicaret.'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de -l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. ix. Florimond Rémond was so hostile to the -Reformation which he had abjured, that he cannot be trusted when his -prejudices are concerned; but he ought to be believed when his -predilections do not mislead him. I cannot see what object he could have -had in inventing this conversation. 'The Calvinists, in order to be -avenged of this writer,' says Moreri, 'have endeavoured to traduce his -memory.' The most sensible course is to hold a just mean between the -Romish apologists and the protestant detractors.] - -[Footnote 80: 'Non omnes esse Verbi ministerio idoneos ... requiritur -specialis vocatio.'—Calv. _Opera_.] - -[Footnote 81: 'Tanto proficiendi studio exarsi, ut reliqua studia -quamvis non abjicerem, frigidius tamen sectarer.'—Calv. _Præf._ in -Psalm.] - -[Footnote 82: 'Acriter exhortans ut de reformanda atque illustranda Dei -ecclesia cogitationem ac curam serio inciperet.'—Flor. Rémond, _Histoire -de l'Hérésie_.] - -[Footnote 83: Leo Colladon died at Geneva on the 31st of August, 1552. -His son Nicholas took refuge there in 1553, and in 1556 succeeded Calvin -in the chair of divinity. Germain II., made free of the city in 1555, -was the compiler of the Genevese code. Galiffe, _Généalogie des Familles -Genevoises_. Haag, _France Protestante_, article _Colladon_.] - -[Footnote 84: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, p. 7.] - -[Footnote 85: Calvin, _Commentaire sur Mathieu_, ch. x.] - -[Footnote 86: In the reign of Louis XIV. this lordship belonged to -Colbert.] - -[Footnote 87: 'Contrefont les marmitons.'] - -[Footnote 88: 'Nonnullas interdum conciones in agro Biturigum, in -oppidulo quod _Linerias_ vocant.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 89: Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, p. 7.] - -[Footnote 90: 'Nisi me ab ipsis prope carceribus mors patris -revocasset.'—Calvinus Volmario, _in 2ᵃᵐ Ep. ad Corinth_.] - -[Footnote 91: _Commentaire sur Mathieu_, ch. x.] - -[Footnote 92: Théod. de Bèze, _Vie de Calvin_ (French text), p. 11. -'In agro Biturigum ... mors patris nuntiata in patriam vocavit.'—Ibid. -in Latin text.] - -[Footnote 93: 'Repentina mors patris,' says Beza. This _sudden_ death -proves that Calvin's father did not die, as some assert, of the long -illness described in the letter to Duchemin.] - -[Footnote 94: _Dédicace de la 2ᵉ aux Corinthiens._] - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY, A MARTYR FOR THE GOSPEL. - (1529.) - - -When Calvin passed through the capital on his way from Bourges to Noyon, -on the occasion of his father's death, he might have remarked a certain -agitation among his acquaintances. In fact, the Sorbonne was increasing -its exertions to destroy Berquin, who, forsaken by almost everybody, had -no one to support him but God and the Queen of Navarre. - -[Sidenote: MARGARET'S SORROWS.] - -Margaret, who was at St. Germain-en-Laye, enjoyed but little repose. The -brilliant court of Francis I. filled the noble palace with their -pastimes. Early in the morning every one was afoot; the horns sounded, -and the king set off, accompanied by the King of Navarre, a crowd of -nobles, the Duchess of Etampes, and many other ladies, and joined one of -those great hunting parties of which he was so fond. Margaret, remaining -alone, recalled her sorrows, and sought the _one thing needful_. Her -husband sometimes indulged in gaming, and the queen entreated -Montmorency to give him good advice. Henry, who thought his wife rather -too pious, complained of this with all the impetuosity of his character. -It was not Margaret's only vexation. At first her mother had appeared to -take part with the Reformation. One day, in December 1522, Louisa of -Savoy had said to her daughter, who was delighted to hear it: 'By the -grace of the Holy Ghost, my son and I are beginning to know these -hypocrites, white, black, grey, and all colours.... May God, by his -mercy and infinite goodness, defend us from them; for, if Jesus Christ -is not a liar, there is no such dangerous brood in all human -nature.'[95] But this princess, whose morality was more than doubtful, -had now become reconciled, and even leagued with these 'hypocrites -black, white, and grey,' and the king was beginning to give them his -support. Thus Margaret saw the three objects of her tenderest affection -alienating themselves from God; and remaining at the palace while -Francis with his lords and ladies and his hounds was chasing the wild -animals, she walked sadly in the park, saying to herself: - - Father and mother I have none; - Brother and sister—all are gone, - Save God, in whom I trust alone, - Who rules the earth from his high throne. - - All these loved ones I would forget; - Parents and friends, the world, its joys, - Honour and wealth however great, - I hold my deepest enemies! - Hence, ye delights! - Whose vanity - Jesus the Christ has shown to me! - - But God, God only is my hope; - I know that he is all in all, - Dearer than husband to the wife— - My father, mother, friend, my all! - He is my hope, - My resting-place, - My strength, my being, and my trust, - For he hath saved me by his grace. - - Father and mother I have none; - Brother and sister—all are gone, - Save God, in whom I trust alone, - Who rules the earth from his high throne.[96] - -[Sidenote: SORBONNE PLOTS AGAINST BERQUIN.] - -Whilst Margaret was seeking consolation in God, there came a support -which she had not expected. Erasmus was growing uneasy; the letters -which he received were full of alarming news; he saw that Francis I., on -whom he had so much relied, was stumbling and ready to fall. This would -give the victory to the Sorbonne. Having a presentiment that the -ultramontanists were daring revolutionists, prepared to sacrifice not -only literature and the Gospel, but royalty itself, he laid aside his -usual prudence, and resolved to tear the veil from the king's eyes, -which concealed the perverted designs of the Roman party, and to show -him conspirators in those who called themselves the supporters of the -throne. 'These men,' he wrote, 'under the cloak of the interests of the -faith, creep into all sorts of dark ways. Their only thought is of -bringing the august heads of monarchs under their yoke and of suspending -their power. Wait a little. If a prince resists them, they call him a -favourer of heresy, and say that it is the duty of the Church (that is -to say, of a few apocryphal monks and false doctors) to dethrone him. -What! shall they be permitted to scatter their poisons everywhere, and -we be forbidden to apply the antidote?'[97] - -This epistle from the prince of letters, who with so much discernment -placed his finger on the sore, soon became known; and when it reached -the Sorbonne, the doctors, dismayed that a man so moderate and respected -should reveal their secrets so boldly, saw no other means of saving -their cause than by striking their enemies with terror. They dared do -nothing against the sage of Rotterdam, who was besides out of their -reach; but they swore that his friend Berquin should pay for his master. -The theologians of the Sorbonne demanded that this gentleman should be -brought to trial; Duprat, Louisa of Savoy, and Montmorency supported -their petition. There was no means of evading it, and twelve judges were -nominated by the pope and by the king.[98] These men were greatly -embarrassed, for Berquin's irreproachable life, amiable character, -inexhaustible charity, and regular attendance at public worship, had won -universal esteem. However, as the first president De Selva, the fourth -president Pailot, and some others, were either weak or fanatical -persons, the Sorbonne did not lose all hope. One alone of the twelve -caused any fear: this was William Budæus, called by Erasmus 'the prodigy -of France;' an enlightened man, who, while professing a great respect -for the Catholic Church, had more than once betrayed certain evangelical -tendencies to his wife and children. The twelve judges proceeded with -their investigation, without requiring the accused man to be shut up in -prison. Berquin went and came as he pleased; he spoke to the judges and -parliament, and convinced them of his innocence. But terror began to -paralyse the weak minds among them; they were afraid of the righteous -man; they would have nothing to do with 'that sort of people,' and -turned their backs upon him. - -[Sidenote: MARGARET INTERCEDES FOR BERQUIN] - -Berquin now resolved to address the king and to get Margaret to support -him. 'It was generally reported,' says one of the enemies of the Reform, -'that the Queen of Navarre took wondrous pains to save those who were in -danger, and that she alone prevented the Reformation from being stifled -in the cradle.'[99] Berquin went to the palace, and made his danger -known to the queen. He found in Margaret the compassion which failed him -elsewhere. She knew that we ought not 'to stand aside from those who -suffer persecution for the name of Christ, and would not be ashamed of -those in whom there was nothing shameful.'[100] Margaret immediately -took up her pen, and sitting down at that table where she had so often -pleaded both in prose and verse the cause of Christ and of christians, -she wrote the king the following letter:— - -'Monseigneur,—The unhappy Berquin, who maintains that God, through your -goodness, has twice saved his life, presents himself before you, to make -manifest his innocence to you, having no one else to whom he can apply. -Knowing, Monseigneur, the esteem in which you hold him, and the desire -which he has now and always has had to serve you, I fear not to entreat -that you will be pleased to have pity upon him. He will convince you -that these heretic-finders are more slanderous and disobedient towards -you than zealous for the faith. He knows, Monseigneur, that you desire -to maintain the rights of every one, and that the just man needs no -advocate in the eyes of your compassion. For this cause I shall say no -more. Entreating Him who has given you such graces and virtues to grant -you a long and happy life, in order that he may long be glorified by you -in this world and everlastingly in the world to come, - -'Your most obedient and most humble subject and sister, - -'MARGARET.'[101] - -Having finished, the queen rose and gave the letter to Berquin, who -immediately sought an audience of the king. We know not how he was -received, or what effect Margaret's intercession had upon Francis. It -would seem, however, that the king addressed a few kind words to him. We -know at least that Beda and the Sorbonne were uneasy, and that, fearing -to see their victim once more escape them, they increased their -exertions, and brought one charge after another against him. At last the -authorities gave way; the police received orders to avoid every -demonstration calculated to alarm him, lest he should escape to Erasmus -at Basle. All their measures were arranged, and at the moment when he -least expected it, about three weeks before Easter (in March 1529), -Berquin was arrested and taken to the Conciergerie. - -[Sidenote: BERQUIN'S LETTER DISCOVERED.] - -Thus then was 'the most learned of the nobles,' as he was termed, thrown -into prison in despite of the queen. He paced sadly up and down his -cell, and one thought haunted him. Having been seized very unexpectedly, -he had left in his room at Paris certain books which were condemned at -Rome, and which consequently might ruin him. 'Alas!' he exclaimed, 'they -will cost me serious trouble!'[102] Berquin resolved to apply to a -christian friend whom he could trust, to prevent the evil which he -foresaw; and the next day after his incarceration, when the domestic, -who had free access to him, and passed in and out on business, came for -orders, the prisoner gave him, with an anxious and mysterious air, a -letter which he said was of the greatest importance. The servant -immediately hid it under his dress. 'My life is at stake,' repeated -Berquin. In that letter, addressed to a familiar friend, the prisoner -begged him without delay to remove the books pointed out to him and to -burn them. - -The servant, who did not possess the courage of a hero, departed -trembling. His emotion increased as he proceeded, his strength failed -him, and as he was crossing the Pont au Change, and found himself in -front of the image of Our Lady, known as _la belle ymage_, the poor -fellow, who was rather superstitious, although in Berquin's service, -lost his presence of mind and fainted. 'A sinking of the heart came over -him, and he fell to the ground as if in a swoon,' says the catholic -chronicler.[103] The neighbours and the passers-by gathered round him, -and lifted him up. One of these kind citizens, eager to assist him, -unbuttoned his coat to give him room to breathe, and found the letter -which had been so carefully hidden. The man opened and read it; he was -frightened, and told the surrounding crowd what were its contents. The -people declared it to be a miracle: 'He is a heretic,' they said. 'If he -has fallen like a dead man, it is the penalty of his crime; it was Our -Lady who did it.'—'Give me the letter,' said one of the spectators; 'the -famous Jacobin doctor who is preaching the Lent sermons at St. -Bartholomew's dines with me to-day. I will show it to him.' When the -dinner-hour came, the company invited by this citizen arrived, and among -them was the celebrated preacher of the Rue St. Jacques in his white -robe and scapulary and pointed hood. This Jacobin monk was no holiday -inquisitor. He understood the great importance of the letter, and, -quitting the table, hastened with it to Beda, who, quite overjoyed at -the discovery, eagerly laid it before the court. The christian gentleman -was ruined. The judges found the letter very compromising. 'Let the said -Berquin,' they ordered, 'be closely confined in a strong tower.' This -was done. Beda, on his side, displayed fresh activity; for time pressed, -and it was necessary to strike a decisive blow. With some the impetuous -syndic spoke gently, with others he spoke loudly; he employed threats -and promises, and nothing seemed to tire him. - -From that hour Berquin's case appeared desperate. Most of his friends -abandoned him; they were afraid lest Margaret's intervention, always so -powerful, should now prove unavailing. The captive alone did not give -way to despair. Although shut up in a strong tower, he possessed liberty -and joy, and uplifting his soul to God, he hoped even against hope. - -[Sidenote: BERQUIN'S SENTENCE.] - -On Friday, the 16th of April, 1529, the inquiry was finished, and at -noon Berquin was brought into court. The countenance of Budæus was -sorrowful and kind; but the other judges bore the stamp of severity on -their features. The prisoner's heart was free from rancour, his hands -pure from revenge, and the calm of innocence was on his face. 'Louis -Berquin,' said the president, 'you are convicted of belonging to the -sect of Luther, and of having written wicked books against the majesty -of God and of his glorious mother. Wherefore we condemn you to do public -penance, bareheaded and with a lighted taper in your hand, in the great -court of our palace, asking pardon of God, of the king, and of justice, -for the offence you have committed. You shall then be taken, bareheaded -and on foot, to the Grève, where you shall see your books burnt. Next -you shall be led to the front of the church of Notre Dame, where you -shall do penance to God and the glorious Virgin, his mother. Afterwards -you shall have your tongue pierced—that instrument of unrighteousness by -which you have so grievously sinned.[104] Lastly, you shall be taken to -the prison of Monsieur de Paris (the bishop), and be shut up there all -your life between four walls of stone; and we forbid you to be supplied -either with books to read, or pen and ink to write.' - -Berquin, startled at hearing such a sentence, which Erasmus terms -'atrocious,' and which the pious nobleman was far from expecting,[105] -at first remained silent, but soon regaining his usual courage, and -looking firmly at his judges,[106] he said: 'I appeal to the -king.'—'Take care,' answered his judges; 'if you do not acquiesce in our -sentence, we will find means to prevent you from ever appealing again.' -This was clear. Berquin was sent back to prison. - -Margaret began to fear that her brother would withdraw his support from -the evangelicals. If the Reformation had been a courtly religion, -Francis would have protected it; but the independent air that it seemed -to take, and, above all, its inflexible holiness, made it distasteful to -him. The Queen of Navarre saw that the unhappy prisoner had none but the -Lord on his side. She prayed: - - Thou, God, alone canst say: - Touch not my son, take not his life away. - Thou only canst thy sovereign hand outstretch - To ward the blow.[107] - -Everything indicated that the blow would be struck. On the afternoon of -the very day when the sentence had been delivered, Maillard, the -lieutenant-criminal, with the archers, bowmen, and arquebusiers of the -city, surrounded the Conciergerie. It was thought that Berquin's last -hour had come, and an immense crowd hurried to the spot. 'More than -twenty thousand people came to see the execution,' says a -manuscript.[108] 'They are going to take one of the king's officers to -the Grève,' said the spectators. Maillard, leaving his troops under -arms, entered the prison, ordered the martyr's cell to be opened, and -told him that he had come to execute the sentence. 'I have appealed to -the king,' replied the prisoner. The lieutenant-criminal withdrew. -Everybody expected to see him followed by Berquin, and all eyes were -fixed upon the gate; but no one appeared. The commander of the troops -ordered them to retire; the archers marched back, and 'the great throng -of people that was round the court-house and in the city separated.' The -first president immediately called the court together, to take the -necessary measures. 'We must lose no time,' said some, 'for the king has -twice already rescued him from our hands.' Was there no hope left? - -[Sidenote: BUDÆUS TRIES TO SAVE BERQUIN.] - -There were in France at that time two men of the noblest character, both -friends of learning, whose whole lives had been consecrated to doing -what was right: they were Budæus on the bench, and Berquin in his cell. -The first was united to the second by the purest friendship, and his -only thought was how to save him. But what could he do singly against -the parliament and the Sorbonne? Budæus shuddered when he heard of his -friend's appeal; he knew the danger to which this step exposed him, and -hastened to the prison. 'Pray do not appeal!' said he; 'a second -sentence is all ready, and it orders you to be put to death. If you -accept the first, we shall be able to save you eventually. Pray do not -ruin yourself!' Berquin, a more decided man than Budæus, would rather -die than make any concession to error. His friend, however, did not -slacken his exertions; he desired at whatever risk to save one of the -most distinguished men of France. Three whole days were spent by him in -the most energetic efforts.[109] He had hardly quitted his friend before -he returned and sat down by his side or walked with him sorrowfully up -and down the prison. He entreated him for his own safety, for the good -of the Church, and for the welfare of France. Berquin made no reply; -only, after a long appeal from Budæus, he gave a nod of dissent. -Berquin, says the historian of the University of Paris, 'sustained the -encounter with indomitable obstinacy.'[110] - -[Sidenote: BERQUIN'S FALL AND RECOVERY] - -Would he continue firm? Many evangelicals were anxiously watching the -struggle. Remembering the fall of the apostle Peter at the voice of a -serving-maid, they said one to another that a trifling opposition was -sufficient to make the strongest stumble. 'Ah!' said Calvin, 'if we -cease but for an instant to lean upon the hand of God, a puff of wind, -or the rustling of a falling leaf, is enough ... and straightway we -fall!' It was not a puff of wind, but a tempest rather, by which Berquin -was assailed. While the threatening voices of his enemies were roaring -around him, the gentle voice of Budæus, full of the tenderest affection, -penetrated the prisoner's heart and shook his firmest resolutions. 'O my -dear friend,' said Budæus, 'there are better times coming, for which you -ought to preserve yourself.' Then he stopped, and added in a more -serious tone: 'You are guilty towards God and man if by your own act you -give yourself up to death.'[111] - -Berquin was touched at last by the perseverance of this great man; he -began to waver; his sight became troubled. Turning his face away from -God, he bent it to the ground. The power of the Holy Spirit was -extinguished in him for a moment (to use the language of a reformer), -and he thought he might be more useful to the kingdom of God by -preserving himself for the future, than by yielding himself up to -present death. 'All that we ask of you is to beg for pardon. Do we not -all need pardon?' Berquin consented to ask pardon of God and the king in -the great court of the palace of justice. - -Budæus ran off with delight and emotion to inform his colleagues of the -prisoner's concession. But at the very moment when he thought he had -saved his friend, he felt a sudden sadness come over him. He knew at -what a price Berquin would have to purchase his life; besides, had he -not seen that it was only after a struggle of nearly sixty hours that -the prisoner had given way? Budæus was uneasy. 'I know the man's mind,' -he said. 'His ingenuousness, and the confidence he has in the goodness -of his cause, will be his ruin.'[112] - -During this interval there was a fierce struggle in Berquin's soul. All -peace had forsaken him; his conscience spoke tumultuously. 'No!' he said -to himself, 'no sophistry! Truth before all things! We must fear neither -man nor torture, but render all obedience to God. I will persevere to -the end; I will not pray the leader of this good war for my discharge. -Christ will not have his soldiers take their ease until they have -conquered over death.' - -Budæus returned to the prison shortly afterwards. 'I will retract -nothing,' said his friend; 'I would rather die than by my silence -countenance the condemnation of truth.'[113] He was lost! Budæus -withdrew, pale and frightened, and communicated the terrible news to his -colleagues. Beda and his friends were filled with joy, being convinced -that to remove Berquin from the number of the living was to remove the -Reformation from France. The judges, by an unprecedented exercise of -power, revised their sentence, and condemned the nobleman to be -strangled and then burnt on the Grève. - -Margaret, who was at St. Germain, was heartbroken when she heard of this -unexpected severity. Alas! the king was at Blois with Madame ——.... -Would there be time to reach him? She would try. She wrote to him again, -apologising for the very humble recommendations she was continually -laying before him, and adding: 'Be pleased, Sire, to have pity on poor -Berquin, who is suffering only because he loves the Word of God and -obeys you. This is the reason why those who did the contrary during your -captivity hate him so; and their malicious hypocrisy has enabled them to -find advocates about you to make you forget his sincere faith in God and -his love for you.'[114] After having uttered this cry of anguish, the -Queen of Navarre waited. - -[Sidenote: THE EXECUTION HURRIED ON.] - -But Francis gave no signs of life. In his excuse it has been urged that -if he had at that time been victorious abroad and honoured at home, he -would have saved Berquin once more; but the troubles in Italy and the -intrigues mixed up with the treaty of Cambray, signed three months -later, occupied all his thoughts. These are strange reasons. The fact -is, that if the king (as is probable) had desired to save Berquin, he -had not the opportunity; the enemies of this faithful christian had -provided against that. They had scarcely got the sentence in their -hands, when they called for its immediate execution. They fancied they -could already hear the gallop of the horse arriving from Blois, and see -the messenger bringing the pardon. Beda fanned the flame. Not a week's -delay, not even a day or an hour! 'But,' said some, 'this prevents the -king from exercising the right of pardon, and is an encroachment upon -his royal authority.'—'It matters not! put him to death!'—The judges -determined to have the sentence carried out the very day it was -delivered, '_in order that he might not be helped by the king_.'[115] - -In the morning of the 22nd of April, 1529,[116] the officers of -parliament entered the gloomy cell where Berquin was confined. The pious -disciple, on the point of offering up his life voluntarily for the name -of Jesus Christ, was absorbed in prayer; he had long sought for God and -had found him; the Lord was near him, and peace filled his soul. Having -God for his father, he knew that nothing would be wanting to him in that -last hour when everything else was to fail him: he saw a triumph in -reproach, a deliverance in death. At the sight of the officers of the -court, some of whom appeared embarrassed, Berquin understood what they -wanted. He was ready; he rose calm and firm, and followed them. The -officers handed him over to the lieutenant-criminal and his sergeants, -who were to carry out the sentence. - -Meanwhile several companies of archers and bowmen were drawn up in front -of the Conciergerie. These armed men were not alone around the prison. -The news had spread far and wide that a gentleman of the court, a friend -of Erasmus and of the Queen of Navarre, was about to be put to death; -and accordingly there was a great commotion in the capital. A crowd of -common people, citizens, priests and monks, with a few gentlemen and -friends of the condemned noble, waited, some with anger, others with -curiosity, and others with anguish, for the moment when he would appear. -Budæus was not there; he had not the courage to be present at the -punishment. Margaret, who was at St. Germain, could almost see the -flames of the burning pile from the terrace of the château. - -When the clock struck twelve, the escort began to move. At its head was -the grand penitentiary Merlin; then followed the archers and bowmen, and -after them the officers of justice and more armed men. In the middle of -the escort was the prisoner. A wretched tumbrel was bearing him slowly -to punishment. He wore a cloak of velvet, a doublet of satin and damask, -and golden hose, says the Bourgeois of Paris, who probably saw him -pass.[117] The King of heaven having invited him to the wedding, Berquin -had joyfully put on his finest clothes. 'Alas!' said many as they saw -him, 'he is of noble lineage, a very great scholar, expert and quick in -learning ... and yet he has gone out of his mind!' There was nothing in -the looks or gestures of the reformer which indicated the least -confusion or pride. He neither braved nor feared death: he approached it -with tranquillity, meekness, and hope, as if entering the gates of -heaven. Men saw peace unchangeable written on his face. Montius, a -friend of Erasmus, who had desired to accompany this pious man even to -the stake, said in the highest admiration: 'There was in him none of -that boldness, of that hardened air which men led to death often assume; -the calmness of a good conscience was visible in every feature.'—'He -looks,' said other spectators, 'as if he were in God's house meditating -upon heavenly things.'[118] - -[Sidenote: BERQUIN'S MARTYRDOM.] - -At last the tumbrel had reached the place of punishment, and the escort -halted. The chief executioner approached and desired Berquin to alight. -He did so, and the crowd pressed more closely round the ill-omened spot. -The principal officer of the court, having beckoned for silence with his -hand, unrolled a parchment, and read the sentence 'with a husky voice,' -says the chronicler. But Berquin was about to die for the Son of God who -had died for him; his heart did not flinch one jot; he felt no -confusion, and wishing to make the Saviour who supported him in that -hour of trial known to the poor people around him, he uttered a few -christian words. But the doctors of the Sorbonne were watching all his -movements, and had even posted about a certain number of their creatures -in order to make a noise if they thought it was necessary. Alarmed at -hearing the soft voice of the evangelist, and fearing lest the people -should be touched by his words, these 'sycophants' hastily gave the -signal. Their agents immediately began to shout, the soldiers clashed -their arms, 'and so great was the uproar that the voice of the holy -martyr was not heard in the extremity of death.' When Berquin found that -these clamours drowned his voice, he held his peace. A Franciscan friar, -who had accompanied him from the prison, eager to extort from him one -word of recantation, redoubled his importunities at this last moment; -but the martyr remained firm. At length the monk was silent, and the -executioner drew near. Berquin meekly stretched out his head; the -hangman passed the cord round his neck and strangled him. - -[Sidenote: EFFECT ON THE SPECTATORS.] - -There was a pause of solemn silence ... but not for long. It was broken -by the doctors of the Sorbonne and the monks, who hastily went up and -contemplated the lifeless body of their victim. No one cried 'Jesus! -Jesus!'—a cry of mercy heard even at the execution of a parricide. The -most virtuous man in France was treated worse than a murderer. One -person, however, standing near the stake, showed some emotion, and, -strange to say, it was the grand penitentiary Merlin. 'Truly,' he said, -'so good a christian has not died these hundred years and more.' The -dead body was thrown into the flames, which mounted up and devoured -those limbs once so vigorous and now so pale and lifeless. A few men, -led away by passion, looked on with joy at the progress of the fire, -which soon consumed the precious remains of him who should have been the -reformer of France. They imagined they saw heresy burnt out, and when -the body was entirely destroyed, they thought that the Reformation was -destroyed with it, and that not a fragment of it remained. But all the -spectators were not so cruel. They gazed upon the burning pile with -sorrow and with love. The christians who had looked upon Berquin as the -future reformer of France, were overwhelmed with anguish when they saw -the hero in whom they had hoped reduced to a handful of dust. The temper -of the people seemed changed, and tears were seen to flow down many a -face. In order to calm this emotion, certain rumours were set afloat. A -man stepped out of the crowd, and going up to the Franciscan confessor, -asked him: 'Did Berquin acknowledge his error?'—'Yes, certainly,' -answered the monk, 'and I doubt not that his soul departed in peace.' -This man was Montius; he wrote and told the anecdote to Erasmus. 'I do -not believe a word of it,' answered the latter. 'It is the usual story -which those people invent after the death of their victims, in order to -appease the anger of the people.' - -Some such stratagems were necessary, for the general agitation was -increasing. Berquin's innocence, stamped on his features and on all his -words, struck those who saw him die, and they were beginning to murmur. -The monks noticed this, and had prepared themselves beforehand in case -the indignation of the people should break out. They penetrated into the -thickest of the crowd, making presents to the children and to the common -people; and having worked them up, they sent them off in every -direction. The impressionable crowd spread over the Grève and through -the neighbouring streets, shouting out that Berquin was a heretic. Yet -here and there men gathered in little groups, talking of the excellent -man who had been sacrificed to the passion of the theological faculty. -'Alas!' said some with tears in their eyes, 'there never was a more -virtuous man.'[119] Many were astonished that a nobleman who held a high -place in the king's affections should be strangled like a criminal. -'Alas!' rejoined others indignantly, 'what caused his ruin was the -liberty which animated him, which is always the faithful companion of a -good conscience.'[120] Others of more spirit exclaimed: 'Condemn, -quarter, crucify, burn, behead ... that is what pirates and tyrants can -do; but God is the only just judge, and blessed is the man whom he -pardoneth.' The more pious looked for consolation to the future. 'It is -only through the cross,' they said, 'that Christ will triumph in this -kingdom.'[121] The crowd dispersed. - -[Sidenote: THE MARTYRS' HYMN.] - -The news of this tragedy soon spread through France, everywhere causing -the deepest sorrow. Berquin was not the only person struck down; other -christians also suffered the last punishment. Philip Huaut was burnt -alive, after having his tongue cut out; and Francis Desus had both hand -and head cut off. The story of these deaths, especially that of Berquin, -was told in the shops of the workmen and in the cottages of the -peasants. Many were terrified at it; but more than one evangelical -christian, when he heard the tale at his own fireside, raised his head -and cast a look towards heaven, expressive of his joy at having a -Redeemer and a _Father's house_ beyond the sky. 'We too are ready,' -said these men and women of the Reformation to one another, 'we are -ready to meet death cheerfully, setting our eyes on the life that is to -come.' One of these christian souls, who had known Berquin best, and who -shed most tears over him, was the Queen of Navarre. Distressed and -alarmed by his death and by the deaths of the christians sacrificed in -other places for the Gospel, she prayed fervently to God to come to the -help of his people. She called to mind these words of the Gospel: -_Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto -him?_[122] A stranger to all hatred, free from every evil desire of -revenge, she called to the Lord's remembrance how dear the safety of his -children is to him, and implored his protection for them: - - O Lord our God, arise, - Chastise thy enemies - Thy saints who slay. - Death, which to heathen men - Is full of grief and pain, - To all who in heaven shall reign - With thee is dear. - - They through the gloomy vale - Walk firm, and do not quail, - To rest with thee. - Such death is happiness, - Leading to that glad place - Where in eternal bliss - Thy sons abide. - - Stretch out thy hand, O Lord, - Help those who trust thy Word, - And give for sole reward - This death of joy. - O Lord our God, arise, - Chastise thy enemies - Thy saints who slay.[123] - -This little poem by the Queen of Navarre, which contains several other -verses, was the martyrs' hymn in the sixteenth century. Nothing shows -more clearly that she was heart and soul with the evangelicals. - -Terror reigned among the reformed christians for some time after -Berquin's martyrdom. They endured reproach, without putting themselves -forward; they did not wish to irritate their enemies, and many of them -retired to _the desert_, that is, to some unknown hiding-place. It -was during this period of sorrow and alarm, when the adversaries -imagined that by getting rid of Berquin they had got rid of the -Reformation as well, and when the remains of the noble martyr were -hardly scattered to the winds of heaven, that Calvin once more took up -his abode in Paris, not far from the spot where his friend had been -burnt. Rome thought she had put the reformer to death; but he was about -to rise again from his ashes, more spiritual, more clear, and more -powerful, to labour at the renovation of society and the salvation of -mankind. - -[Footnote 95: _Journal de Louise de Savoie._] - -[Footnote 96: _Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. p. 502.] - -[Footnote 97: 'Illis licere venena sua spargere, nobis non licere -admovere antidota.'—Erasmi _Epp._ p. 1109.] - -[Footnote 98: _Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris sous François I._ -p. 380.] - -[Footnote 99: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, p. 348.] - -[Footnote 100: Calvin.] - -[Footnote 101: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, ii. p. 96.] - -[Footnote 102: _Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris_, p. 381.] - -[Footnote 103: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 104: 'Lingua illi ferro perfoderetur.'—Erasmi _Epp._ p. 1277. -_Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris_, p. 382.] - -[Footnote 105: 'Audita præter expectationem atroci sententia.'—Erasmi -_Epp._] - -[Footnote 106: 'Constanti vultu.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 107: _Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. p. 444.] - -[Footnote 108: _Chronique du Roi François I._ p. 76, note.] - -[Footnote 109: 'Budæum triduo privatim egisse cum Berquino.'—Erasmi -_Epp._] - -[Footnote 110: Crévier, v. p. 206.] - -[Footnote 111: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, p. 103, verso.] - -[Footnote 112: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, p. 103, verso.] - -[Footnote 113: 'At ego mortem subire, quam veritatis damnationem, vel -tacitus approbare velim.'—Bezæ _Icones_.] - -[Footnote 114: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, ii. p. 99.] - -[Footnote 115: _Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris_, p. 383.] - -[Footnote 116: Crespin and Theodore Beza speak of the month of November; -the Bourgeois de Paris mentions the 17th of April, but most of the -authorities give the 22nd.] - -[Footnote 117: 'Des chausses d'or.'—_Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris_, -p. 384.] - -[Footnote 118: 'Dixisses illum in templo de rebus cœlestibus cogitare.'— -Erasmi _Epp._ p. 1277.] - -[Footnote 119: 'Prædicant eo nihil fuisse integrius.'—Erasmi _Epp._ -p. 1313.] - -[Footnote 120: 'Libertas, bonæ conscientiæ comes, perdidit virum.'—Ibid. -p. 113.] - -[Footnote 121: 'Christo, nonnisi sub cruce, in Gallis triumphaturo.'— -Bezæ _Icones_.] - -[Footnote 122: Luke xviii. 7.] - -[Footnote 123: - - 'Reveille-toi, Seigneur Dieu, - Fais ton effort, - Et viens venger en tout lieu - Des tiens la mort.' - - _Les Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. p. 508.] - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - FIRST LABOURS OF CALVIN AT PARIS. - (1529.) - - -[Sidenote: CALVIN REVISITS NOYON.] - -Calvin, having bid farewell to the towns and châteaux of Berry, had -arrived in the midst of those hills and plains, those green pastures and -noble forests, which stretch along both sides of the Oise. He approached -that little city of Noyon, which had been one time the capital of the -empire of Charlemagne, and where Hugues Capet, the head of the third -race, had been elected king. But his thoughts were not on these things: -he was thinking of his father. As soon as he caught a glimpse of that -beautiful Gothic cathedral, beneath whose shadow he had been brought up, -he said to himself that its pavement would never more be trodden by his -father's feet. He had never before returned to Noyon in such deep -emotion. The death of Berquin, the death of his father, the future of -the Church and of himself—all oppressed him. He found consolation in the -affection of his family, and especially in the devoted attachment of his -brother Anthony and of his sister Mary, who were one day to share his -exile. Bowed down by so many afflictions, he would have sunk under the -burden, 'like a man half dead, if God had not revived his courage while -comforting him by his Word.'[124] - -His father—that old man with mind so positive, with hand so firm, and -whose authority he had venerated—was not there to guide him: he was -free. Gerard had decided that his son should devote himself to the law, -by which he might rise to a high position in the world. Calvin aspired, -indeed, to another future, but from obedience he had renounced his most -ardent desires; and now, finding himself at liberty, he turned towards -that christian career in which he was to be, along with Luther, the -greatest champion of modern times. 'Earthly fathers,' he said on one -occasion, 'must not prevent the supreme and only Father of all from -enjoying his rights.'[125] - -As yet, however, Calvin did not meditate becoming a reformer in the same -sense as Luther. At that time he would have liked to see all the Church -transformed, rather than set himself apart and build up a new one. The -faith which he desired to preach was that old christian truth which Paul -had preached at Rome. The scribes had substituted for it the false -traditions of man, but this was only one reason the more for proclaiming -in the Church the doctrine which had founded the Church. After the first -phase of christian life, in which man thinks only of Christ, there -usually comes a second, where the christian does not voluntarily worship -with assemblies opposed to his convictions. Calvin was now in the first -of these phases. He thought only of preaching the Gospel. Did he not -possess a pulpit in this very neighbourhood, and was it not his duty to -glorify God from it? Had it been in his power, he would have done so in -St. Peter's at Rome; why, then, should he refrain in his own church? - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S PROMOTION AND PREACHING.] - -Calvin had friends in Picardy, even among the dignitaries of the clergy. -Early attached to their young fellow-townsman, these men had received -him with joy; they had found him more advanced in piety and learning, -and had observed nothing in him opposed to their opinions. They thought -that he might become one of the pillars of the Church. The circumstance -that he had studied the law did not check them; it rendered him, in -their eyes, fitter still to maintain the interests of the faith ... and -of the clergy. Far from repelling him, his former patrons endeavoured to -bind him still closer to them. That noble friend of his boyhood, Claude -de Hangest of Momor, now abbot of St. Eloy, offered to give him the -living of Pont L'Evêque in exchange for that of St. Martin of -Marteville. Calvin, seeing in this offer the opportunity of preaching in -the very place where his ancestors had lived, accepted; and then -resigned, in favour of his brother Anthony, the chapel of La Gésine, of -which he had been titulary for eight years. The act is dated the 30th of -April, 1529.[126] - -The same persons who presided over these several changes encouraged -Calvin to preach. When a young man who has gone through his studies for -the ministry of the Word returns to his native place, every one is -anxious to hear him. Curiosity was still more keenly aroused in Calvin's -case, for his reputation had preceded him, and some little charge of -heresy, put forward from time to time, served but to increase the -general eagerness. Everybody wanted to hear the son of the episcopal -secretary, the cooper's grandson. The men and women who knew him -hastened to the church; people even came from Noyon. The holy place was -soon filled. At last a young man, of middle height, with thin pale face, -whose eyes indicated firm conviction and lively zeal, went up into the -pulpit and explained the Holy Scriptures to his fellow-townsmen.[127] -The effects of Calvin's preaching were various. Many persons rejoiced to -hear, at last, a living word beneath that roof which had reechoed with -so much vain and useless babbling. Of this number were, no doubt, -certain notable men who were seen pressing round the preacher: Laurent -of Normandy, who enjoyed great consideration in that district; -Christopher Lefèvre, Lancelot of Montigny, Jacques Bernardy, Corneille -de Villette, Nicholas Néret, Labbé surnamed Balafré, Claude Dupré, and -Nicholas Picot, Anthony Calvin's brother-in-law. All were afterwards -accused of having embraced the new doctrine, and were condemned by the -parliament of Paris to be drawn on hurdles and burnt in the great square -of Noyon; but they had already quitted the kingdom.[128] - -The words of the young speaker did not merely communicate fresh -knowledge—they worked a transformation of the heart and life. But there -were men present quite ready to receive certain evangelical ideas, who -yet did not mean to change either their life or their heart. The same -word thus produced faith in some and opposition in others: it _divided -the light from the darkness_.[129] Certain bigots and priests, in -particular, inveighed against the preaching of that serious-looking, -earnest young man, and exclaimed: 'They are setting wolves to guard the -sheep!'[130] - -[Sidenote: DECIDES ON GOING TO PARIS.] - -Calvin stayed only two or three months at Noyon. Perhaps a growing -opposition forced him to depart. He desired also to continue his Greek -studies; but instead of returning to Orleans or Bourges, he resolved to -go to Paris. The moment was favourable. Classical studies were at that -time making great progress in the capital. Francis I., at the request of -Budæus and Du Bellay, had just founded (1529) several professorships for -teaching Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. It was a complete revolution, and -Paris was full of animation when Calvin arrived. The fantastical -framework which the scholastics, theologians, jurists, and philosophers -had erected during the middle ages, fell to the ground in the midst of -jeering and laughter, and the modern learning arose amid the unanimous -applause of the rising generation. Pierre Danès, a pupil of Budæus and -Lascaris, and afterwards a bishop, taught Greek;[131] Francis Vatable -introduced young scholars to the knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, -although he failed himself to find the counsel of God therein;[132] -other illustrious professors completed this precious course of -instruction. Paris was a centre whence light emanated; and this was the -reason which induced Calvin to forsake Noyon, Bourges, and even Orleans, -and hasten his steps thither. - -The journey was a painful one; Calvin (whether on horseback or on foot -is unknown) arrived in Paris about the end of June, quite worn out with -fatigue. 'It is impossible,' he said next morning, 'for me to go out of -doors;'[133] indeed, he did not leave his room for four days. But the -news of his arrival soon spread; his friends and admirers hastened to -his inn, and during these four days his room was never empty.[134] All -the agitation of the schools seemed to be transported thither. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S VISITORS.] - -They talked of Budæus, Vatable, and Danès, of Greek and Hebrew, and of -the sun of learning then shining over the old Lutetia.... Calvin -listened and learnt the state of men's minds. One of the first who -hurried to him was Coiffard, his fellow-collegian at Orleans, who -brought his father with him. People contended for the student of Noyon, -who had already become celebrated. 'Come and stay with us,' said the -young Parisian; and when Calvin declined, 'I entreat you,' said Coiffard -in the most affectionate manner, 'to grant me this favour.'[135] The -father also insisted, for the worthy citizen knew what a steady friend -his rather frivolous son would find in the Picardin student. 'There is -nothing in the world I desire so much,' he said, 'as to see you -associate with my son.'[136]—'Come, do come,' urged the son, 'and be my -companion.' Calvin was touched by this affection; but he feared the -interruptions of the family, its distance from college, and he had but -one object—study. 'I would accept your offer with both hands,' he said, -'but that I intend to follow Danès' Greek course, and his school is too -far from your house.'[137] The father and son went away greatly -disappointed. - -Not long after this, a more important personage entered the room. It was -Nicholas Cop, professor at St. Barbe, whose father, a native of Basle, -had just been appointed physician to the king. Both father and son were -strongly suspected of belonging to the 'new opinions;' but at that time -Francis cared little about them. The elder Cop had translated Galen and -Hippocrates, and the king had confided to him the care of his health. A -strict friendship erelong united Calvin and the son. The latter, -although a professor in the university, listened to the student of Noyon -as a disciple listens to his master; it is one of those marks of -Calvin's superiority, which every one recognised instantly. He showed -his friend 'how Christ discharges the office of physician, since he is -sent by the Father to quicken the dead.' - -The conversations which these two young men then held together resulted -in after years in an event which exercised a certain influence over the -destiny of the reformer and of the Reform itself. - -[Sidenote: VISIT TO A CONVENT.] - -An object of less importance occupied them now: it was Calvin's first -business in Paris, and the account he gives of it throws a new light on -the future legislator. The custom of shutting up in convents the young -persons who had any tendency towards the Gospel had already begun. 'Our -friend Daniel, the advocate,' said Calvin to Cop, 'has a sister in a -nunnery at Paris; she is about to take the veil, and Daniel wishes to -know if it is with her full consent.'—'I will accompany you,' said the -professor, and on the following Sunday, Calvin having recovered from his -fatigue, the two friends set out for the convent. The future reformer, -who was already opposed to monastic vows, especially when taken under -constraint, cleverly devised a plan for learning whether any restriction -was placed upon the young lady's liberty. 'Converse with the abbess,' he -said to Cop, as they were going to the nunnery, 'and contrive that I may -be able to talk privately with our friend's sister.' The abbess, -followed by the girl, entered the parlour. 'We have granted her,' said -the former, 'the privilege of taking the solemn vows.'[138] According to -his instructions Cop began to talk with the superior on different -subjects which had no connection with the matter in hand. During this -time, Calvin, who believed he saw a victim before him, took advantage of -the opportunity, and said to Daniel's sister: 'Are you taking this yoke -upon you willingly, or is it placed on your neck by force?[139] Do not -fear to trust me with the thoughts that disturb you.' The girl looked at -Calvin with a thoughtless air, and answered him with much volubility: -'The veil is what I most desire, and the day when I shall make my vow -can never come too soon.' The future reformer was astonished: he had -before him a giddy young person, who had been led to believe that she -would find great amusement in the cloister. 'Every time she spoke of her -vows,' said Calvin, 'you might have fancied she was playing with her -doll.'[140] He desired, however, to address one serious word to her: -'Mademoiselle,' he said to her, 'I beg of you not to trust too much to -your own strength: I conjure you to promise nothing as if you could -accomplish it yourself. Lean rather on the strength of God, in whom we -live and have our being.'[141] Perhaps Calvin thought that by speaking -so seriously to the young girl, she would renounce her rash undertaking; -but he was mistaken. - -He returned to his inn, and two days after (the 25th of June) he wrote -to Daniel an account of his visit to the convent. Having finished, he -was beginning another letter to a canon of Orleans,[142] when one of his -friends arrived, who had come to take him for a ride. We might suppress -this incident as being of no importance; but it is perhaps also an -unexpected feature in Calvin's habits. He is generally represented as -absorbed in his books or reprimanding the disorderly. And yet he was no -stranger to the decent relaxations of life: he could ride on horseback -and took pleasure in the exercise. He accepted his friend Viermey's -offer. 'I shall finish the letter on my return,' he said,[143] and the -two students set off on their excursion in the neighbourhood of Paris. A -few days later Calvin hired a room in the college of Fortret, where he -was near the professors, and resumed his study of languages, law, and -philosophy.[144] He desired to learn. Having received the knowledge of -divine things, he wished to acquire a true understanding of the world. - -But erelong the summons from on high sounded louder than ever in his -heart. When he was in his room, surrounded by his law books, the voice -of his conscience cried to him that he ought to study the Bible. When he -went out, all his friends who felt a love for pure religion begged of -him to devote himself to the Gospel.[145] Calvin was one of those -fortresses that are not to be taken at the first assault. As he looked -upon the books scattered about his study, he could not make up his mind -to forsake them. But whenever in the course of his life God spoke -clearly to him, he repressed his fondest desires. Thus urged from within -and from without, he yielded at last. 'I renounce all other sciences,' -he said, 'and give myself up entirely to theology and to God.'[146] This -news spread among the secret assemblies of the faithful, and all were -filled with great satisfaction. - -A mighty movement had taken place in Calvin's soul; but it must be -understood that there was no plan laid down in his mind. He had no -ambition, no art, no _rôle_; but he did with a strong will whatever -God set before him. The time he now spent in Paris was his -apprenticeship. Having given himself to God, he set to work with the -decision of an energetic character and the firmness of a persevering -mind. He studied theology with enthusiasm. 'The science of God is the -mistress-science,' he said; 'the others are only her servants.' He gave -consistency to that little chosen band who, in the midst of the crowd of -scholars, turned lovingly towards the Holy Scriptures. He excited young -and noble minds; he studied with them and endeavoured to explain their -difficulties. - -[Sidenote: SPEAKS AT SECRET MEETINGS.] - -He did more. Berquin's death had struck all his friends with terror. 'If -they have burnt this green wood,' said some, 'they will not spare the -dry.' Calvin, not permitting himself to be checked by these alarms, -began to explore that city which had become so dangerous. He joined the -secret assemblies which met under the shadow of night in remote -quarters,[147] where he explained the Scriptures with a clearness and -energy of which none had ever heard the like. These meetings were held -more particularly on the left bank of the Seine, in that part of the -city which the catholics afterwards termed _Little Geneva_, and -which, on the other hand, is now the seat of Parisian catholicism. One -day the evangelicals would repair mysteriously to a house on the -property of the abbey of St. Germain des Prés; another day they would -meet in the precincts of the university, the _quartier latin_ of -our times. In the room would be a few wooden benches, on which the poor -people, a few students, and sometimes one or two men of learning, took -their seats. They loved that simple-hearted young man, who so -effectually introduced into their minds and hearts the truths he found -in the Scriptures. 'The Word of Christ is always a fire,' they said; -'but when he explains it, this fire shines out with unusual brilliancy.' - -Young men formed themselves on his model; but there were many who rushed -into controversy, instead of seeking edification as Calvin did. In the -university quarter the pupils of Daniel and Vatable might be seen, with -the Hebrew or Greek Testaments in their hands, disputing with everybody. -'It is thus in the Hebrew text,' they said; 'and the Greek text reads so -and so.' Calvin did not, however, disdain polemics; following the -natural bent of his mind, he attacked error and reprimanded the guilty. -Some who were astonished at his language asked: 'Is not this the curé of -Pont l'Evêque, the friend of Monseigneur de St. Eloy?' But, not allowing -himself to be checked by these words, he confounded alike the -superstitious papists and the incredulous innovators. 'He was wholly -given up to divinity and to God, to the great delight of all -believers.'[148] - -[Sidenote: HE CIRCULATES INFORMATION.] - -It was already possible to distinguish in him, in some features at -least, the character of chief of the Reform. As he possessed great -facility of correspondence, he kept himself informed, and others also, -of all that was passing in the christian world. He made about this time -a collection of papers and documents relating to the most recent facts -of the Reformation, and sent them to Duchemin, but not for him to -keep.[149] 'I send them to you on this condition,' wrote Calvin, 'that, -in accordance with your good faith and duty, they may pass through your -hands to our friends.'[150] To this packet he added an epitome,[151] -some commentaries, and a collection of notes made probably by Roussel -during his residence at Strasburg. He purposed adding an appendix:[152] -'But I had no time,' he said.[153] Calvin desired that all the friends -of the Gospel should profit by the light which he himself possessed. He -brought the new ideas and new writings into circulation. A close -student, an indefatigable evangelist, this young man of twenty was, by -his far-seeing glance, almost a reformer. - -He did not confine his labours to Paris, Orleans, Bourges, or Noyon: the -city of Meaux occupied his attention. Meaux, which had welcomed Lefèvre -and Farel, which had heard Leclerc, the first martyr, still possessed -Briçonnet. This former protector of the evangelicals would indeed no -longer see them, and appeared absorbed in the honours and seductions of -the prelacy. But some men thought that at the bottom of his heart he -still loved the Gospel. What a triumph if the grace of God should once -more blossom in his soul! Daniel had friends at Meaux; Calvin begged of -him to open the door (or, to use his own expression, _the window_) of -this city for him. In the number of these friends was a certain -_Mæcenas_. The young doctor, writing from Meaux, gives a portrait of -this individual which exactly fits the bishop. He does not name -Briçonnet; but as he often suppresses names, or employs either initials -or pseudonyms, we might almost say that the name was not necessary here. -Daniel accordingly wrote to Mæcenas, who returned a very cold -answer.[154] 'I cannot walk with those people,' he said; 'I cannot -conform my manners to theirs.'[155] Daniel insisted; but it was all of -no use: the timid Mæcenas would on no account have anything to do with -Calvin. Briçonnet, we learn, was surrounded by friends who were -continually repeating to him: 'A bishop ought to have no commerce with -persons suspected of innovation.'[156] Calvin, animated by the noblest -ambition, that of bringing back to God a soul that was going astray, -finding himself denied every time he knocked at the gate of this great -personage, at last gave up his generous enterprise, and, shaking the -dust from his feet, he said with severity: 'Since he will not be with -us, let him take pleasure in himself, and with a heart full, or rather -inflated by his own importance, let him pamper his ambition.'[157] - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S MISSIONARY ZEAL.] - -Calvin did not, however, fail completely at Meaux: 'You have given me -prompt and effectual aid,' he wrote to Daniel; 'you have opened me a -window, and have thus given me the privilege of being in future an -indiscreet petitioner.'[158] He took advantage of this opening to -propagate the Gospel. 'I will do it,' he said, 'without imprudence or -precipitation.' And, calling to mind that 'the doctrine of Christ is -like old wine, which has ceased working, but which nevertheless gives -nourishment to the body,'[159] he busied himself in filling vessels with -this precious drink: 'I will take care,' he wrote to Daniel, 'that the -inside shall be well filled with wine.'[160] He ended his letter by -saying: 'I want the _Odyssey_ of Homer which I lent Sucquet: pray -tell him so.'[161] Luther took Plautus and Terence into the convent with -him; Calvin asked for Homer. - -He soon returned to Paris, which opened a wider field of labour to him. -On the 15th of January, 1530, he wrote Daniel a letter which he dated -from the _Acropolis_, as if Paris were to him the citadel of catholicism -or the Parthenon of France.[162] He was always trying to save some lost -sheep, and such a desire filled his mind on the 15th of January. On that -day he expected two friends to dinner. One of them, Robert Daniel, -brother to the advocate of Orleans, an enthusiastic young man, was -burning with desire to see the world. Calvin, who had already done all -in his power to win him over, flattered himself that he would succeed -that day; but the giddy young fellow, suspecting perhaps what awaited -him, did not come. Calvin sent a messenger to Robert's lodging. 'He has -decamped,' said the landlord; 'he has left for Italy.' At Meaux Calvin -had desired to win over a great personage; at Paris he had hoped to win -over a young adventurer: in both cases he failed. 'Alas!' he said, 'I am -but a dry and useless log!' And once more he sought fresh strength in -Christ. - -[Sidenote: BEDA ATTACKS THE PROFESSORS.] - -Meanwhile the Sorbonne, proud of the victory it had gained in bringing -Berquin to the stake, decided to pursue its triumphs. The war was about -to begin again. It was Beda who renewed the combat—that Beda of whom -Erasmus said: 'There are three thousand priests in that man alone!' He -did not attack Calvin, disdaining, or rather ignoring him. He aimed at -higher game, and having triumphed over one of the king's gentlemen, he -attacked the doctors whom Francis had invited to Paris for the -propagation of learning. Danès, Vatable, and others having been cited -before the parliament, the fiery syndic rose and said: 'The king's -doctors neglect Aristotle, and study the Holy Scriptures only.... If -people continue to occupy themselves with Greek and Hebrew, it is all -over with faith. These folks desire to explain the Bible, and they are -not even theologians!... The Greek and Hebrew books of the Holy -Scriptures come mostly from Germany, where they may have been altered. -Many of the persons who print Hebrew books are Jews.... It is not, -therefore, a sufficient argument to say: It is so and so in the -Hebrew.[163] These doctors ought to be forbidden to interfere with Holy -Scripture in their courses; or at least they should be ordered first to -undergo an examination at the university.' The king's professors did not -hold back in the cause of knowledge. They boldly assumed the offensive. -'If the university of Paris is now in small esteem among foreign -nations,' they said to the parliament, 'it is because instead of -applying themselves to the study of the Holy Gospels and of the ancient -fathers—Cyprian, Chrysostom, Jerome, and Augustin—its theologians -substitute for this true knowledge a science teaching nothing but craft -and sophistry. It is not thus that God wills to enlighten his people. We -must study sacred literature, and drink freely of all the treasures of -the human mind.'[164] Beda had gone too far. At court, and even in -parliament, numerous voices were raised in behalf of learning and -learned men. Parliament dismissed the charges of the syndic of the -Sorbonne. - -The exasperated Beda now employed all his eloquence to get the -professors condemned by the Sorbonne. 'The new doctors,' he exclaimed, -'horrible to say! pretend that Holy Scripture cannot be understood -without Greek, Hebrew, and other such languages.' On the 30th of April, -1530, the Sorbonne did actually condemn as rash and scandalous the -proposition of the professors which Beda had denounced.[165] - -[Sidenote: SMALL BEGINNINGS OF A GREAT WORK.] - -Calvin anxiously observed in all its phases this struggle between his -teachers and the doctors of the Sorbonne. All the students were on the -watch, as was Calvin also in his college; and when the decision of the -parliament became known there, it was received with loud acclamations. -While the Sorbonne placed itself on the side of tradition, Calvin placed -himself still more decidedly on the side of Scripture. He thought that -as the oral teaching of the apostles had ceased, their written teaching -had become its indispensable substitute. The writings of Matthew and -John, of Peter and Paul, were, in his opinion, the living word of these -great doctors, their teaching for those ages which could neither see nor -hear them. It appeared to Calvin as impossible to reform the Church -without the writings of the apostles, as it would have been to form it -in the first century without their preaching. He saw clearly that if the -Church was to be renewed, it must be done by faith and by Scripture—a -twofold principle which at bottom is but one. - -But the hour had not yet come when Calvin was to proclaim these great -truths with the authority of a reformer. A modest and devout man, he was -now performing a more humble work in the remotest streets and loneliest -houses of the capital. One would have taken him for the most -insignificant of men, and yet he was already a conqueror. The light of -Scripture, with which his mind was saturated, was one day to shine like -the lightning from east to west; and no man since St. Paul was to hold -the Gospel torch so high and with so firm a hand. When that student, so -thin, pale, and obscure, in appearance so mean, in manner so timid, -passed down the street of St. Jacques or of the Sorbonne; when he crept -silently past the houses, and slipped unobserved into one of them, -bearing with him the Word of life, there was not even an old woman that -noticed him. And yet the time was to come when Francis I., with his -policy, conquests, priests, court, and festivities, would only call up -frivolous or disgusting recollections; while the work which this poor -scholar was by God's grace then beginning, would increase day by day for -the salvation of souls and prosperity of nations, and would advance -calmly but surely to the conquest of the world. - -[Footnote 124: Calvini _Opusc._] - -[Footnote 125: 'Unico omnium patri suum jus integrum maneat.'—Calvin -_in Matthæum_.] - -[Footnote 126: Desmay, _Vie de Calvin_, pp. 40-42. Drelincourt, _Défense -de Calvin_, pp. 167, 168.] - -[Footnote 127: 'Quo loco constat Calvinum ... ad populum conciones -habuisse.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 128: Archives Générales, x. 8946. _France Protestante_, -article _Normandie_.] - -[Footnote 129: Genesis i. 5.] - -[Footnote 130: Desmay, _Vie de Calvin_, p. 41. Drelincourt, -_Défense de Calvin_, p. 168.] - -[Footnote 131: Crévier, _Hist. de l'Université de Paris_, v. p. 245.] - -[Footnote 132: 'Quo alios introduxisti, nusquam ipse ingressus.'—Bezæ -_Icones_.] - -[Footnote 133: 'Lassus de itinere pedem extrahere domo non potui.'— -Calvinus Danieli, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 134: 'Proximos quatuor dies, cum me ægre adhuc sustinerem.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 135: 'Multis precibus, iisque non frigidis, sæpe institit.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 136: 'Nihil magis appetere quam me adjungi filio.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 137: 'Nihil unquam magis ambabus ulnis complexus sum, quam -hanc amici voluntatem.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 138: 'Eam obtinuisse ex solenni more voti nuncupandi -potestatem.'—Calvinus Danieli, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 139: 'Num jugum illud molliter exciperet? num fracta potius -quam inflexa cervix?'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 140: 'Diceres eam ludere cum puppis, quoties audivit voti -nomen.'—Calvinus Danieli, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 141: 'Omnia reponeret in Dei virtute in quo sumus et -vivimus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 142: 'Habeo litteras inchoatas ad canonicum.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 143: 'Viermæus cum quo equum ascendo.'—Calvinus Danieli, Berne -MSS.] - -[Footnote 144: 'In collegio Forterestano domicilium habuit.'—Flor. -Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, ii. p. 246.] - -[Footnote 145: Theodore Beza, _Vie de Calvin_, in French text, p. 12. -'Omnibus purioris religionis studiosis.'—Ibid. Latin text.] - -[Footnote 146: 'Ab eo tempore sese Calvinus, abjectis reliquis studiis, -Deo totum consecravit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 147: 'Qui tunc Lutetiæ occultos cœtus habebant.'—Bezæ _Vita -Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 148: Beza, _Vie de Calvin_, French text, p. 12. 'Summa piorum -omnium voluptate.'—Ibid. Latin text.] - -[Footnote 149: 'Mitto ad te rerum novarum collectanea.'—Calvinus -Chemino, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 150: 'Hac tamen lege, ut pro tua fide officioque per manus -tuas ad amicos transeant.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 151: 'Mitto Epitomem alteram G. nostri.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 152: 'Cui velut appendicem assuere decreveram.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 153: 'Nisi me tempus defecisset.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 154: 'Supinum illum Mæcenatem.'—Calvinus Danieli Aureliano, -Idibus Septembris 1529. Geneva MSS. Calvin borrows this expression from -Juvenal, i. 65: - - 'Multum referens de Mæcenate supino.'] - -[Footnote 155: 'Non potest mores suos nobis accommodare.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 156: Maimbourg, _Histoire du Calvinisme_, liv. ii.] - -[Footnote 157: 'Sit assentator suus, et pleno, seu verius turgido -pectore, foveat ambitionem.'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva MSS.] - -[Footnote 158: 'Apertam esse fenestram, ne post hæc simus verecundi -petitores.'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva MSS. An expression imitated from -Suetonius, lib. xxviii.] - -[Footnote 159: Calvin, _in Lucam_, ch. v. 39.] - -[Footnote 160: 'Interim tamen penum vino instruendum curabo.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Geneva MSS. This passage presents some difficulty. 'Penus' in -Persius means a _safe_ where meat is kept; in Festus and Lampridius, the -_sanctuary_ of the temple.] - -[Footnote 161: 'Odysseam Homeri quam Sucqueto commodaveram, finges a me -desiderari.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 162: _Calvin's Letters_, i. p. 30. Philadelphia, edit. J. -Bonnet.] - -[Footnote 163: 'Ita habent Hebræa.'—_Actes du Parlement._] - -[Footnote 164: Crévier, _Hist. de l'Université de Paris_, v. p. 249.] - -[Footnote 165: 'Hæc propositio temeraria est et scandalosa.'—D'Argentré, -_Collectio Judiciorum de novis Erroribus_, ii. p. 78.] - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - MARGARET'S SORROWS AND THE FESTIVITIES OF THE COURT - (1530-1531.) - - -When was France to turn herself towards the Word of God? At the time of -her brother's return from his Spanish captivity, Margaret had solicited -him to grant liberty of preaching the Gospel, and the king, as will be -remembered, had deferred the matter until his sons were restored to -freedom. That moment seemed to have arrived. In order to recover his -children, Francis had sacrificed at Cambray (June 1529), in _the Ladies' -Peace_, the towns he had conquered, the allies who had been faithful to -him, and two millions of crowns besides. - -It was not, however, until ten months later that the children of France -returned. All the royal family hurried to the Spanish frontier to -receive them; all, except Margaret. 'As it would be difficult to take -you further without danger,' said her mother, 'the king and I have -determined to leave you behind for your confinement.'[166] Margaret, -uneasy and perhaps a little jealous, wrote to Montmorency: 'When the -King of Navarre is with you, I pray you to advise him; but I much fear -that you will not be able to prevent his falling in love with the -Spanish ladies.'[167] At the beginning of July the king's children were -restored to their father; Margaret was transported with joy, and showed -it by her enthusiastic letters to Francis I.[168] She loved these -princes like a mother. More serious thoughts soon filled her mind: the -epoch fixed by her brother had arrived, but would he keep his promise? - -[Sidenote: MARGARET PROMOTES UNITY.] - -Margaret lost no time. Being left alone at Blois, she endeavoured to -strengthen the good cause, and carried on an active correspondence with -the leaders of the Reform. 'Alas!' said the priests, 'while King Francis -is labouring to protect his kingdom from the inundations of the Rhine -(that is, the Reformation), his sister the Queen of Navarre is trying to -break the dykes and throw down the embankments.'[169] There was one work -above all which Margaret had at heart; she wished to put an end to the -divisions among the evangelicals. She entreated the Frenchmen who were -at Strasburg, 'waiting for the consolation of Israel,' to do all in -their power to terminate the disunion; she even commanded Bucer to do -so.[170] Bucer's fine talents, benevolent character, and cultivated -understanding, the eloquence of his language, the dignity of his -carriage, the captivating sound of his voice, his discerning of spirits, -his ardent zeal—all seemed to fit him for a peace-maker. He set to work -without delay, and informed Luther of the princess's injunctions. 'If -our opinions are compared with yours,' he said, 'it will be easily seen -that they are radically the same, although expressed in different terms. -Let us not furnish our enemies with a weapon with which to attack -truth.'[171] - -If Margaret had confidence in Bucer, he too had confidence in her. He -admired the sincerity of her faith, the liveliness of her piety, the -purity of her manners, the beauty of her understanding, the charms of -her conversation, and the abundance of her good works. 'Never was this -christian heroine found wanting in her duty,' he wrote to Luther.[172] -The Strasburgers thought that if Luther and the Germans on one side, and -Margaret and the French on the other, were united, the cause of the -Reformation would be triumphant in Europe. Whenever any good news -arrived from France, Bucer thrilled with joy; he ran to communicate it -to Capito, to Hedion, to Zell, and to Hohenlohe; and then he wrote to -Luther: 'The brethren write to us from France, dear doctor, that the -Gospel is spreading among them in a wonderful manner. A great number of -the nobility have already received the truth.[173] There is a certain -district in Normandy where the Gospel is spread so widely that the enemy -call it _Little Germany_.[174] The king is no stranger to the good -doctrine;[175] and as his children are now at liberty, he will no longer -pay such regard to what the pope and the emperor demand. Christ will -soon be publicly confessed over the whole kingdom.'[176] - -[Sidenote: DEATH OF MARGARET'S CHILD.] - -The Queen of Navarre was obliged to discontinue her correspondence with -the reformers of Germany; great joys and great anguish gave another -direction to her thoughts. About a fortnight after the return of the -children of France, Margaret became the mother of a fine boy at the -castle of Blois. When the king passed through that place on his return -from the Pyrenees, he took his sister with him, after her churching, to -Fontainebleau. But erelong bad tidings of her child summoned Margaret to -Alençon, where he was staying with his nurse; he died on Christmas day, -1530, at the age of five months and a half. The mother who had watched -near him, who had felt his sweet breath upon her cheek, saw him now -lying dead in his little cradle, and could not turn away her eyes from -him. At one time she thought he would revive, but alas! he was really -dead. The queen felt as if her life had been torn from her; her strength -was exhausted; her heart bled, but God consoled her. 'I place him,' she -said, 'in the arms of his Father;' and as she felt the necessity of -giving glory to God publicly, she sent for one of her principal -officers, and, with a voice stifled by tears and sighs, ordered that the -child's death should be posted up in the principal quarters of the city, -and that these words should be at the foot of the notice: - - THE LORD GAVE, AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY. - -A sentiment of joy mingled, however, with her inexpressible sorrow; and, -confident that the little child was in the presence of God, the pious -mother ordered a _Te Deum_ to be sung.[177] 'I entreat you both,' she -wrote to her brother and to her mother, 'to _rejoice at his glory_, and -not give way to any sadness.'[178] Francis, who had not long before lost -two daughters, was moved at this solemn circumstance, and replied to his -sister: 'You have borne the grief of mine, as if they were your own lost -children; now I must bear yours, as if it were my own loss. It is the -third of yours and the last of mine, whom God has called away to his -blessed communion, acquired by them with little labour, and desired by -us with such great travail.'[179] There are afflictions from God which -awaken deep feelings, even in the most frivolous hearts, and lips which -are ordinarily dumb sometimes utter harmonious sounds in the presence of -death. Other consolations were not wanting to the queen. Du Bellay, at -that time Bishop of Bayonne, and afterwards of Paris, hastened to -Alençon: 'Ah!' said Margaret, 'but for our Lord's help, the burden would -have been more than I could bear.'[180] The bishop urged her, on the -part of the king, to go to St. Germain, where preparations were making -for the coronation of Queen Eleanor, the emperor's sister. Margaret, who -always obeyed her brother's orders, quitted Alençon, though with sorrow, -in order to be present at his marriage. - -[Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF FRANCIS AND ELEANOR.] - -The court had never been more brilliant. The less happiness there was in -this marriage, the more pomp the king desired to display; joy of the -heart was replaced by the sound of the fife and drum and of the hautboy. -The dresses were glittering, the festivities magnificent. - - There were mysteries and games, and the streets were gaily drest, - And the roads with flowers were strewn of the sweetest and the best; - On every side were galleries, and, if 't would pleasure yield, - We'd have conjured up again for thee a new Elysian field.[181] - -Princes, archbishops, bishops, barons, knights, gentlemen of parliament, -and the magistrates of the city, were assembled for this illustrious -marriage; scholars and poets were not wanting. Francis I. would often -repeat the proverb addressed by Fouquet, Count of Anjou, to Louis IV.: - - Un roi non lettré - Est un âne couronné.[182] - -Philologers, painters, and architects had flocked to France from foreign -countries. They had met in Paris men worthy to receive them. William -Budæus, the three brothers Du Bellay, William Petit, the king's -confessor; William Cop, the friend of Lascaris and Erasmus; Pierre du -Châtel, who so gracefully described his travels in the East; Pellicier, -the learned commentator on Pliny, whose papers have not, however, been -printed;[183] Peter Danès, whose talents and knowledge Calvin esteemed -so highly: all these scholars, who entertained sympathies, more or less -secret, for the Reform, were then at court. These men of letters passed -among the Roman party as belonging to Luther's flock.[184] Somewhat -later, indeed, when one of them, Danès, was at the Council of Trent, a -French orator inveighed strongly against the lax morals of Rome. The -Bishop of Orvieto said with contempt: '_Gallus cantat!_'—'_Utinam_,' -sharply retorted Danès, then ambassador for France, '_utinam ad galli -cantum Petrus resipisceret!_'[185] But the cock has often crowed, and -Peter has shed no tears. - -In the midst of all these men of letters was - - Margaret, the fairest flower - That ever grew on earth, - -as Ronsard called her. But although her fine understanding enjoyed this -select society, more serious thoughts occupied her mind. She could not -forget, even in the midst of the court, the little angel that had flown -away from her; she was uneasy about the friends of the Gospel; the -worldly festivities around her left her heart depressed and unsatisfied. -She endeavoured to pierce the thick clouds that hung over her, and -soaring in spirit to the 'heavenly kingdom,' she grasped the hand that -Christ stretched out to her from on high. She returned to the well of -Jacob, where she had drunk when she was so tired with her journey. She -had been as a parched and weary land, having neither dew nor moisture, -and the Lord had refreshed her with the clear springs of his Holy -Spirit. 'A continual sprinkling (to use her own words) kept up in her a -heavenly eternity;' and she would have desired all who gathered round -her to come to that well where she had so effectually quenched her own -thirst. Accordingly, in the midst of the worldly agitation of the court, -and of all the honours lavished on her rank and her wit, the poor -mother, whose heart was bruised but consoled, looked out in silence for -some lamb which she could recall from its wandering, and said: - -[Sidenote: THE FOUNTAIN PURE AND FREE.] - - 'Come to my fountain pure and free, - Drink of its stream abundantly.' - Hasten, sinners, to the call - Of your God, who speaks to all: - - 'Come and drink—it gives relief - To every form of mortal grief; - Come and drink the draught divine, - Out of this new fount of mine. - Wash away each mortal stain - In the blood of Jesu slain. - No return I seek from thee - But works of love and charity.' - - Hasten, sinners, to the brink - Of this stream so pure, and drink! - Fill your hearts, so that ye may - Serve God better every day. - Then, well washed of every stain - That of earth might yet remain, - By Jesu's love at last set free, - Live in heaven eternally. - - 'Come to my fountain pure and free, - Drink of its stream abundantly!' - Listen, sinners, to the call - Of your God, who speaks to all.[186] - -These appeals were not unavailing. The Reformation was advancing in -France by two different roads: one was on the mountains, the other in -the plain. The Gospel gained hearts among the sons of labour and of -trial; but it gained others also among the learned and high-born, whose -faculty of inquiry had been aroused, and who desired to substitute truth -in the place of monastic superstitions. Margaret was the evangelist of -the court and of the king. Her mother, with Duprat and Montmorency, -ruled in the council-chamber, the Duchess of Etampes in the court -festivities, but the gentle voice of the Queen of Navarre supported -Francis in his frequent periods of uneasiness and dejection. Yet not to -the king alone did Margaret devote at this time the attentions of her -ardent charity. All the affections of her heart were just now -concentrated on a single object. - -[Sidenote: LOUISA OF SAVOY DYING.] - -She had not recovered from the death of her child, when another blow -fell upon the Queen of Navarre. The brilliant and gay festivities of the -court were succeeded by the sullen silence of the grave; and the icy -coldness, which had presided over the marriage of Francis with his -enemy's sister, was followed by the keen anguish and the bitter sorrows -of the tenderest of daughters. About the end of the year 1531 the Isle -of France was visited by an epidemic. Louisa of Savoy was taken -seriously ill at Fontainebleau, where the children of the king were -staying. Margaret hurried thither immediately. Louisa, that great enemy -of the Reformation, weakened by her dissolute life, was suffering from a -severe fever, and yet, imagining that she would not die, she continued -to attend to business of importance, and, between the paroxysms of the -disease that was killing her, dictated her despatches to the king. Never -had mother so depraved and daughter so virtuous felt such love for each -other. As soon as she saw the Duchess of Angoulême, the Queen of Navarre -anticipated 'the greatest of misfortunes,' and never left her side. The -king's children afforded their grandmother some diversion. Charles, Duke -of Angoulême, then nine years old, thought only of his father. 'If I -only meet him,' said the boy one day, 'I will never let go his -hand.'—'And if the king should go to hunt the boar?' said his -aunt.—'Well! I shall not be afraid; papa will be able to take care of -me.'—'When Madame heard these words,' wrote Margaret to her brother, -'she burst into tears, which has done her much good.' - -In the midst of all these mournful occupations, Margaret kept watch over -the friends of the Gospel. 'Dear nephew,' she wrote to the grand-master -Montmorency, 'that good man Lefèvre writes to me that he is -uncomfortable at Blois, because the folks there are trying to annoy him. -For change of air, he would willingly go and see a friend of his, if -such were the king's good pleasure.' Margaret, finding that the enemies -of the Reform were tormenting the old man, gave him an asylum at Nerac -in her own states. We shall meet with him there hereafter. - -On the 20th of September, Louisa, feeling a little better, left -Fontainebleau for Romorantin; but she had hardly reached Grez, near -Nemours, when her failing voice, her labouring breath, and her words so -sad 'that no one could listen to them, gave her daughter a sorrow and -vexation impossible to describe.'[187] 'It is probable that she will -die,' wrote Margaret to the king. Louisa, notwithstanding her weakness, -still busied herself with affairs of state; she wished to die governing. -Deep sorrow filled her daughter's heart. It was too much for her, this -sight of a mother whom she loved with intense affection, trifling on the -brink of the grave, strengthening herself against death by means of her -power and her greatness, 'as if they would serve her as a rampart and -strong tower,' forgetting that there was another besides herself, who -disposed of that life of which she fancied herself to be the mistress. -Margaret did not rest content with only praying for her mother; she sat -by her and spoke to her of the Saviour. 'Madame,' she said, 'I entreat -you to fix your hopes elsewhere. Strive to make God propitious to -you.'[188] This woman, so ambitious, clever, false, and dissolute, whose -only virtue was maternal love, does not appear to have opened her heart -to her daughter's voice. She breathed her last on the 29th of September, -1531, in the arms of the Queen of Navarre. - -Thoughts of a different order were soon to engross Margaret's attention. -Hers was a sincere and living piety, but she had an excessive fear of -contests and divisions, and, like many eminent persons of that epoch, -she desired at any cost, and even by employing diplomatic means, to -achieve a reform which should leave catholicity intact. To set before -herself a universal transformation of the Church was certainly a noble -and a christian aim; but Calvin, Luther, Farel, and others saw that it -could only be attained at the expense of truth. The Queen of Navarre's -fault was her readiness to sacrifice everything to the realisation of -this beautiful dream; and we shall see what was done in France (Francis -lending himself to it from mere political motives) to attain the -accomplishment of this magnificent but chimerical project. - -[Footnote 166: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 247.] - -[Footnote 167: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 246.] - -[Footnote 168: Ibid. ii. p. 105.] - -[Footnote 169: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, p. 487.] - -[Footnote 170: 'Jussu reginæ Navarræ, ut hoc tandem dissidium -tollatur.'—Buceri _Opera Anglicana_, fᵒ 693. Gerdesius, ii. p. 33.] - -[Footnote 171: 'Præbetur telum hostibus.'—Gerdesius, iv. p. 33.] - -[Footnote 172: 'Nunquam suo officio deest christianissima illa heroīna, -regis soror.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 173: 'Procerum magnus numerus jam veritati accessit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 174: 'Ut cœperint eam vocare _parvam Allemaniam_.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 175: 'Rex a veritate alienus non est.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 176: 'Bona spes est, brevi fore, ut Christus publicum apud -ipsos obtineat.'—Gerdesius, iv. p. 33.] - -[Footnote 177: Charles de Sainte-Marthe, _Oraison funèbre de -Marguerite_.] - -[Footnote 178: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 269.] - -[Footnote 179: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 180: Ibid. i. pp. 272, 273.] - -[Footnote 181: Marot, _Chronique de François I._ p. 90.] - -[Footnote 182: 'An unlettered king is a crowned ass.' A.D. 936.] - -[Footnote 183: Teissier, _Eloge des Hommes savants_, i. p. 200.] - -[Footnote 184: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, p. 884.] - -[Footnote 185: The Latin word _gallus_ signifies both _Frenchman_ and -_cock_. 'The Frenchman crows,' said the bishop. 'Would to God,' retorted -Danès, 'that Peter (the pope) would repent at the crowing of the cock!' -Sismondi, _Hist. des Français_, xvi. p. 359.] - -[Footnote 186: _Les Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. pp. 505-508.] - -[Footnote 187: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 280; ii. p. 120.] - -[Footnote 188: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 269.] - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - DIPLOMATISTS, BACKSLIDERS, MARTYRS. - (1531.) - - -[Sidenote: CHARLES SLANDERS THE PROTESTANTS.] - -The royal trio was now broken up. Margaret, knowing well that her mother -had always influenced her brother in favour of popery, hoped to profit -by an event that had cost her so many tears, and immediately attempted -to incline her brother to the side of the Reform. But there were other -influences at work at court: the Sorbonne, the bishops, Montmorency, and -even the emperor endeavoured to set Francis against the evangelicals. -Charles V. especially desired to take advantage of the alliance which -drew him closer to France, in order to turn its sovereign against -Luther. His envoy, Noircarmes, had very positive instructions on this -point. One day, when this ambassador had gone to present his homage to -the king, they had a long conversation together, and Noircarmes gave -utterance to all the usual calumnies against the Reformation. Francis -did not know what answer to make, but fixed the diplomatist's -accusations in his memory, with the intention of repeating them to his -sister. He paid her a visit, while still in a state of excitement. -'Madame,' said he angrily, 'do you know that your friends the -protestants preach the community of goods, the nullity of the marriage -tie, and the subversion of thrones? Noircarmes says that if I do not -destroy Lutheranism, my crown will be in danger.'[189] To justify the -innocent was one of the tasks which the Queen of Navarre had imposed -upon herself. 'Sire,' she said to the king, 'the reformers are -righteous, learned, peaceful men, who have no other love than that of -truth, no other aim than the glory of God, and no other thought than to -banish superstition and to correct morals.' The Queen of Navarre was so -gracious, so true, so eloquent, that the king left her completely -changed—at least for the day.[190] But it was not long before perfidious -insinuations again roused his anger. - -[Sidenote: REINHOLD AND THE COURTIERS.] - -Margaret, either by her own hand or through her agents, informed the -protestants of Germany of the charges brought against them by Charles's -ambassador, and called upon them to contradict Noircarmes. This they did -immediately. One of them, Matthew Reinhold, a man devoted to the Gospel -and a clever diplomatist, arrived in Paris about the middle of April -1531, and having been received by the king, attended by his lords and -his bishops, he handed in a letter from the Elector of Saxony, the -Landgrave of Hesse, and their allies. Francis opened it and appeared to -read it with interest. 'Sire,' wrote the princes, 'a few monks (Tetzel -and his friends) having through avarice hawked their indulgences about -the country to the dishonour of Christ and the ruin of souls,[191] -certain just and wise men have reproved them; the sun has risen upon the -Church, and has brought to light a world of scandals and errors. Help -us, Sire, and use such means that these disputes may be settled, not by -force of arms, but by a lawful judgment, which shall do no violence to -the consciences of christians.'[192] - -While Francis was reading this letter, the lords and prelates of his -court eyed the Lutheran from head to foot. They went up to him and asked -the strangest questions. 'Is it true,' said a bishop, 'that the women in -your country have several husbands?'—'All nonsense!' replied the German -envoy. To other questions he returned similar answers; the eagerness of -the speakers increased, and the conversation was becoming animated, when -the king, who had finished the letter, declared that he thought it very -reasonable, and, to the great surprise of the court, smiled graciously -upon Reinhold.[193] A few days later (21st April) he gave the envoy an -answer: 'In order to heal the sores of the christian republic,' he said, -'there must be a council; provided the Holy Ghost, who is the lord of -truth, has the chief place in it.' Then he added: 'Do not fear the -calumnies of your enemies.'[194] The first step was taken. - -The grand idea of the counsellors of Francis I., and of the king -himself, was, at this time, to substitute for the old policy of France a -new and more independent policy, which would protect it against the -encroachments of the papacy. Melanchthon was charmed at the king's -letter. 'The Frenchman answered us in the most amiable manner,' he -said.[195] A council guided by the Spirit of God was precisely what the -German protestants demanded: they thought themselves on the point of -coming to an understanding with the King of France. This hope took -possession of Margaret also, and of the powerful party in the royal -council who thought, like her, that the union of France, Germany, and -England would lead to an internal and universal reform of christendom. -The king, urged to form an alliance with the German princes, resolved to -send an ambassador on his part, and selected for this mission one -Gervais Waim. The choice was an unlucky one: Waim, a German by birth, -but long resident in Paris,[196] desired that everything in Germany -should remain as he had left it. A blind partisan of the ancient state -of things, he regarded any change as an outrage towards the German -nation, and was full of prejudices against the Reformation. Accordingly, -he had hardly arrived at Wittemberg (this was in the spring of 1531), -when he sought every opportunity of gratifying his blind hatred. He met -with a grand reception; banquets and entertainments were given in his -honour. One day there was a large party, at which Luther was present -with his friends and many evangelical christians, who were desirous of -meeting the envoy of the King of France. The latter, instead of -conciliating their minds, grew warm, and exclaimed: 'You have neither -church nor magistrate nor marriage; every man does what he pleases, and -all is confusion as among the brutes. The king my master knows it very -well.'[197] On hearing this extravagant assertion, the company opened -their eyes. Some got angry, others laughed, many despaired of ever -coming to an understanding with Francis I. Melanchthon changed his -opinion entirely. 'This man,' he said, 'is a great enemy of our -cause.... The kings of the earth think of nothing but their own -interest; and if Christ does not provide for the safety of the Church, -all is lost.'[198] He never said a truer thing. Waim soon found that he -had not been a good diplomatist, and that he ought not to have shocked -the protestant sentiment; he therefore confined himself to his duty, and -his official communications were of more value than his private -conversations.[199] We shall see presently the important steps taken by -France towards an alliance with evangelical Germany. - -[Sidenote: IMPRUDENCE OF THE FRENCH DEPUTY.] - -Margaret, believing that the triumph of the good cause was not far off, -determined to move forward a little. She had struck out of her -prayer-book all the prayers addressed to the Virgin and to the saints. -This she laid before the king's confessor, William Petit, Bishop of -Senlis, a courtier, and far from evangelical, though abounding in -complaisance for the sister of his master. 'Look here!' she said; 'I -have cut out all the most superstitious portions of this -book.'[200]—'Admirable!' exclaimed the courtier; 'I should desire no -other.' The queen took the prelate at his word: 'Translate it into -French,' she said, 'and I will have it printed with your name.' The -courtier-bishop did not dare withdraw; he translated the book, the queen -approved of it, and it appeared under the title of _Heures de la Royne -Marguerite_ ('Queen Margaret's Prayer-book'). The Faculty of Divinity -was angry about it, but they restrained themselves, not so much because -it was the queen's prayer-book, as because the translator was a bishop -and his Majesty's confessor. - -[Sidenote: LECOQ'S SERMON BEFORE THE KING.] - -Nor did the Queen of Navarre stop here. There was at that time in Paris -a curé, named Lecoq, whose preaching drew great crowds to St. Eustache. -Certain ladies of the court, who affected piety, never missed one of his -sermons. 'What eloquence!' said they, speaking of Lecoq, one day when -there was a reception at St. Germain; 'what a striking voice! what a -flow of words! what boldness of thought! what fervent piety!'—'Your fine -orator,' said the king, who was listening to them, 'is no doubt a -Lutheran in disguise!'—'Not at all, Sire,' said one of the ladies; 'he -often declaims against Luther, and says that we must not separate from -the Church.' Margaret asked her brother to judge for himself. 'I will -go,' said Francis. The curé was informed that on the following Sunday -the king and all his court would come to hear his sermon. The priest was -charmed at the information. He was a man of talent, and had received -evangelical impressions; only they were not deep, and the breath of -favour might easily turn him from the right way. As this breath was just -now blowing in the direction of the Gospel, he entered with all his -heart into this conspiracy of the ladies, and began to prepare a -discourse adapted, as he thought, to introduce the new light into the -king's mind. - -When Sunday came, all the carriages of the court drew up before the -church of St. Eustache, which the king entered, followed by Du Bellay, -Bishop of Paris, and his attendant lords and ladies. The crowd was -immense. The preacher went up into the pulpit, and everybody prepared to -listen. At first the king observed nothing remarkable; but gradually the -sermon grew warmer, and words full of life were heard. 'The end of all -visible things,' said Lecoq, 'is to lead us to invisible things. The -bread which refreshes our body tells us that Jesus Christ is the life of -our soul. Seated at the right hand of God, Jesus lives by his Holy -Spirit in the hearts of his disciples. _Quæ sursum sunt quærite_, says -St. Paul, _ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens_. Yes, _seek those -things which are above_! Do not confine yourselves during mass to what -is upon the altar; raise yourselves by faith to heaven, there to find -the Son of God. After he has consecrated the elements, does not the -priest cry out to the people: _Sursum corda!_ lift up your hearts! These -words signify: Here is the bread and here is the wine, but Jesus is in -heaven. For this reason, Sire,' continued Lecoq, boldly turning to the -king, 'if you wish to have Jesus Christ, do not look for him in the -visible elements; soar to heaven on the wings of faith. _It is by -believing in Jesus Christ that we eat his flesh_, says St. Augustin. If -it were true that Christ must be touched with the hands and devoured by -the teeth,[201] we should not say _sursum_, upwards! but _deorsum_, -downwards! Sire, it is to heaven that I invite you. Hear the voice of -the Lord: _sursum corda_, Sire, _sursum corda!_'[202] And the sonorous -voice of the priest filled the whole church with these words, which he -repeated with a tone of the sincerest conviction. All the congregation -was moved, and even Francis admired the eloquence of the preacher. 'What -do you think of it?' he asked Du Bellay as they were leaving the -church.—'He may be right,' answered the Bishop of Paris, who was not -opposed to a moderate reform, and who was married.—'I have a great mind -to see this priest again,' said the king.—'Nothing can be easier,' -replied Du Bellay. - -[Sidenote: FALL OF LECOQ.] - -Precautions, however, were taken that this interview should be concealed -from everybody. The curé disguised himself and was introduced secretly -into the king's private cabinet.[203] 'Leave us to ourselves,' said -Francis to the bishop.—'Monsieur le curé,' continued he, 'have the -goodness to explain what you said about the sacrament of the altar.' -Lecoq showed that a spiritual union with Christ could alone be of use to -the soul. 'Indeed!' said Francis; 'you raise strange scruples in my -mind.'[204] This encouraged the priest, who, charmed with his success, -brought forward other articles of faith.[205] His zeal spoilt -everything; it was too much for the king, who began to think that the -priest might be a heretic after all, and ordered him to be examined by a -Romish doctor. 'He is an arch-heretic,' said the inquisitor, after the -examination. 'With your Majesty's permission I will keep him locked up.' -The king, who did not mean to go so far, ordered Lecoq 'to be set at -liberty, and to be admitted to prove his assertions by the testimony of -Holy Scripture.' - -Upon this the Cardinals of Lorraine and Tournon, 'awakened by the -crowing of the cock,'[206] arranged a conference. On one side was the -suspected priest, on the other some of the most learned doctors, and the -two cardinals presided as arbiters of the discussion. Tournon was one of -the ablest men of this period, and a most implacable enemy of the -Reformation; in later years he was the persecutor of the Waldenses, and -the introducer of the Jesuits into France. The discussion began. -'Whoever thought,' said the doctors of the Sorbonne to Lecoq, 'that -these words _sursum corda_ mean that the bread remains bread? No; -they signify that your heart should soar to heaven in order that the -Lord may descend upon the altar.' Lecoq showed that the Spirit alone -gives life; he spoke of Scripture; but Tournon, who had been the means -of making more than one pope, and had himself received votes for his own -election to the papacy, exclaimed in a style that the popes are fond of -using: 'The Church has spoken; submit to her decrees. If you reject the -authority of the Church, you sail without a compass, driven by the winds -to your destruction. Delay not!... Save yourself! Down with the yards -and furl the sails, lest your vessel strike upon the rocks of error, and -you suffer an eternal shipwreck.'[207] The cardinals and doctors -surrounded Lecoq and pressed him on every side. Here a theologian fell -upon him with his elaborate scholastic proofs; there an abbé shouted in -his ears; and the cardinals threw the weight of their dignity into the -scales. The curé of St. Eustache was tossed to and fro in indecision. He -had some small taste for the Gospel, but he loved the world and its -honours more. They frightened and soothed him by turns, and at last he -retracted what he had preached. Lecoq had none of the qualities of a -martyr: he was rather one of those weak minds who furnished backsliders -to the primitive Church. - -Happily there were in France firmer christians than he. While, in the -world of politics, diplomatists were crossing and recrossing the Rhine; -while, in the world of Roman-catholicism, the most eloquent men were -becoming faithless to their convictions: there were christian men in the -evangelical world, among those whose faith had laid hold of redemption, -who sacrificed their lives that they might remain faithful to the Lord -who had redeemed them. It was a season when the most contrary movements -were going on. - -Toulouse, in olden times the sanctuary of Gallic paganism, was at this -period filled with images, relics, and 'other instruments of Romish -idolatry.' The religion of the people was a religion of the eye and of -the ear, of the hands and of the knees—in short, a religion of -externals; while within, the conscience, the will, and the understanding -slept a deep sleep. The parliament, surnamed 'the bloody,' was the -docile instrument of the fanaticism of the priests. They said to their -officers: 'Keep an eye upon the heretics. If any man does not lift his -cap before an image, he is a heretic. If any man, when he hears the -_Ave Maria_ bell, does not bend the knee, he is a heretic. If any -man takes pleasure in the ancient languages and polite learning, he is a -heretic.... Do not delay to inform against such persons.... The -parliament will condemn them, and the stake shall rid us of them.'[208] - -A celebrated Italian had left his country and settled at Agen. Julius -Cesar della Scala, better known by the name of Scaliger, belonged to one -of the oldest families of his native country, and on account of the -universality of his knowledge, many persons considered him the greatest -man that had ever appeared in the world. Scaliger did not embrace the -reformed faith, as his son did, but he imported a love of learning, -particularly of Greek, to the banks of the Garonne. - -[Sidenote: CATURCE AT TOULOUSE.] - -The licentiate Jean de Caturce, a professor of laws in the university, -and a native of Limoux, having learnt Greek, procured a New Testament -and studied it. Being a man of large understanding, of facile eloquence, -and above all of thoughtful soul, he found Christ the Saviour, Christ -the Lord, Christ the life eternal, and adored him. Erelong Christ -transformed him, and he became a new man. Then the Pandects lost their -charm, and he discovered in the Holy Scriptures a divine life and light -which enraptured him. He meditated on them day and night. He was -consumed by an ardent desire to visit his birthplace and preach the -Saviour whom he loved and who dwelt in his heart. Accordingly he set out -for Limoux, which is not far from Toulouse, and on All Saints' day, -1531, delivered 'an exhortation' there. He resolved to return at the -Epiphany, for every year on that day there was a great concourse of -people for the festival, and he wished to take advantage of it by openly -proclaiming Jesus Christ. - -[Sidenote: THE TWELFTH-NIGHT SUPPER.] - -Everything had been prepared for the festival.[209] On the eve of -Epiphany there was usually a grand supper, at which, according to -custom, the king of the feast was proclaimed, after which there was -shouting and joking, singing and dancing. Caturce was determined to take -part in the festival, but in such a way that it should not pass off in -the usual manner. When the services of the day in honour of the three -kings of the East were over, the company sat down to table: they drank -the wine of the south, and at last the cake was brought in. One of the -guests found the bean, the gaiety increased, and they were about to -celebrate the new royalty by the ordinary toast: _the king drinks!_ -when Caturce stood up. 'There is only one king,' he said, 'and Jesus -Christ is he. It is not enough for his name to flit through our -brains—he must dwell in our hearts. He who has Christ in him wants for -nothing. Instead then of shouting _the king drinks_, let us say -this night: _May Christ, the true king, reign in all our -hearts!_'[210] - -The professor of Toulouse was much esteemed in his native town, and many -of his acquaintances already loved the Gospel. The lips that were ready -to shout _the king drinks_ were dumb, and many sympathised, at least by -their silence, with the new 'toast' which he proposed to them. Caturce -continued: 'My friends, I propose that after supper, instead of loose -talk, dances, and revelry, each of us shall bring forward in his turn -one passage of Holy Scripture.' The proposal was accepted, and the noisy -supper was changed into an orderly christian assembly. First one man -repeated some passage that had struck him, then another did the same; -but Caturce, says the chronicle, 'entered deeper into the matter than -the rest of the company,' contending that Jesus Christ ought to sit on -the throne of our hearts. The professor returned to the university. - -This Twelfth-night supper produced so great a sensation, that a report -was made of it at Toulouse. The officers of justice apprehended the -licentiate in the midst of his books and his lessons, and brought him -before the court. 'Your worships,' he said, 'I am willing to maintain -what I have at heart, but let my opponents be learned men with their -books, who will prove what they advance. I should wish each point to be -decided without wandering talk.' The discussion began; but the most -learned theologians were opposed to him in vain, for the licentiate, who -had the Divine Word within him, answered 'promptly, pertinently, and -with much power, quoting immediately the passages of Scripture which -best served his purpose,' says the chronicle. The doctors were silenced, -and the professor was taken back to prison.[211] - -The judges were greatly embarrassed. One of them visited the -_heretic_ in his dungeon, to see if he could not be shaken. 'Master -Caturce,' said he, 'we offer to set you at full liberty, on condition -that you will first retract only three points, in a lecture which you -will give in the schools.' The chronicler does not tell us what these -three points were. The licentiate's friends entreated him to consent, -and for a moment he hesitated, only to regain his firmness immediately -after. 'It is a snare of the Evil one,' he replied. Notwithstanding -this, his friends laid a form of recantation before him, and when he had -rejected it, they brought him another still more skilfully drawn up. But -'the Lord strengthened him so that he thrust all these papers away from -him.' His friends withdrew in dismay. He was declared a heretic, -condemned to be burnt alive, and taken to the square of St. Etienne. - -Here an immense crowd had assembled, especially of students of the -university who were anxious to witness the degradation of so esteemed a -professor. The 'mystery' lasted three hours, and they were three hours -of triumph for the Word of God. Never had Caturce spoken with greater -freedom. In answer to everything that was said, he brought some passage -of Scripture 'very pertinent to reprove the stupidity of his judges -before the scholars.' His academical robes were taken off, the costume -of a merry-andrew was put on him, and then another scene began. - -[Sidenote: THE DOMINICAN SILENCED.] - -A Dominican monk, wearing a white robe and scapulary, with a black cloak -and pointed cap, made his way through the crowd, and ascended a little -wooden pulpit which had been set up in the middle of the square. This by -no means learned individual assumed an important air, for he had been -commissioned to deliver what was called 'the sermon of the catholic -faith.' In a voice that was heard all over the square, he read his text: -_The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall -depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of -devils_.[212] The monks were delighted with a text which appeared so -suitable; but Caturce, who almost knew his Testament by heart, -perceiving that, according to their custom of distorting Scripture, he -had only taken a fragment (_lopin_) of the passage, cried out with -a clear voice: 'Read on.' The Dominican, who felt alarmed, stopped -short, upon which Caturce himself completed the passage: _Forbidding -to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created -to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe_. The monks -were confounded; the students and other friends of the licentiate -smiled. 'We know them,' continued the energetic professor, 'these -deceivers of the people, who, instead of the doctrine of faith, feed -them with trash. In God's service there is no question of fish or of -flesh, of black or of grey, of Wednesday or Friday.... It is nothing but -foolish superstition which requires celibacy and abstaining from meats. -Such are not the commandments of God.' The Dominican in his pulpit -listened with astonishment; the prisoner was preaching in the midst of -the officers of justice, and the students heard him 'with great favour.' -The poor Dominican, ashamed of his folly, left his sermon unpreached. - -After this the martyr was led back to the court, where sentence of death -was pronounced upon him. Caturce surveyed his judges with indignation, -and, as he left the tribunal, exclaimed in Latin: 'Thou seat of -iniquity! Thou court of injustice!' He was now led to the scaffold, and -at the stake continued exhorting the people to know Jesus Christ. 'It is -impossible to calculate the great fruit wrought by his death,' says the -chronicle, 'especially among the students then at the university of -Toulouse,' that is to say, in the year 1532.[213] - -Certain preachers, however, who had taught the new doctrine, backslided -deplorably at this time, and checked the progress of the Word in the -south; among them were the prothonotary of Armagnac, the cordelier Des -Noces, as well as his companion the youthful Melchior Flavin, 'a furious -hypocrite,' as Beza calls him. One of those who had received in their -hearts the fire that warmed the energetic Caturce, held firm to the -truth, even in the presence of the stake: he was a grey friar named -Marcii. Having performed 'wonders' by his preaching in Rouergue, he was -taken to Toulouse, and there sealed with his blood the doctrines he had -so faithfully proclaimed.[214] - -[Sidenote: TWO MODES OF REFORMATION.] - -We must soon turn to that external reformation imagined by some of the -king's advisers, under the inspiration of the Queen of Navarre, and by -certain German protestants who, under the influence of motives partly -religious, partly political, proposed to reform Christendom by means of -a council, without doing away with the Romish episcopate. But we must -first return to that humble and powerful teacher, the noble -representative of a scriptural and living reformation, who, while urging -the necessity of a spiritual unity, set in the foremost rank the -imprescriptible rights of truth. - -[Footnote 189: Seckendorf, pp. 1170, 1171.] - -[Footnote 190: 'Fratris iras pro viribus moderavit.'—Bezæ _Icones_.] - -[Footnote 191: 'Propter quæstum, cum contumelia Christi et cum periculo -animarum.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 472.] - -[Footnote 192: Sleidan, ch. viii.] - -[Footnote 193: 'Ihm eine gnädige Mine gemacht.'—Seckendorf, p. 118.] - -[Footnote 194: Sleidan, ch. viii. p. 232.] - -[Footnote 195: 'Gallus rescripsit humanissime.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 503.] - -[Footnote 196: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, iv. p. 167.] - -[Footnote 197: 'Sondern gienge alles unter einander wie das Viehe.— -Schelhorn, p. 289.] - -[Footnote 198: 'Illi reges sua agunt negotia.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 518.] - -[Footnote 199: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 167.] - -[Footnote 200: Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 8.] - -[Footnote 201: 'Corpus et sanguinem Domini, in veritate, manibus -sacerdotum tractari, frangi, et fidelium dentibus atteri.' (The formula -which Pope Nicholas exacted of Bérenger.)—Lanfranc, _De Euchar._ cap. v.] - -[Footnote 202: 'Speciebus illis nequaquam adhærendum, sed fidei alis ad -cœlos evolandum esse. Illud subinde repetens: _Sursum corda! sursum -corda!_'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, ii. p. 225. See also -Maimbourg, _Calvinisme_, pp. 22-24.] - -[Footnote 203: 'Bellaii opera, Gallus hic in secretiorem locum -vocatus.'-Flor. Rémond, ii. p. 225.] - -[Footnote 204: 'Regi scrupulos non leves injecit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 205: 'Idem de aliis quoque fidei articulis.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 206: A play upon the priest's name, both in French and in -Latin. 'Lotharingus et Turnonius cardinales Galli hujus cantu -excitati.'—Flor. Rémond, ii. p. 225.] - -[Footnote 207: 'Antennas dimittite ac vela colligite, ne ad errorum -scopulos illisa navi æternæ salutis naufragium faciatis.'—Flor. Rémond, -_Hist. de l'Hérésie_, ii. p. 225.] - -[Footnote 208: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 7.] - -[Footnote 209: This _jour des Rois_ corresponds with our _Twelfth -day_.] - -[Footnote 210: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 7. Crespin, -_Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 211: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 7. Crespin, -_Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 212: 1 Timothy iv. 1.] - -[Footnote 213: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 7. Crespin, -_Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 214: Ibid.] - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - CALVIN'S SEPARATION FROM THE HIERARCHY: HIS FIRST WORK, HIS FRIENDS. - (1532.) - - -Lecoq had been caught in the snares of the world; Caturce had perished -in the flames; some elect souls appeared to be falling into a third -danger—a sort of christianity, partly mystical, partly worldly, partly -Romanist. But there was a young man among the evangelicals who was -beginning to occasion some uneasiness in the lukewarm. Calvin—for it is -of him we speak—was successively attacked on these three sides, and yet -he remained firm. He did more than this, for every day he enlarged the -circle of his christian activity. An advocate, a young _frondeur_, -a pious tradesman, a catholic student, a professor of the university, -and the Queen of Navarre—all received from him at this time certain -impulses which carried them forward in the path of truth. - -[Sidenote: DANIEL'S VIEWS FOR CALVIN.] - -The advocate Daniel loved him dearly, and desired to keep him in the -Romish communion. His large understanding, his energetic character, his -indefatigable activity seemed to promise the Church a St. Augustin or a -St. Bernard; he must be raised to some important post where he would -have a prospect of making himself useful. The advocate, who thought -Calvin far less advanced in the ways of liberty than he really was, had -an idea of obtaining for him an ecclesiastical charge which, he -imagined, would perfectly suit his young friend: it was that of official -or vicar-general, empowered to exercise episcopal jurisdiction. Would -Daniel succeed? Would he rob the Reformation of this young and brilliant -genius? Influential men were ready to aid him in establishing Calvin in -the ranks of the Romish hierarchy. Accordingly the first temptation to -which he was exposed proceeded from clerical ambition. - -An ecclesiastic of high birth, John, Count of Longueville and Archbishop -of Toulouse, had been appointed Bishop of Orleans in 1521, with -permission to retain his archbishopric.[215] In 1532 a new bishop was -expected at Orleans, either because Longueville was dead, or because, on -account of his illness, a coadjutor had become necessary. The pluralist -prelate was a fellow-countryman of Calvin's.[216] Daniel, thinking that -he ought to seize this opportunity of procuring the post of official for -the young scholar, made the first overtures to Calvin on the 6th of -January, 1532. 'I never will abandon,' he said, 'the old and mutual -friendship that unites us.' And then, having by this means sought to -conciliate his favourable attention, he skilfully insinuated his wishes. -'We are expecting the bishop's arrival every day; I should be pleased -if, by the care of your friends, you were so recommended to him that he -conferred on you the charge of official or some other post.'[217] There -was much in this to flatter the self-love of a young man of -twenty-three. If Calvin had been made vicar-general at so early an age, -he would not have stopped there; that office often led to the highest -dignities, and his brilliant genius, his great and strong character, -would have made him a bishop, cardinal, who can say? ... perhaps pope. -Instead of freeing the Church he would have enslaved it; and instead of -being plain John Calvin he might perhaps have been the Hildebrand of his -age. - -What will Calvin do? Although settled as regards doctrine, he was still -undecided with regard to the Church: it was a period of transition with -him. 'On the one hand,' he said, 'I feel the call of God which holds me -fast to the Church, and on the other I fear to take upon myself a burden -which I cannot bear.... What perplexity!'[218] Erelong the temptation -presented itself. 'Consider!' whispered an insidious voice; 'an easy, -studious, honoured, useful life!'—'Alas!' he said, 'as soon as anything -appears which pleases us, instantly the desires of the flesh rush -impetuously after it, like wild beasts.' We cannot tell whether these -'wild beasts' were roused in his ardent soul, but at least, if there was -any covetousness within, 'which tempted the heart,' he forced it to be -still. Strong decision distinguishes the christian character of Calvin. -The new man within him rejected with horror all that the old man had -loved. Far from entering into new ties, he was thinking of breaking -those which still bound him to the Roman hierarchy. He therefore did not -entertain Daniel's proposal. Of the two roads that lay before him, he -chose the rougher one, and gave himself to God alone. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN'S COMMENTARY ON SENECA.] - -Having turned his back on bishops and cardinals, Calvin looked with love -upon the martyrs and their burning piles. The death of the pious Berquin -and of other confessors had distressed him, and he feared lest he should -see other believers sinking under the same violence. He would have -desired to speak in behalf of the dumb and innocent victims. 'But, -alas!' he exclaimed, 'how can a man so mean, so low-born, so poor in -learning as I, expect to be heard?'[219] He had finished his commentary -upon Seneca's treatise of _Clemency_. Being a great admirer of that -philosopher, he was annoyed that the world had not given him the place -he deserved, and spoke of him to all his friends. If one of them entered -his little room and expressed surprise at seeing him take such pains to -make the writings of a pagan philosopher better known, Calvin, who -thought he had discovered a vein of Gospel gold in Seneca's iron ore, -would answer: 'Did he not write against superstition? Has he not said of -the Jews, that the conquered give laws to their conquerors? When he -exclaims: "We have all sinned, we shall all sin unto the end!"[220] may -we not imagine that we hear Paul speaking?' - -Another motive, however, as some think, influenced Calvin to select the -treatise on _Clemency_. There was a similarity (and Calvin had noticed -it) between the epochs of the author and of the commentator. Seneca, who -lived at the time of the first persecutions against the christians, had -dedicated his treatise on _Clemency_ to a persecutor. Calvin determined -to publish it with a commentary, in the hope (it has been said) that the -king, who was fond of books, would read this legacy of antiquity. -Without absolutely rejecting this hypothesis, we may say that he was -anxious to compose some literary work, and that he displayed solid -learning set off by an elegant and pleasing style which at once gave him -rank among the literati of his day. - -These are the words of Seneca, which, thanks to Calvin, were now heard -in the capital of the kings of France: 'Clemency becomes no one so much -as it does a king.—You spare yourself, when you seem to be sparing -another. We must do evil to nobody, not even to the wicked; men do not -harm their own diseased limbs. It is the nature of the most cowardly -wild beasts to rend those who are lying on the ground, but elephants and -lions pass by the man they have thrown down.[221] To take delight in the -rattling of chains, to cut off the heads of citizens, to spill much -blood, to spread terror wherever he shows himself—is that the work of a -king? If it were so, far better would it be for lions, bears, or even -serpents to reign over us!'[222] - -[Sidenote: THE YOUNG AUTHOR'S DIFFICULTIES.] - -As soon as the work was finished, Calvin thought of publishing it; but -the booksellers turned their backs on him, for an author's first work -rarely tempts them. The young commentator was not rich, but he came to a -bold resolution. He felt, as it would appear, that authorship would be -his vocation, that God himself called him, and he was determined to take -the first step in spite of all obstacles. He said: 'I will publish the -book on _Clemency_ at my own expense;' but when the printing was -finished, he became uneasy. 'Upon my word,' he said, 'it has cost me -more money than I had imagined.'[223] - -The young author wrote his name in Latin on the title-page of the first -work he published, _Calvinus_, whence the word _Calvin_ was derived, -which was substituted for the family name of _Cauvin_. He dedicated his -book to the abbot of St. Eloy (4th April, 1532), and then gave it to the -world. It was a great affair for him, and he was full of anxiety at its -chances and dangers. 'At length the die is cast,'[224] he wrote to -Daniel on the 23rd of May; 'my Commentary on _Clemency_ has appeared.' - -Two thoughts engrossed him wholly at this time: the first concerned the -good that his book might do. 'Write to me as soon as possible,' said he -to his friend, 'and tell me whether my book is favourably or coldly -received.[225] I hope that it will contribute to the public good.' But -he was also very anxious about the sale: all his money was gone. 'I am -drained dry,' he said; 'and I must tax my wits to get back from every -quarter the money I have expended.' - -Calvin showed great activity in the publication of his first work; we -can already trace in him the captain drawing out his plan of battle. He -called upon several professors in the capital, and begged them to use -his book in their public lectures. He sent five copies to his friends at -Bourges, and asked Sucquey to deliver a course of lectures on his -publication. He made the same request to Landrin with regard to the -university of Orleans.[226] In short, he lost no opportunity of making -his book known. - -Daniel had asked him for some Bibles. Probably Calvin's refusal to -accept office in the Church had not surprised the advocate, and this -pious man desired to circulate the book which had inspired his young -friend with such courage and self-denial. But it was not easy to execute -the commission. There was Lefèvre's Bible, printed in French at Antwerp -in 1530; and the Latin Bible of Robert Stephens, which appeared at Paris -in 1532. The latter was so eagerly bought up, that the doctors of the -Sorbonne tried to prohibit the sale. It was probably this edition which -Calvin tried to procure. He went from shop to shop, but the booksellers -looked at him with suspicion, and said they had not the volume. Calvin -renewed his inquiries in the Latin quarter, where at last he found what -he sought at a bookseller's who was more independent of the Sorbonne and -its proclamations than the others. 'I have executed your commission -about the Bible,' he wrote to Daniel; 'and it cost me more trouble than -money.'[227] Calvin profited by the opportunity to entreat his friend to -deliver a course of lectures on the _Clemency_. 'If you make up your -mind to do so,' he wrote, 'I will send you a hundred copies.' These -copies were, no doubt, to be sold to Daniel's hearers. Such were the -anxieties of the great writer of the sixteenth century at the beginning -of his career. Calvin's first work (it deserves to be noted) was on -_Clemency_. Did the king read the treatise?... We cannot say; at any -rate, Calvin was not more fortunate with Francis I. than Seneca had been -with Nero. - -[Sidenote: AN UNHAPPY FRONDEUR.] - -Another case of a very different nature occupied his attention erelong. -Calvin had a great horror of falsehood: calumny aroused his anger, -whether it was manifested by gross accusations, or insinuated by -equivocal compliments. Among his friends at the university there was a -young man whom he called his excellent brother, whose name has not been -preserved. All his fellow-students loved him; all the professors -esteemed him;[228] but occasionally he showed himself a little rough. -This unknown student, having received the good news of the Gospel with -all his soul, felt impelled to speak about it out of the abundance of -his heart, and rebelled at the obligation he was under of concealing his -convictions. There was still in him some remnant of the 'old man,' and -feeling indignant at the weakness of those around him, and being of a -carping temper, he called them cowards. He could not breathe in the -atmosphere of despotism and servility in which he lived. He loved -France, but he loved liberty more. One day this proud young man said to -his friends: 'I cannot bend my neck beneath the yoke to which you so -willingly submit.[229] Farewell! I am going to Strasburg, and renounce -all intention of returning to France.' - -Strasburg did not satisfy him. The eminent men who resided there -sometimes, and no doubt with good intentions, placed peace above truth. -The caustic opinions of the young Frenchman displeased Bucer and his -friends. He was a grumbler by nature, and spoke out bluntly on all -occasions.[230] He had a sharp encounter with a Strasburger, whose name -Calvin does not give, and who was perhaps just as susceptible as the -Parisian was hasty. The young Frenchman was declaiming against baptismal -regeneration, when on a sudden his adversary, whom Calvin judges with -great moderation, began to accuse the poor refugee of being an -anabaptist. This was a dreadful reproach at that time. Wherever he went -the Strasburger scattered his accusations and invectives. Every heart -was shut against the poor fellow; he was not even permitted to make the -least explanation. He was soon brought to want, and claimed the -assistance of friends whom he had formerly helped. It was all of no use. -Reduced to extreme necessity, having neither the means of procuring food -nor of travelling, he managed however to return to France in a state of -the greatest destitution. He found Calvin at Noyon, where the latter -chanced to be at the beginning of September 1532. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN RECEIVES HIM KINDLY.] - -The young man, soured and disappointed, drew a sad picture of Strasburg. -'There was not a single person in the whole city from whom I could -obtain a penny,' he said. 'My enemy left not a stone unturned; -scattering the sparks of his wrath on every side, he kindled a great -fire.... My sojourn there was a real tragedy, which had the ruin of an -innocent man for its catastrophe.' Calvin questioned him on baptism, and -the severe examination was entirely to the advantage of the young -refugee. 'Really,' said the commentator on _Clemency_, 'I have never met -with any one who professed the truth on this point with so much -frankness.' Calvin did not lose a moment, but sat down (4th of -September) to write to Bucer, whom he styled the _bishop_ of Strasburg. -'Alas!' he said, 'how much stronger calumny is than truth! They have -ruined this man's reputation, perhaps without intention, but certainly -without reason. If my prayers, if my tears have any value in your eyes, -dear Master Bucer, have pity on the wretchedness of this unfortunate -man![231] You are the protector of the poor, the help of the orphan; do -not suffer this unhappy man to be reduced to the last extremity.' - -Shortly after writing this touching appeal, Calvin returned to Paris. As -for the young man, we know not what became of him. He was not, however, -the only one who first attacked and then called for pity. - -The literary movement of the capital manifested itself more and more -every day in a biblical direction. Guidacerio of Venice, devoting -himself to scriptural studies, published a commentary on the _Song of -Solomon_, and an explanation of the _Sermon on the Mount_,[232] to the -great annoyance of the doctors of the Sorbonne, who were angry at seeing -laymen break through their monopoly of interpreting Scripture. Priests -in their sermons, students in their essays, put forward propositions -contrary to the Romish doctrine; and Beda, who was beside himself, -filled Paris with his furious declamations. He soon met with a cutting -reply. Some young friends of learning gave a public representation of a -burlesque comedy entitled: 'The university of Paris is founded on a -monster.'[233] Beda could not contain himself: 'They mean me,' he -exclaimed, and called together the Faculties. They laid the matter -before the inquisitors of the faith, who had the good sense to let it -drop.[234] - -[Sidenote: THE MERCHANT DE LA FORGE.] - -When Calvin returned to Paris, he did not join this literary world, -which was jeering at the attacks of the priests: he preferred the narrow -and the thorny way. Every day he attended the meetings which were held -secretly in different parts of the capital. He associated with pious -families, sat at the hearths of the friends of the Gospel, and -discoursed with them on the truth and on the difficulties which the -Reformation would have to encounter in France. A pious and open-hearted -merchant, a native of Tournay, Stephen de la Forge by name, particularly -attracted him at this time. When he entered his friend's warehouse, he -was often struck by the number of purchasers and by the bustle around -him. 'I am thankful,' said La Forge, 'for all the blessings that God has -given me; and I will not be sparing of my wealth, either to succour the -poor or to propagate the Gospel.' In fact, the merchant printed the Holy -Scriptures at his own expense, and distributed copies along with the -numerous alms he was in the habit of giving. Noble, kind-hearted, ready -to share all that he possessed with the poor, he had also a mind capable -of discerning error. He was good, but he was not weak. Certain doctors, -infidel and immoral philosophers, were beginning at that time to appear -in Paris, and to visit at La Forge's, where Calvin met them. The latter -asked his friend who these strange-looking people were: 'They pretend to -have been banished from their country,' said La Forge; 'perhaps.... But -if so, believe me it was for their misdeeds and not for the Word of -God.'[235] They were the chiefs of the sectarians afterwards known by -the name of _Libertines_, who had just come from Flanders. La Forge -not only gave his money, but was able somewhat later to give himself, -and to die confessing Jesus Christ. When Calvin remembered at Geneva the -sweet conversations they had enjoyed together, he exclaimed with a -sentiment of respect: 'O holy martyr of Jesus Christ! thy memory will -always be sacred among believers.'[236] - -Besides La Forge, Calvin had another intimate friend at Paris, whose -personal character possessed a great attraction for him, although the -tendency of his mind was quite different from that of his own. Louis du -Tillet was one of those gentle moderate christians, who fear the cross -and are paralysed by the opinion of the world. The _frondeur_ and -he were two extremes: Calvin was a mean between them. Du Tillet wished -to maintain the Catholic Church, even when reforming it, for he -respected its unity. The reformer had been struck with his charity, his -humility, and his love of truth; while Louis, on the other hand, -admiring 'the great gifts and graces which the Lord had bestowed on his -friend,' was never tired of listening to him. He belonged to a noble -family of Angoulême; his father was vice-president of the Chamber of -Accounts; his eldest brother was the king's valet-de-chambre; and his -other brother was second chief-registrar to the parliament. He was -continually fluctuating between Calvin and his own relatives, between -Scripture and tradition, between God and the world. He would often leave -Calvin to go and hear mass; but erelong, attracted by a charm for which -he could not account, he returned to his friend, whose clear ideas threw -some little light into his mind. Du Tillet exclaimed: 'Yes, I feel that -there is much ignorance and darkness within me.' But the idea of -forsaking the Church alarmed him, and he had hardly uttered such words -as these when he hurried off again to confess. - -Calvin, thanks to the numerous friends who saw him closely, began to be -appreciated even by those who calumniated his faith. 'This man at least -leads an austere life,' they said: 'he is not a slave to his belly; from -his youth he has abhorred the pleasures of the flesh;[237] he indulges -neither in eating nor drinking.[238]... Look at him ... his mind is -vigorous; his soul unites wisdom with daring.... But his body is thin -and spare; one clearly sees that his days and nights are devoted to -abstinence and study.'—'Do not suppose that I fast on account of your -superstitions,' said Calvin. 'No! it is only because abstinence keeps -away the pains that disturb me in my task.' - -[Sidenote: CALVIN AND COP.] - -Professor Nicholas Cop, son of that William Cop, the king's physician, -the honour of whose birth (says Erasmus) both France and Germany -disputed,[239] had recognised an inward life in Calvin, and a vigorous -faith which captivated him, and he never met him in the neighbourhood of -the university without speaking to him. They were often seen walking up -and down absorbed in talk, while the priests looked on distrustfully. -These conversations disturbed them: 'Cop will be spoilt,' they said, and -they endeavoured to prejudice him against his friend; but their intimacy -only became stricter. - -Calvin's reputation, which was beginning to extend, reached the ears of -the Queen of Navarre, and that princess, who admired men of genius and -delighted in agreeable conversation, wished to see the young literary -christian. Thus there was an early intercourse between them. The -christian and learned scholar undertook the defence of the sister of -Francis I. in a letter written to Daniel in 1533, and this princess -afterwards made known to him the projected marriage of her daughter -Jeanne d'Albret—circumstances which indicate an intimate connection -between them. During the time when the piety of the Queen of Navarre was -the purest, a mutual respect and affection united these two noble -characters. 'I conjure you,' said Margaret to Calvin, 'do not spare me -in anything wherein you think I can be of service to you. Rest assured -that I shall act with my whole heart, according to the power that God -has given me.'[240] - -[Sidenote: MARGARET AND CALVIN.] - -'A man cannot enter the ministry of God,' says Calvin, 'without having -been proved by temptation.' The queen's wit, the court of St. Germain, -intercourse with men of genius and of rank, the prospect of exercising -an influence that might turn to the glory of God—all these things might -tempt him. Would he become Margaret's chaplain, like Roussel? Would he -quit the narrow way in which he was treading, to enter upon that where -christians tried to walk with the world on their right hand and Rome on -their left? The queen's love for the Saviour affected Calvin, and he -asked himself whether that was not a door opened by God through which -the Gospel would enter the kingdom of France.... He was at that moment -on the brink of the abyss. What likelihood was there that a young man, -just at the beginning of his career, would not gladly seize the -opportunity that presented itself of serving a princess so full of piety -and genius—the king's sister? Margaret, who made Roussel a bishop, would -also have a diocese for Calvin. 'I should be pleased to have a servant -like you,' she told him one day. But the rather mystical piety of the -princess, and the vanities with which she was surrounded, were offensive -to that simple and upright heart. 'Madame,' he replied, 'I am not fitted -to do you any great service; the capacity is wanting, and also you have -enough without me.... Those who know me are aware that I never desired -to frequent the courts of princes; and I thank the Lord that I have -never been tempted, for I have every reason to be satisfied with the -good Master who has accepted me and retains me in his household.'[241] -Calvin had no more longing for the semi-catholic dignities of the queen -than for the Roman dignities of the popes. Yet he knew how to take -advantage of the opportunity offered him, and nobly conjured Margaret to -speak out more frankly in favour of the Gospel. Carried away by an -eloquence which, though simple, had great power, she declared herself -ready to move forward. - -An opportunity soon presented itself of realising the plan she had -conceived of renewing the universal Church without destroying its unity; -but the means to be employed were not such as Calvin approved of. They -were about to have recourse to carnal weapons. 'Now the only foundation -of the kingdom of Christ,' he said, 'is the humiliation of man. I know -how proud carnal minds are of their vain shows; but the arms of the -Lord, with which we fight, will be stronger, and will throw down all -their strongholds, by means of which they think themselves -invincible.'[242] - -Luther now appears again on the scene; and on this important point -Luther and Calvin are one. - -[Footnote 215: 'Cum facultate retinendi simul archiepiscopatum -tolosanum.'—_Gallia Christiana._] - -[Footnote 216: 'Scis nos episcopum nationis tuæ habere.'—Daniel Calvino, -Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 217: 'Ut officialis dignitate aut aliqua alia te ornaret.'— -Daniel Calvino, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 218: Calvin, _Lettres Françaises_.] - -[Footnote 219: 'Unus de plebe, homuncio mediocri seu potius modica -eruditione præditus.'—Calvinus, _Præf. de Clementia_.] - -[Footnote 220: 'Peccavimus omnes ... et usque ad extremum ævi -delinquemus.'—_De Clementia_, lib. i.] - -[Footnote 221: 'Ferarum vero, nec generosarum quidem, præmordere et -urgere projectos.'—_De Clementia_, cap. v.] - -[Footnote 222: 'Si leones ursique regnarent.'—Ibid. cap. xxvi.] - -[Footnote 223: 'Plus pecuniæ exhauserunt.'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva -MSS.] - -[Footnote 224: 'Tandem jacta est alea.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 225: 'Quo favore vel frigore excepti fuerint.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 226: 'Ut Landrinum inducas in protectionem.'—Calvinus Danieli, -Geneva MSS.] - -[Footnote 227: 'De Bibliis exhausi mandatum tuum.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 228: 'Ita se gessit, ut gratiosus esset apud ordinis nostri -homines.'—Calvinus Bucero, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 229: 'Cum non posset submittere diutius cervicem isti -voluntariæ servituti.'—Calvinus Bucero, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 230: 'Cassait toutes les vitres.'] - -[Footnote 231: 'Si quid preces meæ, si quid lacrimæ valent, hujus -miseriæ succurras.'—Calvinus Bucero, Berne MSS.] - -[Footnote 232: _Versio et Commentarii_, published at Paris in 1531.] - -[Footnote 233: 'Academiam parisiensem super monstrum esse fundatam.'— -Morrhius Erasmo, March 30, 1532.] - -[Footnote 234: 'Res delata est ad inquisitores fidei.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 235: 'Quod ex Stephano a Fabrica (_De la Forge_) intellexi, -istos potius ob maleficia ... egressos esse.'—_Adv. Libertinos._] - -[Footnote 236: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 237: 'Calvinus strictiorem vivendi disciplinam secutus -est.'—Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, ii. p. 247.] - -[Footnote 238: 'Cibi ac potus abstinentissimus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 239: 'Illum incomparabilem, quem certatim sibi vindicant, hinc -Gallia, hinc Germania.'—Erasmi _Epp._ p. 15.] - -[Footnote 240: _Calvin's Letters_, i. p. 342. Philadelphia, ed. J. -Bonnet.] - -[Footnote 241: _Lettres Françaises de Calvin. A la Reine de Navarre_, -i. p. 114, ed. J. Bonnet.] - -[Footnote 242: Calvin, _in 2ᵃᵐ Epist. ad Corinth._ ch. x.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - CONFERENCES AT SMALCALD AND CALAIS. - (MARCH TO OCTOBER 1532.) - - -[Sidenote: DU BELLAY'S PROJECTS.] - -France, or at least the king and the influential men, appeared at this -time to be veering towards a moderate Reform. Francis I. seemed to have -some liking for his sister's religion; but there were other motives -inclining him to entertain these ideas. Finding himself without allies -in Europe, he endeavoured to gain the friendship of the protestants, -hoping that with their help he would be in a condition to oppose the -emperor and restore the French preponderance in Italy. One man in -particular set himself the task of directing his country into a new -path; this was William du Bellay, brother to the Bishop of Paris, and -'one of the greatest men France ever had,' says a catholic -historian.[243] A skilful, active, and prudent diplomatist, Du Bellay -called to mind the memorable struggles that had formerly taken place -between the popes and the kings of France; he believed that christendom -was in a state of transition, and desired, as the Chancellor de -l'Hôpital did in later years, that the new times should be marked with -more liberty, and not with more servitude, as the Guises, the Valois, -and the Bourbons would have wished. He went even farther: he thought -that the sixteenth century would substitute for the papacy of the middle -ages a form of christianity, catholic of course, but more in conformity -with the ancient Scriptures and the modern requirements. From that hour -his dominant idea, his chief business, was to unite catholic France to -protestant Germany. - -Having received the instructions of Francis I., Du Bellay left Honfleur, -where the king was staying,[244] on the 11th of March, 1532, and crossed -the Rhine about the middle of April. At Schweinfurth-on-the-Maine, -between Wurtzburg and Bamberg, he found an assembly composed of a few -protestant princes on one side, and a few mediators on the other, among -whom was the elector-archbishop of Mayence. As this brings us into -Germany, it is necessary that we should take a glance at what had -happened there since the great diet of Augsburg in 1530.[245] - -The catholics and protestants had made up their minds at that time for a -contest, and everything foreboded the bursting of the storm in the next -spring (1531). There were, so to say, two contrary currents among the -friends of the Reformation in Germany. One party (the men of prudence) -wished that the evangelical states should seek powerful alliances and -prepare to resist the emperor by force of arms; the other (the men of -piety) called to mind that the Reformation had triumphed at Augsburg by -faith, and added that from faith all its future triumphs were to be -expected. These two parties had frequent meetings at Wittemberg, Torgau, -and elsewhere. One man especially, with open countenance and firm look, -whose lips seemed always ready to speak, made his clear and sonorous -voice heard: this was Luther. 'To God alone,' he told the elector, -'belongs the government of the future; your Highness must therefore -persevere in that faith and confidence in God which you have just -displayed so gloriously at Augsburg.'[246] But the jurists of Torgau -were not entirely of that opinion, and they endeavoured to prove that -their rights in the empire authorised the protestants to repel force by -force. Luther was not to be shaken. 'If war breaks out,' he replied, 'I -call God and the world to witness, that the Lutherans have in no wise -provoked it; that they have never drawn the sword, never thrown men into -prison, never burnt, killed, and pillaged, as their adversaries have -done; and, in a word, that they have never sought anything but peace and -quietness.'[247] The politicians smiled at such enthusiasm, and said -that in real life things must go on very differently. A conference was -appointed for the consideration of what was to be done, and in the -meanwhile great efforts were made to win over new allies to the -protestant cause. - -[Sidenote: ALLIANCE OF SMALCALD.] - -On the 29th of March, 1531, the deputies of the protestant states met at -Smalcald, in the electorate of Hesse. In the eyes of the peace party -this was a place of evil omen: the town was fortified, and there were -iron mines in the neighbourhood, from which arms have been manufactured -and cannons founded. As the deputies proceeded to the castle of -Wilhelmsburg, built on a hill near the town, they wore a mournful -anxious look. They were disappointed in the hope they had entertained of -seeing Denmark, Switzerland, Mecklenburg, and Pomerania join them. -Nevertheless they did not hesitate, notwithstanding their weakness, to -assert their rights against the power of Charles V. Nine princes and -eleven cities entered into an alliance for six years 'to resist all who -should try to constrain them to forsake the Word of God and the truth of -Christ.' - -This resolution was received with very different sentiments. Some said -that it was an encroachment on the spirituality of the Church; others -maintained that since liberty of conscience was a civil as well as a -religious right, it ought to be upheld, if necessary, by force of arms. -They soon went farther. Some persons proposed, with a view of making the -alliance closer, to introduce into all the evangelical churches a -perfect uniformity both of worship and ecclesiastical constitution; but -energetic voices exclaimed that this would be an infringement of -religious liberty under the pretence of upholding it. When the deputies -met again at Frankfort, on the 4th of June, these generous men said -boldly: 'We will maintain diversity for fear that uniformity should, -sooner or later, lead to a kind of popery.' They understood that the -inward unity of faith is better than the superficial unity of form.[248] - -After various negotiations the evangelicals met at Schweinfurth to -receive the proposals of their adversaries; and it was during this -conference (April and May 1532) that the ambassador of the King of -France arrived. When the protestants saw him appear, they were rather -embarrassed; but still they received him with respect. He soon found out -in what a critical position the men of the confession of Augsburg were -placed. True, the mediators offered them peace, but it was on condition -that they made no stipulations in favour of those who might embrace the -Gospel hereafter. This proposal greatly irritated the Landgrave of -Hesse, his chancellor Feig, and the other members of the conference. -'What!' exclaimed the Hessians, 'shall a barrier be raised between -protestantism and popery, and no one be allowed to pass it?... No! the -treaty of peace must equally protect those who now adhere to the -confession of Augsburg and those who may hereafter do so.'—'It is an -affair of conscience,' wrote the evangelical theologians, and Urban -Regius in particular; 'this is a point to be given up on no -account.'[249] The electoral prince himself was resolved to adopt this -line of conduct. - -[Sidenote: LUTHER OPPOSES DIPLOMACY AND WAR.] - -Luther was not at Schweinfurth, but he kept on the look-out for news. He -spoke about the meeting to his friends; he attacked the schemes of the -politicians; all these negotiations, stipulations, conventions, -signatures, ratifications, and treaties in behalf of the Gospel annoyed -him. When he learnt what they were going to do at Schweinfurth, he was -dismayed. To presume to save the faith with protocols was almost -blasphemous in his eyes! One of his powerful letters fell like a -bomb-shell into the midst of the conference. 'When we were without any -support,' he said, 'and entirely new in the empire, with struggles and -combats all around us, the Gospel triumphed and truth was upheld, -despite the enemies who wished to stifle them both. Why should not the -Gospel triumph now with its own strength? Why should it be necessary to -help it with our diplomacy and our treaties? Is not God as mighty now as -then? Does the Almighty want us to vote the aid that we mean to give him -in future by our human stipulations?'... - -These words of Luther caused general consternation. People said to one -another that 'the Doctor had been ill, and that he had consoled his -friends by saying: "Do not be afraid; if I were to sink now, the papists -would be too happy; therefore I shall not die." They added that his -advice against treaties was no doubt a remnant of his fever; the great -man is not quite right in his mind; the prince-electoral and the -excellent chancellor Bruck wrote to the elector, who was in Saxony, that -everybody was against Luther, who appeared to have no understanding of -business.' But the reformer did not suffer himself to be checked; on the -contrary, he begged the elector to write a sharp letter to his -representatives. 'The princes and burgesses have embraced the Gospel at -their own risk and peril,' he said, 'and in like manner every one must -in future receive and profess it at his own expense.' At the same time -he began to agitate Wittemberg, and drew up an opinion which Pomeranus -signed with him. In it he said: 'I will never take upon my conscience to -provoke the shedding of blood, even to maintain our articles of faith. -It would be the best means of destroying the true doctrine, in the midst -of the confusions of war.'[250] The reformer thought that if the -Lutherans and the Zwinglians, the Germans and the Swiss united, they -would feel so strong, that they would assume the initiative and draw the -sword—which he wished to avert by all means in his power. - -[Sidenote: DU BELLAY'S OVERTURES.] - -But the politicians were not more inclined to give way than the -theologians. On the contrary, they made preparations for receiving the -ambassador of France, in which, however, there was some difficulty. The -diplomatist's arrival compromised them with the imperialists; they could -not receive him in the assembly at Schweinfurth, since catholic princes -would be present. The protestants therefore went a few miles off, to the -little town of Königsberg in Franconia, between Coburg, Bamberg, and -Schweinfurth. Here they formed themselves into a secret committee and -received the ambassador. 'Most honoured lords,' said Du Bellay, 'the -king my master begs you will excuse him for not having sent me to you -sooner. That proceeds neither from negligence nor from want of -affection, but because he desired to come to some understanding with the -King of England, who also wishes to help you in your great enterprise. -The negotiations are not yet ended; but my august master, desirous of -avoiding longer delay, has commissioned me to say that you will find him -ready to assist you. Yes, though he should do it alone; though his -brother of England (which he does not believe) were to refuse; though -the emperor should march his armies against you, the king will not -abandon you. On the honour of a prince, he said. I have received ample -powers to arrange with you about the share of the war expenses which his -Majesty is ready to pay.'[251] - -The circumstances were not favourable for the proposals of Francis I. -The pacific ideas of Luther prevailed. The Elector of Saxony, who was -then ill, desired to die in peace. He therefore sided with the reformer, -and it was agreed to name in the act of alliance the princes and cities -that had already adhered to the confession of Augsburg, and that they -alone should be included in the league. These peaceful ideas of the -protestants did not harmonise with the warlike ideas of King Francis. Du -Bellay was not discouraged, and skilfully went upon another tack; while -the Saxon diplomatists were compelled to yield to the will of their -master, Du Bellay remarked a young prince, full of spirit and daring, -who spared nobody and said aloud what he thought. This was the Landgrave -of Hesse, who complained unceasingly either of Luther's advice, or of -the resolution of the conference. 'The future will show,' he told -everybody, 'whether they have acted wisely in this matter.' The minister -of Francis I., who was of the landgrave's opinion, entered into -communication with him. - -An important question—the question of Wurtemberg—at that time occupied -Germany. In 1512 Duke Ulrich, annoyed because he had not more influence -in the Suabian league, had seceded from it, quarrelled with the emperor, -thrown that prince's adherents into prison, burdened his subjects with -oppressive taxes, and caused trouble in his own family. In consequence -of all this, the emperor expelled him from his states in 1519 and 1520, -and he took refuge in his principality of Montbéliard. It seemed that -adversity had not been profitless to him. In 1524, when Farel went to -preach the Reformation at Montbéliard, Ulrich (as we have seen[252]) -defended religious liberty. When the emperor was at Augsburg in 1530, -wishing to aggrandise the power of Austria, he had given the duchy of -Wurtemberg to his brother Ferdinand, to the great indignation of the -protestants, and especially of the landgrave. 'We must restore the -legitimate sovereign in Wurtemberg,' said this young and energetic -prince: 'that will take the duchy from the catholic party and give it to -the protestants.' But all the negotiations undertaken with this view had -failed. If, however, one of the great powers of Europe should take up -the cause of the dukes of Wurtemberg, their restoration would be easier. -Francis I. had not failed to see that he could checkmate the emperor -here. 'As for the Duke of Wurtemberg,' said Du Bellay to the Königsberg -conference, 'the king my lord will heartily undertake to serve him to -the utmost of his power, without infringing the treaties.'[253] The -landgrave had taken note of these words, and their result was to -establish the Reformation in a country which is distinguished by its -fervent protestantism and its zeal in propagating the Gospel to the ends -of the world. - -[Sidenote: PEACE OF NUREMBERG.] - -A mixed assembly of catholics and protestants having met at Nuremberg in -the month of May, the protestants demanded a council in which everything -should be decided 'according to the pure Word of God.' The members of -the Romish party looked discontented: 'It is a captious, prejudiced, and -anti-catholic condition,' they said. Yet, as the Turks were threatening -the empire, it was necessary to make some concessions to the -Reformation, in order to be in a condition to resist them. The violent -fanatics represented to no purpose that Luther was not much better than -Mahomet; peace was concluded at Nuremberg on the 23rd of July, 1532, and -it was agreed that, while waiting for the next free and general council, -the _status quo_ should be preserved, and all Germans should exercise a -sincere and christian friendship. This first religious peace cheered -with its mild beams the last days of the elector John of Saxony. On the -14th of August, 1532, that venerable prince, whom even the imperialists -styled 'the Father of the German land,' was struck with apoplexy. 'God -help me!' he exclaimed, and immediately expired. 'Wisdom died with the -elector Frederick,' said Luther, 'and piety with the elector John.' - -Yet Du Bellay was always harassed by the desire of emancipating from -Rome that France which the Medici, the Guises, the Valois, and -afterwards the Bourbons, were about to surrender to her. He therefore -increased his exertions among the protestants to induce them to accept -the friendship, if not the alliance, of his master. But they had no -great confidence in 'the Frenchman;' they were afraid that they would be -surprised, deceived, and then abandoned by Francis; they 'shook with -fear.' The ambassador was more urgent than ever; he accepted the -conditions of the protestants, and the two parties signed a sort of -agreement. Du Bellay returned to Francis I., who was then in Brittany, -and the king having heard him, sent him instantly to England, to give -Henry VIII. a full account of all his negotiations with the protestant -princes.[254] - -Thus politicians were intriguing on every side. In Germany, France, and -England, the princes imagined that they could conquer by means of -diplomacy; but far different were the forces by which the victory was to -be gained. In the midst of all this activity of courts and cabinets, -there was an inner and secret activity which stirred the human mind and -excited in it a burning thirst, which the truth and the life of God -alone could quench. Centuries before, as early as 1020, the revival had -begun in Aquitaine, at Orleans, and on the Rhine. Men had proclaimed -that christians 'ought to be filled with the Holy Ghost; that God would -be with them, and would give them the treasures of his wisdom.'[255] -This inward movement had gone on growing from age to age. The Waldenses -in the twelfth century, the purest portion of the Albigenses in the -thirteenth, Wickliffe and the Lollards in the fourteenth, and John Huss -and his followers in the fifteenth, are the heroes of this noble war. -This christian life arose, increased, and spread; if it was extinguished -in one country, it reappeared in another. The religious movement of the -mind gained strength; the electricity was accumulated in the battery; -the mine was charged, and the explosion was certain erelong. All this -was being accomplished under the guidance of a sovereign commander. He -applied the match in the sixteenth century by the hand of Luther; once -more he sprang the mine by the powerful preaching of Calvin, Knox, and -others. It was this that won the victory, and not diplomacy. However, we -have not yet done with it. - -[Sidenote: MEETING OF FRANCIS AND HENRY.] - -At this time Francis I. was enraptured with Henry VIII., calling him his -'good brother' and 'perpetual ally.' Wearied of the pope and of the -popedom, which appeared as if unable to shake off the tutelage of -Charles V., the King of France saw Germany separating from Rome, and -England doing the same, and Du Bellay was continually asking him why he -would not conclude a triple alliance with these two powers? Such a -coalition, formed in the name of the revival of learning and of reform -in the Church, would certainly triumph over all the opposition made to -it by ignorance and superstition. Francis I. had not made up his mind to -break entirely with the pope, though he was resolved to unite with the -pope's enemies. In order to conclude a close alliance with Henry, he -chose the moment when that prince was most out of humour with the court -of Rome. The articles were drawn up on the 23rd of June, 1532.[256] - -The two kings were not content with making preparations only for the -great campaign they meditated against the emperor and Rome: they -determined to have an interview. On the 11th of October, 1532, the -gallant Henry, accompanied by a brilliant court, crossed the Channel and -arrived at Calais, at that time an English possession; while the elegant -Francis, attended by his three sons and many of his nobles, arrived at -Boulogne one or two days later. The great point with Francis was glory—a -victory to be gained over Charles V.; the great point with Henry was to -gratify his passions, and as Clement VII. thwarted him, he had a special -grudge against the pope. With such hatreds and such intentions, it was -easy for the two kings to come to an understanding. - -Their first meeting was at Boulogne, in the abbot's palace, where they -stayed four days under the same roof. Francis was inexhaustible in -attentions to his guest; but the important part of their business was -transacted in one of their closets, where these impetuous princes -confided to each other their anger and their plans. The King of England -gave vent to 'great complaints and grievances' against Clement VII. 'He -wants to force me to go to Rome in person. If he means to institute an -inquiry, let him send his proctors to England. Let us summon the pope -(he added) to appear before a free council empowered to inquire into the -abuses under which princes and people suffer so severely, and to reform -them.'[257] - -Francis, who also had 'goodwill to complain,' filled the abbot's palace -with his grievances: 'I have need of the clergy-tenths (the tenth part -of the Church revenues), in order that I may resist the Turk; but the -holy father opposes my levying them. I have need of all the resources of -my subjects; but the holy father is continually inventing new exactions, -which transfer the money of my kingdom into the coffers of the popedom. -He makes us pay annates, maintain pontifical officers at a great -expense, and give large presents to prothonotaries, valets, -chamberlains, ushers, and others. And what is the consequence? The -clergy are poor; the ruined churches are not repaired; and the indigent -lack food.... Most assuredly the Roman government is only _a net to -catch money_. We must have a council.'[258] - -The two princes resolved to 'take from the pope the obedience of their -kingdoms,' as Guicciardini says.[259] However, before resorting to -extreme measures, Francis desired to begin with milder means, and Henry -was forced to consent that France should forward his grievances to Rome. - -[Sidenote: THE MASKED LADY.] - -After living together for four days at Boulogne, Henry and Francis went -to Calais, where the latter found his apartments hung with cloth of -gold, embroidered with pearls and precious stones. At table, the viands -were served on one hundred and seventy dishes of solid gold. Henry gave -a grand masked ball, at which the King of France was considerably -tantalised by a masked lady of very elegant manners with whom he danced. -She spoke French like a Frenchwoman, abounded in wit and grace, and -knew, in its most trifling details, all the scandal of the court of -France. The king declared the lady to be charming, and her neck the -prettiest he had ever seen. He little imagined then that this neck would -one day be severed by the orders of Henry VIII. At the end of the dance, -the King of England, with a smile, removed the lady's mask, and showed -the features of Anne Boleyn, Marchioness of Pembroke, who (it will be -recollected) had been brought up at the court of the French king's -sister.[260] - -Pleasure did not make the two princes forget business. They were again -closeted, and signed a treaty, in accordance with which they engaged to -raise an army of 65,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry, intended apparently -to act against the Turks.[261] Du Bellay's policy was in the ascendant. -'The great king,' he said, 'is staggering from his obedience.'[262] - -[Sidenote: FRANCIS THREATENS SEPARATION.] - -Wishing to make a last effort before determining to break with the pope, -Francis summoned Cardinals de Tournon and de Gramont, men devoted to his -person, and said to them: 'You will go to the holy father and lay before -him in confidence both our grievances and our dissatisfaction. You will -tell him that we are determined to employ, as soon as may be advisable, -all our alliances, public as well as private, to execute great things ... -from which much damage may ensue and perpetual regret for the -future. You will tell him that, in accord with other christian princes, -we shall assemble a council without him, and that we shall forbid our -subjects in future to send money to Rome. You will add—but as a secret -and after taking the pope aside—that in case his holiness should think -of censuring me and forcing me to go to Rome for absolution, I shall -come, but _so well attended_ that his holiness will be only too eager to -grant it me.... - -'Let the pope consider well,' added the king, 'that the Germans, the -Swiss League, and several other countries in Christendom, have separated -from Rome. Let him understand that if two powerful kings like us should -also secede, we should find many imitators, _both Italians and -others_;[263] and that, at the least, there would be a greater war in -Europe than any known in time past.'[264] - -Such were the proud words France sent to Rome. The two kings separated. -A young prince, held captive by Charles V., gave them the first -opportunity of acting together against both emperor and pope. - -[Footnote 243: Le Grand, _Hist. du Divorce de Henri VIII._ i. p. 20.] - -[Footnote 244: 'Ex oppido unde fluctu Lexoviorum.'—Rommel, _Philippe le -M._ ii. p. 259.] - -[Footnote 245: _History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century_, -vol. iv. bk. xiv. ch. xii.] - -[Footnote 246: Lutheri _Epp._ iv. p. 201—Dec. 1530.] - -[Footnote 247: _Warnung an seine lieben Deutschen._ Lutheri _Opp._ lib. -xx. p. 298.] - -[Footnote 248: Seckendorf, pp. 1174-1192, sqq.] - -[Footnote 249: Urban Regius to the Landgrave.] - -[Footnote 250: Lutheri _Epp._ iv. pp. 335, 337, 369, 372, sqq.] - -[Footnote 251: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 168, 169, Paris, 1588. The -historian is very well informed, especially on everything concerning his -brother's missions.] - -[Footnote 252: _Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Cent._ vol. iii. bk. -xii. chap. xi.] - -[Footnote 253: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 171, 172.] - -[Footnote 254: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 171, 172.] - -[Footnote 255: 'Deus tibi comes nunquam deerit, in quo sapentiæ thesauri -atque divitiarum consistunt.' See Ademarus, monk of Angoulême in 1029, -_Chronic._ _Gesta Synodi Aurelianensis_, &c.] - -[Footnote 256: The articles are given in Herbert's _Life of Henry VIII._ -p. 366, sqq. Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 171.] - -[Footnote 257: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 173.] - -[Footnote 258: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 173, 174.] - -[Footnote 259: Guicciardini, _Hist. des Guerres d'Italie_, ii. liv. xx. -p. 893.] - -[Footnote 260: 'The French king talked with the marchioness a space.'— -_Hall_, p. 794.] - -[Footnote 261: Le Grand, _Hist. du Divorce de Henri VIII._ p. 238.] - -[Footnote 262: Brantôme, _Mémoires_, i. p. 235.] - -[Footnote 263: The words _tant italiens que autres_, are not in the -speech delivered at Calais according to Du Bellay; but they are in the -written instructions given to the two cardinals. _Preuves des Libertés_, -p. 260.] - -[Footnote 264: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 175, 176, sqq.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - A CAPTIVE PRINCE ESCAPES FROM THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR. - (AUTUMN 1532.) - - -The news of the meeting of Francis I. and Henry VIII. alarmed Germany, -Italy, and all Europe. 'The kings of France and England,' it was said, -'are going to take advantage of the emperor's campaign against the -Turks, to unite their armies with those of the protestants and gain a -signal victory.'[265] But nobody was more alarmed than the pope. -Abruptly addressing the Bishop of Auxerre, the minister of France, he -made the bitterest complaints to him.[266] Already he saw France, like -England, shaking off the yoke of Rome. 'I have it from good authority,' -says Brantôme, 'that the King of France was on the point of renouncing -the pope, as the King of England had done.'[267] - -On leaving Boulogne, Francis went to Paris, where he spent the winter -and took his measures for 'the great effort' with which he threatened -the pope. The priests were very uneasy, and began to dread a reform -similar to that in England. Calling to mind that in Denmark, Sweden, and -elsewhere, a great part of the ecclesiastical property had been -transferred to the treasury of the State, they granted the king all he -asked; and the prince thus obtained between five and six hundred -thousand ducats, which put him in a condition to do 'the great things' -with which the cardinals were to menace the pontiff.[268] An unexpected -event furnished the opportunity of employing the priests' money in -favour of the Reformation. - -[Sidenote: CHARLES V. HASTENS TO ITALY.] - -The haughty Soliman had invaded Hungary, in July 1532, at the head of -numerous and terrible hordes. Displaying a luxury without precedent, he -gave audience on a golden throne, with a crown of solid gold at his -side, and the scabbards of his swords covered with pearls. But erelong -the sickly Charles succeeded in terrifying this magnificent barbarian. -Having raised an army which combined the order and strength of the -German lansquenets with the lightness and impetuosity of the Italian -bands and the pride and perseverance of the Spanish troops, he forced -Soliman to retreat. The emperor was all the more delighted, as the -conference between Henry and Francis made him impatient to settle with -the Mussulmans. It was even said in the empire that it was this -conference which brought Charles back, as he desired to join the pope in -combating projects which threatened them both. The emperor passed the -Alps in the autumn of 1532.[269] - -Among the nobles and warriors who accompanied him, was a young prince of -eighteen, Christopher, son of Duke Ulrich of Wurtemberg. He was only -five years old when his father was expelled from his duchy by the -Austrians; and the latter, wishing to make him forget Wurtemberg, -resolved to separate him from his country and his parents. The little -boy and his guardians having left Stuttgard, stopped to pass the night -in a town near the frontier. A lamb was gambolling in the yard; the poor -boy, delighted with the gentleness of the animal, ran and took it up in -his arms, and began to play with it. In the morning, just as they were -leaving, little Christopher, less distressed at their taking away his -sceptre than at their separating him from his pet companion, kissed it -with tears in his eyes, and said to the host: 'Pray take care of it, and -when I return I will pay you for your trouble.' - -Christopher was taken to Innsbruck, where his life was a hard one. The -young prince who, in later times, filled his country with evangelical -schools, had no one to cultivate his mind, and he who was one day to sit -at the table of kings was often half-starved; his dress was neglected, -and even the beggars, when they saw him, were moved with compassion. -From Innsbruck he was transferred to Neustadt (Nagy-Banya) in Hungary, -beyond the Theiss. One day a troop of Turkish horsemen, having crossed -the Carpathians, scoured the country that lay between the mountains and -the river, and, catching sight of the prince, rushed upon him to carry -him off. But a faithful follower, who had observed their movements, -shouted for help, and succeeded in saving Christopher from the hands of -the Mussulmans. And thus the heir of Wurtemberg grew up in the bosom of -adversity. - -[Sidenote: THE PRINCE AND HIS GOVERNOR.] - -The noble-hearted man who had saved him at the peril of his own life was -Michael Tifernus. In his early childhood he had been carried off by the -Turks, and, being abandoned by them, he had succeeded in reaching a -village near Trieste, where some kind people took care of him. Tifernus -(who derived this name from the place of his adoption, for his parents' -name was never known) was sent to a school in Vienna, where he received -a sound education. King Ferdinand, who was guilty of negligence towards -Christopher rather than of ill-will, gave him Tifernus for tutor. The -latter attached himself passionately to the prince, who, under his care, -became an accomplished young man. In the midst of the splendours of the -court of Austria and of the Roman worship, grew up one who was erelong -to rescue Wurtemberg from both Austria and Rome. An important -circumstance occurred to agitate the young prince deeply, and throw a -bright light over his dark path. - -Christopher accompanied the emperor in 1530 to the famous diet of -Augsburg. He was struck by the noble sight of the fidelity and courage -of the protestants. He heard them make their confession of faith; his -elevated soul took the side of the oppressed Gospel; and when, at this -very diet, Charles solemnly invested his brother Ferdinand with the -duchy of Wurtemberg,—when Christopher saw the standard of his fathers -and of his people in the hands of the Austrian archduke—the feeling of -his rights came over him; he viewed the triumphant establishment of the -evangelical faith in the country of his ancestors as a task appointed -him. He would recover his inheritance, and, uniting with the noble -confessors of Augsburg, would bring an unexpected support to the -Reformation. - -The emperor, after the war against the Turks, desired the prince to -accompany him to Italy and Spain; perhaps it was his intention to leave -him there; but Christopher made no objection. He had arranged his plans: -two great ideas, the independence of Wurtemberg and the triumph of the -Reformation, had taken possession of his mind, and while following the -emperor and appearing to turn his back on the states of his fathers, he -said significantly to his devoted friend Tifernus: 'I shall not abandon -my rights in Germany.'[270] - -[Sidenote: PRINCE CHRISTOPHER'S ESCAPE.] - -Charles V. and his court were crossing the Alps in the autumn of 1532. -The young duke on horseback was slowly climbing the passes which -separate Austria from Styria, contemplating the everlasting snows in the -distance, and stopping from time to time on the heights from whose base -rushed the foaming torrents which descend from the sides of the -mountains. He had a thoughtful look, as of one absorbed by some great -resolution. The news of the interview of Francis I. and Henry VIII., -which had alarmed Austria, had inflamed his hopes; and he said to -himself that now was the time for claiming his states. He had conversed -with his governor about it, and it now remained to carry the daring -enterprise into execution. To escape from Charles V., surrounded by his -court and his guards, seemed impossible; but Christopher believing that -God can _deliver out of the mouth of the lion_, prayed him to be his -guide during the rest of his life. As etiquette was not strictly -observed in these mountains, Christopher and his governor lagged a -little in the rear of their travelling companions. A tree, a rock, a -turn in the road sufficed to hide them from view. Yet, if one of the -emperor's attendants should turn round too soon and look for the -laggards, the two friends would be ruined. But no one thought of doing -so: erelong they were at some distance from the court, and could see the -imperial procession stretching in the distance, like a riband, along the -flanks of the Norican Alps. On a sudden the two loiterers turned their -horses, and set off at full gallop. They asked some mountaineers to show -them a road which would take them to Salzburg, and continued their -flight in the direction indicated. But there were some terrible passes -to cross; Christopher's horse broke down, and it was impossible to -proceed. What was to be done? Perhaps the imperialists were already on -their track. - -The two friends were not at a loss. There was a lake close at hand; they -dragged the useless animal by the legs towards it, and buried it at the -bottom of the water, in order that there might be no trace of their -passage. 'Now, my lord,' said his governor, 'take my horse and proceed; -I shall manage to get out of the scrape.' The young duke disappeared, -and not before it was time. 'What has become of Prince Christopher?' -asked Charles's attendants. 'He is in the rear,' was the reply; 'he will -soon catch us up.' As he did not appear, some of the imperial officers -rode back in search of him. The little lake into which the prince's -horse had been thrown was partly filled with tall reeds, among which -Tifernus lay concealed. Presently the imperialists passed close by him; -he heard their steps, their voices; they went backwards and forwards, -but found nothing. At last, they returned and mournfully reported the -uselessness of their search. It was believed that the two young men had -been murdered by brigands among the mountains. The court continued its -progress towards Italy and Rome. All this time Christopher was fleeing -on his governor's horse, and by exercising great prudence he reached a -secure asylum without being recognised, and here he kept himself in -concealment under the protection of his near relatives the dukes of -Bavaria. Tifernus joined him in his retreat. - -[Sidenote: CHRISTOPHER CLAIMS HIS STATES.] - -The report of Christopher's death was circulated everywhere; the -Austrians, who had no doubt about it, felt surer than ever of -Wurtemberg; they were even beginning to forget the prince, when a -document bearing his name and dated the 17th of November, 1532,[271] was -suddenly circulated all over Germany. Faithful to his resolution, the -young prince in this noble manifesto gave utterance to the bitterest -complaints, and boldly claimed his inheritance in the face of the world. -This paper, which alarmed Ferdinand of Austria, caused immense joy in -Wurtemberg and all protestant Germany. The young prince had everything -in his favour: an age which always charms, a courage universally -acknowledged, virtues, talents, graceful manners, an ancient family, a -respected name, indisputable rights, and the love of his subjects. They -had not seen him, indeed, since the day when he had bedewed the pet lamb -with his tears; but they hailed him as their national prince who would -recover their independence. Protected by the Duke of Bavaria, by the -Landgrave of Hesse, and by the powerful King of France, Christopher had -all the chances in his favour. He had more: he had the support of God. -As a friend of the Gospel, he would give fresh strength to the great -cause of the Reformation. Du Bellay would use all his zeal to -reestablish him on the throne, and thus procure an ally for France who -would help her to enter on the path of religious liberty. - -We must now return to the country of Margaret of Navarre, and see how -this princess began to realise her great project of having the pure -Gospel preached in the bosom and under the forms of the Roman Catholic -Church. - -[Footnote 265: 'The people was marvellously affrayed less you would have -joined armies.'—Hawkins to Henry VIII., Nov. 21, 1532. _State Papers_, -vii. p. 388.] - -[Footnote 266: 'Hys Holynes taketh it greatly for ill.'—Ibid. p. 381.] - -[Footnote 267: Brantôme, _Mémoires_, p. 235.] - -[Footnote 268: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 174. _Relation des Ambassadeurs -Vénitiens_, i. p. 52.] - -[Footnote 269: Hammer, iii. p. 118. Schoertlin, _Lebens Beschreibung_. -Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, iii. p. 425.] - -[Footnote 270: 'Entschlossen seine Gerechtigkeiten in Deutschland nicht -zu verlassen.'—Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, iii. pp. 448-451. This -narrative is based upon Gabelkofer, extracted by Sattler and Pfister.] - -[Footnote 271: This document will be found in Sattler, ii. p. 229. See -also Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, iii. p. 450.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - THE GOSPEL PREACHED AT THE LOUVRE AND IN THE METROPOLITAN CHURCHES. - (LENT 1533.) - - -The alliance with England, and the hope of being able, sooner or later, -to triumph over Charles V., filled the King of France with joy; and -accordingly the carnival of the year 1533 was kept magnificently at -Paris. The court was absorbed in entertainments, balls, and banquets. -The young lords and ladies thought of nothing but dancing and -intriguing, at which soberer minds were scandalised. 'It is quite a -Bacchanalia,' said the evangelicals.[272] As soon as the carnival was -ended, Francis started for Picardy; leaving the King and Queen of -Navarre at Paris. Margaret now breathed more freely. She had been -compelled, willingly or unwillingly, to take part in all the court -fêtes; and she now determined to make up for it by organising a great -evangelical preaching instead of the 'bacchanalia' at which she had -sometimes been present. Was not Francis holding out his hand to the King -of England and to the protestants of Germany? The opportunity should be -seized of preaching the new doctrine boldly. The Queen of Navarre sent -for Roussel and communicated her intention to him. She will open the -great churches of the capital, and from their pulpits the inhabitants of -Paris shall hear the mighty summons. The poor almoner, in whom courage -was not the most prominent virtue, was alarmed at first. In the handsome -saloons of Margaret he might indulge in his pious and rather mystical -aspirations; but to enter the pulpits of Paris ... the very thought -dismayed him, and he begged the queen to find some other person. Roussel -did not deny that it was right to preach the Gospel publicly, but -declared himself to be incompetent for the work. 'The minister of the -Gospel,' he said, 'ought to possess an invincible faith.[273] The enemy -against which he fights is the kingdom of hell with all its -powers.[274]... He must defend himself on the right hand and on the -left.... What do you require of me? To preach peace, but under the -cross! To bring in the kingdom of God, but among the strongholds of the -devil.... To speak of repose in the midst of the most furious tempests, -of life in the midst of death, of blessedness in the midst of hell! Who -is fitted for such things?... Doubtless it is a noble task, but no one -ought to undertake it unless he is called to it. Now I feel nothing in -me which a minister of the Gospel of Christ ought to possess at this -moment.'[275] - -[Sidenote: ROUSSEL'S HESITATION.] - -Such a man as Calvin would certainly have been preferable, but Margaret -would neither have dared nor wished to put him in the front. These -sermons undoubtedly formed part of the chaplain's duty; and hence the -Queen, an energetic and impulsive woman, being determined to profit by -the opportunity of giving the Gospel free entrance into Paris, persisted -with Roussel, promised him the help of her prayers and of her favour, -and at last prevailed on him to preach. In truth, his modesty is an -honour to him: no doubt there was boldness wanted; but many humble and -candid souls would have hesitated like him. He was fitter than he -imagined for the work which the Queen of Navarre had taken in hand. - -This obstacle having been surmounted, Margaret met with another. It was -the custom for the Sorbonne to appoint the preachers, and it was -impossible to get them to accept Roussel. 'They will nominate some -furious and insolent monks,' says Calvin, 'who will make the churches -ring with their insults against truth.'[276] The struggle began, and -despite the absence of Francis, despite the influence of the Queen of -Navarre, the Sorbonne gained the day, and the pulpits of the capital -were closed against the almoner. Margaret was very indignant at these -doctors, who looked upon themselves as the doorkeepers of the kingdom of -heaven, and by their tyranny prevented the door from being opened; but -Roussel was by no means sorry to be prohibited from a work beyond his -strength. - -[Sidenote: PREACHINGS AT THE LOUVRE.] - -But nothing could stop the queen. Being resolved to give the Gospel to -France, she said to herself that it must be done now or never. Her zeal -carried her to an extraordinary act. The Sorbonne closed the doors of -the churches against Roussel: Margaret opened to him the palace of the -king. She had a saloon prepared in the Louvre, and gave orders to admit -all who desired to enter. Was the king informed of this? It is possible, -and even probable, that he was. He did not fear to show the pope and -Charles V. how far his alliance with Henry VIII. and the protestants -would extend. He would not have liked to appear schismatic and -heretical; but he sometimes was pleased that his sister should do so; -and he could always vindicate himself on the ground of absence. - -A Lutheran sermon at the Louvre! That was truly a strange thing; and -accordingly the crowd was so great that there was not room for them. -Margaret threw open a larger hall, but that too was filled, as well as -the corridors and ante-chamber.[277] A third time the place of meeting -was changed.[278] She had vainly selected the largest hall; the -galleries and adjoining rooms were filled, and room was wanting still. -These evangelical preachings at the Louvre excited a lively curiosity in -Paris. They were all the fashion, and the worthy Roussel, to his great -surprise, became quite famous. He preached every day during Lent,[279] -and every day the crowd grew larger. Nobles, lawyers, men of letters, -merchants, scholars, and tradespeople of every class flocked to the -Louvre from all parts of Paris, especially from the quarters of the -University and St. Germain. At the hour of preaching, the citizens -poured over the bridges in a stream, or crossed the Seine in boats. Some -were attracted by piety, some by curiosity, and others by vanity. Four -or five thousand hearers crowded daily round Roussel.[280] - -When the worthy citizens, students, and professors had climbed the -stairs at the Louvre, crossed the antechambers, and reached the door of -the principal saloon, they stopped, opened their eyes wide, and looked -wonderingly on the sight presented to them in the monarch's palace. The -King and Queen of Navarre were in the chief places, seated in costly -chairs, whence the active Margaret cast a satisfied glance on all those -courtiers, those notables of the city, those curious Parisians, those -friends of Reform, who were flocking to hear the Word of God. There were -people of every rank: John Sturm, already so decided for the Gospel, was -seen by the side of the elegant John de Montluc, afterwards Bishop of -Valence. At length the minister appeared; he prayed with unction, read -the Scriptures with gravity, and then began his exhortations to the -hearers. His language was simple, but it stirred their hearts -profoundly. Roussel proclaimed the salvation obtained by a living faith, -and urged the necessity of belonging to the invisible Church of the -saints. Instead of attacking the Roman religion, he addressed his -appeals to the conscience; and this preaching of the Gospel (rather -softened down as it was) won, instead of irritating, men's minds. -Accustomed as they were to the babbling of the monks, the congregation -listened seriously to the practical preaching of the minister of God. -Here were no scholastic subtleties, no absurd legends, no amusing -anecdotes, no burlesque declamations, and no unclean pictures: it was -the Gospel.[281] As they quitted the Louvre, men conversed about the -sermon or the preacher. Sturm of Strasburg and John de Montluc, in -particular, often talked together.[282] The satisfaction was general. -'What a preacher!' they said; 'we have never heard anything like it! -What freedom in his language! what firmness in his teaching!'[283] Some -of his hearers wrote in their admiration to Melanchthon, who informed -Luther, Spalatin, and others of it.[284] Germany rejoiced to see France -begin to move at last. - -Margaret, who had a lively imagination and warm heart, was all on fire. -She spoke to the worldlings of that 'peace of God which passeth all -understanding.' She said to the friends of the Gospel: 'The Almighty -will graciously complete what he has graciously begun through us.' She -added: 'I will spend myself in it.' She excited and stirred up everybody -about her, and the crowded congregations of the Louvre were in great -measure the result of her incessant activity. She knew how by a word or -a message to attract courtiers whose only thoughts were of debauchery, -and catholics whose only wish was for the pope. Like a sabbath-bell, she -called Paris to hear the voice of God, and drew the crowd. Possessing in -the highest degree, so long as her brother did not check it, that energy -which women often show in religious matters, she was resolved to -prosecute her work and win the prize of the contest. - -She returned to her first idea. She said to herself that the best way to -effect a reform in the Church without occasioning a schism, was for the -Gospel to be preached in the churches of Paris and of France. The -ceremonies of the Roman worship and the jurisdiction of the bishops -would remain, but Christ would be proclaimed. This system, which was -fundamentally that of Melanchthon and even of Luther at this time,[285] -she did her best to realise. The victory she had just achieved at the -Louvre doubled her courage; she determined to have the churches which -had been refused to her at first. She therefore began to work upon the -king, and, as he was thinking only of his alliances with Henry VIII. and -the protestants, she obtained from him an order authorising the Bishop -of Paris to appoint whom he pleased to preach in his diocese.[286] The -prelate, who was a brother of the diplomatist Du Bellay, passed like him -for a friend of the Reformation. At Margaret's request he named two -evangelical Augustine monks—Courault and Berthaud. 'Strange!' said the -public voice; 'here are men of the order to which Luther belonged going -to preach the doctrine of the great reformer in the capital of France.' -All the evangelicals were overjoyed and wrote to their friends -everywhere that 'Paris was supplied with three excellent preachers, -announcing the truth ... with a little more boldness than was -customary.'[287] - -[Sidenote: ESSENCE OF EVANGELICAL PREACHING.] - -Courault, a sincere scriptural christian, who did not participate in -Margaret's subtleties, preached at St. Saviour's. The inhabitants of the -quarter of St. Denis and from other parts crowded to this church. Many -persons who had said of the preachings at the Louvre, 'They are not for -us,' hastened to the place which belonged to the people. The man who -occupied the pulpit was about the middle age; he did not possess -Roussel's grace, he was even somewhat rough, and preached the Gospel -without reserve and without disguise. His lively and aggressive style, -his expressive and rather threatening gestures arrested attention. He -attacked unsparingly the errors of the Church and the vices of -christians. Courault did not come, as the Roman preachers had done up to -that very hour, to impose on his hearers certain laws, ceremonies, and -acts of worship by means of which they could be reconciled to God and -merit his favour. He spoke not of feasts, or of dedications, or of -customs, or of those mechanical prayers and chantings, in which the -understanding and the heart have no share, and with which the Church -burdened believers. He had a special horror of all that mixes up the -worship of the creature with the adoration of God, and would not suffer -the perfect work of Christ to be obscured by the invocation of other -mediators. He preached that the true worship of the New Testament was -faith in the Gospel, and the love which proceeds from faith; that it was -communion with Christ, patience under the cross, and a holy activity in -doing good, accompanied by the constant prayers of the heart. This -preaching, so new in the capital, attracted an immense crowd. The -enthusiasm was universal. 'This man is in the first rank among good -men,' was the general opinion.[288] 'He is like a sentinel on a tower -who, with his eyes fixed on the east, proclaims that the sun, so long -hidden, will shine at last upon the earth.'[289] Light beamed from -Courault's discourses. His sight was weak, and in after years, during -his exile in Switzerland, where he was Calvin's colleague, he became -quite blind; but his language was always marked by great clearness. It -was said of him that 'although blind he enlightens the soul.'[290] Among -his hearers was Louis du Tillet, Calvin's friend, and the youthful canon -was deeply excited by the living faith of the aged Augustine. 'Oh! what -piety I found in him!' he exclaimed on a later occasion.[291] - -Berthaud, the other preacher named by the bishop, subsequently deserted -the Gospel and died a canon of Besançon: so that each of them reminds us -of our Saviour's words: _There shall two be in the field; the one shall -be taken, and the other left_.[292] - -These evangelical preachings in the palace of the king and in the -churches of Paris were important facts, and there has been nothing like -it since in France. The alarm was consequently at its height. People -asked whether the sentinels of the Church were asleep, and whether the -bark of St. Peter would founder, while the Gospel ship seemed floating -onwards in full sail. - -[Sidenote: AGITATION OF THE SORBONNE.] - -But the doctors of the Sorbonne were not asleep; on the contrary, they -were on the watch, they sent their spies into the evangelical -assemblies, received their reports, and took counsel together every day. -The members of this society, the principal, the prior, the senior, the -recorder, the professors, the proctors, and the librarians declared -boldly and unanimously that all was lost if they did not make haste to -check the evil. The evangelicals and the men of letters were informed of -these fanatical discussions. 'What a horde of scribes and pharisees!' -they exclaimed.[293] But that did not stop the horde. 'What must be -done?' they asked; and Beda replied: 'Let the preachers be seized and -put to death like Berquin.' Some, more moderate or more politic, knowing -that Roussel was preaching by order of the king's sister, shrank from -this proposal, fearing they would offend their sovereign.[294] 'What -foolish policy!' exclaimed Beda, 'what ineffable cowardice!... Is not -the Sorbonne the oracle of Europe? Shall it render ambiguous answers, -like the pagan oracles of old?' - -Beda prevailed, and Roussel was denounced to the king. 'Apply to my -chancellor,' said Francis, who did not wish to say either yes or no. The -Sorbonne delegates then waited upon Duprat. 'Apply to the bishop,' said -the cardinal, who was afraid of displeasing the king. The Sorbonnists -went to their diocesan, rather anxious about the reception they would -receive from him; and with good reason, for the liberal Du Bellay only -laughed at them.[295] The exasperated but indefatigable doctors now -turned to the first president, who was one of their party; but that -magistrate, believing the Sorbonne to be in disgrace, was not anxious to -support their cause. The wrath of the doctors now became unbounded. -Would there no longer be any justice in France for the champions of the -papacy? The friends of letters, who had carefully noted all these -repulses, smiled at the confusion of the priests; and Sturm in -particular, the reviver of learning at Strasburg, and now professor at -Paris, did not spare them: 'Look at these _Thersites_!' he said, -comparing them to the ugliest, most cowardly, and most ridiculous of the -Grecian host at Troy. 'They are at the end of their tether and cannot -succeed,' continued Sturm; 'for those who can help them will not, and -those who will cannot.'[296] - -The doctors of the Sorbonne now lost all moderation. 'The king,' said -they, 'who publicly supports the heretics, his sister and the Archbishop -of Paris, who protect them, are as guilty as they.' Orders were sent -through all the camp: every pulpit became a volcano. Furious -declamations, superstitious sermons, scholastic discourses, violent and -grotesque speeches—the supporters of Rome made use of all. 'Do you know -what an heretical minister is?' asked a monk. 'He is a pig in a pulpit, -decorated with cap and surplice, and preaching to a congregation ... of -asses.'[297] - -[Sidenote: THE FIREBRAND LE PICARD.] - -The most active firebrand in this conflagration was Le Picard, a -bachelor of divinity, professor of the college of Navarre, and -subsequently dean of St. Germain l'Auxerrois. He was twenty-nine years -old, of a 'stormy' temper if ever there was one, and in truth he did -'storm' in the churches and at the meetings of the priests. He went into -the pulpit to oppose Courault; and the people who had gone to hear the -Augustine monk, crowded also to hear his opponent. The latter -gesticulated much, shouted loudly, invoked the Virgin, and attacked the -king, accusing him bluntly of heresy. He was a true precursor of those -who advised the massacre of St. Bartholomew; and indeed he made a -proposal, not long after, worthy of the Guises and the Medici. 'Let the -government pretend to be Lutheran,' he said, 'in order that the reformed -may assemble openly; then we can fall upon them and clear the kingdom of -them once for all.'[298] A monk, charmed with his virtues, has written -his life under the title of _The Perfect Ecclesiastic_.[299] - -[Sidenote: SEDITION OF BEDA AND MONKS.] - -Yet if Le Picard was the most active champion, Beda was still general. -Placed as on a hill, he overlooked the field of battle, examined where -it was necessary to send help, wrote every day to the orators of his -party—to Le Picard, Maillard, Ballue, Bouchigny, and others, and -conjured them not to relax for an instant in their attacks. 'Stir up the -people by your discourses,' he said.[300] It was a critical moment: it -was in the balance whether France would remain catholic or become -heretic. 'Though the monarch deserts the papacy,' he said, 'agitate, -still agitate!' Then the fanatical monks went into the pulpits and -aroused the people by their fiery eloquence: 'Let us not suffer this -heresy, the most pestilential of all, to take root among us.... Let us -pluck it up, cast it out, and annihilate it.'[301] - -All the forces of the papacy were engaged at this time as in a battle -where the general launches his reserves into the midst of the struggle. -The mendicant friars, those veteran soldiers of the popedom, who had -access into every family, were set to work. Dominicans, Augustines, -Carmelites, and Franciscans, having received their instructions, entered -the houses of Paris. The women and children, who were used to them, -saluted them with 'Good morning, friar John or friar James;' and while -their wallet was being filled, they whispered in the ears of the -citizens: 'The pope is above the king.... If the king favours the -heretics, the pope will free us from our oaths of fidelity.' - -They went still further. Whenever it is felt desirable to arouse the -people, they require to be excited by some spectacle. A _neuvaine_ was -ordered in honour of St. James. The crowd flocked to adore the good -saint with his long pilgrim's staff; and for nine days the devout of -both sexes, kneeling round his image, crossing themselves and employing -other usual ceremonies, loudly called upon the saint to give a -knock-down blow with his staff to those who protected the heretics. - -These incendiary discourses and bigoted practices succeeded. The people -began to be restless and to utter threats.[302] They paraded in bands -through the streets, they collected in groups in the public places, and -cries were heard of: 'The pope for ever! down with his enemies!... -Whoever opposes the holy father, even if he be a king, is a knave and a -tyrant, to whom the Grand Turk is preferable.... We will dye our streets -with the blood of those people.'... There was already in the veins of -the inhabitants of Paris the blood of the men of the Reign of Terror. -The crowds who filled the streets stopped before the booksellers' shops, -where books and pictures, defamatory of the reformers and even of the -Queen of Navarre, were displayed. Among the books was a 'stage play' -aimed at the king's sister: it was probably that entitled: _The Malady -of Christendom, with thirteen characters_.[303] - -But even that was not sufficient. There was still wanting a theological -decision from the first academical authority of christendom, which -should place Roussel in the same rank as the arch-heretic Luther. The -Sorbonne, wishing to strike a decisive blow, published a certain number -of the so-called pernicious and scandalous doctrines imputed to Roussel, -and condemned them as being similar to the errors of Luther. The alarm -and agitation were now at their height; the people fancied they could -see the monk of Wittemberg breathing his impious doctrines over Paris. -Rome fought boldly, and everything was in confusion.[304] - -What became of Calvin during all this uproar? 'What is this madness,' he -said on a later occasion, 'which impels the pope and his bishops, the -priests and the friars, to resist the Gospel with such obstinate -rebellion?... The servants of God must be furnished with invincible -constancy in order to sustain without alarm the commotions of the -people. We are sailing on a sea exposed to many tempests; but nothing -ought to turn us aside from doing our duty conscientiously.[305] The -Lord consoles and strengthens his servants when they are thus -agitated.... He has in his hand the management of every whirlwind and of -every storm, and appeases them whenever it seems good to him.... We -shall be roughly handled, but he will not suffer us to be drowned.'[306] - -[Footnote 272: 'Bacchanalia factis multis regiis conviviis.'—Siderander -Bedroto, Strasburg MSS. ed. Schmidt.] - -[Footnote 273: 'Exigit invictum fidei robur.'—Roussel to Œcolampadius, -_Ep. Ref. Helvet._ p. 20.] - -[Footnote 274: 'Adversus totum inferorum regnum, a dexteris et a -sinistris.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 275: 'Nihil minus in me sentiam quam quod ad evangelicum -dispensatorem et ministrum attinet.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 276: 'Quisque erat clamosissimus et stolido furore præditus.'— -Calvinus Danieli, _Epp._ p. 3. Genève, 1575.] - -[Footnote 277: 'Vix enim locus inveniebatur qui satis capax esset.'— -Letter dated Paris, May 28, 1533, by Peter Siderander. Strasburg MSS. -Schmidt, _G. Roussel_, p. 201.] - -[Footnote 278: 'Adeo ut ter mutare locum coactus sit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 279: 'Concionatus est autem quotidie per totam hanc -quadragesimam.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 280: 'Ut nulla fere concio facta fuerit quin hominum quatuor -vel quinque millia adfuerint.'—Siderander, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 281: Schmidt, _G. Roussel_, p. 85.] - -[Footnote 282: See Sturm to Montluc, June 17, 1562.] - -[Footnote 283: 'Gerardus libere docet Evangelium in ipsa Lutetia ... in -aula reginæ Navarræ magna animi constantia.'—Melanchthon, _Corp. Ref._ -ii. p. 658.] - -[Footnote 284: 'Hæc certa sunt et mihi, ex Parisiis, ab optimis viris -diligenter perscripta.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 285: Negotiations of Smalcald, Aug. 1531.] - -[Footnote 286: 'Allatum est regium diploma quo parisiensi episcopo -permittitur præficere quos velit singulis parochiis concionatores.'— -Calvini _Epp._ p. 3.] - -[Footnote 287: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, i. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 288: 'Qui inter bonos postremus non erat.'— Calvini _Epp._ -p. 3.] - -[Footnote 289: 'In specula nostra, donec appareat quod nunc absconditum -est.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 290: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, i. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 291: _Correspondance de Calvin et Du Tillet_, p. 78.] - -[Footnote 292: Matthew, xxiv. 40.] - -[Footnote 293: 'Turba illa scribarum et pharisæorum.'—Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 294: 'Non facile contra regem temere ausi sunt certamen -suscipere.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 295: 'Hic aperte eos illusit.'—Sturm to Bucer, ed. Strobel, p. -106.] - -[Footnote 296: Isti Thersitæ . . . hi qui possunt nollent, et qui -cuperent non auderent adesse.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 297: One of the stalls in a church at Toulouse represents a -similar scene, with these words: _Calvin the pig preaching_.] - -[Footnote 298: Labitte, _Démocratie des Prédicateurs de la Ligue_, p. -3.] - -[Footnote 299: H. de Coste, _Le parfait Ecclésiastique, ou Histoire de -Le Picard_, 12mo, Paris, 1658.] - -[Footnote 300: 'Beda sollicitabat suos oratores ut ne cessarent in suis -demegoriis concitare populum.'—Sturm to Bucer. Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 301: 'Populum stimulare ne hæresim hanc pestilentissimam -radices agere pateretur.'—Siderander Bedroto. Ibid.] - -[Footnote 302: 'Ad extremum populus etiam mussitare et minari cœpit.'— -Sturm to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 303: Typographi in suis pægmatis scriptura et pictura et ludo -scenico læserunt reginam.'—Ibid. _The Moralité de la Maladie de la -Chrétienté_, 8vo, appeared at Paris this very year (1533). The learned -biographer of Roussel and of Sturm supposes, very reasonably as it -appears to me, that this is the _ludus scenicus_, the play of which -Sturm speaks.] - -[Footnote 304: 'Omnino res cœpit esse θορυβώδης.'—Sturm to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 305: 'En rondeur de conscience.'—Calv. _Opusc._] - -[Footnote 306: Calvin, _in Acta_ xix.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - DEFEAT OF THE ROMISH PARTY IN PARIS AND MOMENTARY - TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL. - (1533.) - - -[Sidenote: FRANCIS PUNISHES BOTH PARTIES.] - -Margaret and her husband, with the Bishop du Bellay, alarmed at the -storm, resolved to lay their complaints before Francis I. The kingly -authority was threatened; these hot-headed 'wallet-bearers' were the -predecessors of those who instigated the murders of Henry III. and Henry -IV. The King of Navarre on the one hand, and the Bishop of Paris on the -other, laid before their sovereign an alarming picture of the state of -the capital. 'The blood of Berquin does not satisfy these fanatics,' -they said; 'they are calling for fresh acts of cruelty.... And who will -be their victims now?... They are planning a crime, a revolt!'[307] But -while Francis was listening to his sister's denunciations with one ear, -he was receiving those of the Sorbonne in the other. 'Sedition!' said -one party. 'Heresy!' cried the other. 'Sire,' repeated the theologians -incessantly, 'shut the pulpits against Roussel and his colleagues.'[308] -Thus pulled in different directions, the king, puzzled which to believe, -resolved to punish both parties alike. 'I will confine them all to their -houses,' he said; 'Beda with his orators on one side, and Gerard Roussel -with his preachers on the other. We shall then have some peace and be -able at our leisure to examine these contradictory accusations.'[309] -Thus, at the same moment, Beda, Maillard, Ballue, and Bouchigny of the -church party, and Roussel, Courault, and Berthaud of the evangelical -party, received orders not to leave their houses. The schoolmaster thus -punished the quarrelsome boys by putting them in opposite corners. - -Preparations were made for investigating the two cases, but the matter -was not so easy as the king had imagined. The theologians were indignant -at finding themselves placed in the same rank with the Lutherans. Far -from submitting to be prosecuted for sedition, they claimed to prosecute -the others for heresy. They would not be the accused or even the -accusers; they took their stand as inquisitors of the faith and as -judges.[310] - -[Sidenote: BEDA BREAKS LOOSE.] - -The terrible Beda, shut up in the college of Montaigu,[311] and not -daring to go out, found himself condemned, considering his restless -temper, to the severest penance. At first he was content to keep his -agents at work, who were ready at any moment to bear his orders. But -when he learnt that his right to judge was disputed, and that he was to -be put in the same rank with Roussel, the turbulent doctor could -restrain himself no longer. His room was too narrow to contain his -anger. He made light of the king's commands, and, disobeying his orders, -mounted his mule and rode into the city. From time to time he stopped. -The catholic tribune, the defender of the pope, was soon recognised; a -crowd gathered round him; he addressed the people from his mule, and did -his best to arouse their fanatical passions. While the catholics flocked -round him, some evangelicals were watching the orator and his audience -from a distance. 'I saw him riding on his mule,' says Siderander.[312] -Beda thought himself stronger than the king, and in some respects he -was; he reigned over the savage appetites of an ignorant and fanatical -populace. Such was the power in the sixteenth century by which the pope -triumphed more than once in the capital of France and elsewhere. - -Beda was vigorously supported by all his subalterns: Le Picard -especially, who had not been put under arrest, expressed his indignation -in his fanatical discourses that the king should desire to hold the -balance even between the Church and heresy; and advocated a resort to -force to insure the triumph of the oppressed papacy. A riot seemed about -to break out. The friends of learning and of the king were alarmed. -Might not the Roman party take advantage of Francis's absence to -establish another power than his in Paris, and to treat this monarch as -the Seize in after years treated his grandson Henry III.? - -The King of Navarre and the Bishop of Paris hastened to Meaux, where -Francis was staying with his court, and informed him that Beda, Le -Picard, and their colleagues had thrown aside all reserve, and that, -unless energetic measures were taken, the public tranquillity and -perhaps his crown might be endangered. The king gave way to a paroxysm -of anger. Beda's freak of parading the streets of Paris on his mule, -notwithstanding the prohibition, was one of those insults that Francis -felt very keenly. He ordered Cardinal Duprat and the Bishop of Senlis to -make all haste to Paris, and stop the intrigues of the Sorbonne and the -promenades of Beda, and also arrest Le Picard. 'As for the inquiry about -heresy,' said the king, 'I reserve that for myself.'[313] Heresy was -treated with more tenderness than the first catholic faculty of -christendom. Francis began to find the Lutherans gentle as lambs in -comparison with the hot-headed papists. Certain personages, whose -arrival was soon to be announced by the officers of his court, confirmed -him in this opinion. - -[Sidenote: SORBONNE THREATENS FRANCIS.] - -Scarcely had the two prelates left Meaux, when a deputation from the -Sorbonne arrived. When Francis received them, he was evidently in a bad -humour, but he did not address them sharply, as the courtiers had -expected. The theologians approached him with all the required -formalities; they desired, if possible, to win him by meekness. But by -degrees they raised their tone; they beset him with their accusations, -and irritated him with their pretensions, repeating again and again that -it was the prerogative of the Sorbonne, and not of the prince, to give -their opinion in a matter of heresy. There was some truth in this, but -the truth did not please Francis, who claimed to be master in -everything. Still he contained himself, until the doctors, coming to -threats of revolt, and shouting their loudest, reminded him of the -possibility of a deposition of kings by the popes.[314] These -recollections of the middle ages, with which they menaced the haughty -monarch, who claimed to begin a new era, and who desired that the -Reformation should serve at least to abate the pretensions of Rome, and -emancipate princes from its yoke, made the king shudder, and aroused a -terrible fit of anger. His face grew red, his eyes flashed fire, and -putting aside his usual courtesy, he drove the reverend fathers from his -presence, calling them beasts, and saying: 'Get about your business, you -donkeys!'[315] At this moment Francis inaugurated modern times—though -certainly in a fashion rather cavalier. - -However, Cardinal Duprat was on the road. What would he do, this vile -courtier of the popes, who at their demand had destroyed the bulwark of -the Gallican liberties, and who hated the Reformation? The Sorbonne -placed their hope in him. But Duprat served his master before all -things, and he could not hide from himself that the hot-headed catholics -were threatening the king's crown. He resolved to strike heavily. As -soon as he reached Paris, he had Le Picard arrested, as being the most -compromised. He confined him in his own palace, seized his books and -papers, and had him interrogated by the advocate-general. The seditious -bachelor raved in his prison, and protested aloud against the indignity -of such treatment; but all his storming was of no use. He was condemned -to be shut up in the abbey of St. Magloire, and forbidden to teach.[316] - -Nor did Duprat stop here. He was shocked that paltry priests should dare -speak against that royal majesty of Francis I. for which he, a cardinal -and chancellor, had nothing but humble flatteries. He never ceased to be -the mortal enemy of the Gospel, and originated many a measure of -persecution against the reformed; but his chief quality was a slavish -devotion to the wishes of his master. To the mendicant monks sent out by -the Sorbonne he opposed 'inquirers'—the name he gave to the spies who -were in every parish, and who skilfully interrogated men and women, -nobles and sacristans, to find out whether the preachers or the friars -had attacked the king's government in their hearing. Many of the -townspeople were unwilling to say anything; yet the clever and dreaded -minister attained his ends, and having discovered the most refractory -priests, he summoned them before him. This summons from a cardinal of -the holy Church, from the most powerful person in the kingdom, alarmed -these violent clerics; on a sudden their courage collapsed, and they -appeared before his eminence with downcast eyes, trembling limbs, and -confused manner. 'Who permitted or who authorised you to insult the king -and to excite the people?' asked the haughty Duprat.[317] The priests -were too much terrified to conceal anything: 'It was with the consent -and the good pleasure of our reverend masters,' they replied.[318] - -The theologians of the Sorbonne were now summoned in their turn. They -were quite as much alarmed as their creatures, and, seeing the danger, -denied everything.[319] They managed to take shelter behind certain -clever reservations: they had _hinted_ the insult, but they had not -_commanded_ it. At heart both chiefs and followers were all equally -fanatical, and not one of them needed any stimulus to do his duty in -this holy war. These reverend gentlemen, having thus screened themselves -under denials, withdrew, fully convinced that no one would dare lay -hands upon them. But a hundred Bedas would not have stopped the terrible -cardinal. In the affair of the concordat, had he taken any notice of the -fierce opposition of the sovereign courts, of the universities, or even -of the clergy of France? Duprat smiled at his own unpopularity, and -found a secret pleasure in attracting the general hatred upon himself. -Catholics and evangelicals—he will brave and crush them all. He went to -the bottom of the matter, and having discovered who were the Æoluses -that had raised these sacerdotal tempests, he informed the king of the -result. - -[Sidenote: FRANCIS ACTS VIGOROUSLY.] - -Francis had never been so angry with the catholics. He had met with men -who dared resist him!... It was his pride, his despotism, and not his -love of truth, that was touched. Besides, was he not the ally of -Henry VIII., and was he not seeking to form a league with the -protestants of Germany? Severe measures against the ultramontane bigots -would convince his allies of the sincerity of his words. He had another -motive still: Francis highly valued the title 'patron of letters,' and -he looked upon the friars as their enemy. He put himself forward as the -champion of the learning of the age, and not of the Gospel; but for a -moment it was possible to believe in the triumph of the Reformation -under the patronage of the Renaissance. - -[Sidenote: CONDEMNATION OF BEDA.] - -On the 16th of May, 1533, the indefatigable Beda, the fiery Le Picard, -and the zealous friar Mathurin, the three most intrepid supporters of -the papacy in France, appeared before the parliament. An event so -extraordinary filled both university and city with surprise and emotion. -Devout men raised their eyes to heaven; devout women redoubled their -prayers to Mary; but Beda and his two colleagues, proud of their Romish -orthodoxy, appeared before the court, and compared themselves with the -confessors of Christ standing before the proconsuls of Rome. No one -could believe in a condemnation; was not the King of France the eldest -son of the Church? But the disciples of the pope did not know the -monarch who then reigned over France. If they wanted to show what a -priest was like, the sovereign wanted to show what a king was like. When -signing the letters-royal in which Francis had suggested the arrest to -parliament, he exclaimed: 'As for Beda, on my word, he shall never -return to Paris!'[320] The king's ordinance had been duly registered; -the court was complete; and not a sound could be heard, when the -president, turning to the three doctors, said: 'Reverend gentlemen, you -are banished from Paris, and will henceforward live thirty leagues from -this capital; you are at liberty, however, to select what residences you -please, provided they be at a distance from each other. You will leave -the city in twenty-four hours. If you break your ban, you will incur the -penalty of death. You will neither preach, give lessons, nor hold any -kind of meeting, and you will keep up no communication with one another, -until the king has ordered otherwise.' - -Beda, Le Picard, Mathurin, and their friends, were all terrified. -Francis had, however, reserved for the last a decision which must have -abated their courage still more. As if he wished to show the triumph of -evangelical ideas, he cancelled the injunction against Roussel; and -Margaret's almoner was able once more to preach the Gospel in the -capital. 'If you have any complaint against him,' said the king to the -Sorbonne, 'you can bring him before the lawful tribunals.'[321] - -This decree of the parliament fell like a thunderbolt in the midst of -the Sorbonne. Stunned and stupefied, unable to say or do anything, the -doctors shook off their stupor only to be seized with a fit of terror. -They visited each other, conversed together, and whispered their alarms. -Had the fatal moment really come which they had feared so long? Was -Francis about to follow the example of Frederick of Saxony and Henry of -England? Would the cause of the holy Roman Church perish under the -attacks of its enemies? Would France join the triumphal procession of -the Reformation?... The old men, pretty numerous at the Sorbonne, were -overwhelmed. One of them, a broken-down, feeble hypochondriac, was so -terribly disturbed by the decree, that he fairly lost his senses. He -suffered a perpetual nightmare. He fancied he saw the king and the -parliament, with all France, destroying the Sorbonne, and trampling on -the necks of the doctors while their palace was burning. The poor man -expired in the midst of these terrible phantoms.[322] Yet the blow which -stunned some, aroused others. The more intrepid doctors met and -conferred together, and strove to encourage their partisans and to -enlist new ones: they took no rest night or day.[323] Unable to believe -that this decree really expressed the king's will, they determined to -send a deputation to the south of France, whither he had gone; but -Francis had not forgotten their hint about the deposition of kings by -the popes, and, angry as ever, he rejected every demand. - -[Sidenote: HOPES OF THE REFORMERS.] - -Nor was the Sorbonne alone agitated: all the city was in commotion, some -being against the decree, others for it. The bigots, in their compassion -for 'the excellent Beda,'[324] exclaimed: 'What an indignity, to expose -so profound a divine, so high-born a man, to such a harsh -punishment!'[325] But, on the other hand, the friends of learning leapt -for joy.[326] A great movement seemed to be accomplishing; it was a -solemn time. Some of the most intelligent men imagined that France was -about to be regenerated and transformed.... Sturm in his college was -delighted. What news to send to Germany, to Bucer, to Melanchthon!... He -ran to his study, took up his pen, and wrote in his transport: 'Things -are changing, the hinges are turning.... It is true there still remain -here and there a few aged Priams, surrounded by servile creatures, who -cling to the things that are passing away.... But, with the exception of -this small number of belated men, no one any longer defends the cause of -the Phrygian priests.'[327] The classic Sturm could only compare the -spirit of the ultramontanists to the superstition and fanaticism of the -priests of Phrygia, so notorious for those qualities in ancient times. -But the friends of the Reform and of the Renaissance were indulging in -most exaggerated illusions. A few old folks, mumbling their _Ave-Marias_ -and _Pater-nosters_, seemed to them to constitute the whole strength of -the papacy. They had great hopes of the new generation: 'The young -priests,' they said, 'are rushing into the shining paths of -wisdom.'[328] Francis I. having shown an angry face to the Sorbonne, -every Frenchman was about to follow his example, according to the belief -of the friends of letters. They indulged in transports of joy, and, as -it were, a universal shout welcomed the opening of a new era. But alas! -France was still far distant from it; she was not judged worthy of such -happiness. Instead of seeing the triple banner of the Gospel, morality, -and liberty raised upon her walls, that great and mighty nation was -destined, owing to Romish influence, to pass through centuries of -despotism and wild democracy, frivolity and licentiousness, superstition -and unbelief. - -[Sidenote: THE FOUR DOCTORS EXILED.] - -In the midst of the contrary movements now agitating Paris, there was a -certain number of spectators who, while leaning more to one party than -to the other, set about studying the situation. In one of the colleges -was a student of Alsace, the son of an ironmonger at Strasburg, who, -wishing to give himself a Greek or Latin name, called himself -_Siderander_, 'man of iron.' Such, however, was not his nature; he was -particularly curious; he had a passion for picking up news, and his -great desire to know other people's business made him supple as the -willow, rather than hard as the metal. Siderander was an amiable -well-educated young man, and he gives us a pretty faithful picture of -the better class of students of that day. On Monday, May 26, he was -going to hear a lecture on logic by Sturm, who, leaving the paths of -barren scholasticism, was showing by example as well as by precept how -clearness of thought may be united with elegance of language. Just as -the Alsatian was approaching the college of Montaigu, where Sturm -lectured, he met with a piece of good-luck. He saw an immense crowd of -students and citizens collected in front of the college, where they had -been waiting since the morning to witness the departure of the Hercules -of the Sorbonne.[329] He ran as fast as he could, his heart throbbing -with joy at the thought of seeing Beda, the great papist, going into -banishment.... For such a sight, the student would have walked from -Strasburg. The rumour had spread through Paris that the three or four -disgraced doctors were to leave the capital on that day. Everybody -wished to see them: some for the joy they felt at their disgrace; -others, to give vent to their sorrow. But, sad misfortune! the lucky -chance which had delighted the student failed him. The government was -alarmed, and fearing a riot, the exiles did not appear. The crowd was -forced to disperse without seeing them, and Siderander went away in -great disappointment. The next morning, at an early hour, the four -culprits, Beda, Le Picard, Mathurin, and a Franciscan, came forth under -guard and without noise. The doctors, humiliated at being led out of the -city like malefactors, did not even raise their heads. But the -precautions of the police were useless: many people were on the -look-out, the news spread in a moment through the quarter, and a crowd -of burgesses, monks, and common people filled the streets to see the -celebrated theologians pass, dejected, silent, and with downcast eyes. -The glory of the Sorbonne had faded; even that of Rome was dimmed; and -it seemed to many as if the papacy was departing with its four -defenders. The devout catholics gave way to sighs and groans, -indignation and tears; but at the very moment when these bigots were -paying the last honours to popery, others were saluting the advent of -the new times with transports of joy. 'They are sycophants,' said some -among the crowd, 'banished from Paris on account of their lies and their -traitorous proceedings.'[330] - -The disciples of the Gospel did not confine themselves to words. Matters -were in good train, and it was desirable to persevere until the end was -reached. While the Sorbonne bent its head, the Reformation was looking -up. The Queen of Navarre and her husband, with many politicians and men -of rank, encouraged Roussel, Courault, and others to preach the Gospel -fearlessly; even these evangelists were astonished at their sudden -favour. Roussel in particular advanced timidly, asking whether the -Church would not interpose its _veto_? But no; Bishop du Bellay, the -diplomatist's brother, did not interfere. During the whole period of the -king's absence, Paris was almost like a country in the act of reforming -itself. Men thought themselves already secure of that religious liberty -which, alas! was to cost three centuries of struggle and the purest -blood, and whose lamentable defeats were to scatter the confessors of -Jesus Christ into every part of the world. When a great good is to be -bestowed on the human race, the deliverance is only accomplished by -successive efforts. But at this time men thought they had attained the -end at a single bound. From the pulpits that were opened to them in -every quarter of Paris, the evangelists proclaimed that the truth had -been revealed in Jesus Christ; that the Word of God, contained in the -writings of the prophets and apostles, did not require to be sanctioned -or interpreted by an infallible authority; and that whoever listened to -it or read it with a sincere heart, would be enlightened and saved by -it. The tutelage of the priests was abolished, and emancipated souls -were brought into immediate contact with God and his revelation. The -great salvation purchased by the death of Christ upon the cross was -announced with power, and the friends of the Gospel, transported with -joy, exclaimed: 'At last Christ is preached publicly in the pulpits of -the capital, and all speak of it freely.[331] May the Lord increase -among us day by day the glory of his Gospel!'[332] - -[Sidenote: SATIRES OF THE STUDENTS.] - -The most serious causes always find defenders among trivial men, who do -not thoroughly understand them, but yet despise their adversaries. The -Reformation has no reason to be proud of some of its auxiliaries in the -sixteenth century. A serious cause ought to be seriously defended; but -history cannot pass by these manifestations, which are as much in her -domain as those of another kind. Satire was not spared in this matter. -The students especially delighted in it: they posted up a long placard, -written carefully with ornamented letters in French verse, in which the -four theologians were described in the liveliest and most fantastic -colours.[333] Two of their colleagues were also introduced, for the four -doctors on whom the king's wrath had fallen were not the only criminals. -A cordelier especially was notorious for his curious sermons, full of -bad French and bad Latin, and still more notorious for the clever and -popular eloquence he displayed, whenever a collection was to be made in -favour of his order. This Pierre Cornu, who had been nicknamed _des -Cornes_, was wonderfully touched off in the poem of the students. Groups -of scholars, burgesses, and Parisian wits gathered round the placards, -some bursting with laughter and others with anger. The vehement and -ridiculous Cornu especially excited the mirth of the idlers. A profane -author who had nothing to do with the Reformation, speaks of him in his -writings:—'Ha! ha! Master Cornu,' said one, 'you are not the only man to -have horns.... Friend Bacchus wears a pair; and so do Pan, and Jupiter -Ammon and hosts besides.'—'Ha! ha! dear Master Cornibus,' said another, -'give me an ounce of your sermon, and I will make the collection in your -parish.' Strange circumstance! The public voice seemed at this time -opposed to these forerunners of the preachers of the League. The -Sorbonne, however, had friends who replied to these jests by bursts of -passion. 'The man who wrote these verses is a heretic,' they -exclaimed.[334] From insults they passed to threats; from threats they -came to blows, and the struggle began. The bigots wished to pull down -the placard. A creature of the Faculty succeeded; springing into the -air, he tore it down and ran off with his spoil.[335] Then the crowd -dispersed. - -[Sidenote: SORBONNE CALLS FOR THE STAKE.] - -In that age placards played a great part, similar to that played by -certain pamphlets in later times. There was no need to buy them at the -bookseller's; everybody could read the impromptu tracts at the corners -of the streets. Rome was not in the humour to leave these powerful -weapons in the hands of her enemies, and the Sorbonne determined to -appeal to the people against the abhorred race of innovators. It did not -jest, like the youth of the schools; it went straight to the point, and -invoked the stake against its adversaries. Two days after that on which -the former placard was posted up, another was found on the walls, -containing these unpolished verses: - - To the stake! to the stake! with the heretic crew, - That day and night vexes all good men and true. - Shall we let them Saint Scripture and her edicts defile? - Shall we banish pure science for Lutherans vile? - Do you think that our God will permit such as these - To imperil our bodies and souls at their ease? - - O Paris, of cities the flower and the pride, - Uphold that true faith which these heretics deride; - Or else on thy towers storm and tempest shall fall.... - Take heed by my warning; and let us pray all - That the King of all kings will be pleased to confound - These dogs so accursed, where'er they be found, - That their names, like bones going fast to decay, - May from memory's tablets be clean wiped away. - - To the stake! to the stake! the fire is their home! - As God hath permitted, let justice be done. - -A crowd equally great assembled before this placard, as cruel as it was -crafty. The writer appealed to the people of Paris; he entitled them -'the flower and pride of cities,' knowing that flattery is the best -means of winning men's minds; and then he called for the stake. The -'stake' was the argument with which men opposed the Reform. 'Burn those -who confute us!' This savage invocation was a home-thrust. Many of the -citizens, kneeling down to write, copied out the placard, in order to -carry it to every house: the press is less rapid, even in our days. -Others committed the verses to memory, and walked along the streets -singing the burden: - - To the stake! to the stake! the fire is their home! - As God hath permitted, let justice be done! - -These rude rhymes became the motto of their party; this cruel ballad of -the sixteenth century erelong summoned the champions of the Church in -various quarters to fatten the earth with the ashes of their enemies. -Pierre Siderander happened to be in the crowd; noticing several papists -copying the incendiary verses, the Strasburg student did the same, and -sent copies to his friends. By this means they were handed down to our -times.[336] - -The next day there was a fresh placard. The Sorbonne, finding the people -beginning to be moved, wished to arouse them thoroughly. This ballad was -not confined to a general appeal to the stake; Roussel was mentioned by -name as one who deserved to be burnt. The fanatical placards of the -Sorbonnists were not so soon torn down as the satirical couplets of -their pupils. They could be read for days together, such good watch did -the sacristans keep over them. - -But the Sorbonne did not limit themselves to a paper war; they worked -upon the most eminent members of the parliament. Their zeal displayed -itself on every side. 'Justice! justice!' they exclaimed; 'let us punish -these detestable heretics, and pluck up Lutheranism, root and -branch.'[337] The whole city was in commotion; the most odious plots -were concocted; and the _matéologues_, as the students called the -defenders of the old abuses, took counsel at the Sorbonne every day. - -[Sidenote: PROGRESS OF THE REFORM.] - -In the midst of all this agitation the Reformation was advancing quietly -but surely. While the Queen of Navarre boldly professed her living piety -in the palace, and preachers proclaimed it from their pulpits to the -believing crowd, evangelical men, still in obscurity, were modestly -propagating around them a purer and a mightier faith. At this period -Calvin spent four years in Paris (1529-1533), where he at first engaged -in literature. It might have been thought that he would appear in the -world as a man of letters, and not as a reformer. But he soon placed -profane studies in the second rank, and devoted himself to the service -of God, as we have seen. He would have desired not to enter forthwith -upon a career of evangelical activity. 'During this time,' he said, 'my -sole object was to live privately, without being known.' He felt the -necessity of a time of silence and christian meditation. He would have -liked to imitate Paul, who, after his conversion and his first preaching -at Damascus, passed several quiet years in Arabia and Cilicia;[338] but -he had to combat error around him, and he soon took a step in advance. -While Courault and Roussel were preaching in the churches to large -audiences and dealing tenderly with the papacy, Calvin, displaying great -activity,[339] visited the different quarters of Paris where secret -assemblies were held, and there proclaimed a more scriptural, a more -complete, and a bolder doctrine. In his discourses he made frequent -allusions to the dangers to which those were exposed who desired to live -piously; and he taught them at the same time 'what magnanimity believers -ought to possess when adversity draws them on to despair.'—'When things -do not go as we wish,' he said, 'sadness comes over the mind and makes -us forget all our confidence. But the paternal love of God is the -foundation of an invincible strength which overcomes every trial. The -divine favour is a shelter against all storms, from whatever quarter -they may come.' And he usually ended his discourses, we are told, with -these words: '_If God be for us, who can be against us?_'[340] - -Mere preaching did not satisfy Calvin: he entered into communication -with all who desired a purer religion,[341] made them frequent visits, -and conversed seriously with them. He avoided no one, and cultivated the -friendship of those whom he had formerly known. He advanced step by -step, but he was always busy, and the doctrine of the Gospel made some -progress every day. All persons rendered the strongest testimony to his -piety.[342] The friends of the Word of God gathered round him, and among -them were many burgesses and common people, but there were nobles and -college professors also. - -These christians were full of hope, and even Calvin entertained the bold -idea of winning the king, the university, and indeed France herself, -over to the Gospel. Paris was in suspense. Every one thought that some -striking and perhaps sudden change was about to take place in one -direction or another. Will Rome or will the Reformation have the -advantage? There were strong reasons for adopting the former opinion, -and reasons hardly less powerful for adopting the latter. Discussions -arose upon this point, even among friends. Men were on the look-out for -anything that might help them to divine the future, and the more curious -resorted to the various places where they hoped to pick up news. Public -attention was particularly turned towards the Sorbonne, when it was -known that the heads of the Roman party were holding council. - -[Sidenote: PIERRE SIDERANDER.] - -On the 23rd of May, 1533, Pierre Siderander (who was naturally -inquisitive), instigated by a desire to learn what was going to happen, -and wishing in particular to know what was doing in the theological -clubs (for from them, he doubted not, would proceed the blow that would -decide who should be the victors), stole into the buildings belonging to -the faculty of divinity.[343] He did not dare penetrate farther than the -great gate: stopping there like any other lounger, he began to look at -the pictures that were sold at the entrance of the building.[344] But, -with all his innocent air, his eyes and ears were wide open, trying to -pick up a word or two that would tell him what was going on; for the -doctors, as they went in or out talking together, must necessarily pass -close by him. Pierre wasted his time sauntering about before the -pictures of the saints and of the Virgin (which he looked upon as -idolatrous). On a sudden he saw the illustrious Budæus coming out of the -Sorbonne.[345] At that time Budæus was playing the same part as the -noble Chancellor l'Hôpital afterwards did: he was present in every place -where it was necessary to moderate, enlighten, or restrain the -hot-headed. He passed Siderander without saying a word, and quitted the -building; but the curious student could not resist; he left his post and -began to follow the celebrated hellenist, wishing to look at him at his -ease, and hoping no doubt to learn something.[346] 'Am I not,' he said, -'the friend of his two sons who like myself attend the course of -Latomus? Has not the eldest invited me to come and see his museum?[347] -Did not I go there the other day, and ought he not to return my visit -along with his brother?' Siderander, who burnt with desire to know what -was said in the assembly which the founder of the college of France had -just left, quickened his pace; the words were already on his lips, when -he suddenly stopped intimidated. Timidity was stronger than curiosity, -and he soon lost sight of the man whom Erasmus called 'the prodigy of -France.' And yet, had he asked him, he would perhaps have learnt what -the Roman party was plotting, and been able to tell his friends the -probable issue of the crisis. He had often asked the sons of Budæus what -their father was planning.[348] 'He is much with the bishop,' answered -they, 'but he is planning nothing.'[349] Thus Siderander did all he -could, but to no purpose, to elicit some interesting communication and -to learn some rare news. He was unable to satisfy his extreme curiosity. -'And that is not all,' he said to himself, 'for if, instead of losing my -time under the portico of the Sorbonne, I had been elsewhere, I might -have learnt something.' He desired to be everywhere, and yet was -nowhere. 'Ha!' he said with vexation as he returned from running after -Budæus, 'while I throw my hook in at one place, the fish goes to -another. Things occur in our quarter which the inhabitants of the others -know nothing about, and we know nothing of what takes place -elsewhere.[350] Alas! everything assumes a threatening aspect; -everything announces a violent storm.'[351] - -[Sidenote: SIDERANDER'S CURIOSITY.] - -The Sorbonne, the religious orders, and all fervent catholics, being -convinced that the innovators, by exalting Jesus Christ and his Word, -were humbling the Church and the papacy, were determined to wage a -deadly war against them. They thought that if they first struck down the -most formidable of their adversaries, they could easily disperse the -rest of the rebel army. But against whom should the first blow be aimed? -This was the subject of deliberation in those councils which the curious -Siderander desired so much to overhear. - -Before we learn what was preparing at the Sorbonne, we must enter more -illustrious council-chambers, and transport ourselves to Bologna. - -[Footnote 307: 'Rex Navarræ instinctu uxoris et episcopus regem -sollicitare ... seditionis crimen intendere.'—Sturm to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 308: 'Gerardum removeat a concionibus.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. -648.] - -[Footnote 309: 'Placuit regi ut Beda cum suis oratoribus et G. Rufus, -quisque in suis ædibus, tanquam privata custodia detineretur.'—Sturm to -Bucer.] - -[Footnote 310: 'Ut ne accusatores viderentur, sed opinatores tantum, et -inquisitores hæreticæ pravitatis.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 311: 'Tum bonus noster Beda in Monte suo Acuto manere coactus -est.'—Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 312: 'In mulo suo equitantem vidi.'—Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 313: 'Judicium de hæresi sibi reservavit.'—Sturmius Bucero.] - -[Footnote 314: 'Vociferati sunt seditiosissime, regi minantes ipsi.'— -Melanchthon to Spalatin, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 685.] - -[Footnote 315: 'Rex, quoniam esset exacerbatus, irrisit tanquam -Arcadicorum pecorum.'—Sturm to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 316: H. de Coste, _Le parfait Ecclésiastique_, p. 73.] - -[Footnote 317: 'Cujus vel permissu vel jussu populum commovissent et -læsissent regem.'—Sturm to Bucer, ed. Schmidt.] - -[Footnote 318: 'Responderunt ex consensu et placito magistrorum -nostrorum.'—Sturm to Bucer, ed. Schmidt.] - -[Footnote 319: 'Theologi cum pericula animadverterent, negabant.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 320: 'Nunquam velit Bedam reverti.'—Sturm to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 321: 'Gerardus libere concionatur; et imperatum theologis, si -quid habeant negotii adversus eum, ut jure agant.'—Melanchthon to -Spalatin, July 22. _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 658.] - -[Footnote 322: 'Senex quidem theologus hanc contumeliam theologici -ordinis adeo ægre tulit, ut delirio vitam amiserit.'—Melanchthon to -Spalatin. _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 658.] - -[Footnote 323: 'Ὁι θεολόγοι non die, non nocte, unquam cessant ab -opere.'—Siderander, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 324: 'Illi miserantur optimi Bedæ.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 325: 'Hominem tam grandem natu, exilium tam durum pati -oportere.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 326: 'Audias alios qui gaudio exultent.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 327: 'Vide rerum commutationem ... Praeter senes Priamos et -paucos alios, nemo est qui faveat istis sacerdotibus Phrygiis.'—Sturm to -Bucer.] - -[Footnote 328: 'Juniores theologi jam sapere incipiunt.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 329: 'Maximam turbam ante collegium Montis Acuti vidi.'— -Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 330: 'Beda urbe pulsus cum aliis quibusdam sycophantis.'— -Melanchthon to Spalatin, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 658.] - -[Footnote 331: 'Palam prædicare Christum quidam cœperunt, omnes loqui -liberius.'—Bucer to Blaarer. Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 332: 'Christus evangelii gloriam augeat.'—Melanchthon to -Spalatin. _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 658.] - -[Footnote 333: 'In qua pulcherrime suisque coloribus omnes isti theologi -depingebantur.'—Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 334: 'Alii auctorem clamabant esse hæreticum.'—Siderander -Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 335: 'Tandem nescio quis delator dilaceravit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 336: 'Quos cum viderem, descripsi et ipse,' and here follow -the verses. Schmidt, _G. Roussel. Pièces Justificatives_, p. 205.] - -[Footnote 337: 'Ut supplicium de detestandis illis hæreticis sumat, -eosque extirpet funditus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 338: Galatians i. 17-21.] - -[Footnote 339: 'Nec ei mox defuit in quo sese strenue exerceret.'—Bezæ -_Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 340: Bezæ _Vita Calvini_. Herzog, _Real Encyclopädie_, art. -_Calvin_. Schmidt, _G. Roussel_, p. 94.] - -[Footnote 341: 'Omnibus purioris religionis studiosis innotuit.'—Bezæ -_Vita Calv._] - -[Footnote 342: 'Non sine insigni pietatis testimonio.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 343: 'Heri videre volui quidnam in Sorbonna ageretur.'— -Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 344: 'Picturas et imagines quæ ibi venduntur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 345: 'Budæum egredientem video.'—Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 346: 'Quem relicto instituto secutus sum.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 347: 'Me rogavit ut musæum suum viderem.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 348: 'Quid novi jam pater moliretur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 349: 'Negabat quicquam moliri.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 350: 'Quod nos ignoramus.'—Siderander Bedroto.] - -[Footnote 351: 'Nemo est qui possit expiscari omnia ... Omnia tumultum -minari videntur.'—Ibid.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - CONFERENCE OF BOLOGNA. THE COUNCIL AND CATHERINE DE MEDICI. - (WINTER 1532-1533.) - - -The emperor, having descended the Italian slopes of the Alps and crossed -the north of Italy, arrived at Bologna on the 5th of December, 1532, -somewhat annoyed at the escape of Duke Christopher, but not suspecting -that it would lead to any serious consequences. This city, afterwards -made famous by Guido, Domenichino, the two Caracci, and by Benedict XIV., -one of the most distinguished popes of the eighteenth century, grew more -animated every day. The pope had arrived there: princes, nobles, -prelates, and courtiers filled its splendid palaces; a new world was in -motion around the churches, the Asinelli, the fountain of Neptune, and -the other monuments which adorn that ancient city. The emperor had -desired a conference with the pope, with the intention of uniting -closely with him, and through him with the other catholic princes, to -act together against their two enemies, France and the Reformation. But -Charles was mistaken if he thought to find himself alone with the pope -at Bologna. He was to meet with opponents who would hold their own -against him: a struggle was about to begin around Clement VII. between -France and the empire. Francis I., who had just had a conference with -Henry VIII., did not care, indeed, to meet Charles; but his place in -Italy was to be supplied by men who would do his work better than he -could do it himself. On the 4th of January, 1533, Cardinals de Tournon -and de Gramont, sent by Francis to Clement to threaten him with a -certain 'great injury' which he might have cause to regret for ever, -arrived in this city. Would the presence of the two cardinals thwart -Charles's plans? - -[Sidenote: PLANS OF CHARLES V.] - -The first point which the emperor desired to carry was the convocation -of a general council. A grave man and always occupied with business, he -possessed a soul greedy of dominion. Ferdinand and Isabella having -founded their power in Spain by restoring that country to unity, he -desired to do in central Europe what they had done in the peninsula, -that is, unite it under his patronage, if not under his sceptre. And lo! -Germany is suddenly broken in his hands and divided into two parts. Sad -humiliation! When he had crossed the Alps, after Soliman's retreat, he -had no longer that unlimited confidence in his genius and authority -which he had felt two years before, when going to the diet of Augsburg. -He had come from Spain to crush that new sect which thwarted the dreams -of his ambition; and instead of crushing it, he had been forced to -recognise it. After the retreat of the Turks, Charles found himself at -the head of a numerous and triumphant army, and men asked one another if -he would not fall upon the protestants with it; but the best soldiers of -that army were protestant themselves. Other means must be resorted to in -order to bring the schism to an end. He weighed everything carefully, -and brought to this business that nice and calm attention which always -distinguished him. Knowing that the result of an appeal to arms was -uncertain, and that instead of restoring concord he might stir up a -hatred that nothing could extinguish, he decided in favour of a council -to restore unity, and made his demand to the pope at Bologna. But -Clement VII. feared a council as much as Charles desired it. 'They would -want to redress grievances,' he said to his confidants, 'and reform -abuses, quite as much as to extirpate heresy.' Possessing great -intelligence and rare ability, vain, cunning, false, and with no -elevation of soul, Clement determined to put off this assembly -indefinitely, although always promising it. While the emperor recognised -the inefficiency of temporal arms, the pope felt still more keenly the -inefficiency of spiritual arms. Each of these two personages distrusted -the power of which he had most experience. The humble Gospel of the -reformers intimidated both Church and Empire. Clement conferred on the -subject with the Archbishop of Cortona, governor of Bologna, with the -legate Campeggio, and with the nuncio Gambara: all agreed with him, and -declared that to desire to bring back protestants to the Romish faith -otherwise than by force was a very perilous enterprise. - -[Sidenote: CLEMENT AGAINST A COUNCIL.] - -As, however, neither the pope nor the emperor would give way, they -desired a conference, at which each would endeavour to convince the -other. A day, therefore, was appointed, and the two potentates met in -the palace of Bologna. Charles represented to Clement, that 'a great -number of catholics desired and demanded a council as necessary to -destroy the heresy of Luther, which was gaining strength every day, and -to suppress the numerous disorders that existed in the Church.'[352] But -the pope replied: 'If we assemble a council, and permit the protestants -to be present and to question the doctrines sanctioned by the Church, -they will attack them all, and numberless innovations will be the -result. If, on the contrary, we do not allow them to speak, they will -say that they are condemned unheard; they will leave the assembly, and -the world will believe that we are in the wrong. As the protestants -reject the decisions of past councils, how can we hope that they will -respect the decisions of future councils? Do we not know their -obstinacy? When we put forward the authority of the Church, do they not -set the authority of Holy Scripture in its place? They will never -acknowledge themselves defeated, which will be a great scandal. If the -council decrees that the pope is above the council (which is the truth), -the heretics will hold another, and will elect an anti-pope (Luther, -perhaps). Sire, the remedy which you propose will give rise to greater -evils than those which we have now to cure.'[353] - -The papacy in the sixteenth century had fallen into a state of inertia. -It was active enough as a political power; but as a spiritual power it -was nothing. It had great pretensions still, as far as appearances went; -but it was satisfied if certain preferences and a certain pomp were -conceded to it. It was afraid of everything that possessed any vitality, -and feared not only those it called heretics, but even an assembly -consisting of prelates of the Roman Church. And while the papacy was -thus affected with a general weakness as regards spiritual powers, the -Reformation was full of vigour and of life. It was a young warrior -attacking a decrepid veteran. Besides these general causes, there were -private motives which added to Clement's inactivity; but these he kept -to himself. When he was alone in his chamber, he called to mind that his -birth was not legitimate; that the means he had used to obtain the -popedom had not been irreproachable; and that he had often employed the -resources of the Church for his own interest ... in waging a costly war, -for instance. All this might be brought against him in a council, and -endanger his position. But as his position was dearer to him than the -unity of the Church, he would grant nothing, and so reduced Charles to -despair by his evasions. - -The hatred which the emperor bore to the pope was still further -increased by the pontiff's resistance.[354] In his anger he appealed to -the cardinals. At first he succeeded, having brought powerful -inducements into play, and a consistory decided in favour of the -immediate convocation of a council. The alarmed Clement set to work to -bring back the misguided cardinals, and he was successful; for a second -consistory, held on the 20th of December, coincided with the pope. 'We -cannot think of assembling a council,' said the sacred college, 'before -we have reconciled all the christian princes.'[355] The emperor openly -expressed his dissatisfaction. Wait until Henry VIII., Francis I., and -Charles V. are agreed ... as well put it off to the Greek calends! -Clement endeavoured to pacify him. He would assemble it at _a suitable -time_, he said; and then, as he feared that the Germans, on hearing of -his refusal, would hold a _national_ council, he sent off envoys to -prevent it, at the same time hinting to the emperor that they were -empowered to prepare that nation for a general council.[356] Was -Charles V. the pope's dupe? It is a doubtful point. Clement, an -enthusiastic disciple of his fellow-countryman Machiavelli, was, -conformably to the instructions of his master, supple and false, without -conscience and without faith. But the emperor knew full well that such -were the precepts of the illustrious Florentine. - -[Sidenote: ITALIAN LEAGUE.] - -For some time past Charles had been silently meditating another project -which, he thought, could not fail to render him master of Italy. It was -the formation of a defensive Italian league against Francis. He -communicated his plan to the pope with the reserve and ability that -characterised him, and set himself up as the defender of Rome. Clement, -however, did not believe in his generosity, but on the contrary feared -that this confederation would give him a master; nevertheless he -appeared to be charmed with it. 'Yes!' he exclaimed, 'Italy must set -itself against the ambition of France.' At the same time he informed the -ambassador of Venice that he had said these things, not as being his own -opinion, but the emperor's. 'Report this prudently to your lords,' he -added.[357] The pontiff had always two faces and two meanings. - -In reality, he did not know what course to pursue. At one time he was -ready to throw himself into Charles's arms and run the same chances with -him; and then, on learning what had taken place at Boulogne and Calais, -he trembled lest the King of France should throw off his obedience. -These two terrible monarchs made a shuttlecock of the pope, and drove -him to despair. But he remembered how Machiavelli had said, that the -world is governed by two things—force and cunning; and leaving the -former to the emperor, he took refuge in the latter. 'Accordingly -Clement determined to move softly,' says Du Bellay, 'temporising, -quibbling, waiting, and stopping to see what the French cardinals would -bring him.' They arrived just at this critical moment. It was an -ill-omened embassy for France, since no event of the sixteenth century -did more to strengthen the dominion of intrigue, cowardice, debauchery, -crime, and persecution in that country. - -[Sidenote: THE FRENCH ENVOYS AND CLEMENT.] - -Cardinal de Tournon, the most influential of the two ambassadors, was a -skilful priest, devoted to the pope and popery, cruel, the accomplice of -the Guises in after years, and all his life one of the greatest enemies -of religious liberty. His colleague, Cardinal de Gramont, Bishop of -Tarbes and afterwards Archbishop of Toulouse, was a more pliable -diplomatist, and had been employed in England at the time of the -dissolution of Henry's marriage with Catherine of Arragon. The first of -these two men was the more hierarchical, the second the more politic; -but both had the interests of their master Francis at heart. Their -mission was difficult, and they had many a consultation about what was -to be done. Tournon was ready to sacrifice everything, truth in the -first place, in order to unite the king with the pope. 'It is to be -feared,' he said to his colleague, 'that if we let the holy father know -all the discontent of the two kings, we shall but increase his despair; -and that the emperor, profiting by our threats, will gain him over and -do with him as he likes, which would lead to the disturbance of -christendom.' Instead of carrying out the Calais resolutions, Tournon -and Gramont determined to put them aside. They thought that Francis I. -was going wrong, and desired to be more royalist than the king himself. -To win the pope from Charles V. and give him to Francis I. was the great -work they resolved to attempt at Bologna. The emperor was there, and he -was a stout antagonist; but the two priests were not deficient in skill. -To save catholicism threatened in France, and to lay the kingdom at the -pope's feet, was their aim. 'Let us carry out our instructions,' they -said, 'by beginning with the last article. Instead of employing severity -first and mildness last, we will do just the contrary.'[358] - -The two cardinals having been received by the pontiff, paid him every -mark of respect, and tried to make him understand that, for the good of -the holy see, he ought to preserve the goodwill of the most christian -king. They therefore proposed an interview with Francis, and even with -the King of England, that prince being eager to put an end to the -difficulties of the divorce. 'Finally,' they added, laying a slight -stress upon the word, 'certain proposals, formerly put forward in the -king's name, might be carried out.'[359]—'These proposals,' says Du -Bellay, 'would lead, it must be understood, to the great exaltation of -the pope and his family.' The last argument was the decisive stroke -which gained Clement VII. - -Francis, even while desiring to throw off the Roman tutelage, wished to -gain the support of the pope in order to humiliate Charles V. He had -therefore revived a strange idea, which he had once already hinted at, -without overcoming, however, the excessive repugnance which it caused -him. But he saw that the moment was critical, and that, to ally himself -with both Henry and Clement, he must make some great sacrifice. He had -therefore sent a special ambassador to Bologna, to carry out a scheme -which would fill all Europe with surprise: a deplorable combination -which by uniting the pope, indissolubly as it appeared, to the interests -of the Valois, was sooner or later to separate France from England, -change the channel that divides them into a deep gulf, infuse Florentine -blood into the blood of France, introduce the vilest Machiavellism into -the hearts of her kings who boasted of their chivalrous spirit, check -the spread of learning, turn back on their hinges the gates that were -beginning to open to the sun, confine the people in darkness, and -install an era of debauchery, persecution, and assassination both -private and public. - -The special ambassador charged with the execution of this scheme was -John, Duke of Albany, qualified by his illustrious birth for transacting -the great affair. Alexander Stuart, son of James II., King of Scotland, -having been exiled by his eldest brother James III., had gone to France -in 1485. His son John, the last Duke of Albany, attached himself to -Louis XII., and followed him into Italy. Being recalled to Scotland, he -was made regent of the kingdom in 1516, and again quitted his country to -follow Francis I. into Lombardy. This royal personage, supported by -Gramont and Tournon, was commissioned by the King of France to propose -to the pope the marriage of his son Henry, Duke of Orleans, with a girl -of fourteen, a relative of the popes, and who was named Catherine de -Medici. - -[Sidenote: CATHERINE DE MEDICI.] - -Catherine was the daughter of Lorenzo II. de Medici, nephew of Leo X., -and invested by his uncle in 1516 with the duchy of Urbino. Lorenzo, who -had made himself hateful by his despotism, died the very year of his -daughter's birth (1519). The duchy reverted to Leo X., and subsequently -to its former masters the Della Rovera, and Catherine was left a -portionless orphan. A marriage with this girl, descended from the rich -merchants of Florence, was a strange alliance for the son of a king, and -it was this that made Francis hesitate; but the desire of winning the -pope's favour from his rival helped him at last to overcome his haughty -disgust. Clement, who held (says Du Bellay) his family 'in singular -esteem,' was transported with delight at the offer. A Medici on the -throne of France!... He could not contain himself for joy. At the same -time Francis intended to make a good bargain. He asked through the Duke -of Albany, whose wife was Catherine's maternal aunt, that the pope -should secure to his son Henry a fine Italian state composed of Parma, -Florence, Pisa, Leghorn, Modena, Urbino, and Reggio; besides (said the -secret articles) the duchy of Milan and the lordship of Genoa, which, -added the French diplomatists, 'already belong to the future husband.' -In order to fulfil these engagements the pope was to employ his -influence, his negotiations, his money, and his soldiers. Clement said -that the conditions were very reasonable.[360] He knew perfectly well -that he could not give these countries to his niece; but that was the -least of his cares. The preceding year, when he was speaking to -Charles's ambassador of the claims of Francis upon Italy, the Austrian -diplomatist had said abruptly: 'The emperor will never _yield_ either -Milan or Genoa to the King of France.'—'Impossible, no doubt!' answered -the pope, 'but could not they be _promised_ to him?'[361]... The scion -of the Medici brought to France neither Genoa nor Milan, nor Parma, nor -Piacenza, nor Pisa, but in their stead she gave it the imbecile -Francis II., the sanguinary Charles IX., the abominable Henry III., the -infamous Duke of Anjou, and also that woman, at once so witty and -dissolute, who became the wife of Henry IV., and in comparison with whom -Messalina appears almost chaste. Four children of the Medici are among -the monsters recorded in history, and they have been the disgrace and -the misery of France. - -[Sidenote: PROPOSALS OF MARRIAGE.] - -The pope stalked proudly and haughtily through the halls of his palace, -and gave everybody a most gracious reception. This good-luck, he -thought, had come from heaven. Not only did it cover all his family with -glory, but secured to him France and her king, whose reforming caprices -began to make him uneasy; 'and then,' adds Du Bellay, 'he was very -pleased at finding this loophole, to excuse himself to the emperor, who -was pressing him so strongly to enter into the Italian league.'[362] -Nevertheless the pope stood in awe of Charles V., who seemed eager to -set himself up for a second Constantine, and he appeared anxious and -embarrassed. - -Charles, whom nothing escaped, immediately remarked this, and thought to -himself that some new wind had blown upon the pontiff. In order to find -it out, he employed all the sagacity with which he was so eminently -endowed. 'The emperor knew from the language and countenance of the holy -father,' says Du Bellay, 'that he was less friendly towards him than -before, and suspected whence the change proceeded.'[363] Charles had -heard something about this marriage some time before; but the ridiculous -story had only amused him. The King of France unite himself with the -merchants of Florence!... And Clement can believe this!... 'Hence -Charles V., thinking,' as Du Bellay tells us, 'that the affair would -never be carried out, had advised the pope to consent.'[364] - -[Sidenote: HENRY'S OPINION OF THE MARRIAGE.] - -Meanwhile Francis lost no time. He had commissioned Du Bellay, the -diplomatist, to communicate his intentions to his good brother the King -of England, who had a claim to this information, as he was godfather to -the future Henry II.—worthy godfather, and worthy godson! The -self-conceit of the Tudor was still more hurt than that of the Valois. -He said to Lord Rochford, whom he despatched to the King of France: 'You -will tell the Most Christian King, our very dear brother, the great -pleasure that we enjoy every day by calling to mind the pure, earnest, -and kind friendship he feels for us.'[365] He added: 'Since our good -brother has asked us, we are willing to declare, that truly (as we know -how he himself considers it), having regard to the low estate and family -from which the pope's niece is sprung, and to the most noble and most -illustrious blood, ancestry, and royal house of France, from which -descends our very dear and very beloved cousin and godson, the Duke of -Orleans, the said marriage would be very ill-matched and unequal; and -for this reason we are by no means of opinion that it ought to be -concluded.'[366] At the same time, after Henry had given his advice as a -sovereign, he could not fail to consult his personal interests; and -Rochford (Anne Boleyn's father) was to say to the King of France: 'If, -however, by this means our brother should receive some great advantage, -which should redound to the profit and honour both of himself and us; if -the pope should do or concede anything to counterbalance and make up for -the default of noble birth ... let him be pleased to inform us of it; he -will find us very prompt to execute whatever shall be thought advisable, -convenient, and opportune by him and us.'[367] Henry, therefore, -consented that Francis should deal with the pope about his godson: he -only wished that he might be sold dear. His full restoration to the -favour of the court of Rome after his marriage with Anne Boleyn was the -price that he asked. And then the royal godfather, who was at heart the -most papistical of kings, would have declared himself fully satisfied -and the pope's most humble servant. - -[Footnote 352: 'Concilii, desiderati da molti, come necessarii per la -eresia di Lutero, che ogni di ampliava e per molti discordini che sono -nella chiesa.'—Guicciardini, _Discorsi politici, Opere inedite_, i. p. -388.] - -[Footnote 353: 'Al contrario, remedio e piu pericoloso et poi partorire -maggiori mali.'—_Lettere di Principi_, ii. p. 197. Du Bellay, -_Mémoires_, pp. 183-185.] - -[Footnote 354: 'Il papa con chi forse avea odio.'—Guicciardini, _loc. -cit._] - -[Footnote 355: Despatch of the Bishop of Auxerre, ambassador of France, -dated December 24, 1532.] - -[Footnote 356: Instructions for the nuncio Rangoni. Pallavicini, liv. -iii. ch. xiii.] - -[Footnote 357: Despatch of the Bishop of Auxerre, dated January 1, -1533.] - -[Footnote 358: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 177.] - -[Footnote 359: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 178.] - -[Footnote 360: The secret articles are in the Bibliothèque Impériale at -Paris. MSS. Béthune, No. 8541, fol. 36. Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, -iii. p. 439.] - -[Footnote 361: Bucholz, ix. p. 101. Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, iii. -p. 439.] - -[Footnote 362: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 178.] - -[Footnote 363: Ibid. p. 179.] - -[Footnote 364: Ibid. p. 180.] - -[Footnote 365: Henry's instructions are in French. _State Papers_, vii. -p. 423.] - -[Footnote 366: Ibid. p. 428.] - -[Footnote 367: Ibid.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - INTRIGUES OF CHARLES V., FRANCIS I., AND CLEMENT VII., - AROUND CATHERINE. - (WINTER 1532-1533.) - - -When the emperor was informed of these matters, he began to knit his -brows. A flash of light revealed to him the ingenious plans of his -rival, and he took immediate steps to prevent the dangerous union. -Charles V., Francis I., Henry VIII., and the pope were all in commotion -at the thought of this marriage, and little Catherine was the Briseis -around whom met and contended the greatest powers of the world. - -[Sidenote: DOUBTS INSINUATED BY CHARLES.] - -At first the emperor endeavoured to instil into the pope's mind -suspicions of the good faith of the King of France. That was no -difficult matter. 'Clement dared not feel confident,' says Du Bellay, -'that the king really wished to do him such great honour.'[368]—'The -Orleans marriage would certainly be very honourable and advantageous,' -said Charles V. and his ministers; 'but his holiness must not rely upon -it; the king makes the proposal only with the intention of _befooling_ -him and using him to his own benefit.'[369] And when the pope repeated -the promises of Albany, Gramont, and Tournon, the ministers of Charles -kept silence, and replied only by a slight smile. The blow had told. -Clement, who always tried to deceive, was naturally inclined to believe -that the king was doing the same. - -When the emperor and the diplomatists saw that they had made a breach, -they attempted a new assault. Charles asked the young lady's hand for -Francis Sforza, Duke of Milan. This scheme was worthy of that exuberant -genius which Charles always displayed in the invention of means -calculated to secure the success of his policy. This union would, in -fact, have the double advantage of wresting Catherine and the Milanese -from France at one blow. Charles hinted to her uncle that he would do -much better to accept for his young relative a _real_ marriage than to -run after a shadow. 'It is a great offer, and the match is a good one,' -said Clement; 'but the other is so grand and so honourable for my house, -regard being had to dignities, that I never could have hoped for such -honour ... and so much progress has been made, that I cannot listen to -any other proposal without offending the king.'[370] - -Clement had become hard to please. If the Medici were the descendants of -a merchant, the Sforzas came from a peasant, a leader of free troops, a -_condottiere_. Clement looked down upon the Duke of Milan. 'Besides,' -says Guiccardini, 'he burnt with desire to marry his niece to the second -son of Francis I.'[371] This is what he always came back to. Charles -told him that Francis wanted, by this offer, to break up the Italian -league, and when that was done, the marriage would be broken off -too.[372] But Clement maintained that the king was sincere in his offer. -'Good!' said the emperor to the pope; 'there is a very simple means of -satisfying yourself on that point. Ask the two cardinals to procure -immediately from France the powers necessary for settling the marriage -contract. You will soon see whether his proposal is anything better than -base money which they want to palm off upon you.'[373] - -The emperor's remarks were not without their effect upon Clement: he was -thoughtful and uneasy. The French ambassadors had been lavish of words, -but there was nothing written: _verba volant_. The pope caught at the -idea suggested by Charles. If the full powers do not arrive, the king's -treachery is unveiled; if they arrive, the game is won. Clement asked -for them. 'Nothing is more easy,' said Tournon and Gramont, who wrote to -their master without delay.[374] - -[Sidenote: THE KING'S HESITATION.] - -Francis I. was startled when he received their despatch. His proposal -was sincere, for he thought it necessary to his policy; but the remarks -of Charles V. and Henry VIII. about the daughter of the Florentine -merchant, and the astonishment of Europe, which unanimously protested -against 'such great disparity of degree and condition,'[375] had sunk -into his mind. He, so proud of his blood and of his crown ... -countenance a misalliance! He hesitated; he would only proceed slowly ... -step by step ... and with a long interval after each.[376] If -Charles, who was impatient to return to Spain, should leave Italy -without banding it against France ... then ... new facts, new counsel ... -he would consider. But now he was driven to the wall: the question -must be answered. Shall Catherine de Medici come and sit on the steps of -the throne of St. Louis, or shall she remain in Italy? Shall she -continue to receive abominable lessons from her relative Alexander de -Medici, a detestable prince who exiled and imprisoned even the members -of his own family, and confiscated their property, and was addicted to -the most scandalous debauchery? ... or shall she come to France to put -in practice those lessons among the people of her adoption? The king -must make up his mind: the courier was waiting. One thing decided him. -His old gaoler, the emperor, said that this marriage proposal was a -trick. If Francis refused what the pope asked, Charles would triumph, -and turn against him both pope and Italy. The king's ambition was -stronger than his vanity, and coming to a desperate resolution, he had -the full powers drawn up, signed, and sent off.[377] - -They arrived at Bologna about the middle of February. Albany, Gramont, -and Tournon carried them in triumph to the pope, who immediately -communicated them to the emperor. The latter read the procuration, which -contained 'an express clause for settling the marriage of the Duke of -Orleans with the Duchess of Urbino,' and was greatly surprised.[378] -'You see,' said Clement, 'there is no hole by which he can creep out.' -Charles could not believe it. 'The king has only sent this document for -a _show_,' he said to Clement; 'if you press the ambassadors to go on -and conclude the treaty, they will not listen to you.'[379] A little -while ago there had been nothing but words, and now there was only a -piece of _paper_.... The new propositions were communicated to the duke -and the two cardinals, who replied: 'We offer to stipulate forthwith the -clauses, conditions, and settlements that are to be included in the -contract.'[380] - -[Sidenote: THE EMPEROR'S NEW MANŒUVRES.] - -Clement breathed again, and believed in the star of the Medici. If that -star had placed his ancestors the Florentine merchants at the head of -their people, it might well raise Catherine, the niece of two popes, the -daughter and grand-daughter of dukes, to the throne of France. He -informed the emperor that everything was arranged, and that the terms of -the contract were being drawn up. Clement's face beamed with joy. The -emperor began to think the matter serious, 'and was astonished and vexed -above all,' says Du Bellay, 'at the frustration of his plan, which was -to excite the holy father against the king.' Charles saw that the -impetuosity of Francis had been too much for his own slowness; but he -knew how to retrace his steps, and the fecundity of his genius suggested -a last means of breaking up 'this detestable cabal.'—'Since it is so,' -he said, 'I require your holiness at least to include among the -conditions of the contract now drawing up, the four articles agreed to -between us, the first time you spoke to me of this marriage.' Clement -appeared surprised, and asked what articles they were. 'You promised -me,' said Charles, 'first that the king should bind himself to alter -nothing in Italy; second, to confirm the treaties of Cambray and Madrid; -third, to consent to a council; and fourth, to get the King of England -to promise to make no innovations in his country until the matter of his -divorce was settled at Rome.' The King of France would never agree to -such conditions; the pope was dismayed. Would he be wrecked just as he -had reached the harbour?—'I made no such promises,' he exclaimed -eagerly. 'The holy father,' says Du Bellay, 'formally denied ever having -heard of these matters.'[381] The altercation between the two chiefs of -christendom threatened to be violent. Which of them was the liar? -Probably the pope had said something of the kind, but only for form's -sake, in order to pacify Charles, and without any intention of keeping -his promise. He was the first to recover his calmness; he detested the -emperor, but he humoured him. 'You well know, Sire,' he said, 'that the -profit and honour accorded by the king to my family in accepting my -alliance, are so great, that it belongs to him and not to me to propose -conditions.'[382] He offered, however, to undertake that everything -should remain in 'complete peace.' The emperor, a master in -dissimulation, tried to conceal his vexation, but without success; this -unlucky marriage baffled all his plans. Francis had been more cunning -than himself.... Who would have thought it? The King of France had -sacrificed the honour of his house, but he had conquered his rival. -Confounded, annoyed, and dejected, Charles paced up and down with his -long gloomy face, when an unexpected circumstance revived his hopes of -completely embroiling the pope and the King of France. - -We have witnessed the conferences that took place between Clement and -Charles on the subject of a general council. The emperor had asked for -one in order 'to bring back the heretics to union with the holy faith, -and he observed that if it were not called, it was to be feared that the -heretics would unite with the Turks; that they would fancy themselves -authorised to lay hands upon the property of the Church, and would -succeed in living in that liberty which they called _evangelical_, but -which,' added Charles, 'is rather _Mahometan_, and would cause the ruin -of christendom.'[383] The pope, who thought much more of himself and of -his family than of the Church, had rejected this demand. He had smiled -at seeing the great potentate's zeal for the religious and evangelical -question.... Clement never troubled himself about the Gospel: -Machiavelli was the gospel of the Medici. They cherished it, and -meditated on it day and night; they knew it by heart, and put it into -admirable practice. Clement and Catherine were its most devoted -followers and most illustrious heroes. - -[Sidenote: A LAY COUNCIL PROPOSED.] - -The policy of the King of France was quite as interested, but it was -more frank and honest. Even while politically uniting with the pope, he -did not mean to place himself ecclesiastically under his guardianship. -He had, like Henry VIII., the intention of emancipating kings from the -pontifical supremacy, and desired to make the secular instead of the -papal element predominate in christian society. For many centuries the -hierarchical power had held the first rank in Europe: it was time that -it gave way to the political power. Francis, having come to a knowledge -of the opposite opinions of the pope and the emperor touching the -council, slipped between the two and enunciated a third, which filled -the emperor with astonishment and the pontiff with alarm. It was one of -the greatest, most original, and boldest conceptions of modern times: we -recognise in it the genius of Du Bellay and the aspirations of a new -era. 'It is true, as the holy father affirms,' said the King of France, -'that the assembling of a council has its dangers. On the other hand, -the reasons of the emperor for convoking it are most worthy of -consideration; for the affairs of religion are reduced to such a pass -that, without a council, they will fall into inextricable confusion, and -the consequence will be great evils and prejudice to the holy father and -all christian princes. The pope is right, yet the emperor is not wrong; -but here is a way of gratifying their wishes, and at the same time -preventing all the dangers that threaten us.[384] Let all the christian -potentates, whatever be their particular doctrine (the King of England -and the protestant princes of Germany and the other evangelical states, -were therefore included), first communicate with one another on the -subject, and then let each of them send to Rome as soon as possible -ambassadors provided with ample powers to discuss and draw up by common -accord all the points to be considered by the council. They shall have -full liberty to bring forward anything that they imagine will be for the -unity, welfare, and repose of christendom, the service of God, the -suppression of vice, the extirpation of heresy, and the uniformity of -our faith. No mention shall be made of the remonstrances of our holy -father, or of the decisions of former councils; which would give many -sovereigns an opportunity or an excuse for not attending.[385] When the -articles are thus drawn up by the representatives of the various states -of christendom, each ambassador will take a duplicate of them to his -court, and all will go to the council, at the time and place appointed -by them, well instructed in what they will have to say. If those who -have separated from the Roman Church agree with the others, they will in -this way take the path of salvation. If they do not agree, at least they -will not be able to deny that they have been deaf to reason, and refused -the council which they had called for so loudly.'[386] - -This is one of the most remarkable documents that we have met with in -relation to the intercourse between France and Rome, and it has not -attracted sufficient attention. In it Francis makes an immense stride. -Convinced that the new times ought to tread in a new path, he -inaugurates a great revolution. He emancipates the political power, so -far as regards religious matters, and desires that it shall take -precedence of the pontifical power in everything. If his idea had been -carried out, great ecclesiastical questions would no longer have been -decided in the Vatican, but in the cabinets of princes. This system, -indeed, is not the true one, and yet a great step had been taken in the -path of progress. A new principle was about to influence the destinies -of the Church. - -Up to this time the clerical element had reigned in it alone; but now -the lay element claimed its place. The new society was unwilling that -priests alone should govern christians, just as shepherds lead their -flocks. But this system, we repeat, was not the true one. Christian -questions ought not to be decided either by pope or prince, but by the -ministers of the Church and its members, as of old in Jerusalem by the -_apostles_, _elders_, and _brethren_.[387] For this we have the -authority of God's Word. That evangelical path is forbidden to the -Roman-catholic Church; for it is afraid of every christian assembly -where the opinions of believers are taken into account, and finds itself -miserably condemned to oscillate perpetually between the two great -powers—the pope and the king. - -[Sidenote: THE LAY COUNCIL REJECTED.] - -It was very near the end of February when the emperor received at -Bologna this singular opinion of the French king. Having failed in his -attempts to prevent the Orleans marriage, he was busy forming the -Italian league, and preparing to leave for Spain. Charles instinctively -felt the encroachment of modern times in this project of Du Bellay's. To -deprive the pope and clergy of their exclusive and absolute authority -would lead (he thought) to taking it away from kings also. It seemed to -him that popery rendered liberty impossible not only in the Church but -also among the people. Francis, or rather Du Bellay, had imagined that -Charles would say (as one of his successors said[388]): 'My trade is to -be a king,' and that he would grasp at the institution of a _diplomatic_ -papacy. But whether Charles wished to profit by this opportunity 'to -fish up again' the pope who had plunged into French waters, or simply -yielded to his Spanish catholic nature and the desire he felt for -unlimited power, he rejected Francis's proposal. 'What!' he exclaimed, -'shall the ambassadors of christian kings and potentates lay down -beforehand the points to be discussed in the council?... That would be -depriving it of its authority by a single stroke. Whatever is to be -discussed in the council ought to depend entirely on the inspiration of -the Holy Ghost and not on the appetites of men.'[389] - -[Sidenote: SECULARISATION OF THE POPEDOM.] - -This answer vexed Francis considerably. His proposition failing, it -became a weapon in the hands of his rival to destroy him. He therefore -sought to justify himself. 'I cannot help being surprised,' he said, -'that, with a view to calumniate me, my opinion has been misrepresented -to the emperor. Is it not more reasonable to have this business managed -by ambassadors who can arrive speedily in Rome, than to wait for a -council which at the soonest cannot meet within a year?... And as for -everything depending upon the Holy Ghost, assuredly my proposal has been -wickedly and malignantly interpreted; for as we shall send ambassadors -guided by a sincere affection for the Church, is it not evident that -this assembly cannot be without the Holy Ghost?'[390] Thus the king, in -defending himself, took shelter under the _inspiration_ of his -diplomatists. We may well admit that the Holy Ghost was less with the -pope than with the king; but He was really with neither of them. - -Thus for a moment the idea of Francis I. fell to the ground; it was -premature, and only began to be realised in after days by the force of -circumstances and in the order of time. It was in 1562, when the council -which had been so much discussed, and which opened at Trent in 1545, met -for the third time, that this new fashion was introduced into Roman -catholicism. The prelates could not come to an understanding, the -Italian deputies wishing to maintain everything, while the French and -German deputies demanded important concessions with a view to a -reconciliation between the princes and their subjects. There were -struggles, jests, and quarrels: they came to blows in the streets. The -majority of the council were angry because the Roman legates regularly -delayed to give their opinions until the courier arrived from Rome. -'Their Inspiration,' said the French, who were always fond of a joke, -'their Inspiration comes to Trent in a portmanteau.' The meeting was -about to be broken up, when the papacy, being obliged to choose between -two evils, resolved to come to an understanding with the princes. The -pope agreed that all important questions should be previously discussed -in the secular courts, and the secondary questions be left to the -council, provided that all proper respect was shown to the papacy. Rome -triumphed within the walls of Trent, but she ceased to be a pure -hierarchy. From that hour the political element has had the precedence, -and the papacy has become more and more dependent on the secular power. -The scheme of Francis I. has been partly realised. There remains, -however, one step more to be taken. Instead of the interested decisions -of kings, it is the sovereign and unchangeable Word of God which ought -to be placed on the throne of the Church. - -Charles V. hoped that the singular opinion of the King of France would -incline Clement to enter into the Italian league; but the pope was not -very susceptible in religious matters. Still, as the emperor was -impatient, Clement resolved to give him this trifling satisfaction. Why -should he refuse to enter into a league whose object was to exclude -Francis I. from Italy? As at that very time he was signing secret -articles by which he bound himself to give to France Parma, Piacenza, -Urbino, Reggio, Leghorn, Pisa, Modena, and even Milan and Genoa, there -was no reason why the worthy uncle of Catherine should not sign another -treaty with Charles which stipulated exactly the contrary. Francis would -not be alarmed at the pontiff's entering the league; he would understand -that it was simply an honorary proceeding, a diplomatic measure. The -marriage of the pope's niece caused the poor emperor so much annoyance, -that he deserved at least this consolation. Besides, when the pope gave -his signature to Charles V., he was doing (as he thought) a very honest -thing, for he had not the least intention of keeping the solemn promises -he had made to Francis.[391] - -It was now the 28th of February, and the imperial equipage was ready: -horses, mules, carriages, servants, officers, noblemen, were all waiting -the moment of departure. The ships that were to convey the mighty -Charles and his court to Spain were in the harbour of Genoa, ready to -weigh anchor. This very day had been fixed for signing the act of the -Italian league. The high and mighty contracting powers met in the palace -of Bologna. The document was read aloud before the delegates of the -princes and sovereigns of Italy included in it. Every one assented, the -signatures were affixed, and Clement eagerly added his name, promising -himself to sign another contract very shortly with the King of France. - -[Sidenote: CARDINALS' HATS ASKED AND GIVEN.] - -Everything seemed as if it would pass off in a regular way, without -Charles allowing his vexation to break out. That prince, who knew so -well how to restrain himself, raised a sensation, however, among the -great personages around him. Addressing the pope, he demanded a -cardinal's hat for three of his prelates: it was a trifling compliment -(he thought) which Clement might well concede him; but the pope granted -one hat only. The ambassador of France then came forward, and, on behalf -of his master, demanded one for John, Bishop of Orleans and uncle of the -Duke of Longueville, which was granted. Then the same ambassador, -growing bolder, begged, _on_ _behalf of the King of England_, a -cardinal's hat for the Bishop of Winchester. This was too much for -Charles. 'What! ask a favour for a king who has put away my aunt -Catherine, who is quarrelling with the pope and rushing into schism!'... -'The emperor took this request,' says Du Bellay, 'in very bad part.'—'We -can see clearly,' said Charles to those around him, 'that the affairs of -these two kings are in the same scales; that one does not less for the -other than for himself.' Then, throwing off his usual reserve, he openly -expressed his disapprobation. 'This request of a hat for England,' said -he, 'displeases me more than if the ambassador of France had asked -_four_ for his master.'[392] The diplomatists there present could not -turn away their eyes from that face, usually so placid, and now so -suddenly animated; they were secretly delighted at seeing any feeling -whatever, especially one of ill-humour, on the features of that powerful -monarch, all whose words and actions were the result of cold reflection -and calculated with the nicest art. But no one was so rejoiced as -Hawkins, the English ambassador: 'The emperor departed from hence -evil-contented,' he wrote to Henry forthwith, 'and satisfied in nothing -that he came for. All he did was to renew an old league, lest he should -be seen to have done nothing.'[393] Charles was eager to leave the city -where he had been duped by the pope and checkmated by the king, and -already he repented having shown his displeasure. He descended the steps -of the palace, threw himself into his carriage, and departed for Milan, -where he had some business to settle before going to Genoa and Spain. It -was, as we have said, Friday, the 28th of February.[394] - -[Sidenote: MEETING OF FRANCIS AND CLEMENT.] - -The pope remained ten days longer at Bologna. There was a talk of an -interview between him and the King of France, to whom he had written -with his own hand. The papal nuncio had proposed to the king that the -emperor should be present also. 'Provided the King of England be the -fourth,' answered Francis.[395] 'We should be unwilling, the King of -England and I,' added he, 'to be present at the interview except with -forces equal to those of the emperor, for fear of a surprise.... Now it -might happen that, the escorts of these _not very friendly_ princes -being together, we should begin a war instead of ratifying a -peace.'[396] They accordingly fell back upon the conference of _two_, -pending which the marriage should be completed. Nice was at first -selected as the place of meeting; but the Duke of Savoy, who did not -like to see the French at Nice, objected. 'Well, then,' said the pope, -'I will go to Antibes, to Fréjus, to Toulon, to Marseilles.' To ally -himself with the family of France, he would have gone beyond the columns -of Hercules. Francis, on his side, desired that the pope, who had waited -for the emperor in Italy, should come and seek him in his own kingdom. -The pope thus showed him greater honour than he had shown Charles—on -which point he was very sensitive. Marseilles was agreed upon. - -At last all was in proper train. The blood of the Valois and of the -Medici was about to be united. The clauses, conditions, and conventions -were all arranged. The marriage ceremony was to be magnificently -celebrated in the city of the Phocæans. The pope was at the summit of -happiness, and the bride's eyes sparkled with delight. The die was cast; -Catherine de Medici would one day sit on the throne of France; the St. -Bartholomew was in store for that noble country, the blood of martyrs -would flow in torrents down the streets of Paris, and the rivers would -roll through the provinces long and speechless trains of corpses, whose -ghastly silence would cry aloud to heaven. - -But that epoch was still remote; and just now Paris presented a very -different spectacle. It is time to return thither. - -[Footnote 368: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 179.] - -[Footnote 369: Ibid. p. 180.] - -[Footnote 370: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 180. Guicciardini, _Wars of -Italy_, ii. bk. xvi. pp. 894-897.] - -[Footnote 371: Guicciardini, _ibid._] - -[Footnote 372: 'Cæsar arbitratus illud conjugium quasi per simulationem -a rege oblatum.'—Pallavicini, _Hist. Concil. Trid._ lib. iii. cap. ii. -p. 274.] - -[Footnote 373: 'Adulterinam esse monetam qua rex ipsum commercari -studebat.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 374: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 180. Pallavicini, _ibid._ -Guicciardini, _Wars of Italy_, ii. p. 898.] - -[Footnote 375: Guicciardini, ii. p. 898.] - -[Footnote 376: 'Quo fortasse magis dubitanter ac pedetentim -processisset.'—Pallavicini, _Hist. Concil. Trid._ i. p. 274.] - -[Footnote 377: 'Gallus explorato æmuli consilio, ut ipsum eluderet, eo -statim properavit.'—Ibid. Du Bellay, _Mémoires_. Guicciardini, _Wars of -Italy_.] - -[Footnote 378: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 182.] - -[Footnote 379: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 380: Ibid. Guicciardini. Pallavicini.] - -[Footnote 381: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 182.] - -[Footnote 382: Ibid. pp. 182, 183.] - -[Footnote 383: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 186.] - -[Footnote 384: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 185.] - -[Footnote 385: The protestant sovereigns.] - -[Footnote 386: Du Bellay, _Mém._ pp. 186, 187.] - -[Footnote 387: Acts xv. 23.] - -[Footnote 388: The Emperor Joseph II.] - -[Footnote 389: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 189.] - -[Footnote 390: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 187.] - -[Footnote 391: Guicciardini. Du Bellay.] - -[Footnote 392: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 189.] - -[Footnote 393: _State Papers_, vii. p. 439.] - -[Footnote 394: 'The 28th the emperor departed from hens' (_State -Papers_, viii. p. 438), 'and went to Milan' (p. 447).] - -[Footnote 395: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 189.] - -[Footnote 396: Ibid.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - STORM AGAINST THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE AND HER 'MIRROR - OF THE SINFUL SOUL.' - (SUMMER 1533.) - - -[Sidenote: UNEASINESS OF THE ULTRAMONTANES.] - -The Romish party would not be comforted under its defeat. Beda, Le -Picard, and Mathurin in exile; evangelical sermons freely preached in -the great churches of the capital; the new doctrines carried through -Paris from house to house; and the Queen of Navarre seated, as it were, -upon the throne during her brother's absence, protecting and directing -this Lutheran activity—it was too much! The anxiety and alarm of the -ultramontanists increased every day: they held numerous conferences; and -if the young Alsatian whom we saw at the gate of the Sorbonne, or any -other inquisitive person, could have crept into these catholic -committees, he would have heard the most violent addresses. 'It is not -only the approach of the enemy that alarms us,' they said: 'he is -there ... the revolutionary, immoral, impious, atheistic, abominable, -execrable monster!' Other epithets were added, to be found only in the -popish vocabulary. 'He is making rapid progress; unless we resist him -vigorously, it is all over! The world will perhaps see crumbling under -his blows those ancient walls of Roman catholicism under which the -nations have taken shelter for so many ages.' And hence the Sorbonne was -of the same opinion with the priests and the most hot-headed laymen, -that, overlooking for the moment secondary persons, it was necessary to -strike the most dangerous. In their eyes the Queen of Navarre was the -great enemy of the papacy; the monks, in particular, whose disorders she -had not feared to expose, were full of fury against her; their clamours -were heard in every quarter. 'The queen,' they said, 'is the modern Eve -by whom the new revolt is entering into the world.'—'It is the nature of -women to be deceived,' said one; and to prove it he quoted St. Jerome. -'Woman is the gate of the devil,' said another, citing the authority of -Tertullian. 'The wily serpent,' said the greatest doctors, 'remembers -that memorable duel fought in Paradise. Another fight is beginning, and -he is again putting in practice the stratagems that succeeded so well -before. At the beginning of the world and now, it is always against -woman—that tottering wall, that _pannel_ so weak and easy to break -down—that he draws up his battery. It is the Queen of Navarre who -supports the disciples of Luther in France; she has placed them in -schools; she alone watches over them with wonderful care, and saves them -from all danger.[397] Either the king must punish her, or she must -publicly recant her errors.' The ultramontanists did not restrict -themselves to words: they entered into a diabolical plot to ruin that -pious princess. - -[Sidenote: PLOTS AGAINST MARGARET.] - -This was not an easy thing to do. The king loved her, all good men -revered her, and all Europe admired her. Yet, as Francis was very -jealous of his authority, the priests hoped to take advantage of his -extreme susceptibility and set him at variance with a sister who dared -to have an opinion of her own. Besides, the Queen of Navarre, like every -other eminent person, had powerful enemies at court, 'people of Scythian -ingratitude,' who, having been received in her household and raised by -her to honours, secretly did all in their power to bring her into -discredit with the king and with her husband.[398] The most dangerous -enemy of all was the grand-master Montmorency, an enterprising, brave, -and imperious man, skilful in advancing his own fortune, though unlucky -with that of the kingdom; he was besides coarse and uncultivated, -despising letters, detesting the Reformation, irritated by the -proselytism of the Queen of Navarre, and full of contempt for her books. -He had great influence over Francis. The Sorbonne thought that if the -grand-master declared against her, it would be impossible for Margaret -to retain the king's favour. - -An opportunity occurred for beginning the attack, and the Sorbonne -caught at it. The Queen of Navarre, sighing after the time when a pure -and spiritual religion would displace the barren ceremonial of popery, -had published, in 1531, a christian poem entitled: _The Mirror of the -Sinful Soul, in which she discovers her Faults and Sins, as also the -Grace and Blessings bestowed on her by Jesus Christ her Spouse_.[399] -Many persons had read this poem with interest, and admired the queen's -genius and piety. Finding that this edition, published in a city which -belonged to her, had made no noise, aroused no persecution, and had even -gained her a few congratulations, she felt a desire to issue her pious -manifesto to a wider circle. Encouraged, moreover, by the position which -her brother had just taken up, she made an arrangement with a bookseller -rather bolder than the rest, and in 1533 published at Paris a new -edition of her book, without the author's name, and without the -authorisation of the Sorbonne. - -The poem was mild, spiritual, inoffensive, like the queen herself; but -it was written by the king's sister, and accordingly made a great -sensation. In her verses there were new voices, aspirations towards -heaven long unknown; many persons heard them, and here and there certain -manifestations showed themselves of a meek and inward piety long since -forgotten. The alarmed Sorbonne shouted out—'heresy!' There was, indeed, -in the _Mirror_ something more than aspirations. It contained nothing, -indeed, against the saints or the Virgin, against the mass or popery, -and not a word of controversy; but the essential doctrine of the -Reformation was strongly impressed on it, namely, salvation by Jesus -Christ alone, and the certain assurance of that redemption. - -[Sidenote: BEDA DISCOVERS HERESY IN THE POEMS.] - -At the time of which we are writing, Beda had not been banished. At the -beginning of 1533 he had been intrusted by the Sorbonne with the -examination of all new books. The fiery syndic discovered the _Mirror_, -and with excess of joy he fell upon it to seek matter of accusation -against the king's sister. He devoured it; he had never been so charmed -by any reading, for at last he had proof that the Queen of Navarre was -really a heretic.[400] 'But understand me well,' he said; 'they are not -dumb proofs nor half proofs, but literal, clear, complete proofs.' Beda -prepared therefore to attack Margaret. What a contrast between the -formal religion of the Church and that of this spiritual poem! St. -Thomas and the other chiefs of the schools teach that man may at least -possess merits of _congruity_; that he may perform supererogatory works, -that he must confess his sins in the ear of the priest, and satisfy the -justice of God by acts of penance, _satisfactio operis_. But according -to the _Mirror_, religion is a much simpler thing ... all is summed up -in these two terms: man's sin and God's grace. According to the queen, -what man needs is to have his sins remitted and wholly pardoned in -consequence of the Saviour's death; and when by faith he has found -assurance of this pardon, he enjoys peace.... He must consider all his -past life as being no longer for him a ground of condemnation before -God: these are the _glad tidings_. Now these _tidings_ scandalised Beda -and his friends exceedingly. 'What!' he exclaimed, holding the famous -book open before them, 'what! no more auricular confessions, -indulgences, penance, and works of charity!... The cause of pardon is -the reconciliatory work of Christ, and what helps us to make it our own -is not the Church, but faith!' The syndic determined to make the -'frightful' book known to all the venerable company. - -The Sorbonne assembled, and Beda, holding the heretical poem in his -hand, read the most flagrant passages to his colleagues. 'Listen,' he -said, and the attentive doctors kept their eyes fixed on the syndic. -Beda read: - - Jesus, true fisher thou of souls! - My only Saviour, only advocate! - Since thou God's righteousness hast satisfied, - I fear no more to fail at heaven's gate. - My Spouse bears all my sins, though great they be, - And all his merits places upon me.... - Come, Saviour, make thy mercies known.... - Jesus for me was crucified: - For me the bitter death endured, - For me eternal life procured.[401] - -It has been said that Margaret's poems are theology in rhyme. It is true -that her verses are not so elegant as those of our age, and that their -spirit is more theological than the poetry of our days; but the theology -is not that of the schools, it is that of the heart. What specially -irritated the Sorbonne was the peace and assurance that Margaret -enjoyed, precious privilege of a redeemed soul, which scholasticism had -condemned beforehand. The queen, leaning upon the Saviour, seemed to -have no more fear. 'Listen again,' said Beda: - - Satan, where is now thy tower? - Sin, all withered is thy power. - Pain or death no more I fear, - While Jesus Christ is with me here. - Of myself no strength have I, - But God, my shield, is ever nigh.[402] - -[Sidenote: ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.] - -Thus, argued the doctors of the Sorbonne, the queen imagines that sins -are remitted gratuitously, no satisfaction being required of sinners. -'Observe the foolish assurance,' said the syndic, 'into which the new -doctrine may bring souls. This is what we find in the _Mirror_: - - 'Not hell's black depth, nor heaven's vast height, - Nor sin with which I wage continual fight, - Me for a single day can move, - O holy Father, from thy perfect love.'[403] - -This simple faith, supported by the promises of God, scandalised the -doctors. 'No one,' said they, 'can promise himself anything certain as -regards his own salvation, unless he has learnt it by a special -revelation from God.' The council of Trent made this declaration an -article of faith. 'The queen,' continued her accuser, 'speaks as if she -longed for nothing but heaven: - - 'How beautiful is death, - That brings to weary me the hour of rest! - Oh! hear my cry and hasten, Lord, to me, - And put an end to all my misery.'[404] - -Some one having observed that the Queen of Navarre had not appended her -name to the title of her work, her accuser replied: 'Wait until the end, -the signature is there;' and then he read the last line: - - The good that he has done to me, his Margaret.[405] - -In a short time insinuations and accusations against the sister of the -king were heard from every pulpit. Here a monk made his hearers shudder -as he described Margaret's wicked _heresies_; and there another tried to -make them laugh. 'These things,' says Theodore Beza, 'irritated the -Sorbonne extremely, and especially Beda and those of his temper, and -they could not refrain from attacking the Queen of Navarre in their -sermons.'[406] - -Other circumstances excited the anger of the monks. Margaret did not -love them. Monachism was one of the institutions which the reformers -wished to see disappear from the Church, and the Queen of Navarre, in -spite of her conservative character, did not desire to preserve it. The -numerous abuses of the monastic life, the constraint with which its vows -were often accompanied, the mechanical vocation of most of the -conventuals, their idleness and sensuality, their practice of mendicancy -as a trade, their extravagant pretensions to merit eternal life and to -atone for their sins by their discipline, their proud conviction that -they had attained a piety which went beyond the exigencies of the divine -law, the discredit which the monastic institution cast upon the -institutions appointed by God, on marriage, family, labour, and the -state politic; finally, the bodily observances and macerations set above -that living charity which proceeds from faith, and above the fruits of -the Spirit of God in man:—all these things were, according to the -reformers, entirely opposed to the doctrine of the Gospel. - -[Sidenote: THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE'S TALES.] - -Margaret went further still. She had not spared the monks, but on the -contrary had scourged them soundly. If Erasmus and Ulrich von Hutten had -overwhelmed them with ridicule, the Queen of Navarre had in several -tales depicted their grovelling character and dissolute life. She had, -indeed, as yet communicated these stories to few besides her brother and -mother, and never intended publishing them; but, some copies having been -circulated among the attendants of the court, a few leaves had fallen -into the hands of the monks, and this was the cause of their anger. -Margaret, like many others of her time, was mistaken—such at least is -our opinion—as to the manner in which the vices of the monasteries ought -to be combated. Following the example of Menot, the most famous preacher -of the middle ages, she had described faithfully, unaffectedly, and -sometimes too broadly the avarice, debauchery, pride, and other vices of -the convents. She had done better than this, however; to the silly -nonsense and indecent discourses of the grey friars she had opposed the -simple, severe, and spiritual teaching of the Gospel. 'They are moral -tales,' says a contemporary author (who is not over favourable to -Margaret); 'they often _degenerate_ into real sermons, so that each -story is in truth only the _preface to a homily_.'[407] After a -narrative in illustration of human frailty, Margaret begins her -application thus: 'Know that the first step man takes in confidence in -himself, by so much he diverges from confidence in God.' After -describing a false miracle by which an incestuous monk had tried to -deceive Margaret's father, the Count of Angoulême, she added: 'His faith -was proof against these external miracles. We have but one Saviour who, -by saying _consummatum est_ (it is finished), showed that we must wait -for no successor to work out our salvation.' No one but the monks -thought, in the sixteenth century, of being scandalised by these tales. -There was then a freedom of language which is impossible in our times; -and everybody felt that if the queen faithfully painted the disorders of -the monks and other classes of society, she was equally faithful in -describing the strict morality of her own principles and the living -purity of her faith. It was her daughter, the austere Jeanne d'Albret, -who published the first correct edition of these _Novels_; and certainly -she would not have done so, if such a publication had been likely to -injure her mother's memory.[408] But times have changed; the book, -harmless then, is so no longer; in our days the tales will be read and -the sermons passed over: the youth of our generation would only derive -harm from them. We acquit the author as regards her intentions, but we -condemn her work. And (apologising to the friends of letters who will -accuse us of barbarism) if we had to decide on the fate of this book, we -would willingly see it experience a fate similar to that which is spoken -of in the Bible, where we are told that _many Corinthians brought their -books together and burned them_.[409] - -[Sidenote: THE MIRROR SEIZED BY THE SORBONNE.] - -Let us return to the _Mirror_, in which the pious soul of Margaret is -reflected. - -The Faculty decided that the first thing to be done was to search every -bookseller's shop in the city and seize all the copies found there.[410] -Here Beda disappeared: he no longer played the principal part. It is -probable that the proceedings against him had already begun; but this -persecution, by removing its leader, helped to increase the anger of the -Romish party, and consequently the efforts of the Sorbonne to ruin the -Queen of Navarre. As Beda was absent, the priest Le Clerq was ordered to -make the search. Accompanied by the university beadles, he went to every -bookseller's shop, seized the _Mirror of the Sinful Soul_, wherever the -tradesman had not put it out of sight, and returned to the Sorbonne -laden with his spoils. After this the Faculty deliberated upon the -measures to be taken against the author. - -This was no easy matter: they knew that the king, so hasty and violent, -had much esteem and affection for his sister. The most prudent members -of the Faculty hesitated. Their hesitation exasperated the monks, and -the rage with which the more fanatical were seized extended even to the -provinces. A meeting of the religious orders was held at Issoudun in -Berry to discuss what ought to be done. The superior of the grey friars, -an impetuous, rash, and hardly sane person, spoke louder than all the -rest. 'Let us have less ceremony,' he exclaimed; 'put the Queen of -Navarre in a sack and throw her into the river.'[411] This speech, which -circulated over France, having been reported to the Sorbonne doctors, -alarmed them, and many counselled a less violent persecution, to which a -Dominican friar answered: 'Do not be afraid; we shall not be alone in -attacking this heretical princess, for the grand-master is her mortal -enemy.'[412] - -Montmorency, who next to Francis was now the most important personage in -the kingdom, concealed under the cloak of religion a cruel heart and -peevish disposition, and was feared by everybody, even by his friends. -If he were gained over, the Queen of Navarre, attacked simultaneously by -the priestly and the political party, must necessarily fall. - -Margaret supported these insults with admirable mildness. At this very -time she was carrying on an almost daily correspondence with -Montmorency, and subscribed all her letters: '_Your good aunt and -friend_.' Full of confidence in this perfidious man, she called on him -to defend her. 'Dear nephew,' she wrote, 'I beg you to believe that, as -I am just now away from the king, it is necessary for you to help me in -this matter. _I rely upon you_; and in this trust, which I am sure can -never fail me, confides your good aunt and friend, Margaret.' The queen -made some allusion to the violent language of the monks, but with great -good-humour. 'I have desired the bearer,' she said, 'to speak to you -about _certain nonsense_ that a Jacobin monk has uttered in the faculty -of theology.' This was all: she did not make use of one bitter -word.[413] Montmorency, that imperious courtier who before long -persecuted the protestants without mercy, began to think himself strong -enough to ruin Margaret, and we shall soon see what was the result of -his perfidious insinuations. The Sorbonne deliberated as to what was to -be done. According to the decrees of Sixtus IV. and Alexander VI., no -books, treatises, or writings whatsoever[414] could be printed without -an express authorisation; but the Queen of Navarre had printed her book -without any such permission. The society, without pretending to know the -author, declared the _Mirror of the Sinful Soul_ prohibited, and put it -in the _Index Librorum Prohibitorum_. - -[Sidenote: THE PRIESTS' COMEDY.] - -This was not enough. The priests excited the students; but while the -former were playing a tragedy, the latter (or rather their teachers) -resorted to satire. The scholars of the college of Navarre, who passed -from the grammar to the logic class, were in the habit of giving a -dramatic representation on the 1st of October. The clerical heads of the -college, wishing to render the queen hateful to the people and -ridiculous to the court, composed a drama. The parts were distributed -among the pupils; the rehearsals began, and those who were admitted to -them agreed that the author had so seasoned the plot with gall and -vinegar, that success was certain.[415] The report spread through the -Latin quarter: and even Calvin heard of it, for he kept himself well -informed of all that took place in the schools. While applying himself -constantly to the work of God, he kept watch also upon the work of the -adversary. There was so much talk about this play, that, when the day of -the representation arrived, there was a rush for admission, and the hall -was crammed. The monks and theologians took their seats in front, and -the curtain rose. - -A queen, magnificently dressed and sitting calmly on the stage, was -spinning, and seemed to be thinking of nothing but her wheel. 'It is the -king's sister,' said the spectators; 'and she would do well to keep to -her distaff.' - -Next a strange character appeared: it was a woman dressed in white, -carrying a torch and looking fiercely around her. Everybody recognised -the fury Megæra. 'That is Master Gerard,' they said, 'the almoner of the -king's sister.'[416] Megæra, advancing cautiously, drew near the queen -with the intention of withdrawing her from her peaceful feminine -occupation, and making her lay aside her distaff. She did not show her -enmity openly, but came slily forward, putting on a smiling look, as if -bringing additional light. She walked round and round the queen, and -endeavoured to divert her attention by placing the torch boldly before -her eyes.[417] - -At first the princess takes no heed, but continues spinning; at length, -alas! she stops and permits herself to be attracted by the false light -before her; she gives way, she quits her wheel.... Megæra has conquered, -and in exchange for the distaff she places the Gospel in the queen's -hand.[418] The effect is magical; in a moment the queen is transformed. -She was meek, she becomes cruel; she forgets her former virtuous habits; -she rises, and, glaring around with savage eyes, takes up a pen to write -out her sanguinary orders, and personally inflicts cruel tortures on her -wretched victims. Scenes still more outrageous than these follow. The -sensation was universal! 'Such are the fruits of the Gospel!' said some -of the spectators. 'It entices men away to novelties and folly; it robs -the king of the devoted affection of his subjects, and devastates both -Church and State.'[419] - -[Sidenote: SUCCESS OF THE COMEDY.] - -At last the play was ended. The Sorbonne exulted; the Queen of Navarre, -who had formerly lashed the priests and monks, was now scourged by them -in return. - -Shouts of approbation rose from every bench, and the theologians clapped -the piece with all their might; such applause as that of these reverend -doctors had never been heard before.[420] There were, however, a few -reasonable men to whom such a satire written against the king's sister -appeared unbecoming. 'The authors have used neither veil nor figure of -speech,' they said: 'the queen is openly and disgracefully insulted in -the play.'[421] The monks, finding they had gone too far, wished to hush -up the matter; but in a short time the whole city was full of it, and a -few days after a mischievous friend went and spoke of it at court, -describing the whole play, scene after scene, to the queen herself.[422] - -The Sorbonne, the highest authority in the Church after the pope, had -struck the first blow; the second had been given in the colleges; the -third was to be aimed at Margaret by the court. By ruining this princess -in the eyes of her brother, the enemies of the Reformation would cause -her the most unutterable sorrow, for she almost adored Francis. -Afterwards they would get her banished to the mountains of Béarn. -Montmorency lent himself to this intrigue; he advanced prudently, -speaking to the king about heresy, of the dangers it was bringing upon -France, and of the obligation to free the kingdom from it for the -salvation of souls. Then, appearing to hesitate, he added: 'It is true, -Sire, that if you wish to extirpate the heretics, you must begin with -the Queen of Navarre.'[423]... And here he stopped. - -Margaret was not informed of this perfidious proceeding immediately; but -everybody told her that if she allowed the impertinence of the monks and -the condemnation of the Sorbonne to pass unpunished, she would encourage -their malice. She communicated what had taken place to her brother, -declared herself to be the author of the _Mirror_, and insisted on the -fact that it contained nothing but pious sentiments, and did not attack -the doctrines of the Church: 'None of us,' she said, 'have been found -_sacramentarians_.' Finally, she demanded that the condemnation by the -theological faculty should be rescinded, and the college of Navarre -called to account. - -[Sidenote: CHRISTIANS MADE A SHOW.] - -Calvin watched the whole business very closely; it might almost be said, -after reading his letter, that he had been among the spectators. He -censured the behaviour of both scholars and masters.[424] 'Christians,' -he said later, 'are made a show of, as when in a triumph the poor -prisoners are paraded through the city before being taken to prison and -strangled. But the spectacle made of believers is no hindrance to their -happiness, for in the presence of God they remain in possession of -glory, and the Spirit of God gives them a witness who dwells steadfast -in their hearts.'[425] - -[Footnote 397: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, pp. 847-849.] - -[Footnote 398: Sainte-Marthe, _Oraison funèbre de Marguerite_, p. 45.] - -[Footnote 399: The first edition of the _Miroir de l'Ame pécheresse_, -was published at Alençon, by Simon Dubois.] - -[Footnote 400: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, i. p. 8. -Génin, _Notice sur Marguerite d'Angoulême_, p. iii. Freer, _Life of -Marguerite d'Angoulême_, ii. p. 112.] - -[Footnote 401: _Les Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. p. 60.] - -[Footnote 402: Ibid. p. 63.] - -[Footnote 403: _Les Marguerites_, i. p. 65.] - -[Footnote 404: Ibid. pp. 51, 57.] - -[Footnote 405: Ibid. p. 70.] - -[Footnote 406: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Eglises Réformées_, -i. pp. 8, 9.] - -[Footnote 407: Génin, _Notice sur Marguerite d'Angoulême_, p. 95, -preceding her letters.] - -[Footnote 408: _Marguerite de Valois, Reine de Navarre, étude -historique_, 1861.] - -[Footnote 409: Acts xix. 19.] - -[Footnote 410: 'Quum excuterent officinas bibliopolarum.'—Calvini _Epp._ -p. 2; Genève, 1617.] - -[Footnote 411: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 282. Freer, _Life -of Marguerite_, ii. p. 118. Castaigne, _Notice sur Marguerite_.] - -[Footnote 412: Lettre de la Reine Marguerite à Montmorency. _Lettres de -la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 282.] - -[Footnote 413: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. pp. 282, 283.] - -[Footnote 414: 'Libri, tractatus aut scripturæ quæcunque.'—Raynald, -_Annales Eccl._ xix. p. 514.] - -[Footnote 415: 'Fabula felle et aceto, ut ait ille, plusquam mordaci -conspersa.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 416: The word _Megæra_ is made up of the first syllables of -_Magister Gerardus_. 'Megæram appellant alludens ad nomen Magistri -Gerardi.'] - -[Footnote 417: 'Tunc Megæra illi faces admovens, ut acus et colum -abjiceret.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 418: 'Evangelia in manus recepit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 419: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, p. 844.] - -[Footnote 420: 'Mirabiliter applaudentibus theologis.'—Sturmius Bucero.] - -[Footnote 421: 'Quam non figurate, nec obscure, conviciis suis -proscindebant.—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 422: 'Re ad reginam delata.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 423: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 58.] - -[Footnote 424: 'Indigna prorsus ea muliere.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 425: Calvini _Opp._ passim.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - TRIUMPH OF THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE. - (AUTUMN 1533.) - - -Francis was not at Paris when the storm broke out against his sister. In -the summer of 1533, says the chronicle, 'the king visited his states and -lordships of Languedoc, and made his triumphal entry into the city of -Toulouse.'[426] It was by letter, therefore, that he heard of what was -taking place. All were asking what he would do. On the one hand, he had -a great affection for the queen; but, on the other, he did not like his -tranquillity to be disturbed; he protected learning, but he detested the -Gospel. His better self gained the upper hand; his hatred of the -absurdities of the monks was aroused; his great susceptibility made him -take the affronts offered to his sister as if they had been offered to -himself; and one after another he gave Margaret's enemies a forcible -lesson. - -The first whom he taught his place was Montmorency. When the latter -endeavoured to instil his perfidious insinuations into the king's mind, -Francis silenced him: 'Not a word more about it,' he said: 'she is too -fond of me to take up with any religion that will injure my -kingdom.[427] Margaret was informed subsequently of the attempt of the -grand-master, 'whom she never liked more,' adds Brantôme. - -[Sidenote: THE FRANCISCAN FRIAR.] - -The second to feel the king's hand was the prior of the Franciscans who -had proposed to sew Margaret in a sack and throw her into the Seine. -'Let him suffer the punishment he desired to inflict upon the queen,' he -exclaimed. On hearing of this sentence the monks became irritated, and -the populace, according to one historian, got up a riot. But the queen -interceded for the wretch, and his life was spared; he was simply -deprived of his ecclesiastical dignities and sent to the galleys for two -years.[428] - -The play represented against the queen, as well as the priests who had -composed it and superintended the representation, next engaged the -king's attention; he resolved not to spare them, and at the least to put -them in a terrible fright. He issued his orders, and immediately the -lieutenant of police marched out and appeared at the head of a hundred -archers before the college of Navarre.[429] 'Surround the building,' he -said, 'so that no one can escape.'[430] The archers did as they were -ordered. For this narrative we are again indebted to Calvin, who -continued to take the deepest interest in the whole affair. The orders -of the lieutenant were not executed without noise, and some of the -professors and pupils, attracted to the windows, had watched the -movements of the municipal officers. The author of the drama, who had -expected nothing like this, and who was very vain and continually -boasting of his pious exploit, happened to be in the room of a friend, -joking about the queen and the famous comedy, when suddenly he heard an -unusual noise.[431] He looked out, and, seeing the college surrounded by -soldiers, became alarmed and confused. 'Hide me somewhere,' he -exclaimed. He was put in a place where it was supposed nobody could find -him: there are always good hiding-places in colleges. 'Stay there,' said -his friends, 'until we find an opportunity for your escape.'[432] And -then the door was carefully shut. - -[Sidenote: ARRESTS IN THE COLLEGE OF NAVARRE.] - -Meanwhile the lieutenant of police had entered with a few of his -archers, and demanded the surrender of the author of the satire against -the Queen of Navarre. The head of the college, a man of distinction, -profound learning, and great influence, whom Calvin styles 'the great -Master Lauret,' and Sturm 'the king of the wise,' did not deserve his -name. He refused everything. Upon this, the sergeants began to search -the building for the culprit; and professors and students were in great -anxiety. But every nook and corner was explored in vain; they found -nothing.[433] The lieutenant thereupon ordered his archers to lay hands -upon the actors in default of the author, and he himself arrested one of -the persons who had taken a part in the play. This was the signal for a -great tumult. Master Lauret, knowing himself to be more guilty than -those youths, rushed upon the lieutenant and endeavoured to rescue the -scholar;[434] the students, finding themselves supported by their chief, -fell upon the archers, and kicked and beat them, some even pelting them -with stones.[435] There was a regular battle in the college of Navarre. -But the law prevailed at last, and all the beardless actors fell into -the hands of the police. - -The lieutenant was bent on knowing the nature of their offence. 'Now,' -said he to the juvenile players, 'you will repeat before me what you -said on the stage.'[436] The unlucky youths were forced to obey; in -great confusion and hanging their heads, they repeated all their -impertinence. 'I have not done,' resumed the lieutenant, turning to the -head of the college; 'since the author of the crime is concealed from -me, I must look to those who should have prevented such insolence. -Master Lauret, you will go with me as well as these young scamps. As for -you, Master Morin (he was the second officer of the college), you will -keep your room.' He then departed with his archers; Lauret was taken to -the house of a commissary, and the students were sent to prison. - -The most important affair still remained—the decision come to by the -Sorbonne against Margaret's poem. The king, wishing to employ gentle -means, simply ordered the rector to ask the faculty if they had really -placed the _Mirror_ in the list of condemned books,[437] and in that -case to be good enough to point out what they saw to blame in it. To the -rector, therefore, was confided the management of the affair. A new -rector had been elected a few days before (10th of October); and whether -the university perceived in what direction the wind was blowing, or -wished to show its hostility to the enemies of the light, or desired to -court the king's favour by promoting the son of one of his favourites, -the chief physician to the court, they had elected, in spite of the -faculty of theology, Nicholas Cop, a particular friend of Calvin's. -'Wonderful!' said the friends of the Gospel: 'the king and his sister, -the rector of the university, and even, as some say, the Bishop of -Paris, lean to the side of the Word of God; how can France fail to be -reformed?' - -The new rector took the affair vigorously in hand. Won over to the -Gospel by Calvin, he had learnt, in conversation with his friend, that -sin is the great disease, the loss of eternal life the great death, and -Jesus Christ the great physician. He was impatient to meet the enemies -of the Reform, and the king gave him the desired opportunity.... He had -several conversations with Calvin on the subject, and convened the four -faculties on the 24th of October, 1532. The Bishop of Senlis, the king's -confessor, read his Majesty's letter to them; after which the youthful -rector, the organ of the new times, began to speak, and, full of the -ardour which a recent conversion gives, he delivered (Calvin tells us) a -long and severe speech,[438] a christian philippic, confounding the -conspirators who were plotting against the Word of God. 'Licence is -always criminal,' he said; 'but what is it when those who violate the -laws are those whose duty it is to teach others to observe them?... Now -what have they done? They have attacked an excellent woman, who is alike -the patroness of sound learning and mother of every virtue.[439] They -penetrate into the sanctuary of the family of our kings, and encroach -upon the sovereign majesty... What presumptuous temerity, what imprudent -audacity!... The laws of propriety, the laws of the realm, the laws of -God even, have all been violated by these impudent men... They are -seditious and rebellious subjects.' Then turning to the faculty of -theology, the rector continued: 'Put an end, Sirs, to these foolish and -arrogant manners; or else, if you have not committed the offence, do not -bear the responsibility. Do you desire to encourage the malice of those -who, ever ready to perpetrate the most criminal acts, wipe their mouths -afterwards and say: "It is not I who did it! it is the university!" -while the university knows nothing about it?[440] Do not mix yourselves -up in a matter so full of danger, or ... beware of the terrible anger of -the king.'[441] - -[Sidenote: THE SORBONNE DISAVOWS ITS ACT.] - -This speech, the terror inspired by the king's name, and the -recollection of Beda's imprisonment, disturbed the assembly. The -theologians, who were all guilty, basely abandoned their colleague, who -had only carried out a general resolution, and exclaimed unanimously: -'We must disavow the rash deed.'[442] The four faculties declared they -had not authorised the act of which the king complained, and the whole -responsibility fell on Le Clerq, curé of St. André, who had taken the -most active part in the matter. He was the Jonah to be thrown into the -sea. - -Le Clerq was very indignant. He had gone up and down the city in the -sight of everybody, he had ransacked the booksellers' shops to lay hold -of the heretical _Mirror_; the booksellers, if necessary, could depose -against him; but when he found himself abandoned by those who had urged -him on, he was filled with anger and contempt. Still, he endeavoured to -escape the danger that threatened him, and seeing among the audience -several officers of the court, he said in French, so that all might -understand him: 'In what words, Sirs, can I sufficiently extol the -king's justice?[443] Who can describe with what unshaken fidelity this -great prince has on all occasions shown himself the valiant defender of -the faith?[444] I know that misguided men[445] are endeavouring to -pervert the king's mind, and conspiring the ruin of this holy faculty; -but I have a firm conviction that their manœuvres will fail against his -majesty's heroic firmness. I am proud of the resistance I make them. And -yet I have done nothing of myself; I was delegated by an order of the -university for the duty I have fulfilled.[446] And do you imagine that -in discharging it, I had any desire to get up a plot against an august -princess whose morals are so holy, whose religion is so pure,[447] as -she proved not long ago by the respect with which she paid the last -honours to her illustrious mother? I consider such obscene productions -as _Pantagruel_ ought to be prohibited; but I place the _Mirror_ simply -among the suspected books, because it was published without the -approbation of the faculty. If that is a crime, we are all guilty—you, -gentlemen,' he said, turning towards his colleagues, 'you as well as -myself, although you disavow me.'[448] - -[Sidenote: THE UNIVERSITY APOLOGISES.] - -This speech, so embarrassing to the doctors of the faculty, secured the -triumph of the queen. 'Sirs,' said the king's confessor, 'I have read -the inculpated volume, and there is really nothing to blot out of it, -unless I have forgotten all my theology.[449] I call, therefore, for a -decree that shall fully satisfy her majesty.' The rector now rose again -and said: 'The university neither recognises nor approves of the censure -passed upon this book. We will write to the king, and pray him to accept -the apology of the university.' Thereupon the meeting broke up. - -Thus did Margaret, the friend of the reformers, come out victorious from -this attack of the monks. 'This matter,' says Beza, 'somewhat cowed the -fury of our masters (_magistri_), and greatly strengthened the small -number of believers.'[450] The clear and striking account which Calvin -has left us, has enabled us to watch the quarrel in all its phases. As -we read it, we cannot help regretting that the reformer did not -sometimes employ his noble talents in writing history.[451] - -An astonishing change was taking place in France. Calvin and Francis -appeared to be almost walking together. Calvin watched with an observing -eye the movements of men's minds, and his lofty understanding delighted -in tracing out the approaching consequences. What did he see in the year -1533? The different classes of society are in motion; men of the world -begin to speak more freely;[452] students, with the impetuosity of -youth, are rushing towards the light; many young professors perceive -that Scripture is above the pope; one of his most intimate friends is at -the head of the university; the fanatical doctors are in exile; and the -most influential men both in Church and State are favourable to the -Reform. The Bishop of Senlis, confessor to the king; John du Bellay, -Bishop of Paris, who possesses the king's entire confidence; his brother -William, one of the greatest men in France, seem all to be placing -themselves at the service of evangelical truth. William du Bellay, in -particular, excited the greatest hopes among the reformers at this time; -they entertained, indeed, exaggerated ideas about him. As Berquin was no -more, and Calvin had hardly appeared, it was Du Bellay, in their -opinion, who would reform France. 'O that the Lord would raise up many -heroes like him!' said the pious Bucer; 'then should we see Christ's -kingdom appearing with the splendour of the sun.[453] The Sire de Langey -(William du Bellay) is ready to suffer everything for Jesus Christ.'[454] - -[Sidenote: REFORM MOVEMENT IN FRANCE.] - -The most earnest men believed in the salutary influences which the -Reformation would exert. In fact, by awakening the conscience and -reviving faith, it was to be a principle of order and liberty; and the -religious activity which it called into existence could not but be -favourable to education and morality, and even to agriculture, -manufactures, and commerce. If Francis I. had turned to the Gospel, the -noblest minds would have followed him, and France would have enjoyed -days of peace and marvellous prosperity. - -Among the enlightened men of whom we are speaking, we must include -Philip de Chabot, seignior of Brion, admiral of France, a favourite with -the king, and inclined to the cause of the Reform;[455] Maure Musée, -groom of the chamber, also won over to the Gospel; and the pious Dame de -Cany, who influenced her sister, the Duchess of Etampes, in favour of -the reformed.[456] That frivolous woman was far from being converted; -but if the Reform was reproached with the protection she afforded it, -the evangelicals called to mind that Marcia, mistress to the Emperor -Commodus, as the duchess was to the king, had protected the early -christians, and primitive Christianity was none the less respected for -it. - -Calvin did not place his hope in the powers of the world: 'Our wall of -brass,' he said, 'is to have God propitious to us. _If God be for -us_—that is our only support. There is no power under heaven or above -which can withstand his arm, and having him for our defender we need -fear no evil.'[457] And yet the blows which Francis I. had warded from -the head of the queen were to fall upon Cop and Calvin himself. But -before we come to these persecutions, we must follow the king, who, -quitting Toulouse and Montpellier, proceeded to Marseilles to meet the -pope. - -[Footnote 426: _Chronique du Roi François I._ p. 98.] - -[Footnote 427: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 88.] - -[Footnote 428: Castaigne, _Notice sur Marguerite_. Freer, _Life of -Marguerite_.] - -[Footnote 429: 'Prætor stipatus centum apparitoribus gymnasium adit.'— -Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 430: 'Suis jussis domum circumcidere, ne quis elaberetur.' -—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 431: 'Sed cum forte in amici cubiculo esset, tumultum prius -exaudisse.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 432: 'E quibus per occasionem fugeret.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 433: 'Autor sceleris deprehendi non poterat.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 434: 'Dum vult obsistere gymnasiarcha.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 435: 'Lapides a nonnullis pueris conjecti sunt.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 436: 'Quod pro scena recitassent jussit repetere.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 437: 'Improbatæ religionis.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 438: 'Longa et acerba oratione.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 439: 'In reginam virtutum omnium et bonarum literarum matrem -arma sumere.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 440: 'Ut dicant Academiam fecisse.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 441: 'Ne se immiscerent tanto discrimini, ne regis iram -experiri vellent.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 442: 'Omnium sententia fuit factum abjurandum.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 443: 'Magnificis verbis regis integritatem.'—Calvini _Epp._ -p. 1.] - -[Footnote 444: 'Fidei animosum protectorem.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 445: 'Aliquos sinistros homines.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 446: 'Se quidem fuisse delegatum Academiæ decreto.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 447: 'Fœminam tam sanctis moribus, tam pura religione -præditam.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 448: 'Omnes esse culpæ affines, si qua esset, quantumvis -abnegarent.'—Calvini _Epp._ p. 1.] - -[Footnote 449: 'Nisi oblitus esset suæ theologiæ.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 450: Théodore de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ p. 9.] - -[Footnote 451: This letter is the first in the collection published by -Theodore Beza, and will be the tenth in that to be published by Dr. -Bonnet.] - -[Footnote 452: 'Omnes cœperunt loqui liberius.'—Bucer to Blaarer. -Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 453: 'Dominus excitet multos isti heroï similes.'—Bucer to -Chelius, quoted by Schmidt.] - -[Footnote 454: 'Quidvis pati pro Christo.'—Sturm to Bucer. Ibid.] - -[Footnote 455: 'Admiralius adest, qui unice nobis favet.'—Sturm to -Bucer, quoted by Schmidt.] - -[Footnote 456: _Lettres de Jean Calvin_, i. p. 335, edit. J. Bonnet.] - -[Footnote 457: Calvini _Opp._ passim.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - CATHERINE DE MEDICI GIVEN TO FRANCE. - (OCTOBER 1533.) - - -This interview of the pope with the king might be more injurious to the -Gospel than all the attacks of the Sorbonne. If Clement united sincerely -with Francis against Charles; if Catherine de Medici became the pledge -of union between Rome and France; would not the Reformation soon be -buried by the mournful glare of the pale torches of this fatal marriage? -Yet men still hoped that the projected interview would not take place. -In fact, Henry VIII. and the emperor did all they could to prevent -Francis from meeting the pope.[458] - -[Sidenote: THE INTENDED MARRIAGE.] - -But Clement VII., more charmed than ever with a matrimonial union -between the family of the Florentine merchants and that of St. Louis, -cared naught for the emperor or the king of England; and about the end -of April 1533, he convoked a sacred college at Rome, to whom he -communicated his plans. They already knew something about them: the -Roman cardinals smiled and congratulated his Holiness, but the Spanish -cardinals looked very much out of humour. The pope tried to persuade -them that he only desired this marriage for the glory of God and of the -Church. 'It is for _holy opportunities_,' he told them. No one dared -oppose it openly; but, on leaving the meeting, the emperor's cardinals -hurried to his ministers and informed them of the pontifical -communication. The latter lost no time; they called upon all their -friends, managed them with great ability, and, by dint of energy and -stratagem, succeeded in holding a congregation at the beginning of June, -at which none of the French cardinals were present. Not daring to oppose -the marriage itself, Charles's prelates displayed extreme sensibility -for the honour and welfare of the pope. They appeared to be suddenly -seized with a violent affection for Clement. 'What! the pope in France!' -they exclaimed. 'Truly it must be something more than the marriage of a -niece to _move a pope from his seat_.' Then, as if Clement's health was -very precious to them, and the Roman air excellent, the crafty Spaniards -brought forward sanitary reasons. 'Such a journey would be dangerous, -_considering the extreme heat of Provence_.'—'Never mind that,' -cunningly answered the pope; 'I shall not start until after the first -rains.' - -[Sidenote: IMPERIAL OBSTACLES.] - -Charles then sought other means to prevent the conference. He will -contrive that the pope shall delay his departure from week to week, -until the winter sets in, and then it is not to be thought of. A very -natural occasion for these delays presented itself. The marriage of -Henry VIII. with Anne Boleyn having been made public, the emperor -haughtily demanded that justice should be done to the queen, his aunt. -Here, certainly, was matter enough to occupy the court of Rome for -months; but Clement, who had let the English business drag along for -years, being eager to finish the _other_ marriage, hastily assembled a -consistory, and pronounced against Henry VIII. all the censures which -Charles V. demanded. Then, in his zeal forgetting his usual cunning, he -made Catherine's marriage the peroration of his speech, and having done -with England and its king, he ended by saying: 'Gentlemen, if any of you -desire to make the voyage with me, you must hold yourselves in readiness -for departure.'[459] - -Immediate preparations were made for fitting up the galleys of Rhodes in -which the pope was to sail. All was bustle in the harbour. Those long -low barks were supplied with everything necessary for subsistence, for -sailing, and even for attack and defence. The oars were fixed in their -places; the yards and sails were set; the flags were hoisted.... Then -the imperialists, trying to outwit the pope, had recourse to a new -stratagem; they were smitten with a sudden fondness for Coron.—'Coron, -that city in the south of Greece,' they said to the pope, 'a city of -such great importance to christendom, is attacked by the Turks; we -require the galleys of Rhodes to defend it; we must deliver the Greeks -our brothers from slavery, and restore the empire of the East.'... The -pope understood; it was difficult to beat him in cunning. 'Well, well,' -said he, 'make haste; fly to the help of christendom.... I will lend you -the said galleys, and will add my own ... and ... I will make the -passage on board the galleys of France.'[460] - -Then the emperor turned to the Swiss; the Dukes of Savoy and Milan, -also, fearing that at the projected interview something would be -_brewed_ to their detriment, united with him. These three princes -attempted to induce the catholic cantons to enter the Italian league. If -these terrible Helvetic bands pass the Alps, all idea of travelling will -be abandoned by the pope. How could he expose himself to pikes and -arquebuses? Clement VII. had not the warlike disposition of Julius II. -'The King of France favours the protestants,' said Charles's deputies to -the catholic cantons; 'he desires to put the evangelical cantons in a -condition to avenge the defeat at Cappel; but if you join us, you have -nothing to fear.' At these words the catholics became eager[461] to -enter the league against the king and the pope; but Francis sent them -money to keep quiet, and they did not move.[462] - -Were all his manœuvres to fail? Never had a marriage been heard of -against which so many obstacles had been raised; but it was written in -the book of fate, said many; the arms forged against it could not -succeed; and the haughty Charles vainly agitated all Europe—Swiss, -Germans, Greeks, and Turks. His ministers now had recourse to another -stratagem. Everybody knew that the pope was not brave. They revived -their tender affection for his person; and as Switzerland was not to be -tempted, they turned to Africa. 'Let your Holiness beware,' they said; -'if you undertake this voyage, you will certainly fall into the hands of -the Moors.[463]... A fleet of pirates, lurking behind the islands of -Hyères, will suddenly appear, fall on the ship in which you are sailing, -and carry you off.'[464] This time the pope was staggered. The terror -inspired by the barbarian ships was at that time very great. To be -carried away by the Moors! A pope captive in Algiers or Tunis! What a -dreadful thought! - -Will he go or will he not? was the question Europe set itself. But the -matter was violently canvassed at Rome, where Guelphs and Ghibelines -almost came to blows. Arguments for the marriage, and consequently for -the voyage, were not wanting. 'The time has come,' said the papists, -'for a bold stroke to prevent France from being lost like Germany and -England.' There were loud discussions in the convents and churches, and -even in the public places. A Franciscan of the Low Countries, Herbom by -name, a monk of fiery fanaticism, stirred up the pontifical city. -'Luther, Zwingle, and Œcolampadius,' he said, 'are soldiers of Pilate; -they have crucified Jesus Christ.... But, alas! alas! this crime is -repeated in our days ... at Paris. Yes, even at Paris, by certain -disciples of Erasmus.' It was clearly necessary for the pope and his -little niece to hasten to France, in order to prevent what these -blaspheming monks dared to call the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. - -[Sidenote: THE POPE DETERMINES TO GO.] - -At last Clement made up his mind. He would brave the fury of the waves, -and risk the attacks of the corsairs, in order to conquer the _soldiers -of Pilate_ and give a royal husband to his niece. The galleys of France, -commanded by the Duke of Albany, left Marseilles in September to fetch -the pope, who had gone to Pisa, making a boast, wherever he went, of the -most noble disinterestedness. 'I am going to this interview,' he said, -'in order to procure the peace of Europe, to prepare an expedition -against the infidels, to lead back the King of England to the right -path, and, in a word, solely for the interests of christendom.' Then, -after thus disguising himself, like the wolf in the fable, under a -borrowed dress, he showed the tip of his ear, and begged the Duke of -Albany to escort _their common relative_ to Nice, where she would wait -for further orders. The honour done to his family was so great that -doubts were continually arising in his mind about the trustworthiness of -the French king's promises. He would not take his niece with him to -Marseilles, for fear he should have to bring her back. He will see -Francis alone first; he will speak to him and sound him. Clement -believed that his piercing eye would read the king's heart to the very -bottom. When all his fears are removed, Catherine shall come to France; -but until then, she shall only go part of the way.[465] - -The young lady departed for Nice, and people said, pointing to her as -they saw her going on board ship: 'There is the real cause of the -strange journey of a pope to France! If it were a matter touching the -safety of the Church, Clement would not do so much; but it is to place a -Medici beside a throne, and perhaps set her upon it.'... The French -fleet put to sea: the ship, on whose mainmast the standard of France had -been hoisted, exhibited a sight at once gay and sad. Beneath the flags -and banners, at the side of the Duke of Albany, and in the midst of a -brilliant retinue, might be seen a kind of little fairy, who was then -making her first appearance in the world. She was a young creature, of -middle stature, with sparkling eyes and bell-like voice, who appeared to -possess some supernatural power, and singularly fascinated every one -that came near her. Her enchantments and her philtres were the subtle -poison on which the papacy relied for destroying heresy. This child, -between thirteen and fourteen years of age, skipped with joy about the -stately ship. 'I am going to be the daughter-in-law of the glorious King -of France,' she said to herself. Death, with whom this strange creature -seemed to have made a secret and terrible treaty, was in truth erelong -to raise her to the summit of power. The galleys of Albany, after having -conveyed _the girl_ to Nice (it is Guicciardini's word), returned to -Leghorn, the port of Pisa, and on the 4th of October the pope, with the -cardinals and all his household, put to sea. - -[Sidenote: PAPAL PLANS, FRENCH HOPES.] - -The papal fleet, all fluttering with banners, had a smooth passage.[466] -Clement could without interruption meditate on a thousand different -projects. Marry Catherine to the son of the King of France; free -himself, thanks to the support of this prince, from the patronage of the -emperor whom he detested; put off indefinitely the council which Charles -had been so bold as to promise to the protestants; and finally crush the -Reformation, both in France and elsewhere.... Such were Clement's -projects during the voyage. Before leaving Rome, he had drawn up (1st of -September) a bull against the heretics; he had it on board the ship, and -he purposed demanding its immediate execution from Francis, as a wedding -present. The winds blew softly in the direction of Marseilles; all -congratulated themselves on the beauty of the passage; but this fleet, -in appearance so inoffensive, which glided so smoothly over the waters -of the Mediterranean, carried, like the bark of Ulysses, stores of -future tempests. - -Opinions were much divided in France about the pope's voyage. If Clement -satisfied Francis, the Reform was ruined; if he thwarted the king, -France would follow the example of England. Everybody admitted the -hypothesis that pleased him best. 'Francis and Clement,' said the -reformed, 'follow such opposite courses, that it is impossible for them -to coincide.'—'The king and the pope,' said the ultramontanists, 'are -about to be united by indissoluble bonds, and popery will be restored in -France in all its exclusive supremacy.'[467] There were however some of -the school of Erasmus who remained in doubt. 'As for me,' wrote -Professor Sturm to Bucer, 'I desire much that popery should be -overthrown, but ... I fear greatly that it will be restored.'[468] Sturm -did not compromise himself. To which side will Marseilles make -Francis I. incline? Historians have decided that he was won over to -Rome; but after hearing the historians, we must listen to history. - -[Sidenote: THE POPE AT MARSEILLES.] - -At the beginning of October 1533, the ancient city of the Phocæans was -in a state of great excitement; the King of France and the pope were -coming; what an honour! It is well known that the inhabitants of that -city are quick, enthusiastic, and fond of show and parade. Watchmen had -been placed on the highest points to telegraph the approaching fleet. At -length, on the 4th of October, the castles of If and Notre Dame de la -Garde suddenly gave the looked-for signals. One cry only was heard in -the streets of Marseilles: 'The flotilla with the pope on board has come -in sight.'[469] A feverish agitation pervaded the city; the sound of -trumpets, clarions, and hautboys filled the air; the people hurried to -the harbour. Nobles and prelates went on board the ships that had been -kept ready; their sails were unfurled, and in a short time this -extemporised fleet saluted that of the pope with deafening acclamations. -Many devout catholics trembled with joy and admiration; they could -hardly believe their eyes. 'Behold the real representative of Christ,' -they said, 'the father of all christians, the only man who can at will -give new laws to the Church;[470] the man who has never been mistaken -and never will be; whose name is alone in the world, _vice-God_ upon -earth.'[471] Clement smiled: in Italy he had never heard such -exclamations or witnessed such enthusiasm. O France! truly art thou the -eldest daughter of the Church! He did not know that vanity, curiosity, -love of pomp, and a fondness for noise had much to do with this rapture, -and that France, like her king Clovis, worships what it has cast down, -and casts down what it has worshipped. The pope had no leisure to -indulge in such reflections. At the moment his galley entered the -harbour, three hundred pieces of artillery fired a salute. Notre Dame de -la Garde, the tower of St. John, the abbey of St. Victor, the harbour -and its vicinity were all on fire.[472] - -Francis was not to be seen among the vast and brilliant crowd which -filled Marseilles. There were princes of the blood, prelates, -diplomatists, magistrates, courtiers, and warriors; but the king, -although at the gates of the city, kept himself in the background and -apart. However, when the night came, and everybody had retired to their -quarters to rest after so fatiguing a day, a man, wrapped up in a cloak, -entered the city, glided mysteriously along the dark streets, and -stopped at the gate of the palace where the pope was lodging. This man -was immediately introduced into the apartments where Clement was -preparing to take his repose: it was the King of France.[473]... What -was the object of this nocturnal visit? Was it because the king wished -to sound the pontiff in secret, before receiving him officially? Was it -the etiquette of the time? However that may be, Francis, after a secret -and confidential conversation, returned with the same mystery, wearing a -very satisfied look. The pope had promised everything, all the rights, -all the possessions,—in a word, whatever he had made up his mind not to -give. - -The next day the pope, dressed in his pontifical robes, and seated in a -magnificent chair borne on men's shoulders, made his solemn entry, -attended by his cardinals, also in all the brilliancy of their costume, -and by a great number of lords and ladies of France and Italy.[474] - -[Sidenote: LATIN ADDRESS TO THE POPE.] - -Early in the morning, and while the streets were echoing with cries of -joy, the president of the parliament, living in one of the handsomest -houses of Marseilles, was pacing his room with anxious brow, -gesticulating and carefully repeating some Latin phrases. That -magistrate had been commissioned, as a great orator, to deliver an -address to the pope; but as unfortunately Latin was not familiar to him, -he had had his speech written out beforehand, and by dint of labour he -had so far committed it to memory, as to be able to repeat it -off-hand—provided there was no change made in it. - -At the same moment, a messenger from the pope appeared at the king's -levée with a paper, and requested, on behalf of the pontiff, who had a -great fear of the terrible Charles V., that the said oration should be -delivered as it was written on the paper he brought with him, so as to -give the emperor no offence. Francis despatched Clement's draft to the -president. What a disappointment! The new address was precisely the -contrary of what he had been learning by heart. The famous orator became -confused: he did not know what to do.... Alas! he had but a few minutes -to spare, and the sonorous words which would have offended the great -emperor, and which he had counted on reciting in his loudest voice, kept -recurring to his mind. He fancied himself in the presence of that -magnificent assembly of proud Roman prelates who knew Latin so well.... -There could be no doubt about it ... he would become embarrassed, he -would stammer, he would not remember what he had to say, and would break -down. He was quite in a fever. The president, no longer master of -himself, hurried off to the king, and begged him to give the office to -some one else. 'Very well, then,' said Francis to Bishop du Bellay, 'you -must undertake it.' At that moment the procession started. It reached -its destination; the Bishop of Paris, although taken unawares, put a -bold face upon the matter; and being a good Latin scholar and able -orator, he executed his commission wonderfully well.[475] - -The official conferences began shortly after, and neither king nor pope -spared protestations, stratagems, or falsehoods: the pope particularly -excelled in the latter article. 'He used so much artifice in the -business,' says Guicciardini,[476] 'that the king confided marvellously -in him.' What Francis required to compensate him for the misalliance was -not much: he asked for the duchies of Urbino and Milan, Pisa, Leghorn, -Reggio, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, and Genoa. But if the king was -inexhaustible in his demands, the pope was equally so in his promises, -being the more liberal as he intended to give nothing. Clement, touched -by the good-nature of Francis, who appeared to believe all that was told -him, sent at last to Nice for the youthful Catherine. - -[Sidenote: BULL AGAINST HERETICS.] - -It was not decorous for the pope to appear to have come so far only to -give away a young lady. He proposed, therefore, in order to conceal his -intrigues, to issue the bull against the heretics which he had brought -with him. It was his wedding present, and nothing could better -inaugurate Catherine's entry into France. But the diplomatist, William -du Bellay, did all in his power to prevent this truly Roman transaction. -He had several very animated conversations on this subject with the -cardinals and with the pope himself. He represented to him the necessity -of satisfying the protestants of Germany: 'A free council and mutual -concessions,' he said; but Clement was deaf. Du Bellay would not give -way; he struggled manfully with the pontiff, and conjured him not to -attempt to put down the Reformation with violence.[477] He used similar -language to Francis, and laid before him some letters which he had -recently received from Germany; but the king replied that he was taking -the matter too seriously. The bull of excommunication was simply a -_manner_, a papal form ... and nothing more. The bull was published, and -there was a great noise about it. Francis and Clement, each believing in -the other's good faith, were deceiving one another. The only truth in -all this Marseilles business was the gift the pope made to France of -Catherine de Medici. That was quite enough certainly. - -As soon as the pope's niece arrived, preparations were made for the -marriage. The ministers of the king and of the pope took the contract in -hand, and the latter having spoken of an annuity of one hundred thousand -crowns: 'It is very little for so noble an alliance,' said the -treasurers of Francis I.—'True,' replied Strozzi, one of Clement's most -able servants; 'but observe that her grace the Duchess of Urbino brings -moreover three rings of inestimable value ... Genoa, Milan, and -Naples.'[478] These diamonds, whose brilliancy was to dazzle the king -and France, never shone on Catherine's fingers or on the crown of Henry -II. - -[Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF CATHERINE AND HENRY.] - -The ceremony was conducted with great magnificence. The bride advanced, -young, brilliant, radiant with joy, with smiling lips and sparkling eyes, -her head adorned with gold, pearls, and flowers; and in her train ... -Death.... Death, who was always her faithful follower, who served -her even when she would have averted his dart; who, by striking the -dauphin, was to make her the wife of the heir to the crown; by striking -her father-in-law, to make her queen; and by striking down successively -her husband and all her sons, to render her supreme controller of the -destinies of France. In gratitude, therefore, towards her mysterious and -sinister ally, the Florentine woman was forty years later, and in a -night of August, to give him a magnificent entertainment in the streets -of Paris, to fill a lake with blood that he might bathe therein, and -organise the most terrible festival that had ever been held in honour of -Death. Catherine approached the altar, trembling a little, though not -agitated. The pope officiated, desirous of personally completing the -grandeur of his house, and tapers without number were lighted. The King -and Queen of France, with a crowd of courtiers dressed in the richest -costumes, surrounded the altar. Catherine de Medici placed her cold hand -in the faithless hand of Henry of Valois, which was to deprive the -Reform of all liberty, and France herself, in the _Unhappy Peace_, of -her glory and her conquests. Clement gave his pontifical blessing to -this tragic pair. The marriage was concluded; the _girl_, as -Guicciardini calls her, was a wife; her eyes glanced as with fire. Was -it a beam of happiness and pride? Probably. We might ask also if it was -not the joy of the hyena scenting from afar the graves where it could -feast on the bodies of the dead; or of the tiger espying from its lair -in the African desert the groups of travellers upon whom it might spring -and quench its raging thirst for blood. But although the appetites which -manifested themselves in the St. Bartholomew massacre already existed in -the germ in this young wife, there is no evidence (it must be -acknowledged) that she allowed herself to be governed at Marseilles by -these cruel promptings. - -There are creatures accursed of God, who, under a dazzling veil and fair -outward show, impart to a nation an active power of contagion, the venom -of corruption, an invisible principle of death which, circulating -through the veins, infects with its morbid properties all parts of the -body, and strikes the physical powers with general prostration. It was -thus at the commencement of the history of the human race that a fallen -being deceived man; by him sin entered into the world, and _death by -sin_. This first scene, which stands alone, has been repeated, however, -from time to time in the world, though on a smaller scale. It happened -to France when the daughter of the Medici crept into the family of its -kings. No doubt the disease was already among the people, but -Catherine's arrival was one of those events which bring the corruption -to a head. This woman, so false and dissolute, so vile as to crawl at -the feet of her husband's mistress and pick up secrets for her; this -woman, who gave birth to none but enervated, idiotic, distempered, and -vicious children, not only corrupted her own sons, but infected an -entire brilliant society that might have been noble and just (as Coligny -showed), and instilled her deadly venom into its veins. The niece of the -pope poisoned France. - -'Clement's joy was incredible,' says Guicciardini.[479] He had even a -feeling of gratitude, and resolved to give the king four _hats_ for four -French bishops. Did he intend that these hats should supply the place of -Urbino, Genoa, Milan, and Naples? Nobody knows. One of the new cardinals -was Odet de Chatillon, then eleven years old, brother of the immortal -Coligny, and subsequently one of the supporters of protestantism in -France. The king, wishing to appear grateful for so many favours, wrote -to the Bishop of Paris, that 'as the crime of heresy increased and -multiplied, he should proceed to act against the heretics.'—'Do not -fail,' he added.[480] But the Bishop of Paris, brother of the -diplomatist Du Bellay, was the least inclined of all the prelates in -France to persecution. Francis knew this well, and for that very reason, -perhaps, gave him the order. - -[Sidenote: THE POPE'S HEALTH DECLINES.] - -The pope, delighted at having made so good a bargain in the city of -merchants, embarked on the 20th of November to return to Rome. Excess of -joy was hurtful to him, as it had been to his cousin Leo X. The threats -of the emperor, who demanded a council; the pressure of Francis I., who -claimed Catherine's _three rings_;[481] the quarrels of his two nephews, -who were fighting at Florence,—all filled poor Clement with uneasiness -and sorrow. He told his attendants that his end was near; and -immediately after his return, he had the ring and the garments prepared -which are used at the burial of the popes.[482] His only consolation, -the approaching destruction of the protestants, seemed to fail him in -his last days. Even during his interview with the pope, Francis was -secretly intriguing to unite with the most formidable of the enemies of -Rome. After embracing the old papacy with apparent emotion, the -chivalrous king gallantly held out his hand to the young Reformation. In -the space of two months he had two interviews as opposite as possibly -could be. These two contradictory conferences point out one of the -traits that best characterise the versatile and ambitious Francis. This -modern Janus had a head with two faces. We have just seen that which -looked backwards into the past; we shall soon see that which looked -forwards into the future. But before we follow the King of France in his -oscillation towards Germany and the protestants, we must return to -Calvin. In October 1533, Francis and Clement had met at Marseilles; and -on the 1st of November, while those princes were still diplomatising, a -great evangelical demonstration took place at Paris. - -[Footnote 458: Henry VIII. to Norfolk, Aug. 8, 1533. _State Papers_, -vii. p. 493.] - -[Footnote 459: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 195.] - -[Footnote 460: Ibid. p. 185.] - -[Footnote 461: 'En grand branle.'] - -[Footnote 462: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 195.] - -[Footnote 463: 'Non licere ejus Sanctitati sine Maurorum periculo illuc -accedere.'—Vanner to Cromwell. _State Papers_, vii. p. 508.] - -[Footnote 464: 'Ob insulas de Yeres, ubi piratarum classis posset ad -intercipiendum pontificem in insidiis latitare.'—Vanner to Cromwell, -_State Papers_, vii. p. 508.] - -[Footnote 465: Guicciardini, _Wars of Italy_, ii. bk. xx.] - -[Footnote 466: Guicciardini, _Wars of Italy_, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.] - -[Footnote 467: 'Papam aut subversum, aut restitutum iri in suam et -inveteratam tyrannidem.'—Sturm to Bucer. Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 468: 'Alterum ego expecto magno cum desiderio, alterum non -mediocriter extimesco.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 469: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 204.] - -[Footnote 470: 'Quod illi soli licet pro temporis necessitate novas -leges condere.'—_Dict. Gregorii._] - -[Footnote 471: 'Veri Dei vicem gerit in terris.'—_De Translatione -Episc._] - -[Footnote 472: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 205. _State Papers_, vii. p. 515.] - -[Footnote 473: Guicciardini, _Wars of Italy_, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.] - -[Footnote 474: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 205.] - -[Footnote 475: Du Bellay, _Mém._ p. 206.] - -[Footnote 476: _Wars of Italy_, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.] - -[Footnote 477: 'Legatum vehementer contendisse cum romano pontifice -Massiliæ, ne violenter agat.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 721.] - -[Footnote 478: Guicciardini, _Hist. des Guerres d'Italie_, ii. liv. xx. -p. 901.] - -[Footnote 479: _Guerres d'Italie_, ii. liv. xx. p. 901.] - -[Footnote 480: _Lettre close à l'évêque de Paris_, p. 21.] - -[Footnote 481: 'S. M. Christᵐᵃ dimando che da sua Santᵃ li fussino -osservate le promesse.'—Soriano, Ranke, _Päpste_, i. p. 127.] - -[Footnote 482: Guicciardini, _Guerres d'Italie_, i. liv. xx. p. 902.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - ADDRESS OF THE RECTOR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS. - (NOVEMBER 1533.) - - -Calvin had not quitted Paris. He was at one moment on the boulevards -with the merchant De la Forge, at another in the university quarter with -Cop; in the dwellings of the poor, and the mansions of the nobles, -'increasing greatly the work of the Lord,' says Beza, 'not only by -teaching truth, but also by opposing the heretics.'[483] He then retired -to his chamber and meditated. He turned his piercing glance upon the -future, and fancied he could see, in a time more or less remote and -through certain clouds, the triumph of the Gospel. He knew that the -cause of God in general advances painfully; that there are rocks in the -way; that interest, ignorance, and servility check it at every moment; -that it stumbles and falls, and men may think it ruined. But Calvin -believed that He who is its Head would help it to overcome all its -enemies. 'Only,' he said, 'those who bear its standard must mount to the -assault with unflinching courage.' Calvin, thinking that the time for -the assault had come, desired that in the university itself, from that -pulpit which all Europe respected, the voice of truth should be heard -after centuries of silence. A very natural opportunity occurred. - -[Sidenote: THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY.] - -During the month of October Cop was much occupied with a task that had -fallen to him. It was the custom of the university for the rector to -deliver an inaugural address in Latin on All Saints' Day in one of the -churches of Paris. Calvin thought that it was his duty to take advantage -of this opportunity to proclaim the Gospel boldly in the face of France. -The rector replied that he was a physician, and that it was difficult -for him to speak like a divine: 'If, however, you will write the -address,' he said, 'I will promise to deliver it.' The two young men -were soon agreed; they understood the risk they ran, but were ready to -incur it, without presumption however, and with prudence. They agreed to -explain the essence of the Gospel before the university, giving it the -academic name of _Christian Philosophy_. 'Christ,' says Calvin, 'desires -us to be like serpents, careful to avoid all that may hurt us; and yet -like doves, who fly without fear and without care, and who offer -themselves innocently to the fowlers who are laying snares for -them.'[484] - -All Saints' Day, 1533, having arrived, the university assembled with -great pomp in the Mathurins' church; many were impatient to hear Cop, -whose conduct in the case of the Queen of Navarre had made him an object -of suspicion to the Sorbonne. A great number of monks, and especially of -Franciscans, took their places and opened their ears. There were however -scattered about the church many steadfast friends of the Gospel, who had -come to be present at the assault and perhaps witness the triumph of -their faith. Among them, and on a bench apart, sat a young man of humble -appearance, calm, modest, and attentive to all that was said. Nobody -suspected that it was he (Calvin) who was about to set the university, -and indeed all France, in commotion. The hour having come, all the -dignitaries, professors, and students fixed their eager eyes upon Cop as -he rose to speak. He pronounced the opening address 'in a very different -fashion,' says Theodore Beza, 'from what was usual.' There was a -simplicity and life in his delivery which contrasted strongly with the -dryness and exaggeration of the old doctors. The discourse is of -importance in the history of the Reformation; we shall give it, -therefore, in part, all the more because it has lain unknown until this -hour among the manuscripts of the library of Geneva, and is now first -presented to the christian public.[485] - -[Sidenote: COP'S INAUGURAL DISCOURSE.] - -'Christian philosophy is a great thing,' said the rector; 'a thing too -excellent for any tongue to express and even for any mind to conceive -its value. The gift of God to man by Jesus Christ himself, it teaches us -to know that true happiness which deceives nobody, making us believe and -comprehend that we are truly the sons of God.... The brightness of the -splendour of this wisdom of God eclipses all the glimmerings of the -wisdom of the world. It places its possessors as far above the common -order of men, as that order is itself above the brutes.[486] The mind of -man, opened and enlarged by the divine hand, then understands things -infinitely more sublime than all those which are learnt from our feeble -humanity. How admirable, how holy must this divine philosophy be, since, -in order to bring it to men, God was willing to become man, and, to -teach it to us, the Immortal put on mortality! Could God better manifest -his love to us than by the gift of his eternal Word? What stronger and -tenderer bond could God establish between himself and us than by -becoming a man such as we are? Sirs, let us praise the other sciences, I -approve of it; let us admire logic, natural philosophy, and ethics, in -consideration of their utility; but who would dare compare them with -that other philosophy, which explains what philosophers have long been -seeking after and never found ... the will of God? And what is the -hidden will that is revealed to us here? It is this: _The grace of God -alone remits sins.[487]... The Holy Ghost, which sanctifies all hearts -and gives eternal life, is promised to all christians._[488] If there is -any one among you who does not praise this science above all other -sciences, I would ask him, what will he praise? Would you delight the -mind of man, give him repose of heart, teach him to live holy and -happily? Christian philosophy abundantly supplies him with these -admirable blessings; and, at the same time, it subdues, as with a -wholesome rein, the impetuous movements of the soul.[489] Sirs, since -the dignity and glory of this Gospel are so great, how I rejoice that -the office with which I am invested calls upon me to lay it before you -to-day!' - -This appeared a strange exordium to a great number of hearers: What! not -a word about the saints whom all catholics glorify on this day?... Let -us wait, however, and see. - -The rector then announced that according to custom he would explain the -Gospel of the day, that is, the beatitudes pronounced by Jesus on the -mountain. 'But first of all,' he said, 'unite with me in earnest prayer -to Christ, who is _the true and only intercessor with the Father_, in -order that by his fertilising Spirit he may enlighten our -understandings, and that _our discourse may praise him, savour of him, -be full of him, and reflect his image, so that this divine Saviour, -penetrating our souls, may water them with the dew of his heavenly -grace_!'[490] - -Then the rector explained the happiness of those who are _poor in -spirit_, who _mourn_, who _hunger and thirst after righteousness_. - -[Sidenote: THE DISCOURSE CAUSES A SENSATION.] - -The university had never heard the like. An admirable proportion was -observed throughout the address; it was academical and yet evangelical—a -thing not often seen. Calvin had discovered that tongue of the wise -which useth knowledge aright. But the enemies of the Gospel were not -deceived. Through the thin veil with which he had covered the grandeur -of divine love, they discovered those heights and depths of grace which -are a source of joy to the true christian, but an object of abhorrence -to the adversary. There was an indescribable uneasiness among the -auditory. Certain of the hearers exchanged glances, in this way -indicating to one another the passages which seemed to them the most -reprehensible. University professors, priests, monks, and students—all -listened with astonishment to such unusual language. Here and there in -the congregation signs of approbation might be observed, but far more -numerous signs of anger. Two Franciscans, in particular, were so excited -that they could scarcely keep their seats; and when the assembly broke -up they were heard expressing their indignation in loud terms: 'Grace ... -God's pardon ... the Holy Ghost ... there is abundance of all that -in the rector's discourse; but of penance, indulgences, and meritorious -works ... not a word!' It was pointed out to them that the rector, -according to custom, had ended his exordium with the salutation which -the angel had addressed to Mary; but that, in the opinion of the monks, -was a mere form. The words being in Scripture, how could the rector -refuse to pronounce them? Had he not besides begun by saying that Christ -is the _only true_ intercessor, _verus et unus apud Patrem -intercessor_?... What is left then to Mary, except that she is the -mother of the Saviour? The Sorbonne was filled with anger and alarm.... -To select the day of the festival of _All Saints_, in order to proclaim -that there is _only one_ intercessor! Such a crime must not remain -unpunished. If Cop wished to produce a sensation, the monks will produce -one also! The two Franciscans having consulted with their friends, their -opinion was that the university was not to be trusted. Consequently they -hastened to the parliament and laid the rector's heretical propositions -before it. - -Cop and Calvin had each retired separately, and been visited in their -respective apartments by many of their friends. Some of them did not -approve of these great manifestations; they would have wished the -evangelicals to be content with a few small conventicles here and there -in retired places. Calvin did not agree with them. In his opinion there -was one single universal christian Church, which had existed since the -time of the apostles, and would exist always. The errors and abuses -abounding in christendom, profane priests, hypocrites, scandalous -sinners, do not prevent the Church from existing. True, it is often -reduced to little more than a small humble flock; but the flock exists, -and it must, whenever it has the opportunity, manifest itself in -opposition to a fallen catholicism. The reformers themselves, though it -is frequently forgotten, maintained the doctrine of a universal Church; -but while Rome counts among the number of signs which characterise it 'a -certain pomp and temporal possessions,'[491] the evangelical doctors, on -the contrary, reckon persecution and the cross as a mark of the true -Church. Cop and Calvin were to make the experiment in their own persons. - -[Sidenote: DEBATES IN THE UNIVERSITY.] - -The rector was not inclined to give way to the monks: he resolved to -join battle on a question of form, which would dispose his colleagues in -his favour, and perhaps in favour of truth. It was a maxim received in -the university, that all its members, and _a fortiori_ its head, must be -tried first by the corporation, and that it was not permissible to pass -over any degree of jurisdiction.[492] Accordingly, on the 19th of -November, the rector convoked the four faculties, and, having undertaken -the defence of his address, complained bitterly that certain persons had -dared to carry the matter before a foreign body. The privileges of the -university had thus been attacked. 'It has been insulted by this -denunciation of its chief to the parliament,' said Cop; 'and these -impudent informers must give satisfaction for the insult.' - -These words excited a great commotion in the assembly. The theologians, -who had hung down their heads in the case of the Queen of Navarre, - - ... N'osant approfondir - De ces hautes puissances - Les moins pardonnables offenses, - -resolved to compensate themselves by falling with their whole strength -upon a plain doctor, who was besides by birth a Swiss. Every one of them -raised a cry against him. The university was divided into two distinct -parties, and the meeting reechoed with the most contradictory appeals. -The theologians shouted loudest: 'Time presses,' they said; 'the crisis -has arrived. If we yield, the Romish doctrine, vanquished and expelled -from the university, will give place to the new errors. Heresy is at our -gates; we must crush it by a single blow!'—'The Gospel, philosophy, and -liberty!' said one party.—'Popery, tradition, and submission!' said the -other. The noise and disturbance became such that nothing could be -heard. At last the question was put to the vote: two faculties, those of -letters and medicine, were for Cop's proposition; and two, namely, law -and divinity, were against it. The rector, to show his moderation, -refused to vote, being unwilling to give the victory to himself.[493] -The meeting broke up in the greatest confusion. - -The rector's address, and the discussions to which it gave rise, made a -great noise at court as well as in the city; but no one took more -interest in it than the Queen of Navarre. The question of her poetry had -been the first act; Calvin's address was the second. Margaret knew that -he was the real author of the discourse. She always granted her special -patronage to the students trained in any of her schools. She watched the -young scholars with the most affectionate interest, and rejoiced in -their successes. There was not one of them that could be compared with -Calvin, who had studied at Bourges, Margaret's university. The purity of -his doctrine, the boldness of his profession, the majesty of his -language, astonished everybody, and had particularly struck the queen. -Calvin was one of her students for whom she anticipated the highest -destinies. That princess was not indeed formed for resistance; the -mildness of her character inclined her to yield; and of this she was -well aware. About this time, being commissioned by the king to transact -certain business with one of her relations, a very headstrong woman, she -wrote to Montmorency, 'Employ a head better steeled than mine, or you -will not succeed. She is a Norman woman, and smells of the sea; I am an -Anjoumoise, sprinkled with the soft waters of the Charente.'[494] But, -mild as she was, she took this matter of Cop and Calvin seriously to -heart. When the friends of the Gospel placed the candle boldly on the -candlestick to give light to all France, should a violent wind come and -extinguish it? - -[Sidenote: INTERVIEW OF CALVIN AND MARGARET.] - -The Queen of Navarre summoned Calvin to the court, Beza informs -us.[495]... The news circulated immediately among the evangelical -christians, who entertained great hopes from it. 'The Queen of Navarre,' -they said, 'the king's only sister, is favourable to true religion. -Perhaps the Lord, by the intervention of that admirable woman, will -disperse the impending storm.'[496] Calvin accordingly went to court. -The ladies-in-waiting having introduced him into the queen's apartment, -she rose to meet him, and made him sit down by her side, 'receiving him -with great honour,' says Beza, 'and hearing him with much -pleasure.'[497] The two finest geniuses which France then possessed were -thus brought face to face—the man of the people and the queen, so -different in outward appearance and even as to the point of view from -which they regarded the Reform, but yet both animated with an ardent -desire to see the triumph of the Gospel. They communicated their -thoughts to each other. Calvin, notwithstanding the persecution, was -full of courage. He knew that the Church of Christ is exposed to changes -and error, like all human things, and the state of christendom, in his -opinion, showed this full clearly; but he believed that it possessed an -incorruptible power of life, and that, at the very moment when it seemed -entirely fallen and ruined, it had by the Holy Spirit the ability to -rise again and be renewed. The hour of this renewal had arrived, and it -was as impossible for men to retard it as to prevent the spring-time -from budding and covering the earth with leaves, blossoms, and fruit. -Yet Calvin was under no delusion as to the dangers which threatened -evangelical christianity. 'When the peril is imminent,' he said, 'it is -not the time to indulge ourselves like silly, careless people; the fear -of danger, serving as an incentive, should lead us to ask for God's -help, and to put on our armour without trembling.' The queen promised to -use all her influence to calm the storm. Calvin was conducted out of the -palace with the same attentions that had been paid him when he entered -it. He afterwards spoke about this interview to Theodore Beza, who has -handed it down to us.[498] - -Still the sky became more threatening. The parliament, paying no respect -to the privileges of the university, had entertained the complaint of -the monks; the rector, therefore, received a message from this sovereign -court summoning him to appear before it. Calvin knew quite well that a -similar process would soon reach him; but he never shrank back either -from before the despotism of an unjust power, or from the popular fury. -'We are not in the school of a Plato,' he said, 'where, sitting in the -shade, we can indulge in idle discussions. Christ nobly maintained his -doctrines before Pilate, and can we be so cowardly as to forsake -him?'[499] Cop, strengthened by his friend, determined to appear to the -summons of the parliament. That body had great power, no doubt; but the -rector said to himself that the university possessed incontestable -privileges, and that all learned Europe had been for many centuries -almost at its feet. He resolved to support its rights, to accuse his -accusers, and to reprimand the parliament for stepping out of the lawful -course. Cop, therefore, got himself ready to appear, as became the head -of the first university of the christian world. He put on his academical -robes, and preceded by the beadles and apparitors, with their maces and -gold-headed staves,[500] set out with great ceremony for the Palace of -Justice. - -[Sidenote: COP GOES IN STATE TO THE PARLIAMENT.] - -He was going to his death. The parliament, as well as Calvin, had -understood the position, but had arrived at very different conclusions. -It saw that the hour was come to strike the blow that would crush the -Reformation, and had resolved to arrest the rector even in the court. -The absence of the king was an opportunity of which they must hasten to -take advantage. A signal vengeance, inflicted in full parliament, was to -expiate a crime not less signal, committed in the presence of the whole -university. A member of the court, converted to the Gospel, determined -to save the unfortunate Cop, and sent a trusty man to warn him of the -impending danger. As he quitted the great hall, the messenger caught -sight of the archers who had been sent for to arrest the rector: might -it not be too late to save him? Cop was already on the road and -approaching the palace, accompanied by a crowd of students, citizens, -and common people, some full of good wishes, others curious to learn the -issue of this singular duel between the parliament and the university. -The man sent to forewarn the rector arrived just as the university -procession was passing through a narrow street. Taking advantage of a -momentary confusion occasioned by the crowd, he approached Cop, and -whispered in his ear: 'Beware of the enemy;[501] they intend shutting -you up in the Conciergerie; Berquin's fate awaits you; I have seen the -officers authorised to seize you; if you go farther, you are a dead -man.' ... What was to be done?... If it had been Calvin instead of Cop, -he would perhaps have gone on. I cannot tell; for the peril was -imminent, and it appeared doubtful if anything would be gained by -braving it. However that may be, Cop was only Calvin's double; it was -his friend's faith that urged him forward more perhaps than his own. To -stand firm in the day of tempest, man must cling to the rock without -human help; Cop, overtaken by this news of death at the very moment he -fancied he was marching to victory, lost his presence of mind, stopped -the procession, was suddenly surrounded by several friends, and, the -disorder being thus augmented, he escaped and hastily returned home.[502] - -[Sidenote: THE RECTOR'S FLIGHT.] - -Where shall he go now? There could be no doubt that the parliament would -seize him wherever he could be found; his friends therefore insisted -that he should quit France. He was strongly inclined to do so: Basle, -the asylum of his master Erasmus, was his native place, and he was sure -of finding a shelter there. Cop flung off the academical dress, the cap -and gown, which would have betrayed him;[503] caught up hurriedly what -was necessary for his journey, and by mistake, some say, carried away -the university seal with him.[504] I rather believe he did so -designedly; compelled to yield to force, he desired, even when far from -Paris, to retain the insignia of that illustrious body. His friends -hurried him; at any moment the house might be surrounded; he quitted it -stealthily, escaped out of Paris, and fled along the road which leads to -Basle, using every precaution to conceal himself from the pursuit of his -enemies. When the archers went to his house, they searched it in vain: -the rector had disappeared. - -The parliament, exasperated at this escape, promised a reward of three -hundred crowns to any one who should bring back the fugitive rector, -_dead or alive_.[505] But Cop in his disguise eluded every eye; he -succeeded through innumerable dangers in getting safely out of the -kingdom, and arrived in Switzerland. He was saved; but the Reformation -was threatened with a still more terrible blow. - -The Roman party consoled themselves a little for this escape by saying -that Cop was only a puppet, and that the man who had pulled the strings -was still in their power. 'It is Calvin,' they said, 'whom we must seize. -He is a daring adventurer, a rash determined man, resolved to make the -world talk of him like that incendiary of the temple of Diana, of whom -history speaks. He will keep all Europe in disquietude, and will build -up a new world. If he is permitted to live, he will be the Luther ... -the firebrand of France.'[506] - -The lieutenant-criminal, Jean Morin, had kept his eye for some time upon -the young doctor. He had discovered his activity in increasing the -heretical sect, and also his secret conferences with Cop. His agents -were on his track whenever Calvin went by night to teach from house to -house.[507]... Cop was the shadow, said the monks; if the shadow escapes -us, let us strike the substance. The parliament ordered the -lieutenant-criminal to seize the reformer and shut him up in the -Conciergerie. - -[Sidenote: FLIGHT OF CALVIN.] - -Calvin, trusting to his obscurity and, under God, to the protection of -the Queen of Navarre, was sitting quietly in his room in the college of -Fortret.[508] He was not however free from emotion; he was thinking of -what had happened to Cop, but did not believe that the persecution would -reach him. His friends, however, did not share in this rash security. -Those who had helped Cop to escape, seeing the rector out of his -enemies' reach, said to themselves that the same danger threatened -Calvin.[509] They entered his chamber at a time when they were least -expected. 'Fly!' they said to him, 'or you are lost.' He still -hesitated. Meanwhile the lieutenant-criminal arrived before the college -with his sergeants. Several students immediately hurried to their -comrade, told him what was going on, and entreated him to flee. But -scarcely have they spoken, when heavy steps are heard: it is no longer -time.... The officers are there! It was the noise made by them at -Calvin's door (says an historian) which made him comprehend the danger -that threatened him. Perhaps the college gate is meant, rather than the -door of the reformer's own room.[510] In either case, the moment was -critical; but if they could manage to gain only a few minutes, the young -evangelist might escape. His noble, frank, and sympathetic soul -conciliated the hearts of all who knew him. He always possessed devoted -friends, and they did not fail him now. The window of his room opened -into the street of the Bernardins. They lost not a moment: some of those -who came to warn him engaged the attention of Morin and his officers for -a few minutes; others remaining with Calvin twisted the bed-clothes into -a rope, and fastened them to the window. Calvin, leaving his manuscripts -scattered about, caught hold of the sheets and lowered himself down to -the ground.[511] He was not the first of Christ's servants who had taken -that road to escape death. When the Jews of Damascus conspired against -Paul, 'the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a -basket.'—'Thus early,' says Calvin, 'Paul went through his -apprenticeship of carrying the cross in after years.'[512] - -He had hardly disappeared when the lieutenant-criminal, notorious for -his excessive cruelty,[513] entered the room, and was astonished to find -no one there. The youthful doctor had escaped like a bird from the net -of the fowler. Morin ordered some of his sergeants to pursue the -fugitive, and then proceeded to examine carefully all the heretic's -papers, hoping to find something that might compromise other Lutherans. -He did lay his hand on certain letters and documents which afterwards -exposed Calvin's friends to great danger, and even to death.[514] Morin -docketed them, tied them up carefully in a bundle, and withdrew. The -cruel hatred which animated him against the evangelical christians had -been still further increased by his failure. - -Calvin, having landed in the street of the Bernardins, entered that of -St. Victor, and then proceeded towards the suburb of that name. At the -extremity of this suburb, not far from the open country (a catholic -historian informs us), dwelt a vine-dresser, a member of the little -church of Paris. Calvin went to this honest protestant's and told him -what had just happened. The vine-dresser, who probably had heard him -explain the Scriptures at their secret meetings, moved with a fatherly -affection for the young man, proposed to change clothes with him. -Forthwith, says the canon to whom we are indebted for the account, -Calvin took off his own garments and put on the peasant's old-fashioned -coat. With a hoe on one shoulder, and a wallet on the other, in which -the vine-dresser had placed some provisions, he started again. If Morin -had sent his officers after him, they might have passed by the fugitive -reformer under this rustic disguise. - -[Sidenote: CALVIN IS RECOGNISED.] - -He was not far beyond the suburbs of Paris, however, when he saw a canon -whom he knew coming towards him. The latter with astonishment fixed a -curious look on the vine-dresser, and fancying him to be very unlike a -stout peasant, he drew near, stopped, and recognised him. He knew what -was the matter, for all Paris was full of it. The canon immediately -remonstrated with him: 'Change your manner of life,' he said; 'look to -your salvation, and I will promise to procure you _a good appointment_.' -But Calvin, 'who was hot-headed,' replied: 'I shall go through with it -to the last.'[515] The canon afterwards related this incident to the -Abbot de Genlis, who told it to Desmay.[516] - -Is this a story invented in the idle talk of a cloister? I think not. -Some of the details, particularly the language of the canon, render it -probable. It was also by the promise of a 'good appointment' that -Francis de Sales endeavoured to win over Theodore Beza. Simony is a sin -so _innocent_ that three priests, a canon, an abbot, and a doctor of the -Sorbonne, combine to relate this peccadillo. If the language of the -canon is in conformity with his character, Calvin's answer, 'I will go -through with it to the last,' is also in his manner. Although we may -have some trouble to picture the young reformer disguised as a peasant, -with his wallet and hoe, we thought it our duty to relate an incident -transmitted to us by his enemies. The circumstance is really not -singular. Calvin was then beginning an exodus which has gone on -unceasingly for nearly three centuries. The disciples of the Gospel in -France, summoned to abjure Christ, have fled from their executioners by -thousands, and under various disguises. And if the gravity of history -permitted the author to revert to the stories that charmed his -childhood, he could tell how many a time, seated at the feet of his -grandmother and listening with attentive ear, he has heard her describe -how her mother, a little girl at the time of the Revocation in 1685, -escaped from France, concealed in a basket which her father, a pious -huguenot, disguised as a peasant, carried carefully on his back. - -Calvin, having escaped his enemies, hurried away from the capital, from -his cherished studies and his brethren, and wandered up and down, -avoiding the places where he might be recognised. He thought over all -that had happened, and his meditative mind drew wholesome lessons from -it. He learnt from his own experience by what token to recognise the -true Church of Christ. 'We should lose our labour,' he said in later -days, thinking perhaps of this circumstance, 'if we wished to separate -Christ from his cross; it is a natural thing for the world to hate -Christ, even in his members. There will always be wicked men to prick us -like thorns. If they do not draw the sword, they spit out their venom, -and either gnash their teeth or excite some great disturbance.' The -sword was already 'drawn' against him: acting, therefore, with prudence, -he followed the least frequented roads, sleeping in the cottages or the -mansions of his friends. It is asserted that being known by the Sieur de -Hasseville, whose château was situated beyond Versailles, he remained -there some time in hiding.[517] - -The king's first movement, when he heard of Cop's business and the -flight of Calvin, was one of anger and persecution. Duprat, formerly -first president of parliament, was much exasperated at the affront -offered to that body. Francis commanded every measure to be taken to -discover the person who had warned Cop of his danger; he would have had -him punished severely as a favourer of heresy.[518] At the same time, he -ordered the prosecution of those persons whom the papers seized in -Calvin's room pointed out as partisans of the new doctrine. - -[Sidenote: MANY EVANGELICALS QUIT PARIS.] - -There was a general alarm among the evangelicals, and many left Paris. A -Dominican friar, brother of De la Croix, feeling a growing thirst for -knowledge, deliberated in his convent whether he ought not to remove to -a country where the Gospel was preached freely.[519] He was one of those -compromised by Calvin's papers. He therefore made his escape, reached -Neufchatel, and thence proceeded to Geneva, where we shall meet him -again. - -The greater part of the friends of the Gospel, however, remained in -France: Margaret exerted all her influence with her brother to ward off -the impending blow, and succeeded in appeasing the storm.[520] Francis -was always between two contrary currents, one coming from Duprat, the -other from his sister; and once more he followed the better. - -The Queen of Navarre, exhausted by all these shocks, disgusted with the -dissipations of the court, distressed by the hatred of which the Gospel -was the object among all around her, turned her face towards the -Pyrenees. Paris, St. Germain, Fontainebleau, had no more charms for her; -besides, her health was not strong, and she desired to pass the winter -at Pau. But, above all, she sighed for solitude, liberty, and -meditation; she had need of Christ. She therefore bade farewell to the -brilliant court of France, and departed for the quiet Béarn. - - Adieu! pomps, pleasures, now adieu! - No longer will I sort with you! - Other pleasure seek I none - Than in my Bridegroom alone! - For my honour and my having - Is in Jesus: him receiving, - I'll not leave him for the fleeting!... - Adieu, adieu![521] - -Margaret arrived in the Pyrenees. - -[Footnote 483: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 484: Calvini _Opera_.] - -[Footnote 485: The document is in the library of Geneva (MS. 145). It -has on the margin: 'Hæc Johannes Calvinus _propria manu_ descripsit, et -est _auctor_.' Dr. Bonnet came upon it in the course of his researches -for his edition of Calvin's Letters, and gave the author a copy.] - -[Footnote 486: 'Hac qui excellunt, tantum prope reliquæ hominum -multitudini præstare mihi videntur, quantum homines belluis -antecedunt.'—Geneva MSS. 145.] - -[Footnote 487: 'Sola Dei gratia peccata remittit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 488: 'Spiritum sanctum, qui corda sanctificat et vitam æternam -adfert, omnibus christianis pollicetur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 489: 'Motus animi turbulentos, quasi habenis quibusdam.'— -Geneva MS.] - -[Footnote 490: 'Ut tota nostra oratio illum laudet, illum sapiat, illum -spiret, illum referat. Rogabimus ut in mentes nostras illabatur, nosque -gratiæ cœlestis succo irrigare dignetur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 491: Bellarmine, _De Controversiis_.] - -[Footnote 492: Crévier, _Hist. de l'Université_, v. p. 275.] - -[Footnote 493: Crévier, _Hist. de l'Université_, v. p. 276.] - -[Footnote 494: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 287.] - -[Footnote 495: 'In aulam.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 496: 'Hanc tempestatem Dominus, reginæ Navariensis, piis tunc -admodum faventis, intercessione, dissipavit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 497: 'Ibique perhonorifice ab ea accepto et audito Calvino.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 498: Théod. de Bèze, _Vie de Calvin_, p. 14. Calvini _Opera_, -passim.] - -[Footnote 499: Calvini _Opera_, i. pars iii. pp. 1002, 1003.] - -[Footnote 500: 'Citatus rector sese quidem in viam cum suis -apparitoribus dedit.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 501: 'Ut sibi ab adversariis caveret.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 502: 'Domum reversus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 503: Maimbourg, _Hist. du Calvinisme_, p. 58.] - -[Footnote 504: 'Ablato secum, forte per imprudentiam, signo -universitatis.'—Bucer to Blaarer, Jan. 18, 1534.] - -[Footnote 505: 'CCC coronatos ei qui fugitivum rectorem, vivum vel -mortuum adducat.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 506: Flor. Rémond, _Hist. de l'Hérésie_, liv. vii. ch. viii.] - -[Footnote 507: Maimbourg, _Hist. du Calvinisme_, p. 58.] - -[Footnote 508: Gaillard, _Hist. de François I._ iv. p. 274.] - -[Footnote 509: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. des Egl. Réf._ i. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 510: Varillas, _Hist. des Revolutions Religieuses_, -ii. p. 467. This writer is not always correct.] - -[Footnote 511: Drelincourt, _Défense de Calvin_, pp. 35, 169.] - -[Footnote 512: Acts ix. 25.] - -[Footnote 513: 'Morinus, cujus adhuc nomen ab insigni sævitia -celebratur.'—Bezæ _Vita Calvini_.] - -[Footnote 514: 'Deprehensis, inter schedas, multis amicorum litteris, ut -plurimi in maximum vitæ discrimen incurrerent.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 515: 'Je poursuivrai tout outre.'] - -[Footnote 516: Desmay, _Jean Calvin Hérésiarque_, p. 45. Drelincourt, -_Défense de Calvin_, p. 175.] - -[Footnote 517: Casan, _Statistique de Mantes_. _France Protestante_, i. -p. 113.] - -[Footnote 518: Registres du Parlement.] - -[Footnote 519: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 520: Gaillard, _Hist. de François I_. iv. p. 275.] - -[Footnote 521: _Les Marguerites de la Marguerite_, i. p. 518.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - CONFERENCE AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN FRANCIS I. AND PHILIP - OF HESSE AT BAR-LE-DUC. - (WINTER 1533-34.) - - -[Sidenote: PROPOSED GERMAN ALLIANCE.] - -Almost about the same time, Francis bent his steps towards the Rhine. -The establishment of the Reform throughout Europe depended, as many -thought, on the union of France with protestant Germany. This union -would emancipate France from the papal supremacy, and all christendom -would then be seen turning to the Gospel. The king was preparing to hold -a conference with the most decided of the protestant princes of Germany. -Rarely has an interview between two sovereigns been of so much -importance. - -Francis I. had hardly quitted Marseilles and arrived at Avignon, when he -assembled his council (25th of November, 1533), and communicated to it -the desire for an alliance which the German protestants had expressed to -him. A certain shame had prevented him from moving in the matter, amid -the caresses which papacy and royalty were lavishing upon each other at -Marseilles. But now that Clement was on board his galleys, nothing -prevented the King of France, who had given his right hand to the -pontiff, from giving his left to the heretics.[522] There were many -reasons why he should do so. The clergy were not allies for whose -support he was eager: the best orthodoxy, in his eyes, was the iron arm -of the lansquenets. Besides, the opportunity was unprecedented: in fact, -he could at one stroke gain the protestants to his cause, and inflict an -immense injury on Austria—that is to say, on Charles V. - -It will no doubt be remembered that the young Prince of Wurtemberg, whom -the emperor was leading in his train across the Alps, having escaped -with his governor, had loudly demanded back the states of which Austria -had robbed his father. Francis was chiefly occupied about him at -Avignon. 'At this place,' says the historian Martin du Bellay, 'the king -assembled his council, and deliberated on a request made to him not only -by young Duke Christopher of Wurtemberg and his father, but by his -uncles, Duke William and Duke Louis of Bavaria. Christopher himself had -written to Francis I.: "Sire," he said, "during the great and long -calamity of my father and myself, what first made hope spring up in our -hearts was the thought that you would interpose your influence to put an -end to our misery.... Your compassion for the afflicted is well known. I -doubt not that, by your assistance, we shall soon be restored to our -rights."'[523] - -Francis, always on the watch to injure his rival, was delighted at this -proceeding, and did not conceal his joy from the privy council. 'I -desire much,' he said, 'to see the dukes of Wurtemberg restored to their -states, and should like to help them, as much to weaken the emperor's -power as to acquire new friendships in Germany. But,' he added, 'I would -do it under so _colourable a pretext_, that I may affirm that I have -infringed no treaty.'[524] To humble the emperor and to exalt the -protestants, without appearing to have anything to do with it, was what -Francis desired. - -[Sidenote: DU BELLAY SENT TO GERMANY.] - -William du Bellay urged the king to return the duke a favourable answer. -A friend of independence and sound liberty, he was at that time the -representative of the old French spirit, as Catherine de Medici was to -become the representative of the new—that is to say, of the Romish -influence under which France has unhappily suffered for nearly three -centuries. It has been sometimes said that the cause of France is the -cause of Rome; but the noblest aspirations of the French people and its -most generous representatives condemn this error. Popery is the cause of -the pope alone; it is not even the cause of Italy; and if the contrary -opinion still exists in France, it is a remnant of the influence of the -Medici. - -The transition from Marseilles to Avignon was, however, a little abrupt. -To ally the eldest son of the Church with the protestants at the very -moment he left the pope's arms, in a city which belonged to the holy -see, and in the ancient palace of the pontiffs, seemed strange to the -French, whose eyes were still fascinated by the pomp of Rome. This was -noticed by Du Bellay, who, wishing to facilitate the transition, -explained to the council 'that a diet was about to be held at Augsburg, -where the reparation of a great injustice would be discussed; that an -innocent person implored the king's assistance; that it was the practice -of France to succour the oppressed everywhere; that precious advantages -might result from it ... besides, there could be no doubt of success, -and as the cause of Duke Christopher would be conducted in the diet -according to the rights, usages, immunities, and privileges of the -German nation, the emperor could not prevent justice being done.... Let -us send an ambassador,' added Du Bellay, 'to support the claims of the -dukes of Wurtemberg, and Austria must either restore these princes to -their states, or arouse the hostility of all Germany against it.'[525] -Francis was already gained. He hoped not only to take Wurtemberg from -Austria, but also to get up a general war in Germany between the -protestants and the empire, of which he could take advantage to seize -upon the states which he claimed in Italy. When his detested rival had -fallen beneath their combined blows, the religious question should be -settled. The king, who had meditated all this in the intervals of his -conferences with Clement VII., ordered Du Bellay to proceed to Augsburg -forthwith, and charged him 'to do everything in his power, _with a -sufficiently colourable pretext_, towards the re-establishment of the -dukes of Wurtemberg.'[526] Du Bellay was satisfied. He wished for more -than the king did; he desired to emancipate France from the papal -supremacy, and with that object to draw Francis and protestantism closer -together. That was difficult; but this Wurtemberg affair, which -presented itself simply as a political question, would supply him with -the means of overcoming every difficulty. This was where he would have -to set the wedge in order to split the tree. He thought that he could -make use of it to counteract the effects of the conference which the -king had just held with the pope by contriving another between the two -most anti-papistical princes in Europe. Du Bellay departed, taking the -road through Switzerland. - -[Sidenote: DU BELLAY IN SWITZERLAND.] - -He had his reasons for adopting this route. The emperor and his brother -consented, indeed, that their rights should be discussed in the diet, -but it was only that they might not appear to refuse to do justice: -everybody knew that Ferdinand had no intention of restoring Wurtemberg. -The balance was at that time pretty even in Germany between Rome and the -Gospel, and the restitution of Wurtemberg would make it incline to the -side of the Reformation. If Austria would not give way, she would have -to be constrained by force of arms. Du Bellay desired, therefore, to -induce the protestant cantons of Switzerland, bordering on Wurtemberg, -to unite their efforts with those of protestant Germany in wresting that -duchy from the Austrian rule. Francis, who knew how to manage such -matters, had conceived the design of placing in the hands of the -Helvetians, probably through Du Bellay, a certain sum of money to cover -the expenses of the campaign. But it seems that the protestant cantons -did not agree to the arrangement.[527] - -When Du Bellay arrived at Augsburg, he met the young Duke Christopher. -He entered into conversation with him, and they were henceforth -inseparable: this prince, so amiable, but at the same time so firm, was -his man. He is to be the lever which the counsellor of Francis I. will -use to stir men's minds, and to unite Germany and France.... The first -thing to be done was to restore him to his throne. The French ambassador -paid a visit to the delegates from Austria. 'The king my master,' he -said, 'is delighted that this innocent young man has at last found a -harbour in the midst of the tempest. His father and he have suffered -enough by being driven from their home.... It is time to restore the son -to the father, the father to the son, and to both of them the states of -their ancestors. If entreaties are not sufficient,' added Du Bellay -firmly, 'the king my master will employ all his power.'[528] Thus did -France take up her position as the protector of the distressed; but -there was something else underneath: the chief object of the king was to -strike a blow at the emperor; that of Du Bellay, to strike the pope. - -Christopher, who received encouragement from every quarter, appeared -before the diet on the 10th of December, 1533. He was no longer the -captive prince whom Charles had led in his train. The poor young man, -who not long ago had been compelled to flee, leaving his companion -behind him, hidden among the reeds of a marsh in the Norican Alps, stood -now before the German diet, surrounded by a brilliant throng of nobles, -the representatives of the princes who supported his claims, and having -as _assistants_ (that is, as espousing his quarrel) the delegates of -Saxony, Prussia, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Luneburg, Hesse, Cleves, -Munster, and Juliers. The King of Hungary pleaded his cause in person: -'Most noble seigniors,' he began, 'when we see the young Duke -Christopher of Wurtemberg deprived of his duchy without having done -anything to deserve such punishment, disappointed by the Austrians in -all the hopes they had given him, unworthily treated at the imperial -court,[529] compelled to make his escape by flight, imploring at this -moment by earnest supplications your compassion and your help—we are -profoundly agitated. What! because his father has done wrong, shall this -young man be reduced to a hard and humiliating life? Has not the voice -of God himself declared that the son shall not bear the iniquities of -the father?' - -[Sidenote: UNION TO ASSIST WURTEMBERG.] - -The Austrian commissioners, finding their position rather embarrassing, -began to temporise, and proposed that Christopher should accept as -compensation some town of small importance. He refused, saying: 'I will -never cease to claim simply and firmly the country of my fathers.'[530] -But Austria, fearing the preponderance of protestantism in Germany, -closed her ears to his just request. At this point France intervened -strongly in favour of the two protestant princes. Du Bellay, after -reminding the diet that Ulrich had confessed his faults, and that he was -much altered by age, long exile, and great trials, continued thus: 'Must -the duke see his only son, a young and innocent prince, who ought to be -the support of his declining years, for ever bearing the weight of his -misfortunes? Will you take into consideration neither the calamitous old -age of the one, nor the unhappy youth of the other? Will you avenge the -sins of the father upon the child who was then in the cradle? The dukes -of Wurtemberg are of high descent. Their punishment has been permitted, -but not their destruction. Help this innocent youth (Christopher), -receive this penitent (Ulrich), and reestablish them both in their -former dignity.'[531] - -The Austrians, who were annoyed at seeing the ambassador of the King of -France intermeddling in their affairs, held firm. The deputies of -Saxony, Hesse, Prussia, Mecklenburg, and the other states, now made up -their minds to oppose Austria; they told the young duke that they were -ready to cast their swords in the balance, and Christopher himself -requested Du Bellay 'to change his congratulatory oration into a -comminatory one.'[532] - -[Sidenote: DU BELLAY PLEADS AND MENACES.] - -When the French envoy was admitted again before the diet, he assumed a -higher tone: 'My lords,' he said, 'will you lend your hands to the ruin -of an innocent person?... If you do so ... I tell you that you will -bring a stain upon your reputation that all the water in the sea will -not be able to wash out. This prince, in heart so proud, in origin so -illustrious, will not endure to live miserably in the country whose -sovereign he is by birth; he will go into a foreign land. And in what -part soever of the world he may be, what will he carry with him?... The -shame of the emperor, the shame of King Ferdinand, the shame of all of -you. Every man, pointing to him, will say: That is he who formerly.... -That is he who now.... That is he who through no fault of his own.... -That is he who, being compelled to leave Germany.... You understand, my -lords, what is omitted in these sentences; I willingly excuse myself -from completing them ... you will do it yourselves. No! you will not be -insensible to such great misery.... I see your hearts are touched -already.... I see by your gestures and your looks that you feel the -truth of my words.' - -Then, making a direct attack upon the emperor and his brother, he said: -'There are people who, very erroneously in my opinion, consult only -their wicked ambition and unbridled covetousness, and who think that, by -oppressing now one and now another, they will subdue all Germany.' - -Turning next to the young Prince of Wurtemberg, the representative of -Francis I. continued: 'Duke Christopher, rely upon it the Most Christian -King will do all that he can in your behalf, without injury to his -faith, his honour, and the duties of blood. The court of France has -always been the most liberal of all—ever open to receive exiled and -suffering princes. With greater reason, then, it will not be closed -against you who are its ally ... you who, by the justice of your cause -and by your innocence, appear even to your enemies worthy of pity and -compassion.'[533] - -The members of the diet had listened attentively to this speech, and -their countenances showed that they were convinced.[534] The cause was -won: the Swabian league, the creature of Austria and the enemy of the -Reformation, was not to be renewed. Du Bellay left Augsburg, continued -his journey through Germany, and endeavoured to form a new confederation -there[535] against Austria, which Francis I. and Henry VIII. could join. -'If any one should think of invading England,' the latter was told, 'we -would send you soldiers _by the Baltic sea_.'[536] It is to be feared -that this succour by way of the Baltic would have arrived rather late in -the waters of the Thames. But the main thing in Du Bellay's eyes was -action, not diplomatic negotiations. His idea was to unite Francis I. -and the protestants of Germany in a common movement which would lead -France to throw off the ultramontane yoke; but there were only two men -of sufficient energy to undertake it. The first was the king his master, -to whom we now return. - -Francis, after leaving Avignon, had gone into Dauphiny, thence to Lyons -and other cities in the east of France. In January 1534, he reached -Bar-le-Duc, thus gradually drawing nearer to the German frontier. The -winter this year was exceedingly severe, but for that the king did not -care: he thought only of uniting France and the protestants by means of -Wurtemberg, as the marriage of Catherine had just united France and the -pope. - -[Sidenote: THE LANDGRAVE'S PROJECT.] - -The second of the princes from whom an energetic course might be -expected was the Landgrave of Hesse. Of all the protestant leaders of -Germany he was the one whose heart had been least changed by the Gospel. -Without equalling Francis I. in sensuality, he was yet far from being a -pattern of chastity. But, on the other hand, none of the princes -attached to the Reformation equalled him in talent, strength, and -activity. By his character he was the most important man of the -evangelical league, and more than once he exercised a decisive influence -on the progress of the protestant work. Philip, cousin of the Duke of -Wurtemberg, often had him at his court; Ulrich had even taken part in -the famous conference of Marburg. Moved by the misfortunes of this -prince, delighted at the trick Christopher had played the emperor, -touched by the loyalty of the Wurtembergers, who claimed their dukes and -their nationality, impatient to win this part of Germany to the -evangelical faith, he desired to take it away from Austria. To find the -men to do it was easy, if only he had the money ... but money he had -none. - -Du Bellay saw that there lay the knot of the affair, and he made haste -to cut it. The clergy of France had just given the king a considerable -sum: could a better use be made of it than this? The French envoy let -Philip know that he might obtain from his master the subsidies he -needed. But more must be done: he must take advantage of the opportunity -to bring together the two most enterprising princes of the epoch. If -they saw and heard one another, they would like each other and bind -themselves in such a manner that the union of France and protestant -Germany would be effected at last. Philip of Hesse received all these -overtures with delight. - -[Sidenote: LUTHER OPPOSES THE WAR.] - -But fresh obstacles now intervened. The theologians of the Reformation -detested these foreign alliances and wars, which, in their opinion, -defiled the holiest of causes. Luther and Melanchthon waited upon the -elector, conjuring him to oppose the landgrave's rash enterprise; and Du -Bellay found the two reformers employing as much zeal to prevent the -union of Francis and Philip as he to accomplish it. 'Go,' said the -elector to Luther and Melanchthon, 'and prevail upon the landgrave to -change his mind.' - -The two doctors, on their way from Wittemberg to Weimar, where they -would meet Philip, conversed about their mission and the landgrave: 'He -is an intelligent prince,' said Luther, 'all animation and impulse, and -of a joyous heart. He has been able to maintain order in his country, so -that Hesse, which is full of forests and mountains where robbers might -find shelter, sees its inhabitants travelling and roaming about, buying -and selling without fear.... If one of them is attacked and robbed, -forthwith the landgrave falls upon the bandits and punishes them. He is -a true man of war—an Arminius. His star never deceives him, and he is -much dreaded by all his adversaries.'[537] 'And I too,' said -Melanchthon, 'love the _Macedonian_' (for so he called Philip of Hesse, -because, in his opinion, that prince had all the shrewdness and courage -of his namesake of Macedon); 'for that reason,' he added, 'I am -unwilling that, being so high, he should risk so great a fall.'[538] The -two theologians had no doubt that a war undertaken against the powerful -house of Austria would end in a frightful catastrophe to the protestants. - -When they reached Weimar the two reformers saw the landgrave, and -employed 'their best rhetoric,' says Luther, to dissuade him.[539] The -doctor held very decided opinions on this subject. An alliance with the -King of France, what a disgrace! A war against the emperor, what -madness! 'The devil,' he said, 'desires to govern the nation by making -everybody draw the sword. With what eloquence he strives to convince us -that it is lawful and even necessary! Somebody is injuring these people, -he says; let us make haste to strike and save them! Madman! God sleeps -not, and is no fool; he knows very well how to govern the world.[540] We -have to contend with an enemy against whom no human strength or wisdom -can prevail. If we arm ourselves with iron and steel, with swords and -guns, he has only to breathe upon them, and nothing remains but dust and -ashes.... But if we take upon us the armour of God, the helmet, the -shield, and the sword of the Spirit, then God, if necessary, will hurl -the emperor from his throne,[541] and will keep for us all he has given -us—his Gospel, his kingdom.' Luther and Melanchthon persevered in their -representations to the landgrave, in order to thwart Du Bellay's plans. -'This war,' they said, 'will ruin the cause of the Gospel, and fix on it -an indelible stain. Pray do not disturb the peace.' At these words the -prince's face grew red; he did not like opposition, and gave the two -divines an angry answer.[524] 'They are people who do not understand the -affairs of this world,' he said; and, returning to Hesse, he pursued his -plans with vigour. - -He had not long to wait for success. The King of France invited the -landgrave to cross into Lorraine to come to an understanding with him: -he added, 'without forgetting to bring Melanchthon.'[543] Then Philip -held back no longer: a conference with the mighty King of France seemed -to him of the utmost importance. He started on his journey, reached -Deux-Ponts on the 18th of January, 1534; and shortly afterwards that -daring prince, who, by quitting Augsburg in 1530, had thrown the diet -into confusion, and alarmed the cabinet of the emperor,—the most warlike -chief of the evangelical party, the most brilliant enemy of popery, -Philip of Hesse, arrived at Bar-le-Duc, where Francis received him with -the smile which had not left his lips since his meeting with -Clement.[544] - -[Sidenote: CONFERENCE OF PHILIP AND FRANCIS.] - -The two princes first began to scrutinise each other. The landgrave was -thirty years old, and Francis forty. Philip was short, his eyes large -and bold, and his whole countenance indicated resolution of character. -Politics and religion immediately occupied their attention. The king -expressed himself strongly in favour of the ancient liberties of the -Germanic empire, which Austria threatened, and pronounced distinctly for -the restoration of the dukes of Wurtemberg. Coming then to the grand -question, he said, 'Pray explain to me the state of religious affairs in -Germany; I do not quite understand them.'[545] The landgrave explained -to the king, as well as he could, the causes and true nature of the -Reformation, and the struggles to which it gave rise. Francis I. -consented to hear from the mouth of a prince a statement of those -evangelical principles to which he closed his ears when explained to him -by Zwingle or by Calvin. It is true that Philip presented them rather in -a political light. Francis showed himself favourable to the protestant -princes. 'I refused my consent to a council in Italy,' he said; 'I -desire a neutral city, and instead of an assembly in which the pope can -do what he pleases, I demand a free council.' 'These are the king's very -words,' wrote the landgrave to the elector.[546] Philip of Hesse was -delighted. Assuredly, if Germany, France, England, and other states -should combine against the emperor and the pope, all Europe would be -transformed. 'That is not all,' added the landgrave; 'the king told me -certain things ... which I am sure will please your highness.'[547] - -The secret conference being ended: 'Now,' said Francis to the landgrave, -'pray present Melanchthon to me.' He had begged the German prince, as we -have seen, to bring this celebrated doctor with him; the King of France -wished for something more than a diplomatic conference, he desired a -religious one. But the landgrave had not forgotten the interview at -Weimar; and far from inviting Melanchthon, he had carefully concealed -from the Elector of Saxony the resolution he had formed, notwithstanding -his representations, to unite with the King of France in hostilities -against Austria. Philip having answered that Melanchthon was not with -him: 'Impossible!' exclaimed the king, and all the French nobles echoed -the word. 'Impossible! you will not make us believe that Melanchthon is -not with you!'—'Everybody wished to convince us that we had Philip with -us,' said the landgrave.—'Show him to us,' they exclaimed, 'almost using -violence towards us.'[548] - -It was indeed a great disappointment. Melanchthon was the most esteemed -representative of the Reformation. Some of those who accompanied the -king had reckoned upon him for a detailed explanation of the evangelical -principles; there were some even who desired to consult him on the best -means of insuring their success in France. In their eyes Melanchthon was -as necessary as Philip. 'As he is not here,' said they, 'you must send -for him.'—'Really,' said the landgrave, smiling, 'these Frenchmen desire -so much to see Melanchthon, that, if we could show him to them, they -would give us as much money as Tetzel and all the indulgence vendors -ever gained with their sanctimonious paper rubbish.'[549] - -[Sidenote: THE TREATY SIGNED.] - -They consoled themselves for this disappointment by holding a new -conference on the mode of delivering Wurtemberg. The king said that he -could not furnish troops, as that would be contrary to the treaty of -Cambray. 'I do not require soldiers,' answered the landgrave, 'but I -want a subsidy.' But to supply funds for a war against Charles V. was -equally opposed to the treaty. An expedient was sought and soon found. -Duke Ulrich shall sell Montbéliard to France for 125,000 crowns; but it -shall be stipulated, in a secret article, that if the duke repays this -sum within three years (as he did) Francis will give back Montbéliard. -It would appear that England also had something to do with the -subsidy.[550] The treaty was signed on the 27th of January, 1534. It is -worthy of notice that the French historians, even those free from -ultramontane prejudices, do not speak of this conference. - -Several other interviews took place. The landgrave was not the best type -of the true Reformation, but he had with him some good evangelicals, -who, in their pious zeal, could show the King of France, as Luther would -have done, the way of salvation. Solemn opportunities are thus given men -of leaving the low grounds in which they live, and rising to the heights -where they will see God. Francis I. closed his eyes. That prince -possessed certain excellent gifts, but his religion 'was nothing but -vanity and empty show.' At Bar-le-Duc he took the mailed hand of the -landgrave, but had no desire for the hand of Jesus Christ. - -The landgrave went back into Germany, and the King of France to the -interior of his states. Returning from the two interviews, he -congratulated himself on having embraced the pope at Marseilles and the -protestants at Bar-le-Duc. In proportion as the conference with Clement -had been public, that with Philip had been secret; but, on the other -hand, it had been more confidential and more real. These two meetings, -these two facts in appearance so different, had been produced by the -action of the same law. That law, which Francis wore in his heart, was -hatred and ruin to Charles V. Were not the pope and the landgrave two of -the princes of Europe who detested the emperor most? It was therefore -quite logical and in harmony with the science of Machiavelli for the -king to give one hand to Clement and the other to Philip. Internal -contradictions could not fail to show themselves erelong. In fact, the -Landgrave of Hesse, supported by France, was about to attack Austria, -and establish protestantism in Wurtemberg in the place of popery.... -What would Clement say? But before we follow the landgrave upon this -perilous enterprise, let us return into France with the king. - -[Footnote 522: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 206.] - -[Footnote 523: Martin du Bellay gives Duke Christopher's letter. -_Mémoires_, pp. 207, 208.] - -[Footnote 524: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 208.] - -[Footnote 525: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 209.] - -[Footnote 526: Ibid. p. 210.] - -[Footnote 527: 'Regem Franciæ deposuisse certam pecuniæ summam in bellum -pro restitutione junioris ducis Wurtembergensis apud Helvetios.'—_State -Papers_, vii. p. 539.] - -[Footnote 528: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 211.] - -[Footnote 529: 'Coactus qui fuerit ex ea curia in qua tam indigne -tractabatur, sese subducere.'—Johannes rex Hungariæ, manu propria, -_State Papers_, vii. p. 538.] - -[Footnote 530: Ranke, after Gabelkofer and Pfister, iii. p. 453.] - -[Footnote 531: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 213-219. He gives his -brother's speech at full length.] - -[Footnote 532: 'Changer son oraison gratulatoire en oraison -comminatoire.'] - -[Footnote 533: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, pp. 220-232.] - -[Footnote 534: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, p. 232.] - -[Footnote 535: 'Eum (Du Bellay) laborare inter certos Germaniæ -principes, ut fœdus novum inter se creent.'—Mont to Henry VIII., _State -Papers_, vii. p. 539.] - -[Footnote 536: 'Ipsi vero militem per mare Balticum nobis mitterent, si -quis Majestatem Vestram invadere vellet.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 537: 'Der Landgraf ist ein Kriegsmann, ein Arminius.'—Lutheri -_Opp._ xxii. p. 1842.] - -[Footnote 538: 'Ego certe τὸν Μακεδόνα non possum non amare et nolim -cadere.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 727.] - -[Footnote 539: 'Und brauchten dazu unsere beste Rhetorica.'—Lutheri -_Opp._ xxii. p. 1843.] - -[Footnote 540: 'Gott schläfet nicht, ist auch kein Narr: Er weiss sehr -wohl wie man regieren soll.'—Ibid. x. p. 254.] - -[Footnote 541: 'Den Kayser von seinem Stuhl stürzen.'—Ibid. xi. p. 434.] - -[Footnote 542: 'Da ward S. F. G. gar roth und erzumte sich drüber.'] - -[Footnote 543: 'Der König von Frankreich an uns beghert hat, das wir zu -Ihm kommen wolten.'—The Landgrave to the Elector, Rommel's -_Urkundenbuch_, p. 53.] - -[Footnote 544: Sleidan, i. liv. ix. p. 358.] - -[Footnote 545: 'Wie doch die Saclien und Zwiespalten der Religion -standen.'—The Landgrave to the Elector, Rommel's _Urkundenbuch_, p. 53.] - -[Footnote 546: 'Und sind das eben die Worte des Konigs.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 547: 'Es haben sich zwischen dem Könige und uns Reden -zugetragen ... daran E. L. gut gefallen haben werden.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 548: 'Der König und die grossen Herrn und jedermann wolten uns -_mit Gewald uberreden_, wir hätten Philippum bey uns.'—The Landgrave to -the Elector, Rommel's _Urkundenbuch_, p. 53.] - -[Footnote 549: Rommel's _Urkundenbuch_, p. 53.] - -[Footnote 550: _State Papers_, vii. p. 568.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - TRIUMPH AND MARTYRDOM. - (WINTER 1533-34.) - - -[Sidenote: THE GOSPEL IN THE PARIS CHURCHES.] - -The consequences of the meeting at Marseilles were to be felt at Paris. -After Calvin's flight, the Queen of Navarre, as we have seen, had -succeeded in calming the storm; and yet the evangelical cause had never -been nearer a violent persecution. The prisons were soon to be filled; -the fires of martyrdom were soon to be kindled. During the year 1533 -_Lutheran_ discourses had greatly multiplied in the churches. 'Many -notable persons,' says the chronicler, 'were at that time preaching in -the city of Paris.'[551] The simplicity, wisdom, and animation of their -language had moved all who heard them. The churches were filled, not -with formal auditors, but with men who received the glad-tidings with -great joy. 'Drunkards had become sober; libertines had become chaste; -the fruits which proceeded from the preaching of the Gospel had -astonished the enemies of light and truth.' - -The doctors of the Sorbonne did not wait for the king's orders to attack -the evangelicals; his interview with the pope, and the news of the bull -brought from Rome, had filled the catholic camp with joy. 'What!' they -exclaimed, 'the king is uniting with the pope at Marseilles, and in -Paris the churches are opened to heresy! ... let us make haste and close -them.' - -In the meanwhile Du Bellay, the Bishop of Paris, who had made such a -fine Latin speech to Clement VII., and who went at heart half-way with -his brother, arrived in the capital. The leaders of the Roman party -immediately surrounded him, urged him, and demanded the realisation of -all the hopes which they had entertained from the interview at -Marseilles. The bishop was embarrassed, for he knew that his brother and -the king were just then occupied with a very different matter. Yet it -was the desire of Francis that, for the moment, they should act in -conformity with his apparent and not with his real action. The bishop -gave way. The pious Roussel, the energetic Courault, the temporising -Berthaud, and others besides, were forbidden to preach, and one morning -the worshippers found the church doors shut.[552] - -[Sidenote: PRIVATE MEETINGS.] - -Great was their sorrow and agitation. Many went to Roussel and Courault, -and loudly expressed their regret and their wishes. The ministers took -courage, and 'turned their preaching into private lectures.' Little -meetings were formed in various houses in the city. At first none but -members of the family were present; but it seemed that Christ, according -to his promise, was in the midst of them, and erelong friends and -neighbours were admitted. The ministers set forth the promises of Holy -Scripture, and the worshippers exclaimed: 'We receive more blessings now -than before.' - -There were others besides Parisian faces which Courault, Roussel, and -their friends saw on the humble benches around their little table: there -were persons from many provinces of France, and even from the -neighbouring countries. Among them was Master Pointet, a native of -Menton, near Annecy, in Savoy, 'who practised the art of surgery in the -city of Paris.' He had been brought to a knowledge of the Gospel in a -singular way. 'Monks and priests,' says the chronicler, 'used to come to -him to be cured of the diseases peculiar to those who substitute an -impure celibacy for the holy institution of marriage.'[553] Pointet, -observing that godliness was not to be found among the priests, sought -for it in the Scriptures; and, having discovered it there, began to -remonstrate seriously with those unhappy men. 'These punishments,' he -told them, 'proceed from your accursed celibacy: they are your wages, -and you would do much better to take a wife.' Pointet, while reading -these severe lessons, loved to go and learn in the lowly assemblies held -by the humble ministers of the Word of God, and no one listened with -more attention to the preaching of Roussel and Courault. - -The Sorbonnists, having heard of these conventicles, declared 'that they -disliked _these lectures_ still more than the sermons.' In fact, if the -preaching in the churches had been a loud appeal, the Divine Word in -these small meetings spoke nearer to men's hearts, enlightening them and -making them fast in Jesus Christ; and accordingly the conversions -increased in number. The lieutenant-criminal once more took the field: -he posted his agents at the corners of the more suspected streets, with -orders to watch the Lutherans and ferret them out. These spies -discovered that on certain days and hours many suspicious-looking -persons, most of them poor, were in the habit of frequenting certain -houses. Morin and his officers set to work immediately: they made the -round of these conventicles, seizing the pastors and dispersing the -flocks. 'We are deprived of everything,' said the worshippers; 'we -remain without teaching and exhortation. Alas! poor sheep without -shepherds, shall we not go astray and be lost?' Then with a sudden -impulse they exclaimed: 'Since our guides are taken away from us here, -let us seek them elsewhere!' Many French evangelicals fled into foreign -countries. - -While the poor reformed[554] who remained in Paris were thus forsaken -and sorrowful, the Sorbonne loudly demanded the return of Beda and the -other exiles. The theologians canvassed the most influential members of -the parliament, and besieged Cardinal Duprat. The king and the pope had -just met solemnly at Marseilles; one of the Medici had just entered the -family of the Valois; a royal letter, despatched from Lyons, ordered -proceedings to be taken against the heretics: could they leave the -champions of the papacy in disgrace? The demand was granted, and the -impetuous Beda returned in triumph to the capital with his friends. That -wicked little fairy Catherine had, unconsciously, and by her mere -presence, restored him to liberty. - -[Sidenote: FRESH EFFORTS OF THE SORBONNE.] - -The wrath and fanaticism of Beda, excited by exile, knew no bounds. The -repression of obscure _preachers_ did not satisfy him; he determined to -renew the attack he had formerly made upon the learned. 'I accuse the -king's readers in the university of Paris,' he said to the parliament. -These were the celebrated professors Danès, Paul Paradis, Guidacieri, -and Vatable, learned philologists, esteemed by Francis and honoured over -all literary Europe. 'Their interpretations of the text of Scripture,' -continued Beda, 'throw discredit on the Vulgate, and propagate the -errors of Luther. I demand that they be forbidden to comment on the Holy -Scriptures.'[555] - -Beda did not stand alone. Le Picard had returned from exile with his -master, and the Sorbonne, wishing to give him a striking mark of their -esteem, had conferred on him the degree of doctor of divinity. Beda and -Le Picard took counsel together with some other priests. War was -resolved upon, the legions were mustered, the plan of the campaign drawn -up, and the various battle-fields allotted among the combatants. They -took possession of the pulpits from which the preachers of the Reform -had been expelled, and loud voices were heard everywhere giving -utterance to violent harangues against 'the Lutherans.' Beda, Le Picard, -and their followers denounced the heretics as enemies of the altar and -the throne. In the Gospel, the germ of every liberty, they saw the cause -of every disorder. 'It is not enough to put the Lutheran evangelists in -prison,' said these forerunners of the preachers of the League; 'we must -go a step further, and burn them.'[556] - -The arrests were begun immediately; but early in the year 1534 the -burning pile was declared to be the best answer to heresy. The -parliament of Paris published an edict, according to which whoever was -convicted of Lutheranism on the testimony of two witnesses, should be -burnt forthwith.[557] That was the surest way: the dead never return. -Beda immediately demanded that the decree should be applied to the four -evangelists: Courault, Berthaud, Roussel, and one of their friends. -Notwithstanding his moderation and his concessions, Roussel particularly -excited the syndic's anger. Was he not Margaret's chaplain? The terror -began to spread. Whilst Francis at Bar-le-Duc was endeavouring to please -the most decided of the protestants, the evangelicals of Paris, alarmed -by the inquiries of the police, shut themselves up in their humble -dwellings. 'Really,' they said, 'this is not much unlike the Spanish -inquisition.'[558] The Sorbonne dared not, however, burn Roussel and his -friends without the consent of the king. - -[Sidenote: THREE HUNDRED EVANGELICAL PRISONERS.] - -In the meanwhile the ultramontane party formed the design of catching -all the Lutherans in Paris in one cast of the net. Morin set to work: he -urged on his hounds; his sergeants entered the houses, went down into -the cellars and up into the garrets, taking away, here the husband from -the wife; there, the father from the children; and in another place, the -son from the mother. Some of these poor creatures hid themselves, others -escaped by the roofs; but the chase was successful upon the whole. The -alguazils of the Sorbonne lodged about _three hundred prisoners_ in the -Conciergerie.[559] When this news spread, with its concomitants of -terror and distress, the flight recommenced on a larger scale: some were -stopped on the road, but many succeeded in crossing the frontier. Among -their number was a christian courtier, Maurus Musæus, a gentleman of the -king's chamber, who took refuge at Basle, whence he wrote describing his -numerous perplexities to Bucer.[560] - -All this was done by the Sorbonne and parliament, as the king had not -yet spoken out. At last he returned to the capital, and everybody -thought he would be eager to fulfil the promises he had made the pope; -but, on the contrary, he hesitated and affected to be scrupulous. The -evil spirit that he had received from Clement VII. under the form of a -Medici, was too young to have any influence over him. Besides, he was -thinking much more just then of his alliance with the protestants of -Germany than of his union with the pope, and the attacks made against -his professors in the university annoyed him. - -Beda was not discouraged: he got some persons, who had access to the -king, to beg that Roussel and his friends might be burnt. But how could -that prince send the Lutherans of France to the stake at the very time -he was seeking an alliance with the Lutherans of Germany? 'Nobody is -condemned in France,' he said, 'without being tried. Beda wishes to have -Roussel and his friends burnt; very well! let him first go to the -Conciergerie and reduce them to silence.'[561] This was not what Beda -wanted: he knew that it was easier to burn the chaplain than to refute -him. But the king compelled him to go to the prison; and there the -impetuous Beda and the meek Roussel stood face to face. The disputation -began in the presence of witnesses. The prisoner brought forward, with -much simplicity, the Scriptures of God; the syndic of the Sorbonne -replied with scholastic quibbles and ridiculous trifling.[562] His own -friends were embarrassed; everybody saw his ignorance; Beda left the -prison overwhelmed with shame, and Roussel was not burnt.[563] - -[Sidenote: THE KING'S IRRITATION.] - -While Beda and Roussel were disputing in the Conciergerie, a different -scene was passing at the Louvre. A friend of letters, belonging to the -royal household, knowing the king's susceptibility, placed a little book -elegantly bound on a table near which the king was accustomed to sit. -Francis approached, took up the book heedlessly, and looked at it. He -was greatly surprised on reading the title: _Remonstrance addressed to -the King of France by the three doctors of Paris, banished and -relegated, praying to be recalled from their exile_. It was a work -published by Beda before his return to Paris, and had been carefully -concealed from the monarch. 'Ho! ho!' said he, 'this book is addressed -to me!' He opened and read, and great was his anger on seeing how he was -insulted and slandered.... 'Francis I. regards neither pope nor Medici: -in his eyes, the chief infallibility is always his own.' 'Send those -wretches to prison,' he exclaimed; and immediately Beda, Le Picard, and -Le Clerq were shut up in the bishop's prison on a charge of high -treason.[564] - -And now the chiefs of both causes were in confinement: Gerard Roussel, -Courault, and Berthaud on one side; Beda, Le Picard, and Le Clerq on the -other. Would any one dare affirm that the King of France did not hold -the balance even between the two schools? Who shall be released? who -shall remain a prisoner? was now the question. It would have been better -to set them all at large; but neither Francis nor his age had attained -to religious liberty. Contrary winds agitated that prince, and drove him -by turns towards Rome and towards Wittemberg. One or other of them, -however, must prevail. Margaret, believing the time to be critical, -displayed indefatigable activity. She pleaded the cause of her friends -to the king and to his ministers. Still mistaken, or seeming to be -mistaken, as regards Montmorency, she begged this treacherous friend to -save the very persons whose destruction he had sworn. 'Dear nephew,' she -wrote to him, 'they are just now completing the proceedings against -Master Gerard, and I hope the king will find him worthy of something -better than the stake, and that he has never held any opinion deserving -such punishment, or savouring of heresy. I have known him these five -years, and, believe me, if I had seen anything doubtful in him, I should -not so long have put up with such a pagan.'[565] The king could not -resist his sister's earnest solicitations and the desire of making -friends among the protestants of Germany. In the month of March 1534 he -published an ordinance vindicating the evangelical preachers from the -calumnies of the theologians, and setting them at liberty.[566] - -Surprising thing! Roussel, Courault, and Berthaud at liberty; Beda, Le -Picard, and Le Clerq in prison! The champions of heresy triumph, and the -champions of the Church are in chains! And this, too, after the king's -return from Marseilles (the interview at Bar-le-Duc was not known at -Paris), and four months after the marriage of Henry of France with the -pope's niece!... Where are the promises made to Clement VII.? Both the -city and the Sorbonne were deeply excited by this measure.[567] The -greater the hopes aroused by the union with the papacy, the greater the -fears caused by the king's conduct towards its most intrepid defenders. -Would Francis I. become a Henry VIII.? Would Roman catholicism be ruined -in France? The priests were afraid—many of them even despaired. - -The evangelicals, on the contrary, were delighted. The Word of God was -about to triumph, they thought, not only in Paris, but also throughout -France. Surprising news indeed came from Lyons, where an invisible -preacher kept the whole population in suspense. - -[Sidenote: ALEXANDER AT GENEVA.] - -The friar De la Croix, whom we have already mentioned, having abandoned -Paris, his convent, his cowl, and his monkish title, had reached Geneva -under the name of Alexander. Cordially welcomed by Farel and Froment, he -had been instructed by their care in the knowledge of the truth. His -transformation had been complete. Christ had become to him 'the sun of -righteousness; he had a burning zeal to know him, and great boldness in -confessing him. Incontinent, he showed himself resolute, and resisted -all gainsayers.' Accordingly the Genevan magistracy, which was under the -influence of the priests, had condemned him to death as a heretic; the -sentence had, however, been commuted, 'for fear of the King of France,' -who would not suffer a Frenchman, even if heretical, to be maltreated, -and Alexander was simply turned out of the city. When on the high-road -beyond the gates, and near the Mint, he stopped and preached to the -people who had followed him. Such was the power of his language that it -inspired respect in all around him. 'Nobody could stop him,' says -Froment, 'so strongly did his zeal impel him to win people to the -Lord.'[568] - -Alexander first went to Berne with Froment, and then, retracing his -steps, seriously reflected whether he ought not to return into France. -He did not deceive himself: persecution, imprisonment, death, awaited -him there. Then ought he not rather, like so many others, to preach the -Gospel in Switzerland? But France had so much need of the light and -grace of God.... should he abandon her? To preach Christ to his -countrymen, Alexander was ready to bear all manner of evil, and even -death. One single passion swallowed up all others. 'O my Saviour! thou -hast given thy life for me; I desire to give mine for thee!' He crossed -the frontier; and, learning that Bresse and Maconnais (Saône-et-Loire), -where Michael d'Aranda had preached Christ in 1524, were without -evangelists, he began to proclaim the forgiveness of the Gospel to the -simple and warm-hearted people of that district, among whom fanaticism -had so many adherents. He did not mind this: wandering along the banks -of the Bienne, the Ain, the Seille, and the Saône, he entered the -cottages of the poor peasants, and courageously scattered the seed of -the Gospel.[569] A rumour of his doings reached Lyons, where certain -pious goldsmiths, always ready to make sacrifices for their faith, -invited Alexander to come and preach in their city. - -[Sidenote: HIS WORK AT LYONS.] - -It was a wider field than the plains of Bresse. Alexander departed, -arrived at Lyons, and entered the goldsmiths' shops. He conversed with -them, and made the acquaintance of several _poor men of Lyons_, who were -rich in faith; they edified one another, but this did not satisfy him. -The living faith by which he was animated gave him an indefatigable -activity. He was prompt in his decisions, full of spirit in his -addresses, ingenious in his plans. He began to preach from house to -house; next 'he got a number of people together here and there, and -preached before them, to the great advancement of the Word.' Opposition -soon began to show itself, and Alexander exclaimed: 'Oh that Lyons were -a free city like Geneva!'[570] Those who desired to hear the Word grew -more thirsty every day; they went to Alexander, and conversed with him; -they dragged him to their houses, but the evangelist could not supply -all their wants. He wrote to Farel, asking for help from Geneva, but -none came; the persecution was believed to be so fierce at Lyons, that -nobody dared expose himself to it. Alexander continued, therefore, to -preach alone, sometimes in by-streets, and sometimes in an upper -chamber. The priests and their creatures, always on the watch, -endeavoured to seize him, but the evangelist had hardly finished his -sermon when the faithful, who loved him devotedly, surrounded him, -carried him away, and conducted him to some hiding-place. But Alexander -did not remain there long: wistfully putting out his head, and looking -round the house, to see that there was no one on the watch, he came -forth to go and preach at the other extremity of the city. He had hardly -finished when he was carried away again, and the believers took him to -some new retreat, 'hiding him from one house to another,' says the -chronicler, 'so that he could not be found.'[571] The evangelist was -everywhere and nowhere. When the priests were looking after him in some -suburb in the south, he was preaching in the north, on the heights which -overlook the city. He put himself boldly in the van, he proclaimed the -Gospel loudly, and yet he was invisible. - -Alexander did more than this: he even visited the prisons. He heard one -day that two men, well known in Geneva, who had come to Lyons on -business, had been thrown into the bishop's dungeons on the information -of the Genevan priests: they were the energetic Baudichon de la -Maison-Neuve, and his friend Cologny.[572] The gates opened for -Alexander: he entered, and that mysterious evangelist, who baffled the -police of Lyons, was inside the episcopal prison. If one of the agents -who are in search of him should recognise him, the gates will never open -again for him. But Alexander felt no uneasiness; he spoke to the two -Genevans, and exhorted them; he even went and consoled other brethren -imprisoned for the Gospel, and then left the dungeons, no man laying a -hand on him. The priests and their agents, bursting with vexation at -seeing the futility of all their efforts, met and lamented with one -another. 'There is a Lutheran,' they said, 'who preaches and disturbs -the people, collecting assemblies here and there in the city, whom we -must catch, for he will spoil all the world, as everybody is running -after him; and yet we cannot find him, or know who he is.'[573] They -increased their exertions, but all was useless. Never had preacher in so -extraordinary a manner escaped so many snares. At last they began to say -that the unknown preacher must be possessed of satanic powers, by means -of which he passed invisible through the police, and no one suspected -his presence. - -[Sidenote: MARGARET AND ROUSSEL.] - -Thus the Gospel was proclaimed in the first and in the second city of -France. The Sorbonne and the catholic party had been intimidated by the -king, and the Easter festival of 1534, which was approaching, might give -the evangelicals of Paris a striking opportunity of proclaiming their -faith. This was what the Queen of Navarre desired. She had passed some -time at Alençon, and also at Argentan, not far from Caen, with her -sister-in-law, Catherine d'Albret, abbess of the convent of the Holy -Trinity; at length she had returned to Paris. The priests dared not name -her, but they made certain allusions to her in their sermons which their -hearers very well understood. These things were reported to Margaret, -who cared neither to pacify nor to punish her accusers, and answered -them only by endeavouring still more to advance the cause of piety in -France. The little conventicles only half pleased her: she wanted the -evangelical doctrine to enter the kingdom by the churches, and not by -the 'upper chambers.' She would have desired for France a reformation -similar to that of England, which, while giving it the Word of God, -preserved its archbishops and bishops, its cathedrals, its liturgy, and -its grandeur. Queen of France, she would have been its Elizabeth; but -doubtless with more grace. Her ambition was to install the Gospel at -Notre Dame. She paid a visit to the king; she spoke to the bishop ... -Roussel shall preach there. He was not a Farel in boldness, but Margaret -encouraged him; besides, the idea of preaching the Gospel to the people -of Paris in that old cathedral was pleasing to him. He determined, -therefore, to comply with the queen's wishes. - -The report of Margaret's intentions had hardly become known, when the -canons were in commotion. How scandalous! What! shall these -evangelicals, of whom they wished to purge France, assemble in the -cathedral?... A disciple of Luther ... in the temple ennobled by so many -holy bishops!... Finding themselves betrayed by the king, the priests -resolved to turn to the people. These fanatics did not scruple to become -mob-leaders; they traversed the city and the suburbs, entered the shops, -distributed little handbills, and stuck up placards: under the -excitement of this mission the oldest Sorbonnists regained all the -activity of youth. 'We must resist these scandalous meetings at any -cost,' they said. 'Let the people crowd before the gates of Notre Dame, -and hinder the evangelicals from entering; or, if they do not succeed, -let them fill the cathedral, and prevent Roussel from ascending the -pulpit, and drown his heretical voice by the shouts of the believers.' -When the day came, a great movement took place among the citizens of -Paris. An immense crowd hastened from all the neighbouring quarters, who -surrounded Notre Dame and filled the interior of the church. The -Lutherans could not get in, and Roussel was forced to give up his -sermon.[574] - -A favourable wind seemed generally to be breathing over the Reformation: -its enemies were still in prison and its friends at liberty; Francis -appeared to be more than ever in harmony with his sister and with the -protestants of Germany; and an evangelical orator was authorised to -preach at Notre Dame: a violent hurricane, however, suddenly burst upon -the metropolis. A pious and active christian was there to lose his life, -and Paris was to witness at the same time—a triumph and a martyrdom. - -[Sidenote: ALEXANDER AT LYONS.] - -One day, a few weeks after Easter, a man loaded with chains entered the -capital: he was escorted by archers, all of whom showed him much -respect. They took him to the Conciergerie. It was Alexander Canus, -known among the Dominicans by the name of Father Laurent de la Croix. At -Lyons, as at Paris, Easter had been the time appointed by the -evangelicals for boldly raising their banner. The goldsmiths, who were -to Alexander what the Queen of Navarre was to Roussel, were no longer -satisfied with preachings in secret. Every preparation was made for a -great assembly; the locality was settled; pious christians went through -the streets from house to house and gave notice of the time and place. -Many were attracted by the desire of hearing a doctrine that was so much -talked about, and on Easter-day the ex-dominican preached before a large -audience.[575] Was it in a church, in some hall, or in the open air? The -chronicler does not say. Alexander moved his hearers deeply, and it -might have been said that Christ rose again that Easter morn in Lyons, -where he had so long lain in the sepulchre. All were not, however, -equally friendly; some cast sinister glances. Alexander was no longer -invisible: the spies in the assembly saw him, heard him, studied his -physiognomy, took note of his _blasphemies_, and hurried off to report -them to their superiors.[576] - -While the police were listening to the reports and taking their -measures, there were voices of joy and deliverance in many a humble -dwelling. A divine call had been heard, and many were resolved to obey -it. Alexander, who had belonged to the order of _Preachers_, combined -the gift of eloquence with the sincerest piety. Accordingly, his hearers -requested him to preach again the second day of Easter. The meeting took -place on Monday, and was more numerous than the day before. All eyes -were fixed on the evangelist, all ears were attentive, all faces were -beaming with joy; here and there, however, a few countenances of evil -omen might be seen: they were the agents charged to seize the mysterious -preacher. The assembly heard a most touching discourse; but just when -Alexander's friends desired, as usual, to surround him and get him away, -the officers of justice, more expeditious this time, came forward, laid -their hands upon him, and took him to prison. He was brought before the -tribunal and condemned to death. This cruel sentence distressed all the -evangelicals, who urged him to appeal; he did appeal, which had the -effect of causing him to be transferred to Paris. 'That was not done -without great mystery,' says Froment, 'and without the great providence -of God.'[577] People said to one another that Paul, having appealed to -the emperor, won over a great nation at Rome; and they asked whether -Alexander might not do the same at Paris. The evangelist departed under -the escort of a captain and his company. - -The captain was a worthy man: he rode beside Alexander, and they soon -entered into conversation. The officer questioned him, and the -ex-dominican explained to him the cause of his arrest. The soldier -listened with astonishment; he took an interest in the story, and by -degrees the words of the pious prisoner entered into his heart. He heard -God's call and awoke; he experienced a few moments of struggle and -doubt, but erelong the assurance of faith prevailed. 'The captain was -converted,' says Froment, 'while taking him to Paris.' Alexander did not -stop at this; he spoke to each of the guards, and some of them also were -won over to the Gospel. The first evening they halted at an inn, and the -prisoner found means to address a few good words to the servants and the -heads of the household. This was repeated every day. People came to see -the strange captive, they entered into conversation with him, and he -answered every question. He employed in the service of the Gospel all -the skill that he possessed in discussion. 'He was learned in the -doctrine of the sophists,' says a contemporary, 'having profited well -and studied long at Paris with his companions (the Dominicans).' Now and -then the people went and fetched the priest or orator of the village to -dispute with him; but they were easily reduced to silence. Many of the -hearers were enlightened and touched, and some were converted. They -said, as they left the inn: 'Really we have never seen a man answer and -confound his adversaries better by Holy Scripture.'[578] The crowd -increased from town to town. At last Alexander arrived in Paris: -'Wonderful thing!' remarks the chronicler, 'he was more useful at the -inns and on the road than he had ever been before.'[579] - -[Sidenote: A PRISONER IN PARIS.] - -This remarkable prisoner was soon talked of in many quarters of Paris. -The case was a very serious one. 'A friar, a Dominican, an inquisitor,' -said the people, 'has gone over to the Lutherans, and is striving to -make heretics everywhere.' The monks of his own convent made the most -noise. The king, who detained Beda in prison, desired to preserve the -balance by giving some satisfaction to the catholics. He was not uneasy -about the German protestants; he had observed closely the landgrave's -ardour, and had no fear that the fiery Philip would break off the -alliance for a Dominican monk. Francis, therefore, allowed matters to -take their course, and Alexander appeared before a court of parliament. -'Name your accomplices,' said the judges; and as he refused to name the -accomplices, who did not exist, the president added: 'Give him the -boot.' The executioners brought forward the boards and the wedges, with -which they tightly compressed the legs of the evangelist. His sufferings -soon became so severe that, hoping they had converted him, they stopped -the torture, and the president once more called upon him to name all -who, like himself, had separated from the Church of Rome; but he was not -to be shaken, and the punishment began again. 'He was severely tortured -several times,' say the _Actes_, 'to great extremity of cruelty.' The -executioners drove the wedges so tightly between the boards in which his -limbs were confined, that his left leg was crushed. Alexander groaned -aloud: 'O God!' he exclaimed, 'there is neither pity nor mercy in these -men! ... oh that I may find both in thee!'—'Keep on,' said the head -executioner. The unhappy man, who had observed Budæus among the -assessors, turned on him a mild look of supplication, and said: 'Is -there no Gamaliel here to moderate the cruelty they are practising on -me?'[580] The illustrious scholar, an honest and just man, although -irresolute in his proceedings, kept his eyes fixed on the martyr, -astonished at his patience. 'It is enough,' he said: 'he has been -tortured too much; you ought to be satisfied.' Budæus was a person of -great authority; his words took effect, and the _extraordinary gehenna_ -ceased. 'The executioners lifted up the martyr, and carried him to his -dungeon a cripple.'[581] - -[Sidenote: ALEXANDER TORTURED.] - -It was the custom to deliver sentence in the absence of the accused, and -to inform him of it in the Conciergerie through a clerk of the criminal -office. The idea occurred of pronouncing it in Alexander's presence; -perhaps in his terror he might ask for some alleviation, and by this -means they might extort a confession. But all was useless. The court -made a great display, and a crowd of spectators increased the solemnity, -to no purpose: Alexander Canus, of Evreux, in Normandy, was condemned to -be burnt alive. A flash of joy suddenly lit up his face. 'Truly,' said -the spectators, 'is he more joyful than he was before!'[582] - -The priests now came forward to perform the sacerdotal degradation. 'If -you utter a word,' they told him, 'you will have your tongue cut -out.'—'The practice of cutting off the tongue,' adds the historian, -'began that year.' The priests took off his sacerdotal dress, shaved his -head, and went through all the _usual mysteries_. During this ceremony -Alexander uttered not a word; only at one of the absurdities of the -priests he let a smile escape him. They dressed him in the _robe de -fol_—a garment of coarse cloth, such as was worn by the poorer -peasantry. When the pious martyr caught sight of it, he exclaimed, 'O -God, is there any greater honour than to receive this day the livery -which thy Son received in the house of Herod?'[583] - -A cart, generally used to carry mud or dust, was brought to the front of -the building. Some Dominicans, his former brethren, got into it along -with the humble christian, and all proceeded towards the Place Maubert. -As the cart moved but slowly, Alexander, standing up, leant over towards -the people, and 'scattered the seed of the Gospel with both hands.' Many -persons, moved even to tears, exclaimed that they were putting him to -death wrongfully; but the Dominicans pulled him by his gown, and annoyed -him in every way. At first he paid no attention to this; but when one of -the monks said to him coarsely: 'Either recant, or hold your tongue,' -Alexander turned round and said to him with firmness: 'I will not -renounce Jesus Christ.... Depart from me, ye deceivers of the people!' - -At last they reached the front of the scaffold. While the executioners -were making the final preparations, Alexander, observing some lords and -ladies in the crowd, with common people, monks, and several of his -friends, asked permission to address a few words to them. An -ecclesiastical dignitary, a chanter of the Sainte Chapelle, carrying a -long staff, presided over the clerical part of the ceremony, and he gave -his consent. Then, seized with a holy enthusiasm, Alexander confessed, -'with great vehemence and vivacity of mind,'[584] the Saviour whom he -loved so much, and for whom he was condemned to die. 'Yes,' he -exclaimed, 'Jesus, our only Redeemer, suffered death to ransom us to God -his Father. I have said it, and I say it again, O ye christians who -stand around me, pray to God that, as his son Jesus Christ died for me, -he will give me grace to die now for him.' - -[Sidenote: ALEXANDER'S TRIUMPHANT DEATH.] - -Having thus spoken, he said to the executioner: 'Proceed.' The officers -of justice approached, they bound him to the pile and set it on fire. -The wood crackled, the flames rose, and Alexander, his eyes upraised to -heaven, exclaimed: 'O Jesus Christ, have pity on me! O Saviour, receive -my soul!' He saw the glory of God; by faith he discerned Jesus in -heaven, who received him into his kingdom. 'My Redeemer!' he repeated, -'O my Redeemer!' At last his voice was silent. The people wept; the -executioners said to one another: 'What a strange criminal!' and even -the monks asked: 'If this man is not saved, who will be?' Many beat -their breasts, and said: 'A great wrong has been done to that man!' And -as the spectators separated, they went away thinking: 'It is wonderful -how these people suffer themselves to be burnt in defence of their -faith.'[585] - -The Romish party having obtained this satisfaction, the political party -thought only of overthrowing popery in one of the states of Germany, and -of paving the way for its decline in the kingdom of St. Louis. - -[Footnote 551: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 111.] - -[Footnote 552: Théod. de Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ i. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 553: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 107 verso.] - -[Footnote 554: The words _reform_ and _reformed_ apply especially to the -religious movement in France.] - -[Footnote 555: Crévier, _Hist. de l'Université de Paris_ v. p. 278.] - -[Footnote 556: 'Hos Beda vellet incendio tradere.'—Myconius to -Bullinger, _Ep. Helvet. Ref._ p. 121, 8vo.] - -[Footnote 557: 'Edictum, omnem qui duobus testibus convinceretur -lutheranus, statim exurendum esse.'—Bucer to Blaarer, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 558: 'Res erit non absimilis inquisitioni Hispaniæ.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 559: 'Nunc circa trecentos Parisiis jam captos.'—Bucer to -Blaarer, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 560: His letters are preserved in the Seminary at Strasburg.] - -[Footnote 561: 'Tum _coegit_ Bedam ut privatim cum eis congredi -oporteret.'—Letter of Oswald Myconius, _Ep. Helvet. Ref._ p. 121.] - -[Footnote 562: 'Pessime enim nugas suas ad scripturas Dei adhibuit.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 563: 'Inscitiam suam ostendere, quod et ei cessit in magnam -ignominiam.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 564: 'Beda conjectus est in carcerem, accusatus criminis læsæ -majestatis.'—Cop to Bucer, Strasb. MSS. See also H. de Coste, p. 77. -Schmidt, p. 106.] - -[Footnote 565: _Lettres de la Reine de Navarre_, i. p. 299.] - -[Footnote 566: 'Prorsus liberatus est theologorum calumniis, ac decreto -regis absolutus.'—Cop to Bucer, Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 567: 'Quo multi commoti sunt et perturbati.'—Cop to Bucer, -Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 568: Froment, _Actes et Gestes de Genève_, p. 76.—The Mint was -near the present railway station.] - -[Footnote 569: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 570: Froment, _Actes et Gestes_, p. 74.] - -[Footnote 571: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 572: Froment, _Actes et Gestes_, p. 75.] - -[Footnote 573: Ibid. p. 74.] - -[Footnote 574: Coste, _Hist. de Le Picard_, p. 46; Schmidt, _Mémoires de -Roussel_, p. 107.] - -[Footnote 575: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 106.] - -[Footnote 576: Froment, _Actes et Gestes_, p. 75.] - -[Footnote 577: _Actes et Gestes_, p. 75.] - -[Footnote 578: Froment, _Actes et Gestes_, p. 75.] - -[Footnote 579: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 580: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 107.] - -[Footnote 581: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 107.] - -[Footnote 582: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 583: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 107. Froment, _Actes et -Gestes_, p. 76.] - -[Footnote 584: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 585: Crespin, _Martyrologue_, fol. 107 verso. Froment, _Actes -et Gestes_, p. 78.] - - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - WURTEMBERG GIVEN TO PROTESTANTISM BY THE KING OF FRANCE. - (SPRING 1534.) - - -The idea of correcting the errors of the Church without changing its -government was not new in France. By the Pragmatic Sanction in 1269, St. -Louis had founded the liberties of the Gallican Church; and the great -idea of reform had been widely spread since the time of the council of -Constance (1414), of Clemengis, and of Gerson. The two Du Bellays, with -many priests, scholars, and noblemen, thought it was the only means of -calming down the agitations of christendom, and Margaret of Valois had -made it the great business of her life. - -[Sidenote: INTERVIEW OF DU BELLAY AND BUCER.] - -William du Bellay, on his way back from Augsburg, where he had delivered -such noble speeches in favour of the protestant dukes of Wurtemberg, had -stopped at Strasburg, and had several meetings with the pacific Bucer. -His success in Germany, his conversations with the evangelical princes -and doctors, who took him for as sound a protestant as themselves, had -filled him with hope. In no place could those who desired to take a -middle course meet with more sympathy than at Strasburg; there was quite -a system of compromises there with the Swiss and with Luther; why not -with Rome also? 'Since Luther will not give way in anything,' Bucer had -said, 'I will accommodate myself to his terminology; only I will avoid -every expression that may indicate a too local and too gross presence of -the body of Christ in the bread.'[586] Accordingly Bucer, with his pious -and moderate friends Capito, Hedio, and Zell, received the diplomatic -mediator with great pleasure. They retired to the reformer's library, -where Du Bellay explained his great project with all the seriousness of -a man convinced. 'It is a greater work,' he said to Bucer, 'than this -union of Zwinglians and Lutherans which has hitherto been your sole and -constant occupation. We wish to effect a fusion between catholicism and -the Reformation. We shall maintain the _unity_ of the former; we shall -uphold the _truth_ of the latter.' Du Bellay's plan was at bottom, we -see, the same as Leibnitz endeavoured to get Bossuet and Louis XIV. to -accept. Bucer was in ecstasies: it was what he had sought so long; the -diplomatist appeared to him as if surrounded with a halo of glory. And -hence he often said: 'If the Lord would raise up many men like this -_hero_, the kingdom of Christ would soon come out of the pit.'[587] -According to Bucer, Du Bellay was meditating a very perilous but still a -great enterprise: it was a labour worthy of Hercules.... The counsellor -of the King of France was satisfied to find the great pacificator -agreeing with him, and hastened to Paris, flattering himself that he -would gain a victory more striking than that of Francis I. at Marignan, -or of Charles V. at Pavia. - -Everything seemed favourable: Francis, delighted at his conference with -the landgrave, had never been better disposed for conciliation. Du -Bellay endeavoured to convince him that Germany was quite ready for the -_great fusion_. Melanchthon, whom all Germany venerated, was (in his -opinion) the man of the hour, by whose agency the two contrary currents -would mingle their waters and form but one stream bearing life to every -part. Was it not he who said: 'Preserve all the old ceremonies that you -can: every innovation is injurious to the people?' Had he not declared -at Augsburg that no doctrine separated him from the Roman Church; that -he respected the universal authority of the pope, and desired to remain -faithful to Christ and the Church of Rome? Margaret of Navarre also -spoke to her brother of this great and good man: 'Melanchthon's -mildness,' she said, 'contrasts with the violent temper of Zwingle and -Luther.' Other persons observed to the king that what distinguished -France from all catholic nations was its attachment to those liberties -of the Church, which were on that account denominated _Gallican_. 'It -would thus be a thoroughly French enterprise,' they said, 'to strip the -pope of his usurped privileges.' - -Francis listened. To be king both in Church and State, to imitate his -dear brother of England, who at heart was more catholic than -himself,—this was his desire. Du Bellay, noticing this disposition, -laboured vehemently (to use his own expression)[588] to introduce the -Melanchthonian ideas into France. He spoke of them at court and in the -city, sometimes even to the clergy, and met everywhere with almost -universal approbation.[589] 'Only make a forward movement,' he was told. -The king resumed the reading of the Bible, which he had laid aside after -the first days of the Reformation. It was not that he relished the Word -of God, but the Bible was a weapon that would help him to gain the -victory over the emperor. When conversing with the persons around him, -he would quote some phrase of Scripture. He particularly liked the -passages where St. Paul speaks of _breastplates_, _shields_, _helmets_, -and _swords_. He found the apostle, indeed, a little too spiritual and -mystical; and in his heart he preferred the helmet of a soldier to the -_helmet of salvation_; but he appeared every day better disposed towards -the Holy Scriptures.[590] Margaret was transported with joy. 'I agree -with the German protestants,' said the king to Du Bellay. 'Yes, I agree -with them in _all_ points ... except _one_!' Du Bellay wrote immediately -to Bucer, and added: 'You know what that means.'[591] Francis desired to -remain in union with Rome for form's sake, if it were only by a thread. -But Rome is not contented with a thread. - -[Sidenote: FRANCIS COOPERATES WITH THEM.] - -An approaching event seemed destined to decide whether or not a -semi-reformation would be established in France. The king and his -minister kept their eyes fixed on Germany, and waited impatiently to -learn if the enterprise decided upon at Bar-le-Duc for the restoration -of the protestant princes to the throne of Wurtemberg would be crowned -with success. In their eyes Wurtemberg was the field of battle where the -cause of the papacy would triumph or be crushed. Francis hoped that, if -the protestants were victorious, they would enter upon a war that would -become general. If the empire and the papacy fell beneath the blows of -their enemies, new times would begin. Europe would be emancipated from -both pope and emperor, and Francis would profit largely, both for -himself and France, by this glorious emancipation. - -The landgrave prepared everything for the great blow he was about to -strike. At once prudent and active, he did not write a word that could -compromise him, but sent his confidential counsellors in every -direction. He went in person to the Elector of Trèves and the -elector-palatine, and promised them that if Wurtemberg was restored to -its lawful princes, Charles's brother should be compensated by being -recognised King of the Romans. These measures succeeded with Philip, who -immediately made known this happy commencement to Francis I. - -On Easter Monday (1534) the Louvre displayed all its magnificence; many -officers of the court were on foot, for Francis was to give audience to -the agent of the Waywode (hospodar) of Wallachia, who had been -dispossessed by Austria, like the Duke of Wurtemberg. The king's eyes -sparkled with delight: 'The Swabian league is dissolved,' he told the -envoy. 'I am sending money into Germany.... I have many friends -there.... My allies are already in arms.... We are on the point of -carrying our plan into execution.'[592] Francis was so happy that he -could not keep his secret. - -[Sidenote: FEARS IN GERMANY.] - -All was not, however, so near as he imagined. An old obstacle came up -again, and seemed as if it would check the landgrave. The other -evangelical princes and doctors did all they could to thwart an -enterprise which would, in Philip's opinion, secure their triumph. 'The -restoration of the Duke of Wurtemberg,' said the wise Melanchthon, 'will -engender great troubles. Even the Church will be endangered by them. You -know my forebodings.[593] All the kings of Europe will be mixed up in -this war. It is a matter full of peril, not only to ourselves, but to -the whole world.'[594] Astrology interfered in the matter, and spread -terror among the people. Lichtenberg, a famous astrologer, published -some predictions, to which he added certain 'monstrous pictures,'[595] -and said: 'The Frenchman (Francis) will again fall into the emperor's -hands;[596] and all who unite with him in making war will be destroyed. -The lion will want help, and will be deceived by the lily.'[597] In such -terms the German prophecy declared that France (the lily) would deceive -Hesse (whose device is a lion): this shows how little confidence Germany -had in the French monarch. - -Ferdinand of Austria distrusted the prophecy, and thought the -landgrave's attack close at hand. Sensible of his own weakness, he turned -to the pope and said to him through his envoy Sanchez: 'The landgrave's -expedition is a danger which threatens the Church and Italy ... -the spirituality and the temporality.' The pope promised everything, -but (as was his custom) with the determination to do nothing. A war that -might weaken Charles was gratifying to him, even though protestantism -should profit by it. Clement, however, convoked the consistory; -described to them in very expressive language the danger of the empire -and the Church; but of helping them, not a word.... Ferdinand, still -more alarmed, became more importunate, and the matter was brought before -a congregation: 'Alas!' said Clement to the cardinals, 'it is impossible -to conceal from you the dangers that threaten King Ferdinand and the -Austrian power. They are attacked by so severe a disease that a simple -medicine would be insufficient to effect a cure.... It requires an -energetic remedy ... but where can it be found?' The cardinals agreed -with their chief; they thought that, as the danger threatened Austria -alone, it was for Austria to get out of it as she could. The -recollection of the sack of Rome by the imperialists in 1527 was not yet -effaced from the hearts of these Roman priests, and they were not sorry -to see the emperor punished by an heretical scourge. They resolved that -as Rome could not give a subsidy sufficiently large, they would give -none at all. 'This expedition,' said Clement VII. to Ferdinand's envoy, -with a certain frankness, 'is only a private matter.... But if the -landgrave touches the Church, you may reckon then upon my help.' -Sanchez, seeing the pontiff's lukewarmness, and moved by sorrow and -indignation,[598] forcibly replied: 'Be not deceived, holy father.... -This matter is not so small as you suppose.... It will cost the Church -of Rome dear ... and not the Church only, but the city and all Italy.' - -[Sidenote: THE POPE AND AUSTRIA.] - -Sanchez thought, like Francis and the politicians, that the protestants, -victorious in Wurtemberg, would not stop in so glorious a career; that -they would raise a large army; and that, aided by France, they would -cross the Alps and go to Rome to dethrone the successor of St. Peter, -and put an end to what they regarded as the power of antichrist. This -suggestion exasperated Clement: he felt the tiara shaking on his head, -and angrily exclaimed: 'And where is the emperor? What is he doing? Why -does he not watch over his brother's states and the peace of Germany?' -Charles V., quite unconcerned about a project which might, however, -insure his rival's triumph, was calmly enjoying his repose beneath the -smiling sky of Spain, reclining on the banks of its beautiful rivers, -under the shade of its orange and citron trees and of its gigantic -laurels. The pope took courage from his example to do the same. If he -did nothing to stop the protestant army, the papacy might suffer; but if -he did anything, he might turn aside from the house of Austria the -terrible blow about to fall on it, and save from a reverse that imperial -power which he detested. The pontiff sank back into his apostolic chair, -and prepared for a luxurious slumber, thinking it would be time enough -to wake up ... when danger was at his own door. 'Alas!' said sincere -catholics, 'why are the successors of St. Peter, the fisherman and -apostle, _clothed in soft raiment_, which is for those who are _in -kings' houses_? Why do they covet these courtly pomps and effeminacies? -Why do they imitate _the princes of the Gentiles who exercise dominion -over them_? Christ bore the cross.' The political passions of -Clement VII. extinguished his ecclesiastical zeal. The temporal power of -the popes has never been other than a clog upon their spiritual power, -preventing it from working freely. The judgments of God were about to be -executed. - -At the beginning of May everything was astir in Hesse, Pomerania, -Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Westphalia, and on the banks of the Rhine; the -landgrave was preparing to march against Austria. Omens threatened, -indeed, to detain him. At Cassel, the chief town of Hesse, a monster was -seen walking mysteriously and silently upon the water during the -night.[599] 'It is a sure warning,' said the old crones and a few -citizens, 'that the prince ought to stop.' But Philip replied coldly: -'These visions are not worthy of belief.' Without heeding the monster, -Philip, mounted on horseback and carrying a lance in his hand, reviewed -his army on Wednesday, the 6th of May, after midnight, and then gave the -order to march. Almost all the officers and a great many of the soldiers -belonged to the evangelical confession. It was, alas! the first -politico-religious army of the sixteenth century, and this campaign was -the first Germanico-European opposition to the house of Austria.[600] -History shrouds herself beneath a veil of mourning as she points to this -epoch; for the employment of human force in the interests of religion, -the armed struggle between the new and the old times, began then. - -[Sidenote: PHILIP DEFEATS THE AUSTRIAN.] - -The Austrian government, deserted by the pope, saw that it must help -itself, and had made great exertions on its part. All the convents, -chapters, and towns of Wurtemberg had been forced to contribute large -sums of money, and the most experienced generals of the Italian wars had -been placed at the head of the imperial army. The soldiers of Austria -marched to Laufen on the Neckar, and there waited for the enemy. The -landgrave's army, full of hope and courage, uttered loud shouts of joy -when they heard of it. - -It was not so at Wittemberg. Melanchthon was more grieved than ever, and -many persons sympathised with him. On the one hand, the theologians of -the Reformation detested war; but on the other, they said to themselves -at certain moments: 'Still ... if Philip takes up arms it is to restore -legitimate princes to the throne of their fathers, and secure a free -course to the Word of God!'—'Oh, what cruelties in the Roman Church,' -added Melanchthon, 'what idolatries, and what obstinacy in defending -them! Who knows but God desires to punish their defenders, if not -utterly to destroy such notorious evils for ever?[601] Oh that the issue -of this war may be beneficial to the Church of Christ!' Some time after, -when Melanchthon was told of the advance of the army of Philip of Hesse, -that peaceful christian gave way once more to his anguish: 'These -movements are quite against our advice,' he said, and then shutting -himself up in his closet, he exclaimed: 'In the midst of the dangers and -sorrows to which God exposes us, we have nothing else to do but to call -upon Christ and to feel his presence.'[602] He then fell upon his knees -before God; and God, who saw him in secret, rewarded him openly. But -while the christians were weeping and praying, the politicians were -rejoicing and acting. Du Bellay, in particular, did not doubt that an -early victory would cement the union of France with German -protestantism; and perceiving the consequences that would follow from -the enfranchisement of his country, he gave utterance to his joy. - -The impetuous landgrave, taking a spring, cleared, as at one bound, the -country which separated him from the Neckar, arrived unexpectedly on the -banks of that river near Laufen, where the imperial army was posted, and -attacked it with spirit. At first the Austrians courageously sustained -the fight; but the count palatine, their commander, having been wounded -by a cannon-shot, they retired precipitately. Early the next morning, -the landgrave, putting himself at the head of his cavalry and artillery, -fell upon them as they were beginning to retreat, and drove part of them -into the Neckar.[603] - -Wurtemberg was gained, and Duke Ulrich, accompanied by Prince -Christopher, reappeared in the country of his fathers. The people, -excited at the thought of seeing their national princes once more after -so many years, assembled in the open country near Stuttgard, and -received them with immense acclamation. The landgrave, not allowing -himself to be retarded by the warm reception of the people whom he had -restored to independence, followed up his plan, and on the 18th of June -reached the Austrian frontier. Everybody thought that he would march on -Vienna, and overthrow that insolent dynasty which desired to be the -master of the world. - -[Sidenote: ALARM AT THE VATICAN.] - -Great was the consternation in all the catholic world, but particularly -in the Vatican. On the 10th of June, 1534, Clement, who was sick, went -sorrowful, downcast, and tottering, to the college of cardinals, and -laid before them the pitiful letters he had received from King -Ferdinand.[604] The cardinals, as they read them, were struck with -terror. Would Vienna, that had resisted the Turks, fall under the -assault of the protestants? Would a victorious army, crossing the Alps, -come and perpetrate a second sack of Rome which, as the work of -heretics, might not be more compassionate than that of the catholic -Charles V.? The cardinals saw no other remedy than that to which Rome -had recourse when her ducats and arquebuses were gone. 'A general -council,' they exclaimed, 'is the only remedy that can save us from -heresy and all the calamities by which christendom is distressed.' - -While there was mourning at Rome, there were great rejoicings at the -Louvre. It was a long time since the emperor had received such a check. -About the end of June a courier from Germany brought Francis the -despatches announcing the arrival of Philip of Hesse on the Austrian -frontier. He could not repress the outburst of his joy. He spoke to -himself, to his councillors, to his courtiers.... 'My friends,' he -exclaimed, 'my friends have conquered Wurtemberg.' Then, as if the -landgrave and his victorious army were before him, he exclaimed in a -tone of command: 'Forward! forward!' His dream was about to be realised; -the war would become general; he already saw the landgrave at Vienna; -and, what was better still, he saw himself at Genoa, Urbino, Montferrat, -and Milan. All his life through he forgot France for Italy, which he -never possessed. But he was mistaken as to the landgrave's intentions. -Much as Francis desired to see the war become general, Philip of Hesse -laboured to keep it local. Satisfied with having restored Wurtemberg to -its princes, he meant to respect the empire. The kings of France and -England were seriously vexed: 'The Duke of Wurtemberg, restored by my -help and yours,' said Henry VIII. to Francis I., 'is only seeking how to -make peace with the emperor.'[605] It would appear by the evidence -derived from the _State Papers_, that the gold of England as well as of -France had contributed to despoil Austria of Wurtemberg. Henry, more -perhaps than Francis I., had hoped that the blow struck upon the banks -of the Neckar would be, to emperor as well as to pope, the commencement -of sorrows; but they were both mistaken. The temptation, no doubt, was -great for a prince of thirty, full of decision and energy, who believed -that nothing would make the triumph of protestantism so secure as the -humiliation of Austria; but Philip's loyalty resisted the temptation. - -[Sidenote: WURTEMBERG RESTORED.] - -On the 27th of June the peace of Cadan put an end to all differences, -and restored Wurtemberg to its national princes, with a voice in the -council of the empire. If there had never been a war more energetically -conducted, there had never been a peace so promptly concluded. The -landgrave had displayed a spirit and talents which, men thought, might -in future prove troublesome to the puissant Charles.[606] - -The emperor having received his lesson, the pope's turn came next. As -the state of Wurtemberg had been wrested from the hands of Austria, the -Church was to be saved from the clutches of the papacy. At the diet of -Augsburg, in 1530, Duke Christopher had seen the landgrave, his relation -and friend, come forward as the most intrepid champion of the -Reformation. His generous heart had been won to a cause which included -such a noble defender, and his desire was to see it triumph in -Wurtemberg. On the other hand, King Ferdinand, when renouncing his -authority over the duchy, desired at least to maintain that of the pope; -and he therefore proposed to insert in the treaty of peace an article -forbidding any change in religious matters. But the dukes, the -landgrave, and the Elector of Saxony unanimously declared that the -Gospel ought to have free course in the duchy, and the electoral -chancellor wrote this word on the margin, by the side of the article -proposed by the King of the Romans: _Rejected_.[607] 'You are in no -respect bound as to the faith,' said the evangelical princes to Ulrich; -while the papal nuncio Vergerio entreated King Ferdinand not to give way -to the Lutherans. All the efforts of the Romish party were useless. The -important victory of the landgrave (and of Francis I.) was about to open -the gates of Wurtemberg to the Reformation, and consequently those of -other Roman-catholic countries. - -Ulrich and Christopher, being quite as desirous of bringing souls to the -knowledge of the Word of God as of replacing their subjects under the -sceptre of the ancient house of Emeric,[608] set to work immediately. -They invited to their states Ambrose Blaarer, the friend of Zwingle and -Bucer, and Ehrard Schnepf, the friend of Luther, converted by his means -at Heidelberg at the beginning of the Reformation.[609] Their labours -and those of other servants of God spread the evangelical light over the -country.[610] Nor was that all: if the defeat at Cappel had restored -many cities to the Romish creed,[611] the victory of Laufen allowed many -to come to the evangelical faith. Baden, Hanau, Augsburg, Pomerania, -Mecklenburg, and other places began, advanced, or completed their -reformation about this time. French money had never before returned such -good interest. - -[Sidenote: A KINGLY PROJECT.] - -France was now about to undertake a still greater task. We have seen -that there were at that time two systems of reform: Margaret's system -and Calvin's. It was in the order of things that the one which remained -nearest to catholicism should be tried first. If the most eminent -persons of the age, who sought in this middle course the last and -supreme resource of christendom, did not see their efforts crowned with -success, it would be necessary to undertake, or rather to continue -spiritedly, a more simple, more scriptural, more practical, and more -radical reform. When Margaret failed, there remained Calvin. The -realisation of this specious but illusory system, recommended in after -years to Louis XIV. by a great protestant philosopher of Germany, was -about to be tried by Francis I. The narrative of this experiment ought -to occupy a remarkable place in the religious history of the sixteenth -century. - -[Footnote 586: Rœhrich, _Reform in Elsass_, ii. p. 274.] - -[Footnote 587: 'Dominus excitet multos isti heroï similes.'—Bucer to -Chelius.] - -[Footnote 588: 'Adhuc vehementer laboratur.'—Du Bellay to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 589: 'Omnes enim bene sperare jubent.'—Du Bellay to Bucer.] - -[Footnote 590: 'Etiam rex ipse, cujus animus _erga meliores litteras_ -magis ac magis augetur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 591: 'Una tamen in re vehementer a Germanis abhorret.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 592: Béthune MSS. 8493. Ranke, iii. p. 456.] - -[Footnote 593: 'Restitutio ducis Wurtembergensis brevi magnos motus -pariet. Divinationes meas nosti.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 706.] - -[Footnote 594: 'Magna et periculosa res universo orbi terrarum ac -præcipue nobis.'—Ibid. p. 728.] - -[Footnote 595: 'Mit monstrosen Figuren.'—Seckendorf, p. 833.] - -[Footnote 596: 'Gallum iterum venturum in potestatem imperatoris -Caroli.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 597: 'Leo carebit auxilio et decipietur a lolio.'—Ibid. The -correct reading is evidently _lilium_ (lily) and not _lolium_ (tares). -The preposition _a_ indicates that the word is taken in a symbolical -sense.] - -[Footnote 598: 'Dolore et indignatione accensus replicui.'—Sanchez' -report to Ferdinand: Bucholz. Ranke.] - -[Footnote 599: 'Cassellæ nescio quid memorant noctu, super aquis monstri -visum esse.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 729.] - -[Footnote 600: Ranke, _Deutsche Geschichte_, iii. p. 459.] - -[Footnote 601: 'Quid si Deus illa publica vitia tum punire, tum aliqua -ex parte tollere decrevit?'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 729.] - -[Footnote 602: 'Ut Christum invocare et præsentiam ejus experiri -discamus.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 730.] - -[Footnote 603: Sleidan, i. liv. ix p. 365. Ranke, iii. p. 461. Rommel, -ii. p. 319.] - -[Footnote 604: 'In senatum pontifex venit, lectæque ibi sunt litteræ -fratris Caroli.'—Pallavicini, _Conc. Trid._ i. p. 294.] - -[Footnote 605: 'The Duke of Wyttemberg lately restored by his and his -good brother's meanes.'—_State Papers_, vii. p. 568.] - -[Footnote 606: Sleidan, i. pp. 366-368. Ranke, iii. pp. 465-468.] - -[Footnote 607: 'Soll aussen bleiben.'—Sattler, iii. p. 129. Sleidan, -iii. p. 369. Ranke, iii. p. 481.] - -[Footnote 608: The house of Wurtemberg boasts its descent from Emeric, -mayor of the palace under Clovis.] - -[Footnote 609: _Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century_, vol. i. bk. -iii. ch. ii.] - -[Footnote 610: 'Snepfius Stuttgardiæ pastor ecclesias in illo ducatu -reformavit.'—Melch. Adami _Vitæ Germanorum Theologorum_, p. 322.] - -[Footnote 611: _Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century_, vol. iv. -bk. xvi. ch. x.] - - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - CONFERENCE AT THE LOUVRE FOR THE UNION OF TRUTH AND - CATHOLICITY IN THE CHURCH. - (1534.) - - -The Wurtemberg affair being ended, Du Bellay thought of nothing but his -great plan; that is, a Reformation according to the ideas of the Queen -of Navarre—the combination of catholicism and truth by the union of -France and Germany. They were not the only persons who entertained such -thoughts: Roussel, Bucer, and many other evangelical christians asked -themselves whether the great success obtained in Germany would not -decide the reformation of France. Intercourse was much increased between -the two countries. Frenchmen and Germans were continually crossing and -recrossing the Rhine. - -[Sidenote: A WITTEMBERG STUDENT.] - -In the month of July 1534, the Queen of Navarre was in one of the -chambers of her palace: before her stood a bashful timid young man, and -she had a letter in her hand which she appeared to be reading with the -liveliest interest. The young man was a native of Nîmes, Claude Baduel -by name. He had just come from Wittemberg, where he had found, at the -feet of Melanchthon and Luther, the knowledge of the Saviour. He was not -an ordinary student. Of reserved manners,[612] generous heart, rare -disinterestedness, and great firmness in the faith, he had at the same -time a highly cultivated mind. He spoke Latin not only with purity, but -with great elegance, and his discourses were as full of matter as of -harmony.[613] - -Like many other young scholars, Baduel was very poor, not having the -means of studying and scarcely of living. Often during his residence at -Wittemberg, he found himself in his little room reduced to the last -extremity. He had uttered many a groan, and had prayed to that heavenly -Father who feedeth the birds of the air. As the moment of his departure -approached, his distress had increased. How could he perform the -journey? What would become of him in France? He had asked himself with -sorrow whether he ought not to abandon letters and devote himself to -some manual labour. On a sudden, he conceived the idea of applying to -the Queen of Navarre; and going to Melanchthon, he said to him: 'Ill -fortune compels me to forsake the liberal arts for vulgar occupations, -which my nature and my will abhor with equal energy.[614] In vain have I -zealously devoted myself to the study of Holy Scripture and of -eloquence; in vain have I ardently desired to make further progress; a -cruel enemy—poverty—lays its barbarous hands upon me, and compels me to -renounce a vocation which transported me with joy.[615] Yet I -am determined to make a last and supreme attempt. The Queen of Navarre -is a sort of providence, almost a divinity for the friends of letters -and of the arts.[616]... Pray, dear master, give me a letter to her.' - -Melanchthon, grieved at the destitute condition of a young man whose -fine understanding he appreciated, did not hesitate to accede to his -request. In those days there was less etiquette and formality and more -familiarity between princes and the friends of letters than there has -been since. On the 13th of June, 1534, a month after the battle of -Laufen, the master of Germany wrote to the sister of Francis, to -introduce the scholar to her. It was this letter which Baduel had -delivered to the queen, and which she, delighted at entering into direct -communication with Melanchthon, was reading with the greatest interest. - -'It is certainly a great boldness,' wrote the illustrious reformer, 'for -a man like me, of low condition and unknown to your highness,[617] to -dare recommend a friend to you; but the reputation of your eminent -piety, spread through all the world,[618] does not permit me to refuse -an upright and learned man the service he begs of me. The liberal arts -can never be supported except by the generosity of princes.' Melanchthon -ended by saying: 'Never will alms more royal or more useful have been -bestowed. The Church, scattered over the world, has long counted your -highness among the number of those queens whom the prophet Isaiah calls -the _nursing mothers_ of the people of God, and will take care to hand -down the remembrance of your kindnesses to the most distant -generations.'[619] But the student, that living message of the -reformers, interested Margaret no less than the letter itself. Baduel -had seen and heard them, in their homes, in the street, and in the -pulpit. 'Talk to me,' she said with that amiable grace which -distinguished her, 'talk to me about Melanchthon and Luther; tell me how -they teach and how they live, what are their relations with their -pupils, and what they think of France.' Margaret desired to know -everything. She questioned him on several points, a knowledge of which -might be useful for the projects she had conceived in conjunction with -Du Bellay. - -[Sidenote: MARGARET'S PATRONAGE.] - -The queen did not forget the young man himself: observing the beauty of -his mind, the liveliness of his faith, and the elevation of his soul, -she thought that to protect Baduel was to prepare a chosen instrument to -propagate evangelical principles in France. Thanks to her care, the -young man, recommended by Melanchthon, became erelong a professor at -Paris. Subsequently, when a college of arts was founded at Nîmes, the -youthful doctor resolved to sacrifice the advantageous post he held in -the capital to devote his services to the city of his birth. The queen -recommended him to the consuls of that city for rector of their new -institution. 'I provided for his studies,' she told them. But -persecution did not allow Baduel to serve France unto the end; he was -obliged to take refuge at Geneva, where he became professor in the -academy founded by Calvin.[620] - -[Sidenote: THE MISSION OF CHELIUS] - -The communications of the young man of Nîmes strengthened Margaret, the -king, and Du Bellay in their plans, and Francis resolved to send across -the Rhine a confidential person, empowered to ask the doctors of the -Reformation for a sketch of the means best suited to found an -evangelical catholicism in Europe. It was not Baduel whom Du Bellay -selected for this mission: he was too young. The diplomatist cast his -eyes on Ulric Chelius, a doctor of medicine and native of Augsburg, at -that time living at Strasburg, a great friend of Sturm and Bucer, and -more than once employed by the King of France in various negotiations. -Intelligent, active, and animated like Bucer with the double desire of -reforming and at the same time of uniting christendom, Chelius was well -suited for such a work. Although a German, and consequently knowing -Germany thoroughly, he had all the promptitude of a Frenchman; and the -circumstance that he was not of exalted rank rendered him fitter still -for entering into negotiations that were to be carried on secretly. He -left Strasburg and arrived at Wittemberg in July 1534. - -Melanchthon was at that time greatly agitated. The divisions which -separated catholicism from reform, and the quarrels between the -Zwinglians and the Lutherans, filled him with anguish. He often stole -away from that crowd of every age, condition, and country which -continually filled his house, eager to see him.[621] His wife's anxious -heart was wrung when she saw her husband's sadness, and even the -children could scarcely cheer him by their innocent smiles. The future -alarmed him.... 'What sad times are hanging over us,' he exclaimed, -'unless there be somebody to remedy the existing disorders!... We are -moving to our destruction.... They will have recourse to arms ... and -State and Church will perish!'[622] - -As soon as Chelius reached Wittemberg, he called upon Melanchthon. 'King -Francis,' he said, 'desires truth and unity. In almost every particular he -is in accord with you, and approves of your book of _Common-places_.[623] -I am authorised to ask you for a plan to put an end to the religious -dissensions which disturb christendom; and I can assure you that the -King of France is doing, and will do, all he can with the pope to -procure harmony and peace.'[624] Nothing was better adapted to captivate -Melanchthon. At this period the _moderates_ had not yet renounced the -idea of preserving external unity; they desired to maintain catholicity: -even Melanchthon saw no other safety for divided and agitated -christendom. Accordingly, never had message arrived at a more suitable -time. Chelius was to him like an angel come from heaven; a beam of joy -lighted up the great doctor's clouded brow. He went to see Luther, and -conversed with him and other friends about the proposals of the King of -France. 'If a few good and learned men,' said he, 'brought together by -certain sovereigns, were to confer freely and amicably together, it -would be easy, believe me, to come to an understanding with each -other.[625] Ignorant men know nothing about the matter, and make the -evil greater than it is.'[626] - -[Sidenote: DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THE UNION.] - -Melanchthon thought that he could unite catholics and protestants. We -must not be surprised at it, for in our days very estimable, though not -very clear-sighted men, entertain the same idea. Truth was dear to the -doctor of Germany, but concord, unity, and catholicity were not less so. -The Church, according to Melanchthon and his friends, ought to be -universal; for redemption is appointed for all men, and all have need of -it. The Church ought therefore to strive to unite all the children of -Adam in communion with God, on the foundation of Christ, the only -Redeemer. It possesses a power which can embrace all humankind and keep -all differences in subjection. Such were the thoughts by which -Melanchthon was inspired: if there were any sacrifices to be made to -preserve the catholicity of the Church, he would gladly make them; he -would recognise the bishops, and even the head of the bishops, rather -than destroy unity. 'There is no question of abolishing the government -of the Church,' he said; 'the chief men among us ardently desire that -the received forms should be preserved as much as possible.'[627] -Luther's friend took the matter so much to heart that he began to -address Du Bellay personally: 'I entreat you,' he said, 'to prevail upon -the great monarchs to establish a concord which shall be consistent with -piety.[628] The dangers which threaten us are such that so great a man -as you ought not to be wanting in the cause of the State and of the -Church.... But what am I doing?... What need to urge you to walk who are -running already?'[629] _Catholicity and truth_: such was the device -graven on the arms borne by the champions who, under the auspices of the -King of France, were to appear between the two camps of Rome and the -Reformation. - -Melanchthon busied himself with sketching the plan of the new Church, -which, with God's help and the support of the _great monarchs_ -(Francis I., Henry VIII., and probably Charles V.), was to become the -Church of modern times. It might be eventually one of the most important -labours ever undertaken by man. Not only the politicians, but all pious, -loving, and perhaps feeble hearts, who feared controversy more than -anything, ardently hoped for the success of this heroic attempt. The -_chief men_, said Melanchthon, shared his opinion and encouraged his -projects. Yet there were simple, earnest, christian men, with minds -determined to set truth above everything, who saw with uneasiness these -theologico-diplomatic negotiations. Neither Farel, nor Calvin, nor -probably Luther, was among those who rallied round the standard raised -by Du Bellay and grasped by Melanchthon. - -That pious man, however, was far from wishing to sacrifice the truth. 'I -am quite of your opinion,' said he to Bucer, 'that there can be no -agreement between us and the Bishop of Rome.[630] But, to satisfy the -worthy men who are endeavouring to bring this great matter to a happy -issue, I shall lay down what ought to be the essential points of -agreement.' Melanchthon then believed, and many evangelical christians -in France, and particularly in Germany, believed also, that if a reform, -though incomplete, were once established, the power of truth would soon -bring about a complete reform. He therefore finished his sketch and gave -it to Chelius. - -[Sidenote: NOTES OF THE THREE DOCTORS.] - -The latter, imagining that he held the salvation of the Church in his -hands, hastened to Strasburg to communicate Melanchthon's project to his -friends. On arriving at Bucer's house (17th of August), he found him -writing his answer to the _Catholic Axiom_ of the Bishop of Avranches, a -great enemy of protestantism. Bucer put aside his own papers and took -those of the Wittemberg doctor, which he was impatient to see. He read -them eagerly over and over again. 'Really there is nothing here to -offend anybody,' he said, 'if people have the least idea of what the -reign of Christ means. But, my dear Chelius,' he added, 'a union is -possible only among those who truly believe in Christ. That there should -be a superior authority, well and good! but it must be a holy authority -in order that every man may obey it with a good conscience.[631] If we -are to unite, all additions must be cut away, and we must return simply -to the doctrine of Scripture and of the Fathers.' - -Chelius desired Bucer to give him his opinion in writing. The reformer -hastily drew up a memoir, which, being approved by his colleagues, he -handed to his friend on the 27th of August.[632] Francis's agent had -fixed that day for his departure; but at the last moment he changed his -mind, and remained twenty-four hours longer in Strasburg. There was -another doctor in that city, a meek, pious, and firm man, an old friend -of Zwingle's:[633] it was Hedio, and Chelius asked him for his opinion -also. Then, taking with him the memoirs of the three doctors, he started -without delay for Paris, convinced that catholicity and truth were about -to be saved. - -On reaching the capital Chelius gave the papers to William du Bellay, -who immediately laid them before the king. The latter ordered that the -Bishop of Paris and certain of the nobles, men of letters, and -ecclesiastics, who desired to see a united but reformed Church, should -have these documents communicated to them. The arrival of this ultimatum -of the Reformation was an event of great importance; and accordingly the -memoirs of the three doctors were anxiously perused at the Louvre, in -the bishop's palace, and in other houses of the capital. Perhaps history -has made a mistake in taking so little note of this. Three of the -reformers, with England, Francis I., and some of the most eminent men of -the epoch, demanded one only catholic but reformed Church. A great -evangelical unity seemed on the point of being realised. Shall we not -set forth in some detail a proposal of such high interest? There are -individuals, we are aware, who are always looking for facts and -sensations, never troubling themselves about principles and doctrines; -but the wise, on the contrary, know that the world is moved by ideas, -and, whatever may be the objections of curious minds, history must -perform her task, and give to opinions the place that belongs to them. - -At this time several meetings of an extraordinary kind were held at the -Louvre, and upon them, as some thought, the future of christendom -depended. The opinions of Melanchthon, Bucer, and Hedio, demanded by the -king, brought by Chelius, and laid before the monarch by Du Bellay, were -in his majesty's closet. The walls of the Louvre, which had witnessed -such levity of morals, and which hereafter were to witness so many -crimes, heard those holy truths explained in which everlasting life is -to be found. Around the table on which these documents lay, there were -politicians no doubt who in this investigation looked only to temporal -advantages, and Francis was at their head; but there were also serious -men who desired for the new Church both unity and reform. We will let -the reformers speak. They were not present in person, it will be -understood, before the King of France; it is their written advice which -he had asked for, and which was probably read by one of the Du Bellays. -But, for brevity's sake, we shall designate these memoirs by the names -of their authors, since it is the authors themselves who speak, and not -the historian. - -[Sidenote: THE PROPOSALS EXAMINED.] - -Francis I., eager both to emancipate France from its subordination to -the papacy, and to form in Europe a great united party capable of -vanquishing and thwarting Austria, listened with goodwill to Melanchthon -and his friends; yet he found the language of the reformers a little -more severe and _heretical_ than he had imagined. Some of the persons -around him were pleased; some were astonished, and others were -scandalised, and not without reason. To place the moderate Melanchthon -by the side of the pacific Bishop of Paris, well and good! but to hope -to unite the unyielding Luther and the fiery Beda, the pious elector and -the worldly Francis ... what a strange undertaking! Let us listen, -however; for these personages have taken their seats, and the inquiry is -about to begin.[634] - - -BUCER. - -'There can be no concord in the Church except between those who are -really of the Church.[635] There is nothing in common between Christ and -Belial. We cannot unite God and the world.... Now, what are the majority -of bishops and priests?... I grieve to say.' - -This introduction appeared to the king rather high-flown; but he said to -himself that Bucer doubtless wished to make protestation of his loyalty -at the very outset. Perhaps his colleagues will be more conciliating. - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'The catholic doctrine, say some, has a few trifling blemishes here and -there; while we and our friends have been making a great noise without -any cause.... That is a mistake. Let not the pontiff and the great -monarchs of christendom shut their eyes to the diseases of the -Church.[636] They ought, on the contrary, to acknowledge that these -pretended trifling blemishes destroy the essential doctrines of the -faith, and lead men into idolatry and manifest sin.' - - -BUCER. - -'If you wish to establish christian concord, apply to those who truly -believe in Christ.[637] Those who do not listen to the Word cannot -explain the Word.... What errors have been introduced by wicked priests! -Shall we apply to other priests to correct them, who perhaps surpass the -former in wickedness?' - -Really the pacific Bucer and Melanchthon speak as boldly as Luther and -Farel. The king and his councillors were beginning to be alarmed, but -more conciliatory words revived their hopes. - - -BUCER. - -'All that can be conceded, while maintaining the faith and the love of -God, we will concede. Every salutary custom, observed by the ancients, -we will restore. We have no desire to upset everything that is standing, -and we know very well that the Church here below cannot be without -blemish.'[638] - -[Sidenote: CHURCH GOVERNMENT.] - -The satisfaction of the king and his councillors increased when they -came to Church government. There must be order in the Church, said the -protestants. There must be a ministry of the Word; an inspection of the -pastors and of the flocks, in order to secure discipline and peace. The -service, the time appointed for worshipping in common, the place where -the Church should assemble, the holy offices, the temporal aid necessary -for the support of the ministry, the care of the poor: all these things -require an attentive and faithful administration. These principles were -set forth by the reformers, the Strasburg doctor insisting most on this -point. - - -BUCER. - -'The kingdom of Christ ought not to be without a government. In no place -ought order to be stricter, obedience more complete, and power more -respected.' - -Francis I. and his councillors heard these declarations with pleasure. -They had been told that the _pretended_ Church of the protestants was -composed of atoms that had no cohesion with each other. Others affirmed -that the only superior power recognised in it was that of certain -theocratic prophets, like Thomas Munzer and others. Francis, therefore, -was satisfied to learn that while they acknowledged a universal -priesthood, by virtue of which every believer approached God in prayer, -protestantism maintained a special evangelical ministry. But what was -this ministry, this government? This the king and his advisers desired -to know. Here, in our opinion, the mediating divines went wrong: the -king's wishes were to be almost satisfied. - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'As a bishop presides over several Churches, no one can think it wrong -for a pontiff to preside at Rome over several bishops. The Church must -have leaders to examine those who are called to the ministry, to judge -in ecclesiastical causes, and watch over the teaching of the -ministers.... If there were no such bishops, they ought to be -created.[639] One sole pontiff may even serve to maintain harmony of -faith between the different nations of christendom.' - -Francis was delighted; but the more decided evangelicals looked upon -this idea of an _evangelical_ pope as a dream to be consigned to the -Utopia described by Sir Thomas More. An accessory declaration of another -kind was to please the king even more. - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'As for the Roman pontiff's claim to transfer kingdoms from one prince -to another, that concerns neither the Gospel nor the Church; and it is -the business of kings to combat that unjust pretension.' - -Now that these concessions were granted, the reformers were about to -make the loud voice of the Reformation heard. - - -BUCER. - -'The first of doctrines is the justification of sinners.' - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'Remission of sins ought to be accompanied by a change of life; but this -remission is not given us because of this new life; it comes to us only -through mercy, and is given to us solely because of Christ.' - - -BUCER. - -'Thus, then, we have done with the merits ascribed to the observances -and prayers of the monks and priests: we have done with all vain -confidence in our own works. Let the grace of God be obscured no longer, -and the righteousness of Christ be no more diminished! It is on account -of the blood of his only Son that God forgives us our sins.' - -[Sidenote: JUSTIFICATION AND THE MASS.] - -Francis and his advisers thought that _orthodox_ enough. Even the -schoolmen (they said) have used this language in some of their books. -They raised no opposition to the opinion of the reformers upon -justification by faith.[640] But one point made them uneasy.... What -will they say of the mass? This important subject was not forgotten. - - -BUCER. - -'What! to be present every day at mass without repentance, without -piety, even without thinking of the mysteries connected with it, will -suffice to obtain all kinds of grace from God!... No! when we celebrate -the sacrament of our Lord's body and blood, there must be a living -communion between Christ and the living members of Christ.'[641] - -[Sidenote: PROTEST AGAINST ABUSES.] - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'The mass is the only knot we cannot untie;[642] for it contains such -horrible abuses ... invented for the profit of the monks. All impious -rites must be interdicted, and others established in conformity with the -truth.' - -'The mass must be preserved,' said Francis; 'but the stupid, absurd, and -foolish legends abolished.'[643] - -The Frenchmen were anxious to learn the doctrine of the reformers on the -sacraments: it was, in fact, the embarrassing point, in consequence of -the different opinions of different doctors. The enemies of the -Reformation spread the rumour through France that the sacraments were to -protestants mere ceremonies only, by which christians show that they -belong to the Church. 'No,' said the doctors, 'these outward forms are -means by which grace works inwardly in our souls. Only this working does -not proceed from the disposition of the priest administering the -sacrament, but from the faith of him who receives it.' And here came the -great question: 'Is Christ present or not in the communion?' Bucer and -his friends cleverly extricated themselves from this difficulty. - - -BUCER. - -'The body of Christ is received in the hands of the communicants, and -eaten with their mouths, say some. The body of Christ is discerned by -the soul of the believer and eaten by faith, say others. There is a way -of putting an end to this dispute by simply acknowledging that, whatever -be the manner of eating, there is a real _presence of Christ_ in the -Lord's Supper.'[644] - -By degrees the reformers became more animated. - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'We must teach the people that the saints are not more merciful than -Jesus Christ, and that we must not transfer to them the confidence due -to Christ alone. - -'The monasteries must be converted into schools. - -'Celibacy must be abolished, for most of the priests live in open -uncleanness.'[645] - - -BUCER. - -'The Church must have a constitution in which everything will be decided -by Scripture; and a conference of learned and pious men is wanted to -draw it up.' - - -HEDIO. - -'That assembly must not be composed of divines only, but of laymen also; -and, above all things, no forward step should be taken so long as the -pope and the bishops persist in their errors, and even defend them by -force.'[646] - -When the reformers drew up these articles, they had gradually begun to -feel some hope. It is possible, perhaps probable, that unity will be -restored.... Moved at the thought, they lifted their eyes towards the -mighty arm from which they expected help. - - -MELANCHTHON. - -'O that the Lord Jesus Christ would look down from heaven and restore -the Church for which he suffered to a pious and perpetual union, which -may cause his glory to shine afar!'[647] - -Francis and his councillors were satisfied upon the whole;[648] but the -doctors of Rome looked with an uneasy eye upon these (to them) -detestable negotiations. There was agitation at the Sorbonne and even at -the Louvre. All the leaders of the Roman party who had a voice at court -made respectful representations. Cardinal de Tournon added -remonstrances. Du Bellay held firm; but it was not so with Francis. He -hesitated and staggered. An event occurred to give him a fresh impulse, -and to legitimatise in his eyes the reforms demanded by his minister. - -[Footnote 612: 'Mores modestissimi.'—Melanchthon to the Queen of -Navarre, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 733.] - -[Footnote 613: 'Non solum mundities et elegantia singularis, sed etiam -quædam non insuavis copia.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 614: 'Ad quasdam alias operas, a quibus et natura et voluntate -abhorret.'—Ibid. p. 735.] - -[Footnote 615: 'Paupertas, quasi manus injecit.'—Ibid. p. 752.] - -[Footnote 616: 'Velut in quodam numine.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 752.] - -[Footnote 617: 'Homo infimæ sortis et ignotus Celsitudini tuæ.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 618: 'Fama tuæ eximiæ pietatis quæ totum terrarum orbem -pervagata est.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 619: 'Et recensebit ad posteros universa ecclesia.'—_Corp. -Ref._ ii. p. 733.] - -[Footnote 620: He died there in 1561. See Senebier, _Hist. Litt. de -Genève_. Ch. le Fort, _Livre du Recteur_, p. 371. Haag, _France -Protestante_, which contains a list of Baduel's numerous writings.] - -[Footnote 621: 'Videres in ædibus illis perpetuo accedentes et -discedentes atque exeuntes aliquos.'—Camerarius, _Vita Melanchthonis_, -p. 40.] - -[Footnote 622: 'Quanta dissipatio reipublicæ et ecclesiæ.'—_Corp. Ref._ -ii. p. 740.] - -[Footnote 623: 'In plerisque dicebat regem esse non alienum a libro -Philippi quo _locos_ ille tractat _communes_.'—Gerdesius, _Hist. Evang. -renov._ iv. p. 114.] - -[Footnote 624: 'Regem Gallorum apud pontificem de pace et mitigatione -tantarum rerum acturum esse.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 976.] - -[Footnote 625: 'Si monarchæ aliqui efficerent ut aliqui boni et docti -viri amanter et libere inter se colloquerentur.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. -740.] - -[Footnote 626: 'Et interdum præter rem tumultuantur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 627: 'Usitatam ecclesiæ formam conservare, quantum possibile -est.—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 628: 'Ut Celsitudo tua, propter Christi gloriam, hortetur -summos monarchas.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 740.] - -[Footnote 629: 'Sed nihil opus est, _te currentem_, ut dici solet, -adhortari.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 630: 'Assentior tibi, mi Bucere, desperandam esse concordiam -cum pontifice romano.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 275.] - -[Footnote 631: 'Dass die obere Gewalt eine heilige sey.'—Schmidt, -_Zeitschrift für Hist. Theol._] - -[Footnote 632: 'Consentientibus symmistis meis.'—Consilium Buceri, -Strasburg MSS.] - -[Footnote 633: _Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century_, vol. ii. -bk. viii. ch. viii.] - -[Footnote 634: Melanchthon's memoir will be found in the _Corpus -Reformatorum_, published by Dr. Bretschneider, ii. pp. 743-766. I am -indebted to Professor Schmidt for a copy of Bucer's memoir, which is in -the Strasburg library. The volume containing Hedio's memoir has -disappeared from the archives; we have, however, found a few extracts.] - -[Footnote 635: 'Concordia esse non potest nisi inter eos qui sunt de -ecclesia.'—Consilium Buceri MS.] - -[Footnote 636: 'Pontifex et summi reges agnoscant ecclesiæ morbos.'— -_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 743.] - -[Footnote 637: 'Nisi inter eos qui Christo vere credunt.'—Consilium -Buceri.] - -[Footnote 638: 'Nec etiam ut nulla omnino labes tolleretur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 639: 'Creari tales oporteret.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 746.] - -[Footnote 640: 'Locum de justificatione, ut a nostris tractatur, -_probare regem_.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 1017.] - -[Footnote 641: 'Viva vivorum membrorum Christi communione.'—Buceri -Consilium MS.] - -[Footnote 642: 'Hic unus nodus de missa videtur inexplicabilis esse.'— -_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 781.] - -[Footnote 643: 'Orationes et legendas multas ineptas et impias -abrogandas aut saltem emendandas.'—Ibid. p. 1015.] - -[Footnote 644: 'Veram Christi in cœna præsentiam exprimi.'—Buceri Cons.] - -[Footnote 645: 'Plurimi in manifesta turpitudine vivunt.'—_Corp. Ref._ -ii. p. 764.] - -[Footnote 646: Schmidt, _Zeitschrift für Hist. Theolog._ 1850, p. 35.] - -[Footnote 647: 'Ut Christus ecclesiam suam ... redigat in concordiam -piam et perpetuam.'—_Corp. Ref._] - -[Footnote 648: 'Hos articulos Francisco regi non displicuisse multa sunt -quæ suadent.'—Gerdesius, _Hist. Evang. renov._ iv. p. 124.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - THE APPARITION AT ORLEANS. - (SUMMER 1534.) - - -[Sidenote: THE PROVOST'S WIFE.] - -Calvin, as it will be remembered, had studied and evangelised at -Orleans, and his teaching had left deep traces, particularly among the -students and with certain ladies of quality. The wife of the city -provost seems to have been one of the souls converted by the ministry of -the young reformer. The narrative he has devoted to her, the full -details into which he enters, show the interest he took in her -conversion.[649] This woman, who occupied a distinguished rank in the -city, had found peace for her soul in faith in Christ; she had believed -in the promises of the Word which Calvin had explained; she had felt -keenly the nothingness of Roman pomps and superstitions; the grace of -God was sufficient for her; and caring little for _outward adorning_, -she strove after that _which is not corruptible_, the ornament of the -_women who trusted in God_. 'She is a Lutheran,' said some; 'she belongs -to those who have listened to the teaching of Luther's disciples.' Her -husband the provost, a person of influence, a great landowner, an -esteemed magistrate, a man of upright, prompt, and energetic character, -was touched by the purity of his wife's conduct, and, without being -converted to the Gospel, had become disgusted with the Roman -superstitions, and despised the monks. - -The provostess (to adopt the language of the manuscripts) fell ill, sent -for a lawyer, and dictated her will to him. Lying on a bed of sickness, -which she was never to leave again, full of a living faith in Christ, -she felt certain of going to her Saviour, and experienced an -insurmountable repugnance to the performance over her grave of any of -the superstitious ceremonies for which devout women have ordinarily such -a strong liking. Accordingly, while the notary, pen in hand, was waiting -the dictation of her last will, she said: 'I forbid all bell-ringing and -chanting at my funeral, and no monks or priests shall be present with -their tapers. I desire to be buried without pomp and without torches.' -The lawyer was rather surprised, but he wrote down the words; and her -husband, who remained near her and knew her faith, promised that her -wishes should be kept sacred. When she died, the mortal remains of this -pious woman were laid in the tomb of her father and grandfather, with no -other accompaniment than the tears of all who had known her, and the -prayers of the children of God who formed the little evangelical flock -of Orleans. - -[Sidenote: THE PROVOST AND THE MONKS.] - -When the ceremony was over, the provost proceeded to the convent of the -Franciscans, in whose cemetery the burial had taken place. He was a -liberal man, and, though despising the monks, did not wish to do them -wrong, even in appearance. The friars, already much irritated, did not -understand what the magistrate wanted with them, and received him very -coldly. 'As you were not called upon to do duty,' he told them, 'here -are six gold crowns by way of compensation.' The monks, who had reckoned -on the death of this lady as a great windfall, were by no means -satisfied with the six gold pieces; and, even while taking them, looked -sulkily at the widower, and swore to be revenged. - -Not long after this, the provost having determined upon cutting down a -wood he possessed near Orleans, was giving directions to his workmen, -when two monks, following the narrow lanes running through the forest, -arrived at the spot where the owner and the woodmen were at work, boldly -addressed the former, and demanded in the name of the convent permission -to send their waggon once a day during the felling to lay up their -store. 'What!' answered the provost, whom the avarice of the monks had -always disgusted, 'a waggon a day! Send thirty, my reverend fathers, but -(of course) with ready money. All that I want, I assure you, is good -speed and good money.'[650] - -The two cordeliers returned abashed and vexed, and carried the answer to -their superiors. This was too much: two affronts one after the other! -The monks consulted together; they desired to be revenged by any means; -such _heresies_, if they were tolerated, would be the ruin of the -convents. They deliberated on the best manner of giving a striking -lesson to the provost and to all who might be tempted to follow the -example of his wife. 'These gentlemen, to be revenged, proceeded to -devise a fraud,' says Calvin. Two monks particularly distinguished -themselves among the speakers: brother Coliman, provincial and exorcist -of great reputation among the grey friars, and brother Stephen of Arras, -'esteemed a great preacher.' These two doctors, wishing to teach the -city that monks are not to be offended with impunity, invented a -'tragedy,' which, they thought, would everywhere excite a horror of -Lutheranism. - -Brother Stephen undertook to begin the drama: he shut himself up in his -cell and composed, in a style of the most vulgar eloquence, a sermon -which he fancied would terrify everybody. The news of a homily from the -great preacher circulated through the city, and when the day arrived, he -went up into the pulpit and delivered before a large congregation (for -the church was crammed) a 'very touching' discourse, in which he -pathetically described the sufferings of the souls in purgatory.... 'You -know it,' he exclaimed, 'you know it. The unhappy spirits, tormented by -the fire, escape; they return after death, sometimes with great tumult, -and pray that some consolation may be given them. Luther, indeed, -asserts that there is no purgatory.... What horror! what abominable -impiety!' 'The friar forgot nothing,' says Beza, 'to convince his -audience that spirits return from purgatory.' The congregation dispersed -in great excitement; and after that the least noise at night frightened -the devout. The way being thus prepared, the impudent monks arranged -among themselves the horrible drama which was to avenge them on the -provost and his wife. - -[Sidenote: THE APPARITION IN THE CONVENT.] - -On the following night the monks rose at the usual hour and entered the -church, carrying their antiphonaires or anthem-books in their hands. -They began to chant; their hoarse voices were intoning matins ... when -suddenly a frightful tumult was heard, coming from heaven as it seemed, -or at least from the ceiling of the church. On hearing this 'great -uproar,' the chanting ceased, the monks appeared horrified, and Coliman, -the bravest, moved forward, armed with all the weapons of an exorcist, -and _conjured_ the evil spirit; but the spirit said not a word. 'What -wantest thou?' asked Coliman. There was no answer. 'If thou art dumb,' -resumed the exorcist, 'show it us by some sign.' Upon this the spirit -made another uproar. The hearers, not in the secret, were -terror-stricken. 'All is going on well,' said Coliman, Stephen, and -their accomplices; 'now let us circulate the news through Orleans.' The -next day the friars visited some of the most considerable personages of -the city who were among the number of their devotees. 'A misfortune has -happened to us,' they said, without mentioning what it was; 'will you -come to our help and be present at our matins?' - -These worthy citizens, anxious to know what was the matter, did not go -to bed, and went to the convent at midnight. The monks had already -assembled in the church to chant their collects, anthems, and litanies; -they provided good places for the devout laymen, and with trembling -voices began to intone: - - _Domine! labia_... - -The words had hardly been uttered, when a frightful noise interrupted -the chanting. 'The ghost! the ghost!' exclaimed the terrified monks. -Then Coliman, who had 'the usual equipment when he wished to speak to -the devil,' came forward, and, playing his part admirably, said, 'Who -art thou?'—Silence.—'What dost thou want?'—Silence.—'Art thou -dumb?'—Silence.—'If thou art not permitted to speak,' said Coliman, -'answer my questions by signs.... For _Yes_, give two knocks; and three -for _No_. Now, tell me ... art thou not the ghost of a person buried -here?' The ghost began to knock _Yes_. Then resumed Coliman: 'Art thou -the ghost of such a one, or such a one?' naming in succession many of -those who were buried in the church; but to each question the ghost -answered _No_. After a long circuit, the exorcist came at last to the -point he desired: 'Art thou the ghost of the provostess?' The spirit -replied with a loud _Yes_. The mystery seemed about to be cleared up: a -new act of the comedy began. 'Spirit, for what sin hast thou been -condemned?' asked the exorcist: 'Is it for pride?'—_No!_ 'Is it for -unchastity?'—_No!_ Coliman, after running through all the sins -enumerated in Scripture, bethought himself at last, and said: 'Art thou -condemned for having been a Lutheran?' Two knocks answered _Yes_, and -all the monks crossed themselves in alarm. 'Now tell us,' continued the -exorcist, 'why thou makest such an uproar in the middle of the night? Is -it for thy body to be exhumed?'—_Yes!_ There could no longer be any -doubt about it: the provostess was suffering for her Lutheranism. The -report had been prepared beforehand, but a few witnesses refused to sign -it, suspecting some trick. The provincial concealed his vexation, and -wishing to excite their imaginations still more strongly, he exclaimed: -'The place is profaned; let us leave it ... as the papal canons -command.' Forthwith one of the monks caught up the pyx containing the -_corpus Domini_; another seized the chalice; others took the relics of -the saints and 'the rest of their tools;'[651] and all fled into the -chapter-room, where divine service was thenceforward celebrated. - -[Sidenote: INQUEST ON THE SPIRIT.] - -The news of this affair soon reached the ears of the bishop's official, -and there was much talk about it at the palace. The Franciscans were -pretty well known there. 'There is some monkish trick at the bottom,' -said the official, an estimable and upright clergyman. He could not -conceal his disgust at this cheat of the friars. He thought that these -impetuous cordeliers would compromise, and perhaps ruin the cause of -religion, instead of advancing it, by their pretended miracles. It was -to be one of the peculiarities of protestantism to unveil the cunning, -avarice, and hypocrisy of the priests, the workers of miracles. -Extraordinary acts of the divine power were manifested at the time of -the creation of the Church, as at the time when the heavens and the -earth were first made by the Word of God. Is not all creation a miracle? -But the Reformation turned away with disgust from the tricks and cheats -of the Roman mountebanks, who presumed to ape the power of God. There -were even in the Catholic Church men of good sense who shared this -opinion. Of this number was the official of Orleans, the man who filled -the place which some had destined for Calvin. - -He took with him a few honest people, and went to the grey friars' -church to inquire more particularly into the fact. He called the monks -together: brother Coliman gravely told the whole story, and the -official, after hearing their tales, said: 'Well, my brethren, I now -order these conjurations to be performed in my presence.—You, -gentlemen,' he said to some of his party, 'will mount to the roof and -see if any ghost appears.'—'Do nothing of the kind,' exclaimed friar -Stephen of Arras, in great alarm; 'you will disturb the spirit!' The -official insisted that the conjuration should be performed; but it was -not possible; the exorcist and the ghost both remained dumb. The -episcopal judge withdrew, confirmed in his views. 'Here's a ghost that -appears only to the monks,' he said to his companions; 'it is frightened -at the official.' This affair, which made some tremble and others smile, -soon became known throughout the city; the news reached the dark and -winding streets where the students lived: one told it to another, and -all hurried off to the university. Everything was in commotion there: -some were for the monks, the majority against them. 'Let us go and see,' -exclaimed this young France. Off they started, and arriving in a large -body, says Calvin, soon filled the church. They raised their heads, they -fixed their eyes on the roof that had become so celebrated; but they -waited in vain, it uttered no sound. 'Pshaw!' said they, 'it is a plot -the friars have wickedly contrived to be revenged of the provost and his -wife. We will find out all about it.' These curious and rather -frolicsome youths rushed to the roof in search of the ghost; they looked -for it in every corner, they called it, but the phantom was determined -to be neither seen nor heard, and the students returned to the -university, joking as they went. - -[Sidenote: THE PROVOST APPEALS TO THE KING.] - -There was one person, however, in Orleans who did not joke: it was the -provost. Irritated at the insult offered to his wife, he had recourse to -the law: a written summons was left at the convent, but the monks -refused to put in an answer, pleading the immunities they enjoyed in -their ecclesiastical quality. The provost, true to his character, was -not willing to lose this opportunity of giving the friars a severe -lesson. 'What!' he exclaimed, 'shall these wretches make her, who rests -at peace in the grave, the talk of the whole city? If she had been -accused in her lifetime, I would have defended her, much more will I do -so after her death!' He determined to lay the matter before the king, -and set out for Paris. - -The story of the ghost who appeared with a great noise in a convent at -Orleans, had already reached the capital, and been repeated at court. -The monks, in general, were not in high favour there. The courtiers -called to mind the words of the king's mother, who thanked God for -having taught her son and herself to know 'those hypocrites, white, -grey, black, and of all colours.' Du Bellay especially and his friends -gladly welcomed a story which set in bold relief the vices of the old -system and the necessity of a reform. As soon as the provost reached the -capital, he had an audience of the king. Francis, who was not famed for -his conjugal affections, could not understand the emotion of the -widower; but despising the monks at least as much as his mother and -sister did, and delighted to put in practice the new reforming ideas -which were growing in his mind, he resolved to seize the opportunity of -humbling the insolence of the convents. He granted all the provost -asked; he nominated councillors of parliament to investigate the matter; -and as the cordeliers pleaded their immunities, Duprat, in his quality -of legate, gave, by papal authority, power to the commissioners to -proceed. - -The day when the royal agents arrived at Orleans was a day of sorrow to -one part of the inhabitants of that city, but of joy to the greater -number. People looked with astonishment on these gentlemen from Paris, -who would be stronger than the monks, and would punish them for their -long tyranny. A crowd followed them to the convent, and when they had -entered, waited until they came out again. Oh! how every one of them -would have liked to see what was going on within those gloomy walls! The -officers of the parliament spoke to the monks with authority, exhibited -their powers, and arrested the principal culprits, to the great -consternation of all the other monks. Some wretched carts stood at the -gate of the monastery; the archers brought out the insolent friars; and -the crowd, to its unutterable amazement, saw them mount like vulgar -criminals into these poor vehicles, which the maréchaussée was preparing -to escort. What inexpressible disgrace for the disciples of St. Francis! - -[Sidenote: THE MONKS TAKEN TO PARIS.] - -The news of the arrest had spread to all the sacristies, parsonages, and -convents of the city, and a cry of persecution arose everywhere. At the -moment of departure, a bigoted and excited crowd collected round the -carts in which sat the reverend fathers, quite out of countenance at -their misfortune. These people, some of whom no doubt were fanatics, but -amongst whom were many who felt a sincere affection for the monks, wept -bitterly; they uttered loud lamentations, and put money into the friars' -hands, 'as much to make good cheer with,' says Calvin, 'as to help in -their defence.'[652] But in the midst of this dejected crowd might be -observed some citizens and jeering students, who exclaimed: 'Fine -champions, indeed, to oppose the Gospel!' Certain sayings of Luther had -crossed the Rhine, and were circulating among the youths of the schools: -'Who made the monks?' asked one. 'The devil,' answered another. 'God -having created the priests, the devil (as is always the case) wished to -imitate him, but in his bungling he made the crown of the head too -large, and instead of a priest he turned out a monk.'[653] Such was the -exodus of the reverend fathers: they arrived in Paris, and there they -were separated and confined in different places, in order that they -might not confer with one another. - -The deception was manifest, but it was impossible to obtain a -confession. The monks had sworn to keep profound silence, in order to -preserve the honour of their order and of religion, and also to save -themselves. They called to mind what had happened in the Dominican -convent at Berne in 1500: how a soul had appeared there in order to be -delivered from purgatory; how the five wounds of St. Francis had been -marked on a poor novice; and how, at the request of the papal legate, -four of the guilty monks had been burnt alive.[654] Might not the same -punishment be inflicted on a monk of Orleans? They trembled at the very -thought. In vain, therefore, did the councillors of parliament begin -their inquiry; in vain did they go from one house to another, and enter -the rooms where these reverend fathers were confined: the monks were -sullen, unfathomable, and more silent than the ghost itself. - -The judges determined to try what they could with the novice who had -acted the part of the ghost; but if the monks were silent, sullen, and -immovable, the novice was agitated and frightened out of his senses. The -friars had uttered the most terrible threats; and hence, when he was -interrogated, 'he held firm,' says the Geneva manuscript, 'fearing, if -he spoke, that the cordeliers would kill him.' The judges then reminded -him of the power of the parliament and the protection of the king. 'You -shall never return into the hands of the monks,' they told him. At these -words the poor young fellow began to breathe; he recovered from his -great fright; his tongue was loosened, and he 'explained the whole -affair to the judges,' says Beza. 'I made a hole in the roof,' he said, -'to which I applied my ear, to hear what the provincial said to me from -below. Then I struck a plank which I held in my hand, and I hit it hard -enough for the noise to be heard by the reverend fathers underneath. -That was all the _fun_,' he added. - -[Sidenote: THEIR CONDEMNATION.] - -The friars were then confronted with the novice, who stoutly maintained -the cheat got up by them. They were both indignant and alarmed at seeing -this pitiful varlet turning against their reverences; but as it was now -impossible to deny the fact, they began to protest against their judges, -and to plead their privileges once more. They were condemned; the -indignation was general, the king especially being greatly irritated. -All his life long he looked upon the monks, black or white, as his -personal enemies. Besides, the hatred he felt against that lazy and -ignorant herd was, he thought, one of his attributes as the Father of -Letters. His anger broke out in the midst of his court: 'I will pull -down their convent!' he exclaimed, 'and build in its place a palace for -the duke!' (that is, for the Duke of Orleans, Catherine's husband). All -the councillors of parliament, both lay and clerical, were assembled. -The haughty Coliman, the eloquent brother Stephen, and their accomplices -were forced to stand at the bar, and sentence was solemnly delivered. -They were to be taken to the Chatelet prison at Orleans; there they -would be stripped of their frocks, be led into the cathedral, and then, -set on a platform with tapers in their hands, they were to confess -'that, with certain fraud and deliberate malice, they had plotted such -wickedness.' Thence they were to be taken to their convent, and -afterwards to the place of public execution, where they would again -confess their crime. - -This promised the idlers of Orleans a still more extraordinary spectacle -than that given them when the friars got into their carts. Every day -they expected to see the sentence carried out; but the government feared -to appear too favourable to the Lutherans. The matter was protracted; -some of the monks died in prison; the others were suffered to escape; -and thus ended an affair which characterises the epoch, and shows the -weapons that a good many priests used against the Reformation. If the -sentence was never executed, the moral influence of the story was -immense, and we shall presently see some of its effects. - -[Footnote 649: Calvin's manuscript narrative, recently discovered in the -Geneva library by Dr. J. Bonnet, has been printed in the _Bulletin de -l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français_, iii. p. 33.] - -[Footnote 650: This affair is mentioned by Sleidan and Theodore Beza, -both of whom appear to have seen Calvin's narrative.] - -[Footnote 651: Calvin, _Hist. de l'Esprit des Cordeliers d'Orléans_. -Geneva MS. (_Bulletin de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français_, iii.) -Beza, _Hist. Eccles._ p. 11. Sleidan, i. p. 361.] - -[Footnote 652: Calvin's MS. _Bulletin de l'Hist. du Prot. Fran._ iii. -p. 36.] - -[Footnote 653: Lutheri _Opp._ xxii. p. 1463.] - -[Footnote 654: _History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century_, -vol. ii. bk. viii. ch. ii.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - FRANCIS PROPOSES A REFORMATION TO THE SORBONNE. - (AUTUMN 1534.) - - -[Sidenote: FRANCIS CONFESSES HIS ERRORS.] - -The disgust inspired by the imposture of the cordeliers of Orleans, and -the jests lavished upon the monks in the Louvre and throughout Paris, -were further encouragements to the king to prosecute his alliances with -protestantism. He had, however, little need of a fresh incentive; the -reform proposed by Melanchthon was in his view acceptable and -advantageous, because it diminished the power of the pope, and corrected -abuses incompatible with the new light, at the same time that it left -untouched that catholicism from which the king had no desire to secede. -In his private conversations with Du Bellay, Francis, laying aside all -reserve, acknowledged frankly that the Romish Church was upon the wrong -track, and said in a confidential tone, that 'Luther was not so far -wrong as people said.' He did not fear to add that it was himself rather -who had been mistaken. The King of France, and the country along with -him, thus appeared to be in a good way for reform. - -Francis determined to acquaint the protestant princes with his -sentiments on Melanchthon's memoir. 'My envoy, on his return to Paris,' -he wrote, 'having laid before me the opinions of your doctors on the -course to be pursued, I entertain a hope of seeing the affairs of -religion enter upon a fair way at last.'[655] Du Bellay, well satisfied -on his part with the impression made on his master by the opinions of -the evangelical divines, informed the magistrates of Augsburg, Ulm, -Nuremberg, Meiningen, and other imperial cities, that the King of France -approved of the Lutheran doctrines, and would protect the protestants. -The Melanchthonian reformation was therefore in progress, and already -men were preparing the stones for the edifice of the reformed Catholic -Church. The French government did not confine itself to writing letters; -but, strange to say! the sovereign, the absolute monarch, did not fear -to make an acknowledgment of his errors, and to express his regret: he -sent a thorough palinode into Germany. He who was putting the Lutherans -to death was not far from declaring himself a Lutheran. In October and -November 1534, an agent from Francis I. visited the cities of the -Germanic empire, announcing everywhere that 'the king now saw his -mistake in religious matters,'[656] and that the Germans who followed -Luther _thought correctly as regards the faith that is in Christ_.[657] -The worthy burgomasters and councillors of Germany were amazed at such -language, and looked at one another with an incredulous air; but the -French envoy assured them repeatedly that the King of France desired a -reform even in his own country.... 'The emperor,' he added, 'wishes to -constrain the protestants by force of arms to keep to the old doctrine; -but the King of France will not permit it. He has sent me into Germany -to form an alliance with you to that intent.' Such was the strange news -circulated beyond the Rhine. It reached the ears of the Archbishop of -Lunden, who immediately forwarded it to Charles V. - -When Francis I. annulled the pragmatic sanction at the beginning of his -reign, he had reserved the right of appointing bishops, and had thus -made the Church subordinate to the State. The time seemed to have -arrived for taking a second step. It was necessary to put an end to the -popish superstitions and abuses, condemned by the friends of letters, -whose patron he claimed to be, and thus satisfy the protestants; and, by -a wise reform, maintain in Europe the catholicity of the Church, which -the popes were about to destroy by their incredible obstinacy. The king -would thus appear to be a better guardian of European catholicism than -even the pope, and secure for himself that European preponderance which -Charles V. had hitherto possessed. - -[Sidenote: FRENCH VERSION OF THE ARTICLES.] - -He must set his hand to the work and begin with the clergy. The king, -seeing that it would be unwise to communicate to them unreservedly the -opinions of the reformers, as they had been read at the Louvre, resolved -to have a new edition of them prepared, which should contain the -essential ideas. It would appear that he confided this task to a -numerous commission.[658] William du Bellay and his brother the Bishop -of Paris were doubtless the two chief members. The commissioners set to -work, correcting, suppressing, adding, hitting certain popular -superstitions a little harder even than the reformers, and at length -they prepared a memoir which may be considered as a statement of what -the French government meant by the proposed reformation.[659] The -changes made by the French excited much discontent among the German -protestants, and Melanchthon himself complained of them bitterly.[660] - -The king, who carried into every pursuit the courage and fire of which -he had given so many proofs on the field of battle, appeared at first to -attack the papacy with the same resolution that he would have employed -in attacking one of Charles's armies. It must be clearly remembered -that, in his idea, the reform which he was preparing carried with it the -cessation of schism, and that his plan would restore the catholicity -torn to pieces by Roman insolence and imprudence. This remark, if duly -weighed, justifies the king's boldness. He sent the project to Rome, we -are assured, asking the pope to support or to amend it.[661] We may -imagine the alarm of the Vatican on reading this heretical memoir. Then -Du Bellay, taking the Sorbonne in hand, had a conference with the -deputies of that illustrious body, whose whole influence was ever -employed in maintaining the factitious unity that characterises the -papacy. 'Gentlemen,' he said to them, 'by the king's commands I have -endeavoured to prevail upon the German churches to moderate the -doctrines on which they separated from the Roman Church, wishing thus to -lead them back to union. By order, therefore, of my master, I hand you -the present articles, to receive instruction from you as to what I shall -have to say to the German doctors.'[662] The deputies having received -the paper from Du Bellay, forwarded it to the sacred faculty. The latter -delegated to examine it 'eminent men, doctors of experience in such -matters,'[663] who immediately set to work. - -[Sidenote: TERROR OF THE SORBONNE.] - -The secretary of the Sorbonne began to read the articles: the doctors -listened and soon began to look at each other and ask if they had heard -correctly. The venerable committee was agitated like the surface of the -sea by a sudden squall. They knew Francis; they knew he did not think -there existed in his kingdom any society daring enough to set limits to -his power. He expected that a word from his mouth would be considered as -a decree from God. The doctors came to the conclusion, therefore, that -if the king desired such a reform, nothing in the world could prevent -him from establishing it. They saw the Church laid waste, and Rome in -ruins.... It was the beginning of the end. Their terror and alarm -increased every minute. All the sacred faculty, all the Church must rise -and exclaim: 'Stop, Sire, or we perish!' - -The French autocrat, however, took his precautions, and even while -meditating how he could strip the pope of his power, he put on a -pleasant face, and ascribed to others the blows aimed by his orders -against Rome. 'They are _Melanchthonian_ articles,' said his -ministers.[664] True, but behind Melanchthon was Du Bellay, and behind -him was the king. The tactics employed at this moment by Francis I. are -of all times; and if the multitude is sometimes deceived, intelligent -minds have always recognised the thoughts of the supreme mover under the -pen of the humble secretary. The movement of Francis towards -independence is in no respect surprising: the outburst is quite French -if it is not christian. There has always existed in France a spirit of -liberty so far as concerns the Church; and the most pious kings, even -St. Louis, have defended the rights of their people against the holy -see. The Gallican liberties, although they are nothing more than a -dilapidated machine, are still a memorial of something; and what is -dilapidated to-day may be restored to-morrow. It was therefore a truly -French feeling,—it was that hidden chord which vibrates at the bottom of -every generous heart, from the Channel to the Mediterranean Sea, whose -harmonious sound was heard at this important period of the reign of -Francis I. - -The venerable company had some difficulty to recover from their alarm. -What! really, not in a dream, not figuratively, heresy is at the gates -of the Church of France, introduced by the king ... who courteously -offers her his hand!... The terrified Sorbonne raised a cry of horror, -and mustered all their forces to prevent the _heretic_ from entering. -They turned over the volumes of the doctors; they opposed the _Summa_ of -St. Thomas to the Epistles of St. Paul; they sought by every means in -their power to defend stoutly the scholastic doctrine in the presence of -Francis. A fireship had been launched by the guilty hand of the king: -did that prince imagine he would see the glorious vessel, which had so -long been mistress of the seas, in a hurry to lower her flag? The crew -were valiant, determined upon a deadly resistance, and ready to blow -themselves into the air with the ship, rather than capitulate. The -struggle between the king and the corporation was about to begin. Alas! -Beda was no longer there to support them, and recourse must be had to -others. 'Master Balue was elected to go to court, carrying the -registers, and Master Jacques Petit was given him as his -associate.'[665] The Sorbonne was poor in resources: the strong men were -in the camp of Luther, Calvin, and Melanchthon. - -[Sidenote: THE MINISTERS AND THE SORBONNE.] - -What was said at court between Master Balue, Master Petit, and the King -of France, has not been recorded; but we have the memoir sent by the -king to the Sorbonne, and the answer returned by that body to the king. -These documents may enlighten us as to what passed at the conference, -and we shall allow them to speak for themselves, arranging the former -under the name of the king's ministers. William du Bellay, his brother -the Bishop of Paris, and others probably were the persons empowered by -the king to confer with Master Balue and Master Jacques Petit. They were -champions of very different causes—the men who then met, probably at the -Louvre, in the presence of Francis I., and whom we are about to hear. - - -THE KING'S MINISTERS. - -'To establish a real concord in the Church of God, we must all of us -first look at Christ; we must subject ourselves to him, and seek his -glory, not our own.'[666] - - -SORBONNE. - -'We have heard his Majesty's good and holy words, for which we all thank -God, praying him to give the king grace to persevere.'[667] - -This was doubtless a mere compliment. - -[Sidenote: QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.] - - -MINISTERS. - -'Above all things, let us remember that the doctors of the Word of God -ought not to fight like gladiators, and defend all their opinions -_mordicus_ (tooth and nail);[668] but rather, imitating St. Augustin in -his _Retractations_, they should be willing to give way a little to one -another ... without prejudice to truth.' - - -SORBONNE. - -'Open your eyes, Sire; the Germans desire, in opposition to your -catholic intention, that we should give way to them by retrenching -certain ceremonies and ordinances which the Church has hitherto -observed. They wish to draw us to them, rather than be converted to -us.'[669] - - -MINISTERS. - -'You are mistaken: important concessions have been obtained. The Germans -are of opinion that bishops must hold the chief place among the -ministers of the Churches, and that a pontiff at Rome should hold the -first place among the bishops. But, on the other hand, the pontifical -power must have respect for consciences, consult their wants, and be -ready to concede to them some relaxation.'[670] - - -SORBONNE. - -'It must not be forgotten that the ecclesiastical hierarchy is of divine -institution, and will last until the end of time; that man can neither -establish nor destroy it, and that every christian must submit to -it.'[671] - - -MINISTERS. - -'Having established the catholicity of the Church, let us consider what -reforms must be effected in order to preserve it. First, there are -indifferent matters, such as food, festivals, ecclesiastical vestments, -and other ceremonials, on which we shall easily come to an -understanding. Let us beware of constraining men to fast by commandments -which nobody observes ... and _least of all those who make them_.'[672] - - -SORBONNE. - -'None resist them but men corrupted by depraved passions.'[673] - -[Sidenote: SAINTS AND MASS-MONGERS.] - - -MINISTERS. - -'Certain doctors of the Church, making use of a holy prosopopœia, have -introduced into their discourses the saints whom they were eulogising, -and have prayed for their intercession as if they were present before -them;[674] but they only desired by this means to excite admiration for -these godly persons, rather than to obtain anything by their -intercession.... Let the people, then, be exhorted not to transfer to -the saints the confidence which is due to Jesus Christ alone. It is -Christ's will to be invoked and to answer prayer.'[675] - -Here the French mind indulged in a sly hit which would not have occurred -to the German mind; and the king's councillors, determining to strike -hard, continued: - -'What abuses and disorders have sprung out of this worship of man! -Observe the words, the songs, the actions of the people on the saints' -days, near their graves or near their images! Mark the eagerness with -which the idle crowd hurries off to banquets, games, dances, and -quarrels. Watch the practices of all those paltry, ignorant, greedy -priests, who think of nothing but putting money in their purses; and -then ... tell us whether we do not in all these things resemble pagans, -and revive their shameful superstitions?'[676] - -Not a word of this popular description of saints' days will be found in -Melanchthon's memoir: it is entirely the work of Francis and his -councillors. - - -SORBONNE. - -'Let us beware how we forsake ancient customs. Let us address our -prayers directly to the saints who are our patrons and intercessors -under Jesus Christ. To assert that they have not the prerogative of -healing diseases, is in opposition to your Majesty's personal experience -and the gift you have received from God of curing the king's evil.... -Let us also pay our devotions to statues and images, since the seventh -general council commands them to be adored.'[677] - -When the Sorbonne, in order to defend the prerogatives of the saints, -cited the miraculous powers of the king, they employed an argument to -which it was dangerous to reply; and, accordingly, we find nothing on -this point in the answers of the opponents of the faculty. The -discussion, getting off this shoal, turned to the act which is the -essence of the Romish doctrine, and priests were once more lashed by the -royal hand, which was even more skilful at this work than in curing the -evil. - - -MINISTERS. - -'There ought to be in the Church a living communion of the members of -Christ.[678] But, alas! what do we find there? A crowd of ignorant and -filthy priests, the plague of society, a burden to the earth, a slothful -race who can do nothing but say mass, and who, while saying it, do not -even utter those five intelligible words, preferable, as St. Paul -thinks, to ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.... We must get rid -of these mercenaries, these mass-mongers, who have brought that holy -ceremony into contempt, and we must supply their place with holy, -learned, and experienced men.[679] Then perhaps the Lord's Supper will -recover the esteem it has lost. Then, instead of an unmeaning babble, we -shall have psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs. Then we shall sing to -the Saviour, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the -Lord, to the glory of God the Father.... What false confidence, what -wretched delusion is that which leads so many souls to believe that by -attending mass every day, even when piety is neglected, they are -performing an act useful to themselves and their friends, both for this -life and for that which is to come!'[680] - -[Sidenote: THE LORD'S SUPPER.] - -The Sorbonne contended for the external mechanism of the sacramental -act, to which their opponents desired to impart a spiritual and living -character, and defended without shame or scruple the material advantages -the clergy derived from it. - - -SORBONNE. - -'The mass is a real sacrifice, of great benefit to the living and the -dead, and its excellence is founded on the passion of Jesus Christ. It -is right, therefore, to bestow temporal gifts on those who celebrate it, -be they good or bad; and the priests who receive them ought not to be -called mass-mongers, even though they are paid.'[681] - -The king's ministers now came to the much disputed doctrine of the -presence of Christ in the communion. - - -MINISTERS. - -'Let us put aside the disputes that have divided us so long.[682] Let us -all confess that in the eucharist the Lord truly gives believers his -body to eat and his blood to drink to feed our souls in life -everlasting; and that in this manner Christ remains in us and we in -Christ. Whether this sacrament be called the Lord's Supper, the Lord's -bread and wine, mass, eucharist, love-feast, or sacrifice, is of little -moment. Christians ought not to dispute about names, if they possess the -things; and, as the proverb says, "When we have the bear before us, let -us not look after his track."[683] Communion with Christ is obtained by -faith, and cannot be demonstrated by human arguments. When we treat of -theology, let us not fall into matæology.'[684] - -The Sorbonne could not overlook this side-blow aimed at the scholastic -style. - - -SORBONNE. - -'It is very useful, and often very necessary for the extirpation of -heresy, to employ words not to be found in Scripture, such as -_transubstantiation_, &c.[685] Yes, the bread and the wine are truly -changed in substance, preserving only the accidents, and becoming the -body and blood of Christ. It is not true that the _panitas_ or -_corporitas_ of the bread combines with the _corporitas_ of Christ. The -transubstantiation is effected _in instanti_ and not _successivè_; and -it is certain that neither laymen nor women can accomplish this -miraculous act, but priests only.' - -The controversy next turned on confession, justification, faith, works, -and free-will; after which they came to practical questions. - - -MINISTERS. - -'Good men do not ask that the monasteries should be destroyed, but be -turned into schools;[686] so that thus the liberality of our brethren -may serve to maintain, not idle people, but men who will instruct youth -in sound learning and morality.' - - -SORBONNE. - -'What! the pope should permit the friars to leave their monasteries -whenever they wish! This clearly shows us that the Germans are aiming at -the overthrow, the ruin of all religion.'[687] - - -MINISTERS. - -'And what prevents our restoring liberty of marriage to the ministers of -the Church? Did not Bishop Paphnucius acknowledge at the Nicene council -that those who forbid it encourage licentiousness? In that great crowd -of priests and monks it is impossible for purity of life to be restored -otherwise than by the divine institution which dates from Eden.'[688] - - -SORBONNE. - -'An article quite as dangerous as the secularisation of monks.' - -[Sidenote: AN ASSEMBLY OF LAITY AND CLERGY.] - - -MINISTERS. - -'In this age, when everything is in a ferment,[689] and when so many -sects are raising their heads in various places, the interest of the -christian Church requires that there should be an assembly composed not -only of priests and theologians, but also of laymen and upright, -sensible, courageous magistrates, who have at heart the glory of the -Lord, public morality, and general usefulness.... Ah! it would be easy -to agree if we thought of Christ's glory rather than of our own!'[690] - -The doctors of the Sorbonne had no great liking for deliberative -assemblies where they would sit with laymen and even with heretics. - - -SORBONNE. - -'Beware! ... it is to be feared that, under the pretext of uniting with -us, the heretics are conspiring to lead the people astray.... Have we -not seen such assemblies in Germany, called together on a pretence of -concord, produce nothing but divisions, discord, and infinite ruin of -souls?'[691] - -But the Sorbonne warned the king in vain. Francis at this time, through -policy no doubt, was opposed to the doctrines maintained by the priests. -He desired to be freed at home from that papal supremacy which presumed -to direct the policy and religion of his kingdom; and abroad he knew -that a league with England and Germany could alone destroy the -overwhelming preponderance of Charles V. And hence the meetings of the -Sorbonne grew more and more agitated; the doctors repeated to one -another all the alarming reports they had heard; there was sorrow and -anger; never, they thought, had Roman-catholicism in France been -threatened with such terrible danger. It was no longer a few obscure -sects; no longer a Brueys, a Henry of Lausanne, a Valdo, Albigenses, or -Waldenses, who attacked the Church: no! powerful states, Germany and -England, were separating from the papacy, and the absolute monarch of -France was endeavouring to introduce revolutionary principles into his -kingdom. The Church, as its Head had once been, was deserted by its -friends. The grandees who were subsequently to form a league around the -Guises, were silent now; the rough and powerful Montmorency himself -seemed dumb; and, accordingly, agitation and alarm prevailed in the -corporation. Certain ultramontane fanatics proposed petitioning the king -to put down heresy by force, and to uphold the Roman dogmas by fire and -sword. More moderate catholics, observing with sorrow the catholicity so -dear to them rent by schism, sought for more rational means of restoring -the unity destroyed by the Reformation. Everybody saw clearly that the -enemy was at the gate, and that no time must be lost in closing it. - -[Sidenote: DANGER OF CATHOLICISM.] - -Alas! they had to deal with others besides heretics. All reflecting -minds in Europe, and especially in France, were struck with the example -set by the King of England, and the members of the Roman party thought -that Francis was about to adopt the same course in his kingdom. There -was indeed a difference between the systems of these two princes. Henry -desired the doctrine of Rome, but not its bishop; Francis accepted the -bishop, but rejected the doctrine. Nevertheless, as each of these -reforms was a heavy blow aimed at the system of the middle ages, they -were looked upon as identical. The success which Henry's plan had met -with in England was an indication of what Francis's plan would meet with -in France. The two monarchs who reigned on each side of the Channel were -equally absolute. - -The Roman doctors, finding that their controversy had not succeeded, -resolved to go to work in a more cunning way, and, without seeming to -reject a union with Germany, to oppose the heretics by putting them out -of court. 'Sire,' they said to Francis, 'your very humble servants and -most obedient subjects of the Faculty of Theology pray you to ask the -Germans whether they confess that the Church militant, whose head (under -Jesus) is Peter and his successors, is infallible in faith and morals? -whether they agree to obey him as his subjects, and are willing to admit -all the books contained in the Bible,[692] as well as the decisions of -the councils, popes, and doctors?'[693] Obedience to the pope and to -tradition, without discussing doctrines, was their summary of the -controversy. It did not succeed. - -[Sidenote: SHOULD KINGS FEAR PROTESTANTISM?] - -The doctors of the faculty, finding that the king would not aid them, -applied to the papal nuncio. They found him also a prey to fear. They -began to consult together on the best means of keeping France in -communion with the holy see. As Francis was deaf to theological -arguments, the Sorbonne and the nuncio agreed that some other means must -be used. The prelate went to the Louvre, carrying with him a suggestion -which the Sorbonne had prompted. 'Sire,' he said, 'be not deceived. The -protestants will upset all civil as well as religious order.... The -throne is in as much danger as the altar.... The introduction of a new -religion must necessarily introduce a new government.'[694] - -That was indeed the best way of treating the affair; the nuncio had -found the joint in the armour, and the king was for a moment staggered; -but the pope's conduct restored his confidence. Rome began to proceed -against Henry VIII. as she had formerly done against kings in the middle -ages. This proceeding, so offensive to the royal dignity, drew Francis -towards the Reformation. If there is danger towards royal power, it -exists on both sides, he thought. He believed even that the danger was -greater on the side of Rome than of Germany, since the protestants of -that country showed their princes the most loyal submission, and the -most religious and profound respect. He had observed, that while the -pope desired to deprive the King of England of his states and release -his subjects from their obedience, the reformation which that prince had -carried out had not prejudiced one of his rights; that there was a talk, -indeed, of insurrections against Henry VIII., but they were got up by -Rome and her agents. Enlightened men suggested to Francis, that while -popery kept the people in slavery, and caused insurrection and rebellion -against the throne, the Reformation would secure order and obedience to -kings, and liberty to the people. He seems to have been convinced ... -for the moment at least. 'England and I,' he said, 'are accustomed to -keep together and to manage our affairs in harmony with each other, and -we shall continue to do so.'[695] - -This new movement on the part of Francis emboldened the evangelicals. -They hoped that he would go on to the end, and would not leave the pope -even the little place which he intended to reserve for him. If a prince -like Louis IX. maintained the rights of the Gallican Church in the -thirteenth century; if a king like Charles VII. restored ecclesiastical -liberty in the fifteenth; shall we not see in this universal revival of -the sixteenth century a monarch like Francis I. emancipating France from -the Roman yoke? At a great sacrifice he has just done much for -Wurtemberg, and will he do nothing for his own kingdom? The friends of -the Reformation encouraged one another to entertain the brightest hopes. -'What a noble position!' they said.[696] Whenever they met, whether in -the university, in the country, or in the town, they exchanged -congratulations.[697] In their opinion, old things had passed away. - -[Sidenote: UNEASINESS OF THE REFORMERS.] - -But there were other evangelicals—men more decided and more -scriptural—who looked with a distrustful eye upon these mysterious -conferences between Francis and the protestants of Germany. Those fine -speeches of Du Bellay, and that remarkable conference at Bar-le-Duc, -were in their eyes policy and diplomacy, but not religion. They felt -uneasy and alarmed; and when they met to pray in their obscure -conventicles, these humble christians said to one another with terror: -'Satan is casting his net to catch those who are not on the watch. Let -us examine the colours in which he is disguised.' Astonished and even -distressed, they asked if it was not strange to assert, as Melanchthon -had done, 'that no good man would protest against the monarchy of the -Roman bishop,[698] and that, in consideration of certain reforms, we -should hasten to recognise him!' No, the Roman episcopate will never be -reformed, they said. Remodel it as you like, it will always betray its -domineering spirit, revive its ancient tricks, and regain its -ascendency, even by fire. We must be on our guard.... Between Rome and -the Reformation it is a matter of mere yes or no: the pope or Jesus -Christ! Unable to conquer the new Church in fair fight, they hope to -strangle it in their embraces. Delilah will lull to sleep in her lap the -prophet whom the strong men have been unable to bind with green withes -and new ropes. Under the pretence of screening the Reform from evil -influences, they desire to set it, like a flower of the field, in some -place without light and air, where, fading and pining away ... it will -perish. Thanks to the protection of the Queen of Navarre, the gallant -and high-spirited charger that loved to sport in the meadows is about to -be taken to the king's stable, where it will be adorned with a -magnificent harness ... but its mouth will be deformed by the bit, its -flanks torn by the spur, and even the plaits of its mane will bear -witness to its degradation. - -This future was not reserved for the Reform. While the mild and prudent -voices of Melanchthon and Bucer were soothing it to sleep, innocently -enough no doubt, bolder and freer voices, those of a Farel and a Calvin, -were preparing to arouse it. While the papers of the conciliating -theologians were lying on the velvet cover of the royal table, another -paper, whose lines of fire seemed penned by the thunderbolt, was about -to circulate through the kingdom, and be posted even at the door of the -king's chamber by a too daring hand, which was to arouse in that prince -one of the most terrible bursts of passion ever recorded in history. A -loud peal of thunder would be heard, and the heavy atmosphere which -stifled men's minds would be followed by a pure and reviving air. There -would be furious tempests; but the christians of the scriptural, -practical, and radical Reformation rejoiced at witnessing the failure of -this specious but impossible project, which aimed at reforming the -Church even while preserving Roman-catholicism. The system of the Queen -of Navarre will have to be abandoned; that of Calvin will prevail. To -uphold truth, the evangelicals were about to sacrifice unity. No doubt -furious persecutions would be the consequence, but they said to each -other that it was better to live in the midst of hurricanes that awaken, -than in mephitic vapours which lull men into the sleep of death. - -We shall describe hereafter the event which had so notable an influence -on the destinies of the Reformation in France. They were Frenchmen who -caused it; it was a Frenchman who was the principal author; but it was -from Switzerland, as we shall see, that this formidable blow was to -come, and to that country we must now return. - -[Footnote 655: 'Dadurch Ich in gute Hoffnung kommen die Sachen sollten -auf gute Wege gerichtet werden.' This German translation of the king's -letter is given in the _Corp. Ref._ ii. pp. 828-835.] - -[Footnote 656: 'Rex suus cognoscit nunc errorem suum in religione.'— -Lanz, _Correspondance de l'Empereur Charles-Quint_, ii. p. 144.] - -[Footnote 657: 'Quod isti Germani Lutherum sequentes de Christo et de -fide illius recte sentiant.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 658: 'Fuerunt illi (Melanchthonis articuli) a _quamplurimis_ -in Gallia excerpti, sed non integri verum mutilati.'—Gerdesius, _Hist. -Evang. renov._ iv. p. 124.] - -[Footnote 659: This memoir is printed in the _Corpus Reformatorum_, -ii. pp. 765-775; and while Melanchthon's is entitled _Consilium Gallis -Scriptum_, this is headed _Idem Scriptum a Gallis editum_.] - -[Footnote 660: 'Qua de re Melanchthon ipse conqueritur.'—Gerdesius, -iv. p. 124.] - -[Footnote 661: 'Eosdem articulos Romam misisse dicitur, quo pontificis -ipsius quoque impetraret vel emendationem vel consensum.'—Gerdesius, -_Hist. Evang. renov._ iv. p. 124.] - -[Footnote 662: D'Argentré, _De novis Erroribus_, i. p. 3553. Gerdesius, -iv. App. xiii.] - -[Footnote 663: Letter from the Faculty of Theology to Francis I. -D'Argentré, i. p. 3953. Gerdesius, iv. App. xiii.] - -[Footnote 664: D'Argentré, i. p. 3953. Gerdesius, iv. App. xiii.] - -[Footnote 665: Gerdesius, i. App. xiii. p. 75.] - -[Footnote 666: 'Necessarium ut in Christum omnes spectemus.'—Scriptum a -Gallis editum, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 765.] - -[Footnote 667: _Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum ad Regem -Franciscum_, D'Argentré, i. p. 3953.—Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 75.] - -[Footnote 668: 'Nec geramus alterutri gladiatorios animos nostra -mordicus defendendi.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. -765.] - -[Footnote 669: _Facultatis Theol. Paris. Resp. ad Regem._ Gerdesius, iv. -App. p. 75.] - -[Footnote 670: 'Ut consulat conscientiis, aliquando concedere -relaxationem.'-Scriptum a Gallis editum, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 766.] - -[Footnote 671: 'Jure divino institutam, quæ usque ad consummationem -sæculi perduratura est.'—Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 78.] - -[Footnote 672: 'Quæ tamen nemo observat, atque hi minime omnium qui -præcipiunt.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 767.] - -[Footnote 673: D'Argentré, i. p. 397. Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 79.] - -[Footnote 674: 'Pia mortuorum facta prosopopœia ... quasi præsentes a -præsentibus orasse.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 768.] - -[Footnote 675: 'Qui et velit invocari et velit exaudire.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 676: 'Videbimus nos minime abesse a superstitione -Ethnicorum.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 768.] - -[Footnote 677: 'Statuas et imagines sanctorum quas adorandas sept. œcum. -synodus decernit.'—_Facultatis Theol. Paris. Resp._] - -[Footnote 678: 'Viva membrorum Christi communione.'—Scriptum a Gallis -ed. _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 769.] - -[Footnote 679: 'Semotis his missarum conducticiis nundinatoribus.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 680: 'Præpostera ejus operis fiducia quæ plerosque sic -seduxit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 681: 'Vocari non debent nundinatores.'—_Facult. Theol. Paris -Resp._] - -[Footnote 682: 'Sublatis quæ inter nos diu viguerunt altercationibus.'— -Script. a Gallis ed., _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 770.] - -[Footnote 683: 'Præsente urso, quod dicitur, vestigia non quæramus.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 684: 'Theologiam sic tractemus ut non incidamus in -matæologiam.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 685: 'Utile et necessarium certa verborum forma uti, in sacra -scriptura non expressa.'—_Facult. Theol. Paris. Resp._ p. 82.] - -[Footnote 686: 'Non petunt boni ut monasteria deleantur, sed ut sint -scholæ.'—Script. a Gallis ed., _Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 773.] - -[Footnote 687: _Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum._ Gerdesius, -_Hist. Evang. renov._ p. 76.] - -[Footnote 688: 'In tanta sacerdotum et monachorum turba restitui aliter -vitæ puritas non poterit.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, _Corpus -Reformatorum_, ii. p. 774.] - -[Footnote 689: 'Hoc fermentato sæculo.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 690: 'Perfacile autem coalescere possumus.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 691: _Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum._ Gerdesius, -_Hist. Evang. renov._ p. 77.] - -[Footnote 692: Including the apocryphal books.] - -[Footnote 693: _Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum._ Gerdesius, -_Hist. Evang. renov._ iv. App. p. 77.] - -[Footnote 694: Du Bellay, _Mémoires_, ed. Petitot, Introd. p. 123. -Schmidt, _Hist. Theol._ p. 36 (ed. 1850).] - -[Footnote 695: 'England und Ich pflegen zusammen zu halten und sämmtlich -unsere Sachen vornehmen.'—Rex Galliæ ad principes protest. _Corp. Ref._ -ii. p. 830.] - -[Footnote 696: 'Quam pulchre staremus.'—Sturm to Melanchthon, MS.] - -[Footnote 697: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 698: 'Neque bonus ullus erit, qui reclamet in pontificis -monarchiam.—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 762.] - - - - - BOOK III. - FALL OF A BISHOP-PRINCE, AND FIRST EVANGELICAL - BEGINNINGS IN GENEVA. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, THE MIDDLE AGES. - (1526.) - - -The Reformation was necessary to christian society. The Renaissance, -daughter alike of ancient and of modern Rome, was a movement of revival, -and yet it carried with it a principle of death, so that wherever it was -not transformed by heavenly forces, it fell away and became corrupted. -The influence of the humanists—of such men as Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, -and afterwards of Montaigne—was a balmy gale that shed its odours on the -upper classes, but exerted no power over the lower ranks of the people. -In the elegant compositions of the men of letters, there was nothing for -the conscience, that divinely appointed force of the human race. The -work of the Renaissance, had it stood alone, must of necessity, -therefore, have ended in failure and death. There are persons in these -days who think otherwise: they believe that a new state of society would -have arisen without the Reformation, and that political liberty would -have renewed the world better than the Gospel. This is assuredly a great -error. At that time liberty had scarcely any existence in Europe, and -even had it existed, and the dominion of conscience not reappeared along -with it, it is certain that, though powerful enough, perhaps, to destroy -the old elements of order prevailing in society, it would have been -unable to substitute any better elements in their place. If, even in the -nineteenth century, we tremble sometimes when we hear the distant -explosions of liberty, what must have been the feeling in the sixteenth? -The men who were about to appear on the theatre of the world were still -immersed in disorder and barbarism. Everything betokened great virtues -in the new generation, but also tumultuous passions; a divine heroism, -but also gigantic crimes; a mighty energy, but at its side a languishing -insensibility. A renewed society could not be constituted out of such -elements. It wanted the divine breath to inspire high thoughts, and the -hand of God to establish everywhere the providential order. - -At the end of the fifteenth and the beginning of the sixteenth century, -society was in a state of excitement. The world was in suspense, as when -the statuary is about to create a work that shall be the object of -universal admiration. The metal is melted, the mass flows from the -furnace like glowing brass; but the approaching lava alarms, and not -without reason, the anxious spectators. At this period we witness -struggles, insurrections, and reaction. The perfumed spirit of the -Renaissance was unable to check the evil and to establish order and -liberty. Society had appeared to grow young again under the breath of -antiquity; but wherever a knowledge of the Gospel was not combined with -the cultivation of letters, that purity, boldness, and elevation of -youth, which at first had charmed contemporaries, disappeared. The -melting was checked, the metal grew cold, and instead of the masterpiece -that had been expected, there appeared the repulsive forms of servility, -immorality, and superstition. - -[Sidenote: CRISIS AND MEANS OF SALVATION.] - -Was there any means of preventing so fatal a future? How, in the midst -of the old society, which was crumbling to pieces, could a new one be -formed, with any certain prospect of vitality? In religion only the -coming age was to find its living force. If the conscience of man was -awakened and sanctified by christianity, then and then only the world -would stand. - -Was it possible to look for this regenerating element in the society -which was expiring? That would be to search among the dead for the -principle of life. It was necessary to have recourse to the primitive -sources of faith. The Gospel, more human than literature, more divine -than philosophy, exerts an influence over man that these two things -cannot possess. It goes down into the depths—that is, into the -people—which the Renaissance had not done; it rises towards the high -places—that is, towards heaven—which philosophy cannot do. When the -Gospel lifted up its voice in the days of the Reformation, the people -listened. It spoke to them of God, sin, condemnation, pardon, -everlasting life—in a word, of Christ. The human soul discovered that -this was what it wanted; and was touched, captivated, and finally -renewed. The movement was all the more powerful because the doctrine -preached to the people had nothing to do with animosities, traditions, -interests of race, dynasties, or courts. True, it got mixed up with -these things afterwards; but in the beginning it was simply the voice of -God upon earth. It circulated a purifying fire through corrupted -society, and the new world was formed. - -The old society, whose place was about to be occupied, did all in its -power to resist the light. A terrible voice issued from the Vatican; a -hand of iron executed its behests in many a country, and strangled the -new life in its cradle. Spain, Italy, Austria, and France were the chief -theatres of the deplorable tragedies, whose heroes were Philip II. and -the Guises. But there were souls, we may even say nations, protected by -the hand of God, who have been ever since like trees whose leaves never -wither.[699] Intelligent men, struck by their greatness, have been -alarmed for the nations that are not watered by the same rivers. Against -such a danger there is, however, a sure remedy; it is that all people -should come and drink at those fountains of life which have given -protestant nations 'all the attributes of civilisation and power.'[700] -Or do they perchance imagine that by shutting their windows against the -sun, the light will spread more widely?... A new era is beginning, and -all lingering nations are now invited to the great renovation of which -the Gospel is the divine and mighty organ. - -[Sidenote: NEW SITUATION OF GENEVA.] - -In 1526 Geneva was in a position which permitted it to receive the new -seed of the new society. The alliance with the cantons, by drawing that -city nearer to Switzerland, facilitated the arrival of the intrepid -husbandmen who brought with them the seeds of life. At Wittemberg, at -Zurich, and even in the upper extremities of Lake Leman, in those -beautiful valleys of the Rhone and the Alps which Farel had evangelised, -the divine sun had poured down his first rays. When the Genevans made -their alliance with the Swiss, they had only thought of finding a -support to their national existence; but they had effected more: they -had opened the gates of day, and were about to receive a light which, -while securing their liberties, would guide their souls along the path -of eternal life. The city was thus to acquire an influence of which none -of its children had ever dreamt, and by the instrumentality of Calvin, -one of the noblest spirits that ever lived, 'she was about to become the -rival of Rome,' as an historian says (perhaps with a little -exaggeration), 'and wrest from her the dominion of half the christian -world.'[701] - -If the alliance with the cantons opened Geneva on the side of -Switzerland, it raised a wall of separation between that city and -Savoy—which was not less necessary for the part she was called upon to -play in the sixteenth century. The valley of the Leman was at that time -dotted with châteaux, whose ruins may still be seen here and there. As -invasion, pillage, and murder formed part of social life in the middle -ages, the nobles surrounded their houses with walls, and some even built -their dwelling-places on the mountains. From Geneva might be descried -the castle of Monnetier standing on immense perpendicular rocks on Mont -Salève.... - - J'aimais tes murs croulants, vieux moutier ruiné! - _Naître, souffrir, mourir!_ devise triste et forte . . . - Quel châtelain pensif te grava sur la porte?[702] - -Further on, and near Thonon, on an isolated hill, shaded by luxuriant -chestnut trees, stood the vast castle of Allinges, which is still a -noble ruin. The lords of these places, energetic, rude, freebooting, and -often cruel men, growing weary of their isolation and their idleness, -would collect their followers, lower their drawbridges, rush into the -high roads in search of adventures, and indulge in a life of raids and -plunder, violence and murder. - -The towns, with their traders and travellers, were especially the -abhorrence of these gentlemen robbers. From the tenth century the -Genevan travellers and foreign merchants, passing through Geneva with -their goods, often fell a prey to the plundering vagabondage of the -neighbouring lords. This was not without important consequences for -civilisation and liberty. Seeing the nobles perpetually in insurrection -against social order, the burghers learnt to revolt against despotism, -murder, and robbery. Geneva received one of these lessons, and profited -by it better than others.[703] - -[Sidenote: PONTVERRE AND THE SAVOYARD NOBLES.] - -In all the castles of Genevois, Chablais, and the Pays de Vaud, it was -said, in 1526, that the alliance of Geneva with the free Swiss cantons -menaced the rights of Savoy, the temporal (and even the spiritual) power -of the bishop, and Roman-catholicism. And hence the irritated nobles -ruminated in their strongholds upon the means of destroying the union, -or at least of neutralising its effects. François de Ternier, seigneur -of Pontverre, whose domains were situated between Mont Salève and the -Rhone, about a league from Geneva, thought of nothing else night or day. -A noble, upright, but violent man; a fanatical enemy of the burgher -class, of liberty, and of the Reformation; and a representative of the -middle ages, he swore to combat the Swiss alliance unto death, and he -kept his oath. Owing to the energy of his character and the nobility of -his house, François possessed great influence among his neighbours. One -day, after long meditation over his plans, he left his residence, -attended by a few horsemen, and visited the neighbouring castles. While -seated at table with the knights, he made his apprehensions known to -them, and conjured them to oppose the accursed alliance. He asked them -whether it was for nothing that the privilege of bearing arms had been -given to the nobles. 'Let us make haste,' he said, 'and crush a new and -daring power that threatens to destroy our castles and our churches.' He -sounded the alarm everywhere; he reminded the nobles that they had a -right to make war whenever they pleased;[704] and forthwith many lords -responded to his energetic appeals. They armed themselves, and, issuing -from their strongholds, covered the district around Geneva like a cloud -of locusts. Caring little for the political or religious ideas with -which Pontverre was animated, they sought amusement, plunder, and the -gratification of their hatred against the citizens. They were observed -at a distance, with their mounted followers, on the high roads, and they -were not idle. They allowed nobody to enter the city, and carried off -property, provisions, and cattle. The peasants and the Genevan -merchants, so disgracefully plundered, asked each other if the tottering -episcopal throne was to be upheld by _banditti_.... 'If you return,' -said these noble highwaymen, 'we will _hang you up by the neck_.' Nor -was that all: several nobles, whose castles were near the water, -resorted to piracy on the lake: they pillaged the country-houses near -the shore, imprisoned the men, insulted the women, and cut off all -communication with Switzerland. - -[Sidenote: NOBLES TURN HIGHWAYMEN.] - -One difficulty, however, occurred to these noble robbers: they chanced -to maltreat, without their knowing it, some of their own party, who were -coming from German Switzerland. Having been much reproached for this, -they took counsel on the road: 'What must we do,' they asked, 'to -distinguish the Genevans?' They hit upon a curious shibboleth. As soon -as they caught sight of any travellers in the distance, they spurred -their horses, galloped up, and put some ordinary question to the -strangers, 'examining in this way all who passed to and fro.' If the -travellers replied in French, the language of Geneva, the knightly -highwaymen declared they were _huguenots_, and immediately carried them -off, goods and all. If the victims complained, they were not listened -to; and even when they came from the banks of the Loire and the Seine, -they were taken and shut up in the nearest castle. Many messengers from -France to the Swiss cantons, who spoke like the Genevans, were arrested -in this way. - -France, Berne, and Geneva complained bitterly; but the lords (for the -most part Savoyards) took no notice of it. By chastising these burghers, -they believed they were gaining heaven. They laughed among themselves at -the universal complaints, and added sarcasm to cruelty. One day a -Genevan deputy having appeared before Pontverre, to protest against such -brigandage, the haughty noble replied coldly: 'Tell those who sent you, -that in a fortnight I will come and set fire to the four corners of your -city.' Another day, De la Fontaine, a retired syndic and mameluke, as he -was riding along the high road, met a huguenot, and said to him: 'Go and -tell your friends that we are coming to Geneva shortly, and will throw -all the citizens into the Rhone.' As the Genevan walked away, the -mameluke called him back: 'Wait a moment,' he said, and then continued -maliciously: 'No, I think it will be better to cut off their heads, in -order to multiply the relics.' This was an allusion to Berthelier's -head, which had been solemnly buried. In the noisy banquets which these -nobles gave each other in their châteaux, they related their feats of -arms: anecdotes akin to those just quoted followed each other amid roars -of laughter: the subject was inexhaustible. The politicians, although -more moderate in appearance, were not less decided. They meditated over -the matter in cold blood. 'I will enter Geneva sword in hand,' said the -Count of Genevois, the duke's brother, 'and will take away six score of -the most rebellious patriots.'[705] - -Thus the middle ages seemed to be rising in defence of their rights. The -temporal and spiritual authority of the bishop-prince was protected by -bands of highwaymen. But while these powers, which pretended to be -legitimate, employed robbery, violence, and murder, the friends of -liberty prepared to defend themselves lawfully and to fight honourably, -like regular troops. Besançon Hugues, reelected captain-general three -days after the alliance with the Swiss, gave the signal. Instantly the -citizens began to practise the use of arms in the city; and in the -country, where they were placed as outposts, they kept strict watch over -all the movements of the gentlemen robbers. Fearing that the latter, to -crown their brigandage, would march against Geneva, the syndics had iron -gratings put to all the windows in the city walls, built up three of the -gates, placed a guard at the others, and stretched chains across every -street. At the same time they brought into the harbour all the boats -that had escaped the piratical incursions of the nobles, placed a sentry -on the belfry of St. Pierre, and ordered that the city should be lighted -all the night long. This little people rose like one man, and all were -ready to give their lives to protect their goods and trade, their wives -and children, and to save their old liberties and their new -aspirations.[706] - -[Sidenote: GENEVAN DEPUTATION TO BERNE.] - -While thus resolute against their enemies in arms, the citizens showed -moderation towards their disarmed foes. Some of those who were most -exasperated, wishing to take their revenge, asked permission to -_forage_, that is, to seize the property of the disloyal and fugitive -mamelukes. 'It is perfectly fair,' they said, 'for their treason and -brigandage have reduced Geneva to extreme misery: we shall only get back -what they have taken from us.' But Hugues, the friend of order as well -as of liberty, made answer: 'Let us commence proceedings against the -accused; let us condemn them in penalties more or less severe; but let -us refrain from violence, even though we have the appearance of right in -our favour.'—'The ducal faction,' replied these hot-headed men, 'not -only plundered us, but conspired against the city, and took part in the -tortures and murders inflicted upon the citizens.' The syndics were not -convinced, and the property of the offenders was respected; but after a -rigorous investigation, they were deprived of the rights of -citizenship.[707] - -The Swiss cantons, discontented because the Genevans, who were in great -straits, had not repaid the expenses incurred on their behalf, asked -more for the mamelukes than the council granted: they demanded that they -should all be allowed to return to the city. But to receive those who -were making war against them, seemed impossible to the Genevans. They -sent two good huguenots to Berne, François Favre and Baudichon de la -Maison-Neuve, to make representations in this matter. The deputies were -admitted to the great council on the 5th of June, 1526. De Lullins, the -Savoyard governor, was also received on the same day, and in the duke's -name he made great complaints against Geneva. Favre, a quick, impatient, -passionate man, replied in _coarse terms_. The Bernese firmly adhered to -their resolution, and reprimanded the Genevan deputy, who candidly -acknowledged his fault: 'Yes,' he said, 'I am _too warm_; but I answered -rather as a private individual than as an ambassador.' On returning to -his inn, he thought that the payment of the sum claimed by the Bernese -would settle everything, and the same day he wrote to the council of -Geneva: 'Your humble servant begs to inform you that you must send the -money promised to my lords of Berne. Otherwise, let him fly from the -city who can! Do you think you can promise and not be bound to keep your -word? Find the money, or you are lost. I pray you warn my wife, that she -may come to Lausanne. I am serving at my own expense, and yet I must pay -for others also. Do not ruin a noble cause for such a trifle. If Berne -is satisfied, we shall be all right with the mamelukes.'[708] - -[Sidenote: CARTELIER'S CONDEMNATION.] - -Robber nobles were not the only supporters of the middle ages. That -epoch has had its great men, but at the time of its fall it had but -sorry representatives. The knights of the highway had their companions -in the intriguers of the city. Among the latter we may include -Cartelier, who had played his part in the plots got up to deliver Geneva -to Savoy.[709] This man, who hated independence and the Reformation even -more than Pontverre did, was, through the anger of the citizens and the -avarice of the bishop, to suffer for the crimes of which his party was -guilty. Being utterly devoid of shame, he went up and down the city as -if he had nothing to fear, and when he chanced to meet the indignant -glance of a huguenot, he braved the anger with which he was threatened -by assuming an air of contempt and defiance. Rich, clever, but of low -character, he had contrived to be made a citizen in order to indulge in -the most perfidious intrigues. One day he was apprehended, -notwithstanding his insolent airs, and put into prison. A thrill ran -through all the city, as if the hand of God had been seen striking that -great criminal. Amblarde, Berthelier's widow, and his two children; -John, Lévrier's brother; and a hundred citizens who had all just cause -of complaint against the wretch, appeared before the council, and called -for justice with cries and tears: 'He has spilt the blood of our -fathers, our brothers, and our husbands,' said the excited crowd. 'He -wished to destroy our independence and subject us to the duke.' -Convicted of conspiring against the State, the wretch was condemned to -death. The executioner, putting a rope round his neck, led him through -the city, followed by an immense crowd. The indignant people were -delighted when they saw the rich and powerful stranger reduced to such -humiliation. Proud and pitiless, he had plotted to ruin the city, and -now he was expiating his crimes. Things did not stop here: while -moderate men desired to remain in the paths of justice, the more -hot-headed of the party of independence _derided_ him, says a -chronicler, and some mischievous boys pelted him with mud. The unhappy -man, whose fall had been so great, thus arrived at the place of -execution, and the hangman prepared to perform his duty. - -Cartelier had but a few minutes more to live, when the bishop's steward -was seen hurrying forward with letters of grace, commuting the capital -punishment into a fine of six thousand golden crowns payable to the -prelate and to the city. To spare the life of the wretched man might -have been an act of mercy and equity, especially as his crimes were -political; but the angry youths who surrounded the criminal ascribed the -bishop's clemency to his covetousness and to the hatred he bore the -cause of independence. They desired the execution of the condemned man. -Twice the hangman removed the rope, and twice these exasperated young -men replaced it round Cartelier's neck. They yielded at last, however, -and were satisfied with having made the conspirator feel all the anguish -of death. Cartelier was set at liberty. When the bishop was informed of -what had happened, he became afraid, imagining his authority compromised -and his power endangered. 'It was for good reasons,' he wrote to the -syndics, 'that I pardoned Cartelier; however, write and tell me if the -people are inclined to revolt on account of this pardon.'[710] The -people did not revolt, and the rich culprit, having paid the fine, -retired quietly to Bourg in Bresse, whence he had come. - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP'S HESITATION.] - -The bishop, who had first sentenced, then pardoned, and then repented of -his pardon, was continually hesitating, and did not know what party to -side with. He was not devoted body and soul to the duke, like his -predecessor. Placed between the Savoyards and the huguenots, he was at -heart, equally afraid of both, and by turns flung himself into the arms -of opposite parties. He was like a stag between two packs of hounds, -always afraid and panting. 'I write _angrily_,' he says in his letters: -he was, indeed, always angry with one party or the other. Even the -canons, his natural friends, and the members of his council aroused his -fears, and not without cause; for these reverend persons had no -confidence either in the bishop's character or in the brigandage of the -gentry of the neighbourhood. Messieurs De Lutry, De Montrotier, De -Lucinge, De St. Martin, and other canons said that the temporal -authority of the prelate was too weak to maintain order; that the sword -of a secular prince was wanted, and at the bottom of their hearts they -called for the duke. 'Ah!' said La Baume to Hugues, 'the chapter is a -_poisoned_ body;' he called the canons thieves and robbers: _Ille fur et -latro est_, he said of one of them. The episcopal office appeared a -heavy burden to him; but it put him in a position to give good dinners -to his friends, and that was one of the most important duties of his -life. 'I have wine for the winter,' he wrote in a postscript to the -letter in which he made these complaints, 'and plenty to entertain you -with.'[711] Such were his episcopal consolations. - -[Footnote 699: Psalm i.] - -[Footnote 700: M. Michel Chevalier, on the Prosperity of Protestant -Nations.] - -[Footnote 701: Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève_, ii. p. -xxviii.] - -[Footnote 702: Galloix, _Salève_. The author remembers reading, since -the time of his boyhood, these three words on the ruins that have been -since restored, _Nasci, pati, mori_.] - -[Footnote 703: Spon, _Hist. de Genève_. Gautier MS. Guizot, -_Civilisation en France et en Europe_. Froment.] - -[Footnote 704: Ordonnance de Louis Hutin. Guizot, _Civilisation en -France_, v. p. 138.] - -[Footnote 705: Registres du Conseil du 3 décembre. Lettres de Messieurs -de Berne. Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues, Pièces Justificatives_, p. -487.] - -[Footnote 706: Registres du Conseil des 15, 16, 23, 24, 28 mars.] - -[Footnote 707: Roset, _Chron._ MS. liv. ii. ch. ii. Registres du Conseil -du 7 septembre 1526. Spon, _Histoire de Genève_, ii. p. 396. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. pp. 446, 447. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 708: This letter will be found in Galiffe, _Matériaux pour -l'Histoire de Genève_, ii. p. 489.] - -[Footnote 709: See above, vol. i. p. 228.] - -[Footnote 710: Archives de Genève. Lettre de Pierre de la Baume aux -syndics, du 24 janvier 1527.] - -[Footnote 711: Registres du Conseil de décembre 1526, de janvier et -avril 1527. Roset MS. bk. ii. ch. v. Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire -de Genève_, ii. pp. 264, 437, 439, 440. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. -452-454. _Mém. d'Archéologie_, ii. p. 11. La Sœur de Jussie, _Le Levain -du Calvinisme_.] - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE GOSPEL AT GENEVA, AND THE SACK OF ROME. - (JANUARY TO JUNE 1527.) - - -The bishop was about to have enemies more formidable than the duke and -the League. The Reformation was approaching. There is a characteristic -trait in the history of Geneva; the several surrounding countries were -by turns to scatter the seeds of life in that city; in it was to be -heard a concert of voices from France, Italy, and German Switzerland. It -was the last of these that began. - -[Sidenote: LAYMEN AND CLERGY.] - -At the time when treason was expelled from the city in the person of -Cartelier, the Gospel entered it in that of an honest Helvetian, one of -the Bernese and Friburg deputies who went there in 1527 about the -affairs of the alliance concluded in 1526. Friburg would not have -permitted a heretic preacher to accompany the deputation; even Berne -would not have desired it just yet; but one of the Bernese ambassadors, -a pious layman, who was coming to give a valuable support to national -independence, was to call the Genevese to spiritual liberty. The lay -members of the Church occupied in the time of the apostles, as is well -known, a marked station in the religious community;[712] but by degrees -the dominion of the clergy had been substituted for evangelical liberty. -One of the principal causes of this revolution was the inferiority of -the laity; for many centuries ecclesiastics were the only educated men. -But if this state of things should change, if the laity should attain to -more knowledge and more energy than the clergy, a new revolution would -be effected in an opposite direction. And this is really what happened -in the sixteenth century. The christian layman who then arrived at -Geneva was Thomas ab Hofen, a friend of Zwingle, whom we have already -mentioned.[713] In the year 1524 he had declared at Berne in favour of -the Reformation. The Zurich doctor, hearing of his departure for the -shores of Lake Leman, was rejoiced, for the piercing eye of his faith -had fancied it could perceive a ray of evangelical light breaking over -those distant hills. He desired that the Genevans, now united to -Switzerland, should find in her not only liberty but truth. -'Undoubtedly,' wrote Zwingle to the excellent Bernese, 'undoubtedly this -mission may be of extraordinary advantage to the citizens of Geneva, who -have been so recently received into alliance with the cantons.'[714] - -Ab Hofen did not go to Geneva with the intention of reforming it; his -mission was diplomatic; but he was one of that 'chosen generation' of -whom St. Peter speaks—one of those christians who are always ready to -'show forth the praises of Him who has called them to his marvellous -light.'[715] As he entered the city, he said to himself that he would do -with earnestness whatever work God might set before him, as his Zurich -friend had prayed him. Simple-minded, moderate, and sensitive, Ab Hofen -placed the kingdom of heaven above the things of the earth; but he was -subject to fits of melancholy, which occasionally made him -faint-hearted. When he arrived at Geneva, he visited many citizens, -attended the churches and the meetings of the people, and, having -reflected upon everything, he thought to himself that there was much -patriotism in the city, but unfortunately little christianity, and that -religion was the weak side of Genevan emancipation. He was distressed, -for he had expected better things. With a heart overflowing with sorrow -he returned to his inn (17th of January, 1527), and feeling the -necessity of unburdening himself on the bosom of a friend, he sat down -and wrote to the great reformer of Zurich: 'The number of those who -confess the doctrine of the Gospel must be increased.'[716] There were, -therefore, at this time in Geneva christians who confessed salvation by -Jesus Christ, and not by the ceremonies of the Church; but their number -was not large. - -[Sidenote: AB HOFEN'S CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION.] - -Ab Hofen determined to do his best to remedy this evil. He had a loving -heart and practical mind, and with indefatigable zeal took advantage of -every moment of leisure spared him by his official duties. As soon, -therefore, as a conference with the Genevan magistrates was ended, or a -despatch to the Bernese government finished, he laid aside his -diplomatic character and began to visit the citizens, conversing with -them, and telling them of what was going on at Zurich and preparing at -Berne. Being received into the families of some of the principal -huguenots, and seated with them round the hearth, at the severest -portion of the year (January 1527), he spoke to them of the Word of God, -of its authority, superior (he said) to the pope's, and of the salvation -which it proclaimed. He taught them that in the Gospel God gives man -full remission of his sins. These doctrines, unknown for so many ages, -and subversive of the legal and ceremonial religion of Rome, were heard -at Geneva with astonishment and pleasure. - -At first the priests received the evangelist magistrate rather -favourably. The rank which he bore made him honourable in their eyes; -and he, far from being rude towards them, like certain huguenots, was -amiable and sympathising. Some ecclesiastics, believing him to belong to -their coterie, because he spoke of religion, did not conceal their -uneasiness from him, and described to him, very innocently, the fine -times when presents of bread, wine, oil, game, and tapers were plentiful -in their kitchen, and when they used to say, with a gracious tone, to -the believers who brought these donations in white napkins: _Centuplum -accipietis et vitam æternam possidebitis_.[717] Then they added, with -loud complaints: 'Alas! the faithful bring us no more offerings, and -people do not run so ardently after indulgences as they used to do.'[718] - -The Bernese envoy, inwardly delighted at these candid avowals, which he -did not fail to transmit to Zwingle, apparently avoided all controversy, -and continued to announce the simple Gospel. The citizens listened to -him; they sought his company, and invited him to take a seat in their -family circle, or in some huguenot assembly, and to speak of the noble -things that were doing at Zurich. These successes encouraged him: his -eyes sparkled, he accosted the citizens freely, and his words flowed -copiously from his lips. 'I will not cease proclaiming the Gospel,' he -wrote to Zwingle; 'all my strength shall be devoted to it.'[719] Erelong -the well-disposed men who had gathered round him were joined by other -citizens, exclusively friends of liberty; they listened to him with -interest; but when he began to blame certain excesses, and to require -certain moral reforms, he met with coldness and even determined -opposition from them, and they turned their backs on him. Ab Hofen, -although a man of zeal and piety, did not possess the faith which moves -mountains; he returned dispirited to his inn, shut himself up in his -room, and, heaving deep sighs, wrote all his trouble to Zwingle. The -latter, who possessed a sure glance, saw that the opportunity was -unique. To establish the Reformation at the two extremities of -Switzerland, at Zurich and Geneva, appeared to him a most important -work. Would not these two arms, as they drew together, drag all -Switzerland with them, especially if the powerful Berne lent its support -in the centre? But he knew Ab Hofen, and fearing his dejection, he wrote -to him: 'Take care that the work so well begun is not stopped. While -transacting the business of the republic, do not neglect the business of -Jesus Christ.[720] You will deserve well of the citizens of Geneva if -you put in order not only their laws and their rights, but their souls -also.[721] Now what can put the soul in order except it be the Word and -the teaching of Him who created the soul?'[722] - -[Sidenote: ZWINGLE ENCOURAGES AB HOFEN.] - -Zwingle went further than this, and, in order to revive Ab Hofen's -fainting heart, made use of an argument to which the politician could -not be insensible. The reformer of Zurich was the friend of liberty as -well as of the Gospel, and he believed that a people could be governed -in only one of two ways: either by the Bible or by the sword, by the -fear of God or by the fear of man. In his opinion Geneva could protect -her independence against the attacks of Savoy, France, and all foreign -powers, only by submitting to the King of heaven. 'O my dear Thomas,' he -wrote to his friend, 'there is nothing I desire so much as to see the -doctrine of the Gospel flourishing in that republic (Geneva). Wherever -that doctrine triumphs, the boldness of tyrants is restrained.'[723] At -the same time, not wishing to offend the Bernese deputy, Zwingle added: -'If I write these things, it is not to awaken one who sleeps, but to -encourage one who runs.'[724] He ended his letter with a fraternal -salutation to the evangelical christians of Geneva: 'Salute them all in -my name,' he said. - -Ab Hofen was not insensible to this appeal; if he was easily cast down, -he was as easily lifted up. He therefore redoubled his zeal, and pressed -Geneva to imitate Zurich and Berne; but he perceived that his -evangelical exertions were appreciated by a very small number only, and -regarded with coldness, and even with displeasure and contempt, by the -majority of politicians. Citizens, who had at first given him the -warmest welcome, scarcely saluted him when he met them, and if he went -to any meeting his presence put a restraint upon the whole assembly. He -soon encountered opposition of a more hostile nature; the priests eyed -him angrily, and the confidence which some ecclesiastics had placed in -him was succeeded by a violent hatred. The clergy proclaimed a general -crusade against heresy; the canons put themselves at the head of the -opposition; priests and monks filled the streets, going from house to -house, and bade the citizens be on their guard against the evangelical -addresses of the Bernese envoy. They cried down, abused, and -anathematised the doctrines he taught, and made war against the New -Testament wherever they found it. They encouraged one another, and -frightened the women especially. According to their representations, the -city would be ruined if it listened to the heretical diplomatist. - -[Sidenote: AB HOFEN'S INFLUENCE AND DEATH.] - -Ab Hofen now fell into a state of discouragement more serious than the -former. 'All my efforts are vain,' he wrote to Zwingle; 'there are about -_seven hundred_ clergymen in Geneva who do their utmost to prevent the -Gospel from flourishing here.[725] What can I do against such numbers? -And yet a wide door is opened to the Word of God.... The priests do not -preach; and as they are unable to do so, they are satisfied with saying -mass in Latin.... Miserable nourishment for the poor people!... If any -preachers were to come here, proclaiming Christ with boldness, the -doctrine of the pope would, I am sure, be soon overthrown.'[726] - -But such preachers did not appear. Convinced of his insufficiency, and -continually repeating that true ministers, like Zwingle and Farel, were -wanted in that city; finding that many of the Genevans desired to be -liberated not only from the vexations of Savoy, the shuffling of the -bishop, and the doctrines of the pope, but also from the laws of -morality; struck with the evils he saw ready to burst upon Geneva, and -which the Gospel alone could avert,—this simple-minded, pious, and -sensitive man returned heartbroken to Berne. Had this disappointment any -effect upon his health? We cannot say; but he died not long after, in -the month of November, 'as a christian ought to die,' it was said. It -was found after his departure that his exertions had not been useless, -and that some Genevans at least had profited by his teaching: among -their number were counted Besançon Hugues and Baudichon de la -Maison-Neuve. Some astonishment may be felt at seeing these two names -together, for they are those of the chiefs of two opposite parties; but -there is nothing improbable about it, for Hugues must have been -frequently brought into contact with Ab Hofen, and it is not impossible -that he listened to his religious conversation. Hugues was a serious -man; he was, moreover, a statesman, and must have desired to know -something about the religious opinions which seemed at that time likely -to be adopted by the whole confederation; but his policy consisted in -maintaining the rights of the bishop-prince on one side, and those of -the citizens on the other; as for his religion, he was a catholic, and -we do not see that he changed in either of those relations. What he -might have been, if he had been living at the time when the Reformation -was carried through, no one can say. De la Maison-Neuve, on the -contrary, was a decided huguenot, and certainly needed the Gospel to -moderate the ardour of his character. William de la Mouille, the -bishop's chamberlain and confidant, appears to have been the person who -profited most by the teaching of the layman of Berne. - -[Sidenote: SACK OF ROME.] - -While the Gospel was entering Geneva, desolation was entering Rome. It -is a singular circumstance, the meeting of these two cities in history: -one so powerful and glorious, the other so small and obscure. That, -however, is capable of explanation: the great things of the world have -always come from great cities and great nations; but the great things of -God have usually small beginnings. Conquerors must have treasures and -armies; but evangelical christianity, which undertakes to change man, -nations, and the whole human race, has need of the strength of God, and -God affects little things. In the first century, he chose Jerusalem; in -the middle ages, the Waldensian valleys; in the sixteenth century, -Wittemberg and Geneva. 'God hath chosen the weak things of the world to -confound the things which are mighty.'[727] - -In the month of May (1527) a rumour of startling importance suddenly -spread through the world: 'Rome has just been destroyed,' said the -people, 'and there is no more pope.' The troops of Charles V. had taken -and sacked the pontifical city, and if the pope was still alive, he was -in concealment and almost in prison. The servants of the Church, who -were terrified at first, soon recovered their breath, and directly their -alarm was dissipated, avarice and covetousness took its place. In the -presence of the ruins of that ancient city, its friends thought only of -dividing its spoils. The Bishop of Geneva, in particular, found himself -surrounded by petitioners, who sought to be collated to the benefices -hitherto held by clergymen resident in Rome. 'They have all perished,' -he was told; 'their benefices are vacant: give them to us.' The bishop -granted everything; and he even conferred on himself (Bonivard tells us) -the priory of St. Jean-lez-Genève, which belonged to a cardinal. Seldom -had so many deaths made so many people happy.[728] - -The sack of Rome had more important results for Geneva and the -protestant nations. When they saw the ruin of that city, it appeared to -them that the papacy had fallen with it. The huguenots never grew tired -of listening to the wonderful news and of commenting upon it. Struck -with the example set them by Charles V., they thought to themselves that -'if the emperor had set aside the bishop and prince of Rome, they might -well abandon the prince and bishop of Geneva.' Their right to do so was -far clearer. The pope-king had at least been elected at Rome, and in -conformity with ancient custom; while the bishop-prince had not been -elected at Geneva and by Genevans, in accordance with the ancient -constitutions, but by a foreign and unlawful jurisdiction. The huguenots -promised even to be more moderate than his catholic majesty. Finally, -the acts which impelled them to turn Pierre de la Baume out of the city, -were far more vexatious in their eyes than those which had induced -Charles to expel Clement VII. from Rome. 'Are we not much more oppressed -by ecclesiastical tyranny,' they said, 'than by secular tyranny? Are we -not forced to pay, always to pay, and is it not our money that makes the -bishop's pot boil?'[729] Further, the shameful conduct of many of the -ecclesiastics seemed to them a sufficient motive for putting an end to -their rule. - -A scandal which occurred just at this time increased the desire felt by -certain huguenots to withdraw themselves from the government of the -monks and priests. On the 10th of May, certain inhabitants of St. Leger -appeared before the council. For some time past their sleep had been -disturbed by noises and shouting, in which the cordeliers, jacobins, and -other friars were concerned; and they desired to put an end to it. 'Some -disorderly women have settled in our quarter,' they told the council, -'and certain monks frequent their houses.'[730]... 'If you observe the -monks going there at night-time,' replied the council, 'give information -to the syndics and the captain-general. The watch will immediately go -and take them.' The citizens withdrew half satisfied with the answer, -but fully determined to call the watch as soon as the disorder was -renewed. - -[Sidenote: UNION OF FAITH AND MORALITY.] - -These scandals—an acknowledged thing at Rome—greatly exasperated the -citizens of Geneva, and made the better disposed long for a reformation -of faith and morals. They said that soldiers use their arms as their -officers command them: that the monks and priests (they should have said -all christians) ought also to use their lives as their chief orders -them; and that if they make a contrary use of them, they enlist under -the standard of vice and avow themselves its soldiers. The worthy -citizens of Geneva could not make that separation between religion and -morality, of which the greater part of the clergy set the example. In -proportion as the Reformation made progress in the world, the opposition -increased against a piety which consisted only in certain formulas, -ceremonies, and practices, but was deprived of its true substance—living -faith, sanctification, morality, and christian works. Christianity, by -the separation which Rome had made between doctrines and morals, had -become like one of those spoilt and useless tools that are thrown aside -because they can no longer serve in the operations for which they were -made. The reformers, by calling for a living, holy, active faith, were -again to make christianity in modern times a powerful engine of light -and morality, of liberty and life. - -[Footnote 712: Acts i. 15; vi. 5; xv.] - -[Footnote 713: See above, vol. i. p. 371.] - -[Footnote 714: 'Nunc vero cum te Gebennæ reipublicæ gratia abesse -constat ... reficiemur. Utilitatem autem non vulgarem recens factis -civibus per te comparari.'—Zwingle to Thomas ab Hofen, 4 Jan. 1527. -_Epp._ ii. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 715: 1 Peter ii. 9.] - -[Footnote 716: 'Hic Genevæ numerus Evangelii doctrinam confitentium -augeri incipiat.'—Ab Hofen to Zwingle, January 17, 1527. Zwinglii _Epp._ -ii. p. 15.] - -[Footnote 717: 'You shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess -everlasting life.'] - -[Footnote 718: 'Clerici queruntur homines neque amplius sacra dona -præbere velle, neque tam vehementer ad indulgentias currere.'—Ab Hofen -to Zwingle. Zwinglii _Epp._ ii. p. 16.] - -[Footnote 719: 'Quousque meæ vires valeant, in ea re nequaquam me -defecturum esse.'—Ab Hofen to Zwingle. Zwinglii _Epp._ ii. p. 15.] - -[Footnote 720: 'In mediis reipublicæ negotiis, Christi negotiorum minime -sis negligens.'—Zwinglii _Epp._ ii. p. 9.] - -[Footnote 721: 'Optime de Gebennæ civibus merebere, si non tantum leges -eorum ac jura, quantum animos componas.'—Ibid. p. 10.] - -[Footnote 722: 'Animos autem quid melius componet, quam ejus sermo atque -doctrina qui animos ipse formavit?'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 723: 'Hæ enim ubi crescunt, tyrannorum audacia coerceretur.'— -Ibid.] - -[Footnote 724: 'Non quasi torpentem sim expergefacturus; sed currentem -adhortor.'—Zwinglii _Epp._ ii. p. 10.] - -[Footnote 725: 'In hac urbe clerici sunt ad 700, qui manibus pedibusque -impediunt, quominus Evangelii doctrina efflorescat.'—Zwinglii _Epp._ ii. -p. 10.] - -[Footnote 726: 'Si prædicatores haberent, fore puto ut pontificia -doctrina labefactetur.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 727: 1 Cor. i. 27.] - -[Footnote 728: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 461.] - -[Footnote 729: 'Ne sont-ce pas nos écus qui font bouillir le pot de -l'évêque?'] - -[Footnote 730: 'Querelaverunt de putanis et certis religiosis qui ibidem -affluunt.'—Registres du Conseil du 10 mai 1527.] - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE BISHOP CLINGS TO GENEVA, BUT THE CANONS DEPART. - (SUMMER 1527.) - - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP'S NEW SCHEMES.] - -The sack of Rome had made a great sensation in catholic countries. -Pierre de la Baume almost believed that the reign of popery had come to -an end, and was much alarmed for himself. If a prince so powerful as the -pope had succumbed, what would become of the Bishop of Geneva? The -alliance with the cantons, and the Gospel which a Swiss magistrate had -just been preaching, seemed to him the forerunners of his ruin. He had -no lansquenets before him, like those who had compelled Clement VII. to -flee, but he had huguenots, who, in his eyes, were more formidable -still. Liberty seemed to be coming forth, like the sun, from the night -of the middle ages; and the bishop thought the safest course would be to -turn towards the rising orb, and to throw himself into the arms of the -liberals. He had a strong preference for the Savoyard despotism; but, if -his interests required it, he was ready to pay court to liberty. Other -instances of this have been seen. The bishop, therefore, sanctioned the -sequestration of the property of the mamelukes, and made Besançon Hugues -a magnificent present. He conferred on him the perpetual fief of the -fishery of the lake, the Rhone, and the Arve, reserving to himself -(which showed the value of the gift) the right of redemption for two -thousand great ducats of gold.[731] All this was but a step towards the -accomplishment of a strange design. - -The bishop had taken it into his head that he would form an alliance -with the Swiss, feeling convinced that they alone could protect him -against the impetuosity of the huguenots and the tyranny of the Duke of -Savoy. He therefore sent Robert Vandel to Friburg and Basle, to entreat -these states to admit him into their citizenship. This move caused the -greatest surprise among the Genevans. 'What!' said they, 'is Monseigneur -turning huguenot?' The Swiss rudely rejected the Romish prelate's -request. 'We will not have the bishop for our fellow-citizen,' they made -answer, 'and that for four reasons: first, he is fickle and changeable; -second, he is not beloved in Geneva; third, he is imperialist and -Burgundian; and fourth, he is a _priest_!' The cantons did not mention -the strongest reason. Friburg and Berne, allies of the city, could not -be at the same time the allies of the bishop, for how could they have -supported the rights of the Genevans against him?[732] - -The bishop was not discouraged. At one time he felt his throne shaking -beneath him, and, fearing that it would fall, he clung to liberty with -all his might; at another, he fancied he could see the phantom of heresy -approaching with slow but sure step, and erelong taking its seat on his -throne ... and the sight increased his fear. He therefore sent Besançon -Hugues to Berne—a more influential diplomatist than Vandel—who was -received with consideration in the aristocratic circles, but had to bear -all kinds of reproach. The proud Bernese were indignant at his becoming -the advocate of a person so little esteemed as the bishop. One day, in -the presence of these energetic men who had witnessed so many struggles, -as Hugues was warmly pleading the prelate's cause, his listener suddenly -turned away with horror, and, as if he had been waving aside with his -hand some satanic vision, he said: 'The name of the bishop is more -hateful among us than that of the devil himself.' This was enough for -Hugues, who returned to Geneva greatly disheartened. Pierre de la Baume, -a vain and frivolous priest, soon consoled himself for this -discomfiture, laughing at the reproaches uttered against him. He amused -himself with the objections of the Swiss, and was continually repeating -to those about him: 'What would you have?... How could the Helvetians -receive me into their alliance? I am a priest and Burgundian!'... Thus, -at one time trembling, at another laughing, the Bishop of Geneva was -moving towards his ruin.[733] - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE PLOTS AGAINST THE BISHOP.] - -For some time Charles III., Duke of Savoy, had been watching the -prelate, and noting with vexation the interested and (in his opinion) -culpable overtures he was making to the Genevans and the confederates. -The news that the bishop had sent two envoys in succession to the Swiss -put a climax to the prince's anger. It is not sufficient for the -citizens to desire to emancipate themselves; even the bishops, whom the -dukes have always regarded as their agents, presume to tread in their -footsteps. This deserves a terrible punishment. The duke conferred with -his advisers on the nature of the lesson to be given the prelate. One of -the most decided of Charles's ministers proposed that he should be -kidnapped; the motion was supported, and the resolution taken. In order -to carry it into execution, it was necessary to gain some of the clergy -about him. The canons were sounded, and many of them, already sold to -the duke, promised their good offices. 'The bishop is a great devotee of -the Virgin,' they said; 'on Saturday, the day dedicated to St. Mary, he -generally goes to hear mass at Our Lady of Grace, outside the city. He -rides on a mule in company with other members of the cloth. Now, as this -church is separated from Savoy only by a bridge, the captain of his -highness's archers has simply to lie in ambush near the river to snap up -(_happer_) Monseigneur. The priests and officers about him, being bribed -or men of no courage, will run away. Let him be dragged hastily to the -other side of the Arve, and, once in the territory of Savoy, he can be -put to death as a traitor.' Everything was arranged by good catholics, -and the Archbishop of Turin probably had a share in it. The reformers -never went to work in so off-hand a manner as regards bishops. - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE'S AMBUSCADE.] - -Thus war broke out between the two great enemies of Geneva. The Genevans -knew not how to get rid of the prelate, and here was Charles, like -another Alexander, cutting the Gordian knot. The bishop once carried -off, one of the most formidable obstacles to independence, morality, -religion, and civilisation will be removed. So long as he is there, -nothing that is good can be done in Geneva; and when he is no longer -there, the city will become free. This, however, was not his highness's -plan: having 'snapped up' the duke, he expected to 'snap up' the city -also. This was his scheme for taking Geneva. 'As soon as the Savoyard -archers have kidnapped the bishop, certain of his highness's creatures -will go to the belfry of Notre Dame and ring the great bell. All the -bells of the adjoining villages will answer the signal; the nobles will -rush sword in hand from their castles, the country-people will take up -their scythes or other weapons, and all will march to Geneva. The -Genevans are hot and hasty: when they learn that the Savoyards have -crossed the Arve and violated their territory, they will take up arms -and march into the domains of Savoy to avenge the offence; but they will -find Pontverre and all his friends there ready to meet them. In the -midst of this agitation the duke will have a capital excuse for entering -the city and taking possession of it. And when he is established there, -he will cut off the heads of Hugues, the syndics, the councillors, M. de -Bonmont, and many others. Finally, Geneva shall have a bishop who will -occupy himself with refuting the heretics, and his highness will -undertake to make the hot-headed republicans bow beneath the sword of -the temporal power, and expel for ever from the city both reformers and -Reformation.'[734] The duke, charmed with this plan, made immediate -preparations for its execution. To prevent Pierre de la Baume from -escaping into Burgundy, he posted soldiers in all the passes of the -Jura, whilst his best captains were stationed round the city to carry -out the ambuscade. - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE'S PLOT FAILS.] - -These various measures could not be taken without something creeping -out. Geneva had friends in the villages, where an unusual agitation -indicated the approaching execution of some act of treachery. On -Thursday, the 11th of July, a man, making his way along by-paths, -arrived from Savoy, and said to the people of Geneva: 'Be on your -guard!' Two days later, Saturday the 13th, which was the day appointed -for action, another man, crossing the bridge of Arve, came and told one -of the syndics, between eight and nine in the morning, that some horse -and foot soldiers had been secretly posted at Lancy, only half a league -from the city. The syndics did not trouble themselves much about it; and -the bishop, who was naturally a timid man, but whom these warnings had -not reached, mounted his mule—it was the day when he went to make -adoration to the Virgin—rode out to Our Lady's, took his usual place, -and the mass began. Charles's soldiers were already advancing in the -direction of the bridge, in order to seize the prelate directly he left -the church. Some devout persons had pity on him, and just as the priest -had celebrated the mystery, a man, with troubled look, entered the -building (whether he came from Geneva or Savoy is unknown), walked -noiselessly to the place where the bishop was sitting, and whispered in -his ear: 'Monseigneur, the archers of Savoy are preparing to clutch you -(_gripper_).' At these words the startled La Baume turned pale and -trembled. He did not wait for the benediction; fear gave him wings; he -got up, rushed hastily out of the church, and leaped upon his mule -'without putting his foot in the stirrup, for he was a very nimble -person,' says Bonivard; then, using his heels for spurs, he struck the -animal's flanks, and galloped off full speed, shouting, at the top of -his voice, to the guards as he passed: 'Shut the gates!' The prelate -reached the city out of breath and all of a tremble.[735] - -The city was soon in commotion. Besançon Hugues, the captain-general, -who was sincerely attached to La Baume, and strongly opposed to the -usurpations of Savoy, had divined the duke's plot, and, with his usual -energy, began to pass through the streets, saying: 'Close your shops, -put up the chains, bolt the city gates, beat the drum, sound an alarm, -and let every man take his arquebuse.' Then, leaving the streets, Hugues -went to St. Pierre's, and, notwithstanding the opposition of the canons, -accomplices in the conspiracy, he ordered the great bell to be rung. A -rumour had already spread on the other side of the Arve that the plot -had failed, and that the bishop had escaped on his mule. The men-at-arms -of Savoy were disconcerted; the village bells were not rung, the nobles -remained in their castles, the peasants in their fields. 'Our scheme has -got wind,' said the Savoyard captains; 'all the city is under arms; and -we must wait for a better opportunity.' - -The canons, though siding with the duke, had concealed their game, and -employed certain creatures of Savoy to carry out the plot. These people -were known; they became alarmed, and saw no other means of escaping -death than by leaving the city. But all the gates were shut!... What of -that: despair gave them courage. At the very moment when the armed men -of Savoy were retiring, several persons were seen to run along the -streets, jump into the ditches of St. Gervais, scale the palisades, and -scamper away as fast as their legs could carry them. They were the -traitors who had corresponded with the enemy outside. - -As for La Baume, he had lost his presence of mind. Rejected by the -Swiss, despised by the Genevans, persecuted by the duke, what should he -do? If he could but escape to his benefices in Burgundy, where the -people are so quiet and the wine is so good!—but, alas! all the passes -of the Jura are occupied by Savoyard soldiers. He was in great distress. -Not thinking himself safe in his palace, he had taken refuge in the -house of one of his partisans when he returned on his mule from his -visit to Our Lady's. He expected that the duke would follow up his plan, -would enter Geneva, and seek him throughout the city. Accordingly, he -remained quiet in the most secret hiding-place of the house which had -sheltered him. It was only when he was told that the Savoyard soldiers -had really retired, that all was tranquil outside the city, and that -even the huguenots did not think of laying hands on him, that he took -courage, came out of his hiding-place, and returned to the palace. -Nevertheless, he looked stealthily out of the window to see if the -huguenots or the ducal soldiers were not coming to seize him even in his -own house. The Genevans smiled at his terror; but everybody, the -creatures of Charles excepted, was pleased at the failure of the duke's -treachery. Religious men saw the hand of Heaven in this deliverance. -'They gave God thanks,' says Balard.[736] - -This attack, abortive as it was, had one important consequence; it -delivered the city from the canons, and thus paved the way for the -Reformation. These men were in Geneva the representatives and supporters -of all kinds of religious and political tyranny. To save catholicism, it -would have been necessary for the clergy, and particularly for the -canons, who were their leaders, to unite with the laity, and, while -maintaining the Roman ceremonial, to demand the suppression of certain -episcopal privileges and ecclesiastical abuses. Some of the huguenot -chiefs—those who, like Hugues, loved the bishop, and those also who -subsequently opposed Calvin's reformation—would probably have entered -with joy into this order of things. For the execution of such a plan, -however, the priests ought to have been upright and free. But the -absolute authority of the Church, which had enfeebled the vigour of the -human mind, had specially degraded the priests. The clergy of Geneva had -fallen too low to effect a transformation of catholicism. Many of the -canons and even of the curés could see nothing but the act of a -revolutionist or even of a madman in the bishop's desire to ally himself -with the Swiss, and had consequently entered into Charles's scheme, -which was so hateful to the Genevans. - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP IMPRISONS THE CANONS.] - -The huguenots hastened to take advantage of it. If the ducal plot had -not delivered them from the bishop, it must at least free them from the -canons. These ecclesiastical dignitaries never quitted Geneva, while the -bishop often absented himself to intrigue in Italy or to amuse himself -in Burgundy. They were besides more bigoted and fanatical than the -worldly prelate, and therefore all the more dangerous. And then, if they -desired to get rid of the bishop, was it not the wisest plan to begin -with his council? Shortly after the famous alert, some Genevan liberal -went to the palace and said to La Baume: 'The canons, my lord, are the -duke's spies: so long as they remain in Geneva, Savoy will have one foot -in the city.' The poor bishop was too exasperated against the canons not -to lend an ear to these words, and after ruining himself with the duke, -he took steps to ruin himself with the clergy, and to throw overboard -the most devoted friends of the Roman institutions. 'Yes,' said he, -'they intrigue (_grabugent_) against the Church!... Let them be -arrested.... It is they who wished to see me kidnapped.... Let them be -put in prison!' The next morning the procurator-fiscal, with his -sergeants, knocked at the doors of the most influential of the canons, -Messieurs De la Madeleine, De Montrotier, De Salery, De Veigy, and -others, arrested them, and, to the indescribable astonishment of the -servants and neighbours of these reverend gentlemen, carried them off to -prison.[737] - -As soon as the gates were shut upon the canons, the bishop began to -reflect on the daring act he had just achieved. Still flushed with -anger, he did not repent, but he was uneasy, distressed, and amazed at -his own courage. If the duke sought to kidnap him but the other day, -what will this terrible prince do, now that he, La Baume, has boldly -thrown his most devoted partisans into prison?... All Savoy will march -against him. He sent for the captain-general, imparted to him all his -fears; and Besançon Hugues, his most faithful friend, wishing to -dissipate his alarm, placed watchmen on the tower of St. Pierre, on the -walls, and at every gate. They had instructions to inform the -commander-in-chief if a single horseman appeared on the horizon in the -direction of Savoy. - -[Sidenote: HE DESIRES TO BE MADE FREE OF THE CITY.] - -La Baume began to breathe again; yet he was not entirely at his ease. He -smiled to himself at the _watch_ of Besançon Hugues. What can these few -armed citizens do against the soldiers of the nephew of Francis I. and -brother-in-law of Charles V.? The Duke of Savoy was prowling round him -like a wild beast eager to devour him; the bishop thought that the bear -of Berne alone could defend him. But alas! Berne would have nothing to -do with him, because he was a _priest_ and a _Burgundian_!... He turned -all this over in his mind. He, so wary a politician, he whom the emperor -employed in his negotiations—shall not he find some outlet, when it is a -question of saving himself? On a sudden he hit upon a scheme for -becoming an ally of Berne, in spite of Berne. He will get himself made a -_citizen of Geneva_, and, by virtue of the general co-citizenship, he -will thus become the ally of the cantons. Delighted at this bright idea, -he communicated it to his intimate friends, and, unwilling to lose a -day, ordered the council-general to be convened for the morrow.[738] - -On the next morning (15th of July) the bells of the cathedral rang out; -the burgesses, girding on their swords, left their houses to attend the -general council, and the bishop-prince, accompanied by his councillors -and officers, appeared in the midst of the people, and sat down on the -highest seat. Entirely absorbed by the strange ambition of becoming a -plain burgess of the city in which he was prince, he was profuse in -salutations; and to the huguenots he was particularly gracious. 'I -recall,' he said, 'my protest against the alliance with the Swiss. I -know how you cling to it; well! ... I now approve of it; I am willing to -give my adhesion to it; and, the more clearly to show my approval, I -desire that I may be made a freeman of the city.' Great was the -astonishment of the people. A bishop made a citizen of Geneva! Such a -thing had never been heard of. All the friends of independence, however, -were favourable to the scheme. Some wished to gratify the bishop; others -were pleased at anything that could separate him more completely from -the duke; all agreed that if the bishop were made a citizen of Geneva, -and united with their friends the confederates, great advantage would -result to the city. If he begins with turning Swiss, who knows if he -will not turn protestant? The general council therefore granted his -request. - -[Sidenote: HE CONCEDES THE CIVIL JURISDICTION.] - -Wishing to make him pay for his freedom, and not to lose an opportunity -of recovering their liberties, the syndics begged him to transfer all -civil suits to lay jurisdiction. Laymen judges in an ecclesiastical -principality!... It was a great revolution, and three centuries and more -were to pass away before a similar victory was gained in other states of -that class. The bishop understood the great importance of such a -request; he fancied he could already hear the endless appeals of the -clergy who found themselves deprived of their honours and their profits; -but at this time he was acting the part of a liberal pope, while the -canons were playing the incorrigible cardinals. He said Yes. It was an -immense gain to the community, for interminable delays and crying abuses -characterised the ecclesiastical tribunals at Geneva as well as at Rome. - -The syndics, transported with joy, manifested all their gratitude to the -prelate. They told him he had nothing to fear, either from the Genevans -or even from the duke. Then turning to the people, they said: 'Let every -citizen draw his sword to defend Monseigneur. If he should be attacked, -we desire that, at the sound of the tocsin, all the burgesses, and even -the priests, should fly to arms.'—'Yes, yes!' shouted the citizens; 'we -will be always faithful to him!' A transformation seemed to have been -effected in their hearts. They knew the great value of the sacrifice the -bishop had made, and showed their thankfulness to him. Upon this, the -bishop, 'raising his right hand towards heaven, and placing his left on -his breast (as was the custom of prelates),' said: 'I promise, on my -faith, loyally to perform all that is required of a citizen, to prove -myself a good prince, and never to separate myself from you!' The -delighted people also raised their hands and exclaimed: 'And we also, my -lord, will preserve you from harm as we would our own heads!'[739] The -poor prelate would have sacrificed still more to protect himself from -Charles's attacks, which filled him with indescribable terror. - -It seemed as if this concession, by uniting the bishop and the Genevans -more closely, ought to have put off the Reformation; but it was not so. -In proportion as the Genevans obtained any concession, they desired -more; accordingly, when the citizens had returned home, or when they met -at one another's houses, they began to say that it was something to have -obtained the civil judicature from the bishop, but that there were other -restitutions still to be made. Some men asked by what right he held the -temporal authority; and others—those who knew best what was passing at -Zurich—desired to throw off the spiritual jurisdiction of the prelate in -order to acknowledge only that of Holy Writ. - -Opposition to ecclesiastical principalities began, then, three centuries -ago at Geneva. 'The bishop grants us the civil jurisdiction,' said -Bonivard; 'an act very damaging to himself, and very profitable to -us.... But ... this is an opening to deprive him entirely of his -authority. Neither La Baume nor the other bishops were lawfully elected, -that is to say by the clergy at the postulation of the people. They were -thrust into the see by the pope.... They are but tyrants set over us by -other tyrants. We can therefore reject them without danger to our souls; -and since they came in by the caprice of arbitrary power, it is lawful -for us to expel them by the free authority of the city. Geneva has never -acknowledged other princes than those whom the people themselves -elected.' Some were astonished at Bonivard's language; but the larger -number listened to him with enthusiasm. The catholics, growing more and -more uneasy, anticipated great disasters. The edifice of popery, -continually undermined in Geneva, was tottering; its pillars and -buttresses were giving way; and the keystone of the arch, the episcopal -power itself, was on the point of crumbling to dust. Alas! catholic -Geneva was a dismantled fortress.[740] - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE'S IRRITATION.] - -When the duke heard of the bishop's concessions, he was seized with one -of his fits of anger. And not without cause: by transferring the civil -authority to a lay tribunal, La Baume had been guilty of a new offence -against the duke; for it was in reality the jurisdiction of the vidame -(that is to say, of the duke) which the bishop had thus ceded; and hence -it was that he had been induced to do it so readily. - -Charles had no need of this new grievance. When they learnt at the court -of Turin that the canons had been put in prison by the prelate, there -was a violent commotion; the friends and relatives of those reverend -gentlemen made a great noise, and the duke resolved to send the most -urgent remonstrances to the Genevans, reserving the right to have -recourse to more energetic measures if words did not suffice. He -commissioned M. de Jacob, his grand equerry, to go and set this little -people to rights, and the ducal envoy arrived in Geneva about the middle -of July. He carried his head very high, and behaved with great reserve, -as if he had been injured: he had come with the intention of making that -city, so small and yet so arrogant, feel how great is the power of a -mighty prince. On the 20th of July, the Sire de Jacob being introduced -before the council, haughtily represented to them, not that the reverend -fathers imprisoned as criminals were innocent, but that they belonged to -high families and were his highness's subjects, and added that the duke -consequently ordered them to be immediately set at liberty. 'Otherwise,' -added the ambassador in an insolent tone, 'my lord will see to it, as -shall seem good to him.' The tone and look of the ducal envoy explained -his words, and every one felt that Charles III. would come and claim the -canons at the head of his army. The embarrassed magistrates and prelates -answered the envoy by throwing the blame upon one another. The former -declared that they had not interfered in the matter, which concerned -Monseigneur of Geneva only; and the bishop, in his turn, laid all the -blame on the people. 'I was obliged to do so,' he said, 'to save the -canons from being killed.' Nevertheless, he showed himself merciful. The -avoyer of Friburg, who had been delegated for this purpose by his -council, added his entreaties to the ducal summons; and, pressed at once -by Switzerland and Savoy, the bishop thought he could not resist. The -arrest of the canons was in reality, on his part, an act of passion as -much as of justice. 'I release them,' he said; 'I pardon them. I leave -vengeance to God.' - -The canons quitted the place where they had been confined, bursting with -anger and indignation. Having had time to reflect on what was passing in -Geneva, on the impetuous current that was hurrying the citizens in a -direction contrary to Rome, they had made up their minds to quit a city -where they had been so unceremoniously thrown into the receptacle for -criminals. De Montrotier, De Veigy, and their colleagues had hardly -returned to their houses when they told everybody who would listen to -them that they would leave Geneva and the Genevans to their miserable -fate. This strange resolution immediately spread through the city, and -excited the people greatly; it was important news, and they could hardly -believe it. The canons of Geneva were a very exalted body in the opinion -of catholicity. In order to be received among them, the candidate must -show titles of nobility or be a graduate in some famous university; and -since the beginning of the century their number included members of the -most illustrious families of Savoy—De Gramont, De la Foret, De -Montfalcon, De Menthon, De la Motte, De Chatillon, De Croso, De Sablon, -and others as noble as they.[741] - -[Sidenote: THE CANONS LEAVE THE CITY.] - -The canons kept their word. As soon as they had made the necessary -arrangements for their departure, they mounted their mules or got into -their carriages, and set off. The Genevans, standing at the doors of -their houses and in groups in the streets, watched these Roman -dignitaries thus abandoning their homes, some with downcast heads, -others with angry looks, who moved along sad and silent, and went out by -the Savoy gate with hearts full of resentment against a city which they -denounced as ungrateful and rebellious. Out of thirty-two, only seven or -eight remained.[742] The citizens, assembling in various places, were -agitated with very different thoughts. The huguenots said to themselves -that these high and reverend clerks, true cardinals, who supported the -papacy much better than the bishop, would no longer be there to prevent -the new generation from throwing off the shackles of the middle ages; -that this unexpected exodus marked a great revolution; and that the old -times were departing, and the Reformation beginning. On the other hand, -the creatures of Rome felt a bitter pang, and flames of vengeance were -kindled in their hearts. Lastly, those citizens who were both good -Genevans and good catholics, were seized with fear and melancholy. 'No -more canons, erelong perhaps no more bishop!... Will Geneva, without its -canons and bishops, be Geneva still?' But the great voice, which drowned -all the rest, was that of the partisans of progress, of liberty, of -independence, and of reform, who desired to see political liberty -developed among the community, and the Church directed by the Word of -God and not by the bulls of the pope. Among them were Maison-Neuve, -Bonivard, Porral, Bernard, Chautemps, and others. These men, the -pioneers of modern times, felt little respect and no regret for the -canons. They said to one another that these noble and lazy lords were -pleased with Geneva so long as they could luxuriously enjoy the -pleasures of life there; but that when the hour of combat came, they -fled like cowards from the field of battle. The canons did fly in fact; -they arrived at Annecy, where they settled. As for Geneva, they were -never to enter it again. - -[Footnote 731: 'Pro summa ducatorum auri largorum duorum millia.'— -Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, p. 454; _Pièces Justificatives_, No. 4.] - -[Footnote 732: Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, i. p. 407, note.] - -[Footnote 733: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 468. _Journal de Balard_, p. -112. Gautier MS. _Mém. d'Archéologie_, iv. p. 161.] - -[Footnote 734: In his journal recently published, Balard, one of the -most respected and most catholic magistrates of the time, describes this -plot at full length, pp. 117, 118. See also Bonivard, _Police de -Genève_, p. 396.] - -[Footnote 735: _Journal de Balard_, p. 118. Bonivard, _Police de -Genève_, p. 396.] - -[Footnote 736: 'On regratia Dieu.'—_Journal de Balard_, p. 117. -Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 467.] - -[Footnote 737: _Journal de Balard_, p. 119. Registres du Conseil, _ad -locum_.] - -[Footnote 738: Registres du Conseil des 13 et 14 juillet 1527. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. p. 467. Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève_, -ii. pp. 421, 517. _Journal de Balard_, p. 119.] - -[Footnote 739: Registres du Conseil du 15 juillet 1527. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. p. 471. _Journal de Balard_, p. 119.] - -[Footnote 740: Registres du Conseil du 15 juillet 1527. _Journal de -Balard_, p. 119. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ pp. 471, 472.] - -[Footnote 741: Besson, _Mémoire du Diocèse de Genève_, p. 87.] - -[Footnote 742: Registres du Conseil des 18, 19, 23, 24 juillet 1527. -Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 468. _Journal de Balard_, pp. 121-124.] - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - THE BISHOP-PRINCE FLEES FROM GENEVA. - (JULY AND AUGUST 1527.) - - -[Sidenote: BISHOPERS AND COMMONERS.] - -From this time parties in Geneva took new forms and new names. There -were not simply, as before, partisans of the foreign domination and -Savoy, and those of independence and Switzerland: the latter were -divided. Some, having Hugues and Balard as leaders, declared for the -bishop; others, with Maison-Neuve and Porral at their head, declared for -the people. They desired not only to repel the usurpations of Savoy, but -also to see the fall of the temporal power of the bishop in Geneva. -'Now,' said Bonivard, 'that the first division into mamelukes and -huguenots has almost come to an end, we have the second—that of -bishopers (_évêquains_) and commoners (_communiaires_).' These two -parties had their men of sense and importance, and also their hotheaded -adherents; as, for instance, De la Thoy on the side of the commoners, -and Pécolat, the man of whom it would have been least expected, among -the bishopers. A singular change had been effected in this former martyr -of the bishop: the _jester_ had joined the episcopal band. Was it -because he was at heart catholic and even superstitious (he had -ascribed, it will be remembered, the healing of his tongue to the -intervention of a saint), or because, being a thorough parasite, he -preferred the well-covered tables of the bishopers? We know not. These -noisy partisans, the vanguard of the two parties, were frequently -quarrelling. 'They murmured, jeered, and made faces at each other.' - -At the same time this new division marked a step made in advance by this -small people. Two great questions were raised, which sooner or later -must rise up in every country. The first was _political_, and may be -stated thus: 'Must we accept a traditional dominion which has been -established by trampling legitimate rights under foot?' (This was the -dominion of the bishop.) The second was _religious_, and may be -expressed thus: 'Which must we choose, popery or the Gospel?' Many of -the _commoners_, seeing the bishop and the duke disputing about Geneva, -said that these two people were fighting for what belonged to neither of -them, and that Geneva belonged to the Genevans. But there were -politicians also among them, lawyers for the most part, who founded -their pretensions on a legal basis. The bishops and princes of Geneva -ought by right, as we have seen, to be elected at Geneva and not at -Rome, by Genevans and not by Romans. The issue of the struggle was not -doubtful. How could the bishop make head against magistrates and -citizens relying on positive rights, and against the most powerful -aspirations of liberty that were awaking in men's hearts? How could the -Roman doctrine escape the floods of the Reformation? Certain scandals -helped to precipitate the catastrophe. - -On the 12th of July some huguenots appeared before the council. 'The -priests of the Magdalen,' they said, 'keep an improper house, in which -reside several disorderly women.' There were among the Genevans, and -particularly among the magistrates, men of good sense, who had the fear -of God before their eyes and confidence in him in their hearts. These -respectable laymen (and there may have been priests who thought the -same) had a deep conviction that one of the great defects of the middle -ages was the existence of popes, bishops, priests, and monks, who had -separated religion from morality. The council attended to these -complaints to a certain extent. They banished from Geneva the persons -who made it their business to facilitate illicit intercourse, obliged -the lewd women to live in a place assigned them, and severely -remonstrated with the priests.[743] The first breath of the Reformation -in Geneva attacked immorality. It was not this affair, however, which -gave the bishop his death-blow; it was a scandal occasioned by himself, -and in his own house. 'Halting justice' was about to overtake the guilty -man at last. - -[Sidenote: ABDUCTION OF A YOUNG WOMAN.] - -One day a report suddenly got abroad which put the whole city in -commotion. 'A young girl, of respectable family,' said the crowd, 'has -just been carried off by the bishop's people: we saw them dragging her -to the palace.' It was an electric spark that set the whole populace on -fire. The palace gates had been immediately closed upon the victim, and -the bishop's servants threatened to repel with main force the persons -who demanded her. 'Does the bishop imagine,' said some of the patriots, -'that we will put up with his beatings as quietly as the folks of St. -Claude do?' It would seem that La Baume permitted such practices among -the Burgundians, who did not complain of them. The girl's mother, -rushing into the street, had followed her as fast as possible, and had -only stopped at the closed gates of the episcopal palace. She paced -round and round the building, roaring like a lioness deprived of her -whelp. The citizens, crowding in front of the palace, exclaimed: 'Ha! -you are now throwing off the mask of holiness which you held up to -deceive the simple. In your churches you kiss God's feet, and in your -life you daringly spit in his face!' Many of them called for the bishop, -summoning him to restore the young woman to her mother, and hammering -violently at the gate. - -The prelate, who was then at dinner, did not like to be disturbed in -this important business; being puzzled, moreover, as to the course which -he ought to adopt, it appeared that the best thing he could do was to be -deaf. He therefore answered his servants, who asked him for orders, 'Do -not open the door;' and raising the glass to his lips, he went on with -his repast. But his heart was beginning to tremble: the shouts grew -louder, and every blow struck against the gate found an echo in the soul -of the guilty priest. His servants, who were looking stealthily out of -the windows, having informed him that the magistrates had arrived, -Pierre de la Baume left his chair, paler than death, and went to the -window. There was a profound silence immediately, and the syndics made -the prelate an earnest but very respectful speech. The bishop, terrified -at the popular fury, replied: 'Certainly, gentlemen, you shall have the -young woman.... I only had her carried off for a harper, who asked me -for her in return for his services.' Monseigneur had not carried off the -girl in the violence of passion, but only to pay the wages of a -musician! It was not more guilty, but it was more vile. The palace gates -were opened, and the girl was restored to her mother. Michael Roset does -not mention the harper, and leads us to believe that the bishop had -taken her for himself. This scandalous abduction was the last act done -in Geneva by the Roman bishops.[744] - -From that moment the deposition of the bishop was signed, as it were, in -the hearts of most of the citizens. 'These, then, are the priests' -works,' they said, 'debauchery and violence!... Instead of purifying the -manners of the people, they labour to corrupt them! Ha! ha! you -bishopers, a fine religion is that of your bishop!' - -Opposition to a corrupt government soon began to appear a duty to them. -The right of resistance was one of the principles of that society in the -middle ages, which some writers uphold as a model of servility. In the -Great Charter of England, the king authorised his own subjects, in case -he should violate any one of their liberties, 'to pursue and molest him -to the uttermost of their power, by seizing his castles, estates, -possessions, and otherwise.' In certain cases, the vassals could -separate themselves entirely from their suzerain. Some vassals, it is -true, might carry this principle too far, and claim to throw off the -feudal authority _whenever it pleased them_; but the law made answer: -'No, not unless there is _reasonable cause_.'[745] When freeing herself -from the bishop-princes, who had so often violated the franchises and -connived with the enemies of the city, Geneva thought she was acting -with very reasonable cause, and not going beyond the bounds of legality. -The ruin of the bishops and princes of Geneva, already prepared by their -political misdeeds, was completed by their moral disorders. - -But if the friends of law and morality desired to break by legal means -the bonds which united them to the bishop-prince, other persons, the -wits and brawlers, envenomed against his partisans, began to get up -quarrels with the bishopers. One day 'the young men of Geneva,' -returning from a shooting match, where, says the chronicler, they had -'had many a shot at the pot' (that is, had drunk deeply), determined to -give a smart lesson to two of the bishop's friends, Pécolat and Robert -Vandel. The latter, at that time attached personally to Pierre de la -Baume, afterwards became one of the most zealous patriots. 'They are at -St. Victor's,' somebody said; 'let us go and fetch them.' The party, -headed by a drummer, went to the priory, where Bonivard told the -ringleaders that the two bishopers and others were diverting themselves -at Plainpalais. Just as the band arrived, the episcopals were entering -the city: one of the 'sons of Geneva,' catching sight of Pécolat and -Vandel, exclaimed: 'My lord, you have traitors among you there!' The -bishop spurred his mule and rode off; Pécolat drew his sword; his -opponent, De la Thoy, did the same, and they began to cut at each other. -The fray was so noisy that the guards in alarm shut the gates, when a -few reasonable men parted the combatants. A more serious movement was -accomplishing in the depths of men's minds. Nothing but secularisation -and reformation could put an end to the almost universal discontent.[746] - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE'S MENACES.] - -The Duke of Savoy wished for another solution. His councillors -represented to him that the bishop had lost his credit among the nobles -and clergy, through his desire to ally himself with the Swiss; that he -was ruined with the citizens by his unedifying mode of life; and that -the moment had come for giving these restless people a _stronger -shepherd_, who would cure them of their taste for political and religious -liberty. In consequence of this, the duke summoned the Genevans, on the -30th of July, to recognise his claims, and his ambassadors added that, -if the citizens refused, 'Charles III. would come in person with an -army, and then they would have to keep their city ... if they could.' -The Genevans made answer: 'We will suffer death rather.' The Bernese, -informed of the threats of Savoy, sent ambassadors to Chambéry to -admonish (_admonester_) the duke. 'I have a grudge against the city,' he -said, 'and against the bishop also, and I will do my pleasure upon him -in defiance of all opposition.'—'Keep a good look-out,' said the Bernese -ambassadors to the syndics, on their return, 'for the duke is preparing -to carry off the bishop and confiscate the liberties of the city.' The -bishop and the citizens were exceedingly agitated. Men, women, and -children set to work: they cut down the trees round the walls, pulled -down the houses, and levelled the gardens, while four gangs worked at -the fortifications. 'We would rather die defending our rights,' said the -Genevans, 'than live in continual fear.'[747] - -It might have been imagined that the duke, by declaring war at the same -time against the bishop and the city, would have brought them nearer -each other; but the popular irritation against the bishop and clergy was -only increased by it. The citizens said that all the misfortunes of -Geneva proceeded from their having a bishop for a prince; and La Baume -saw a conspirator in every Genevan. More than one bishop, the oppressor -of the liberties of his people, had fallen during the middle ages under -the blows of the indignant burgesses. For instance, the wretched Gaudri, -bishop of Laon in the twelfth century, having trampled the rights of the -citizens under foot, had been compelled to flee from their wrath, and -hide himself in a cask in the episcopal cellar. But, being discovered -and dragged into the street, he was killed by the blow of an axe, and -his body covered with stones and mud.[748] If good _catholics_ had -practised such revenge upon their bishop, what would _huguenots_ do? - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP RESOLVES TO LEAVE GENEVA.] - -La Baume had other fears besides. An intriguing woman, his cousin Madame -de Besse, generally known as Madame de la Gruyère, being gained over by -the duke, alarmed the bishop by insinuating that he was to be kidnapped, -and that this time his mule would not save him. That lady had scarcely -left the palace when the Bernese entered and said to the frightened -bishop: 'Make haste to go! for the duke is coming to take you.' They may -have said this with a mischievous intention, desiring to free the city -from the bishop. La Baume had not a minute of repose afterwards. His -servants, threatened by the huguenots, began to be afraid also, and thus -increased their master's alarm. He passed the day in anguish, and awoke -in the night uttering cries of terror. At times he listened as if he -heard the footsteps of the men coming to carry him off. He did not -hesitate: his residence in the episcopal city had become insupportable. -He had too much sense not to see that the cause of his temporal -principality was lost, and, to add to his misfortune, the only prince -who could defend him was turning against him. Whatever the risk, he must -depart. 'Whereat the bishop was so vexed,' says Bonivard, 'that he -meditated retiring from Geneva into Burgundy.' He flattered himself that -he would be quiet in the midst of his good vassals of St. Claude, and -happy near his cellars of Arbois![749] - -It was, however, no easy thing to do. He would have to get out of -Geneva, pass through the district of Gex, and cross the Jura mountains, -all filled with armed men. Feeling the want of some one to help him, he -determined to apply to Besançon Hugues. He invited him to come to the -palace, but in the night, so that no one might see him. When Hugues got -there, the wretched and guilty prelate squeezed his hand, and told him -all his troubles. 'I can no longer endure the wrong, violence, and -tyranny which the duke does me,' he said. 'I know that he is plotting to -kidnap me and shut me up in one of his monasteries. On the other hand, I -mistrust my own subjects, for they are aiming at my life. I am day and -night in mortal torment. You alone can get me out of the city, and I -hope you will manage so that it shall not be talked of.' Besançon Hugues -was touched when he saw the man whom he recognised as his lord agitated -and trembling before him. How could he refuse the alarmed priest the -favour he so earnestly demanded?... He left the bishop, telling him that -he would go and make preparations for a nocturnal flight.[750] - -[Sidenote: FLEES BY NIGHT TO ST. CLAUDE.] - -In the night of the 1st and 2nd of August, 1527, Hugues went secretly to -the palace, accompanied by Michael Guillet, a leading mameluke. The -prelate received his friends like liberating angels. They all three went -down into the vaults, where La Baume ordered a private door to be opened -which led into the street now called the Rue de la Fontaine. He had to -go along this street to reach the lake; but might not some of those -terrible huguenots stop him in his flight? He crept stealthily and in -disguise out of the palace, put himself between his two defenders, and, -a prey to singular alarm, went forward noiselessly. On arriving at the -brink of the water, the fugitive and his two companions descried through -the darkness the boatmen whom Hugues had engaged. La Baume and Besançon -entered the boat, while Michael Guillet returned to the city. The -boatmen took their oars, and crossed the lake at the point where the -Rhone flows out of it. La Baume looked all round him; but he could see -nothing, could hear nothing but the dull sound of the oars. The danger, -however, was far from being passed. The right bank might be occupied by -a band of his enemies.... When the boat touched the shore, La Baume -caught sight of two or three men with horses. They were friends. Hugues -and the bishop got into their saddles without a moment's loss, and -galloped off in the direction of the Jura. The bishop had never better -appreciated his good luck in being one of the best horsemen of his day; -he drove the spurs into his steed, fancying at times that he heard the -noise of Savoyard horses behind him. In this way the bishop and his -companion rode on, all the night through, along by-roads and in the -midst of great dangers, for all the passes were guarded by men-at-arms. -At last the day appeared. In proportion as they advanced, La Baume -breathed more freely. After four-and-twenty hours of cruel fright, the -travellers arrived at St. Claude. Pierre de la Baume was at the summit -of happiness.[751] - -The day after his departure, the news of the bishop's flight suddenly -became known in Geneva, where it caused a great sensation. 'Alas!' said -the monks in their cloisters, 'Monseigneur, seeing the approaching -tribulation, has got away by stealth across the lake.' The patriots, on -the contrary, collecting in groups in the public places, rejoiced to -find themselves delivered by one act both from their bishop and their -prince. At the same time the Savoyard soldiers, posted round Geneva, -were greatly annoyed; they had been on the watch night and day, and yet -the bishop had slipped through their fingers. To avenge themselves, they -swore to arrest Besançon Hugues on his return. The latter, making no -stay at St. Claude, reappeared next morning at daybreak in the district -of Gex, when he soon noticed that gentlemen and soldiers were all -joining in the chase after him. The bells were rung in the village -steeples, the peasants were roused, and every one shouted: 'Hie! hie! -the traitor Besançon!' It seemed impossible for him to escape. Having -descended the mountain, he followed the by-roads through the plain, when -suddenly a number of armed men fell upon him. Hugues had great courage, -a stout sword, and a good horse; fording the water-courses, and -galloping across the hills, he saved himself, 'as by a miracle,' says -his friend Balard.[752] - -[Sidenote: THE HIRELING FORSAKES THE SHEEP.] - -The Genevans were very uneasy about him, for they all loved him. The -drums beat, the companies mustered under their officers, and they were -about to march out with their arms to protect him, when suddenly he -arrived, panting, exhausted, and wounded. They would have liked to speak -to him, and, above all, to hear him; but Hugues, hardly shaking hands -with his friends, rode straight to his own house and went to bed; he was -completely knocked up. The syndics went to his room to investigate the -circumstances of which he had to complain. But erelong the brave man -recovered from his fatigue, and the city was full of joy. The bishop's -flight still further increased their cheerfulness: it snapped the bonds -of which they were weary. 'The _hireling_,' they said, 'leaveth the -sheep, and fleeth, when he seeth the wolf coming.'[753] 'Therefore,' -they added, 'he is not the shepherd.' - -[Footnote 743: Registres du Conseil du 12 juillet 1527.] - -[Footnote 744: Roset MS. _Chronol._ liv. ii. ch. xv. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. p. 455.] - -[Footnote 745: Beaumanoir, _Coutumes de Beauvaisis_, p. 61. Guizot, -_Histoire de la Civilisation en France_, iv. p. 72.] - -[Footnote 746: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 464.] - -[Footnote 747: Registres du Conseil des 30 juillet et 25 août 1527. -_Journal de Balard_, pp. 125, 126.] - -[Footnote 748: 'Quot saxis, quot et pulveribus corpus oppressum.'—G. de -Novigento, _Opp._ p. 507.] - -[Footnote 749: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 473. Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, -ii. p. 410. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 750: Savyon, _Annales_, p. 139. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. -474. Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève_, pp. 427, 428, &c.] - -[Footnote 751: _Journal de Balard_, p. 126. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. -474. _Mém. d'Archéol._ ii. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 752: _Journal de Balard_, p. 127. Registres du Conseil du 6 -août 1527, La Sœur de Jussie, p. 4.] - -[Footnote 753: John x. 12.] - - - - - CHAPTER V. - EXCOMMUNICATION OF GENEVA AND FUNERAL PROCESSION OF - POPERY. - (AUGUST 1527 TO FEBRUARY 1528.) - - -The Duke of Savoy was the wolf. When he heard of the bishop's flight, -his vexation was greater than can be imagined. He had told the Bernese: -'I shall have Monsieur of Geneva at my will,'[754] and now the wily -prelate had escaped him a second time. At first Charles III. lost all -self-control. 'I will go,' he said, 'and drag him across the Alps with a -rope round his neck!' After which he wrote to him: 'I will make you the -poorest priest in Savoy;' and, proceeding to gratify his rage, he seized -upon the abbeys of Suza and Pignerol, which belonged to La Baume. -Gradually his anger cooled down; the duke's counsellors, knowing the -bishop's irresolute and timid character, said to their master: 'He is of -such a changeable disposition[755] that it will be easy to bring him -over again to the side of Savoy.' The prince yielded to their advice, -and sent Ducis, governor of the Château de l'Ile, to try to win him -back. It appeared to the ducal counsellors that Pierre de la Baume, -having fled from Geneva, could never return thither, and would have no -wish to do so; and that the time had come when a negotiation, favourable -in other respects to the prelate, might put the duke in possession of a -city which he desired by every means to close against heresy and liberty. - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE TRIES TO WIN THE BISHOP.] - -The bishop, at that moment very dejected, was touched by the duke's -advances; he sent an agent to the prince, and peace seemed on the point -of being concluded. But Charles had uttered a word that sounded ill in -the prelate's ears. 'The duke wishes me to subscribe myself _his -subject_,' he wrote to Hugues. 'I think I know why.... It is that he may -afterwards lay hands on me.' Nevertheless, the duke appeared to restrain -himself. 'I will give back all your benefices,' he told the bishop, 'if -you contrive to annul the alliance between Geneva and Switzerland.' La -Baume consented to everything in order to recover his abbeys, whose -confiscation made a large gap in his revenues. He did not care much -about living at Geneva, but he wished to be at his ease in Burgundy. At -this moment, as the duke and the Genevans left him at peace, he was -luxuriously enjoying his repose. Instead of being always in the presence -of huguenots and mamelukes, he walked calmly in his garden 'among his -pinks and gilly-flowers.'[756] He ordered some beautiful fur robes, -lined with black satin, for the winter; he kept a good table, and said: -'I am much better supplied with good wine here than we are at -Geneva.'[757] - -The bishop having fled from his bishopric like a hireling,—the prince -having run away from his principality like a conspirator,—the citizens -resolved to take measures for preserving order in the State, and to make -the constitution at once stronger and more independent. The general -council delegated to the three councils of Twenty-five, Sixty, and -Two-Hundred the duty of carrying on the necessary business, except in -such important affairs as required the convocation of the people. A -secret council was also appointed, composed of the four syndics and of -six of the most decided huguenots. A distinguished historian says that -the Genevan constitution was then made democratic;[758] another -historian affirms, on the contrary, that the power of the people was -weakened.[759] We are of a different opinion from both. In proportion as -Geneva threw off foreign usurpation, it would strengthen its internal -constitution. Undoubtedly, this little nation desired to be free, and -the Reformation was to preserve its liberties; there is a democracy in -the Reform. Philosophy, which is satisfied with a small number of -disciples, has never formed more than an intellectual aristocracy; but -evangelical christianity, which appeals to all classes, and particularly -to the lowly, develops the understanding, awakens the conscience, and -sanctifies the hearts of those who receive it, in this way spreading -light, order, and peace all around, and forming a true democracy on -earth, very different from that which does without Christ and without -God. But Geneva, at that time surrounded by implacable enemies, -required, as necessary to its existence, not only liberty, but order, -power, and consequently authority. - -[Sidenote: THE DUCAL ARMS FALL AT GENEVA.] - -The bishop had hardly disappeared from Geneva when the insignia of ducal -power disappeared also. Eight years before this, Charles III. had caused -the white cross of Savoy, carved in marble, to be placed on the Château -de l'Ile, 'at which the friends of liberty were much grieved.'—'I have -placed my arms in the middle of the city as a mark of sovereignty,' he -had said haughtily, 'and have had them carved in hard stone. Let the -people efface them if they dare!' On the morning of the 6th of August -(five days after the bishop's flight), some people who were passing near -the castle perceived to their great astonishment that the ducal arms had -disappeared.... A crowd soon gathered to the spot, and a lively -discussion arose. Who did it? was the general question. 'Oh!' replied -some, 'the stone has accidentally fallen into the river;' but although -the water was clear, no one could see it. 'It was you,' said the duke's -partisans to the huguenots, 'and you have hidden it somewhere.' -Bonivard, who stood thoughtful in the midst of the crowd, said at last: -'I know the culprit.'—'Who is it? who is it?' 'St. Peter,' he replied. -'As patron of Geneva, he is unwilling that a secular prince should have -any ensign of authority in his city!' This incident, the authors of -which were never known, made a great impression, and the most serious -persons exclaimed: 'Truly, it is a visible sign, announcing to us a -secret and mysterious decision of the Most High. What the hand of God -hath thrown down, let not hand of man set up again!'[760] - -The Genevans wanted neither duke nor bishop; they went farther still, -and being harassed by the court of Rome, they were going to show that -they did not care for the pope. They had hardly done talking of La -Baume's flight and of the Savoy escutcheon, when they were told strange -news. A report was circulated that an excommunication and interdict had -been pronounced against them, at the request of the mamelukes. This -greatly excited such citizens as were still attached to the Roman -worship. 'What!' said they; 'the priests will be suspended from their -functions, the people deprived of the benefit of the sacraments, divine -worship, and consecrated burial ... innocent and guilty will be involved -in one common misery.'... But the energy of the huguenots, whom long -combats had hardened like steel, was not to be weakened by this new -attack. The most determined of them resolved to turn against Rome the -measure plotted against Geneva. The council, being resolved to prevent -the excommunication from being placarded in the streets,[761] ordered 'a -strict watch to be kept at the bridge of Arve, about St. Victor and St. -Leger, and that the gates should be shut early and opened late.' This -was not enough. Five days later (the 29th of December, 1527), the -people, lawfully assembled, caused the _Golden Bull_ to be read aloud -before them, which ordered that, with the exception of the emperor and -the bishop, there should be no authority in Geneva. Then a daring -proposition was made to the general council, namely, 'that no -metropolitan letters, and further still no apostolical letters (that is -to say, no decrees emanating from the pope's courts), should be executed -by any priest or any citizen.'—'Agreed, agreed!' shouted everybody. It -would seem that the vote was almost unanimous. In this way the bishop on -the banks of the Tiber found men prepared to resist him on the obscure -banks of the Leman. - -This vote alarmed a few timid persons of a traditional tendency. -Advocates of the _status quo_ entreated the progressionists to restrain -themselves; but the latter had no wish to do so. They answered that the -Reformation was triumphing among the Swiss; that Zwingle, Œcolampadius, -and Haller were preaching with daily increasing success at Zurich, -Basle, and Berne. They added that on the 7th of January, 1528, the -famous discussion had begun in the last-named city, and that the Holy -Scriptures had gained the victory; that the altars and images had been -thrown down 'with the consent of the people;' that a spiritual worship -had been substituted in their place, and that all, including children -fourteen years old, had sworn to observe 'the Lutheran law.' The -huguenots thought that if excommunication came to them from Rome, -absolution would come to them from Berne—or rather from heaven. - -[Sidenote: FUNERAL PROCESSION OF POPERY.] - -The more light-hearted among them went further than this. For ages the -Roman Church had accustomed its followers to unite masquerades with the -most sacred recollections. In some cantons there had been great -rejoicings over the abolition of the mass. Such a fire could not be -kindled in Switzerland without scattering a few sparks over Geneva. -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve, a great enemy to superstition, an active -and even turbulent man, and daring enough to attempt anything, resolved -to organise a funeral procession of the papacy. He would attack Rome -with the weapons that the Roman carnival supplied him, and would arrange -a great procession. Whilst serious men were reading the epistle from -heaven (the Gospel), which absolved them from the excommunication of its -pretended vicar, the young and thoughtless were in great excitement; -they dressed themselves in their houses in the strangest manner; they -disguised themselves, some as priests, some as canons, and others as -monks; they came out, met together, drew up in line, and soon began to -march through the streets of the city. There were white friars, grey -friars, and black friars, fat canons, and thin curates. One was begging, -another chanting; here was one scourging himself, there another -strutting solemnly along; here a man carrying a hair shirt, there a man -with a bottle. Some indulged in acts of outrageous buffoonery; others, -the more completely to imitate the monks, went so far as to take -liberties with the women who were looking on, and when some fat friar -thus made any burlesque gesture, there was loud applause, and the crowd -exclaimed: 'That is not the worst they do.' In truth the reality was -more culpable than the burlesque. When they saw this tumultuous -procession and heard the doleful chanting, mingled with noisy roars of -laughter, every one said that popery was dying, and singing its _De -profundis_, its burial anthem. - -The priests took the jest in very bad part, and the procession was -hardly over before they hurried, flushed with anger, to complain to the -syndics of 'the enmity raised against them by Baudichon and others.' The -syndics referred their complaint to the episcopal council, and the -latter severely reprimanded the offenders. But Maison-Neuve and his -friends withdrew, fully convinced that the priests were in the wrong, -and that the victory would ultimately be on their side.[762] - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD AT THE PRIORY.] - -They were beginning in Geneva to estimate a papal excommunication at its -proper value. No one knew more on this subject than Bonivard, and he -instructed his best friends on this difficult text. Among the number was -François Favre, a man of ardent character, prompt wit, and rather -worldly manners, but a good citizen and determined huguenot. Favre was -one day, on a famous occasion, to be at the head of Bonivard's -liberators. He went sometimes to the priory, where he often met Robert -Vandel, a man of less decision than his two friends. Vandel, who still -kept on good terms with the bishop, was at heart one of the most -independent of men, and Bonivard had made him governor of the domain of -St. Victor. - -These Genevans and others continued the conversations that Bonivard had -formerly had with Berthelier in the same room and at the same table. -They spoke of Berne, of Geneva, of Switzerland, of the Reformation, and -of excommunication. Bonivard found erelong a special opportunity of -enlightening his two friends on the acts of the Romish priesthood. - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD ON EXCOMMUNICATION.] - -There was no one in Geneva whom the papal party detested more than him. -The ultramontanists could understand why lawyers and citizens opposed -the clergy; but a prior!... His enemies, therefore, formed the project -of seizing the estates of St. Victor, and of expelling Bonivard from the -monastery. The huguenots, on hearing of this, ardently espoused his -cause, and the council gave him, for his protection (20th of January, -1528) six arquebuses and four pounds of gunpowder. These were hardly -monastic weapons; but the impetuous Favre hastened to offer him his -heart and his arm; and, to say the truth, Bonivard in case of need could -have made very good use of an arquebuse. He had recourse, however, to -other defenders; he resolved to go and plead his cause before the -League. But this was not without danger, for the duke's agents might -seize him on the road, as he afterwards had the misfortune to know. -Favre, ever ready to go where there was any risk to be run, offered to -accompany him to Berne. Vandel had to go as governor of St. Victor: they -set off. Arriving at a village in the Pays de Vaud, the three huguenots -dismounted and took a stroll while their horses were resting. Bonivard, -as he was riding along, had noticed some large placards on the doors of -the churches, and being curious to know what they were about, he went up -to them, and immediately called his friends; 'Come here,' he said; 'here -are some curious things—letters of excommunication.' He was beginning to -read them, when one of his companions cried out: 'Stop! for as soon as -you have read them, you will thereby be excommunicate!' The worthy -huguenot imagined that the best plan was to know nothing about such -anathemas, and then to act as if the excommunication did not exist—which -could not be done if they were read. Bonivard, a man of great good -sense, profited by the opportunity to explain to his friends what these -earthly excommunications were worth. 'If you have done what is wrong,' -he told them, 'God himself excommunicates you; but if you have acted -rightly, the excommunication of priests can do you no harm. There is -only one tribunal which has power over the conscience, and that is -heaven. The pope and the devil hurt only those who are afraid of them. -Do therefore what is right, and fear nothing. The bolts which they may -hurl at you will be spent in the air.' Then he added with a smile: 'If -the pope or the metropolitan of Vienne excommunicate you, pope Berthold -of Berne will give you absolution.'[763] Bonivard's words were repeated -in Geneva, and the papal excommunications lost credit every day. - -This became alarming: the episcopal officers informed the bishop; but -the latter, who was enjoying himself in his Burgundian benefices, put -aside everything that might disturb his meals and his repose. It was not -the same with the duke and his ministers. That prince was not content -with coveting the prelate's temporal power; looking upon La Baume as -already dispossessed of his rights, he made himself bishop, nay almost -pope, in his place. The cabinet of Turin thought that if the principles -of civil liberty once combined with those of religious liberty, Geneva -would attempt to reform Savoy by means of conversations, letters, books, -and missionaries. Charles III. therefore sent a message to the council, -which was read in the Two-Hundred on the 7th of February. 'I hear,' said -the prince, 'that the Lutheran sect is making way among you.... Make -haste to prevent the ravages of that pestilence, and, to that intent, -send on the 17th two men empowered by you to hear some very important -things concerning _my authority in matters of faith_.' - -What would the Genevans answer? If a bishop is made prince, why should -not a prince be made bishop? The confusion of the two provinces is a -source of continual disturbance. Christianity cannot tolerate either -Cæsars who are popes, or popes who are Cæsars; and yet ambition is -always endeavouring to unite these two irreconcilable powers. The duke -did not presume to abolish definitively the episcopal power and confer -it on himself; but he wished to take advantage of the bishop's flight to -acquire an influence which he would be able to retain when the episcopal -authority was restored. He spoke, therefore, like a Roman pontiff ... of -his authority in matters of faith. - -'Really,' said the council, 'we have had enough and too much even of one -pope, and we do not care to have two—one at Rome and the other at our -very gates.' The citizens were so irritated at Charles's singular claim, -that they did not return an answer in the usual form. 'We will not write -to the duke,' said the syndics; 'we will delegate no one to him, seeing -that we are not his subjects; but we will simply tell the bearer of his -letter that _we are going on very well_, and that the duke, having no -authority to correct us, ought to _mind his own business_.' Such is the -minute recorded in the council register for this day. As for La Baume, -the poor prelate, who did not trouble himself much either about pope or -Lutheranism, wrote the same day to the Genevans, that he permitted them -'to eat milk-food during the coming Lent.' This culinary permission was -quite in his way, and it was the most important missive from the bishop -at that time.[764] - -[Sidenote: THE DUKE REPRIMANDS THE CANONS.] - -When the episcopal council heard of the syndics' answer, they were in -great commotion. They thought it rude and unbecoming, and trembled lest -Charles should confound them with these arrogant burgesses. They -therefore sent M. de Veigy, one of the most eminent canons, to the duke, -in order to pacify him. The reverend father set off, and while on the -road, he feared at one moment Charles's anger, and at another enjoyed in -anticipation the courtesies which the ducal court could not fail to show -him. But he had scarcely been presented to the duke, and made a profound -bow, when Bishop de Belley, standing at the left of his highness, and -commissioned to be the interpreter of his sentiments, addressed him -abruptly, and, calling him traitor and huguenot, insulted him just as De -la Thoy might have done. But this abuse was nothing in comparison with -Charles's anger: unable to restrain himself, he burst out, and, giving -utterance to the terrible schemes he had formed against Geneva, declared -he would reduce that impracticable city to ashes, and ended by saying: -'If you do not come out of it, you will be burnt in it with all the -rest.' The poor canon endeavoured to pacify his highness: 'Ah, my lord,' -he said, 'I shall not remain there: all the canons now in the city are -about to leave it!' And yet De Veigy was fond of Geneva, and thought -that to reside in Annecy would be terribly dull. Accordingly, on his -return to the city, he forgot his terror and his promises, whereupon he -received this short message from Charles III.: 'Ordered, under pain of -death, to quit Geneva in six days.'—'He left on the 3rd of March, and -with great regret,' adds Balard.[765] Charles wished to put the canons -in a place of safety, before he burnt the city. - -[Footnote 754: 'Que qui en volisse contredire' (whatever any one may do -to oppose it), he added.—_Journal de Balard_, p. 124.] - -[Footnote 755: 'Il est d'un esprit si changeant.'—_Hist. de Genève_, MS. -of the 17th century. Bibliothèque de Berne, _Hist. Helvét._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 756: Letter from La Baume to Hugues. Galiffe, _Matériaux_.] - -[Footnote 757: Galiffe, _Matériaux_, ii. pp. 424-475. _Mém. -d'Archéologie_, ii. pp. 14, 15.] - -[Footnote 758: Mignet, _Réforme à Genève_, p. 34.] - -[Footnote 759: James Fazy, _Hist. de la République de Genève_, p. 158.] - -[Footnote 760: _Journal de Balard_, p. 127. Roset MS. _Chronol._ liv. -ii. ch. xx. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 448. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 761: Registres du Conseil des 24 et 29 décembre 1527. -Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 473, 474. Gautier MS. _Journal de Balard_.] - -[Footnote 762: Registres du Conseil des 15 et 17 janvier 1528. _Journal -de Balard_, p. 146. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 763: 'Hominum anathemata a Bertholdo papa facile solvenda.'— -Spanheim, _Geneva Restituta_, p. 35.] - -[Footnote 764: Registres du Conseil du 7 février 1528. _Journal de -Balard_, p. 147.] - -[Footnote 765: Registres du Conseil du 7 février et du 3 mars 1528. -_Journal de Balard_, pp. 147-149.] - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - THE KNIGHTS OF THE SPOON LEAGUE AGAINST GENEVA - AT THE CASTLE OF BURSINEL. - (MARCH 1528.) - - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD COMPLAINS OF GENEVA.] - -The partisans of absolutism and the papacy rose up on every side against -Geneva, as if the Reformation were already established there. It was not -so, however. Although Geneva had come out of Romanism, it had not yet -entered Reform: it was still in those uncertain and barren places, that -land of negations and disputes which lies between the two. A few persons -only were beginning to see that, in order to separate really from the -pope, it was necessary, as Haller and Zwingle said, to obey Jesus -Christ. Bonivard, a keen critic, was indulging in his reflections, in -his large arm-chair, at the priory of St. Victor, and carefully studying -the singular aspect Geneva at that time presented. 'A strange -spectacle,' he said; 'everybody wishes to command, and no one will obey. -From tyranny we have fallen into the opposite and worse vice of -anarchy.... There are as many tyrants as heads ... which engenders -confusion. Everybody wishes to make his own profit or private pleasure -out of the common weal; profit tends to avarice; and pleasure consists -in taking vengeance on him whom you hate. Men are killed, but they are -not the real enemies of Geneva.... If you wound a bear, he will not -spring upon the man who wounded him, but will tear the first poles or -the first tree in his way.... And this, alas! is what they are doing -among us. Having groaned under a tyrannical government, we have the love -of licence instead of the love of liberty. We must be apprentices before -we can be masters, and break many strings before we can play upon the -lute. The huguenots have driven out the tyrant, but have not driven out -tyranny. It is not liberty to do whatever we desire, if we do not desire -what is right. O pride! thou wilt be the ruin of Geneva! Pride has -always envy for its follower; and when pride would mount too high, the -old crone catches her by the tail and pulls her back, so that she falls -and breaks her neck.... The huguenot leagues are not sufficient; the -Gospel must advance, in order that popery may recede.' It is Bonivard -himself who has transmitted these wise reflections.[766] - -He was not the only person who entertained such thoughts. The affairs of -the alliance often attracted Bernese to Geneva; and being convinced that -the Reformation alone could save that city, they continued Ab Hofen's -work. Being admitted into private families, they spoke against human -traditions and extolled the Scriptures. 'God speaks to us of the -Redeemer,' they said, 'and not of Lent.' But the Friburgers, thrusting -themselves into these evangelical conferences, exclaimed: 'Obey the -Church! If you separate from the Church, we will break off the -alliance!'[767] - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD'S ANSWER TO THE HUGUENOTS.] - -The _bishopers_ were with Friburg, the _commoners_ with Berne. The -latter were divided into three classes: there were politicians, to whom -religion was only a means of obtaining liberty; serious and peaceful -men, who called for true piety (Bonivard mentions Boutelier as one of -these); and, lastly, the enemies of the priests, who saw the Reformation -from a negative point of view, and regarded it essentially as a war -against Roman superstitions. One day these sincere but impatient men -said they could wait no longer, and went out to St. Victor to invite the -prior to put himself at their head. They rang at the gate of the -monastery, and the janitor went and told Bonivard, who ordered them to -be admitted: 'We wish to put an end to all this papal ceremony,' -they told him; 'we desire to drive out all its ministers, priests, and -monks ... all that papistical rabble; and then we mean to invite the -ministers of the Gospel, who will introduce a true christian reformation -among us.' - -The prior smiled as he heard these words: 'Gentlemen,' he said, in a -sarcastic tone, 'I think your sentiments very praiseworthy, and confess -that all ecclesiastics (of whom I am one) have great need to be -reformed. But ought not those who wish to reform others to begin by -reforming themselves? If you love the Gospel, as you say you do, you -will live according to the Gospel. But if you wish to reform us without -reforming yourselves, it is evident that you are not moved by love for -the Gospel, but by hatred against us. And why should you hate us? It is -not because our manners are contrary to yours, but because they are like -them. Aristotle says in his _Ethics_,' continued the learned prior, 'and -experience confirms the statement, that animals which eat off the same -food naturally hate each other. Two horses do not agree at the same -manger, nor two dogs over the same bone. It is the same with us. We are -unchaste, and so are you. We are drunkards, and so are you. We are -gamblers and blasphemers, and so are you. Why then should you be so -opposed to us?... We do not hinder you from indulging in your little -pleasures; pray do the same by us. You desire to expel us, you say, and -put Lutheran ministers in our place.... Gentlemen, think well of what -you are about: you will not have had them two years before you will be -sorry for it. These ministers will permit you to break the commandments -of the pope, but they will forbid your breaking those of God. According -to their doctrines, you must not gamble or indulge in debauchery, under -severe penalty.... Ah! how that would vex you!... Therefore, gentlemen, -you must do one of two things: either leave us in our present condition; -or, if you wish to reform us according to the Gospel, reform yourselves -first.' - -These remarks were not quite so reasonable as they appeared to be. _It -is the sick that have need of a physician_, and as these 'sons of -Geneva' wished to invite the ministers of the Gospel, _in order to -introduce a true christian reform_, Bonivard should have encouraged -instead of opposing them. These worldly men might have had a real desire -for the Gospel at the bottom of their hearts. Reprimanded by the prior, -they withdrew. Bonivard watched them as they retired. 'They are going -off with their tails between their legs.[768] Certainly, I desire a -reformation; but I do not like that those who are more qualified to -deform than to reform should presume to be its instruments.' - -[Sidenote: DETERMINATION TO EAT MEAT IN LENT.] - -When they got home, these huguenots deliberated whether they would allow -themselves to be stopped by Bonivard's irony; they resolved to follow -out his precept—to reform themselves first; but, not knowing that -reformation consists primarily in reestablishing faith and morality in -the heart, they undertook simply to prune away certain superstitions. As -the episcopal letter permitted them to take milk in Lent, De la -Maison-Neuve and his friends said: 'We are permitted to take milk, why -not meat?' Then repeating the lesson which the Bernese had taught -them—Do not the Scriptures say, _Eat of all that is sold in the -shambles_?—they resolved to eat meat every day. The council saw this -with uneasiness, and forbade the new practice under pain of three days' -imprisonment on bread and water and a fine of five sols.[769] But -wishing to hold the balance even, they had hardly struck one side before -they struck the other, and condemned the forty-four fugitive mamelukes -to confiscation and death. - -This last sentence aroused the anger of all the adjacent country; the -Sire de Pontverre, in particular, thought the time had come for drawing -the sword, and immediately messengers were scouring the country between -the Alps and the Jura. They climbed painfully up the rocky roads that -led to the mountain castles; they crossed the lake, everywhere summoning -the gentlemen, the friends of the mamelukes. The knights did not need to -be pressed; they put on their armour, mounted their coursers, left their -homes, and proceeded towards the appointed rendezvous, the castle of -Bursinel, near Rolle, on the fertile slope which, running out from the -Jura, borders the lake opposite Mont Blanc. These rough gentlemen -arrived from La Vaux, Gex, Chablais, Genevois, and Faucigny: one after -another they alighted from their horses, crossed the courtyard, and -entered the hall, which echoed with the clash of their arms; then, -shaking hands, they sat down at a long table, where they began to feast. -The audacity of the Genevans was the principal subject of conversation, -'and heaven knows how they of Geneva were picked to pieces,' says a -contemporary.[770] - -Of all these nobles, the most hostile to Geneva was the Sire de -Pontverre. Of athletic frame, herculean strength, and violent character, -bold and energetic, he was, from his marked superiority, recognised as -their chief by the gentlemen assembled at the castle of Bursinel. If -these men despised the burgesses, the latter returned the compliment. -'They are holding a meeting of bandits and brigands at Bursinel,' said -some of the Genevans. We must not, however, take these somewhat harsh -words too literally. The depredations of these gentlemen doubtless -undermined the social organisation, and it was time to put an end to -these practices of the middle ages. Many of them were, however, good -sons and husbands, good fathers, and even good landlords; but they had -no mercy for Geneva. As they sat at table they said that the princes had -succeeded in France and elsewhere in destroying the franchises of the -municipal towns, and that this free city, the last that survived, -deserved a similar fate much more than the others, since it was -beginning to add a new vice to its former vices ... it was listening to -Luther. 'A contest must decide,' they added, 'whether the future times -shall belong to the knights or to the burgesses, to the Church or to -heresy.' If Geneva were overthrown, they thought they would be masters -of the future. Pontverre has been compared to the celebrated Roman who -feared the Carthaginians, and, like him, never forgot to repeat at every -meeting of the nobles: _Delenda Carthago_.[771] - -[Sidenote: THE ORDER OF THE SPOON.] - -The dinner was drawing to an end; the servants of the lord of Bursinel -had brought the best wines from the castle cellars; the libations were -numerous, and the guests drank copiously. 'It chanced,' says Bonivard, -'that some rice (_papet_) was brought in, with as many spoons as there -were persons at table.'[772] Pontverre rose, took up a spoon with the -same hand that wielded the sword so vigorously, plunged it into the dish -of rice, and, lifting it to his mouth, ate and said: 'Thus will I -swallow Geneva and the Genevese.' In an instant all the gentlemen, -'heated with wine and anger,' took up their spoons, and exclaimed as -they ate, 'that they would make but one mouthful of all the huguenots.' -Pontverre did not stop at this: he took a little chain, hung the spoon -round his neck, and said: 'I am a _knight of the Spoon_, and this is my -decoration.'—'We all belong to the same order,' said the others, -similarly hanging the spoons on their breasts. They then grasped each -other's hands, and swore to be faithful to the last. At length the party -broke up; they mounted their horses, and returned to their mansions; and -when their neighbours looked with surprise at what hung round their -necks, and asked what the spoon meant, they answered: 'We intend to eat -the Genevans with it; will you not join us?' And thus the fraternity was -formed which had the conquest of Geneva for its object. - -The Spoon was taken up everywhere, as in the time of the crusades men -took up the Cross: the decoration was characteristic of these -loud-spoken free-living cavaliers. Meetings took place every week in the -various castles of the neighbourhood. New members joined the order, and -hung the spoon round their necks, saying: 'Since the commonalty (the -Genevans and Swiss) form alliances, surely the nobles may do so!' They -drew up 'statutes and laws for their guidance, which were committed to -writing, as in public matters.'[773] Erelong the 'gentlemen of the -Spoon,' as they called themselves, proceeded to perform their vow; they -issued from their castles, plundered the estates of the Genevans, -intercepted their provisions, and blockaded them closer and closer every -day. When they came near the city, on the heights of Pregny, Lancy, and -Cologny, they added derision to violence; they took their spoons and -waved them in the air, as if they wished to use them in swallowing the -city which lay smiling at their feet. - -[Sidenote: ALARM AT GENEVA.] - -The alarm increased every day in Geneva; the citizens called the Swiss -to their aid, fortified their city, and kept strict watch. Whenever any -friends met together, the story of the famous dinner at Bursinel was -repeated. The Genevans went so far, says a chronicle, as to be unwilling -to make use of the innocent spoon, such a horror they felt at it. Many -of those who read the Scriptures began to pray to God to save Geneva; -and on the 23rd of March, the council entered the following words in -their register: 'May we be delivered from the evils we endure, may we -conquer and have peace!... May the Almighty be pleased to grant it to -us!'[774] - -Pontverre was not a mere adventurer; he possessed a mind capable of -discerning the political defects of his party. Two men in Geneva -especially occupied his thoughts at this time: they were the bishop and -the prior. In his opinion, they ought to gain the first and punish the -other. - -He began with Bonivard; no one was more detested by the feudal party -than he was. That the head of a monastery should side with the huguenots -seemed a terrible scandal. No one besides, at that time, advocated more -boldly than the prior the principles opposed to absolute power; and this -he showed erelong. - -At Cartigny, on the left bank of the Rhone, about two leagues from -Geneva, he possessed a fief which depended on the dukes of Savoy: 'It is -a mere pleasure-house, and not a fortress,' he said; and yet he was in -the habit of keeping a garrison there. The duke had seized it during his -vassal's captivity, and to Bonivard's frequent demands for its -restoration he replied 'that he dared not give it up for fear of being -excommunicated by the pope.' Michaelmas having come, the time at which -the rent was collected, the Savoy government forbade the tenants to pay -it to the prior; the latter felt indignant, and the principles he then -laid down deserve to be called to mind. 'The rights of a prince and his -subjects are reciprocal,' he said. 'If the subject owes obedience to his -prince, the prince owes justice to his subject. If the prince may -constrain his subject, when the latter refuses obedience in a case -wherein it is lawfully due, the subject has also the right to refuse -obedience to his prince, when the latter denies him justice. Let the -subject then be without fear, and rest assured that God is for him. Men, -perhaps, will not be on his side; but if he has strength to resist men, -I can answer for God.'[775] - -Bonivard, who was determined to obtain justice, laid before the council -of Geneva the patents which established his rights, and prayed their -help in support of his claim. His petition at first met with some little -opposition in the general council. 'The city has enough to do already -with its own affairs,' said many, 'without undertaking the prior's;' but -most of the huguenots were of a contrary opinion. 'If the duke has at -St. Victor a lord after his fashion,' they said, 'it might be a serious -inconvenience to us. Besides, the energetic prior has always been firm -in the service of the city.' This consideration prevailed and the -general council decided that they would maintain Bonivard's rights by -force of arms if necessary. - -The prior now made his preparations. 'Since I cannot have civil -justice,' he said, 'I will have recourse to the law of nations, which -authorises to repel force by force.' The petty sovereign of St. Victor, -who counted ten monks for his subjects, who no longer possessed his -uncle's culverins, and whose only warlike resources were a few -arquebusiers, hired by a Bernese adventurer, besides four pounds of -powder, determined to march against the puissant Duke of Savoy, prince -of Piedmont, and even to brave that pope-king who once upon a time had -only to frown to make all the world tremble. Perish St. Victor rather -than principles! - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD DEFENDS CARTIGNY.] - -Bonivard sent for a herald and told him: 'The Duke of Savoy has usurped -my sovereignty; you will therefore proceed to Cartigny and make -proclamation through all my lordship, in these terms: "No one in this -place shall execute either ducal or papal letters under pain of the -gallows.'" We see that Bonivard made a large use of his supreme power. -The herald, duly escorted, made the terrible proclamation round the -castle; and then a captain, a commissioner, and a few soldiers, sent by -Bonivard, took possession of the domain in his name, _under the nose of -the pope and the duke_.[776] He was very proud of this exploit. 'The -pope and the duke have not dared send men to prevent my captain from -taking possession,' he said good-humouredly; for Bonivard, though -sparkling with wit, was also a good-tempered man. - -The fear ascribed to the duke did not last long. The lands of Cartigny -were near those of Pontverre, and the order of the Spoon was hardly -organised when an expedition directed against the castle was the prelude -to hostilities. A ducal provost, with some men-at-arms, appeared before -the place on the 6th of March, 1528. Bonivard had vainly told his -captain to defend himself: the place was taken. The indignant prior -exclaimed: 'My people allowed themselves to be surprised.' He believed, -as the Genevans also did, that the duke had bribed the commandant: 'The -captain of Cartigny, after eating the fig, has thrown away the basket,' -said the huguenots in their meetings. - -The prior of St. Victor, being determined to recover his property from -his highness's troops, came to an understanding with an ex-councillor of -Berne, named Boschelbach, a man of no very respectable character, who -had probably procured him the few soldiers of his former expedition, and -who now, making greater exertions, raised for him a corps of twenty men. -Bonivard put himself at the head of his forces, made them march -regularly, ordered them to keep their matches lighted, and halted in -front of the castle. The prior, who was a clever speaker, trusted more -to his tongue than to his arms: he desired, therefore, first to explain -his rights, and consequently the ex-councillor, attended by his servant -Thiebault, went forward and demanded a parley on behalf of the prior. By -way of answer the garrison fired, and Thiebault was shot dead. - -That night all Geneva was agitated. The excited and exasperated citizens -ran armed up and down the streets, and talked of nothing but marching -out to Cartigny to avenge Thiebault's death. 'Be calm,' said -Boschelbach; 'I will make such a report to my lords of Berne that -Monsieur of Savoy, who is the cause of all the mischief, shall suffer -for it.'[777] The syndics had not promised to attack Savoy, which would -have been a serious affair, but only to defend Bonivard. In order, -therefore, to keep their word, they stationed detachments of soldiers in -the other estates belonging to St. Victor, with orders to protect them -from every attack. Cartigny was quite lost to the prior; but he was -prepared to endure even greater sacrifices. He had his faults, no doubt; -and, in particular, he was too easy in forming intimacies with men far -from estimable, such as Boschelbach; but he had noble aspirations. He -knew that by continuing to follow the same line of conduct he would lose -his priory, be thrown into prison, and perhaps put to death: 'But what -does it matter,' he thought, 'if by such a sacrifice right is maintained -and liberty triumphs?'[778] - -[Sidenote: BISHOP AND DUKE RECONCILED.] - -The lord of Pontverre was occupied with a scheme far more important than -Bonivard's destruction. He wished, as we have said, to win back the -bishop. Possessing much political wisdom, seeing farther and more -clearly than the duke or the prelate, he perceived that if the war -against the new ideas was to succeed, it would be necessary for all the -old powers to coalesce against them. Nothing, in his opinion, was more -deplorable than the difference between Charles III. and Pierre de la -Baume: he therefore undertook to reconcile them. He showed them that -they had both the same enemies, and that nothing but their union would -put it in their power to crush the huguenots. He frightened the bishop -by hinting to him that the Reformation would not only destroy -Catholicism, but strip him of his dignities and his revenues. He further -told him that heresy had crept unobserved into his own household and -infected even his chamberlain, William de la Mouille, who at that time -enjoyed his entire confidence.[779] La Baume, wishing to profit -immediately by Pontverre's information, hastened to write to La Mouille: -'I will permit no opportunity for breeding in my diocese any wicked and -accursed sect—such as I am told already prevails there. _You have been -too slow in informing me of it._... Tell them boldly that I will not put -up with them.'[780] - -The prelate's great difficulty was to become reconciled with the duke. -Having the fullest confidence in his talent for intrigue, he thought -that he could return into friendly relations with his highness without -breaking altogether with Hugues and the Genevans. 'He is a fine jockey,' -said Bonivard; 'he wants to ride one and lead the other by the bridle!' -The bishop began his manœuvres. 'I quitted Geneva,' he informed the -duke, 'in order that I might not be forced to do anything displeasing to -you.' It will be remembered, on the contrary, that he had run away to -escape from Charles III., who wanted to 'snap him up;' but that prince, -satisfied with seeing La Baume place himself again under his guidance, -pretended to believe him, and cancelled the sequestration of his -revenues. Being thus reconciled, the bishop and the duke set to work to -stifle the Reformation. 'Good,' said Bonivard; 'Pilate and Herod were -made friends together, for before they were at enmity between -themselves.' - -[Sidenote: BISHOP HATEFUL TO THE CITY.] - -The bishop soon perceived that he could not be both with the duke and -Geneva; and, every day drawing nearer to Savoy, he turned against his -own subjects and his own flock. And hence one of the most enlightened -statesmen Geneva ever possessed said in the seventeenth century, to a -peer of Great Britain who had put some questions to him on the history -of the republic: 'From that time the bishop became very hateful to the -city, which could not but regard him as a declared enemy.'[781] It was -the bishop who tore the contract that had subsisted between Geneva and -himself. - -[Footnote 766: Bonivard, _Police_, &c. pp. 398-400; _Chroniq._ ii. p. -473. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 767: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 768: 'La queue entre les jambes.'—Bonivard, _Advis des -difformes Réformateurs_, pp. 149-151.] - -[Footnote 769: Registres du Conseil des 11 et 26 février 1528. Bonivard, -_Chroniq_. ii. p. 479.] - -[Footnote 770: 'Dieu sait comme ceux de Genève étaient déchiquetés.'] - -[Footnote 771: 'Ne taschait, fors à la ruine de Genève.'—Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. p. 482.] - -[Footnote 772: Ibid.] - -[Footnote 773: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 483.] - -[Footnote 774: Registres du Conseil des 14, 23, 24 mars. _Journal de -Balard_, p. 156. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 482, 486, etc.] - -[Footnote 775: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 477.] - -[Footnote 776: 'A la barbe du pape et du duc.'] - -[Footnote 777: 'En portera la pâte au four.'] - -[Footnote 778: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 475, 480, 502. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 779: See nineteen letters from the bishop to William de la -Mouille, his chamberlain, printed in Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire -de Genève_, ii. pp. 461-485.] - -[Footnote 780: Galiffe, ii. p. 477.] - -[Footnote 781: _Memoir to Lord Townshend on the History of Geneva_, by -Mr. Secretary Chouet. Berne MSS. vi. 57.] - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - INTRIGUES OF THE DUKE AND THE BISHOP. - (SPRING AND SUMMER 1528.) - - -The first measure Charles exacted from his new ally was to revoke the -civil rights he had conceded to the citizens. The bishop consented. In -order to deprive the secular magistrate of his temporal privileges, he -resolved to employ spiritual weapons. Priests, bishops, and popes have -always found their use very profitable in political matters; princes of -great power have been known to tremble before the documents launched -into the world by the high-priest of the Vatican. The bishop, therefore, -caused an order to be posted on the church doors, forbidding the -magistrates to try civil causes under pain of excommunication and a fine -of one hundred pounds of silver. It seems that the bishop had thought it -prudent to attack the purses of those who were not to be frightened by -his _pastorals_. 'Remove these letters,' said the syndics to the -episcopal secretary, 'and carry them back to the bishop, for they are -contrary to our franchises.' At the same time they said to the judges: -'You will continue to administer justice, notwithstanding the -excommunication.' This, be it remarked, occurred at Geneva in the -beginning of the sixteenth century. - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP AND THE SYNDICS.] - -When informed of these bold orders, the bishop-prince roused himself.... -One might have fancied that the spirit of Hildebrand and Boniface had -suddenly animated the weak La Baume. 'What! under the pretence of -maintaining your liberties,' he wrote to the Genevans, 'you wish to -usurp our sovereignty!... Beware what you do, for if you persevere, we -will with God's help inflict such a punishment that it shall serve for -an example to others.... The morsel you desire to swallow is harder to -digest than you appear to believe.... We command you to resign the -administration of justice; to receive the vidame whom the duke shall be -pleased to send you; to permit him to exercise his power, as was done in -the time of the most illustrious princes his grace's predecessors; and -finally to remit to his highness and us the whole case of the fugitives. -If within a fortnight you do not desist from all opposition to our -authority, we will declare you our enemies, and will employ all our -resources and those of our relations and friends to punish you for the -outrage you are committing against us, and we will strive to ruin you -totally, whatever may be the place to which you flee.' - -Great was the commotion in the city at hearing such words addressed by -the pastor of Geneva to his flock; for if the bishop made use of such -threats, it was with the intention of establishing the authority of a -foreign prince among them. The true huguenots, who wanted neither duke -nor bishop, were silent under these circumstances, and allowed the -episcopal party, of which Hugues was the chief, to act. Two ambassadors -from the bishop having been introduced before the general council on the -14th of June, 1528, the premier syndic said to them: 'If the bishop -desires to appoint a vidame to administer justice among us, we will -accept him; but the dukes of Savoy have never had other than an unlawful -authority in Geneva. We have no prince but the bishop. Has he forgotten -the great misfortunes that have befallen the city in consequence of -these Savoyard vidames?... Citizens perpetually threatened, many of them -imprisoned and tortured, their heads cut off, their bodies quartered.... -But God has helped us, and we will no longer live in such misery.... -No!' continued the speaker with some emotion, 'we will not renounce the -independence which our charters secure to us.... Rather than lose it, we -will sacrifice our lives and goods, our wives, and our children.... We -will give up everything, to our last breath, to the last drop of our -blood.'... Such words, uttered with warmth, always excite the masses; -and, accordingly, as soon as the people heard them, they cried as with -one voice: 'Yes! yes! that is the answer we will make.' - -This declaration was immediately sent into Switzerland; and, strange to -say, such patriotic enthusiasm was received with ridicule by some -persons in that noble country. Geneva was so small and so weak, that her -determination to resist a prince so powerful as the duke seemed mere -folly: the Swiss had forgotten that their ancestors, although few in -number, had vanquished Austria and Burgundy. 'These Genevans _are all -mad_,' said they. When they heard of this insult, the council of Geneva -was content to enter in its registers the following simple and spirited -declaration: 'Considering our ambassadors' report of what the Swiss say -of us, it is ordered that they be written to and told that we _are all -in our right minds_.'[782] - -On hearing of these proceedings, La Baume, who was at the Tour de May in -Burgundy, flew into a violent passion. He paced up and down his room, -abused his attendants, and uttered a thousand threats against Geneva. He -included all the Genevans in the same proscription, and had no more -regard for conservatives like Besançon Hugues than for reformers like -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve. He was angry with the citizens who -disturbed him with their bold speeches in the midst of his peaceful -retreat. 'In his opinion the chief virtue of a prelate was to keep a -plentiful and dainty table, with good wines; and,' says a person who -often dined with him, 'he had sometimes more than he could carry.[783] -He was, moreover, liberal to women of doubtful character, very stately, -and fond of great parade.' - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP AND THE MESSENGER.] - -One day, as he was leaving the table where he had taken too much wine, -he was told that a messenger from Geneva, bearing a letter from the -council, desired to speak with him. 'Messieurs de Genève, remembering,' -says Balard, 'that _dulce verbum frangit iram_,[784] wrote to him in -friendly terms.' The messenger, Martin de Combes, having been admitted -to the bishop, bowed low, and, courteously approaching, handed him the -letters of which he was the bearer. But the mere sight of a Genevan made -the bishop's blood boil, and, losing all self-control, he said 'in great -fury:' 'Where do you come from?'—'From Geneva.'—'It is a lie,' said the -bishop; and then, forgetting that he was contradicting himself, he -added: 'You have changed the colour of your clothes at Geneva;' wishing -apparently to accuse the Genevans of making a revolution or a -reformation. 'Come hither,' he continued; 'tell the folks in Geneva that -they are all traitors—all of them, men, women, and children, little and -big; that I will have justice done shortly, and that it will be -something to talk about. Tell them never to write to me again.... -Whenever I meet any persons from that city, I will have them put to -death.... And as for you, get out of my sight instantly!' The poor -messenger, who trembled like a leaf, did not wait to be told twice. - -La Baume, who had forgotten Plutarch's treatise, _De cohibenda ira_, -could not recover from his emotion, and kept walking up and down the -room with agitated step. Suddenly, remembering certain cutting -expressions, uttered in Switzerland by Ami Girard, a distinguished, -well-read, and determined huguenot, who was generally envoy from Geneva -to Berne and Friburg, he said to his servants: 'Bring that man back.' -Poor De Combes was brought back like a criminal whose rope has once -broken, and who is about to be hanged again. 'Mind you tell those folks -at Geneva all that I have ordered you,' exclaimed the bishop. 'There is -one of them (I know him well—it is Ami Girard) who said that I wish to -bridle Geneva in order that Monsieur of Savoy may ride her.... I will be -revenged on him ... or I will die for it.... Out of my sight instantly. -Be off to your huguenots.' - -[Sidenote: CALM OF THE GENEVESE.] - -De Combes retired without saying a word, and reported in Geneva the -prelate's violent message. He had committed nothing to writing; but the -whole scene remained graven in his memory. 'What!' exclaimed the -huguenots, 'he said all that?' and then they made him tell his story -over again. The murmurs now grew louder: the Genevans said that 'while -in the first centuries the ministers of the Church had conciliated -general esteem by their doctrine and character, modern priests looked -for strength in alliances with the princes of this world; formerly the -vocation of a bishop was martyrdom, but now it is eating and drinking, -pomp, white horses, and ... bursts of anger.' All this was a deadly blow -to the consideration due to the clergy. The council was, however, wiser -than the prelate; they ordered that no answer should be returned him. -This decision was indeed conformable to custom, as the report had been -made to the syndics _viva voce_, and not by official letter. La Baume, -at the time he gave audience to the envoy from Geneva, was too confused -to hold a pen or to dictate anything rational to his secretary; but the -magistrates of Geneva, on the other hand, were always men of rule and -law.[785] - -While the bishop was putting himself into a passion like a soldier, the -Duke of Savoy was convoking a synod like a bishop. It was not enough for -the evangelical doctrine to _infect_ Geneva—it was invading his states. -It already numbered partisans in Savoy, and even the Alps had not proved -a sufficient barrier against the new invasion. Some seeds of the Gospel, -coming from Switzerland, had crossed the St. Bernard, in despite of the -opposition of the most zealous prelate in Piedmont—we may even say in -all Italy. This was Pierre Gazzini, Bishop of Aosta, who was afterwards -to contend, in his own episcopal city, with the disciples of Calvin, and -with Calvin himself. Gifted with a lofty intelligence, great energy of -character, and ardent catholicism, Gazzini was determined to wage war to -the death against the heretics, and it was in accordance with his advice -that a synod had been convoked. When the assembly met on the 12th of -July, 1528, Gazzini drew a deplorable picture of the position. 'My -lords,' he said, 'the news is distressing from every quarter. Switzers -and Genevans are circulating _the accursed book_. Twelve gentlemen of -Savoy adhere scrupulously to the doctrines of Luther. All our parishes -between Geneva and Chambéry are infected by forbidden books. The people -will no longer pay for masses or keep the fasts; men go about everywhere -saying that the property of the abbots and prelates ought to be sold to -feed the poor and miserable!' Gazzini did not confine himself to -pointing out the disease; he sought for the cause. 'Geneva,' he said, -'is the focus,' and he called for the most violent measures in order to -destroy it.[786] The duke determined to employ every means to extinguish -the fire, 'which (they said) was continually tossing its burning flakes -from Geneva into Savoy.' - -[Sidenote: SYNOD CONVOKED BY THE DUKE.] - -Charles III. had been ruminating for some time over a new idea. Seeing -the difficulties that the annexation of Geneva to Savoy would meet with -on the part of the Swiss, he had conceived another combination; that is, -to make his second son, a child four years old, count or prince of -Geneva. Circumstances were favourable to this scheme. Pierre de la Baume -was designated successor to the Archbishop of Besançon; he, doubtless, -would not want much pressing to give up his bishopric when he was -offered an archbishopric. The duke therefore sent commissioners to the -emperor and the pope to arrange the matter with them. Hugues, ever ready -to sacrifice himself to save his country, started immediately, with -three other citizens, for Berne and Friburg; but he found the -confederates much cooled with regard to Geneva. 'You are very proud,' -said the avoyer of Berne to the envoys in full council, and, adds -Hugues, 'they gave us a good scolding.'[787] The duke had set every -engine to work, and, covetous as he was, had distributed profusely his -crowns of the sun. 'Ha!' said the Genevan, 'Monsieur of Savoy never -before sent so much money here at one time,' and then sarcastically -added, with reference to the lords of Berne: 'The _sun_ has blinded -them.'[788] - -The Genevans found themselves alone; the monarchical powers of -Christendom—Piedmont, France, and the Empire—were rising against their -dawning liberty; even the Swiss were forsaking them; but not one of them -hesitated. Ami Girard and Robert Vandel, at that time ambassadors to -Switzerland, quivered with indignation, and, filled with an energy that -reminds us of old Rome, they wrote to their fellow-citizens: 'Sooner -than do what they ask you, set fire to the city, and _begin with our -houses_.'[789] - -The duke now prepared to support his pretensions by more energetic -means. His agents traversed the districts round Geneva; they went from -door to door, from house to house, and said to the peasants: 'Do not -venture to carry provisions to Geneva.' Others went from castle to -castle, and told the lords: 'Let every gentleman equip his followers -with uniform and arms, and be ready at the sound of the alarm-bell.' - -[Sidenote: DUCAL INTRIGUES IN THE CONVENTS.] - -But the duke did not confine his intrigues to the outside of the city; -he employed every means inside. Gentlemen of Savoy made visits, gave -dinners, and tampered with certain private persons, promising them a -great sum of money 'if they would do _their duty_.' The monks, feeling -assured that their knell would ring erelong, redoubled their efforts to -secure the triumph of Savoy in Geneva. Three of them, Chappuis, superior -of the Dominicans, a man deep in the confidence of his highness, who had -lodged in his monastery, with Gringalet and Levrat, simple monks, held -frequent conferences in the convent of Plainpalais, in the prior's -chamber, round a table on which lay some little silver keys; by their -side were lists containing the names of the principal Genevese -ecclesiastics and laymen from whom Chappuis believed he might hope for -support. The three monks took up the keys, looked at them complacently, -and then placed them against certain names. The duke, knowing that -intrigue and vanity are the original sins of monks, had sent the prior -these keys (the arms of Faucigny, a province hostile to Geneva): -'Procure for us friends in the convents and the city,' he had told them; -'and for that purpose distribute these keys with discretion. Whoever -wears them will belong to us.' It was a mysterious decoration, by means -of which the duke hoped to gain partisans for the annexation. Chappuis -and Levrat began to tamper with the laity of the city, while Gringalet -undertook to gain the monks. In spite of all the skill they employed, -their manœuvres were not always crowned with success. One day Gringalet -went up to two monks, Bernard and Nicholas, and showed them the -talisman; but they looked coldly on such _toys_, manifesting no desire -to possess them. The ducal monk, perceiving that the keys had no virtue, -said to his colleagues: 'If we do not succeed in our scheme; if Savoy -and the papacy do not triumph in Geneva, we will abandon the ungrateful -city; we will transfer the property of our convent to some other place, -and leave nothing but the bare walls behind!' Bernard and Nicholas, who -inclined to the side of light, were alarmed, and, judging it to be a -matter of high importance, denounced the plot to the council: 'This, -then, is the use of monks,' said the syndics. 'They are traitors, ready -to deliver the city to the foreigner. We will put all to rights.' They -ordered the two monks to say nothing, and when night came the council -proceeded to the Dominican monastery. The beadles knocked at the gate; -the porter opened it, and looked with astonishment at the noble company. -The syndics ordered all the convent to assemble. The monks were greatly -alarmed: Chappuis, Gringalet, and Levrat trembled, having no doubt that -they had been betrayed. They made haste to hide the little keys, and -then proceeded anxiously to the common hall, where the brethren had -already assembled: 'We have heard of your intrigues,' said the premier -syndic; 'we know why you are distributing in Geneva the keys of those -Turks (_Turcanorum_), the Faucignerans.... You had better say your -prayers and not meddle with politics. You pretend to renounce the world, -reverend brethren, and then do nothing else but intrigue for the things -of this world. You intend, we hear, to carry away your property, your -relics, and your jewels; gently ... we will spare you that trouble; we -will take care of them in the grotto of St. Pierre, and put your persons -in a place of safety.'... The council ordered an inventory of the goods -of the convent to be drawn up, and generously left the monks three -chalices for the celebration of mass. They banished Chappuis, Gringalet, -and Levrat, and placed the other brethren under the surveillance of two -deputies of the council. The monks had their wings clipped, and the -Reformation was beginning.[790] - -[Footnote 782: Registres du Conseil des 23 et 30 avril; 24 mai; 2, 9, 14 -juin; 7 août. _Journal de Balard_, pp. 160-170. La Baume's letters, -_Archéologie_, ii. p. 15. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 493. Gautier MS. -Bonivard, _Ancienne et nouvelle Police de Genève_, p. 384.] - -[Footnote 783: 'Il s'en donnait jusqu'à _passer trente et un_.' This -proverbial expression refers, possibly, to the months whose days never -exceed thirty-one.] - -[Footnote 784: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath.'] - -[Footnote 785: Registres du Conseil du 25 août. _Journal de Balard_, p. -178. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 495.] - -[Footnote 786: Gazzini, _Mémoire au Saint Père_. Archives of Turin, -Roman Correspondence. Gaberel, _Hist. de l'Eglise de Genève_, i. p. 95.] - -[Footnote 787: 'Ils nous lavèrent bien la tête.'] - -[Footnote 788: Letter of B. Hugues. Galiffe, _Matériaux_, ii. pp. 525, -526.] - -[Footnote 789: Letters of Vandel and Girard. Galiffe, _Matériaux_, ii. -p. 533.] - -[Footnote 790: Registres du Conseil des 10, 11 et 20 octobre 1528. -_Journal de Balard_, p. 183.] - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - DEATH OF PONTVERRE. - (OCTOBER 1528 TO JANUARY 1529.) - - -[Sidenote: PONTVERRE MOWS FOR BONIVARD.] - -Chappuis, Gringalet, and Levrat filled the places through which they -passed with their complaints, and all the bigots looked upon them as -martyrs. The knights of the Spoon, being informed of the fate with which -monastic institutions were threatened in Geneva, resolved to avenge -religion and do all the injury they could to the audacious burgesses. -Pontverre had already opened the campaign by a little scene of pillage, -which is of no importance except to show the manners of the age. Wishing -to spoil and plunder the Genevans _under their noses_, he had ordered -his tenants to sharpen their scythes. One day in the beginning of June, -the peasants shouldered their scythes; Pontverre put himself at their -head, his men-at-arms surrounded them, and all marched towards the -meadows of the Genevans on the left bank of the Arve, about a quarter of -an hour's walk from the city. The mowers arrived, whetted their -instruments, and then proceeded to cut down the new grass. At last they -came to a meadow which belonged to Bonivard: to rob the prior was a -_dainty thing_ for Pontverre. Meanwhile the Genevans, having heard of -what was going on, had hurried to the spot, and discovered by the side -of the mowers a body of men whose arms flashed in the rays of the sun. -Bonivard easily recognised the seigneur of Ternier. The huguenots could -hardly contain themselves. The chief of the knights of the Spoon, having -charged his people not to leave a blade of grass standing, approached -the bridge of Arve which separates the two countries, and, calling out -to the Genevans assembled on the right bank, began to insult and defy -them. 'Come, come, cheer up!' he said; 'why don't you cross the bridge -and fetch the hay we have cut for you?' The citizens loaded their arms, -and the two bands began to fire at each other with their arquebuses. -'Let us take him at his word,' said some of the huguenots; 'let us go -over the bridge and drive away the robbers.' Already several young men -were preparing to cross the river; but Bonivard did not think a few -loads of hay worth the risk of a battle that might not end well for -Geneva. 'I dissuaded them,' says he, 'and led them back to the -city.'[791] - -The Genevans, seeing the danger with which they were threatened by the -knights, energetically prepared for resistance, and solicited aid from -Berne and Friburg. Two _enseignes_, that is, eight hundred men, -principally from Gessenay, arrived in Geneva and were quartered among -the inhabitants, but especially on the churchmen and in the convents. -The duke, who attached great importance to the Swiss alliance, and -feared to come into collision with their men-at-arms, now permitted -provisions to be carried to the market of Geneva, and, the semblance of -peace having been restored, the allied troops quitted the city on the -30th of October, 1528. - -[Sidenote: THE MEETING AT NYON.] - -Pontverre's humour was not so pacific. One of the last representatives -of feudal society, he saw that its elements were on the verge of -dissolution, and its institutions about to disappear. Power, which had -long ago passed from the towns to the country, was now returning from -the country to the towns; Geneva, in particular, seemed as if it would -nullify all the seigneurs in its neighbourhood. And, further still, the -Church which puts forward creeds in an absolute manner, so that no -person has the right to examine them, was attacked by the religious -revolution beginning in Geneva. Pontverre desired to preserve the -ancient order of things, and, with that object, to take and (if -necessary) destroy that troublesome city. He therefore, as prior of the -order, convened a general assembly of the knights of the Spoon at Nyon, -in order to arrange, in concert with the duke, the requisite measures -for capturing the city. The bailiwick of Ternier, the lordship of -Pontverre, was situated about a league from Geneva, between the verdant -flanks of the Salève and the smiling shores of the Rhone. It would have -been easy, therefore, for that chief to cross the river between Berney -and Peney, and thus get on the right bank of the lake; but he thought it -more daring and heroic to traverse Geneva. They represented to him, but -to no purpose, the danger to which he would expose himself, for if he -was always quick to provoke the Genevans, they were equally quick to -reply. Pontverre would listen to nothing. There was a treaty by which -Savoyard gentlemen had the right of free passage through the city; and, -armed with a sword, he feared nobody. It was in the month of December, -when, presenting himself at daybreak at the Corraterie gate, Pontverre -passed in; he rode quietly through the city, looking to the right and to -the left at the shops which were still closed, and did not meet a single -huguenot. On arriving at the Swiss gate, by which he had to leave the -city, he found it shut. He summoned the gate-keeper, who, as it appears, -was not yet up. The horse pawed the ground, the rider shouted, and the -porter loitered: he ran out at last and lowered the chain. The impatient -Pontverre paid him by a slap in the face, and said: 'Rascal, is this the -way you make gentlemen wait?' He then added with violent oaths: 'You -will not be wanted much longer. It will not be long before we pull down -your gates and trample them under foot, as we have done before.' He then -set spurs to his horse and galloped away. The porter, exasperated by the -blow he had received, made his report, and the Genevans, who were -irritable folk, became very angry about it. 'It is not enough,' they -said, 'for these Savoyards to do us all sorts of injury outside the -walls, but they must come and brave us within. Wait a little! We will -pay them off, and chastise this insolent fellow.' The council, while -striving to restrain the people, ordered sentinels to be stationed -everywhere.[792] - -[Sidenote: CONFERENCE AT NYON.] - -The gentry of the district who had taken part in the meeting at -Bursinel, had immediately begun to canvass their neighbours, and a great -number of persons, incensed against Geneva, had taken the Spoon, as in -the time of the crusades men took the Cross. The second meeting, -therefore, promised to be more numerously attended than the first. From -all quarters, from Gex and Vaud and Savoy, the knights arrived at Nyon, -a central situation for these districts, where they usually held their -councils of war. Climbing the hill, they entered the castle, from whose -windows the lake, its shores, and the snowy Alps of Savoy were visible -in all their magnificence. Having taken their places in the great hall, -they began their deliberations. These unpolished gentlemen, descended -from the chevaliers of the middle ages, who thought it enough to build a -tower upon a rock and to pass their lives in crushing the weak and -plundering the innocent, still preserved something of the nature of -their ancestors. Pontverre, who was their president, had no difficulty -in carrying them with him. Feudalism and even catholicism exercised -great influence over him, and gave to his words an energy and deep -conviction which it was hard to resist. He pointed out to these lords -that the authority of the prince and of the pope, religious and -monarchical order, the throne and the altar, were equally threatened by -an insolent bourgeoisie. He showed them how monstrous it was that -lawyers, that men of low birth and no merit, and that even shopkeepers -should presume to take the place of the bishop and the duke. 'We must -make haste,' he said, 'to disperse and crush the seeds of rebellion, or -you will see them spreading far and wide.' The knights of the castle of -Nyon were unanimous. The right of resistance had been the characteristic -of the feudal system; and never had the exercise of that right been more -necessary. One lord exercised it in the middle ages against another -lord, his neighbour. But what were these isolated adversaries compared -with that universal and invisible enemy which threatened the old society -in all its parts, and which, to be surer of triumph, was inaugurating a -new religion? In the valley of the Leman, Geneva was the stronghold of -this new and terrible adversary. 'Down with Geneva! Rome and Savoy for -ever!' was the cry that rose from every heart. It was agreed that all -the gentlemen and their followers should meet at a certain time and -place, armed with sword and lance, in order to seize upon the city and -put an end to its liberties. - -Pontverre, delighted at seeing the success of his appeal, sat silent, -and appeared for a time lost in deep meditation. He had a subtle mind, -he did not fear to resort to stratagem, and hoped that an assault would -not be necessary. With the greatest secresy he had gained friends who -occupied a house in the Corraterie, the back door of which opened to the -outside of the city. It would seem that this house belonged to the -hospital of the Pont du Rhone, situated between that bridge and the -Mint, and placed under the patronage of the canons of the -cathedral.[793] The council rose. Pontverre was particularly intimate -with the Sire de Beaufort, governor of Chillon, one of the most valiant -knights of the assembly. Taking him aside, and enjoining secresy, he -said: 'We have a gate in Geneva at our orders. No one knows of it; but -do not fear. I will undertake that you shall all enter.'—'Pontverre did -indeed enter,' said Bonivard, some time after, when he heard of this -remark; 'he went in, but he did not come out.'[794] - -[Sidenote: PONTVERRE'S INSOLENCE.] - -The knights mounted their horses, and each one rode off to his castle to -prepare for the great enterprise. Pontverre did the same; but, always -daring, and taking a delight in braving the people of Geneva, he -resolved to pass through the city again. His friends reminded him that -the citizens were now on their guard; that he had offended them some -days before; that if he attempted such an imprudent act, he was a dead -man; and that his life was necessary to their enterprise. It was all to -no purpose. 'His hour was come,' says the chronicler of St. Victor, 'and -it pleased God so.'—'Fear not,' answered the daring soldier to his -brothers in arms; 'I will pass through by night, and wrap my face up in -my cloak, so that no one can recognise me. Besides, if they attack me, I -have my sword.' One of his friends, the Sire de Simon, resolved to -accompany him, and some armed attendants followed them. The knights who -remained behind, watched him as he galloped off towards Geneva, and -wondered anxiously what would happen. - -Pontverre, checking the speed of his horse, reflected on the work he was -about to undertake. He thought it worthy of the name he bore, and of the -memory of his ancestors. By lending his sword to the Duke of Savoy and -to the pope, he would make absolutism in the Church and in the State -triumphant in Geneva; at one blow he would crush in that restless city -both independence and the Reformation. He reached Geneva between four -and five o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, the 2nd of January, 1529, -and night had set in. Pontverre hid his face in his cloak, presented -himself with his escort at the Pâquis gate, and passed through. He -entered the streets. The commander of an army which purposed capturing -and destroying Geneva, was traversing, like an ordinary traveller, the -city he was about to surround with his forces, besiege, and perhaps -burn.... Such impudent assurance has perhaps never been witnessed in -modern times. He was hardly inside the city, when, no longer able to -contain himself (for pride and anger prevailed over discretion), he put -aside all precaution, threw off his cloak, and, drawing his sword, -'uttered threats and insults out of his haughtiness and insolence.'[795] -He went even further than this: the streets of Geneva, and the presence -of the detested huguenots whom he saw moving about, made his wrath boil -over; and striking one of the citizens on the head with his sword, he -exclaimed with a round oath: 'We must kill these traitors!' The -assaulted citizen turned round, and others ran up: this took place in -the Rue de Coutance, which has witnessed many other fights since then, -even in very recent times.[796] The huguenots surrounded the horseman, -and, recognising him, called out: 'It is Pontverre! it is Pontverre!' -The crowd increased and blocked up the bridge over the Rhone, which the -chief of the knights of the Spoon would have to cross. - -[Sidenote: FIGHT ON THE BRIDGE.] - -For several days past the citizens had been talking in Geneva about the -conference at Nyon; they said that these gentlemen of the Spoon were -planning some new attack, that they were going once more to plunder and -kill, and that this time they would probably try to carry fire and sword -into Geneva itself. The irritation was excessive among the people; some -of the citizens, meeting in the public places or in their own houses, -were talking about the gentlemen assembled at Nyon, and many jokes were -made upon them. 'These gentlemen!' said one huguenot. 'Call them rob-men -(_gens-pille-hommes_),' said a second; 'or kill-men (_gens-tue-hommes_),' -added a third; and despite the serious state of affairs, they all began -to laugh. On a sudden, here before them, in their very city, was the -leader of the enterprise, the man who never ceased harassing them: he -had drawn his sword and struck one of the citizens. The latter drew in -their turn, and just as the bold cavalier had crossed the suburb of St. -Gervais, and was coming upon the bridge, they surrounded him, and one of -them struck him in the face. The representative of feudalism was -fighting almost alone with the representatives of the bourgeoisie. The -old power and the new were struggling on the Rhone bridge. And while the -blue waters were flowing beneath, as they had ever done; while the old -waters were running on to be lost in the sea, and the new ones were -coming, loosened from the Alpine glaciers by the beams of the sun,—on -the bridge above there were other ancient things passing away, and other -new ones appearing in their place. Amid the flashing of swords and the -shock of arms, amid the indignant shouts of the citizens and the oaths -of the knight, a great transformation was going on; society was passing -over to the system of freedom and abandoning the system of feudalism. - -The Sire de Pontverre, seeing the number of his enemies increasing, -spurred his horse, dashed through the crowd, and reached the Corraterie -gate, by which he desired to leave the city, and which led to the Black -Friars' monastery. But the Genevans had got there before him.... The -gate, alas! was shut. In this extremity, Pontverre did not falter. Close -at hand was the house, dependent on the hospital, the back gate of which -led outside the city, and by which he designed introducing the Savoyards -by night. Thanks to his horse, he was a little in advance of his -pursuers; he lost not a moment, he turned back, and reached the house in -question. To get at the door it was necessary to go up several steps. -The Genevans were now rushing after him in a crowd, shouting: -'Pontverre! Pontverre!'... The latter faced his enemies, and, without -dismounting, backed his horse up the steps, at the same time using his -sword against his pursuers. At this moment the syndic Ami Girard -arrived; he found the Sire de Simon, and the other horsemen who had -accompanied their chief, beset on all sides. The syndic begged that they -might not be hurt; and as the horsemen surrendered their arms, they were -lodged in a place of safety. Pontverre dismounted on reaching the top of -the steps, and, hoping to escape by the door we have mentioned, rushed -into the house. His face was covered with blood, for, says an -eye-witness, 'he had a sword-cut on his nose;' his eyes were wild; he -heard the feet of the huguenots close behind him. Had he no time to -reach the door, or did he find it shut? We cannot tell. Seeing that he -could not escape, he appears to have lost his presence of mind. Had he -still been himself, he would no doubt have faced his enemies and sold -his life dearly, but, for the first time in his life, he became -frightened; he dashed into one of the apartments, threw himself on the -floor, and crept hastily under a bed: a child might have done the same. -What a hiding-place for the most valiant knight whom the Alps and the -Jura had seen perhaps for centuries! - -[Sidenote: THE DEATH-STRUGGLE.] - -At this moment, the Genevans who were pursuing him rushed into the house -and began to search it; they entered the room where the man lay hid who -had threatened to swallow Geneva as if it were a spoonful of rice. At -their head was Ami Bandière, one of the huguenots who had been compelled -to flee to Berne at the same time as Hugues and the leaders of the -party—the man, it will be remembered, whose father and children had -appeared before the council in 1526, when it was necessary to defend the -huguenots who had taken refuge in Switzerland. Bandière, an upright, -determined, and violent man, an enthusiast for liberty, noticed the bed; -he thought that the proud gentleman might possibly be hidden beneath it. -'They poked their swords underneath,' says Bonivard, 'and the wretched -man hidden there received a stab.'[797] This was too much: the Sire de -Pontverre was aroused: being an active and powerful man, he rushed out -of his hiding-place in a fury, and, springing to his feet, seized -Bandière with his vigorous arms, threw him on the bed, and stabbed him -in the thigh with a dagger. The shouts now grew louder. If he had -surrendered no harm would have been done him; but Bandière's friends, -excited by the blood of their brother, were eager to avenge him. They -rushed upon Pontverre. Alone in the middle of the room, this athletic -man received them boldly: he swung his sword round him, now striking -with the edge, and now with the point; but a citizen, inflamed by anger, -aimed a violent blow at him, and the captain-general of the knights of -the Spoon fell dead. At this moment the syndic Ami Girard entered, -exclaiming: 'Stop! stop!' but it was too late. - -Thus died François de Ternier, lord of Pontverre, whose ancestors had -always been enemies of Geneva, 'and who himself had been the worst,' -says one of his contemporaries. He fell a martyr to feudalism, say some; -a victim to his own insolence, say others. His sole idea had been to -ruin Geneva, to disperse its inhabitants, to throw down its walls; and -now he lay dead a few yards from the place where, in 1519, he was -present at the head of his troopers to take part in the murder of -Berthelier, and in the very place by which he had arranged to enter and -destroy the city by fire and sword.—'A memorable instance of divine -justice,' said some of the citizens; 'a striking deliverance for Geneva; -a terrible lesson for its enemies!' There is a great difference, it must -be observed, between the martyrs of liberty and right, and those of -feudalism and the papacy. Arbitrary power perfidiously seized the -greatest citizens, the Bertheliers and Lévriers, in the midst of an -inoffensive life, and put them to death by the vile hand of the common -headsman, after a sham trial, which was a disgraceful mockery of -justice; but it was only when provoked by the champions of feudalism, -and at the risk of their own lives, that the men of liberty struck their -adversaries. Pontverre died in a contest in which he had been the first -to draw the sword. - -[Sidenote: HONOURS TO THE DEAD.] - -As the Genevans wished to show every mark of respect to their dead -enemy, the council ordered that he should be buried with the usual rites -by the Franciscans in a chapel of the convent of Rive, which had been -founded by his family, and where some of his ancestors had been laid. -After this ceremony had taken place according to the forms of the Roman -ritual, an inquest was made into the cause of this tragical death, 'to -do justice therein, if there should be need.' All the cool-headed people -in Geneva were seriously grieved: 'Alas!' said they, 'what a pity that -he would not live in peace, for he was a virtuous cavalier, except that -he was so pugnacious! It would have been better to make him prisoner; it -would have been the means of obtaining a perpetual treaty!' The officers -of justice found letters on his person which had reference to the plot -hatched against Geneva, and in which the knights of the Spoon were -ordered to assemble 'with swords and spears' against the city. It was -made evident that he had been the chief of the bands which pillaged and -killed without mercy the citizens and inhabitants of the country, and -that he was to blame, having first wounded Bandière: the magistrates, -therefore, came to the conclusion that there were no grounds for -bringing any one to trial. The Sire de Simon and the other companions of -the famous captain were conducted uninjured to the frontier of -Savoy.[798] - -One would have thought that, as the head of the league against Geneva -had fallen, the league itself would have been weakened; but, on the -contrary, Pontverre's death added fuel to the rage of the brethren of -the Spoon. Disorder and violence increased around the city, and the very -next day, Sunday, the 3rd of January, the gentry, wishing to avenge -their chief, kept the field everywhere. 'We will kill all the Genevans -we can find,' said they.—'They fell upon the first they met, committing -violence and murder.' It seemed as if Pontverre's soul had revived, and -was impelling his former colleagues to offer sacrifices without number -to his shade. An early attack was expected; the alarm spread through -Geneva, and the council met. 'François de Ternier's death,' said one of -the members, 'has thrown oil upon the fire instead of extinguishing it. -Alone, we cannot resist the attack of Savoy and of the knights. Let us -make haste to inform Berne and Friburg.'—'It is impossible,' said -another councillor; 'all the gentlemen of Vaud are in arms; no one can -cross the province. Our envoys would be stopped at Versoy, Coppet, Nyon, -and Rolle; and whoever is taken will be put to death to avenge the fall -of the illustrious chief.' - -But a free people always finds citizens ready to sacrifice themselves. -Two men stood up: they were two of the bravest huguenots, Jean Lullin -and Robert Vandel. 'We will go,' they said. They embraced their -relatives, and got into a boat, hoping to reach some place on the lake -where they could land without danger. But they had hardly left the shore -when they were recognised and pursued by some of the enemies' boats, -well manned and armed. As soon as the two Genevans observed them, they -saw their danger, and, catching up the spare oars, assisted the boatmen -with their vigorous arms, and rowed off as fast as they could. They kept -gaining on the Savoyard boats; they passed unmolested within sight of -several harbours occupied by their enemies, and at last reached Ouchy, -dripping with perspiration. The people of Lausanne, who were well -disposed towards the Genevans, assisted them. They got to Friburg, 'by -subtle means,' probably in disguise, and told their old friends of the -increasing dangers to which the city was exposed, especially since the -death of Pontverre.[799] - -[Sidenote: THE SIRE DE VIRY.] - -The place of the latter was now filled by the Sire de Viry, whose -castle, like Pontverre's, was situated between Mont Salève and the lake -(between Chancy and Léluiset), and whose family had always supplied -Savoy with fanatical partisans. Viry was furious at the escape of Lullin -and Vandel; and, accordingly, on the next day, the servants of these two -Genevans, who had been ordered to take their masters' horses to -Lausanne, having passed through Coppet, were thrown into prison by his -orders. He did not stop at this. 'The gentlemen assaulted every Genevan -they met with their daggers and battle-axes, striking them on the loins, -the shoulders, and other parts, and many died thereof.'—'All the -territory of Monseigneur of Savoy is in arms,' said people at Geneva in -the beginning of March 1529, 'and no one can leave the city except at -great risk.' - -The ducal party, desirous of defying the Genevans in every way, resolved -to send them, not a written but a living message, which would show them -the fate that awaited them. On the 14th of March, the people who were -leaving the church of Our Lady of Grace, saw a strange figure coming -over the bridge of Arve. He had at his back a wooden plank reaching from -his feet to above his head, to which he was fastened; while his -outstretched arms were tied to a cross piece which was placed on a level -with his shoulders. The gentlemen had thought it a pretty jest to -crucify a Genevan, without doing him any great injury, and they left his -feet at liberty, so that he could return home thus singularly arrayed. -'What is that?' asked the people, stopping at the foot of the bridge. -They thought they recognised an inhabitant of the city. 'They have made -a cross of him front and back,' said the spectators. The man came over -the bridge, approached his fellow-citizens, and told them his story. 'I -had gone to the village of Troinex on business, when the enemy caught -me, trussed me up in this manner, and compelled me to return in this -condition to Geneva.' The people hardly knew whether to laugh or be -angry; however, they unbound their crucified fellow-citizen, and all -returned together to the city. - -This was only a little joke of the young ones among the knights; the -Sire de Viry and his colleagues had more serious thoughts. The attack -upon Geneva, resolved upon at the castle of Nyon, was to be put into -execution. The lords issued with their armed retainers from all the -castles in the great valley, and on the 24th of March some peasants from -the banks of the Arve came and told the syndics that there was a great -concourse of gentlemen and soldiers at Gaillard; that these armed men -intended on the following night to secretly scale the walls of the city, -and that there was a strong guard upon all the roads to detain everybody -who ventured out of Geneva. At that time the whole garrison consisted -but of fifty soldiers, 'keeping watch and ward by turns,' as Bonivard -informs us. How was it possible to resist with such a few men? Yet two -powers kept the walls: the energy of the citizens and the providence of -God. - -[Sidenote: THE DAY OF THE LADDERS.] - -At midnight on Holy Thursday (25th of March), the knights of the Spoon, -with about four thousand Savoyard troops and the fugitive mamelukes, -moved forward as secretly as possible to take Geneva by surprise. The -citizens, accustomed to false alarms, had not paid much attention to the -warning they had received. At the head of the band that was to lead the -assault were a certain number of men carrying long ladders which had -been made at Chillon. The men-at-arms who followed them wore white -shirts over their armour in order to be recognised in the darkness; they -had even sent to their friends in Geneva certain tokens which the latter -were to fasten to the ends of their spears in order that the assailants -might know them in the confusion. The city clocks had struck two when a -few Savoyards arrived at the foot of the wall: not a sound was heard, -the night was dark, and everything promised complete success. Meanwhile -the main body had halted a quarter of a league from the city, and -hesitated to make the attack. Pontverre was no longer among them, and -Viry had not inherited his influence. 'At the moment of execution, a -spirit of fear fell upon the Savoyards,' says a chronicler; 'God took -away their courage, so that they were not able to come near.'—'We are -not strong enough to carry out our enterprise,' said one.—'If we fail,' -said another, 'Messieurs of the Swiss League will not fail us.' They -consequently withdrew, and, in order to conceal their disgrace, said -that the duke or the bishop had forbidden them to advance. Might not the -duke, influenced by the cantons, have really given them the order to -retreat at the last moment? That alone appears to explain this -retrograde movement. However, the Genevans ascribed their deliverance to -a higher cause; they entered on the registers of the council the -following simple words which we copy: 'The gentlemen (_gentils_) had -undertaken to attack the city, _which God has preserved hitherto_.' The -25th of March was called _the day of the ladders_.[800] - -[Footnote 791: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 507. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 792: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 517.] - -[Footnote 793: _Mém. d'Archéologie_, iii. p. 201.] - -[Footnote 794: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 522.] - -[Footnote 795: _Journal de Balard._ _Mém. d'Archéologie_, x. p. 189.] - -[Footnote 796: July and December 1862, between radicals and liberals.] - -[Footnote 797: 'A belles épées nues on fourgonna dessous, et le -malheureux qui y était caché reçut un coup d'estoc.'] - -[Footnote 798: Registres du Conseil _ad annum_. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. -pp. 520-525. Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, i. p. 425. Savyon MS. Balard, -_Mém. d'Archéologie_, x. p. 189. _Le Levain du Calvinisme ou -Commencement de l'Hérésie de Genève_, par Révérende Sœur Jeanne de -Jussie, publié en 1853, par M. G. Revilliod, p. 11.] - -[Footnote 799: Registres du Conseil des 2, 3 et 6 janvier 1529. _Journal -de Balard_, p. 189. Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, ii. pp. 422-426. Gautier -MS.] - -[Footnote 800: Registres du Conseil du 25 mars 1529. _Journal de -Balard_, pp. 216, 219, 221, 222. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 533. La -Sœur de Jussie, p. 6.] - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THE REFORMATION BEGINS TO FERMENT IN GENEVA, AND THE - OPPOSITION WITHOUT. - (APRIL 1529 TO JANUARY 1530.) - - -[Sidenote: SUPERSTITIONS IN GENEVA.] - -While the men of the old times were taking fright and retreating, the -men of the new times were taking courage and advancing. They sat down at -the firesides of the burgesses of Geneva, and, leading the way to -religious conversation, gradually scattered new ideas in the city and -new seed in men's hearts. Of these _Lutherans_, as they were called, -some were Genevans, others Bernese; and the witty Bonivard occasionally -joined in this familiar talk. Some of them, truly pious men, told their -listeners that they ought to look for salvation to the cross alone, and -that, just as the sun transforms the earth and causes it to produce -fruit, so the light of the Gospel would transform their hearts and lead -them to perform new works. Others, who were sarcastic and simply -negative men, confined themselves to pointing out the abuses of Rome and -of its clergy. They said openly what hitherto they had dared to utter -only in secret. If they saw a cordelier passing, with ruddy face, long -beard, brown frock, and disgusting aspect, they pointed at him and said: -'These monks creep not only into the consciences of the citizens, but -into their houses, and defile the city by their scandals and -adultery.[801] Our grated windows and bolted doors can hardly keep out -their unbridled vices, and protect the chastity of our wives and -daughters.[802] God has given them up to the lusts of their hearts.' - -Such conversations as these were continually taking place among the -Genevans and the Bernese during the interval between the reformation of -Berne and that of Geneva. When a Genevan invited a Switzer to his house, -the former would volunteer, after dinner, to show his guest the -curiosities of the city. 'We will first go and have a look at the church -of St. Pierre,' said he. 'See what a fine cathedral it is; admire these -pillars, these arches, that vaulted roof; but there are other things -besides. Here is a shrine containing an invaluable treasure—the arm of -St. Anthony.... On holidays it is brought out for the adoration of the -people, who kiss the relic with holy reverence. But,' added the Genevan, -in a whisper to his companion, 'this arm some people affirm to be only -one of the members of a stag. Come with me to the high altar; you see -the box in which the brains of St. Peter are preserved!... To doubt this -is a frightful heresy, and not to adore them abominable impiety; but ... -between you and me ... these brains of the apostle are only -pumice-stone.'[803] - -[Sidenote: MONKISH TRICKS.] - -Sometimes Swiss and Genevans crossed the river and climbed the street -leading to the ancient church of St. Gervais. 'What are those old women -about, putting their ears to that hole?' asked one of them. A number of -priests and women had collected there. 'The bodies of St. Gervais, St. -Nazaire, St. Celsus, and St. Pantaleon are buried under this altar,' -said the priests to the women. 'These holy bodies desire to quit their -vault; come and listen at this hole, and you will hear them.' The simple -women approached, and heard a noise like that of men talking together. -'We can hear them,' they said.—'Alas!' continued the priests, 'in order -to raise the body of a saint, we require bishops, ceremonies, silver -utensils, and we have nothing!' As they wished to deliver these holy -personages, these good women immediately cast their offerings into the -church box ... and the priests gathered them up. 'Do you know,' said a -huguenot, 'incredulous people affirm that the noise which proceeds, as -the priests say, from the conversation of St. Pantaleon and his friends, -is caused by certain pipes, cleverly arranged, which, immediately the -hole is opened and the air flows in, give out the sounds that are -heard?'[804] - -'Have you ever seen souls out of purgatory? Nothing is easier at Geneva,' -said a huguenot after supper. 'It is quite dark; let us go to the cemetery, -and I will show them to you.... Here we are.... Do you see those little -flames creeping slowly here and there among the scattered bones?... They -are souls (the priests tell us) which, having left their place of -anguish, crawl slowly about the cemetery at night, and entreat their -relatives to pay the priests for masses and prayers to free them from -purgatorial fires.... Wait a little ... there is one coming near us ... -I will deliver it.' He stooped, and, picking it up, showed it to his -companions: 'Ha! ha! upon my word, these souls are curiously made ... -they are crabs, and the priests have fastened little wax tapers to their -backs.'[805] - -'That is one of the tricks of our clergy,' said a learned huguenot. -(Bonivard often took part in these conversations.) 'They are buffoons in -their repasts, fools in all difficult discussions, snails in work, -harpies in exaction, leopards in friendship, bulls in pride, minotaurs -in devouring, and foxes in cunning.'[806] - -The Genevans went further still. One day—it was Tuesday, the 4th of -January, 1530—when several huguenots had met together, and the relics -and impositions of the priests had formed the subject of conversation, -some of them, living in St. Gervais, indignant at the frauds of the -clergy, who metamorphosed the bodies of saints into mines of gold, -determined to protest against these abuses. They went out of the house -in a body, marched up and down the different streets, and, stopping at -certain places, assembled the people in the usual manner, when, -surrounded by a large crowd, they held (says the council register) 'an -auction of an unusual sort, by way of derision.' Perhaps they offered -the bodies to the highest bidder; but, in any case, they themselves were -sent to prison. - -This scene had greatly amused the inhabitants of the suburb. Old -superstitions were giving way in Geneva and falling to the ground amid -the applause of the people. The huguenots claimed the right of free -inquiry, and desired that the human understanding should have some -authority in the world. These experiments of liberty, which alarmed the -Church, delighted the citizens. The inhabitants of St. Gervais, animated -with generous sentiments, went in great numbers to the hôtel-de-ville. -'We desire that the prisoners be set at liberty,' said they to the -syndics, 'and we offer to be bail for them.' The magistrates still clung -to the old order of things.—'I ought to reprimand you severely for your -disorders,' said the premier syndic. 'We will have no tumult or sedition -here. Let the relatives of the prisoners come before the council -to-morrow, and we will hear them.' On the 9th of January, the -Two-Hundred resolved to pardon the prisoners, and to tell them that this -folly, if they ever committed another like it, should count double -against them.[807] - -[Sidenote: A NEGATIVE REFORM.] - -The beginning of the Reformation at Geneva had a negative character. Men -everywhere in the sixteenth century felt the need of thinking and -judging.... The Genevans, more than others, wished to reform the abuses -which successive usurpations had introduced into the State: how could -they fail to demand a reform of the abuses introduced into the Church? -Not only isolated grievances and local annoyances, but popery itself, -would be struck down by a reform. This course, natural as it seemed, was -not the best, however. The external, that is to say, government, rites, -and ceremonies, are not essentials in christianity; but the internal, -namely, faith in the teaching of the Word of God, change of heart, and a -new life—these are essential. When we wish to reform a vicious man, it -is not enough to take off his filthy clothes and wash the dirt from his -face: his will must be transformed. At Wittemberg the Reformation began -in the person of Luther with the internal; at Geneva it began in the -huguenots with the external. This would have been a great disadvantage, -if religion at Geneva had not become, under the influence of Calvin, as -internal as in Germany. The Genevese reform would have perished if it -had preserved the character it assumed at first. But the tendency we -have pointed out was a useful preparation for that change which realises -the grand announcement of Christ: '_The kingdom of God is within you_.' - -The bishop, who was still in Burgundy, desired neither internal nor -external reform. He was alarmed at what was taking place at Geneva, and, -finding himself unable alone to check the torrent which threatened to -sweep away both mitre and principality, he complained to the duke, the -emperor, and even the syndics. On the 8th of August, a messenger from -the prelate appeared before the council, and ordered them, in his name, -'to desist from what they had begun, and to send ambassadors to -Charles V., who would put everything to rights.' In October, the bishop, -annoyed that they paid no attention to his complaints, made fresh -demands, in a severe and threatening tone. He gave them to understand -that he would destroy Geneva rather than permit any abuses to be -reformed. His letters were read in the council, and their contents -communicated to the people. Threatened with the anger of the duke, the -pope, and the emperor, and reduced to the greatest weakness, what would -they do? 'Geneva,' they said, 'is in danger of being destroyed.... But -God watches over us.... Better have war and liberty than peace and -servitude. We do not put our trust in princes, and to God alone be the -honour and glory.'[808] With such confidence nations never perish. - -[Sidenote: THE GENEVANS TRUST IN GOD.] - -Geneva required it much. Her enemies said that violent revolutions were -at the gate; that they had begun in Saxony, where at least they had not -touched the political authority; while, on the contrary, in this city of -the Alps, civil revolution was advancing side by side with religious -revolution. The Swiss were beginning to be tired of a city so weak and -yet so obstinate, which had not strength to defend itself and too much -pride to submit. Excited and influenced by the Duke of Savoy, they -determined to propose a revocation of the alliance. This news spread -consternation through the city. 'Alas!' said the huguenots, 'if the -sheep give up the dogs, the wolves will soon scatter them;' and, without -waiting to receive notice of this fatal determination, the patriots -stretched out their hands towards that Switzerland from which the duke -wished to separate them, and exclaimed: 'We will die sooner!'... But, at -the same time, the few mamelukes who still remained in the city, -thinking that the end was at hand, made haste to join the ducal army. - -The end seemed to be really approaching. On the 1st of May, an imposing -embassy from the five cantons of Zurich, Basle, Soleure, Berne, and -Friburg, arrived at Geneva, and was soon followed by delegates from -Savoy. The Genevans saw with astonishment the Swiss and the Savoyards -walking together in the streets, lavishing marks of courtesy on each -other, and looking at the huguenots with a haughty air. What! the -descendants of William Tell shaking hands with their oppressors! The -thoughts of the citizens became confused: they asked each other if there -could be any fellowship between liberty and despotism.... They were -forced to drain the cup to the dregs. On the 22nd of May the embassy -appeared before the council. Their spokesman was Sebastian de Diesbach, -a haughty Bernese, eminent magistrate, distinguished diplomatist, and -celebrated soldier. He refused to call the Genevans his co-burghers, -bluntly demanded the revocation of the alliance, and proposed a peace -which would have sacrificed the independence of the citizens to the -duke. At the same time he gave them to know that the Swiss were not -singular in their opinion, and that the great powers of Europe were -making a general arrangement. In truth, Francis I., changing his policy, -supported the demands of his uncle the duke, and declared that, in case -of refusal, he would unite the armies of France with those of Savoy. -Charles V. was quite ready to repay himself for his inability to destroy -the protestants of Germany, by indulging in the pleasure of crushing -this haughty little city. Even the King of Hungary sent an ambassador to -Geneva in the Savoy interest. Would this little corner of the world -presume to remain free when Europe was resolved to crush it under its -iron heel?[809] - -While the powerful princes around Geneva were oscillating between two -opinions—so that at times it was hard to say whether Charles was for the -pope or against him, and whether Francis was for the protestants or against -them—the Genevans, those men of iron, had but one idea, liberty ... -liberty both in State and Church. The huguenots showed themselves -determined, and kept a bold front in the presence of the ambassadors. -'Take care, gentlemen,' said De Lussey, De Mezere, and others; 'we shall -first exercise strict justice against the city, and, if that is not -sufficient, strict war; while, if you restore to the duke his old -privileges, he will forgive everything, and guarantee your -liberties.'—'Yes,' added the Swiss, 'under a penalty of ten thousand -crowns if he does the contrary.' ... But, 'marvellous sight,' says a -contemporary, 'the more the ambassadors threatened and frightened, the -more the Genevans stood firm and constant, and exclaimed: "We will die -sooner!"' - -[Sidenote: SWISS PROPOSE TO BREAK THE ALLIANCE.] - -On the 23rd of May the Sire de Diesbach proposed the revocation of the -alliance to the Council of Two Hundred; and on the following day, the -council-general having been summoned, the premier syndic, without losing -time in endless explanations, plainly answered the deputies of the -cantons: 'Most honoured lords, as the alliance with the League was not -concluded hastily (_à la chaude_), we hope in God and in the oath you -made to us that it will never be broken. As for us, we are determined to -keep ours.' The magistrate then turned towards the people and said: 'I -propose that whosoever speaks of annulling the alliance with the Swiss -shall have his head cut off without mercy, and that whosoever gets -information of any intrigue going on against the alliance, and does not -reveal it, shall receive the strappado thrice.' The general council -carried this resolution unanimously. - -Diesbach and his colleagues were confounded, and looked at one another -with astonishment. 'Did not Monsieur of Savoy assure us,' they said, -'that, except some twenty-five or thirty citizens, all the people were -favourable to him?'—'And I too know,' said a stranger, whose name has -not been handed down to us, 'that if the alliance had been broken, the -duke would have entered Geneva and put thirty-two citizens to -death.'[810] 'Come with us,' said the most respected men in Geneva; and, -laying their charters before the ambassadors, they proved by these -documents that they were free to contract an alliance with the cantons. -The delegates from Berne, Friburg, Zurich, Basle, and Soleure ordered -their horses to be got ready. Some huguenots assembled in the street, -and shouted out, just as the Bernese lords were getting into their -saddles: 'We would sooner destroy the city, sooner sacrifice our wives, -our children, and ourselves, than consent to revoke the alliance.' When -Diesbach made a report of his mission at Berne, he found means to gloss -over his defeat a little: 'There were a thousand people at the general -council,' he said with some exaggeration; 'only _one_ person [he meant -the president] protested against the rupture of the alliance; upon which -_all the rest joined in with him_!'... Did he not know that it was quite -regular for a proposition to be made by _one_ person, and to be carried -by a whole nation?[811] - -[Sidenote: FIRMNESS OF THE GENEVANS.] - -A new spirit, unknown to their ancestors, now began to animate many of -the Genevans. Ab Hofen's mission had not been without effect. Besides a -goodly number of persons, who were called indeed 'by the name of -Luther,' but whose sole idea of reform was not to fast in Lent and not -to cross themselves during divine worship, there were others who desired -to receive the Word of God and to follow it. The Romish clergy -understood this well. 'If these Genevans cling so much to the Swiss,' -said the priests at their meetings, 'it is in order that they may -profess _heresy_ freely. If they succeed, we shall perhaps see Savoy, -Aosta, and other countries of Italy reforming themselves likewise.' - -The duke, being determined to extinguish these threatening flames, -resolved to claim the influence of the pope, with his treasures and even -his soldiers; for the _vicar_ of Him who forbade the sword to be drawn -possesses an army. Besides, Clement VII. was one of the cleverest -politicians of the age, and his advice might be useful. As Pietro -Gazzini, Bishop of Aosta, was then at Rome, the court of Turin -commissioned that zealous ultramontanist to inform the pope of what was -going on at Geneva. Gazzini begged an audience of Clement, and having -been introduced by the master of the ceremonies on the 11th of July, -1529, he approached the pope, who was seated on the throne, and, -kneeling down, kissed his feet. When he arose, he described all the acts -committed by the Lutherans at Geneva and in the _valleys of Savoy_. 'O -holy father,' said he, 'the dangers of the Church are imminent, and we -are filled with the liveliest fears. It is from Upper Burgundy and the -country of Neufchatel that this accursed sect has come to Geneva. And -now, alas! what mischief it has done there!... Already the bishop dares -not remain in his diocese; already Lent is abolished, and the heretics -eat meat every day; and, worse still, they read forbidden books (the New -Testament), and the Genevans set such store by them that they refuse to -give them up, even for money. These miserable heretics are doing extreme -mischief, and not at Geneva only; Aosta and Savoy would have been -perverted long since, had not his highness beheaded twelve gentlemen who -were propagating these dangerous doctrines. But this wholesome severity -is not enough to stop the evil. Although his highness has forbidden, -under pain of death, any one to speak of this sect and its abominable -dogmas, there is no lack of _wicked babblers_ who go about circulating -these accursed doctrines all over his territories. They say that his -highness is not their king; and, making a pretence of the great expenses -of the war, they vehemently call upon us to sell the little -ecclesiastical property we possess.... The duke, my lord and master, is -everywhere destroying this sect. _He is the barrier that closes Italy -against it_, and in this way he renders your holiness the most signal -service; but we need your help.' Gazzini closed his address with a -demand for a subsidy. - -[Sidenote: BISHOP OF AOSTA AND THE POPE.] - -Clement had listened with great attention; he understood the mischief -and the danger which the Bishop of Aosta had pointed out, and the -dignitaries and other priests around him seemed still more affected. -Thoroughly versed in philosophical and theological questions, endowed -with a perspicacity that penetrated to the very heart of the most -difficult matters, the pope saw how great the danger would be if -_heresy_ should find in the south, at Geneva, a centre that might become -far more _pernicious_ than even Wittemberg; he felt also the necessity -of having a prince, a zealous catholic, to guard the French and Italian -slopes of the Alps. This pontiff, perhaps the most unlucky of all the -popes, saw the Reformation spreading under his eyes over Europe without -having the power to stop it, and whatever he did to oppose it served but -to propagate it more widely still. Now, however, he met with a -sympathising heart. He wished to prevent Geneva from being reformed, and -to save a fortress from being delivered up to the enemy; while a -powerful prince offered to carry out the necessary measures. Clement -therefore received Gazzini's overtures very graciously; and yet he was -ill at ease. In the Piedmontese ambassador's speech there was a word, -one word only, that embarrassed him—the subsidy: in fact, he had not -recovered from the sack of Rome. Clement VII. replied: 'I look upon his -highness as my dearest son, and I thank him for his zeal; but as for -money, it is impossible for me to give him any, considering the -emptiness of the treasury.' Then, appealing to the wants of the Church -and the duty of princes, who ought to be ready to sacrifice for it their -wealth, their subjects, and their lives, the pope added: '_I pray the -duke to keep his eye particularly upon Geneva. That city is becoming far -too Lutheran, and it must be put down at any risk._'[812] Gazzini, -having been attended to the gates of the palace by the pontifical -officers, regretted his failure in the matter of the subsidy. His chief -object, however, had been attained: the papacy was warned; it would -watch Geneva as a general watches the enemy. - -[Sidenote: INTERFERENCE OF THE EMPEROR.] - -As the pope was won, it next became necessary to influence the emperor. -That was an easier task for the duke, as Charles V. was his -brother-in-law, and the empress and the Duchess of Savoy, who were -sisters, and strongly attached to Rome, could write to each other on the -subject. The protest drawn up at Spires by the evangelical princes, in -April 1529, had irritated that monarch exceedingly; and he therefore -prepared, in accordance with the oath he had sworn at Barcelona, to -apply 'a suitable antidote against the pestilent malady under which -christendom was suffering.' When Geneva was mentioned to him, his first -thought was that it was a long way off; yet, as it was an imperial city, -he determined to include it in the plan of his campaign, and resolved -immediately to take a preliminary step to restore it to the papacy. On -the 16th of July, 1529, the emperor dictated to his secretary the -following letter, addressed to the syndics of Geneva:— - -'FAITHFUL FRIENDS, - -'We have been informed that several preachers hold private and public -meetings in your city and in the frontier countries, that they propagate -the errors of Luther, and that you tolerate these proceedings. These -practices cause the Church most serious damage, and the pontifical -majesty, as well as the imperial dignity, is grievously insulted by your -conduct. Wherefore we order you to arrest the said preachers, and punish -them according to the tenor of the severest edicts. By this means you -will extirpate impiety from your country, and will do an act agreeable -to God and conformable to our express will. - -'CAROLUS, Imp.'[813] - -This letter, which savoured so strongly of the absolute monarch, excited -much astonishment in Geneva. The citizens did not deny that the emperor -might claim a certain authority over them, since theirs was an imperial -city. They have resisted the bishop-prince, they have resisted the duke: -will they also resist this powerful sovereign? His demand was clear, and -some of them said that to oppose so great a prince would be the height -of madness, in a little city of merchants. But the Genevans did not -hesitate, and, without any bravado, returned the emperor this simple -message: 'Sire, we intend to live, as in past times, according to God -and the law of Jesus Christ.' - -Upon this, Charles promised to assist the duke with an armed force. The -pope, too, changed his mind, in spite of his refusal to Gazzini, and -found _in the emptiness of his treasury_ a subsidy of four thousand -Spanish livres. The two mightiest personages in christendom united -against this little city their influence, their excommunications, their -cunning, their wealth, and their soldiers; and everything was got ready -for the meditated attack. - -[Footnote 801: 'Et in domos et toros grassabantur.'—_Geneva Restituda_, -p. 21.] - -[Footnote 802: 'Vix ac ne vix tot admissariorum prurentium ardores -arceri poterant.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 803: 'Pro cerebro Petri pumex repertus.'—Ibid. See also -Calvin's _Inventaire des Reliques_.] - -[Footnote 804: 'Reperti tubi, tanta arte inter se commissi, ut excitatum -ab adstantibus sonum statim exciperent.'—_Geneva Restituta_, p. 26. -Registres du Conseil du 8 décembre 1535. Froment, _Actes et Gestes -merveilleux de la Cité de Genève nouvellement convertie à l'Evangile_, -publiés par M. G. Revilliod, p. 49.] - -[Footnote 805: 'Sed his spectris, propius vestigatis, animæ crustosæ et -testaceæ deprehensæ ... ellychniis succensis dorsorum crustæ -alligatis.'—_Geneva Restituta_, p. 27. Froment, _Actes et Gestes de -Genève_, p. 150.] - -[Footnote 806: 'In exactionibus harpias, ad superbiendum tauros, ad -consumendum minotauros.'—_Geneva Restituta_, p. 28.] - -[Footnote 807: 'Leur serait comptée pour deux.'—Registres du Conseil des -4 et 9 janvier 1530.] - -[Footnote 808: 'Melius est bellum cum libertate quam pacifica servitus. -Nolite confidere in principibus; soli Deo honor et gloria!'—_Journal de -Balard_, pp. 226, 264, 267. Registres du Conseil des 17 avril, 8 août, -17 octobre, 14 novembre, &c.] - -[Footnote 809: Registres du Conseil de Genève du 23 mai 1529. _Journal -de Balard_, p. 229.] - -[Footnote 810: Registres du Conseil des 23 et 24 mai 1529. _Journal de -Balard_, pp. 331-336. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 811: Registres du Conseil des 23 et 24 mai 1529. _Journal de -Balard_, pp. 331-336. Gautier MS. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 535. -Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, p. 364.] - -[Footnote 812: Archives de Turin, Correspondance romaine; Dépêches du 12 -juillet 1529 et du 23 décembre 1530. Gaberel, _Pièces Justificatives_, -p. 31.] - -[Footnote 813: Archives de Turin, première catégorie, p. 11, nᵒ 63. -Gaberel, i. p. 101.] - - - - - CHAPTER X. - VARIOUS MOVEMENTS IN GENEVA, AND BONIVARD CARRIED - PRISONER TO CHILLON. - (MARCH TO MAY 1530.) - - -[Sidenote: THE FISCAL'S COMPLAINTS.] - -The courage of the defenders of catholicism in Geneva was revived by the -news they received from without; and the emperor, the pope, and the duke -declaring themselves ready to do their duty, the episcopal officers -prepared to do theirs also. But one circumstance might paralyse all -their efforts: 'God, of his goodness, began at this time,' says a -manuscript, 'to implant a knowledge of the truth, of his holy Gospel, -and of the Reformation in the hearts of some individuals in Geneva, by -the intercourse they had with the people of Berne.'[814] These huguenots -boldly professed the protestant ideas they had imbibed, and, though -possessing no very enlightened faith, felt a pleasure in attacking with -sarcasm and ridicule the priests and their followers. Curés and friars -waited every day upon the episcopal vicar, and complained bitterly of -these _Lutherans_, as they called them, who, in their own houses, or in -the public places, and even in the churches, as they walked up and down -the aisles, spoke aloud of the necessity of a reformation.[815] On the -22nd of March, the vicar, eager to do his duty in the absence of the -bishop, sent for the procurator-fiscal, and consulted with him on the -defence of the faith. The procurator appeared before the council. -'Heresy is boldly raising its head,' he said; 'the people eat meat in -Lent, according to the practice of the Lutheran sect. Instead of -devoutly listening to the mass, they promenade (_passagiare_) the church -during divine service.... If we do not put a stop to this evil, the city -will be ruined.... I command you, in behalf of my lord the bishop, to -punish these rebels severely.' The Berne manuscript adds, 'He made great -complaints, accompanied with reproaches and threats.' The Duke of Savoy -supported him by advising the council to take precautions against the -Lutheran errors that were making their way into the city. The -magistrates were fully inclined to check religious innovation: 'We must -compel everybody,' they said, 'to listen to the mass with respect.' The -huguenots pointed out the danger of attending in any degree to the -duke's wishes, for in that case he would fancy himself the sovereign of -Geneva. What was to be done? A man of some wit proposed a singular and -hitherto unheard-of penalty for suppressing heresy, which was adopted -and published in spite of the opposition of the most determined -huguenots: 'Ordered, that whoever eats meat in Lent, or walks about the -churches, shall be condemned to build _three toises of the wall_ of St. -Gervais.' The city was building this wall as a means of defence against -the duke.[816] - -[Sidenote: THE HUGUENOTS SENTENCED.] - -This decree raised a storm against the Roman clergy. There have been at -all times estimable men among the catholic priests, and even christians -who, with great self-sacrifice, have dedicated themselves to the -alleviation of human misery. The party spirit that represents a whole -class of men as hypocrites, fanatics, and debauchees, is opposed to -justice as well as to charity. It must be confessed, however, that there -were not at this time in Geneva many of those pious and zealous priests -who have been found in the Roman-catholic Church since it was awakened -by the Reformation. 'What!' exclaimed the members of council who -inclined towards protestantism, and saw their friends condemned, 'the -Church forbids us to eat food which God created for our use, and permits -priests to gratify an insatiable lewdness, against which God has -pronounced a severe condemnation!... Ha! ha! Messieurs du clergé, you -wish us to eat nothing but fish, and you live in habitual intercourse -with harlots.... Hypocrites! you strain at the gnat and swallow the -camel.' At the same time these citizens exposed the irregularities of -the priests and monks, pointed out their resorts for debauchery, and -described the scandals occasioned by their lusts. This description, -which every one knew to be true, made a deep impression. The good -catholics who were on the council saw the injury done to religion by the -immorality of the clergy; while certain practical men were inclined to -consider the great movement then going on in the Church as essentially a -reform of morals. 'The Lutheran sect increases and prospers,' said a -catholic councillor, 'because of the scandal of the priests, who live -openly with women of evil life.'[817] - -[Sidenote: PRIESTS SENTENCED.] - -The council sent for the vicar-general: 'We have a great complaint to -make,' they told him. 'No remedy has been applied to the depravity and -scandalous conduct of the ecclesiastics, who are the cause of all kinds -of irregularity. Exert your authority without waiting until the secular -power is compelled to interfere.' It would appear that, as the vicar -held out no great hopes of amendment, the council were of opinion that, -after condemning the laymen who walked about in the churches, they ought -also to condemn the priests who were caught in disorderly houses. One -councillor imagined it would be but fair to yoke, so to say, these two -different kinds of delinquents to the same car. A second resolution was -therefore adopted by the council, which, never losing sight of the -necessity of protecting the city against Savoy, ordered 'that the -priests should forthwith forsake their evil ways under penalty of -building three toises of the wall of St. Gervais, in company with the -others.'[818] Thus the forerunners of protestantism and the profligate -priests were ordered to labour together at the same task in the fosses -of St. Gervais. The latter were indignant at being placed in the same -rank with the former, and thought their dignity compromised by the -singular decree which forced them to supply the heretics with mortar. It -would appear, however, that the two orders were not very strictly -observed, that wicked ecclesiastics continued to gratify their -appetites, and that the wall advanced but slowly. 'The canons, priests, -and friars are incorrigible,' said the people; 'they are jovial fellows, -fond of drinking, and rear their bastard children openly. How can the -Church be scandalised at such a course of life, when even the popes set -the example?'[819] - -Although this decree of the council showed great impartiality and a -certain amount of good sense, we cannot put in the same rank the two -classes whom it affected. The huguenots, seeing that the Holy Scriptures -call that a _doctrine of devils_ which commands men '_to abstain from -meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving_,'[820] -did what the Word of God directs, while the evil priests indulged in the -most scandalous disorders. Negative protestantism, however, is not true -piety; and hence it was that the evangelical christians of Zurich and -Berne, taking advantage of the frequent journeys the Genevans made to -these two cities on public or private business, were constantly urging -them to receive the true essence of the Gospel. In the visits they made -to each other, in their friendly walks on the shore of the lake of -Zurich or on the hills which overlook the Aar, these pious reformers of -German Switzerland said to the huguenots: '_The kingdom of God is not -meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy -Ghost._[821] Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, but born as a man, -has become our Redeemer by his death and by his resurrection. He alone -satisfies completely the religious wants of mankind. Unite yourselves to -Him by faith, and you will experience in yourselves that the pure -religion of the Gospel is not only the first among all religions -professed by men, but, as coming from God, is perfect.' - -[Sidenote: PLAN FOR PREACHING AT ST. VICTOR.] - -The four Vandels, without entirely breaking with Rome, had been for more -than three years among the most decided of the so-called Lutheran party. -Hugues Vandel was sent into Switzerland as ambassador (this is the name -usually given to the envoys in the official documents of the period). At -Zurich, 'the Zwinglians gave him a hearty welcome;' the friends of -Haller did the same at Berne, where he happened to be in June 1530. All -of the evangelicals in these two cities were earnest in their wishes to -see a vital christianity displace the few negative reforms in Geneva. -'The majority in the city of Geneva would like to be evangelical,' -answered Vandel; 'but they want to be shown the way, and no one would -dare preach the Gospel in the churches for fear of Friburg.' What is to -be done? thought he. Day and night he tried to find the means of having -the Gospel preached to his fellow-citizens; at last a bright idea -suddenly occurred to him; he spoke about it to the Zwinglians at Zurich, -and to Berthold Haller at Berne; he wrote about it to Farel, to -Christopher Fabry, and also to his brother Robert at Geneva. His idea -was this: It will be remembered that St. Victor was a little independent -principality at the gates of the city. 'Suppose it were made over to my -lords of Berne,' said Vandel; 'they would like to have a bailiff there -and _a preacher who would be our great comfort_.' It is true that the -church of St. Victor was old, and would probably 'tumble down' erelong, -but Berne would be able to rebuild it. All the evangelicals of Geneva, -forsaking the mass in the city churches, and crossing St. Antoine, would -go in crowds to hear Christ preached in the church of Bonivard.... Thus -that Renaissance of which the prior was the representative, would be -truly for Geneva the gate of the Reformation. An event which had just -taken place may have suggested this idea to Vandel. It was a scheme -suggested by the pope, and carried out by the duke.[822] - -Bonivard, deprived of his benefice at the time of Berthelier's death, -had recovered his priory but not his revenue. Endowed, as he was, with -resolution and invention rather than perseverance, holding that the -detention of his property by the duke was an injustice, desiring to be -restored to full possession of his little principality, and not a little -ashamed of having to tell his servant that he had nothing in his purse -when the latter came and asked for money to purchase the necessaries of -life—Bonivard had girded on his sword, taken a musquetoon, mounted his -horse, and, thus equipped and accompanied by a few men-at-arms, had made -several raids into the duke's territory to levy his rents. But he had to -deal both with the duke and the pope. He had been replaced in his priory -by the bishop and the council, but without the consent of the courts of -Rome and Turin, which had illegally despoiled him of it. Consequently a -pontifical proctor, attended by an escort, made his appearance to -prevent the prior from recovering his property. Bonivard, who was -naturally impetuous, looked upon this man as a robber come to plunder -him; he therefore rushed forward, caught up his arms, and discharged his -musquetoon at the Roman official. The latter, who was terrified, rode -off as fast as he could; for Bonivard with his firelock had wounded the -horse.[823] Both pope and duke were loud in their complaints, and -Clement even issued a brief against him. In consequence of this, the -council of Geneva forbade Bonivard to indulge in these military freaks; -and as he had no means of living, the magistrates granted him four -crowns and a half a month, to pay his expenses and those of his servant, -until he was in a better position. 'Alas!' said the prior, 'four crowns -a month! ... it is so little, that I can hardly keep myself and my -page.' However, he remained patient, but he was not left in peace. - -The Roman proctor, taking up the matter again, claimed the priory, in -the name of Clement, on behalf of the priest who had been invested with -it after the death of the traitor Montheron. Bonivard, desiring to place -his benefice beyond the reach of fresh attacks, annexed it to the -hospital of Geneva, which was to receive the revenues for him as prior. -But the duke had other views. More than four hundred persons, carrying -arms, and assembling by night before the hôtel-de-ville, had demanded -justice on certain monks of St. Victor, who were accused of plotting to -betray the convent to the partisans of Savoy. Besançon Hugues and Thomas -Vandel, the procurator-fiscal, were the bearers of this request, and -Bonivard had the monks shut up in prison. When the duke was informed of -the annexation of the priory to the hospital of Geneva, his anger was -increased, for he had a great desire to possess St. Victor's, which -would give him a footing close to the gates of the city. His agents -therefore solicited the prior 'daily' to revoke this act, and promised -him 'seas and mountains' if he would consent; but Bonivard shook his -head, saying: 'I do not trust him!' Charles now determined to get rid of -a man who was an obstacle in his path in all his enterprises against -Geneva.[824] - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD'S FILIAL AFFECTION.] - -The prior, usually so cheerful, had been for some time dejected and -thoughtful. It was not only his priory, his poverty, and his enemies -that threw a shade over his countenance, formerly so animated: his -mother was seriously ill. To Bonivard filial piety was the most natural -of obligations, the first and sweetest form of gratitude. He thought: -'How correctly Plato writes that there are no Penates more sacred, there -is no worship more acceptable to the gods, than that of a father or -mother bending under the weight of years.' His Genevese friends, who -went daily to St. Victor's, observed his sadness, and asked him the -reason. 'Alas!' he said, 'I should like to see my aged mother once more -before she dies. I have not seen her these five years, and she is on the -brink of the grave.' To one of them who inquired where she was, he -replied: 'At Seyssel, in our ancestral house.' Seyssel was in the states -of Savoy, and Charles would not fail to have the prior seized if he -ventured to appear there. - -Bonivard fancied, however, he could see the means of gratifying his -dearest wishes. He determined to take advantage of the solicitations -addressed to him by Charles to ask for a safe-conduct. 'I will go and -see my mother and brother at Seyssel,' he said, 'and ask their advice. -We will consult together on this business.' The duke sent Bonivard the -required passport, stipulating, however, that it should be available for -the month of April only. Charles, delighted at seeing Bonivard quit the -neighbourhood of Geneva and venture into the middle of his territories, -determined that if this journey did not give him the priory, it should -at least give him the prior.... Bonivard's friends, whose judgment was -not influenced by filial affection, were justly alarmed when they heard -of his approaching departure, and tried to detain him; he could think of -nothing, however, but seeing his mother before she died. He accordingly -departed, passed the Fort de l'Ecluse, the Perte du Rhone, and reached -the little town where the 'ancient dame,' as he called her, resided. The -mother, who loved the name, the talents, the glory, and the person of -her son, clasped him in her arms with fond affection; but her joy soon -gave way to fear, for she knew Charles's perfidy, she remembered -Lévrier's story ... and trembled for her child.[825] - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD'S VISIT TO HIS MOTHER.] - -Meanwhile Bonivard's enemies in Geneva had not delayed to take advantage -of his departure. Some of them were mamelukes. To embroil him with the -huguenots seemed likely to be of service to their cause; and they -therefore began to report in the city that he had gone to surrender St. -Victor's to the duke, and that he was betraying the people and revealing -their secrets. The intimate friends of the prior indignantly -contradicted the calumny; but his enemies continued repeating it, and, -as the most ardent men are often the most credulous, a few huguenots -gave credit to these assertions. Bonivard wrote to the council of -Geneva, complaining of the injury done him, and reminded them that there -was not a man in the city more devoted to its independence than himself. - -What should he do? He was exceedingly embarrassed. Should he return to -Geneva? He feared the anger of those among the huguenots in whose eyes -it was a crime to go to Savoy. Should he remain at Seyssel? As soon as -the month of April was ended, he would be seized by the duke. His mother -conjured him to put himself out of the reach of his enemies, both duke -and Genevans.... - - 'Et qui refuserait une mère qui prie?... - -He determined to go to Friburg. The council of Geneva had indeed told -him not to disquiet himself about the foolish stories of his enemies, -and added: 'Let him come, if he pleases, and he will be treated -well.'[826] This was not a very pressing invitation, and Besançon -Hugues, the most influential man in the city, was against him. Hugues, a -catholic and episcopalian, might very well have no great liking for the -prior of a monastery who was coming round entirely to the new ideas. It -seems, however, that these catholic prejudices were mixed up with some -human weaknesses. 'Bonivard,' says a manuscript, 'often had disputes -with Besançon Hugues, who hoped to obtain for his son the investiture of -the priory of St. Victor.'[827] The prior was not ignorant of this -hostile disposition. 'Alas!' he said, 'a councillor, and he not one of -the least, is exciting the council and the people against me.' On the -other hand, he could not make up his mind to turn thoroughly to the side -of the Reformation; he still remained in the neutral ground of Erasmus, -and indulged in jests against the huguenots, which indisposed them -towards him. He belonged neither to one party nor to the other, and -offended both. He was not anxious, therefore, to return to Geneva just -now, fearing that his enemies would be stronger than his friends. The -month of April being ended, he begged the duke to prolong his -safe-conduct during the month of May, and it was granted. Bonivard now -took leave of his aged mother, whom he left full of anguish about the -fate of her son. She never saw him again. - -The Count of Chalans, president of the council of Savoy, and friend of -the Bishop of Aosta, was, though a layman, as bigoted to -Roman-catholicism as Gazzini was, as a priest. At that time he was -holding a _journée_ or diet at Romont, between Lausanne and Friburg. The -avoyer of Friburg, who was Bonivard's friend, happening to be at Romont, -Bonivard repaired thither; and, related as he was to the nobility of -Savoy, he presented his homage to the count, who received him kindly. -Bonivard skilfully sounded De Chalans on what he might have to fear; for -once already, and not far from that place, he had been seized and thrown -into a ducal prison. The count pledged his honour, both verbally and in -writing, that he would run no danger in the duke's territories during -the month of May, and, he added, even during the month of June. -Bonivard, thus set at ease, began to reflect on his position. It was a -strange thing for a man, so enlightened as he was on the abuses of -popery and monasticism, to be at the head of a monastic body. Moreover, -in addition to the pope and the duke, he had a new adversary against -him. 'I fear the duke on the one hand,' he said, 'and on the other the -madness of the people of Geneva, to whom I dare not return without the -strongest pledges.' - -[Sidenote: DETERMINES TO GIVE UP THE PRIORY.] - -Bonivard, having weighed everything, determined upon a great sacrifice. -He started for Lausanne, and proposed to the Bishop of Montfaucon to -resign to him the priory of St. Victor, on condition of receiving a -pension of four hundred crowns. The bishop accepted the proposal, -provided Geneva and Savoy would consent. Bonivard thought this an easy -matter, and as René de Chalans was then holding another _journée_ at -Moudon, he determined to go thither to arrange the great affair. He -arrived on the 25th of May. The count received him courteously, and -appeared to enter into his ideas; but at the same time this lord and -certain officers of Savoy held several private conferences, the result -of which was that they sent a messenger to Lausanne. Bonivard was -invited to sup with the president, who gave him the seat of honour. -There was a large party, the repast was very animated, and the prior, -whose gaiety was easily revived, amused all the company by his wit. -There was, however, one officer at his highness's table who annoyed him -considerably: it was the Sire de Bellegarde, Lévrier's murderer. This -wretch, as if he desired to efface that disagreeable impression, was -most obliging and attentive. At last they left the table. There were so -many gentlemen assembled in the little town of Moudon, that all the -bed-rooms were occupied—so at least it was stated. Upon this, -Bellegarde, in a jovial tone, said to Bonivard: 'Well, then, my friend, -I will share my room with you.' Bonivard accepted the offer, but not -without some uneasiness. The next morning he prepared to set out for -Lausanne in order to arrange his business with the bishop. 'I am afraid -that you will lose your way, and that something may happen to you,' said -Bellegarde. 'I will send a servant on horseback along with you.' The -confiding Bonivard departed with the sergeant of his highness's steward. - -Bellegarde varied his treachery. He had kidnapped Lévrier as he was -leaving the cathedral, and had conveyed him in person to the castle -where he was to meet his death. This time he preferred to keep out of -sight, and for that reason a message had been despatched to Lausanne. -After watching over Bonivard during the night, lest he should escape, as -Hugues had escaped from Châtelaine, Bellegarde took leave of him, giving -him a very courteous embrace, and strongly recommending him to the care -of the sergeant. The road from Moudon to Lausanne runs for about five -leagues through the Jorat hills, which at that period were wild and -lonely. Gloomy thoughts sprang up from time to time to disturb Bonivard. -He remembered how Lévrier had been seized by Bellegarde at the gates of -St. Pierre.... If a similar fate awaited him!... His confidence soon -revived, and he went on. - -[Sidenote: BONIVARD TREACHEROUSLY KIDNAPPED.] - -It was a fine day in May, this Thursday, the 26th. Early in the morning -Messire de Beaufort, captain of Chillon, and the Sire du Rosey, bailli -of Thonon, having received their instructions from Moudon, had quitted -Lausanne, followed by twelve to fifteen well-armed horsemen. On reaching -the heights of the Jorat, near the convent of St. Catherine, they hid -themselves in a wood of black pines, which still remains;[828] and there -both leaders and soldiers waited silently for the unfortunate Bonivard. -He was provided, indeed, with a safe-conduct from the duke; but John -Huss's had been violated, and why should they observe that of the prior -of St. Victor? 'No faith ought to be kept with heretics,' had been said -at Constance, and was repeated now at Moudon. Erelong De Beaufort and Du -Rosey heard the tramp of two horses; they gave a signal to their -followers to be ready, and peered out from among the trees where they -lay hid to see if their victim was really coming. At last the guide on -horseback appeared, then came Bonivard on his mule; De Bellegarde's -servant led him straight to the appointed place. Just as the unlucky -prior, wavering between confidence and fear, was passing the spot where -Beaufort, Du Rosey, and their fifteen companions were posted, the latter -rushed from the wood and sprang upon Bonivard. He put his hand to his -sword, and clapped spurs to his mule in order to escape, calling out to -his guide: 'Spur! spur!' But, instead of galloping forwards, the -sergeant turned suddenly upon the man he should have protected, caught -hold of him, and 'with a knife which he had ready' cut Bonivard's -sword-belt. All this took place in the twinkling of an eye. 'Whereupon -these honest people fell upon me,' said the prior when he told the story -in after years, 'and made me prisoner in the name of Monseigneur.' He -made all the resistance he could; produced his papers, and showed that -they were all in order; but his safe-conduct was of no avail with the -agents of Bellegarde and De Chalans. Taking some cord from a bag they -had brought with them, they tied Bonivard's arms, and bound him to his -mule, as they had once bound Lévrier, and in this way passing through -Lausanne, near which the outrage had been committed, they turned to the -left. The prior crossed Vaux, Vevey, Clarens, and Montreux; but these -districts, which are among the most beautiful in Switzerland, could not -for an instant rouse him from his deep dejection. 'They took me, bound -and pinioned, to Chillon,' he says in his _Chronicles_, 'and there I -remained six long years.... It was my second passion.'[829] - -[Sidenote: THE PRISONER OF CHILLON.] - -Nine years before, almost day for day (May 1521), Luther had also been -seized in a wood for the purpose of being taken to a castle; but he had -been carried off by friends, while _the prisoner of Chillon_ was -perfidiously taken by enemies. Bonivard, a reformer of a negative and -rather philosophical character, was much inferior to Luther, the -positive and evangelical reformer; but Bonivard's imprisonment far -exceeded in severity that of the Saxon doctor. At first, indeed, the -prior of St. Victor was confined in a room and treated respectfully; but -Charles the Good, after visiting him and holding some conversation with -him, ordered, as he left the castle, that the prisoner should be treated -harshly. He was transferred to one of those damp and gloomy dungeons cut -out of the rock, which lie below the level of the lake. It is probable -that the duke gave this cruel order because the prisoner, true to light -and liberty, had refused to bend before him. Bonivard's seizure was a -severe blow to his mother, to his friends, and even to the magistrates -of Geneva, who, on hearing of it, saw all the duke's perfidy and the -prior's innocence, and restored to him their affection and esteem. For -some time it was uncertain whether Bonivard was alive or dead; all that -people knew was that he had been seized, in defiance of the -safe-conduct, on the hills above Lausanne. However, John Lullin and the -other envoys of Geneva present at the _journée_ held at Payerne at -Christmas 1530, being better informed, did all in their power to obtain -the liberation of a man who had done such good service to liberty; but -the agents of Savoy pretended ignorance of the place of his imprisonment. - -A brilliant existence was thus suddenly interrupted. What humour, what -originality, what striking language, what invention, what witty -conversations were abruptly cut short! Bonivard never recovered from -these six years of the strictest captivity. When he came out of Chillon -he was a different man from what he was when he entered it. He was like -a bird which, while giving utterance to the sweetest song, is caught by -a gust of wind and beaten to the ground; ever after it miserably drags -its wings, and utters none but harsh unpleasing sounds. St. Victor -wanted the _one thing needful_; he was not one of those of whom it is -said: _their youth is renewed like the eagle's_. The brightness of the -Reformation eclipsed him. The latter part of his life was as sad as his -early part had been brilliant. It would have been better for his fame -had he been put to death in the castle-yard of Chillon, as Lévrier had -been in that of Bonne. - -[Footnote 814: Berne MS. _Hist. Helvet._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 815: Michel Roset, _Chroniq._ MS. liv. ii. ch. xiv.] - -[Footnote 816: Registres du Conseil des 22 et 29 mars. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. p. 551. Berne MS. _Hist. Helvet._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 817: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 551.] - -[Footnote 818: 'Quod presbyteri ab inde debeant relinquere eorum -lupanaria, lubricitates et meretrices, sub simili pœna (facere in muris -Sancti Gervasii tres teysias muri.)'—Registres du Conseil du 1ᵉʳ avril.] - -[Footnote 819: Galiffe, _Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève_, ii. p. -vii. The note contains a long list of the illegitimate children of -popes, archbishops, inquisitors, and other churchmen.] - -[Footnote 820: 1 Timothy iv. 1-3.] - -[Footnote 821: Romans xiv. 17.] - -[Footnote 822: Lettre de Vandel du 23 juin 1530. Galiffe fils, _Besançon -Hugues_, note to page 395.] - -[Footnote 823: 'Procuratorem prosequentem scopettis invasisse, et equum -super quo fugiebat vulnerasse.'—Brief of Clement VII., dated January 24, -1528.] - -[Footnote 824: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 485, 547, 572. _Mém. -d'Archéologie_, tom. v. p. 162.] - -[Footnote 825: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 572,573. _Mém. -d'Archéologie_, iv. p. 171.] - -[Footnote 826: 'Fuit lecta missiva Domini Sancti Victoris. Rescribatur -ei ut veniat, si velit, et illum bene tractabimus.'—Council Register, -May 2, 1530.] - -[Footnote 827: Gautier MS. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 573.] - -[Footnote 828: The convent of St. Catherine occupied the site of the -_Chalet à Gobet_, an inn situated on the road from Lausanne to Berne.] - -[Footnote 829: 'Ce fut ma seconde passion.'—Bonivard, _Chroniq._] - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE ATTACK OF 1530. - (AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER.) - - -[Sidenote: ARREST OF THE FISCAL MANDOLLA.] - -Bonivard's arrest was not an isolated act, but the first skirmish of a -general engagement. The duke and the bishop were reconciled, and their -only thought was how they could reduce Geneva by force of arms. A -singular resolution for a pastor! Fortunately for him, the Genevans gave -him a pretext calculated in some measure to justify his warlike cure of -souls. - -The iniquitous conduct of the Duke of Savoy towards Bonivard refuted the -unjust accusations brought against him, and the Genevans at once -manifested their sympathy with the unhappy prisoner of Chillon. They -were indignant at the duke's violation of the safe-conduct that he -himself had given. 'You see his bad faith,' they said. Thinking that -when the innocent were put in prison, it was time to punish the guilty, -they determined to have their revenge. - -There was at Geneva a man named Mandolla, a procurator-fiscal and -thorough-going partisan of the duke and the bishop. 'He was a bastard -priest of evil name and fame,' say the chronicles of the times, 'who -indulged in exactions, and in plundering and arbitrarily imprisoning -those who displeased him.' The vicar-general, Messire de Gingins, abbot -of Bonmont, an upright and benevolent man, often remonstrated with him, -but Mandolla answered him with insolence. Nor was this all; for, having -the temporal authority under his jurisdiction, he was continually -intriguing to deliver up Geneva to the duke. The citizens, irritated at -these encroachments on their rights, addressed several strong -remonstrances to the abbot of Bonmont against the foreign priest who was -trying to rob them of their independence. It was a serious accusation: -Mandolla's conscience told him it was just; he took the alarm, and, -wishing to escape justice, hastily quitted Geneva, and fled for refuge -to the castle of Peney. - -The Genevans now complained louder than ever. 'Remove this thorn from -the city,' said they to the vicar-general. The abbot acknowledged the -justice of their demand, and the council, the guardians of the rights of -the city, came to his assistance; for they recollected how, at the -election of the syndics in 1526, that man had intrigued to carry the -list which contained the name of the infamous Cartelier. Some armed men -were sent to the castle of Peney, where they seized Mandolla, bound him -to a horse, as Lévrier and Bonivard had been bound, and on the 24th of -June he was brought back to Geneva, surrounded by guards who led him to -prison. A procurator-fiscal treated like a criminal! it was a thing -unprecedented. The people stopped in the streets as he passed, and -looked at him with astonishment. The unhappy Mandolla's mind was in a -state of great confusion. He wondered if they would avenge on him the -deaths of Lévrier and Berthelier and the captivity of Bonivard. He felt -that he was guilty, but trusted in his powerful protectors. His friends -did not, indeed, lose a moment, but wrote to the bishop, who was at -Arbois. - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP PLOTS AGAINST GENEVA.] - -Mandolla had hardly been three days in prison, when 'a severe and -threatening letter' from the bishop arrived at Geneva. The prelate was -indignant that the citizens should dare lay hands upon a clerk, who was -one of his officers, and especially on that fiscal who, as Bonivard -says, _brought the water to his mill_. 'Not content with the -unseasonable innovations you have made in our jurisdiction,' he wrote to -the syndics on the 27th of June, 'you have caused our procurator to be -arrested in the discharge of his functions.... And you do not like to be -called traitors!... We condemn the outrage as much as if you had done it -to our own person. Set our fiscal at liberty, without any damage to his -person; make amends for the outrage you have committed; otherwise we -shall employ all the means God has placed in our hands to obtain -vengeance.' The council were greatly astonished on reading this letter: -'The bishop forgets,' they said, 'that this is a case simply of robbery -and treason. How long has it been the custom to threaten with the -vengeance of God and man the magistrates who prosecute a thief?'—'My -lord,' answered the magistrates, 'Mandolla you well know to be a traitor -and a robber.' And, giving no heed to the episcopal summons, they drew -up an indictment against the fiscal. When this was told to La Baume, he -could not contain himself. His twofold title of prince and bishop filled -him with pride, and he could not bear the thought that these citizens of -Geneva disregarded his orders. - -This affair only served to hasten the execution of his plans. His mind -was full of bitterness on account of the heresy he had discovered in the -city, and he thought but of punishing those whom he looked upon as -traitors. It did not occur to the bishop that Geneva, after undergoing a -great transformation, was one day to become the most active focus of the -Reform. But, without foreseeing such a future, he thought that if the -Reformation were established there, as at Zurich and Berne, the -provinces of Savoy, and others besides, would erelong fall a prey to the -contagion. He made up his mind to oppose it in every way, and it must be -confessed that he had a right to do so; but two things are to be -regretted: the unholy mixing up of the catholic cause with that of a -traitor and thief, and the means that the prelate employed. - -[Sidenote: THE BISHOP APPEALS TO THE KNIGHTS.] - -These means he sought in violence. In order to punish the huguenots he -must have allies. Where could he look for them except among the knights -of the Spoon? As prince and bishop of Geneva, he would give a shape to -this fraternity, and organise it against his own episcopal city. He -forthwith entered into communication with its principal leaders: John de -Viry, sire of Alamogne; John Mestral, sire of Aruffens; John de -Beaufort, baron of Rolle; Francis, sire of St. Saphorin; the sire of -Genthod, a village situated between Geneva and Versoix; and especially -Michael, baron of La Sarraz, whom the bishop called 'his dearly beloved -cousin.' Without waiting for these powerful lords to attack the city, he -began to carry on a little war himself. He put into prison two Genevan -cattle-dealers, who chanced to be in the territory of St. Claude; -ordered the Genevan _goats and cows_ to be seized, which were grazing on -the hills of Gex; and posted armed men on all the roads leading from -Geneva to Lyons, with instructions to stop his _subjects_ and their -friends, and to seize their goods.[830] - -After this little war, the bishop turned his thoughts to the great one. -At first he wished to set in motion his own vassals, friends, and allies -on the western slopes of the Jura. 'Brother,' said he to the Baron of -St. Sorlin, 'call out our Burgundians.' His negotiations with La Sarraz, -Viry, and others having succeeded, he issued a general appeal to the -knights of the Spoon. 'Gentlemen and neighbours of my episcopal city,' -he said, 'I have been informed of your friendly disposition to aid me in -punishing my rebellious subjects of Geneva. And now, knowing that it -will be a meritorious work before God and the world to do justice upon -such evil-doers, I pray and require you to be pleased to help me in this -matter.' Many of these gentlemen crossed the Jura to come to an -arrangement with him, and filled Arbois with their indignation. - -The 20th of August was an important day at the residence of the -prince-bishop; he had determined to make war upon his flock, and this -moment had been chosen for the declaration. Pierre de la Baume was not -so cruel as his predecessor, the bastard of Savoy; but his irritation -was now at its height. If he chanced to meet any Genevans who addressed -him in respectful language, he would smile graciously upon them, but 'it -was all grimace,' says the pseudo-Bonivard.[831] When they had quitted -him, La Baume once more indulged in angry and threatening words. The -convents, the commandery of Malta, and the college of the canons of -Arbois were still more violent in their complaints. On the 20th of -August a meeting took place at the priory. The knights of the Spoon, who -had found the wine of Arbois excellent, arrived with their swords, their -coats of mail, and their cloaks. The bishop, proud of having such -defenders, invited them near the chair where he was seated, and -graciously handed them their commissions to make war upon his subjects. -'We, Pierre de la Baume,' they ran, 'bishop and prince of Geneva, having -regard to the insolence, rebellion, treason, and conspiracies that some -of our subjects of Geneva are daily committing against us and our -authority ... imprisoning our subjects and our officers without orders, -assuming our rights of principality, and threatening to do worse; ... -being resolved _to maintain our Church in her authority and to uphold -our holy faith_, have commissioned and required our friends and -relatives to aid us in punishing the rebels, and, if need be, to proceed -by force of arms.' (Here follow the names of these friends, the Baron of -La Sarraz, and the other lords mentioned above.) The prelate ended the -document by a declaration that these gentlemen 'had full authority from -him, and that, in confirmation, he had written these letters with his -own hand at Arbois, on this 20th of August in the year 1530.' He had -signed the papers: _Bishop of Geneva_. The gentlemen thanked the -prelate, promised to do all in their power, and, quitting Franche-Comté, -returned to their castles to make ready for the campaign, repeating to -one another, as they rode along, that it was very necessary to maintain -_the authority of the Roman Church_ in Geneva, and to uphold _the holy -faith_, and seeming very proud that such was the object of the crusade -they were about to undertake.[832] - -[Sidenote: LUTHERANS IMPRISONED.] - -The bishop's alarm was not without foundation. The huguenots, even those -most inclined to protestantism, did not possess much evangelical light; -they were struck rather with the superstitions of Rome than with their -own sins and the grace of God. There were nevertheless some Genevans and -a few foreigners living in Geneva, who displayed great zeal, and replied -to the bishop's violence by going about from place to place seeking to -enlighten souls. The gentlemen of Savoy, who had just made an alliance -with the bishop, had seen this with their own eyes. 'They enter the -cottages, and even venture into our castles,' said the knights, -'everywhere preaching what they call the Word of God.' The peasants -listened rather favourably to the addresses of these evangelists; but, -says Balard, 'the gentlemen could not be prevented from taking vengeance -on such excesses.' When any of these daring pioneers of the Reformation -arrived at a castle, or even at the village or town which depended on -it, the lord, exasperated that the heretics should dare come and preach -their doctrines to his servants and vassals, seized them and threw them -into his dungeons. - -Some envoys from Friburg who were going to Chambéry, having halted on -the road at the castle of one of their friends, heard of these doings; -it happened, too, that some of these huguenot prisoners (they may have -come from Berne) were confined in the place at which they were stopping. -As the Friburgers, although good catholics, were not in favour of -employing brute force in matters of religion, they found means to touch -the hearts of their persecutors, and succeeded in having these fervent -evangelists set at liberty. They then continued their journey to -Chambéry. But the duke had hardly given them audience before he said to -them with bitterness: 'I have to complain, gentlemen, that you go about -in search of prisoners in my country, and that the people of Geneva are -trying to make my people as bad as themselves.... I will not put up with -such disorders.... I cannot prevent my nobles from taking -vengeance.'[833] But the Genevans were equally unwilling to submit to -the ill-treatment to which some of their number had been exposed, and -accordingly Robert Vandel and John Lullin were despatched in all haste -to Berne and Friburg to urge on the arrival of these noble auxiliaries. -It is probable, however, that certain serious rumours which were -beginning to circulate in Geneva were the principal cause of their -mission.[834] - -It was the autumn of 1530, and as the chiefs of German catholicism had -assembled at Augsburg to deliberate upon the means of destroying -protestantism in the empire, the duke and the bishop, the two great -enemies of Geneva, appointed a meeting at Gex, at the foot of the Jura, -to deliberate on the means of expelling both liberty and the Gospel from -the city of the Leman. 'Lutheranism is making considerable progress in -Geneva,' said the bishop to the duke; 'attack the city; for my part I -will employ in this work the revenues of my see and of my abbeys, and -even all my patrimony.'[835] The duke might have had reasons for -delaying the war. His brother-in-law the emperor, and the other catholic -princes assembled at Augsburg, thought they could not be ready before -the spring, and desired that protestantism should then be attacked on -all points at once. But passion prevailed with Charles III. Aspiring to -the sovereignty of Geneva, it was important for him to play the -principal part in the attack against that city; and when once Geneva was -taken, he would prove to all the world that, in accordance with the -system of the cardinals, it would be necessary to establish there some -ruler more powerful than a bishop, in order to prevent future -revolts.[836] - -[Sidenote: LA SARRAZ HEADS THE KNIGHTS.] - -The Baron of La Sarraz was already at work; he was a man fitted to -succeed Pontverre. Prejudiced like him against Geneva, liberty, and the -Reformation, he was less noble, less virtuous, and less headstrong than -that unhappy gentleman, but surpassed him in genius and in ability. He -had sworn that either he or Geneva should give way and perish.... The -oath was accomplished, but not in the manner he had anticipated. The -knights of the Spoon, summoned by the bishop, excited by La Sarraz, -supported by the fugitive mamelukes, and approved of by the duke, took -the field immediately. They intercepted the provisions intended for -Geneva, and sharp skirmishes occurred every day. If any citizen went -beyond the walls to look after his farm or attend to his business, the -knights would fall upon him and beat him, shut him up in one of their -castle dungeons, and sometimes kill him. But all this was a mere -prelude. The bishop came to an understanding with the Baron of La -Sarraz, through his cousin, M. de Ranzonière. Another conference took -place at Arbois towards the middle of September 1530. After a long -conversation about the heresy and independence of Geneva, and the -strange changes and singular perils to which that city and the -surrounding provinces were exposed, they decided upon a general -attack.[837] - -On the 20th of September, the men-at-arms of the knights of the Spoon, -the Burgundians of the bishop, and the ducal troops, made arrangements -to surprise Geneva. On the 24th of September, some well-disposed people -came and told the citizens that the Duke of Nemours was at Montluel in -Bresse, three leagues from Lyons, with a large army. It was the Count of -Genevois, younger brother of the Duke of Savoy, whom his sister, the -mother of Francis I., had created Duke of Nemours in 1515. He was, as we -have already remarked, an able man, and, even while courting the -Genevans, desired nothing better than to destroy their city. His sister, -Louisa of Savoy, whose hostile disposition towards the Gospel we have -seen, thought it a very laudable thing to crush a place in which the -protestants, persecuted by her in France, might find an asylum. The six -captains of Geneva, on hearing this alarming intelligence, assembled -their troops and addressed them in a touching proclamation. This was on -Sunday, the 25th of September. 'We have been informed,' they said, 'that -our enemies will attack us very shortly. We pray you therefore to -forgive one another, and be ready to die in the defence of your rights.' -The citizens unanimously replied to these noble words: 'We are willing -to do so.'[838] - -[Sidenote: TROOPS MARCH AGAINST GENEVA.] - -The next day, Monday, the 26th of September, a man of Granson, coming -from Burgundy, confirmed the news of the danger impending over the city. -'Everything is in motion on our side,' he told them. 'M. de St. Sorlin -has declared that _God and the world_ are enraged against Geneva (it was -the favourite expression of his family); companies of arquebusiers are -about to cross the Jura; the gentlemen of the Spoon are approaching with -a large number of armed men, and the day after the feast of St. Michael -they will enter Geneva by force, to kill the men, women, and children, -and plunder the city.' The man of Granson, at the request of the -syndics, hurried off to carry the news to Berne and Friburg.[839] - -It was a singular thing, this expedition against Geneva in behalf of the -_holy faith_, for there was not a church in the city where mass was not -sung, and not one where the Gospel was preached. It was still a catholic -city; but, we must confess, it contained little really worthy of the -name, except old walls, old ceremonies, and old priests. Mass was -performed, but the huguenots, instead of listening to it, walked up and -down the aisles. The Reformation was everywhere in Geneva, and yet it -was nowhere. The bishop, the duke, and even the emperor, who were not -very acute judges, confounded liberty with the Gospel; and seeing that -liberty was in Geneva, they doubted not that the Gospel was there also. - -[Sidenote: GENEVA BLOCKADED.] - -On Friday, the 30th of September, the enemy's army debouched on all -sides of Geneva. The six captains of Geneva and their six hundred men -got their arms ready. At this moment envoys arrived from Friburg, -wishing to see, hear, and advise the councils. They had hardly entered -the city, when the troops of Savoy, Burgundy, and Vaud were seen -preparing to blockade it. A Friburg herald left immediately, to carry -the news to his lords; but at Versoix the ducal soldiers were on their -guard; the messenger was seized and conducted to the knight of the Spoon -who commanded in the castle. It was to no purpose that he declared -himself to be a Friburger: 'You wear neither the arms nor the colours of -Friburg,' was the reply; 'go back to Geneva.' And as the herald insisted -upon passing (he had had good reasons for not putting on his uniform), -the knights maltreated him and drove him before them close up to the -drawbridge of Geneva, insulting him from time to time in a very -offensive manner. The night was then approaching; the steps of the -horses and the shouts of the horsemen could be heard in the city; it was -believed that the assault was about to be made, and some citizens ran -off to ring the tocsin. The alarm continued through the night. - -The enemy had pitched their camp at Saconnex, on the right bank of the -Rhone and the lake, about half a league from Geneva, in the direction of -Gex and the Jura. On Saturday, the 1st of October, they sallied forth -early in the morning, pillaged the houses round the city, set fire to -several farms, and returned to their camp: this was a petty prelude to -the meditated attack. At this moment a second herald, coming from -Friburg, was brought in. He had been stopped at Versoix, for nobody -could pass that post in either direction. The Friburgers, uneasy at -receiving no news from Geneva, had sent this man to learn whether their -friends were really in danger or not. 'What is your business?' asked the -officers. The herald, who had learnt the story of his colleague, had -recourse to a stratagem which the usages of war justify, but christian -truth condemns. 'I am ordered,' he said, 'to go and tell our ambassadors -that they must return immediately; and that if Monsieur of Savoy needs -the help of my lords of Friburg, they will assist him.' The Savoyards, -delighted at the mission of the Friburger, hastened to set him at -liberty; he went on to Geneva, and told the whole affair to the -ambassadors of his canton. The latter, extremely pleased at his -dexterity, asked him if he could once more make his way through the -triple barrier that the cavaliers had raised between Geneva and Friburg. -He was to report that the state of affairs was as bad as could be; and -that Geneva, attacked by superior forces, was on the point of falling. -'We have no time to write,' they added, for they feared their letters -would be intercepted; 'but we give you our rings as a token. Go -speedily, and tell the lords of the two cities (Berne and Friburg), that -if they wish to succour the city of Geneva, _they must do so now or_ -_never_.' Prompt help from the Swiss could alone preserve the liberties -of Geneva. The cunning Friburger departed; but even should he succeed in -making his way through the Savoyard troops lying between Friburg and -Geneva, what might not happen before a Swiss army could arrive?[840] - -The next day, Sunday, the 2nd of October, the episcopal army was put in -motion; it surrounded the city; a part of the Savoyard troops occupied -the suburb of St. Leger and the monasteries of St. Victor and Our Lady -of Grace; another part was drawn up opposite the Corraterie. The -Genevans could no longer restrain themselves: the gates of the -Corraterie were thrown open, and a number of the more intrepid sallied -out upon the Savoyards, who received them with their arquebuses: one -citizen was shot dead, and the others returned into the city. Erelong -similar skirmishes took place on every side, and the trainbands of -Geneva, firing upon the enemy from the wall, killed several of them. -Masters of the suburbs, the Savoyard army waited until night to make the -assault. _Death and plunder_ was the pass-word given by the leaders. - -The situation of Geneva became more critical every hour. In the evening, -just as the bell was ringing for vespers, there was a gleam of light in -the stormy sky. Ambassadors arrived from Berne; they had passed through -the enemy's lines, doubtless in consequence of their diplomatic -character. They immediately visited their Friburg colleagues, who made -known to them all their fears: 'Yet a few hours more,' they said, 'and -Romish despotism will perhaps triumph over the Genevese liberties.' The -Swiss did not lose a moment, but despatched a herald, post-haste, to -demand immediate support. A part of the defenders of Geneva went to -their homes to take some slight repose. - -[Sidenote: NIGHT ASSAULT.] - -The night closed in, but a bright moon permitted every movement to be -observed which took place without the city. At midnight the moon set: -darkness and silence for some time reigned upon the walls. This was the -hour fixed for the assault. The bands of Savoy and Burgundy and the -knights of the Spoon moved forward without noise, and soon reached the -ditch, in readiness to attack the city. It was easy for them to break in -the gates and to scale the walls. The sentries on the ramparts listened, -and tried to make out the movements of the enemy. The Genevans were all -determined to sacrifice their lives, but they were too few to defend -their homes against such an army. They had to fear enemies still more -formidable. It was asserted that the governor of the Low Countries, the -pope, the Dukes of Lorraine and Gueldres, and the King of France were -all pushing forward troops against the city. The alarm had been given in -the courts of Europe by a recent act of the Landgrave of Hesse. He was -negotiating a treaty with the cantons of Zurich and Basle, by the terms -of which each of the contracting parties was bound to support the others -in case of violence against the cause of the Gospel. 'Might not Philip -do the same with Berne and Geneva?' said some. 'Might not the latter -city become an asylum of the Reformation in the south, for the -populations of the Latin tongue?... No time must be lost in destroying -it.'[841] - -People were talking of these things at Augsburg. The protestant princes -and doctors had quitted that city, where the famous diet had just ended: -a month had been given them to become reconciled with Rome. But -Charles V., who did not reckon much upon this _entente cordiale_ between -the pope and Luther, had declared that he would terminate the -controversy with the sword, and had given orders to raise a powerful -army to crush both protestants and protestantism: that, however, was not -to be done before the spring of next year. One day, when the emperor was -conversing about Geneva with Duke Frederick and other catholic -princes,[842] despatches were brought him announcing the march of -different armed bodies against Geneva. Charles always displayed a -prudence and reserve in his plans, which proceeded as much from nature -as from habit. As his faculties had been developed slowly, he had -accustomed himself to ponder upon everything with close attention; he -had decided in particular that not a shot ought to be fired in Europe -against the protestants before the spring of 1531, and had instructed -his brother-in-law of Savoy to that effect. Accordingly, when he learnt, -in October, that an attack was preparing against Geneva, he gave -utterance to his vexation. 'Ha!' he exclaimed, 'the Duke of Savoy is -beginning this business too soon!'[843] 'These words give cause for -reflection,' said the deputies of Nuremberg, who reported them to their -senate. After Geneva, their own turn would come, no doubt. - -[Sidenote: MYSTERIOUS RETREAT OF THE SAVOYARDS.] - -Meanwhile, about one o'clock on a pitch-dark night, the troops of the -duke, the bishop, and the knights of the Spoon had come up close to the -ditch. But, strange to say, they remained inactive. They neither broke -down the gates nor mounted the walls: on the contrary, 'the nearer they -approached,' says Balard, who was in the city, '_the more their hearts -failed them._' Besides the knights of Vaud and the leaders of the -Burgundian bands, there were in the besieging army a certain number of -officers holding their commissions immediately from his highness the -duke. On a sudden these Savoyard captains drew back; they moved away, -and left the others at the edge of the ditch. This unexpected defection -surprised every one: the soldiers asked what it meant.... The troops -fell into disorder, a panic soon ran through their ranks, and in a -moment there was a general flight, their only exploit being the -plundering of the suburbs. - -The officers of Savoy, as they retired, said that the duke 'had -commanded them to withdraw under pain of death.' He had indeed received -the emperor's orders not to begin the war before the spring; but he -could not resolve to arrange his plans in harmony with those of his -illustrious ally. Always anxious to make himself master of Geneva, he -had let things take their course. A more pressing message from the -emperor had arrived. The duke, much vexed, had communicated it with a -bad grace to his captains. Had it only reached them at the moment they -were making the attack? or did they hesitate at the very time when, -blinded by hatred, they were about to escalade the walls in defiance of -the orders of the puissant emperor? Had their courage failed them at the -last step? This seems the most probable conclusion. There is, however, a -certain mystery in the whole incident which it is difficult to -penetrate. Geneva, alone in the presence of a gallant and numerous army, -was defended during this memorable night by an unknown and invisible -power. The Genevans believed it to be the hand of the Almighty. Did they -not read in Scripture that a city, inhabited by the people of God, -having been compassed by horses, and chariots, and a great host, the -mountain round about was miraculously filled with horses and chariots of -fire in far greater numbers?[844] None of these indeed had been seen -upon the Alps, but the arm of the Lord had put the enemy to the rout. -'The bark of God's miracles' had been once more saved in the midst of -the breakers. The citizens reiterated in their homes, in the streets, -and in the council, the expression of their gratitude. 'Ah!' said syndic -Balard, 'the faint heart, the sudden discouragement of those who had -conspired against the city, came from the grace and pity of God!'[845] - -The citizens wished to open the gates and follow in pursuit of the -enemy; but the ambassadors of Berne and Friburg restrained them. The -flight was so extraordinary that these warlike diplomatists feared that -it was a stratagem. 'You do not know,' they said, 'how great is the -cunning of the enemy. Wait until you receive help from our masters, -which we hope will soon arrive.' - -[Sidenote: FIFTEEN THOUSAND SWISS ARRIVE.] - -In fact, fifteen thousand of those soldiers who were the terror of -Europe were then entering the Pays de Vaud with ten pieces of cannon and -colours flying, and were marching to Geneva. Some of the citizens -regretted the arrival of these troops, who came (they said) when they -were not wanted, and who would be an expense to the city; but the more -far-sighted thought their presence still necessary. The enemies of the -new order of things still threatened Geneva on every side, and were even -in Geneva, always ready to renew the attack. It was necessary to put a -stop to the violence of these feudal lords and the intrigues of the -monks; it was necessary to free the country once for all from the -robbers who spread desolation all around; and the Swiss army was looked -upon as called to accomplish this work. This was also what the Bernese -and Friburgers said, and they spared no pains to deliver the inhabitants -of the shores of the Leman from their continual alarms. They did no harm -to the peasants, except that they 'lived upon the good man;'[846] but -they captured, plundered, and burnt the castles of the knights of the -Spoon. The garrisons fled at their approach, carrying away baggage, -treasures, and artillery across the lake to Thonon: boats were -continually passing from one shore to the other. The priests and friars -were not looked upon with very friendly eyes by the _Lutherans_, and -here and there they had their gowns torn; but not one of them was -wounded. One hundred and twenty Genevans, encouraged by this news, put -to flight at Meyrin eight hundred soldiers of Savoy and Gex. - -At noon on Monday, the 10th of October, the Swiss army, with the avoyer -D'Erlach at its head, marched into Geneva. But where could they put -fifteen thousand soldiers in that little city? The citizens received a -great number; a part were quartered in the convents. 'Come, fathers, -make room,' said the quartermasters to the Dominicans. The monks gave up -their dormitories very unwillingly; but that did not matter: six -companies, '_all Lutherans_,' were lodged in the convent, and two -hundred horses were turned loose in their burial-ground to feed upon the -grass. The Augustine and Franciscan monasteries, as well as the houses -of the canons and other churchmen, were also filled with troops. These -men carried on the controversy in their own fashion—that is, in a -military and not an evangelical manner. A great number of them had to -bivouac in the open air. The Bernese artillerymen, who were posted round -the Oratory, situated between the city and Plainpalais, felt cold during -the night. They first began to examine the chapel, and then entered it, -and took away the altar and the wooden images, with which they made a -good fire. They were not, however, yet at their ease: these rough -Helvetians, having no desire to lie down or to remain standing all -night, broke up a large cross, and with the fragments made seats on -which they sat round the fire. Some Friburgers, observing what they -considered to be a sacrilege, went up to the Bernese and reprimanded -them sharply, asking them why they did not go and look for wood -somewhere else. 'The wood from the churches is usually very dry,' coolly -answered the artillerymen. These catholic Friburgers were no doubt -superstitious; but perhaps the Bernese were not very pious, and most of -them, while destroying the _idols_ without, left those standing that -were within. - -[Sidenote: THE NUNS OF ST. CLAIRE.] - -The Genevans anxiously looked about for quarters for their guests, being -unwilling to leave these confederates without shelter, who had quitted -everything for them. As the city was not large enough, the country was -laid under contribution. At the extremity of a fine promontory which -stretches from the southern shore into the lake, at Belle Rive, about a -league from the city, stood a convent of Cistercian nuns, staunch -partisans of the duke, and who were suspected of intriguing in his -favour, and of having been greatly delighted when the Savoyard army had -beleaguered the city not long before. 'Come with us,' said certain young -huguenots to a Swiss company bivouacking in the open air; 'we will -provide you comfortable quarters, situated in a beautiful locality.' -They marched off immediately. The nuns, whose hearts palpitated with -fear, were on the watch, and, looking from their windows, they saw a -body of soldiers advancing by the lake. Hastily throwing off their -conventual dress, they disguised themselves and took refuge in the -neighbouring cottages. At last the troop arrived. Were the Genevans and -Bernese irritated by this flight, or did they intend to follow the -custom of burning the houses of those who plotted against the State? We -cannot tell; but, be that as it may, they set fire to the convent, not, -however, to the church, and the house itself suffered but little, for -the nuns returned to it soon after. When the flames were seen from -Geneva, they occasioned much excitement; but nothing could equal that of -the sisters of St. Claire.[847] The poor nuns, huddling together in -their garden, looked at the fire with terror, and exclaimed: 'It is a -sword of sorrow to us, like that which pierced the Virgin.' They ran -backwards and forwards, they entered the church, they returned to the -garden, and fell down at the foot of the altar, and then, looking again -at the flames, devoutly crossed themselves. 'We must depart,' they said, -and immediately the best scholars among them drew up, as well as their -emotion permitted, a humble petition addressed to the syndics. 'Fathers -and dear protectors,' said they, 'on our bended knees and with uplifted -hands, we, being greatly alarmed, entreat you by the honour of our -Redeemer, of his virgin mother, of Monsieur St. Pierre, and Madame St. -Claire, and all the saints of paradise, to be pleased to allow us to go -out from your city in safety.' Three of the most devout members of the -council went to the convent to comfort them. 'Fear nothing,' they said, -'for the city has not the least intention of becoming Lutheran.'[848] - -A certain consideration was shown towards the sisters, by requiring them -to find quarters for only twenty-five soldiers, all Friburgers, 'good -catholics,' says one of the nuns, 'and hearing mass willingly.' But -alas! the mass did not make them more merciful. 'They were as thievish -as the others,' says the same nun. Shortly after their arrival they -threatened to break down the doors and the walls, if the nuns did not -supply them with as much to eat and drink as they wanted. It is true -that the sisters put the soldiers upon spare diet, giving them only a -few peas.[849] This little garrison, however, was of advantage to the -church of St. Claire: it was the only place in Geneva where the Roman -worship was performed. The Friburgers, at the request of the sisters, -took post at the door, and prevented the _heretics_ from entering, but -gave admission _by order_ to all the priests and monks of Geneva who -showed themselves. The latter came dressed as laymen, carrying their -robes under their arms; they went into the vestry, put on their clerical -costume, entered the chapel, drew up round the altar, and chanted mass -_in pontificalibus_. When the service was over, the nuns congratulated -each other: 'What glory Madame St. Claire has over Madame Magdalen, -Monsieur St. Gervais, and even M. St. Pierre!' It was a great -consolation and indescribable honour to them. - -The mass, however, was not to have all its own way in Geneva. The -Bernese desired to have the Word of God preached; consequently, on -Tuesday, the 11th of October, they proceeded to the cathedral with their -evangelical almoner, and ordered the doors to be opened. Some of them -went into the tower and rang the episcopal bells, after which the -almoner went up into the pulpit, read a portion of Scripture, and -preached a sermon. A great number of Genevans had gone to the church and -watched this new worship from a distance. They did not fully understand -it; but they saw that the reading of God's Word, its explanation, and -prayer were the essential parts, and they liked that better than the -Roman form. From that time, the evangelical service was repeated daily, -and 'no other bell, little or big, rang in Geneva.' The priests consoled -themselves by thinking that 'the accursed minister preached in German.' -The _German_, however, went further: he had brought with him some copies -of the Holy Scriptures in French, and French translations of several of -the writings of Zwingle, Luther, and other reformers; and when the -Genevans who had heard him without understanding him went to pay him a -visit, he gave them these books, after shaking hands with them, and in -this way prepared their minds for the work of the Reformation. - -[Sidenote: CASTLES TAKEN AND BURNT.] - -While these books might be producing some internal good, the Genevans -were anxious for another reform. They wished to purge the country of the -outrages, robberies, and murders which the nobility in the neighbourhood -of Geneva, still more than those in the Pays de Vaud, had made the -peaceful burghers endure so long. This also was a reform, though -different from that of Luther and Farel. 'Come along with us,' they said -to the terrible bands of Friburg and Berne, 'and we will lead you to -these brigands' nests.' The Swiss troops, guided by the Genevans, -appeared successively before the castles of Gaillard, Vilette, -Confignon, Sacconex, and others. They captured and set fire to many of -these haunts, where the noble robbers had so often hidden their plunder -and their prey. The terror of the partisans of the old order of things -now became extreme. The sisters of St. Claire thought that everything -was on fire round Geneva. 'Look!' said they, standing on the highest -part of their garden, 'look! although the weather is fair, the sky is -darkened by the smoke.' They fancied it was the last day. 'Of a surety,' -they added, 'the elements are about to be dissolved.' The desolation was -still greater in the country. The captain-general had issued an order -forbidding all marauding, but the soldiers rarely attended to it. The -peasantry were seen running away like sheep before the wolf; the -gentlemen hid themselves in the woods or the mountains; and several -noble dames, who had taken refuge in miserable huts, 'were brought to -bed there very wretchedly.'[850] - -Although certain accusations have been brought against them, the nuns of -St. Claire were sincere in their devotion, and moral in their conduct; -and while the dissolute friars kept silence, these superstitious but -virtuous women appeared to stand alone by the side of popery in its -agony. Desiring to appease the wrath of heaven, they made daily -processions in their garden, barefooted in the white frost, chanting low -the litanies of the Virgin and the saints 'to obtain mercy.' They passed -all the night in vigils, 'praying to God in behalf of his holy faith and -the poor world.' After matins they lighted the tapers, and scourged -themselves; then bending to the earth, they exclaimed: _Ave, benigne -Jesu!_ 'hail, gentle Jesus!' Sister Jeanne affirms that by these means -they worked miracles. Indeed, one of the _mahometists_ (huguenots), -having flung a consecrated wafer into a cemetery, it could not be found -again: 'the angels had carried it away and put it in some unknown -place.'[851] It was not very miraculous that so small an object could -not be found among the grass and between the graves of a cemetery. A -miracle more real was worked. - -The Duke of Nemours, brother of the Duke of Savoy, who, as we have seen, -had come from France with his men-at-arms to attack Geneva, laid aside -his warlike humour when he found the Swiss in the city, and, wishing to -conciliate the Genevans, repeated to all who came near him that he had -never intended to do them any harm, and would punish severely everybody -who was guilty of violence towards them. A truce was concluded at St. -Julien. The definitive treaty of peace was referred to a Swiss diet to -be held at Payerne. The bishop released the merchants, the cows, and the -goats he had seized, and the Genevans set Mandolla at liberty; 'but,' -adds Bonivard, 'I was not taken out of Chillon.'[852] - -[Footnote 830: _Journal de Balard_, pp. 274-280. Registres du Conseil -des 23 juin; 5, 8, 19 juillet; 9 août. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 576. -Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, pp. 398, 399. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 831: MS. _Hist. of Geneva_ in the Berne library, erroneously -ascribed to Bonivard.] - -[Footnote 832: _Journal de Balard_, pp. 274-280. Registres du Conseil -des 23 juin; 5, 8, 19 juillet; 9 août. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 576. -Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, pp. 398, 399. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 833: _Journal de Balard_, p. 280.] - -[Footnote 834: Roset MS. _Chroniq._ liv. ii. ch. xlix. Registres du -Conseil du 4 juillet et du 12 août.] - -[Footnote 835: Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 577, 578. Besson, _Mémoires -du Diocèse de Genève_, p. 62. Gautier MS.] - -[Footnote 836: See vol. i. p. 69.] - -[Footnote 837: Gautier MS. Besson, _Mémoires du Diocèse de Genève_. -Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, p. 400. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. -577, 578.] - -[Footnote 838: _Journal de Balard_, p. 286.] - -[Footnote 839: Ibid. p. 287.] - -[Footnote 840: _Journal de Balard_, p. 289.] - -[Footnote 841: Sleidan, _Hist. de la Réformation_, liv. vii. _Journal de -Balard_, p. 289.] - -[Footnote 842: 'Als der Kayser mit Herzog Friedrichen und andern Fürsten -des Krieges vor Genf zu reden worden.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 421.] - -[Footnote 843: 'Hat der Kayser unter andern in Französisch geredet: Ey, -der Herzog hat die Sache zu früh angefangen.'—_Corp. Ref._ ii. p. 421.] - -[Footnote 844: 2 Kings vi. 17.] - -[Footnote 845: _Journal de Balard_, pp. 289, 290.] - -[Footnote 846: 'Ils vivaient sur le bon homme.' _Bon homme_ was a term -applied by the nobles to the peasantry. Hence the war of _Jacques -Bon-homme_ in France.] - -[Footnote 847: Their convent was in the upper part of the city where the -palace of justice now stands, in the Bourg de Four.] - -[Footnote 848: La Sœur J. de Jussie, pp. 11-14.] - -[Footnote 849: La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 18.] - -[Footnote 850: La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 21.] - -[Footnote 851: La Sœur J. de Jussie, pp. 23-25.] - -[Footnote 852: Ibid. pp. 20-25. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. p. 586. Gautier -MS.] - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - GENEVA RECLAIMED BY THE BISHOP AND AWAKENED BY THE - GOSPEL. - (NOVEMBER 1530 TO OCTOBER 1531.) - - -[Sidenote: IMPERIAL LETTER TO GENEVA] - -Thus had failed the attack of the bishop-prince against his city; and it -was much to be feared that such an act, instead of restoring his power, -would only accelerate his fall. Pierre de la Baume saw this, and -resolved to employ other means to regain in Geneva the authority he had -lost. - -The thought that the Helvetic league was to be the arbiter between -Geneva and her bishop-prince oppressed him like a nightmare: he did not -doubt that the diet would pronounce against him. A clever idea occurred -to him. 'If,' said he, 'I could but have the emperor as arbiter, instead -of the Swiss.... Surely the monarch, who is preserving the papacy in -Germany, will preserve it also at Geneva.' Charles V. and the catholic -party were still at Augsburg; and the bishop would have desired to -substitute a congress of princes for a diet of republicans. 'In truth,' -said the emperor, when this petition was laid before him, 'we should not -like the rights of the most reverend father in God, the Bishop of -Geneva, to be prejudiced.... They are of imperial foundation; and it is -our duty, therefore, to maintain them.' Charles had never been more -irritated against the protestants than he was now. It was the middle of -November: the imperial _recess_ had just been rejected by the -evangelicals, because the emperor (they said) had not authority to -command in matters of faith.[853] The deputies of Saxony and Hesse had -left without waiting for the close of the diet. The imperialists assured -the friends of the Bishop of Geneva that he could not have chosen a -better time, and that his cause was gained. On the 19th of November -proclamation was to be made in Augsburg of the re-establishment 'of one -and the same faith throughout the empire.' On the evening before, while -this was being drawn up, the emperor called his secretary, and dictated -to him the following letter, addressed to the people of Geneva:— - -'DEAR LIEGEMEN, - -'We have been informed that there is a question between you and our -cousin, the Duke of Savoy, about matters touching the rights of our -well-beloved cousin and counsellor, the Bishop of Geneva. We have -desired to write to you about that, enjoining you very expressly to send -to our imperial authority persons well informed on all points in dispute -between the bishop and yourselves. We shall demand the same of the said -lords, the duke and the bishop, our cousins, for the settlement of your -differences, which will be for the welfare and tranquillity of both -parties. You will thus learn the desire we have that _our subjects_ -should live in peace, friendship, and concord. - - 'Dear liegemen, may God watch over you! - 'At Augsburg, 18th of November, 1530. - 'CHARLES.' - -[Sidenote: ANSWER OF THE GENEVESE.] - -This letter from his imperial majesty created a great sensation in -Geneva. It was known that Charles V. was preparing to reduce mighty -princes, and every one perceived the danger that threatened the city. -'What!' said the people, 'we are to send deputies to Augsburg, and -perhaps to Austria, where they will meet those of the bishop and the -duke ... and the emperor will be our judge!' The councils assembled -frequently without coming to any decision as to the answer to be -returned. First one and then another was commissioned to draw it up. -Councillor Genoux produced a draft signed 'Your very humble -subjects.'—'We are not subjects,' exclaimed the huguenots. At length -they decided on writing as follows:— - -'Most serene, most invincible, very high and mighty Prince Charles, -always august. For this long time past, we, in defence of the authority -and franchises of our prince-bishop and city of Geneva, have suffered -many vexations, great charges, expenses, and dangers, proceeding from -the most illustrious duke. Quite recently we were surrounded by armed -men, his subjects, and outrageously attacked. Nevertheless, by God's -will and the kind succour of the magnificent lords of Berne and Friburg, -we have been preserved from this assault—to relate which would be -wearisome to your majesty.' The council added that, as the settlement -which the emperor desired to undertake would be arranged at Payerne -before the Swiss diet, they could not profit by his good intentions, and -concluded by commending to him the city of Geneva, 'which, from desiring -to observe its strict duty, would have been almost destroyed but for the -grace of God.'[854] - -Thus did the little city boldly decline the intervention of the great -emperor. The duke and the bishop had hoped that Charles V., who was in -their opinion called to destroy the Reformation in Germany, would begin -by crushing it in Geneva. Accordingly, when the news of the Genevese -refusal reached the ears of the duke and the bishop, their indignation -knew no bounds. 'Since these rebels reject the peaceful mediation of the -emperor,' they said, 'we must bring the matter to an end with the -sword.' They once more resolved to take the necessary steps, but with as -much secresy as possible, so that the Swiss should not be informed of -them. The Duke of Nemours, who had not made use of his army, instructed -ten thousand lansquenets who were at Montbéliard to move as quietly as -they could behind the Jura, arrive at St. Claude, descend as far as Gex, -and, two days before the opening of the diet of Payerne which the bishop -so much dreaded, _suddenly take Geneva by storm, set it on fire_, and, -leaving a heap of ashes behind them, retire rapidly into Burgundy before -the Swiss could have time to arrive. At the same time messengers were -sent to all the castles of the Pays de Vaud, inviting the gentlemen to -hold themselves in readiness. On his side, the Duke of Savoy, who was -then at Chambéry, made 'great preparation' of armed men and adventurers, -both Italian and French. Everything, he said, was to be completed with -the greatest secresy. - -[Sidenote: DECISION OF THE DIET OF PAYERNE.] - -But Charles was less discreet than his brother; he could not keep -silence, but boasted of the clever _coup de main_ that he was preparing. -On the other hand, a man coming from Montbéliard to Berne reported that -he had seen ten thousand soldiers reviewed in that town. At this -intelligence, the energetic lords of Berne desired all the cantons to -hold themselves in readiness to succour Geneva, and threatened the -gentry of the Pays de Vaud to waste their country with fire and sword if -they moved. Meanwhile the council called out all the citizens. Thus the -mine was discovered, the blow failed, and the duke, once more -disappointed in his expectations, left Chambéry for Turin.[855] The diet -which met at Payerne, even while conceding the vidamy to the duke (which -he was not in a condition to reclaim), maintained the alliance of -Geneva, Berne, and Friburg, and condemned Charles III. to pay these -three cities 21,000 crowns. Geneva and Berne desired more than this: -they demanded that Bonivard should be set at liberty—'if perchance he be -not dead,' they added. The Count of Chalans replied that M. St. Victor -was 'a lawful prisoner.'[856] - -As neither war nor diplomacy had succeeded in restoring the -prince-bishop to his see, he had recourse to less secular means: he -turned to the pope, who determined to grant the city a marvellous favour -by which he hoped to attach once more the bark of Geneva to the ship of -St. Peter. The heroism which the sisters of St. Claire had shown when -the Swiss had come to the help of the city in October 1530, had touched -the pontiff: among the conventuals of Geneva the only men were the -women. The pope therefore granted a general pardon to all who should -perform certain devotions in the church of that convent. On Annunciation -Day (March 25) this remarkable grace was published throughout the -country. - -[Sidenote: PILGRIMAGE TO ST. CLAIRE.] - -An immense crowd from all the Savoyard villages flocked to the city, 'in -great devotion,' on the first day. Chablais, Faucigny, Genevois, and Gex -were full of devotees strongly opposed to the Reformation; they were -delighted at going to pay homage in Geneva itself to the principles for -which they had so often taken up arms. As they saw these long lines -approach their walls, the citizens felt a certain fear. 'Let us be on -our guard,' they said, 'lest under the dress of pilgrims the knights and -men-at-arms of the Spoon should be concealed.' They suddenly closed the -city gates. The pilgrims continuing to arrive soon made a crowd, and, -being fatigued with their long march, exclaimed in a pitiful voice: -'Pray open the gates, for we have come from a distance.' But the -Genevans were deaf. Then appeared the pilgrims from Faucigny, energetic -and vigorous men, who got angry, and finding words of no avail, they -forced the gates, and proceeded to the church of St. Claire, where they -began unceremoniously to say their _Paters_ and _Aves_. According to a -bull of Adrian VI., it was sufficient to repeat five of these to obtain -seventy thousand years of pardon.[857] The colour mounted to the cheeks -of some of the huguenots, who would have resisted the unlawful -intrusion; but the Faucignerans continued their devotions as calmly as -if they had been in their own villages. Then the syndics went to St. -Claire (it was the hour of vespers), accompanied by their sergeants -'with drawn swords and stout staves,' and made the usual summons for -these strangers to leave the city. Upon the refusal of the Savoyards, -the public force interfered; the Faucignerans resisted, blows were -exchanged, and finally these extraordinary pilgrims were compelled to -retire without having gained their pardon. This scene increased the -dislike of the Genevans to the Romish ceremonies. To publish indulgences -was a curious means of strengthening catholicism in Geneva. Pope -Clement VII. forgot that Leo X. had thus given the signal for the -Reformation.[858] - -When these scenes were described at Rome, they excited great irritation. -The sacred college determined to try again, and to exhibit in the very -midst of this heretic population a still more striking act of Roman -devotion. Clement VII. called his secretary and dictated to him, 'of -divine inspiration,' a new pardon, to which the Bishop of Geneva affixed -his _placet_, and which inflicted the penalty of excommunication on any -who should oppose it. This bull was published in the Savoyard country -adjacent to Geneva. The parish priests had scarcely announced the pardon -from their pulpits, ere the villages were astir, and men and women, old -and young, made their arrangements to go and seek the glorious grace -offered them in the city of the huguenots. The Genevans, friends of -religious liberty and legality, determined to offer no hindrance to -these devotions. But they took their precautions, and the -captain-general called out a strong guard. The pilgrims approached, -staff in hand, some carrying a cross on their shoulders; and erelong a -great crowd of Savoyards appeared before the walls. Here they were -compelled to halt. At each gate were arquebusiers, a great many of them -huguenots, who searched the pilgrims lest they should carry swords -beneath their clothes, in addition to their staves. The examination was -made, not without much grumbling, but no arms were found. - -Then the devoted multitude rushed into the city, and crowded into the -church of St. Claire as if it had been that of Our Lady of Loretto. The -Genevans suffered the pilgrims to go through all their forms without -obstruction. If the Savoyards wished to perform their devotions, they -reckoned also, as is usual in affairs of this kind, upon eating and -drinking, and that abundantly. The crowd for this part of the pilgrimage -was so great, that the tavern-keepers, for want of room, were forced to -set tables in the open air. This mixture of praying and drinking made -the spectators smile, and some of the huguenots gave vent to their -sarcastic humour: 'Really,' said one, 'this pardon is quite an -ecclesiastical fair' (_nundinæ ecclesiasticæ_)! 'The fair,' said -another, 'is more useful than people imagine. By these pilgrimages the -priests revive the flagging zeal of their flocks. They are nets in which -the simple birds come and are caught.' 'I very much fear,' added a -third, 'that in order to sell her indulgences, the Church makes many -promises which God certainly will not fulfil.... It is a pious fraud, as -Thomas Aquinas says.'—'Let them alone,' said others, 'let them bring -their money ... and then, when the plate is well filled, we will empty -it.' They did not proceed to such extremities: the syndics merely -forbade the money to be spent out of the city.[859] - -[Sidenote: PRIDE OF THE NUNS OF ST. CLAIRE.] - -The sisters of St. Claire rejoiced. The pope had honoured them in the -sight of all christendom; their monastery was on the way to become a -celebrated place. They believed themselves to be the favourites of God -and of the heavenly intelligences, and imagined that angels would come -to their assistance. As the plague was then raging in Geneva, they -saw—surprising miracle!—the hosts of heaven leaving their glorious -abodes to preserve the convent: the plague did not visit it. All the -nuns were convinced that this was due to a miraculous intervention. And -when the sisters, in church or in refectory, at vespers or at matins, -conversed about this great grace, they whispered to one another: 'Three -wondrously handsome and formidable knights, each having a beautiful -shining cross on his forehead, keep watch before the gate.... And when -the wicked plague appears, she sees them straight in front of her, and -flees away, fearing the brightness of their faces.' Sister Jeanne de -Jussie informs us of this miraculous fact, and concludes her narrative -with this pious exclamation: 'To God be the honour and praise!' Some -sensible men afterwards asked why these knights, 'with the shining cross -on their foreheads,' had not stationed themselves at the gates of Geneva -to prevent the entrance of that other plague (as Rome called it), the -Reformation? - -The means which the pope had selected for reannexing Geneva to Rome, had -quite a different effect: they produced a revival of religion. The Roman -indulgence aroused the Genevans, and made them seek for a real pardon. -Had not Luther, fourteen years before, proclaimed at Wittemberg that -'_every true christian participates in all the blessings of Christ, by -God's gift, and without a letter of indulgence_?'—'This doctrine,' said -certain huguenots who had returned from a journey through the cantons, -'is received in Switzerland, and not at Zurich and Berne alone. There -are many people of Lucerne and Schwytz even, who prefer God's pardon to -the pardons of the pope.' - -An invisible hand was at that time stretched over the city, and holding -a blessing in reserve for it. Farel, who was on the shores of the lake -of Neufchatel, was informed of the evangelical movement which followed -the noisy devotions of the Faucignerans, and wrote about it immediately -to Zwingle, his friend and counsellor. This was in October 1531: yet a -few more days, and the reformer of Zurich was to meet his death on the -battle-field of Cappel. This awakening of Geneva was the last news which -came to rejoice his oppressed soul. 'Many in that city,' wrote Farel, -'feel in their hearts holy aspirations after true piety.'[860] And, -according to this energetic reformer, it was something more than vague -movements of the soul that they felt. 'Several Genevans,' he wrote -another day to Zwingle, 'are meditating on the work of Christ.'[861] - -[Sidenote: 'DE CHRISTO MEDITARI.'] - -Thus, then, did that city of Geneva, which had been so engrossed with -political independence, begin to reflect on Jesus Christ. It was the new -topic which the Reformation presented everywhere to the consideration of -earnest men. In Germany, Switzerland, France, and England, still more -than at Geneva, serious minds were beginning to meditate on Christ—_de -Christo meditari_. Some did so in a superficial manner; others devoted -themselves to it in the depths of their soul; and holy thoughts found a -home in the houses of the citizens, in the colleges, in obscure cells, -and even on the throne. 'Christ is the Redeemer of the world,' thought -these meditative minds, 'the restorer of the union with God, which sin -destroyed.... Christ came to establish the kingdom of God upon earth.... -But no one can enter that kingdom unless God pardons his sins.... In -order that we may find peace, not only must our souls be relieved from -the penalty, but our consciences must be delivered from the feeling of -the sin that keeps it apart from its God.... An atonement is -necessary.... Christ, like those whom he came to save, a man like them, -is at the same time of an eternal and divine nature, which has given him -power to ransom the entire people of God, and to be the principle of a -new life.... He took upon himself the terrible penalty which we -deserved.... His whole life was one continuous expiatory suffering.... -But the crowning of his sorrows, and what gave them truly the character -of expiation, was his death.... Christ, uniting himself to humanity -through love for us, suffered death under a form which bears in the most -striking manner the character of a punishment, that is to say, the pain -of a malefactor condemned by a human tribunal.... He, the Holy One, -wishing to save his people, was made sin upon the cross.... He was -treated as the representative of sinful humanity.... He, the beloved of -the Father, endured for rebellious men the most deadly anguish, the -entire abandonment by God.... From that hour the people of God enjoy the -remission of their sins, they are reconciled with God, they have free -access to the Father.... That sacrifice is of universal -comprehensiveness; no one is excluded from it ... and yet no one -receives the benefit of it, except by a personal appropriation, by being -united to Jesus Christ, by participating, through faith, in his holy and -imperishable life.' - -Such, in the sixteenth century, were the meditations of elect souls in -many a secret chamber, and it is in this way that the Reformation was -accomplished. Perhaps one or two Genevans had similar thoughts; but, -generally, their knowledge was not very advanced, and most of the -huguenots desired rather to be delivered from the bishop and the duke -than from sin and condemnation. Farel did not conceal from Zwingle his -anxieties in this respect, and said, in his letter from Granson: 'As for -the degree of fervour with which the Genevans seek after piety—it is -known only to the Lord.'[862] - -[Sidenote: FAREL FEELS THE WANTS OF GENEVA.] - -No one interested himself more than Farel in the reformation of Geneva. -That year he was at Avenche, Payerne, Orbe, Granson, and other places; -and everywhere he ran the risk of losing his life. In one place a -sacristan threatened him with a pistol; in another, a friar tried to -kill him with a knife concealed under his frock; but Farel never thought -of himself. Of intrepid heart and indomitable will, always burning with -desire to promote the triumph of the Gospel, and prepared to confront -the most violent opposition, he felt himself strongly drawn to Geneva as -soon as he heard that the Reformation had to contend with powerful -adversaries there. He then fixed his eyes on that city, and during his -long career never turned them away from it. In the midst of his labours -at Granson, by the side of the lake, near the old castle, on the famous -battle-field, Geneva occupied his thoughts. He reflected that although -it already had a reputation for heresy, there was in reality no true -reform. What! shall the Reformation die there before it is born? He -desired to see the Word of God preached there publicly, in an -appropriate, vivifying, effective manner, and, as Calvin said, 'by -pressing the people importunately.' He desired to see the pulpit become -the seat of the prophets and apostles, the throne of Christ in his -Church. No time must be lost. The Reformation would be ruined in Geneva, -and the new times would perish with it, if the huguenots, who had ceased -to listen to the mass, were contented, as their only worship, with -walking up and down the church while the priests were chanting. The -ardent passions and warlike humour of the Genevese alarmed him. 'Alas!' -he said, 'there is no other law at Geneva than the law of arms.'[863] He -desired to establish the law of God there. He would have liked to go -there himself, and perhaps he would have carried away some by his lively -eloquence, and alarmed others by the thunders of his voice; but he owed -himself at this time to the places he was evangelising at the peril of -his life. If he quitted the work, Rome would regain her lost ground. He -therefore looked about him for a man fitted to scatter through the city -the seeds of the Word of God. - -[Sidenote: CALLS TOUSSAINT TO GO THERE.] - -Pierre Toussaint, the young canon of Metz, had quitted France, at the -invitation of Œcolampadius, after his sojourn at the court of the Queen -of Navarre, and had joined Zwingle at Zurich.[864] Farel came to the -determination of sending Toussaint to Geneva: they had occasionally -preached the Gospel together since 1525. 'Make haste to send him into -the Lord's vineyard,' he wrote to Zwingle, 'for you know how well fitted -he is for this work. I entreat you to extend a helping hand.'[865] And, -as if he foresaw the importance of the reformation of Geneva, he added: -'It is no small matter: see that you do not neglect it.[866] Urge -Toussaint to labour strenuously, so as to redeem by his zeal all the -time he has lost.'[867] Zwingle executed the commission. Toussaint, one -of the most amiable among the secondary personages of the Reform, -listened attentively to the great doctor, and at first showed himself -inclined to accept the call.[868] Zwingle spared no pains to bring him -to a decision: he set before him what the Gospel had already done in -Geneva, and what remained to be done. 'Enter into this house of the -Lord,' he said. 'Rend the hoods in pieces, and triumph over the -shavelings.... You will not have much trouble, for the Word of God has -already put them to flight.'[869] He did not mean that Toussaint should -literally tear the friars to pieces, for the expression is figurative; -but the energy of Farel and Zwingle, and what he heard of the Genevan -persecutions, alarmed the poor young man. He had quitted the court of -Francis I. because of the worldliness and cowardice he had encountered -there; and now, seeing in Geneva monks and priests, _bishopers_ and -_commoners_, huguenots and mamelukes, he shrank back in terror, as if -from a den of wild beasts. He had said 'No' to the court, he said 'No' -to the energetic and impetuous city. Geneva wanted heroes—men like Farel -and Calvin. The project failed. - -Farel was vexed. He who had never shrunk from any summons could not -succeed in sending an evangelist into this city!... He called to mind -that all help comes from a God of mercy, and in his anguish turned to -the Lord: 'O Christ,' he said, 'draw up thy army according to thy good -pleasure; pluck out all apathy from the hearts of those who are to give -thee glory, and arouse them mightily from their slumber.'[870] The -moment was soon to arrive when he would go himself to Geneva; but before -he appeared there, his prayer would be answered. God, whom he had -invoked, was to send there within a few months a strong and modest man, -who would prepare the way for Farel, Calvin, and the Reformation. - -Meanwhile several Genevans, who did not understand that a conversion of -the heart is necessary, wished to effect at least a negative reform, -which would have consisted in doing away with the mass, images, and -priests. The more daring asked why Geneva should not do like Zurich, -Berne, and Neufchatel. 'Yes,' answered the more prudent, 'if the -Friburgers would permit.'[871] - -These desires for reform, weak as they were, alarmed the Romish party. -Friars, priests, and bigots got up an agitation, and, going in great -numbers before the procurator-fiscal, conjured him to lay aside his -apathy, seeing that this new religion would change everything in Geneva, -and deprive the bishop not only of his spiritual jurisdiction, but of -his secular authority also. The fiscal, who was empowered to watch over -the rights of the prince, called for a severe inquiry upon all suspected -persons.[872] At these words there was silence in the assembly: some of -the members of the council looked at one another, and felt ill at ease, -for they were among the number of the suspected. The fiscal spoke out -more plainly, and filled the hall with complaints and clamour. 'Let us -destroy heresy!' he repeated.[873] The council, perplexed to the highest -degree, evaded the matter by doing nothing either for or against it. - -[Sidenote: BERNE AND FRIBURG AT GENEVA.] - -The fervent catholics next proceeded to the hotel where the Friburg -ambassadors were staying. 'If Geneva is reformed,' said the latter, -'there is an end to the alliance.' The Friburgers did more than this: -leaving their lodgings, they accosted the more decided liberals, and -repeated to them in a firm tone: 'If Geneva is reformed, there is an end -to the alliance!' The huguenots hurried off to the Bernese ambassadors; -but the battle of Cappel was not far off, and it was a matter of doubt -whether the Reformation could be preserved even in Berne and Zurich. The -Bernese received the Genevans coldly, and the latter returned astonished -and incensed. 'Alas!' said Farel, 'the Bernese show less zeal for the -glory of Christ than the Friburgers for the decrees of the pope.'[874] - -A new difficulty arose. The huguenots would have desired to march to the -deliverance of Zurich and the reformed, while the catholics wished to -support Lucerne and the smaller cantons. On the 11th of October—the very -day of the battle of Cappel, but it was not yet known—Berne demanded a -hundred arquebusiers of Geneva; and the next day Friburg wrote desiring -them to send all the help they could against the heretical cantons. -Which side should Geneva take? 'Let us refuse Friburg,' said some. 'Let -us refuse Berne,' said others. The former called to mind the assistance -which the most powerful republic in Switzerland had sent them; the -latter remembered that Friburg had espoused the cause of Geneva when -Berne was against them. The council, impelled in contrary directions, -resolved to preserve a just balance, and extricated themselves from -their embarrassment by the strangest middle course. They resolved that a -hundred Genevans should go and fight in favour of the Reformation, and -appointed Jean Philippe, one of the most zealous huguenots, to command -them; after which they also gave Friburg a favourable answer, and -elected syndic Girardet chief of the auxiliaries intended for the -catholics.[875] - -[Footnote 853: _Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century_, vol. iv. -bk. xiv. ch. xii.] - -[Footnote 854: See the emperor's letter of Nov. 18, 1530, and the answer -of the Council, Dec. 10. Registers, December 9, 1530. Bonivard, -_Chroniq._ ii. pp. 591-594.] - -[Footnote 855: _Journal de Balard_, pp. 306-309.] - -[Footnote 856: Ibid. pp. 312, 313. Bonivard, _Chroniq._ ii. pp. 595, -607. Galiffe fils, _Besançon Hugues_, p. 407. Ruchat, ii. p. 305.] - -[Footnote 857: Chais, _Lettres sur les Jubilés_, ii. p. 583.] - -[Footnote 858: La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 25.] - -[Footnote 859: La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 28.] - -[Footnote 860: 'Sunt qui ad pietatem aspirant.'—Farel to Zwingle, -October 1, 1531, _Epp._ ii. p. 647. This letter, written from Granson -eleven days before Zwingle's death, was the last the Zurich reformer -ever received. That which comes after, dated simply from Orbe, 1531, is -evidently anterior to that from Granson.] - -[Footnote 861: 'Apud Gebennenses non nihil audio de Christo -meditari.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 862: 'Sed quanto fervore novit Dominus.'—Zwingl. _Epp._ ii. -p. 647.] - -[Footnote 863: 'Jus est in armis.'—Zwingl. _Epp._ ii. p. 647.] - -[Footnote 864: 'Petrus Tossanus per Œcolampadium sæpe suis vocatus -literis, quibus nostras frequentes addidimus. E Gallis pulsus ad te se -contulit.'—Farel to Zwingle, Orbe, _Epp._ ii. p. 648.] - -[Footnote 865: 'Quantum agnoscis idoneum, tantum adige in vineam Domini -properare.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 866: 'Res non parva est, neque contemnenda.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 867: 'Strenue laborare, id studio et diligentia compenset, -quod diu cessans omisit.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 868: 'Petrum sperabam in messem Domini venturum.'—Farel to -Zwingle, _Epp._ ii. p. 648.] - -[Footnote 869: 'Fractis cuculatis aliisque rasis, quos pridem Verbum -fugasset.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 870: 'Christus pro sua bona voluntate disponat omnia! -Socordiam omnem et veternum excutias a pectoribus eorum, per quos -Christi honor procurandus venit.'—Farel to Zwingle, Orbe, _Epp._ ii. p. -648.] - -[Footnote 871: 'Et si per Friburgenses liceret, asserit excipiendum -prompte Evangelium.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 872: 'In hæreticæ pravitatis suspectos severa diligentia -inquireretur.'—Spanheim, _Geneva Restituta_, p. 37.] - -[Footnote 873: 'Clamosa quiritatione et crebro convitio.'—Spanheim, -_Geneva Restituta_, p. 37.] - -[Footnote 874: 'Bernenses non ea diligentia laborant pro Christi gloria, -qua Friburgenses pro pontificiis placitis.'—Zwingl. _Epp._ ii. p. 648.] - -[Footnote 875: Registres du Conseil des 11, 13, 14 octobre 1531.] - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - DANGER TO WHICH GENEVA IS EXPOSED BY THE DEFEAT OF - CAPPEL. - (OCTOBER 1531 TO JANUARY 1532.) - - -[Sidenote: GENEVA AGAIN IN DANGER.] - -The news of the war between the catholics and the reformed having -reached Turin, the duke thought it a favourable opportunity for -attacking Geneva. It was reported that five thousand lansquenets were -approaching on the side of Burgundy, ten thousand Italians on the side -of the Alps, and that all the states of his highness beyond the -mountains were in motion to fall upon the city. 'There are certain heads -in Geneva,' said the duke, 'that I purpose to set flying.' The Genevans -lost not a moment. 'Let everything be destroyed that may obstruct the -defence of the city,' said the council. 'Let all the suburbs be -levelled—Eaux Vives on the left shore of the lake; St. Victor, at the -other side of St. Antoine; St. Leger, up to the Arve; and the Corraterie -as far as the Rhone. Let every man keep a good look-out; let no one be -absent without leave; let those who are away return to defend the city; -and let solemn prayers and processions be made for three days.'[876] - -Thus, while Lucerne and the smaller cantons were attacking Zurich, the -Duke of Savoy and the gentlemen of the Leman were preparing to attack -Geneva. These two cities were in the sixteenth century the capitals of -protestantism in Switzerland. Geneva, however, was still filled with -priests and monks, while the choirs of all the churches reechoed with -the matins and other chants of the Romish ritual, - - De pieux fainéants y laissant en leur lieu, - A des chantres gagés, le soin de louer Dieu. - -How did it happen that Geneva was at this time coupled with Zurich? It -is because that city, though not yet won over to the Reformation, was -predestined to be so: a solitary example, probably, of a state exposed -to great dangers, not so much on account of what it is, as on account of -what it will be. The beginnings of the evangelical faith to be found -there were so very small, that they would not have sufficed to draw upon -it the anathemas of the bishop and the armies of the duke; but the -election of God was brooding over it; God prepared it, tried it, and -delivered it, because of the great things for which he destined it. The -adversaries of the Gospel seemed to have a secret presentiment of this; -and they desired therefore to destroy by the same blow the city of -Zwingle and that which was to be the city of Calvin. - -[Sidenote: DEFEAT AT CAPPEL: TRIUMPH OF ROME.] - -All the citizens were afoot. Some armed with arquebuses mounted guard; -others marched out with their mattocks to level the suburbs. At this -moment a messenger arrived from Switzerland announcing the defeat at -Cappel: Zurich had succumbed.... At first the huguenots could not -believe the mournful news; they made the messenger repeat it; but it was -soon confirmed from various quarters, and the friends of independence -and of the Reformation bent their heads in sorrow. The arm in which they -had trusted was rudely broken. The protestant party throughout -Switzerland was disheartened, while the Roman party rejoiced. It was -told at Geneva that the mass had been restored at Bremgarten, -Rapperschwyl, and Soleure, and in all the free bailiwicks, and that the -monks were returning in triumph to their deserted cells. Was it possible -for the Reformation to plant its banners on the shores of Lake Leman, at -the very moment when it was expelled from those places where it seemed -to have been so firmly established? - -The Genevan catholics anticipated their triumph. The death of the Swiss -reformer was (they thought) the end of the Reformation; they had only to -strike the final blow. Their secret meetings became more numerous; -detestable plots were concocted. The heroes of the old episcopal party, -resuming their arrogant look, walked boldly in the streets of Geneva, -some rattling their swords, others sweeping the ground with their long -robes. If they chanced to meet any _suspected_ persons, they made -contemptuous gestures at them, picked quarrels with them, insulted, and -even struck them, and the outrages remained unpunished.[877] The -Friburgers, in particular, thought everything was lawful against the -evangelicals,[878] and desiring to subdue Geneva, emulous of the -Waldstettes at the Albis, they marched through the streets in small -bands, and whenever they discovered any huguenot, they surrounded him, -carried him off, and threw him into prison without trial.[879] In this -way the partisans of the bishop expected to restore him to his episcopal -throne. Pierre de la Baume was getting ready to ascend it again. - -The huguenots, astonished at the perpetration of such outrages in the -presence of the Swiss, and even by the Swiss, applied once more to the -Bernese, but in vain. The latter were unwilling to countenance a -struggle in Geneva which they were checking in other quarters. 'Let -there be no petulance, no violence,' they said; 'we have the orders of -the senate.' But, as the Genevans were not disposed to remain quiet, the -envoys of Berne assumed a grave countenance, and, putting on a -magisterial haughtiness, dismissed their unseasonable visitors. The -Genevans withdrew murmuring: 'What scandalous neglect and cowardice!' -they said; 'Messieurs of Berne think a great deal more of this world -than of the world to come.'—'The senate of Berne,' repeated Farel, -'would not put up with the slightest insult to one of their ambassadors, -and yet they make light of serious insults offered to the Gospel of -Christ.'[880] - -[Sidenote: APPROACH OF THE DUKE AND HIS ARMY.] - -The defeat of Zurich redoubled the energy of Duke Charles. Desirous of -adorning his brows with laurels similar to those of the victors at -Cappel, he gave orders for a general attack. The troops of Vaud and -Savoy surrounded Geneva, and cut off the supplies; the boats were seized -on both shores of the lake, and the duke arrived at Gex, three leagues -from the city, with a strong force of cavalry to superintend the -assault. Under these gloomy auspices the year 1532 began in Geneva. The -danger appeared such that, at seven in the evening of the 2nd of -January, all the heads of families assembled and resolved to keep night -and day under arms, to wall up the gates, and to die rather than -renounce the Swiss alliance and their dearest liberties. A greater -misfortune was about to befall them.[881] - -On the 7th of January, five days after this courageous resolution, three -Bernese deputies, De Diesbach, De Watteville, and Nägueli, appeared -before the council. Sadness was depicted on their faces, and everything -betokened that they were the bearers of a distressful message. 'We are -come from Gex, where the duke is lying,' they said. 'He consents to -treat with you, if you will first renounce the alliance with the -cantons. Remember, he is a mighty prince, and able to do you much harm. -You have not yet paid for the last army we sent you; we cannot set -another on foot. We conjure you to come to some arrangement with his -highness.' - -During this speech the Genevans flushed with anger and indignation. They -could not understand how the proud canton of Berne could ask them to -renounce the cause of independence and the Swiss alliance. The deputy -having ended his address—the general council of the people had been -convened to hear it—the premier syndic replied: 'We will listen to no -arrangement except how to preserve the alliance. The more we are -threatened, the firmer we shall be. We will maintain our rights even -till death. We trust in God and in Messieurs of the two cities. And if, -to pay you what we owe, we must pawn our property, our wives, and our -children, we will do so. As for the alliance, we are resolved to live -and die for it.' The syndic had scarcely done speaking, when all the -people cried out: 'So be it! We will do nothing else—we will die first!' -The arquebusiers of Jean Philippe and of Richardet were of the same -mind. The ambassadors thought it strange that they should dare to resist -Berne. 'We will carry your answer back to our lords,' they said, 'and -they will do what pleases them.' They then retired. The people held up -their hands, and all swore to be faithful to the alliance. - -The Bernese envoys had left. The people were in great agitation. The -cause of liberty had just been vanquished at Cappel; the armies of the -duke surrounded the city, and the Swiss desired to cancel the alliance. -Geneva was not exempt from secret terrors: the women shed tears, and -even the men felt an oppression like that of the nightmare; but -enthusiasm for liberty prevailed over every fear. Deprived of the help -of men, the Genevans raised their eyes to heaven. Many of them -experienced extraordinary emotions, and were the victims of strange -spectral hallucinations. One night, the sentries posted on the walls saw -seven headless horsemen, dressed in black, keeping guard around the -city. They were dressed in black, for all Geneva was in mourning; they -were without heads, for no one could reckon upon preserving his own; and -then these Genevans fancied, in their enthusiasm, that they could defend -Geneva, even when their heads were off. The duke, having learnt that -some mysterious allies had come to the help of the city, quitted Gex, -and hurried off to Chambéry. It is probable, however, that his -conference with the three lords of Berne had more influence in arresting -the execution of his designs, than the apparition of the seven black -horsemen.[882] - -[Sidenote: GOD PREPARES GENEVA BY TRIAL.] - -The trials, the terrors, the repeated attacks that Geneva was forced to -undergo at the hands of her enemies, are the characteristics of her -history at the epoch of the Reformation. Her citizens, plundered, hunted -down, captured, thrown into the dungeons of the castles, always between -life and death, lived continually in the apprehension of an assault, and -almost every year their fears were changed into terrible realities; of -this we have seen several instances, and we shall see more. There is -probably no city of the sixteenth century which arrived at the -possession of truth and liberty through such great perils. When their -supplies failed, when their communications, with Switzerland were -interrupted, when no one could leave the city, when all around the arms -of the Savoyards were seen flashing in the rays of the sun, the citizens -no doubt displayed an heroic courage; but yet the women and the aged -men, and even men in the vigour of life, felt a mortal fear and anguish. -'Christians are not logs of wood,' it was said subsequently in this -city, and we may well apply the words to the Genevans of this epoch; -'they are not so devoid of human feeling, that they are not touched by -sorrow, that they do not fear danger, that poverty is not a burden to -them, and persecution sharp and difficult to bear. This is why they feel -sad when they are tried.'[883] Long ago in the early days of -Christianity, famines, earthquakes, plagues, persecution, and -afterwards, at the period of the invasion of the barbarians, the -devastations with which that calamity was attended, made serious souls -feel the presence of God, and led them to the cross. An earthquake which -threw down part of the city of Philippi, terrified a gaoler, until then -hardened in superstition, humbled him, and made him listen to the -teaching of the disciples which he had previously despised;[884] and, -later still, a similar calamity in Africa brought a great number of -pagans to confess the Gospel and be baptised. - -It was by such trials as these that Geneva was now prepared. God was -ploughing the field which he wished to sow. Distresses and deliverances -continually repeated revealed to thoughtful men the power of God: to -this even the Registers of the Council bear witness. Did this rough -school lead any souls further? Were there any who sought beyond the -world for life incorruptible?... The inward travail of men's minds is -generally concealed, and the chroniclers give us no information on this -point (it is not their department); but we cannot doubt that the end for -which God sent the trial was attained. Perhaps at that time there were -souls which, in the midst of the evils they saw around them, were led to -discover in themselves the supreme evil—sin; perhaps in some private -chamber humble voices were then raised to heaven; perhaps the judgments -of God, which were suspended over their heads and those of their wives -and children, induced some to dread the last judgment; and perhaps there -were many who embraced the eternal love, that inexhaustible source of -salvation, who believed in the Gospel of the Son of God and found peace -therein. We know not what took place in the secret depths of men's -hearts; but certainly the times which we are describing were times of -trial which contributed to make Geneva what it subsequently became: it -was a 'burning furnace from which came forth fine brass.'[885] If Geneva -shone out in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was partly -because at the epoch of the Reformation it had been sorely tried, and, -if the expression be allowable, 'brightly burnished.'—'We are as it were -annealed in the furnace of God,' may be said of this city, 'and the scum -of our faith has been thus purged away.'[886] - -[Sidenote: SWISS PATRICIANS CANCEL THE ALLIANCE.] - -On the 7th of February, 1532, five ambassadors—two from Berne, and three -from Friburg—with Sebastian de Diesbach at their head, appeared at -Geneva before the Council of Two Hundred; they were the representatives -of the Swiss aristocracy, of those proud captains who figured in battles -and appeared in the courts of kings. They discharged their mission with -as little ceremony as they observed in taking cities, and demanded that -Geneva should renounce its alliance with the Swiss and put the Duke of -Savoy again in possession of his supremacy.... What will the Genevans -do? Even Friburg, which had at first appeared favourable to them, failed -them now.... Two hundred voices exclaimed: 'We will die sooner!' The -next day, when the general council was assembled, the greatest -excitement prevailed among them; everybody seemed eager to speak at -once; loud clamours arose on every side: 'All the people began to -shout,' say the minutes of this assembly. The language of Diesbach was -urgent, imperative, and threatening.... A hurricane was blowing over -Geneva; the tree must bend or break. But it neither bent nor broke. The -ambassadors, amazed and indignant, returned to their own country.[887] - -The Genevans, left alone, asked what was to be done.... The cup was -overflowing. Suddenly a happy idea crossed the minds of certain -patriots. Although the patricians and pensioners are opposed to the -rights of Geneva, will not the people, and the grand council which -represents them, be in favour of liberty? When the Reformation was -established at Berne, in 1528, the noblest resolutions were formed. The -indigent had been clothed with the church ornaments, the pensions of the -princes renounced, and the military capitulations which bound the Swiss -to the service of foreign powers abolished. Then the enthusiasm had -cooled down; the pensioners regretted the old times; they tampered with -the more influential people of the city, and exasperated them against -the alliance with Geneva which displeased their old master the duke. -'Let us make an attempt,' exclaimed some of the Genevese, 'to revive in -Berne the noble aspirations for Reform and liberty.' Robert Vandel and -two other deputies departed for the banks of the Aar. - -Vandel was well suited for this mission. Ever since the day when he saw -his aged father illegally seized by the bishop and thrown into prison, -he had given his heart to independence, as he subsequently gave it to -the Gospel. He knew that the people had retained their sympathy for -Geneva, and that if the patricians prevailed in the little council, the -citizens prevailed in the great council: he therefore appeared before -this body. He explained to them the dangers of the Genevans, their love -of independence, and their resolution to risk everything rather than -separate from the Swiss. His language moved the hearts of the Bernese, -and the good cause prevailed. 'We will maintain the alliance,' they -said; 'and, if necessary, we will march to defend your rights.' Friburg -adopted the resolutions of Berne.[888] Thus after the trial came the -deliverance; Geneva began to breathe freely. Yet another sorrow was in -store for it. - -[Sidenote: RESIGNATION AND DEATH OF HUGUES.] - -On the 20th of February, Besançon Hugues appeared before the council and -resigned all his functions. 'I am growing old,' he said (he was only -forty-five); 'I have many children, and I desire to devote myself to my -own affairs.' There is no doubt that the motives assigned by Hugues had -some part in his determination; we may, however, ask if they were the -only ones. He watched attentively the movement of men's minds in Geneva, -and, being devoted to Roman-catholicism and the bishop, he could not -help seeing that the opposite party was gaining more followers every -day. He had spared neither time, trouble, fortune, nor health to bring -about the alliance with the Swiss. Seeing that it existed no longer -solely in the parchments of the archives, but in the hearts of the -people, he thought that he had fulfilled his task, and that for the new -work Geneva ought to have new leaders. If Hugues was not old, he was -ailing; he already felt the approaches of that disease which carried him -off a few months later. He declined rapidly, and breathed his last -towards the end of the year. - -The death of Besançon Hugues did not proceed from an ordinary sickness: -he died of a broken heart. Although still a catholic, at the moment when -the Reform was about to enter his country, a crown ought to be laid upon -his grave. The continual anxiety which the perils of Geneva had caused -him; more than forty official missions; his incessant labours in the -Genevan cause; the new burdens continually imposed upon him; the -reverses which rent his heart; his precipitate flight, his dangers on -the roads and in the cities, cold, watchings, and the cares of a -family—('I commend to you my poor household,' he said sometimes in his -letters to the council); his disappointments; the reproaches he had to -endure from both parties; his struggles with the pensioners, the agents -of Savoy, the knights of the Spoon, and some of his fellow-citizens—all -these vexations contributed to his disease and death. The head of -Besançon Hugues did not fall under the sword of the executioner, like -those of Berthelier and Lévrier; but the pacific hero sank under the -weight of fatigue and sorrow. An invisible sword struck him; and it may -be said that the deaths of the three great men of Genevan emancipation -were the deaths of martyrs. - -[Footnote 876: Registres du Conseil du 11 octobre 1531.] - -[Footnote 877: 'Alii impune injuria afficiuntur.'—Zwingl. _Epp._ ii. p. -648.] - -[Footnote 878: 'Nihil pene non licet Friburgensibus in pios.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 879: 'Indicta causa, rapiuntur in carceres.'—Zwingl. _Epp._ -ii. p. 648.] - -[Footnote 880: 'Non putarim senatum Bernensem olim ita laturum levem -injuriam in nuntium sicut gravem in Evangelium perfert.'—Ibid.] - -[Footnote 881: Registres du Conseil du 2 janvier 1532.] - -[Footnote 882: Registres du Conseil des 7, 8, 9 janvier 1532. Savyon, -_Annales_.] - -[Footnote 883: Calvin on 1 Peter i. 7.] - -[Footnote 884: Acts xvi. 23, 24.] - -[Footnote 885: Revelation i. 15.] - -[Footnote 886: Calvin.] - -[Footnote 887: Registres du Conseil des 4, 7, 8 février 1532.] - -[Footnote 888: _History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century_, -bk. xv. ch. iii. Ruchat, ii. p. 83. Galiffe fils, _B. Hugues_, p. 442.] - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - AN EMPEROR AND A SCHOOLMASTER. - (SPRING 1532.) - - -[Sidenote: THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHEME.] - -Just as the noble citizen, who had defended with such devotedness the -independence of his country, had retired from the stage of the world, -new plots were got up against Geneva; but new strength came also to her -help. An emperor was rising against the city, and a schoolmaster was -bringing it the everlasting Word. - -The imperial court was then at Ratisbon, where the Germanic diet was to -assemble. The Duke and Duchess of Savoy, who could not make up their -minds to resign Geneva, had ordered their ambassador accredited to -Charles V. to solicit the influence of that prince in order to induce -the bishop, his partisan, to cede his temporal principality to the -duke's second son. The duchess, who appears to have been anxious to -bring about this cession, made every possible exertion to attain her -object. The emperor, who was very fond of Beatrice, answered: 'I desire -this arrangement, because of the singular love, goodwill, and affection -I feel towards my dearly beloved cousin and sister-in-law.' He added, -moreover, that he desired it also 'in the interest of the holy faith and -for the preservation of mother Church.' He undertook to persuade Pierre -de la Baume to transfer his temporality to the young prince; and, that -he might bring the negotiation to a favourable issue, he applied to the -Count of Montrevel, the head of the bishop's family. On the 14th of -April, 1532, he dictated and forwarded the following letter to that -nobleman: 'The emperor, king, duke, and count of Burgundy, to his very -dear liegeman: We require and order you very expressly, that as soon as -possible, and at the earliest opportunity and convenience, you proceed -to the Bishop of Geneva, and tell him, as you may see most fitting, the -desire we have that he should _please our said cousins_, the duke and -duchess; employing with him soft words of persuasion, according to your -accustomed prudence. He can all the easier yield to our prayer, because, -as the successor-designate of the Archbishop of Besançon, he must -necessarily leave Geneva to reside in that city.' The emperor, moreover, -used his influence with the Marshal of Burgundy, the Baron of St. -Sorlin, Pierre de la Baume's brother. The prelate was to be attacked on -every side. Charles's recommendations could hardly have been more urgent -if the safety of the German empire had been at stake.[889] - -The duke, who was delighted at these letters of the emperor, began to -take such measures as would enable him to profit by them. Since the -puissant Charles V. gives Geneva to his son, he will go in quest of the -young prince's new states. In the following month (May 1532) everything -foreboded that some new attack was preparing against Geneva. There was -great commotion in the castles; trumpets were sounding, banners flying, -and priests raising loud their voices. It might have been imagined that -they were preparing for a crusade like those which had taken place of -yore against the Albigenses or the Saracens. The Genevans, who had not a -moment's repose, mournfully told one another the news. 'In the states of -Savoy there are loud rumours of war,' they said; 'the nobles are enraged -against the evangelicals, whom they call _Lutherans_; and some of the -gentry are assembled already, and going to and fro under arms.' The -citizens did not give way to dejection; on the contrary, the knowledge -of these intrigues and preparations made them long the more earnestly -for the emancipation of Geneva. They said that from the day when the -pope had deprived the citizens of the choice of their ruler, and had -nominated creatures or members of the house of Savoy as bishops at -Geneva, there had been in the city nothing but disorders, violence, -extortion, imprisonment, confiscations, tortures, and cruel punishments. -They asked if it was not time to return to the primitive form of -Christianity, to the popular organisation of the Church; they repeated -that Geneva would never secure her independence and her liberty, except -by trusting to the great principles of the Reformation. 'Zurich,' they -said, 'has resumed the rights which Rome had taken away: it is time that -Geneva followed her example.'[890] - -[Sidenote: NEGATIVE PROTESTANTISM INSUFFICIENT.] - -The Reformation was neither a movement of liberty nor a philosophical -development, but a christian, a heavenly renewal. It sought after God, -and, having found him, restored him to man: that was its work. But, at -the same time, wherever it was established, at least under the -Calvinistic form, civil liberty followed it. We must acknowledge, -however, that the reformers, with the exception of Zwingle, did not -trouble themselves much about this. It was grace that filled them with -enthusiasm. It was the great idea of a free pardon, and not artillery, -which shattered the power of the pope. Every man was then invited to the -foot of the cross, to receive immediately from Christ, and through no -sacerdotal channel, an inestimable gift. But Christianity, which the -priesthood had monopolised, vitiated, and made a trade of during the -middle ages, became common property in the sixteenth century. It passed -from the pomps of the altar to men of humble and contrite heart, from -the gloomy and solitary cloisters to the domestic hearth, from isolated -Rome to universal society. Once more launched into the midst of the -nations, it everywhere restored to man faith, hope, and morality, light, -liberty, and life. - -[Sidenote: OLIVÉTAN ARRIVES AT GENEVA.] - -At the very time when a beautiful princess was coveting Geneva, an -ambitious duke intriguing, and courtiers agitating, and when a puissant -monarch was granting his imperial favours, a humble schoolmaster arrived -in the city. And while all those pomps and ceremonies were among the -number of things worn out and passing away, this teacher brought with -him the principles of a new life. Farel, as we have seen, ardently -desired that the Word of God should be circulated and even publicly -preached at Geneva. He thought that then only would the Reformation be -truly established and independence secured. It is probable that the -person who arrived in this city, and whom he had long known, was sent by -him; but we have no proof that such was the case. However, this man was -not, properly speaking, a preacher; he was merely a schoolmaster, and -yet he was to perform a work greater than that of the emperor. At that -time Geneva passed for protestant; but her protestantism was limited to -throwing off despotism and superstition. But it is not sufficient to -reject what is false; the truth preached by Christ and the apostles must -be believed. _Faith_ is the principle of the Reformation. There was at -Geneva, to some extent, that negative protestantism which rejects not -only the abuses of popery, but also evangelical truth itself; which can -create nothing, and which is little else than a form—and certainly one -of the least interesting forms—of philosophy. If Geneva was to be -reformed, to become a centre of light and morality, and to maintain her -political independence, she must have a positive and living -christianity; and it was this that Olivétan, Farel, and Calvin were -about to bring her. - -[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF CHAUTEMPS.] - -In the street of the Croix d'Or, not far from the Place du Molard, lived -an enlightened, wealthy, and influential citizen, Jean Chautemps, a -member of council. He was a quiet and conscientious man, yielding -unhesitatingly to his convictions. Chautemps valued learning highly, and -having sons desired to see them well educated. People spoke to him of a -Frenchman, born at Noyon, in Picardy, who, after a long residence at -Paris, had been compelled to leave France in consequence of one of the -attacks so frequently made upon the _Lutherans_ at that time. 'Besides,' -added his informant, 'he is a very learned man.' Indeed, without being -either a Reuchlin in Hebrew or a Melanchthon in Greek, he had a sound -knowledge of both languages; it was his practice to read the Holy -Scriptures in the original text, and he was fond of inserting in his -writings passages from the Old Testament, where they still appear in -beautiful Hebrew characters, in the midst of his antiquated French. His -name was Peter Robert Olivétan—the same who, during his residence in -Paris, had had the happiness of bringing to a knowledge of evangelical -truth one of his cousins and fellow-townsmen, John Calvin. Chautemps, -considering it fortunate to have such a master for his children, -received him into his house. - -Calvin's cousin boldly set to work. He taught his patron's children, -and, as it would appear, some others that had been placed with them. He -taught with love and clearness, according to 'the right mode' of -Mathurin Cordier, whom he had known at Paris. He believed, as Calvin -says, that 'roughness and servile austerity excite children to -rebellion, and extinguish in them the holy affections of love and -reverence,' and he strove 'by moderate and kind treatment to increase in -them the will and readiness to obey.'[891] - -The schoolmaster, as he is termed in the Registers of the Council of -Geneva, did not restrict himself to teaching Latin and Greek. He was -simple and modest, and calls himself, in the preface to the book which -has immortalised him (the translation of the Bible), '_the humble and -lowly translator_.' But God had kindled a divine fire in his heart. He -believed that the christian ought to carry a lighted lamp in his hand to -show others the way of life, and he never failed to do so. He sometimes -accompanied Chautemps to the churches, and was observed to be deeply -moved by the errors which he heard there; he would leave the temple in -agitation, return home, and, seated with his patron, refute by Holy -Scripture the opinions of the priests, and faithfully explain the true -Christian doctrine. The councillor, who had early sided with those who -inclined towards the Reformation, was struck with these conversations, -and, far from resisting the truth that was set before him, joyfully -yielded himself to it. He presently displayed, according to Froment's -testimony, 'if not a perfect knowledge, at least a great desire for -learning, with much love and zeal to show himself as a friend of the -Reformation.'[892] From that hour the pious councillor always came -forward whenever there was a question of upholding the evangelical cause -in Geneva. When that great missionary, Farel, arrived, Chautemps was -among the first to welcome him. When a dispute occurred with the curate -of St. Magdalen's, he was one of those who defended the teaching of the -Scriptures.[893] And subsequently he boldly declared, in full council, -that he desired to live according to the Gospel and the Word of God.[894] - -Olivétan's zeal was not confined to the house in which he lived; he -laboured to make the Gospel known to the councillor's friends, and even -to everybody whom he found accessible to the Divine Word. He exerted -himself, and overcame obstacles; by means of the Scriptures he -endeavoured to 'point out _with gentleness_' to the priests the errors -which they taught, and would not allow himself to be hindered by any -fear. Such zeal was not without danger, for the priests had still much -power in Geneva. Chautemps and his friends accordingly advised Olivétan -to be prudent, lest he should come to harm; but the schoolmaster said -like his cousin: 'It is God's will that his truth should be proclaimed, -happen what may; it must be published, even should the depths of hell -pour forth their rage against it.[895] Olivétan once reproved a priest -with so much boldness that the latter stirred up all the clergy against -him, and he was ordered (without being brought to trial) to leave the -city; but this belongs to a later time. - -Conversation did not suffice, and if any persons showed a desire to -learn the new doctrine, Olivétan explained it to them. He did not do so -before large audiences; it was generally to small parties. Yet a -document speaks of assemblies held not only in private houses, but in -public, in the open places, and in front of the churches.[896] Olivétan, -therefore, like his illustrious relative, called to mind that in the -beginning of christianity the doctrine of the Lord did not remain -'hidden as it were in little comers, and that never was thunder heard so -loud and so piercing as the sound of the preaching of the Gospel, -reverberating from one end of the world to the other.'[897] He sometimes -quitted the humble conventicle and preached the Word of truth under the -vault of heaven. Alarmed at the great disorders in which those men -indulged who were one day to bear the name of 'libertines,' he attacked -the conscience with holy intrepidity. - -[Sidenote: OLIVÉTAN'S MISSION.] - -One day, one of those 'private assemblies' was held, of which the -emperor had complained to the syndics. It was, we may suppose, in the -house of Chautemps or some other huguenot (public meetings were, I -think, rare exceptions) in the street of the Croix d'Or or of the -_Allemands_, so called because some German Switzers, friends of the -Reformation, lived in it. A few men and women, most of them known to the -master of the house, came and took their seats on the benches in front -of the evangelist. Olivétan, who saw before him souls slumbering in -false security and heedless of the Supreme Judge, 'magnificently -discharged the embassy intrusted to him' (according to Calvin's -expression). 'One day,' he said, 'when thou shalt hear the Lord calling -thee to judgment, will there be found anything in thee but fear and -trembling, flight and concealment? Look! Access to the Lord is cut off, -because of sin. With whom wilt thou take refuge? In what place wilt thou -find relief? God, the avenger of sin, from whom nothing can be hid, is -everywhere present ... and everywhere terrifies the guilty conscience.' - -Then, imagining that he saw some of those Genevans, whose morals, as -depraved as those of the monks, alienated them from the Gospel, he -exclaimed: 'The flesh excludes the Spirit, and stops the way, so that -the entrance of the heart is not opened to it. The flesh desires present -pleasures, it follows vanity, it carefully seeks after the delights of -the body, by eating and drinking, by idleness, licentious pursuits, and -other such things, in which it is entirely absorbed. Reason, illumined -by the Spirit, strives after good things, and fights against the flesh; -but the sensual man is nothing more than a brute, and gives himself up -entirely to things that belong to brutes.' - -Among those who sat on the humble benches and listened to the preacher, -were also some of those intellectual men, numerous in Geneva, who would -have liked to come to the faith, but whom the doctrine of Christ -astonished and even alarmed. 'You believe,' said the evangelist, 'and -yet you do not believe. You willingly hear the words of salvation, and -yet you are terrified at them. There is nothing that we hear from the -mouth of the Saviour which, without a mediator, should not be terrifying -to us, and the flesh is quite dismayed that it should be necessary to -possess such faith.' - -Then the schoolmaster raised the trumpet of the Gospel to his lips and -announced the great mystery of Redemption, without concealing what the -Greeks would have called its _foolishness_. 'Let us turn then,' he -exclaimed, 'to the Mediator, who has consummated the alliance and -purified us by his own blood, with which our consciences are sprinkled -and watered. The Old Covenant always depended on the blood of beasts; -the New Covenant depends on new blood. Eternal Redemption was effected -by an eternal sacrifice. The alliance is indissoluble, perpetual, and -perfect through the eternal blood which was of God.... The kingdom of -the Messiah has no end; its king must therefore be immortal; and the new -men, also immortal, are citizens of an everlasting kingdom.' - -The huguenots were fond of debating, even unseasonably. Some of those -seated in front of Olivétan were astonished at hearing this doctrine of -Christ's sacrifice set forth, and maintained that, if they were to judge -from facts, it did not do much to free man from sin. 'No doubt,' said -Olivétan, 'if the Holy Ghost does not teach us. We cannot attain true -holiness if the Holy Ghost, who is the reformer of hearts, is absent. By -the Spirit of Jesus Christ the remains of sin in us diminish little by -little. The Spirit of Christ burns gently and cleanses away the stains -of the heart.... What a profound mystery! He who was hung upon the -cross, who even ascended into heaven to finish everything, comes and -dwells in us, and there accomplishes the perfect work of eternal -Redemption.'[898] - -Thus spoke the tutor of Councillor Chautemps' children. - -Olivétan was a mysterious personage, a singular reformer. At Paris he -called Calvin to the Gospel, and gave him to Christianity as the apostle -of the new times. At Geneva, he was the forerunner of his illustrious -relative; like a pioneer in the forest, he cut down the secular trees, -and prepared the soil into which his pious and mighty successor so -copiously scattered the seed. Later, as we shall see, he gave to the -reformed French Church its first Bible, a translation which, revised by -Calvin, so greatly advanced the kingdom of God. Perhaps Olivétan, during -his residence in Geneva, may have thought that his cousin would -hereafter occupy this post. He appears in history only as the precursor -of the reformer, and Calvin had hardly set foot in this city when -Olivétan crossed the Alps, went to Italy, even to the city of the -pontiffs, as if he desired now to accomplish a new work, to come to -close quarters with the papacy, and prepare Rome for the Reformation as -he had prepared Geneva. But there he suddenly disappeared—poisoned, as -some say. There is a veil over his death as over his life. He is spoken -of no more, and scarcely any one appears to know either his work or his -name. But we must not anticipate: we shall meet him again erelong. - -Olivétan certainly played an important part in the great change which -has renewed modern society, and his name deserves to be enrolled among -those which are carved on the foundation-stones of the vast temple of -the Reformation. - -[Footnote 889: The emperor's letter to the Count of Montrevel. Galiffe -fils, _B. Hugues, Pièces Justificatives_, p. 494.] - -[Footnote 890: Zwinglii _Opp._ iii. p. 439. _Archives de Genève._ James -Fazy, _Précis de l'Histoire de la République de Genève_, pp. 183-191.] - -[Footnote 891: Calvini _Opera_.] - -[Footnote 892: Froment, _Actes et Gestes de Genève_, p. 4.] - -[Footnote 893: Registres du Conseil du 31 décembre 1532.] - -[Footnote 894: Ibid. du 8 janvier 1534.] - -[Footnote 895: Calvin, _Comm. sur les Actes_.] - -[Footnote 896: _Archives de Genève, Pièces Historiques_, nᵒ 7069, 8 -juillet 1532.] - -[Footnote 897: Calvin, on Matthew x. 36.] - -[Footnote 898: Olivétan. Introduction to his French translation of the -Bible. Fol. Neuchatel, 1535.] - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - THE PARDON OF ROME AND THE PARDON OF HEAVEN. - (JUNE AND JULY 1532.) - - -Olivétan's teaching had not been fruitless. There occurred erelong an -evangelical manifestation in Geneva, which was an important step, and -the first public act of Reform. Calvin's cousin may have been the -instrument, though Clement VII. was the proximate cause. - -[Sidenote: THE JUBILEE.] - -The pope was preparing at that time to publish, not a local pardon like -that of St. Claire, but a universal jubilee. It was the general topic of -conversation in many places, and some told how it had originated. 'On -the eve of the new year, 1300,' said a scholar, jeeringly, 'a report -spread suddenly through Rome (no one knew from whence it came) that a -plenary indulgence would be granted to all who should go next morning to -St. Peter's. A great crowd of Romans and foreigners hurried there, and -in the midst of the multitude was an aged man who, stooping and leaning -on his staff, wished also to take part in the festival. He was a hundred -and seven years old, people said. He was conducted to the pope, the -proud and daring Boniface VIII. The old man told him how, a century -before, an indulgence of a hundred years had been granted on account of -the jubilee; he remembered it well, he said. Boniface, taking advantage -of the declaration of this man, whose mind was weakened by age, decreed -that there should be a plenary indulgence every hundred years.'[899] The -great gains which were made out of it, led to the jubilee being -appointed to be held successively every fifty years, thirty-three years, -and twenty-five years. But the jubilee of the twenty-fifth year did not -always hinder that of the thirty-third.[900] - -At Geneva people were already beginning to talk much about the coming -jubilee. Olivétan and his friends were scandalised at it. The heart of -this just and upright man was distressed at seeing the pardon of God set -aside in favour of a festival of human invention, in which, in order to -obtain remission of sins, it was necessary to frequent the churches -during a fixed number of days, and perform certain works, and whose -surest effect was a large increase to the revenues of the pope. The -schoolmaster maintained that if any one sought to find repose of -conscience in such inventions, he would waste his time; his heart would -be lulled to sleep in forgetfulness of God, or be full of fear and -trembling until it had found repose in Jesus Christ. 'Christ alone is -our peace,' he said, 'and alone gives our conscience the assurance that -God is appeased and reconciled with it.' - -Men's minds were soon in a great ferment in Geneva. People met and -talked about it in the streets, and everywhere began to murmur. 'A fine -tariff is the pope's!' said the more decided of the huguenots. 'Do you -want an indulgence for a false oath? Pay 29 livres 5 sols. Do you want -an indulgence for murder? A man's life is cheaper; a murder will only -cost you 15 livres 2 sols 6 deniers.' They added, 'that the pretended -treasury of indulgences, from which the pope took the wares he sold to -every comer, was an invention of the devil.' - -[Sidenote: ENCROACHMENTS OF THE CLERGY.] - -It was thus that the christians, whom preceding ages had kept down, -began to reappear in the Church. The lay spirit was manifested in -Geneva. Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve, one of the most determined -huguenots, had frequent conversations with other good _Lutherans_, all -of whom complained of the domineering spirit of the clergy, who had -monopolised everything. Such complaints were, however, universal -throughout christendom. In the earliest times, said the people, the -_priests_ began by confiscating the rights of the laity; and erelong -these shepherds had nothing but silly _sheep_ under their crooks.... But -while the priests were engrossed in this work, another was going on -behind their backs which they did not observe. The _bishops_ did to the -priests what the priests had done to the laity; and when the inferior -functionaries of the Church had succeeded in catching the flocks in -their trap, they found in their turn that they had fallen into the -bishops' pitfall. At the Council of Cologne (A.D. 346) there were ten -priests, presbyters, or elders, in addition to the fourteen bishops; but -that was the last time. At the Councils of Poitiers, Vaison, Paris, and -Valence (all held in the latter half of the fourth century), none but -bishops were present. Subsequently, indeed, a _delegated_ priest was -found in three councils; but at last this single priest was politely -dismissed. While the bishops were busied with this conquest, another was -going on; and they had no sooner confiscated the rights of the priests -(as the priests had confiscated those of the laity), than they found -their own confiscated by the _pope_. All rights had come to an end. -Flocks, priests, bishops—all had lost their liberty. The pope was the -Church. One monster had swallowed the other, to be swallowed in its -turn. Nothing is more sad, nothing more disastrous, than this tragic -history. _Quod des devorat._[901] The Romish hierarchy devours -everything that is given to it. The Reformation was to restore that -christian society which the clerical society had put out of sight. - -[Sidenote: GOD'S PARDON.] - -And so it happened at Geneva. Their rights as christians were among the -first claimed by these Genevans, who were so enamoured of their rights -as citizens. 'If the pope _sells_ indulgences,' said they, 'the Gospel -_gives_ a free pardon. Since Rome advertises her pardon, let us -advertise that of the Lord.' These reformers, who were probably among -the number of Olivétan's hearers, drew up, conjointly, a 'heavenly -proclamation,' in simple and evangelical terms: it is possible that -Olivétan himself was the author. Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve took the -draft, hurried off with it to a printer, and ordered him to print it in -bold characters. After that, certain huguenots, the most zealous of whom -were Maison-Neuve and Goulaz, arranged their plans; and early in the -morning of the 9th of June they posted on the walls, in different parts -of the city, the _great general pardon_ _of Jesus Christ_,[902] at such -a height that every one could read it. At that time there was in front -of St. Pierre's a pillar on which the clerical notices were displayed; -Goulaz went to it, and over one of the announcements of the Roman -jubilee he fastened the proclamation of Gospel pardon. - -The sun had risen above the Alps: it was already broad daylight; the -city woke from its slumbers; windows and doors were opened, and the -people began to pass through the streets. They stared and stood still in -surprise before these proclamations.... Men and women, priests and -friars, crowded in front of the placards, and read with amazement the -following words, which sounded strange to them:— - - GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER - PROMISES - A GENERAL PARDON OF ALL HIS SINS - TO EVERY ONE WHO FEELS SINCERE REPENTANCE, - AND POSSESSES - A LIVELY FAITH IN THE DEATH AND PROMISES - OF - JESUS CHRIST. - -'This cannot surely be a papal indulgence,' said certain huguenots, 'for -money is not mentioned in it. Salvation given gratuitously must -certainly come from heaven.' But the priests thought differently; they -looked upon the placard as a defiance of the pope's pardon, and their -wrath grew fiercer than ever. They insulted those whom they believed to -be the authors of the proclamation, overwhelmed them with abuse, and -attacked them not only with their fists, but with the weapons which they -had provided.[903] 'The clergy made a great uproar,' says the -pseudo-Bonivard; 'and when the priests tried to tear down the said -placards, the believers, whom they called _Lutherans_, showed themselves -and prevented them, which caused a great commotion among the -people.'[904] In a short time the parties were organised: the burghers -gathered together in groups. On one side were the citizens, who defended -the placards; on the other, the priests and their followers, who wanted -to pull them down. - -A canon, named Wernly, a native of Friburg, had remained in Geneva; he -was a stout active man, of hasty temper, a fanatical papist, who could -handle the sword as skilfully as the censer, and give a blow as readily -as he gave holy water. Having heard the tumult, he ran out of his house, -went towards the cathedral, and just as he was about to enter he caught -sight of the placard which Goulaz had fastened to the pillar. He flew -into a rage, rushed up to the paper, and tore it down with a coarse -oath. Goulaz, one of those bold spirits who brave those whom they -despise, was standing close by, watching all that took place. Seeing -what the canon had done, he went up to the pillar, and calmly put -another paper in the place of that which Wernly had pulled down. -Immediately the Friburger lost all self-control: the heretic and not the -paper was the object of his rage. He rushed at Goulaz, dealt him a -violent blow; and then, not content with this chastisement, drew his -sword (for the canons wore swords at that time), and would have struck -him. Goulaz was by no means a man of patient temper, and, seeing the -canon's sword, immediately drew his own, put himself on the defensive, -and in the struggle wounded Wernly in the arm. There was a great uproar -immediately; the partisans of the priests fell upon the audacious man -who had dared defend himself against that holy personage; the huguenots, -on their part, rallied round Goulaz, and defended him. - -[Sidenote: STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE TWO POWERS.] - -A battle between the priest and the layman, a struggle between clerical -and secular society, then occurred in Geneva. The priests had determined -that the placards should be torn down everywhere; and, accordingly, -there was a loud noise of discord and battle, not only in front of the -porch of St. Pierre's, but through great part of the city. 'Nothing -could be seen,' says a writer, 'but strife, conflicts, and drawn -swords.'[905] Two men of the priests' party were wounded in the Bourg de -Four. The magistrates, being informed of what was going on, hurried to -the spot, and separated the combatants. - -Goulaz certainly did not represent the Reform; he was merely a Genevese -patriot, and somewhat hasty; but the Romish Church could not disown a -canon; he was truly its representative, and men asked whether the Church -intended to combat the Gospel with sword and fist. During this sharp -skirmish between the ultramontanes and the huguenots, one party held -aloof and rejoiced in secret: they were the partisans of Savoy. They -imagined that since the two great Genevan parties were quarrelling, they -would be found erelong, wearied with civil discord, bending the knee to -the absolute government of his most serene highness. Division would be -their strength.[906] - -The news of this battle soon reached Friburg. People there had already -begun to talk of a certain schoolmaster who was preaching the Gospel at -Geneva, and the placard which had set all the city in commotion was -(they thought) the result of his sermons. Friburg was excited, for in -this matter there was something far more alarming than a blow dealt at a -Friburger—it was a blow aimed against the papacy. - -[Sidenote: THE INTERDICT OF THE COUNCIL.] - -On the 24th of June, Councillor Laurent Brandebourg arrived at Geneva, -and having been introduced to the council, he complained, in the name of -the catholic canton, of what had taken place, and particularly of the -books and placards which led men to 'the new law,' and threw contempt on -the authority of the bishop and the pope. 'Everybody assures us,' he -said, 'that you belong to the Lutheran party. If it be so, gentlemen, we -shall tear up the act of alliance and throw the pieces at your feet.' -These words, accompanied by a corresponding gesture, alarmed the -council. 'The Friburg alliance has never been more necessary than now,' -they whispered to one another. There were still among the Genevans many -zealous Roman-catholics; the evangelicals were the rare exceptions; a -great number, as we have said, held to a certain negative middle way. -The threats of Friburg disturbed the magistrates. 'We are not -Lutherans,' answered the premier syndic. 'Well, then,' resumed the -catholic Brandebourg, 'summon Goulaz before the ecclesiastical court.' -The council replied that the _general pardons_ had been stuck up without -their knowledge, that they disapproved of such excesses, that Goulaz had -only struck the canon in self-defence, after having received a blow and -seen him draw his sword, and that, nevertheless, he had been fined. The -council added that they would go further to satisfy Friburg. Immediately -they forbade, by sound of trumpet, any papers to be posted up without -their permission; and then, as the priests cried out louder against -Olivétan than against Goulaz, the syndics ordered that, 'for the -present, _the schoolmaster_ should discontinue preaching the -Gospel.'[907] They fancied they had thus completely rooted out the evil. -The ultramontane party, delighted at this triumph, thought the moment -had arrived for effecting a thorough reaction. The priests began to -search after the Holy Scriptures, visiting every family, and demanding -the surrender of their New Testaments. - -The people began to murmur. 'The priests want to rob us of the Gospel -of Jesus Christ,' said the huguenots, 'and in its place they will give -us ... what?... Romish fables.... We must begin again to read the stories -in the Golden Legend. Really it is quite enough to hear them at church.' -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve and his friends urged the council to show -themselves christians. They represented that it was shameful to see -priests and monks set so little store by the gospels and epistles, and -fill the ears of their congregations with human inventions. Olivétan had -often told them that there was no intention of introducing a new -religion, but of reestablishing an old one—that of the apostles. This -idea, so simple and so true, was easily understood. The triumph of which -the priests had dreamt was changed into a triumph for the Gospel. 'The -party of the _Lutherans_,' says an ancient manuscript, 'or, as they -called themselves, of the _evangelicals_, became more numerous and -stronger every day among the magistrates and people.'[908] The friends -of the Reformation who were on the council began to speak out boldly of -the rights of the Word of God. Others who were not Lutherans were -generally honest men, and they thought it very christian-like, and even -quite catholic, to preach the Gospel, and not mere fables. They were -unwilling that it should be said of the Church to which they belonged, -that it was supported by visions and sham miracles. The council -therefore ordered (unanimously, as it would appear) the grand vicar, De -Gingins of Bonmont, 'to take measures that in every parish and convent -the Gospel should be preached _according to the truth, without any -mixture of fables_ or other human inventions.'[909] The evangelicals, in -their turn, were delighted at this order. They knew that the magistrates -did not intend abolishing the Roman worship; yet it was the first -official act in Geneva in a direction favourable to the Reformation. -They accordingly showed great respect for the syndics under whom this -decree was passed: they were Guillaume Hugues, Besançon's brother; -Claude Savoie, a man of great energy; Claude du Molard, and Ami Porral, -a clever, intelligent man, already gained to the Gospel. - -[Sidenote: NUNCIO AND ARCHBISHOP AT CHAMBÉRY.] - -Without the city, men's opinions were very different. The preachings 'in -the houses of Geneva, the _abominable Lutheran heresy_ that was taught -even in the schools,'[910] had caused a lively emotion in the catholic -provinces adjoining the city, which was increased by the _general pardon -of Jesus Christ_. At Chambéry people's minds were greatly agitated. -Some, losing all self-control, would have liked to see the thunderbolts -of heaven hurled against Geneva; others, more merciful and perhaps more -prudent, would have entreated the Genevese, even with tears, to remain -faithful to the papacy. There happened at this time to be a great crowd -of priests at the palace of the Bishop of Chambéry; a papal nuncio was -passing through that city, and the archbishop, the nuncio, and his -attendants had some conversation about Geneva, loudly deploring its -apostasy. The nuncio, a violent Romanist, would immediately have brought -the facts to the knowledge of the pope, in order that the court of Rome -should take proceedings in conformity with the severity of the -ecclesiastical laws. The archbishop checked him; he preferred making a -prior application to the council. Accordingly he wrote a letter to the -syndics, in which, after mentioning the various charges against the -Genevese, he added: 'Can it be true that such things are taking place in -a city so long renowned for its faith?... This would be so serious a -matter that we should be compelled to report it immediately to Rome.... -Put it in our power to tell the holy father that you will preserve a -perpetual confidence in the holy apostolic see.'[911] - -The syndics, who had no desire to declare either in favour of Rome or of -Wittemberg, were greatly embarrassed. One of them, however, found a way -of getting out of the difficulty. 'Let us make no reply,' he said. When -the archbishop's messenger came for their answer, the syndics called him -before them, and gave him this verbal message: 'Tell Monseigneur that we -desire to live in a christian manner, and in accordance with the law of -Christ.' The archbishop, the nuncio, and the pope might understand that -as they pleased. It was soon seen that Rome and Savoy had no intention -of permitting Geneva to live according to that _law of Christ_ which the -city had invoked. - -But if the papacy was uneasy, evangelical christians rejoiced. They -believed that an important position had been gained by the Reformation, -and, supposing the Genevese to be more advanced in the faith than they -really were, rejoiced in anticipation over the victories which these new -members of the evangelical body would win for their common standard. -'The Genevans,' said one of them, 'are true _christian knights_, who, -having no respect for men who will soon pass away, do not fear to offend -their superiors, the enemies of truth.'—'The Genevans,' said another, -'are energetic men: if they embrace the Gospel, they will know how to -propagate it elsewhere.'[912] - -The old evangelicals went further than this: they felt full of love for -the new brethren. They desired to give them a welcome, to stretch out -the hand of brotherhood to them, to receive them, with the charity of -Christ, into that small and humble Church which was to increase from -year to year and from age to age. They were not too sanguine, however: -they knew the moral state of the Genevans; they knew that the little -flock was still weak, and but just beginning to pronounce the name of -Christ and to walk in his way. These old christians desired, therefore, -to approach it as a father approaches his child, to take it by the hand, -to point out the dangers by which it was surrounded, and to conjure it -to remain firm, and to increase in that faith which it was beginning to -confess boldly. - -[Sidenote: LETTER FROM THE BRETHREN AT PAYERNE.] - -Between the Alps and the Jura, on the road leading from Lausanne to -Berne, is situated a small town, clustered ages ago round an abbey which -the famous Queen Bertha had declared exempt from all suzerainty, even -from that of the pope, and which, in 1208, had resisted the Emperor -Rodolph of Hapsburg. In one of the houses of this town of Payerne, some -pious christians assembled in June 1532, under their pastor Anthony -Saunier of Moirans, in Dauphiny, a friend of Farel. They conversed about -_the destruction of the papistical realm_, and the news they had -received from Geneva, and were full of hope that that city would -contribute erelong towards the so much desired destruction. One of them -proposed to send a letter to the Genevese. They began to write it -immediately, and here are the words which these simple-minded christians -addressed to the episcopal city:— - -'We have heard that the glory of God has visited you, of his grace, as -his elect children, and that he is now calling you with his -everlastingly saving voice. Beloved in Jesus Christ, receive the word of -the Great Shepherd, who gave himself once and was offered up a living -host (sacrifice) for the salvation of all believers. God is manifesting -to you the great riches of his glory; he invites us to forsake the -doctrine of men, and to follow that of our only Saviour Jesus Christ, -which makes us new creatures and heirs of the kingdom of God. Believe in -this doctrine with all your heart, without shame or fear of men; having -the assurance that it is good, holy, and alone able to save, and that -all others which are opposed to it are wicked and damnable. Fear not the -great number and power of your enemies; but, for the love of Jesus -Christ, who has perfected your redemption, and who has granted us -remission of all our sins, be ready not only to abandon your honour, -your goods, and your families, but even to renounce yourselves, -declaring with St. Paul, that neither glory, nor tribulation, nor death, -nor life, shall separate you from the Gospel of salvation.... - -'Now we, your brethren in the second and spiritual birth, pray the -Father of lights to complete what he has begun in you, and to illumine -the eyes of your heart by the true Gospel light, to the end that you may -know the great and inexpressible riches prepared for those who are -sanctified by the blood of Christ. Renounce, therefore, the king of this -world, and all his followers, under whose banner you and we once walked, -and acknowledge our Lord as your only master, your only God and Saviour, -who gives us the kingdom of heaven without money and without price. -Follow not what appears good and pleasant to you, but the commandment of -God our Father, adding nothing, and taking nothing away. May his grace -be written in your hearts, and may you impart it to those who are still -ignorant and weak, by means of a meek and tender teaching, so that the -flock of Jesus Christ may be increased by you daily. Our Lord God is for -you, and the whole world cannot prevail against him. Be the -standard-bearers upon earth of the colours of our Saviour, so that by -your means the Holy Gospel may be borne into many countries.' - -The council deposited the letter among the city archives, where it may -still be seen.[913] - -[Sidenote: STANDARD RAISED AT GENEVA.] - -Geneva was still far from the pure and living Christianity which -breathes in this letter. The fight between Goulaz and Wernly, the tumult -occasioned in the city by the placards of Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve -and his friends, had little resemblance (impartiality compels us to -acknowledge) to that picture, so full of gentleness, which Jesus Christ -himself drew for us, when he described the servant of God: '_He shall -not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the -streets._'[914] But it is only by degrees that the old man disappears -and the new man takes his place. It would have been too much, perhaps, -to expect that these energetic huguenots, who defended their liberty -with the courage of lions, should suddenly become meek as lambs. But -already there were to be found in that city souls who prized above -everything the _great pardon of Jesus Christ_. The proclamation of -salvation by grace, which we have described, marks an important epoch in -the history of the Reformation of Geneva. All human religions represent -salvation as to be gained by the works and ceremonies of man; the only -divine religion, the Gospel, declares that God gives it, that he gives -it through Jesus Christ, and that whosoever receives this assurance into -his heart becomes a new creature. Such was the standard raised in Geneva -in 1532. The servants of God, whether natives of that city or refugees, -were to be, according to the beautiful language of the letter from -Payerne, 'standard-bearers upon earth;' and, grasping the banner of the -Gospel with a firm hand, they were to be called, perhaps more than -others, in the sixteenth century 'to bear it into many countries.' - -Everything gave token that the renovation of Geneva was advancing; but -it had still numerous obstacles to overcome, and great works to achieve. -Powerful instruments were about to appear to accomplish them. - -Hitherto the breath of the Reformation has blown to Geneva from the -plains of France and the mountains of Switzerland. The men of God who -were to labour most at the transformation of this city, Farel -especially, have acted upon it from without only. But yet two months -more, and that great-hearted evangelist will enter the city of the -huguenots; others will follow him; they will be expelled from it by the -friends of Rome; but they will return with fresh determination, and -labour with indefatigable zeal, until, after long darkness, we shall at -last see the light of Jesus Christ shining in it. - -[Sidenote: GENEVA ATTACKED BY TWO PARTIES.] - -The ancient city had not at this time to contend with a single party: it -was attacked by two antagonistic bands at once, by the bishop on the one -hand, and by the reformers on the other. Which of these two armies will -conquer it?—Geneva, strange to say, rejects both. Will that city be -destined to belong neither to the Gospel nor to Rome? It could not be -so, and various symptoms appeared at this time to indicate an -approaching solution. - -The fanaticism of the Genevese clergy, the respect felt by the -magistrates for existing institutions, the energy with which one portion -of the people rejected the Reformation, seemed to show that the movement -by which Geneva was then agitated would end simply in the abolition of -the temporal authority of the bishop. - -But other signs appeared to point to another conclusion. In proportion -as the love of God's Word increased in men's hearts, respect for the -Romish religion diminished. The evangelical christians said that -salvation was a thing for eternity, while a government, even if -ecclesiastical, was only a temporal thing; that the rights of truth took -precedence of all clerical pretensions, and that the authority of -Scripture was superior to that of the pontiff. - -Moreover, a new element appeared. Ecclesiastical society had sunk into -slumber and death; in the sixteenth century the Reformation aroused it -and restored it to activity and life. Farel is one of the most -remarkable types of this christian animation; his unbounded ardour, his -indefatigable labours were, with God's help, to secure the victory. - -It is true that this new force soon turned against the Reform. The -Romish Church woke up also, and put itself in motion, particularly after -the foundation of the order of the Jesuits; but its activity differed -widely from that of the reformers. The latter descended from on high; -that of the Roman clergy came from below. At all events, popery soon -became as energetic as protestantism. There was danger in this, but -there was probably a benefit also. If its adversaries had continued to -slumber, the Reformation might have ended by falling asleep likewise. -Activity is far better than inactivity without hope. Let us not be -afraid then. By struggles the Church is purified, the christian grows -stronger, and the cause of truth and of humanity triumphs. - -[Sidenote: THE STRUGGLE IN GENEVA.] - -Geneva was about to have greater experience of such contests, and the -agitation within her walls was to become fiercer from day to day. -Combats without and combats within. The dawning Reformation and the -ancient (yet new) liberty will see arrayed against them the bishop, the -duke, the emperor, the gentry and their vassals, and the Savoyard -troops, besides veteran Italian bands, commanded by some of the ablest -captains of the age.... At the same time the battle will rage furiously -within. Popery, alarmed at seeing one of its oldest fortresses -threatened, will utter a cry of rage; all the friends of the Romish -priesthood will be aroused, will agitate, and fight; a furious -opposition will raise its angry head. There will be not only secret -councils, traitorous conspiracies, fanatical preachings, and fierce -discussions; but also riots in the streets, armed men endeavouring to -stop the preaching of the Word, cannons planted in the public squares, -assaults with the sword, the arquebuse, and the dagger, imprisonment, -exile, and poisoning.... At the sight of these violent combats and -repeated calamities, the thoughts of the historian become troubled and -confused. It appears to him that the powers of darkness are marshalling -their forces in the ancient city. He fancies he can see that mysterious -being, whom a great poet describes in his immortal verse as plotting the -ruin of the world, at the very moment when, smiling with innocence and -glory, it left the hands of the Creator—he can see Satan descending, as -he once did into Eden, and casting the immense shade of his 'sail-broad -vans' over the gigantic Alps, over their white tops, their calm clear -lakes and smiling hills, and swooping down upon the towers of the old -cathedral to fight against the counsels of the King of Heaven, and, by -scattering his wiles and fury all around, oppose the new creation of a -new world.[915] - -But to all these efforts of the powers of darkness the men of the Gospel -will oppose the resplendent army of light. They will proclaim the love -of God, they will announce the work of Christ, they will publish grace. -They will repeat with Jesus Christ that _the flesh profiteth nothing_; -that is to say, that the grandeur of the proud hierarchy of Rome, the -power of its temporal kingdom, the multitude of its servants in so many -countries and under such various uniforms, the pomps by which its -worship strives to captivate the senses, the oracles of its traditions, -sometimes adorned with the seductions of human philosophy—that all is -profitless; but that power belongs to God, that salvation is in the -foolishness of the cross, and that it is _the Spirit that quickeneth_. -And, thanks to the spiritual weapons they employ, two or three humble -instruments of the Word of God will scatter the councils of their -terrible adversary, destroy his fortresses, and humble even to the dust -the barriers he had raised against the knowledge of God. The rough -Farel, the gentle Viret, the weak Froment, will overcome the powers of -Rome in Geneva, even before Calvin, the great captain, appears. God -chooses the weak things of the world to confound the things which are -mighty, and the things which are not to bring to nought things that -are.[916] - -[Footnote 899: See the Bull _Antiquorum habet_ in the _Extravagant. -Commun._ lib. v. tit. ix. cap. 1.] - -[Footnote 900: In our time Leo XII. celebrated a jubilee in 1825, and -Gregory XVI. in 1833.] - -[Footnote 901: Plautus.] - -[Footnote 902: Roset says positively (liv. ii. chap, lxvi.) that these -placards were printed. See also Berne MSS., _Hist. Helvet._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 903: 'Exarsit hic statim furor, nec verbis tantum erupit, sed -et armis.—_Geneva Restituta_, p. 37.] - -[Footnote 904: History under the name of Bonivard, Berne MSS. _Hist. -Helvet._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 905: 'Hinc rixæ, conflictus, et enses utrinque expediti.'— -_Geneva Restituta_, p. 37.] - -[Footnote 906: 'Dissidiis civilibus fessa imperium acciperet.'—_Geneva -Restituta_, p. 38.] - -[Footnote 907: 'De prædicante Evangelii.'—Registres du Conseil des 24, -27, 30 juin, et du 25 juillet. Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, ii. p. 463.] - -[Footnote 908: Berne MSS. _Hist. Helvet._ v. p. 12.] - -[Footnote 909: Registres du Conseil des 30 juin, 12 juillet, 20 août. -Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, ii. pp. 464-466.] - -[Footnote 910: Archives de Genève, No. 1069.] - -[Footnote 911: Archives de Genève, No. 1069. Spon, _Hist. de Genève_, i. -p. 466. Gaberel, i. p. 110.] - -[Footnote 912: Ruchat, iii. pp. 136-140. 'Epître des amateurs de la -sainte Evangile de Payerne à ceux de Genève.' Archives de Genève, No. -1070. _France Protestante_, art. _Saunier_.] - -[Footnote 913: Archives, No. 1070. 'Epître des amateurs de la sainte -Evangile de Payerne.'] - -[Footnote 914: Matthew xii. 19.] - -[Footnote 915: - - 'He wings his way - Directly towards the new-created world, - And man there placed, with purpose to assay - If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, - By some false guile pervert.' - - _Paradise Lost_, bk. iii.] - -[Footnote 916: 1 Corinthians i. 27, 28.] - - -END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - - -LONDON -PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. -NEW-STREET SQUARE - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Reformation in Europe -in the time of Calvin. 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Vol. 2 (of 8), by Merle d'Aubigné - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: History of the Reformation in Europe in the time of Calvin. Vol. 2 (of 8) - -Author: Merle d'Aubigné - -Release Date: August 23, 2019 [EBook #60152] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF REFORMATION IN EUROPE, VOL 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Wilson, David Edwards, Colin Bell, Chris -Pinfield and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive). - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div id="tnote"> - -<p>Transcriber's Note:</p> - -<p>Obvious printer errors have been corrected silently.</p> - -<p>Hyphenation has been rationalised. Inconsistent spelling (including -accents) has been retained.</p> - -<p>Running headers, at the top of each right-hand page, have been moved -in front of the paragraphs to which they refer and surrounded by -=equal signs=.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="front"> - - <p class="x-small">LONDON<br /> - PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.<br /> - NEW-STREET SQUARE</p> - -<h1><span style="font-size:100%">HISTORY</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:50%">OF</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:100%">THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:75%">IN THE TIME OF CALVIN.</span></h1> - - <p>BY J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNÉ, D.D.</p> - - <p class="x-small">AUTHOR OF THE<br /> - 'HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY' ETC.</p> - -<p><span style="font-size:80%">'Les choses de petite durée ont coutume -de devenir fanées, quand elles out passé leur temps.</span></p> - -<p><span style="font-size:80%">'Au règne de Christ, il n'y a que le -nouvel homme qui soit florissant, qui ait de la vigueur, et dont il -faille faire cas.'</span></p> - -<div class="right2"><span style="font-size:80%"><span class="smc">Calvin.</span></span></div> - - <p>VOL. II.</p> - - <p><span class="smc">GENEVA and FRANCE.</span></p> - - <p>LONDON:<br /> - LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN.<br /> - 1863.</p> - -<hr /> - -</div> - -<div class="contents"> - - <h2>CONTENTS<br /> - <span style="font-size:50%">OF</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE SECOND VOLUME.</span></h2> - - <p>BOOK II.<br /> - FRANCE. FAVOURABLE TIMES.</p> - - <p style="margin-top:1.5em">CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">JOHN CALVIN, A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY - OF ORLEANS.</span><br /> - (1527-1528.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Calvin's Friend—The Students at Orleans—Pierre de l'Etoile—Opinions -concerning Heretics—Calvin received in the Picard Nation—Calvin -nominated Proctor—Procession for the Maille de Florence—Distinguished by -the Professors—His Friends at Orleans—Daniel and his Family—Melchior -Wolmar—Calvin studies Greek with him—Benefit to the Church of God</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_1">1</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN, TAUGHT AT ORLEANS OF GOD AND MAN, BEGINS TO - DEFEND AND PROPAGATE THE FAITH.</span><br /> - (1528.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Wolmar teaches him about Germany—Orleans in 1022 and 1528—Calvin's -Anguish and Humility—What made the Reformers triumph—Phases of Calvin's -Conversion—He does not invent a new Doctrine—I sacrifice my Heart to -Thee—His Zeal in Study—He supplies Pierre de l'Etoile's place—Calvin -sought as a Teacher—He seeks a Hiding-place for Study—Explains the -Gospel in Private Families—His first Ministry.</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_14">14</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN CALLED AT BOURGES TO THE EVANGELICAL WORK.</span><br /> - (1528-1529.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Calvin at his Father's Bed-side—His first Letter—Beza arrives at -Orleans—Calvin goes to Bourges—Brilliant Lessons of Alciati—Wolmar and -Calvin at Bourges—Wolmar calls him to the Evangelical Ministry—The -Priest and the Minister—Calvin's Hesitation—He evangelises—Preaches at -Lignières—Recalled by his Father's Death—Preachings at Bourges—Tumult</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_27">27</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY, A MARTYR - FOR THE GOSPEL.</span><br /> - (1529.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Margaret's Regret—Complaints of Erasmus—Plot of the Sorbonne against -Berquin—His Indictment prepared—The Queen intercedes for him—Berquin at -the Conciergerie—Discovery of the Letter—He is imprisoned in a strong -Tower—Sentence—Recourse to God—Efforts of Budæus to save him—His Earnest -Appeals to Berquin—Fall and Uprising of Berquin—Margaret writes to the -King—Haste of the Judges—Procession to the Stake—Berquin joyous in the -presence of Death—His Last Moments—Effect on the Spectators—Murmurs, -Tricks, and Indignation—Effect of his Death in France—The Martyrs' -Hymn—The Reformer rises again from his Ashes</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_41">41</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FIRST LABOURS OF CALVIN AT PARIS.</span><br /> - (1529.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Calvin turns towards a Christian Career—His old Patrons—Calvin's Sermon -and Hearers—Determines to go to Paris—Focus of Light—Coiffart's -Invitation—Professor Cop goes to see him—Visit to a Nunnery—An Excursion -on horseback—Devotes himself to Theology—Speaks in the Secret -Assemblies—Movement in the <i>Quartier Latin</i>—Writings put into -circulation—Calvin endeavours to bring back Briçonnet—Fills the Vessels -with costly Wine—Efforts to convert a young Rake—Beda attacks the King's -Professors—Calvin's Scriptural Principles—Small Beginnings of a great -Work</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_63">63</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">MARGARET'S SORROWS AND THE FESTIVITIES OF - THE COURT.</span><br /> - (1530-1531.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Margaret promotes Unity—Progress of the Reformation—Death of the Queen's -Child—Orders a <i>Te Deum</i> to be sung—Marriage of Francis I. and -Eleanor—Crowd of learned Men—Margaret in the Desert—The Fountain Pure -and Free—Fatal Illness of Louisa of Savoy—Margaret's Care and -Zeal—Magnificent but chimerical Project</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_82">82</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DIPLOMATISTS, BACKSLIDERS, MARTYRS.</span><br /> - (1531.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Charles V. accuses the Protestants—The German Protestants to Francis -I.—The King sends an Envoy to them—The Envoy's Imprudence and -Diplomacy—Queen Margaret's Prayer-book—Lecoq's Sermon before the -King—<i>Sursum Corda</i>—Lecoq's Interview with the King—Lecoq's -Fall—Fanaticism at Toulouse—Jean de Caturce finds Christ—Twelfth-night -Supper—Caturce arrested—His Degradation—He disputes with a Monk—Two -Modes of Reformation</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_93">93</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN'S SEPARATION FROM THE HIERARCHY: - HIS FIRST WORK, HIS FRIENDS.</span><br /> - (1532.)</p> - -<p class="gist">Daniel tries to bind Calvin to the Church—Calvin resists the -Temptation—His Commentary on Seneca's <i>Clemency</i>—His Motives—His -Difficulties and Troubles—Zeal in making his Book known—Calvin's Search -for Bibles in Paris—An unfortunate <i>Frondeur</i>—Calvin receives him -kindly—Various Attacks-The Shop of La Forge—Du Tillet and his -Uncertainty—Testimony rendered to Calvin—Relations between Queen -Margaret and Calvin—He refuses to enter the Queen's Service—The Arms of -the Lord</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_110">110</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">SMALKALDE AND CALAIS.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">March to October 1532.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">William du Bellay and his Projects—Luther opposed to War—Alliance of -Smalkalde-Assemblies at Frankfort and Schweinfurt—Luther's Opposition to -Diplomacy—No Shedding of Blood—Du Bellay's Speech—Du Bellay and the -Landgrave—The Wurtemberg Question—Peace of Nuremberg—Great Epochs of -Revival—Francis I. unites with Henry VIII.—Confidential Intercourse at -Bologna—Plan to emancipate his Kingdom from the Pope—Message sent by -Francis to the Pope—Christendom will separate from Rome</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_126">126</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">A CAPTIVE PRINCE ESCAPES FROM THE HANDS OF - THE EMPEROR.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1532.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Alarm occasioned by this Conference—Christopher of Wurtemberg—His -Adversity—The Emperor and his Court cross the Alps—Christopher's -Flight—He is sought for in vain—Claims the Restoration of Wurtemberg</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_142">142</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE GOSPEL PREACHED AT THE LOUVRE AND IN THE - METROPOLITAN CHURCHES.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Lent 1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Roussel invited to preach in the Churches—His Fears—Refusal of the -Sorbonne—Preachings at the Louvre—Crowded Congregations—Effects of these -Preachings—Margaret again desires to open the Churches—Courault and -Berthaud preach in them—Essence of Evangelical Preaching—Its -Effects—Agitation of the Sorbonne—They will not listen—Picard, the -Firebrand—Sedition of Beda and the Monks—The People agitated—God holds -the Tempests in his Hand</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_150">150</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DEFEAT OF THE ROMISH PARTY IN PARIS, AND MOMENTARY - TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL.</span><br /> - (1533.)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Chiefs of the two Parties imprisoned—Beda traverses Paris on his -Mule—Indignation of the King—He insults the Deputies of the -Sorbonne—Duprat imprisons Picard—Priests and Doctors summoned—Francis -resolves to prosecute the Papists—Condemnation of the three Chiefs—Is -the Cause of Rome lost?—Grief and Joy—Illusions of the Friends of the -Reform—A Student from Strasburg—The four Doctors taken away by the -Police—Belief that the Reform has come—The Students' Satire—Their Jokes -upon Cornu—Appeal of the Sorbonne—Fresh Placards—Progress of the -Reform—If God be for us, who can be against us?—Agitation—Siderander at -the Gate of the Sorbonne—Desires to speak to Budæus—Fresh Attacks -prepared</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_165">165</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCE OF BOLOGNA. THE COUNCIL AND - CATHERINE DE MEDICI.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1532-1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Parties face to face—The Emperor demands a Council—Reasons of the -Pope against it—Moral Inertia of the Papacy—The Pope's -Stratagems—Italian League—Tournon and Gramont arrive—They try to win -over the Pope—A great but sad Affair—Catherine de Medici—Offer and -Demand of Francis I.—The Pope's Joy—Thoughts of Henry VIII. on the -proposed Marriage—Advantages to be derived from it</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_188">188</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">INTRIGUES OF CHARLES V., FRANCIS I., AND CLEMENT VII. AROUND - CATHERINE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1532-1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Doubts insinuated by Charles V.—Let the Full Powers be demanded—The -King's Hesitation—The Full Powers arrive—The Emperor's new Manœuvres—His -Vexation—Charles V. demands a General Council—Francis I. proposes a Lay -Council—Importance of that Document—True Evangelical Councils—Charles -condemns and Francis justifies—Secularisation of the Popedom—The Pope -signs the Italian League—Cardinals' Hats demanded—Vexation of Charles V.— -Projected Interview between the King and the Pope—The Marriage will -take place</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_202">202</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">STORM AGAINST THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE AND HER - MIRROR OF THE SOUL.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Uneasiness and Terror of the Ultramontanes—Plot against the Queen of -Navarre—<i>The Mirror of the Sinful Soul</i>—Beda discovers Heresy in -it—Denounces it to the Sorbonne—Assurance of Salvation—The Queen -attacked from the Pulpits—Errors of Monasticism—The <i>Tales</i> of the -Queen of Navarre—Search after and Seizure of the <i>Mirror</i>—Rage of -the Monks against the Queen—Margaret's Gentleness—Comedy acted at the -College of Navarre—The Fury Megæra—Transformation of the Queen— -Montmorency tries to ruin her—Christians made a Show</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_219">219</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">TRIUMPH OF THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Montmorency—The Prior of Issoudun—The Police at the College—Arrest of -the Principal and the Actors—Judgment of the Sorbonne denounced to the -Rector—Speech of Rector Cop—The Sorbonne disavows the Act—Le Clerq's -Speech—The University apologises—Reform Movement in France—Men of -Mark—New Attacks</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_236">236</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CATHERINE DE MEDICI GIVEN TO FRANCE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Marriage announced to the Cardinals—Stratagems of the Imperialists -to prevent it—The Swiss—The Moors—The Pope determines to go—Catherine in -the Ships of France—The Pope sails for France—Various Feelings—The -Pope's Arrival at Marseilles—Nocturnal Visit of the King to the -Pope—Embarrassment of the First President—Conferences between the King -and the Pope—The Bull against the Heretics—The Wedding—Catherine's -Joy—What Catherine brings—The Pope's Health declines—The Modern Janus</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_247">247</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">ADDRESS OF THE RECTOR TO THE UNIVERSITY - OF PARIS.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">November 1533.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Calvin and Cop share the Work—Inaugural Sitting of the University in -1533—Calvin's Address—The Will of God is manifested—Effect of the -Address—Indignation of the Sorbonne—One only Universal Church—The -University divided—Interest felt by the Queen—Calvin summoned by the -Queen—No one shall stop the Renewal of the Church—The Rector going in -State to the Parliament—Stopped by a Messenger—Cop's Flight—Order to -arrest Calvin—He is entreated to flee—Calvin's Flight—Disguise— -Probability of the Story—Goes into Hiding—Many Evangelicals leave -Paris—Margaret's Farewell</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_264">264</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCE AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN FRANCIS I. AND PHILIP - OF HESSE AT BAR-LE-DUC.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1533-1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Christopher applies to Francis—Will the King unite with the -Protestants?—Du Bellay urges him—Du Bellay passes through -Switzerland—His Speech to Austria—Christopher's Friends—Du Bellay pleads -for him—His Threats—The French Envoy triumphs—The Landgrave's -Projects—Luther opposes them—Conversation between Luther and -Melanchthon—Their Efforts with the Landgrave—Conference between the -Landgrave and the King—Philip and Francis come to an Understanding— -Francis asks for Melanchthon—The Treaty signed—Contradictions in -Francis I</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_285">285</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">TRIUMPH AND MARTYRDOM.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1533-1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Churches of Paris closed against the Gospel—Private -Assemblies—Dispersed by Morin—New Attack against the Faculty of -Letters—Lutherans threatened with the Stake—Three hundred Evangelicals -sent to Prison—Disputation between Beda and Roussel—Beda's Book -exasperates the King—Margaret intercedes for the Evangelicals—They are -set at liberty—Alexander at Geneva and in Bresse—He preaches at -Lyons—His Activity and Prudence—He is believed to possess Satanic -Powers—Margaret at Paris—The Populace hinder Roussel from -preaching—Alexander preaches at Lyons at Easter—Seized and condemned to -Death—Journey from Lyons to Paris—Appears before the Parliament—Put to -the Torture—Sacerdotal Degradation—Martyrdom—Testimony rendered to -Alexander</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_303">303</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">WURTEMBERG GIVEN TO PROTESTANTISM BY THE - KING OF FRANCE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Spring 1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Interview between Du Bellay and Bucer—The great Fusion is -preparing—Francis I. aids it—His Hopes—Fears and Predictions in -Germany—Austria invokes the Help of the Pope—Sanchez's Interview with -Clement VII.—Consequences of the Temporal Power—The Landgrave advances -with his Army—Melanchthon's Trouble—The Landgrave's Victory—Terror at -Rome—Joy at the Louvre—Wurtemberg restored to its Princes—Religious -Liberty established by the Treaty—Accessions to the Reform</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_326">326</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">SITTING AT THE LOUVRE FOR THE UNION OF - TRUTH AND CATHOLICISM.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">A Student of Nismes arrives at Wittemberg—Melanchthon's Letter to -Margaret—Conversation between Margaret and Baduel—Francis I. sends -Chelius into Germany—Melanchthon's Anguish—Chelius received with -Joy—Melanchthon's Zeal—Diverse Opinions on the Union—Bucer's Approval -and Sincerity—Memoirs of the three Doctors—Sitting at the Louvre—Bucer -and Melanchthon denounce the Blemishes of Popery—Moderation—The Church -must have a Government—One single Pontiff—Justification and the Mass—The -Sacraments—Protest against Abuses—Melanchthon's Prayer</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_342">342</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE GHOST AT ORLEANS.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Death of the Provostess of Orleans—The Provost and the Friars—Vengeance -invented by the Cordeliers—First Appearance of the Ghost—Second -Appearance—The Provostess tormented for her Lutheranism—The Official's -Investigation—The Students in the Chapel—The Provost appeals to the -King—Arrest of the Monks—They are taken to Paris—The Novice confesses -the Trick—Condemnation—End of the Matter</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_361">361</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FRANCIS I. PROPOSES A REFORMATION TO - THE SORBONNE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1534.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Francis acknowledges his Mistakes in Religion—Promises Help to the -German Protestants—French Edition of the Articles communicated to Rome -and the Sorbonne—Alarm of the Sorbonne—The French Spirit—Discussion -between the King's Ministers and the Sorbonne—The Bishops and the Roman -Pontiff—Indifferent Matters—Prayers to the Saints and Saints' Days—The -Mass-mongers—Restoration of the Lord's Supper—Communion with Christ by -Faith—Transubstantiation and the Monasteries—An Assembly of Laymen and -Divines—Peril of Catholicism—England and France—Fresh Efforts of the -Sorbonne—Is Protestantism to be feared by Kings?—Uneasiness of Calvin's -Friends—Dangers of these Conciliations—An Event about to change the -State of Things</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_375">375</a></div> -</div> - - <p>BOOK III.<br /> - FALL OF A BISHOP-PRINCE, AND FIRST EVANGELICAL - BEGINNINGS IN GENEVA.</p> - - <p style="margin-top:1.5em">CHAPTER I.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, - THE MIDDLE AGES.</span><br /> - (1526.)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Crisis—The Means of Salvation—The Nations behindhand—New Position of -Geneva—The Castles and the neighbouring Seigneurs—Pontverre against the -Swiss Alliance—The Gentlemen on the Highway—Violence and Contempt— -Sarcasms and Threats—The Genevans under arms—Moderation of the -Genevans towards the Disloyal—Favre's Mission to Berne—Cartelier's -Condemnation—Pardoned by the Bishop—The Bishop's Hesitation and Fear</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_397">397</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER II.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE GOSPEL AT GENEVA AND THE SACK OF ROME.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">January to June 1527.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Laymen and Ecclesiastics—Councillor Ab Hofen, the Friend of Zwingle, at -Geneva—His Christian Conversations—The Priests—The Politicians—Zwingle's -Encouragement—He cheers up Ab Hofen—Opposition and Dejection—Ab Hofen's -Departure, Death, and Influence—The Sack of Rome—Effects of this -Catastrophe—The Genevans compare the Pope and their Bishop—Union of -Faith and Morality</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_412">412</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER III.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE BISHOP CLINGS TO GENEVA, BUT THE - CANONS DEPART.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1527.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Bishop desires to ally with the Swiss—The Swiss refuse—Plot of the -Duke against the Bishop—The Duke's Scheme—Preparations and Warning—The -Bishop escapes—Failure of the Plot—Terror of the Bishop—The Huguenots -wish to get rid of the Canons—The Bishop puts the Canons in prison—The -Bishop desires to become a Citizen—The Syndics call for Lay -Tribunals—The Bishop grants them—Joy of the Citizens—Prerogatives of the -Bishop questioned—The Duke's Irritation—A Ducal Envoy releases the -Canons—They quit Geneva—Various Opinions about their Departure</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_425">425</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER IV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE BISHOP-PRINCE FLEES FROM GENEVA.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">July and August 1527.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Bishopers and Commoners—Complaints against the Priests—A Young Woman -kidnapped by the Bishop—The People compel him to restore her—Right of -Resistance—Quarrels of the two Parties—The Duke's Threats—The Bishop's -Fears—He determines to quit Geneva—His Night Escape—He arrives at St. -Claude—Hugues returns in safety—The Hireling abandons his Flock</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_443">443</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER V.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">EXCOMMUNICATION OF GENEVA AND FUNERAL - PROCESSION OF POPERY.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">August 1527 to February 1528.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Duke tries to gain the Bishop—The State of Geneva constituted—The -Ducal Arms fall at Geneva—Geneva excommunicated—Geneva interdicts the -Papal Bulls—Funeral Procession of Popery—Complaints of the -Priests—Attempt to deprive Bonivard of St. Victor's—Bonivard on -Excommunication—The Duke claims Authority in Matters of Faith—Resolute -Answer of the Genevans—Canons sharply reprimanded by the Duke—Intentions -of Charles</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_456">456</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER VI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE KNIGHTS OF THE SPOON LEAGUE AGAINST - GENEVA AT THE CASTLE OF BURSINEL.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">March 1528.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Complaints of Bonivard about Geneva—Certain Huguenots go to St. -Victor's—Bonivard's Address to them—Faults to be found in it—Huguenots -eat Meat in Lent—The Meeting at Bursinel—Pontverre and the Spoon—The -Fraternity of the Spoon—Alarm in Geneva—Rights of Princes and -Subjects—Bonivard defends Cartigny—The Savoyards take the -Castle—Bonivard fails to retake it—Progress of the Gospel in Geneva—Duke -and Bishop reconciled—The City looks upon the Bishop as an Enemy</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_469">469</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER VII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">INTRIGUES OF THE DUKE AND THE BISHOP.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Spring and Summer 1528.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Bishop desires to withdraw the Criminal Administration from the -Syndics—Noble Answer of the Genevans—The Bishop's Irritation—His furious -Reception of a Genevan Envoy—Calm of the Genevans—The Duke convokes a -Synod—Speech of Bishop Gazzini—Coldness of the Swiss—Ducal Intrigues in -the Convents—The Order of the Keys—The Syndics at the Dominican Convent</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_484">484</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DEATH OF PONTVERRE.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1528 to January 1529.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Pontverre plunders Bonivard—Convokes the Fraternity at Nyon—Insolence of -Pontverre when passing through Geneva—Conference at the Castle of -Nyon—Resolutions adopted there—Pontverre desires to take Geneva by -Treachery—Again attempts to pass through Geneva—His Insolence, Jests of -the Genevans—Struggle on the Rhone Bridge—Pontverre flees—Last Struggle -and Death—Act of Divine Justice—Honours paid him—Violence of the Nobles -increases—Courageous Enterprise of Lullin and Vandel—A Genevan -crucified—The Night of Holy Thursday—The Day of the Ladders</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_495">495</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER IX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE REFORMATION BEGINS TO FERMENT IN GENEVA, AND THE OPPOSITION - WITHOUT.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">April 1529 to January 1530.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Disorders and Superstitions in Geneva—Speech on the Saints' -Bodies at St. Gervais—The Souls from Purgatory in the Cemetery—Protest -at St. Gervais—Negative Reform—Representations -of the Bishop—Genevans trust in God—The Cantons cool -towards Geneva—The Swiss propose to revoke the Alliance—Energetic -Refusal of the Genevans—They incline towards the -Reform—Gazzini asks an Audience of the Pope—His Speech -about Geneva and Savoy—The Pope's Answer—Letter of -Charles V. to the Genevans—Emperor and Pope unite against -Geneva</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_513">513</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER X.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">VARIOUS MOVEMENTS IN GENEVA AND SECOND IMPRISONMENT OF - BONIVARD.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">March to May 1530.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Procurator-Fiscal's Complaints to the Council—Penalty denounced -against the Lutherans, and against Impure Priests—Building the Wall of -St. Gervais—Discourse of the Evangelical Swiss—Vandel wishes for a -Preacher at St. Victor's—Bonivard claims his Revenues—His difficult -Position—The Duke covets St. Victor's—Bonivard visits his sick -Mother—Bonivard's Enemies at Geneva—He goes to Friburg—Determines to -give up his Priory—Bellegarde welcomes Bonivard—Bonivard and his Guide -in the Jorat—He is treacherously arrested—Bonivard at Chillon—His Future</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_529">529</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE ATTACK OF 1530.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">August, September, October.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Arrest of the Fiscal Mandolla—The Bishop takes his part—Hastens his -Plans against Geneva—Bishop's Appeal to the Knights—He gives them their -Instructions for the War—Crusade to maintain the Holy Faith—Prisoners in -the Castles—Projects at Augsburg and Gex—De la Sarraz at the head of the -Knights—Troops march against Geneva—Plans of the Enemy—A Friburg Herald -maltreated—The Savoyard Army occupies the Suburbs—Preparations for the -Assault—The Emperor receives Intelligence of the War—The Army -retires—What is the Cause?—The Mercy of God—15,000 Swiss -arrive—Soldierly Controversy—Burning of the Convent of Belle Rive—Good -Catholics quartered at St. Claire—Mass at St. Claire; Preachings at St. -Pierre—Castles taken and burnt—Devotedness of the Nuns of St. -Claire—Truce of St. Julian</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_547">547</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">GENEVA RECLAIMED BY THE BISHOP, AND AWAKENED BY THE - GOSPEL.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">November 1530 to October 1531.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Emperor's Letter to the Genevans—Their Answer—Fresh Armaments of the -Duke—Decision of the Diet of Payerne—Pardon and Pilgrimage to St. -Claire—Pilgrims sent back—Fresh Pardon; Religious Liberty—Repasts of the -Pilgrims and Sarcasms of the Genevans—Angels protect St. Claire—The -Pardon followed by an Awakening—<i>De Christo meditari</i>—Farel watches -Geneva—Comprehends its Wants—Desires to send Toussaint to Geneva—He -shrinks from the Struggle—Zwingle's Prayer; Fears of the -Genevans—Examination of the Suspected—Friburg and Berne—Allies of the -two Parties at Cappel</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_573">573</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DANGERS TO WHICH THE DEFEAT AT CAPPEL - EXPOSES GENEVA.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1531 to January 1532.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Geneva attacked because elected of God—Defeat of Cappel—Triumph of the -Romanists—Berne turns her back on Geneva—The Duke and his Army -approach—Reply of Geneva to Berne—Seven Black Knights without Heads—God -prepares Geneva by Trials—Effects produced within by Evils from -without—The Swiss Patricians desire to rescind the Treaty—Geneva appeals -to the People of Berne—The Great Councils are for Geneva—Retirement and -Death of Hugues</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_591">591</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">AN EMPEROR AND A SCHOOLMASTER.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">Spring 1532.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">The Emperor desires to give Geneva to the Duke's Son—Zeal of the Duke, -Firmness of the Genevans—The two Spheres of Christianity—Insufficiency -of Negative Protestantism—Olivétan at Chautemps' House—His Piety, Zeal, -and Courage—Conversations and Sermons—Olivétan's Discourse—The -Judge—Carnal Men—Intellectual Men—Redemption by Blood—The Spirit of -Jesus Christ—The Pioneer—Olivétan's Work</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_603">603</a></div> -</div> - - <p>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE PARDON OF ROME AND THE PARDON OF HEAVEN.</span><br /> - (<span class="smc">June and July 1532.</span>)</p> - -<p class="gist">Roman Jubilees—Fermentation at Geneva—A Power which devours everything -that is given to it—Gospel Pardon of all Sins—Tumult around the -Placards—Fight in the City—Catholic Intervention of Friburg—The Council -strives to give Satisfaction—Reaction of the Evangelicals—Order to -preach without Fables—The Nuncio and the Archbishop at Chambéry—Joy of -the Evangelicals out of the City—The little Flock of Payerne—Letter of -the Lovers of the Holy Gospel—The Standard-bearers of the Gospel of -Christ—The Standard raised in Geneva—Geneva attacked by both -Parties—Which will prevail?—The Struggle grows fiercer every day—The -Strong Things of this World destroyed by the Weak</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right2"><span class="smc">Page</span> <a href="#Page_615">615</a></div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">{1}</a></div> - -<p class="center"><span style="font-size:125%">HISTORY</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:50%">OF</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:125%">THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE</span><br /> - <span style="font-size:100%">IN THE TIME OF CALVIN.</span></p> - - <h2>BOOK II.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FRANCE. FAVOURABLE TIMES.</span></h2> - - <h3>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">JOHN CALVIN A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ORLEANS.<br /> - (1527-1528.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">CALVIN, whom his father's wishes and his own -convictions urged to abandon the priestly career, -for which he was preparing, had left Paris in the -autumn of 1527, in order to go to Orleans and study -jurisprudence under Pierre de l'Etoile, who was teaching -there with great credit. 'Reuchlin, Aleander, and -even Erasmus, have professed in this city,' said his -pupils; 'but the Star (Etoile) eclipses all these suns.' -He was regarded as the prince of French jurists.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_1" id="Ref_1" href="#Foot_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<p>When Calvin arrived in that ancient city to which -the Emperor Aurelian had given his name, he kept -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">{2}</a></span> -himself apart, being naturally timid, and repelled by -the noisy vivacity of the students. Yet his loving -disposition sighed after a friend; and such he found -in a young scholar, Nicholas Duchemin, who was -preparing himself for a professorship in the faculty of -letters.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_2" id="Ref_2" href="#Foot_2">[2]</a></span> -Calvin fixed on him an observing eye, and -found him modest, temperate, not at all susceptible, -adopting no opinion without examination,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_3" id="Ref_3" href="#Foot_3">[3]</a></span> -of equitable -judgment, extreme prudence, and great mildness, but -also a little slow in his movements. Duchemin's -character formed a striking contrast with the vivacity, -ardour, severity, activity, and, we will add, the susceptibility -of Calvin. Yet he felt himself attracted towards -the gentle nature of the young professor, and -the very difference of their temperaments shed an -inexpressible charm over all their intercourse. As -Duchemin had but moderate means, he received students -in his house, as many of the citizens did. Calvin -begged to be admitted also, and thus became one of -the members of his household. He soon loved Duchemin -with all the energy of a heart of twenty, and -rejoiced at finding in him a Mommor, an Olivétan, -and even more. He wanted to share everything with -Nicholas, to converse with him perpetually; and they -had hardly parted, when he began to long to be with -him again. 'Dear Duchemin!' he said to him, 'my -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">{3}</a></span> -friend, you are dearer to me than life.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_4" id="Ref_4" href="#Foot_4">[4]</a></span> -Ardent as -was this friendship, it was not blind. Calvin, true to -his character, discovered the weak point of his friend, -who was deficient, he thought, in energy; and he -reproved him for it. 'Take care,' he said, 'lest your -great modesty should degenerate into indolence.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_5" id="Ref_5" href="#Foot_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE STUDENTS AT ORLEANS.=</p> - -<p>The scholar of Noyon, consoled by this noble friendship, -began to examine more closely the university -population around him. He was surprised to see -crowds of students filling the streets, caring nothing -for learning, so far as he could tell. At one time he -would meet a young lord, in tight hose, with a richly -embroidered doublet, small Spanish cloak, velvet cap, -and showy dagger. This young gentleman, followed -by his servant, would take the wall, toss his head -haughtily, cast impertinent looks on each side of him, -and want every one to give way to him. Farther on -came a noisy band composed of the sons of wealthy -tradesmen, who appeared to have no more taste for -study than the sons of the nobility, and who went -singing and 'larking' to one of the numerous tennis-courts, -of which there were not less than forty in the -city. Ten <i>nations</i>, afterwards reduced to four, composed -the university. The German nation combined -with 'the living and charming beauty of the body' -that of a mind polished by continual study. Its -library was called 'the abode of the Muses.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_6" id="Ref_6" href="#Foot_6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<p>Calvin made a singular figure in the midst of the -world around him. His small person and sallow face -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">{4}</a></span> -formed a strong contrast with the ruddy features and -imposing stature of Luther's fellow-countrymen. One -thing, however, delighted him: 'The university,' he -said, 'is quite a republican oasis in the midst of enslaved -France.' The democratic spirit was felt even -by the young aristocrats who were at the head of each -nation, and the only undisputed authority in Orleans -was that of Pierre de l'Etoile.</p> - -<p class="side">=ÉTOILE ON HERETICS.=</p> - -<p>This 'morning-star'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_7" id="Ref_7" href="#Foot_7">[7]</a></span> -(as the registers of the Picard -nation call him) had risen above the fogs and was -shining like the sun in the schools. The great doctor -combined an eminently judicial mind with an affectionate -heart; he was inflexible as a judge, and tender -as a mother. His manner of teaching possessed an -inexpressible charm. As member of the council of -1528, he had advocated the repression of heresy; but -he had no sooner met Calvin at Orleans than, attracted -by the beauty of his genius and the charms of his -character, he loved him tenderly. Although opposed -to the young man's religious opinions, he was proud -of having him as his pupil, and was his friend to the -last: thus giving a touching example in the sixteenth -century of that noble christian equity which loves -men while disapproving of their opinions.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_8" id="Ref_8" href="#Foot_8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<p>Calvin, sitting on one of the benches in the school, -listened attentively to the great doctor, and imbibed -certain principles whose justice no one at that time in -all christendom thought of disputing. 'The prosperity -of nations,' said Pierre de l'Etoile, 'depends upon -obedience to the laws. If they punish outrages against -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">{5}</a></span> -the rights of man, much more ought they to punish -outrages against the rights of God. What! shall the -law protect a man in his body and goods, and not in -his soul and his most precious and eternal inheritance?... -A thief shall not be able to rob us of our purses, -but a heretic may deprive us of heaven!' Jurists and -students, nobles and people, were all convinced that -the law ought equally to guarantee temporal and -spiritual goods. 'Those insensate and furious men,' -said the code which Pierre de l'Etoile was expounding -to his pupils, 'who proclaim heretical and infamous -opinions, and reject the apostolic and evangelical -doctrine of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one -only Godhead and one holy Trinity, ought first to be -delivered up to divine vengeance, and afterwards visited -with corporal punishment.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_9" id="Ref_9" href="#Foot_9">[9]</a></span> -Is not that a <i>public offence</i>?' -added the code; 'and although committed -against the religion of God, is it not to the prejudice -of all mankind?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_10" id="Ref_10" href="#Foot_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p>Pierre de l'Etoile's youthful hearers received from -these words those deep impressions which, being made -while the character is forming, are calculated to last -through life. The mind of man required time to -throw off these legal prejudices, which had been the -universal law of the understanding for more than -a thousand years.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_11" id="Ref_11" href="#Foot_11">[11]</a></span> -Could it be expected that a young -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">{6}</a></span> -disciple, rising up against the most venerable teachers, -should draw a distinction between the temporal and -the spiritual sphere, between the old and the new -economy, and insist that, inasmuch as grace had been -proclaimed by virtue of the great sacrifice offered to -eternal justice, it was repugnant to the Gospel of Christ -for man to avenge the law of God by severe punishments? -No: during the sixteenth, and even the -seventeenth century, almost all enlightened minds -remained, in this respect, sunk in lamentable error.</p> - -<p>Calvin, bashful and timid at first, gradually came -round; his society was courted, and he conversed -readily with all. He was received into the Picard -nation. 'I swear,' he said, 'to guard the honour of -the university and of my nation.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_12" id="Ref_12" href="#Foot_12">[12]</a></span> -Yet he did not -suffer himself to be bound by the university spirit: -he had a larger mind than his fellow-students, and we -find him in relation with men of all nations, towards -whom he was drawn by a community of affection -and study. Etoile gave his lessons in the monastery -of Bonne Nouvelle. Calvin listened silently to the -master's words, but between the lessons he talked -with his companions, went in and out, or paced up -and down the hall like the rest. One day, going up to -one of the pillars, he took out his knife and carved a -C, then an A, and at last there stood the word <span class="smc">Calvin</span>, -as the historian of the university informs us. It was -<i>Cauvin</i> perhaps, his father's name, or else <i>Calvinus</i>, -for the students were fond of latinising their names. -It was not until some time after, when the Latin word -had been retranslated into French, that the Reformer -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">{7}</a></span> -bore the more familiar name. This <i>Calvin</i> long remained -on the pillar where the hand of the young -Picard had cut it—a name of quarrels and discussions, -insulted by the devout, but respected by many. -'This precious autograph has disappeared,' says the -historian, 'with the last vestiges of the building.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_13" id="Ref_13" href="#Foot_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN HEAD OF THE PICARD NATION.=</p> - -<p>The Picards, proud of such a colleague, raised -him to the highest post in the nation—that of proctor. -Calvin was thus in the front rank in the public processions -and assemblies of the university. He had to -convene meetings, examine, order, decide, execute, and -sign diplomas. Instead of assembling his <i>nationals</i> -at a jovial banquet, Calvin, who had been struck -by the disorders which had crept into these convivial -meetings, paid over to the treasurer the sum -which he would have expended, and made a present -of books to the university library.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_14" id="Ref_14" href="#Foot_14">[14]</a></span> -Erelong his -office compelled him to display that firmness of character -which distinguished him all his life. This hitherto -unknown incident is worthy of being recorded.</p> - -<p>Every year, on the anniversary of the Finding of -the Body of St. Firmin, the inhabitants of the little -town of Beaugency, near Orleans, appeared in the -church of St. Pierre, and, after the epistle had been -chanted, handed to the proctor of the Picard nation -a piece of gold called <i>maille de Florence</i>, of two -crowns' weight.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_15" id="Ref_15" href="#Foot_15">[15]</a></span> -'The origin of this ancient custom,' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">{8}</a></span> -they told Calvin, 'was this. On the 13th of January, -687, the body of St. Firmin the martyr having been -solemnly exhumed, a marvellous change took place -in nature. The trees put forth fresh leaves and -blossoms, and at the same time a supernatural odour -filled the air. Simon, lord of Beaugency, who suffered -from leprosy, having gone to the window of his -castle to witness the ceremony, was restored to health -by the sweet savour. In token of his gratitude he -settled an annual offering of a gold <i>maille</i>, payable -at first to the chapter of Amiens, and afterwards to -the Picard students embodied in their nation at -Orleans.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_16" id="Ref_16" href="#Foot_16">[16]</a></span></p> - -<p>Calvin, who blames 'the old follies and nonsense -which men substitute for the glory of Jesus Christ,' -did not place great faith in this miracle. However, -as the tribute was not paid in 1527, he resolved to go -with his 'nation' and demand it. He assembled his -fellow-students, and placing a band of music and the -beadles in front, he led the procession; all his 'nationals' -followed after him in a line, and in due course -the joyous troop arrived at Beaugency, where the -<i>maille</i> was placed in his hand. It bore in front an -image of John the Baptist, and on the reverse a fleur-de-lys -with the word <i>Florentia</i>. The Picard students -were satisfied, and, with their illustrious chief at their -head, resumed the road to Orleans, bringing back the -golden <i>maille</i> in triumph, as Jason and the Argonauts -had in days of yore returned from Colchis with the -golden fleece. The procession reentered the city -amid the shouts of the university. Calvin was one -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">{9}</a></span> -day to rob the <i>dragon</i> of a more magnificent treasure, -and nations more numerous were to show their joy by -louder shouts of gladness.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_17" id="Ref_17" href="#Foot_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S STUDIES AND FRIENDS.=</p> - -<p>Although Calvin would not separate from his -fellow-students, he often suffered in the midst of this -noisy and dissolute multitude, and turned with disgust -from the duels, intrigues, and excesses which -filled so large a space in the student life. He preferred -study, and had applied to the law with his whole -heart.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_18" id="Ref_18" href="#Foot_18">[18]</a></span> -The vivacity of his wit, the strength of his -memory, the remarkable style in which he clothed the -lessons of his masters, the facility with which he -caught up certain expressions, certain sentences, which -fell from their lips, 'the starts and flashes of a bright -mind, which he displayed at intervals,'—all this, says -a Roman-catholic historian, soon made him distinguished -by the professors.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_19" id="Ref_19" href="#Foot_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p>But he was destined to find something better on -the banks of the Loire: the work begun at Paris was -to be strengthened and developed at Orleans. Calvin, -always beloved by those who knew him, made numerous -friends, especially among certain men attacked -by the priests, and whose faith was full of christian -meekness. Every day he had a serious conversation -with Duchemin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_20" id="Ref_20" href="#Foot_20">[20]</a></span> -In order to lessen his expenses, -he had shared his room with a pious German, formerly -a grey friar, who having learnt, as Luther -said, that it is not the cowl of St. Francis which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">{10}</a></span> -saves, but the blood of Jesus Christ, had thrown off -his filthy frock<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_21" id="Ref_21" href="#Foot_21">[21]</a></span> - and come to France. The Picard -student talked with him of Germany and of the Reformation; -and some persons have thought that this -was what first 'perverted Calvin from the true -faith.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_22" id="Ref_22" href="#Foot_22">[22]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=DUCHEMIN, DANIEL, WOLMAR.=</p> - -<p>Next to the house of Duchemin where the wind -of the new doctrine was blowing; next to the library, -whose curator, Philip Laurent, became his friend: -Calvin loved particularly to visit the family of an -advocate where three amiable, educated, and pious -ladies afforded him the charms of agreeable conversation. -It was that of Francis Daniel, 'a person,' -says Beza, 'who, like Duchemin, had a knowledge of -the truth.' He was a grave and influential man, -possessing inward christianity, and (perhaps his profession -of lawyer had something to do with it) of a -very conservative mind, holding both to the forms and -ordinances of the Church. Calvin, on leaving the -schools, the library, and his study, used to seek relaxation -in this house. The company of educated and -pious women may have exercised a happy influence -over his mind, which he would have sought in vain -in the society of the learned. And accordingly, -whenever he was away, he did not fail to remember -his friend's mother, wife, and sister Frances.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_23" id="Ref_23" href="#Foot_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the company of these ladies he sometimes met a -young man for whom he felt but little sympathy: he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">{11}</a></span> -was a student from Paris, Coiffard by name, lively, -active, intelligent, but selfish.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_24" id="Ref_24" href="#Foot_24">[24]</a></span> -How much he preferred -Daniel, in whom he found a mind so firm, a -soul so elevated, and with whom he held such profitable -conversations! The two friends were agreed on -one point—the necessity of a Reformation of the -Church; but they soon came to another point which -at a later day occasioned a wide divergence between -them. 'The reformation,' said the advocate, 'must -be accomplished in the Church; we must not separate -from the Church.' The intercourse between Calvin -and Duchemin gradually became less frequent; the -latter, being naturally rather negligent, did not reply -to his friend's letters.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_25" id="Ref_25" href="#Foot_25">[25]</a></span> -But Calvin's attachment for -Daniel grew stronger so long as the reformer remained -in France, and to him almost all the letters are addressed -which he wrote between 1529 and 1536.</p> - -<p>But all these friendships did not satisfy Calvin; at -Daniel's, at Duchemin's, at the library, and wherever -he went, he heard talk of a man whom he soon burned -to know, and who exercised over him more influence -than all the rest. A poor young German of Rotweil, -named Melchior Wolmar, had come to Paris, -and, being forced to work for a living, had served for -some time as corrector for the press.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_26" id="Ref_26" href="#Foot_26">[26]</a></span> -Greedy of -knowledge, the youthful reader quitted his proofs -from time to time, and slipped among the students -who crowded round the illustrious John Lascaris, -Budæus, and Lefèvre. In the school of the latter he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">{12}</a></span> -became a sincere christian; in the school of the former, -a great hellenist. When he took his degree of -M.A. along with a hundred others, he occupied the -first place. Having one day (when in Germany) to -make a speech in his mother-tongue, Wolmar asked -permission to speak in Greek, because, he said, that -language was more familiar to him. He had been -invited to Orleans to teach Greek; and being poor, -notwithstanding his learning, he took into his house -a small number of young children of good family. -'He was my faithful instructor,' says one of them, -Theodore Beza; 'with what marvellous skill he gave -his lessons, not only in the liberal arts, but also in -piety!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_27" id="Ref_27" href="#Foot_27">[27]</a></span> -His pupils did not call him <i>Melchior</i>, but -<i>Melior</i> (better).</p> - -<p class="side">=STUDY OF GREEK.=</p> - -<p>Calvin, whose exalted soul was attracted by all that -is beautiful, became attached to this distinguished -professor. His father had sent him to study civil -law; but Wolmar 'solicited him to devote himself to -a knowledge of the Greek classics.' At first Calvin -hesitated, but yielded at last. 'I will study Greek,' -he said, 'but as it is you that urge me, you also -must assist me.' Melchior answered that he was -ready to devote to him abundantly, not only his instruction, -but his person, his life, himself.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_28" id="Ref_28" href="#Foot_28">[28]</a></span> -From -that time Calvin made the most rapid progress in -Greek literature. The professor loved him above all -his pupils.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_29" id="Ref_29" href="#Foot_29">[29]</a></span> -In this way he was placed in a condition -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">{13}</a></span> -to become the most illustrious commentator of -Scripture. 'His knowledge of Greek,' adds Beza, -'was of great service to all the Church of God.' -What Cordier had been to him for Latin, Wolmar -was for Greek.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_1" id="Foot_1" href="#Ref_1">[1]</a> -'Jurisconsultorum Gallorum princeps.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_2" id="Foot_2" href="#Ref_2">[2]</a> -'Jam dedisti nomen inter rei litterariæ professores.'—Calvinus Chemino, -Berne MSS. This letter will be found in the <i>Letters of John -Calvin</i>, published in English at Philadelphia, by the learned Dr. Jules -Bonnet, to whom I am indebted for the communication of the Latin -manuscripts.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_3" id="Foot_3" href="#Ref_3">[3]</a> -'In ea natus es dexteritate, quæ nihil imprudenter præjudicare soleat.'—Calvinus -Chemino.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_4" id="Foot_4" href="#Ref_4">[4]</a> -'Mi Chemine! amice mi! mea vita charior!'—Calvinus Chemino.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_5" id="Foot_5" href="#Ref_5">[5]</a> -'Vide ne desidem te faciat tuus pudor!'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_6" id="Foot_6" href="#Ref_6">[6]</a> -Le Maire, <i>Antiquités d'Orléans</i>, i. p. 388.—<i>Theod. Beza</i> von Baum, -i. p. 27.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_7" id="Foot_7" href="#Ref_7">[7]</a> -'Ille quasi stella matutina in medio nebulæ et quasi sol refulgens -emicuit.'—Bimbenet, <i>Histoire de l'Université des Lois d'Orléans</i>, p. 357.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_8" id="Foot_8" href="#Ref_8">[8]</a> -Ibid. pp. 354-357.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_9" id="Foot_9" href="#Ref_9">[9]</a> -'Hæretici divina primum vindicta, post etiam ... ultione plectendi.'—<i>Justiniani -Codicis</i> lib. i. tit. i.: <i>De summa Trinitate, et ut nemo de ea -publice contradicere audeat</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_10" id="Foot_10" href="#Ref_10">[10]</a> -'Publicum crimen, quia quod in religionem divinam committitur in -omnium fertur injuriam.'—Ibid. tit. v.: <i>De Hæreticis</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_11" id="Foot_11" href="#Ref_11">[11]</a> -The Justinian code dates from 529 <small>A.D.</small>, just a thousand years before -the time of Calvin's studies; but the greater part of the laws contained -in it were of older date.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_12" id="Foot_12" href="#Ref_12">[12]</a> -Bimbenet, <i>Hist. de l'Univ. des Lois d'Orléans</i>, p. 30.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_13" id="Foot_13" href="#Ref_13">[13]</a> -Bimbenet, <i>Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans</i>, p. 358. The prefecture now -occupies the site of Bonne Nouvelle.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_14" id="Foot_14" href="#Ref_14">[14]</a> -Ibid. pp. 40, 41, 51, 52, 358.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_15" id="Foot_15" href="#Ref_15">[15]</a> -This <i>maille</i> was probably the gold florin of Florence. The <i>giglio -fiorentino</i> is the badge of this city, and John the Baptist its patron.</p> - -<p style="padding-left:4em">'La lega suggellata del Batista,'</p> - -<p class="nodent">says Dante in the <i>Inferno</i>, xxx. 74.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_16" id="Foot_16" href="#Ref_16">[16]</a> -M. Bimbenet, chief greffier to the Imperial Court of Orleans, gives -this tradition in his <i>Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans</i>, pp. 161, 162, 179-358.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_17" id="Foot_17" href="#Ref_17">[17]</a> -<i>Hist. de l'Univ. d'Orléans</i>, pp. 173, 176, 179.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_18" id="Foot_18" href="#Ref_18">[18]</a> -'Ut patris voluntati obsequerer, fidelem operam impendere conatus -sum.'—Calv. <i>in Psalm</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_19" id="Foot_19" href="#Ref_19">[19]</a> -'Singularem ingenii alacritatem,' &c.—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de -l'Hérésie</i>, liv. vii. ch. ix.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_20" id="Foot_20" href="#Ref_20">[20]</a> -'Longa consuetudine diuturnoque usu.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_21" id="Foot_21" href="#Ref_21">[21]</a> -'Läusige Kappe.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_22" id="Foot_22" href="#Ref_22">[22]</a> -<i>Remarques sur la Vie de Calvin, Hérésiarque</i>, by J. Desmay, vicar-general, -p. 43.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_23" id="Foot_23" href="#Ref_23">[23]</a> -'Saluta matrem, uxorem, sororem Franciscam.'—Calvinus Danieli, -Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_24" id="Foot_24" href="#Ref_24">[24]</a> -'De Coiffartio quid aliud dicam, nisi hominem esse sibi natum?'—Calvinus -Danieli, Geneva MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_25" id="Foot_25" href="#Ref_25">[25]</a> -<i>Calvin's Letters</i>, Philadelphia, i. p. 32.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_26" id="Foot_26" href="#Ref_26">[26]</a> -Wolmar, <i>Commentaire sur l'Iliade</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_27" id="Foot_27" href="#Ref_27">[27]</a> -Beza, <i>Vie de Calvin et Histoire des Eglises Réformées</i>, i. p. 67.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_28" id="Foot_28" href="#Ref_28">[28]</a> -'Quam liberaliter paratus fueris te mihi officiaque tua impendere.'—Calv. -<i>in 2ᵃᵐ Ep. ad Cor.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_29" id="Foot_29" href="#Ref_29">[29]</a> -'Præ cæteris discipulis diligere ac magnifacere eum cœpit.'—Flor. -Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, liv. vii. ch. ix.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">{14}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN TAUGHT AT ORLEANS OF GOD AND MAN;<br /> - BEGINS TO DEFEND AND PROPAGATE THE FAITH.<br /> - (1528.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">CALVIN was to receive something more from Wolmar; -he was about to begin, under his guidance, -the work of all his life—to learn and to teach Christ. -The knowledge which he acquired at the university of -Orleans, philosophy, law, and even Greek, could not -suffice him. The moral faculty is the first in man, -and ought to be the first in the university also. The -object of the Reformation was to found, not an intellectual, -but a moral empire; it was to restore holiness -to the Church. This empire had begun in Calvin; -his conscience had been stirred; he had sought salvation -and found it; but he had need of knowledge, of -increase in grace, of practice in life, and these he was -about to strive after.</p> - -<p class="side">=WOLMAR AND CALVIN STUDY THE EPISTLES.=</p> - -<p>Melchior, like Melanchthon, had set himself to -study the Holy Scriptures in the original languages, -and in them had found light and peace. Calvin, on -his side, 'having acquired some taste for true piety,' -as he informs us, 'was burning with a great desire to -advance.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_30" id="Ref_30" href="#Foot_30">[30]</a></span> -The most intimate confidence and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">{15}</a></span> -freest communication were established between the -professor and the scholar. Melchior spoke to Calvin -of Germany and the Reformation; he read the Greek -Testament with him, set before him the riches of Christ -announced therein, and, when studying the Epistles -of St. Paul, explained to him the doctrine of imputed -righteousness which forms the essence of their teaching. -Calvin, seated in his master's study, listened in silence, -and respectfully embraced that mystery so strange -and yet so profoundly in harmony with the righteousness -of God!... 'By faith,' said Wolmar, 'man is -united to Christ and Christ to him, so that it is no -longer man whom God sees in the sinner, but his -dearly beloved Son himself; and the act by virtue of -which God makes the sinner an inheritor of heaven, -is not an arbitrary one. The doctrine of justification,' -added Wolmar, 'is in Luther's opinion the capital -doctrine, <i>articulus stantis vel cadentis Ecclesiæ.</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_31" id="Ref_31" href="#Foot_31">[31]</a></span></p> - -<p>But Calvin's chief teacher was God. At Orleans -he had more of those struggles, which are often prolonged -in strong natures. Some take him simply for -a metaphysical thinker, a learned and subtle theologian; -on the contrary, no other doctor has had more -experience of those tempests that stir up the heart to -its lowest deeps. 'I feel myself pricked and stung -to the quick by the judgment of God. I am in a continual -battle; I am assaulted and shaken, as when an -armed man is forced by a violent blow to stagger a -few steps backwards.' The light which had rejoiced -him so much when he was in college at Paris, seemed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">{16}</a></span> -almost to have faded away. 'I am like a wretched -man shut up in a deep dungeon, who receives the -light of day obliquely and in part, only through a high -and narrow loop-hole.' He persevered, however; he -fixed his eyes on Jesus, and was soon able to say: 'If -I have not the full and free sight of the sun, I distinguish -however his light afar, and enjoy its brightness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_32" id="Ref_32" href="#Foot_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<p>People at Orleans soon found out that there was -something new and strange in this young man. It -was in this city, in the year 1022, that the revival of -modern times, if we may so speak, had begun among -the heads of a school of theology at that time very -celebrated. Priests and canons had told the people -who listened to them, both in Orleans and in the -neighbouring towns, 'that they ought to be filled -with the gift of the Holy Spirit; that this Spirit -would reveal to them all the depths and all the dignity -of the Scriptures;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_33" id="Ref_33" href="#Foot_33">[33]</a></span> -that they would be fed with -heavenly food and refreshed by an inward fulness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_34" id="Ref_34" href="#Foot_34">[34]</a></span></p> - -<p>These <i>heretics</i> had been put to death at Orleans. -Would they be seen rising again, after more than -five centuries, in the city and even in the university? -Many doctors and students opposed Calvin: 'You -are a schismatic,' they said; 'you are separating from -the Church!' Calvin, alarmed at these accusations, -was a prey to fresh anguish.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S ANGUISH AND HUMILITY.=</p> - -<p>Then, as he informs us, he began to meditate on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">{17}</a></span> -the Psalms, and in the struggles of David he found -an image of his own: 'Ah!' he exclaimed, 'the Holy -Spirit has here painted to the life all the pains, sorrows, -fears, doubts, hopes, anxieties, perplexities, and -even the confused emotions with which my mind is -wont to be agitated.... This book is an anatomy of -all the parts of the soul.... There is no affection in -man which is not here represented as in a glass.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_35" id="Ref_35" href="#Foot_35">[35]</a></span></p> - -<p>This man, whom the Romish and other legends -describe as vain, proud, and insensible, desired to see -himself as he was, without screening any of his faults. -'Of the many infirmities to which we are subject,' he -said, 'and of the many vices of which we are full, not -one ought to be hidden. Ah! truly it is an excellent -and singular gain, when all the hiding-places are laid -open, and the heart is brought into the light and -thoroughly cleansed of all hypocrisy and foul infection.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_36" id="Ref_36" href="#Foot_36">[36]</a></span></p> - -<p>Such are the principles by which the Reformation -has triumphed. Its great organs desired that men's -hearts should be 'cleansed of all foul infection.' It is -a singular delusion of those writers who, seeing things -otherwise than they are, ascribe this divine work to -vile interests and base passions. According to them, -its causes were jealousy of the Augustine monks, the -ambition of princes, the greed of nobles, and the -carnal passions of priests, which, however, as we have -seen, had but too free scope during the middle ages. -A searching glance into the souls of the Reformers -lays bare to us the cause of the revival. If the -writers of whom I have spoken were right, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">{18}</a></span> -Reformation ought not to have waited until Luther for -its accomplishment; for there had existed for ages in -christendom ambitious princes, greedy nobles, jealous -monks, and impure priests. But what was really -a new thing was to find men who, like the reformers, -opened their hearts to the light of the Holy -Spirit, believed in the Word of God, found Jesus -Christ, esteemed everything in comparison with -him as loss, lived the life of God, and desired that -'all hiding-places should be laid open,' and men's -hearts cleansed of all hypocrisy. Such were the true -sources of the Reformation.</p> - -<p>The adversaries of the Gospel understood the -danger incurred by the Church of Rome from the -principles professed by Calvin; and hence they called -him wicked and profane, and, as he says, 'heaped -upon his head a world of abuse.' They said that -he ought to be expelled from the Church. Then -the student, 'cast down but not destroyed,' retiring -to his chamber, would exclaim: 'If I am at war with -such masters, I am not, however, at war with thy -Church, O God! Why should I hesitate to separate -from these false teachers whom the apostles call thy -enemies?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_37" id="Ref_37" href="#Foot_37">[37]</a></span> -... When cursed by the unrighteous -priests of their day, did not thy prophets remain in -the true unity of thy children? Encouraged by their -example, I will resist those who oppress us, and -neither their threats nor their denunciations shall -shake me.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_38" id="Ref_38" href="#Foot_38">[38]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PHASES OF CALVIN'S CONVERSION.=</p> - -<p>The conversion of Calvin, begun at Paris, was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">{19}</a></span> -completed at Orleans. There are, as we have said, -several phases in this work. The first is that of the -conscience, where the soul is aroused; the second is -that of the understanding, where the mind is enlightened; -then comes the last, where the new man is built -up, where he strikes deeper root in Christ, and bears -fruit to God. At Paris, Calvin had heard in his heart -the divine voice calling him to eternal life; at Orleans, -he constantly studied the Holy Scriptures,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_39" id="Ref_39" href="#Foot_39">[39]</a></span> -and became -'learned in the knowledge of salvation,' as -Theodore Beza tells us. The Church herself has gone -through similar phases: the first epoch of her history, -that of the apostolic fathers,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_40" id="Ref_40" href="#Foot_40">[40]</a></span> -was that of simple piety -without the scientific element; the second, the age of -the apologists, was that of a christian understanding -seeking to justify its faith in the eyes of reason. Calvin -had followed this road; but he did not give way to -an intellectualism which would have brought back -death into his heart. On the contrary, the third -phase began immediately, and from day to day the -christian life became in him more spiritual and more -active.</p> - -<p>The conversion of Calvin and of the other reformers—we -must insist upon this point—was not simply a -change wrought by study in their thoughts and in -their system. Calvin did not set himself the task of -inventing a new theology, as his adversaries have -asserted. We do not find him coldly meditating on -the Church, curiously examining the Scriptures, and -seeking in them a means of separating a portion -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">{20}</a></span> -of christendom from Rome. The Reformation was -not the fruit of abstract reasoning; it proceeded -from an inward labour, a spiritual combat, a victory -which the reformers won by the sweat of their brow, -or rather ... of their heart. Instead of composing -his doctrine chapter after chapter, Calvin, thirsting -for righteousness and peace, found it in Christ. -'Placed as in the furnace of God (they are his own -words), the scum and filth of his faith were thus -purified.' Calvin was put into the crucible, and the -new truth came forth, burning and shining like gold, -from the travail of his melted soul. In order to comprehend -the productions of nature or of art, we must -study closely the secrets of their formation. We have -on a former occasion sought to discover the generative -principle of the Reformation in the heart of -Luther; we are now striving to discern it in Calvin -also. Convictions, affections, intelligence, activity—all -these were now in process of formation in that -admirable genius under the life-giving rays of truth.</p> - -<p class="side">='I SACRIFICE MY HEART TO THEE.'=</p> - -<p>There came a moment when Calvin, desirous of -possessing God alone, renounced the world, which, -from that time, has never ceased to hate him: 'I have -not sued thee by my love, O Christ,' he said; 'thou -hast loved me of thy free will. Thou hast shone into -my soul, and then everything that dazzled my eyes by -a false splendour immediately disappeared, or at least -I take no count of it. As those who travel by sea, -when they find their ship in danger, throw everything -overboard, in order that, having lightened the vessel, -they may arrive safely in port; in like manner I prefer -being stripped of all that I have, rather than be deprived -of thee. I would rather live poor and miserable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">{21}</a></span> -than be drowned with my riches. Having cast -my goods into the waves, I begin to have hope of escape -since the vessel is lightened.... I come to thee -naked and empty.... And what I find in thee is not -a trifling vulgar gain: I find everything there.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_41" id="Ref_41" href="#Foot_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<p>Thus lifting up his hands to God, Calvin offered the -sacrifice of a heart burning with love. He made -this grand thought the charter of his nobility, his -blazon, and engraving this design on his seal, a hand -presenting a heart in sacrifice, he wrote round it: -<i>Cor meum velut mactatum Domino in sacrificium -offero</i>—'O Lord, I offer unto thee as a sacrifice my -heart immolated to thee.' Such was his device—such -was his life.</p> - -<p>The eyes of many began already to be turned upon -him with admiration. The surprising clearness of -his mind, the powerful convictions of his heart, the -energy of his regenerated will, the strength of his -reasoning, the luminous flashes of his genius, and the -severe beauties of his eloquence—all betokened in -him one of the great men of the age. 'A wonderful -mind!' says Florimond de Rémond, one of his chief -adversaries, 'a mind keen and subtle to the highest -degree, prompt and sudden in its imaginations! What -a praiseworthy man he would have been, if, sifting -away the vices (heresy), the virtues alone could have -been retained!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_42" id="Ref_42" href="#Foot_42">[42]</a></span> -There was doubtless something -wanting in Calvin: he may not have had that smiling -imagination which, at the age he had now reached, generally -gilds life with the most brilliant colours; the world -appeared to him one wide shipwreck. But, possessing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">{22}</a></span> -the glance of the eagle, he discovered a deliverance in -the future, and his powerful hand, strengthened by -God, was about to prepare the great transformations -of the Church and of the world.</p> - -<p>He was indefatigable in labour. When the day -was ended, and his companions indulged in dissipation -or in sleep, Calvin, restricting himself to a slight -repast for fear of oppressing his head, withdrew to his -room and sat down to study the Scriptures. At -midnight he extinguished his lamp,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_43" id="Ref_43" href="#Foot_43">[43]</a></span> -and early in the -morning, when he awoke and before he left his bed, he -'ruminated,' says Beza, on what he had read and -learnt the night before.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_44" id="Ref_44" href="#Foot_44">[44]</a></span> -'We were his friends, we -shared his room with him,' said Theodore Beza's informants. -'We only tell you what we have seen.'—'Alas!' -adds the reformer, 'these long vigils, which -so wonderfully developed his faculties and enriched -his memory, weakened his health, and laid the foundation -of those sufferings and frequent illnesses which -shortened his days.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_45" id="Ref_45" href="#Foot_45">[45]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN SOUGHT AS A TEACHER.=</p> - -<p>His taste for Holy Scripture did not divert Calvin -from the study of law. He was unwilling that the -labours of his profession should suffer in any degree -from the labours of piety. He made such remarkable -progress in jurisprudence that he was soon looked -upon, by both students and professors, as a master and -not as a scholar.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_46" id="Ref_46" href="#Foot_46">[46]</a></span> -One day, Pierre de l'Etoile begged -him to give a lesson in his place; and the young man -of nineteen or twenty discharged his duty with so much -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">{23}</a></span> -skill and clearness, that he was considered as destined to -become the greatest jurist in France. The professors -often employed him as their substitute.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_47" id="Ref_47" href="#Foot_47">[47]</a></span></p> - -<p>To knowledge he joined communion. While still -continuing to follow the lessons of Etoile, Calvin -'sought the company of the faithful servants of God,' -as he tells us. All the children of God (he thought) -should be united together by a bond of brotherly -union. He mixed also with everybody, even with the -gainsayers, and if they attacked the great doctrines of -Gospel truth, he defended them. But he did not put -himself forward. He could discern when, how far, -and to whom it was expedient to speak, and never -exposed the doctrine of Christ to the jeers of the unbeliever -by imprudence or by the fears of the flesh. -When he opened his mouth, every one of his words -struck home. 'Nobody can withstand him,' they said, -'when he has the Bible in his hand.'</p> - -<p>Students who felt a difficulty in believing, townspeople -who could not understand, went and begged -him to teach them.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_48" id="Ref_48" href="#Foot_48">[48]</a></span> -He was abashed. 'I am but -a poor recruit,' he said, 'and you address me as if I -were a general.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_49" id="Ref_49" href="#Foot_49">[49]</a></span> -As these requests were constantly -renewed, Calvin tried to find some hiding-place where -he could read, meditate, and pray, secure from interruption.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_50" id="Ref_50" href="#Foot_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<p>At one time it was the room of a friend, -a nook in the university library, or some shady retreat -on the banks of the river. But he was hardly absorbed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">{24}</a></span> -in meditation or in the study of Scripture, before he -found himself surrounded by persons eager to hear him, -and who refused to withdraw. 'Alas!' he exclaimed, -'all my hiding-places are turned into public schools.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_51" id="Ref_51" href="#Foot_51">[51]</a></span></p> - -<p>Accordingly he sought still more private retreats; -for he wished to understand before he taught. The -French love to see clearly into things; but their defect -in this respect is that they often do not go deep enough, -or fail to observe that by going deep they arrive at -truths in whose presence the most eminent minds -ought to confess their insufficiency and believe in the -revelation from God. In the middle ages there had -been men who wished to bring the mysteries of the -catholic faith to the test of reason;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_52" id="Ref_52" href="#Foot_52">[52]</a></span> -Abelard was at -the head of that phalanx. Calvin was not a new -Abelard. He did not presume to fathom impenetrable -mysteries, but sought in Scripture the light and the -life of his soul.</p> - -<p class="side">=HE TEACHES IN PRIVATE FAMILIES.=</p> - -<p>His admirers returned to him. Several citizens of -Orleans opened their houses to him, saying: 'Come -and teach openly the salvation of man.' Calvin shrank -back. 'Let no one disturb my repose,' he said; 'leave -me in peace.' His repose, that is to say his studies, -were his only thought. But these souls, thirsting for -truth, did not yield so easily. 'A repose of darkness!' -replied the most ardent; 'an ignoble peace!<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_53" id="Ref_53" href="#Foot_53">[53]</a></span> -Come -and preach!' Calvin remembered the saying of St. -Chrysostom: 'Though a thousand persons should call -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">{25}</a></span> -you, think of your own weakness, and obey only under -constraint.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_54" id="Ref_54" href="#Foot_54">[54]</a></span> -'Well, then, we constrain you,' answered -his friends. 'O God! what desirest thou of me?' -Calvin would exclaim at such moments. 'Why dost -thou pursue me? Why dost thou turn and disturb -me, and never leave me at rest? Why, despite my -disposition, dost thou lead me to the light and bring -me into play?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_55" id="Ref_55" href="#Foot_55">[55]</a></span> -Calvin gave way, however, and -understood that it was his duty to publish the Gospel. -He went to the houses of his friends. A few men, -women, and young people gathered round him, and -he began to explain the Scriptures. It was quite -a new order of teaching: there were none of those -distinctions and deductions of scholastic science, at -that time so familiar to the preachers. The language -of the young man possessed an admirable simplicity, a -piercing vitality, and a holy majesty which captivated -the heart. 'He teaches the truth,' said his hearers -as they withdrew, 'not in affected language, but with -such depth, solidity, and weight, that every one who -hears him is struck with admiration.' These are the -words of a contemporary of Calvin, who lived on the -spot, and in the very circle in which the Reformer -then moved. 'While at Orleans,' adds this friend, -Theodore Beza, 'Calvin, chosen from that time to -be an instrument of election in the Lord's work, -wonderfully advanced the kingdom of God in many -families.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_56" id="Ref_56" href="#Foot_56">[56]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was at Orleans, therefore, that Calvin began his -evangelist work and manifested himself to the world -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">{26}</a></span> -as a christian. Calvin's activity in this city is a proof -that he was then converted to the Gospel, and that he -had been so for some time; for his was not one of those -expansive natures which immediately display externally -what is within them. This first ministry of the -reformer negatives the hypotheses which place Calvin's -conversion at Orleans, or at Bourges somewhat -later, or, even later still, during his second residence -at Paris.</p> - -<p>Thus the young doctor, growing in knowledge and -acting in love, refuted the objections of the gainsayers, -and led to Christ the humble souls who thirsted for -salvation. A domestic event suddenly withdrew him -from this pious activity.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_30" id="Foot_30" href="#Ref_30">[30]</a> -Calvin, <i>Préface aux Psaumes</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_31" id="Foot_31" href="#Ref_31">[31]</a> -('The touch-stone of a standing or of a falling Church.') 'Wolmarus -lutheranum virus Calvino instillabat.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, -liv. vii. ch. ix.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_32" id="Foot_32" href="#Ref_32">[32]</a> -Calvin, <i>Institution</i>, liv. iii. ch. ii. 17-19.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_33" id="Foot_33" href="#Ref_33">[33]</a> -'Sancti Spiritus dono repleberis, qui scripturarum omnium profunditatem -ac veram dignitatem te docebit.'—Mansi, <i>Gesta Synodi Aurelianensis</i>, -xix. p. 376.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_34" id="Foot_34" href="#Ref_34">[34]</a> -'Deinde cœlesti cibo pastus, interna satietate recreatus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_35" id="Foot_35" href="#Ref_35">[35]</a> -Calvin, <i>Préface des Commentaires sur les Psaumes</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_36" id="Foot_36" href="#Ref_36">[36]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_37" id="Foot_37" href="#Ref_37">[37]</a> -'Quos pronuntiabant apostoli esse habendos pro hostibus, ab iis cur -dubitassem me sejungere?'—<i>Opusc. Lat.</i> p. 124; <i>Franç.</i> p. 169.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_38" id="Foot_38" href="#Ref_38">[38]</a> -<i>Opuscules.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_39" id="Foot_39" href="#Ref_39">[39]</a> -'Interea tamen ille sacrarum litterarum studium simul diligenter -excolere in quo tantum etiam promoverat.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_40" id="Foot_40" href="#Ref_40">[40]</a> -From 70 to 130 <small>A.D.</small></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_41" id="Foot_41" href="#Ref_41">[41]</a> -Calvin, <i>in Ep. Johan.</i>; <i>Pauli ad Philip.</i> &c.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_42" id="Foot_42" href="#Ref_42">[42]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, liv. vii. ch. x.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_43" id="Foot_43" href="#Ref_43">[43]</a> -'Ad mediam usque noctem lucubrare.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_44" id="Foot_44" href="#Ref_44">[44]</a> -'Mane vero, quæ legisset, in lecto veluti concoquere.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_45" id="Foot_45" href="#Ref_45">[45]</a> -'Et tandem etiam intempestivam mortem attulit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_46" id="Foot_46" href="#Ref_46">[46]</a> -'Doctor potiusquam auditor haberetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_47" id="Foot_47" href="#Ref_47">[47]</a> -'Quum sæpissime obiret ipsorum doctorum vices.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_48" id="Foot_48" href="#Ref_48">[48]</a> -'Omnes purioris doctrinæ cupidi ad me, discendi causa, ventitabant.'—<i>Præf. -in Psalm.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_49" id="Foot_49" href="#Ref_49">[49]</a> -'Novitium adhuc et tyronem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_50" id="Foot_50" href="#Ref_50">[50]</a> -'Tunc latebras captare.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_51" id="Foot_51" href="#Ref_51">[51]</a> -'Ut mihi secessus omnes instar publicæ scholæ essent.'—<i>Præf. in -Psalm.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_52" id="Foot_52" href="#Ref_52">[52]</a> -'Catholicæ fidei mysteria ratione investiganda.'—Abelard, <i>Introd. -ad Theol.</i> p. 1059.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_53" id="Foot_53" href="#Ref_53">[53]</a> -'Ignobile otium colere.'—<i>Præf. in Psalm.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_54" id="Foot_54" href="#Ref_54">[54]</a> -Chrysostomus, <i>De Sacerdotio</i>, lib. iv.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_55" id="Foot_55" href="#Ref_55">[55]</a> -Calv. <i>Præf. in Psalm.</i> p. 3.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_56" id="Foot_56" href="#Ref_56">[56]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Histoire des Eglises Réformées</i>, p. 6.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">{27}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN CALLED AT BOURGES TO THE EVANGELICAL WORK.<br /> - (1528-1529.)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN LEAVES ORLEANS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">ONE day, probably at the beginning of April 1528, -about the Easter holidays, Calvin received a letter -from Noyon. He opened it: it contained sad news! his -father was seriously ill. He went at once to Duchemin -in great agitation: 'I must depart,' he said. -This friend, and many others, would have wished to -keep him in a place where he had become so useful; -but he did not hesitate. He must go to his father; -he would, however, only stay as long as was necessary; -as soon as the sick man was better, he would come -back. 'I promise you to return shortly,' he said to -Duchemin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_57" id="Ref_57" href="#Foot_57">[57]</a></span> -Calvin, therefore, bade farewell to his cherished -studies, to his beloved friends, and those pious -families in which he was advancing the kingdom of -God, and returned to Picardy.</p> - -<p>We have but few particulars of his sojourn at -Noyon. Assuredly his filial piety indulged at his -father's bedside in what has been termed with reason -the sweetest form of gratitude. Yet the weak -condition of the episcopal secretary was prolonged, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">{28}</a></span> -without any appearance of imminent danger. A -question began to rise up in the young man's heart: -shall he go, or shall he stay?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_58" id="Ref_58" href="#Foot_58">[58]</a></span> -Sometimes, when -seated by the sick man's pillow during the watches of -the night, his thoughts would transport him to Orleans, -into the midst of his studies and the society of his -friends; he felt himself impelled, as by a vigorous -hand, towards the places that were so dear to him, -and he made in his mind all the arrangements necessary -for his return.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_59" id="Ref_59" href="#Foot_59">[59]</a></span> -... Suddenly his father's disease -grew worse, and the son did not quit the sufferer's -bedside. The old secretary, 'a man of sound understanding -and good counsel,' says Beza, was much -respected by those around him, and love for the author -of his days was profoundly engraven in the young -man's soul. 'The title of father belongs to God,' he -said; 'when God gives it to a man, he communicates -to him some sparks of his own brightness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_60" id="Ref_60" href="#Foot_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S FIRST LETTER.=</p> - -<p>Erelong a crisis appeared to take place; the doctors -held out hopes: the patient might recover his health, -they said.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_61" id="Ref_61" href="#Foot_61">[61]</a></span> -Calvin's thoughts and desires were -turned once more towards Orleans; he would have -wished to go there instantly,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_62" id="Ref_62" href="#Foot_62">[62]</a></span> -but duty was still -the strongest, and he resolved to wait until his father's -convalescence was complete. Thus one day after another -glided away.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_63" id="Ref_63" href="#Foot_63">[63]</a></span> -Alas! the doctors were deceived. -'There is no longer any hope of a cure,' they soon told -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">{29}</a></span> -him; 'your father's death cannot be far off.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_64" id="Ref_64" href="#Foot_64">[64]</a></span> -Calvin, -therefore, determined (14th of May, 1528) to write -to Duchemin, which he had not yet done since his -departure. It is the first of the reformer's letters -that has been handed down to us. 'You know,' he -says, 'that I am very exact in my correspondence, -and that I carry it even to importunity.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_65" id="Ref_65" href="#Foot_65">[65]</a></span> -You will -be astonished, perhaps, that I have been wanting in -my extreme punctuality; but when you know the -cause, you will restore to me your friendship, should -I perchance have forfeited it.' He then tells Duchemin -of his father's condition, and adds: 'Happen what -may, I will see you again.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_66" id="Ref_66" href="#Foot_66">[66]</a></span> -What did happen is not -very clear. Calvin was at Noyon, as we have seen, -on the 14th of May, 1528; perhaps he remained all -the summer with the sick man. It has been concluded -from this letter to Duchemin that Gerard -Calvin died shortly after the 14th of May; at that -time <i>the approach of death</i> was certain, according to -the doctors; but doctors may be mistaken. According -to Theodore Beza, he died during his son's residence -at Bourges, nine or ten months later, and a passage -from Calvin, which we shall quote further on, confirms -Beza's testimony, of itself so decisive.</p> - -<p>One circumstance, which has some interest, seems to -show that Calvin was not at Orleans during the latter -part of this year. On the 5th of December, 1528,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_67" id="Ref_67" href="#Foot_67">[67]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">{30}</a></span> -eight months after his sudden departure, a boy -eight or nine years old arrived at Melchior Wolmar's -house in that city. He had a sickly look, -but was a well-made child, playful and well-bred, with -a keen glance and lively wit. This boy, who was one -day to be Calvin's best friend, belonged to a Burgundian -family. His father, Pierre de Beza, was bailli of -Vezelay, a very old town, where the child was born -on the 24th of June, 1519,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_68" id="Ref_68" href="#Foot_68">[68]</a></span> -and received the name -of Theodore. One of his uncles, named Nicholas, -seignior of Cette and of Chalonne, and councillor -of parliament, having paid the bailli a visit a few -months after the child's birth, adopted him, being -an unmarried man, and took him to Paris, although -he had not been weaned.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_69" id="Ref_69" href="#Foot_69">[69]</a></span> -Nine years later (1528), -at the recommendation of an Orleanese, who was -connected with the Bezas and a member of the -royal council, the uncle sent his nephew to Wolmar, -who was described to him as very learned in Greek -and of great experience in education. Nothing in -Calvin's biography written by Beza indicates that the -latter met Calvin at that time at Orleans. When -Margaret of Valois, who was Duchess of Berry, -endeavoured about this time to gather together a -number of pious and learned men in her university of -Bourges, she invited Wolmar there;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_70" id="Ref_70" href="#Foot_70">[70]</a></span> -and it was here -that young Beza saw Calvin for the first time.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN GOES TO BOURGES.=</p> - -<p>The scholar, set at liberty by the apparent restoration -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">{31}</a></span> -of his father's health, had once more turned his -thoughts towards his studies. He desired to take -advantage of the instruction of a doctor whose reputation -surpassed even that of Pierre de l'Etoile. All -the learned world was at that time talking of Alciati -of Milan, whom the king had invited to Bourges, and -to attend whose brilliant lessons the academic youth -flocked from every quarter. Calvin had other motives -besides this for going to that city. Under Margaret's -influence, Berry had become a centre of evangelisation. -Returning, therefore, to Orleans, he made -known his intention of going to Bourges, and the -professors of the university where he had studied, -and even taught with credit, unanimously offered -him the degree of doctor. It would appear that his -modesty did not permit him to accept it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_71" id="Ref_71" href="#Foot_71">[71]</a></span></p> - -<p>There were fewer resources at Bourges than at -Orleans. 'As we cannot live as we wish,' said the -students, 'we live as we can.' Everything was dear: -board alone cost one hundred francs a year.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_72" id="Ref_72" href="#Foot_72">[72]</a></span> -'France is truly a golden country,' bitterly remarked -a poor scholar, 'for without gold you can get nothing.' -But the Noyon student cared little for the comforts of -life; intellectual and spiritual wealth satisfied him. -He was anxious to hear Alciati, and was surprised to -find him a tall corpulent man, with no very thoughtful -look. 'He is a great eater,' said one of his neighbours, -'and very covetous.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_73" id="Ref_73" href="#Foot_73">[73]</a></span> -Intelligence and imagination, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">{32}</a></span> -rather than sentiment, were his characteristics: he -was a great jurist and also a great poet. Mingling -literature with his explanation of the laws, and substituting -an elegant style for barbarism of language, -he gave quite a new <i>éclat</i> to the study of the law. -Calvin listened with admiration. Five years later -Alciati returned to Italy, allured by greater emoluments -and greater honours.</p> - -<p>Erelong Calvin gave himself up entirely to other -thoughts. Bourges had become, under Margaret's -government, the centre of the new doctrine in France; -and he was accordingly struck by the movement of -the minds around him. There was discussing, and -speaking, and assembling, wherever the sound of the -Gospel could be heard. On Sunday students and -citizens crowded the two churches where Chaponneau -and Michel preached. Calvin went with the rest, and -found the christian truth pretty fairly set forth 'considering -the time.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_74" id="Ref_74" href="#Foot_74">[74]</a></span> -During the week, evangelical -truth was taught in the university by Gamaire, a -learned priest, and by Bournonville, prior of St. -Ambrose.</p> - -<p class="side">=WOLMAR'S APPEAL TO CALVIN.=</p> - -<p>But nothing attracted Calvin like Wolmar's house. -It would appear that this scholar had arrived at -Bourges before him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_75" id="Ref_75" href="#Foot_75">[75]</a></span> -It was there that Calvin met -young Beza, and then began in Theodore's heart that -filial piety which continued all his life, and that admiration -which he professed afterwards in one of his -Latin poems, where he calls Calvin</p> - -<p class="center small">Romæ ruentis terror ille maximus.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_76" id="Ref_76" href="#Foot_76">[76]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">{33}</a></span> -And truly Calvin was training for this. If Wolmar -at Orleans had confirmed the christian faith in him, -Wolmar at Bourges was the first who invited him -distinctly to enter upon the career of a reformer. -The German doctor communicated to the young man -the books which he received from beyond the Rhine—the -writings of Luther, Melanchthon, and other evangelical -men.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_77" id="Ref_77" href="#Foot_77">[77]</a></span> -Wolmar, modest, gentle, and a foreigner, -did not think himself called to do in France what these -illustrious servants of God were doing in Germany: -but he asked himself whether there was not some -Frenchman called by God to reform France; whether -Lefèvre's young fellow-countryman, who united a -great understanding with a soul so full of energy, -might not be the man for whom this work was -reserved.</p> - -<p>Wolmar seems to have been to Calvin what Staupitz -was to Luther; both these doctors felt the need of -minds of a strong temper for the great things that -were about to take place in the world. One day, -therefore, the professor invited the student to take a -walk with him, and the two friends, leaving behind -them that old city, burnt down by Cæsar and -Chilperic, rebuilt by Charlemagne, and enlarged by -Philip Augustus, drew near the banks of the Auron, -at its confluence with the Yèvre, and strolled here -and there among the fertile plains of Berry.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_78" id="Ref_78" href="#Foot_78">[78]</a></span> -At -last Wolmar said to Calvin, 'What do you propose -doing, my friend? Shall the Institutes, the Novels, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">{34}</a></span> -the Pandects absorb your life? Is not theology the -queen of all sciences, and does not God call you to -explain his Holy Scriptures?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_79" id="Ref_79" href="#Foot_79">[79]</a></span> -What new ideas -then started up before Calvin! At Paris he had -renounced the priesthood, and at Bourges Wolmar -urged him to the ministry.... What should he do?</p> - -<p>This was quite another calling. In the theocratic -and legal Church, the priest is the means by which -man is restored to communion with God. The special -priesthood, with which he is invested, is the condition -on which depends the virtue of the sacraments and of -all the means of grace. Possessed of a magical power, -he works the greatest of miracles at the altar, and -whoever does not partake in the ministrations of this -priesthood can have no share in redemption. The -Reformation of the sixteenth century, by setting aside -the formal and theocratic Church of Rome, which was -shaped in the image of the Jewish theocracy, and by -substituting for it the Evangelical Church, conformably -to the principles of Christ and his apostles, -transformed the ministry also. The service of the -Word became its centre—the means by which, with -the aid of the Holy Ghost, all its functions were -discharged. This evangelical ministry was to work -its miracles also; but whilst those of the legal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">{35}</a></span> -ministry proceed from a mysterious virtue in the -priesthood, and are accomplished upon earthly elements, -those of the evangelical ministry are wrought -freely by the divine Word, and by a heartfelt faith in -the great love of God, which that ministry proclaims,—strange -spiritual miracles, effected within the soul, -transforming the man and not the bread, and making -him a new creature, destined to dwell eternally with -God.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN HESITATES.=</p> - -<p>Did Calvin at this time see clearly the difference -between the Roman priesthood and the Gospel ministry? -We doubt it. It was not until later that his -ideas became clear upon this important point. The -notion, however, of abandoning not only the priesthood, -but also the study of the law for the Gospel, was not -new to him. More than once in his retirement, he -had already asked himself: 'Shall I not preach Christ -to the world?' But he had always shrunk away -humble and timid from this ministry. 'All men are -not suited for it,' he said; 'a special vocation is -necessary, and no one ought to take it upon himself -rashly.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_80" id="Ref_80" href="#Foot_80">[80]</a></span> -Calvin, like St. Augustin, the ancient -doctor whom he most resembled (the irregularities -excepted which mark the youth of the bishop of -Hippona), feared to undertake a charge beyond his -strength. He thought also that his father would -never consent to his abandoning the law and joining -the heretics. And yet he felt himself daily more -inclined to entertain the great questions of conscience -and christian liberty, of divine sovereignty and self-renunciation. -'So great a desire of advancing in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">{36}</a></span> -knowledge of Christ consumed me at that time,' he -said, 'that I pursued my other studies very coldly.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_81" id="Ref_81" href="#Foot_81">[81]</a></span> -A domestic event was soon to give him liberty to -enter upon the new career to which God and Wolmar -were calling him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_82" id="Ref_82" href="#Foot_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<p>Nor was this the only call he received at Bourges. -Wolmar had spoken of him, and several families -invited him to their houses to edify them. This took -the young man by surprise, as it had done at Orleans; -he remained silent, lost in the multitude of his -thoughts. 'I am quite amazed,' he said, 'at seeing -those who have a desire for pure doctrine gather -round me to learn, although I have only just begun -to learn myself!' He resolved, however, to continue -at Bourges the evangelical work which he had timidly -commenced on the banks of the Loire; and he brought -more time and more decision to the task.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE PREACHERS IN BERRY.=</p> - -<p>Calvin accordingly entered into relations with students -and townspeople, nobles and lawyers, priests -and professors. The family of the Colladons held -at that time a considerable station in Berry. Two -brothers, Leo and Germain, and two sisters, Mary -and Anne, were the first to embrace the Gospel in -Berry. Leo and Germain were advocates, and one -of their cousins, styled Germain II. in the genealogies, -now eighteen years old, afterwards became Calvin's -intimate friend at Geneva. These ties of friendship -had probably begun at Bourges.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_83" id="Ref_83" href="#Foot_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">{37}</a></span> -The evangelist soon extended his christian activity -beyond the walls of the city. Many natives of Berry, -who had heard him at Bourges, had been charmed -with his addresses. 'Come and preach these beautiful -words to us,' they said. Calvin gradually laid -aside his natural timidity, and being cheerful and fond -of walking, he visited the castles and villages.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_84" id="Ref_84" href="#Foot_84">[84]</a></span> -He introduced -himself affectionately into all the houses at -which he stopped. 'A graceful salutation,' he said -in after years, 'serves as an introduction to converse -with people.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_85" id="Ref_85" href="#Foot_85">[85]</a></span> -He delivered several sermons in these -hamlets and country-seats.</p> - -<p>On the banks of the Arnon, ten leagues from -Bourges, there stands a little town named Lignières, -at that time the seat of a considerable lordship.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_86" id="Ref_86" href="#Foot_86">[86]</a></span> -Every -year certain monks came to preach in the parish -church, and were bountifully received at the château, -where they complained of their wretchedness in the -most pitiable tone. This offended the lord of Lignières, -who was not of a superstitious character. 'If -I am not mistaken,' he said, 'it is with a view to -their own gain that these monks pretend to be such -drudges.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_87" id="Ref_87" href="#Foot_87">[87]</a></span> -Disgusted with their hypocrisy, M. de -Lignières begged Calvin to come and preach in their -stead. The law-student spoke to an immense crowd -with such clearness, freedom, depth, and vitality, that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">{38}</a></span> -every one was moved.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_88" id="Ref_88" href="#Foot_88">[88]</a></span> -'Upon my word,' said the -lord to his wife, 'Master John Calvin seems to me to -preach better than the monks, and he goes heartily to -work too.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_89" id="Ref_89" href="#Foot_89">[89]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT AT BOURGES.=</p> - -<p>When the priests saw the young evangelist so well -received, they cried out and intrigued against him, -and did all in their power to get him put into prison.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_90" id="Ref_90" href="#Foot_90">[90]</a></span> -It was at Bourges that Calvin began to see that 'everything -among men is full of vexation.' He said: 'By -the assaults made against them, Christ sounds the -trumpet to his followers, in order that they may -prepare themselves more cheerfully for battle.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_91" id="Ref_91" href="#Foot_91">[91]</a></span></p> - -<p>In this way Calvin laboured in the town, in the -villages, and in the châteaux, conversing tenderly -with children, preaching to adults, and training heroes -and martyrs. But the same circumstance which had -taken him away from Orleans, suddenly occurred at -Bourges. One day he received a letter from Noyon, -written probably by his brother Anthony. Alas! his -father was dead! and he was far from him, unable to -lavish upon him the attentions of his filial piety. -'While he was at Bourges his father died,' says -Theodore Beza, 'and he was obliged to return to -Noyon.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_92" id="Ref_92" href="#Foot_92">[92]</a></span> -The death was very sudden.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_93" id="Ref_93" href="#Foot_93">[93]</a></span> -Calvin did -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">{39}</a></span> -not hesitate; he bade farewell to Berry, to those pious -families which he had edified, to his studies, and to -his friends. 'You held out your hand to me,' he -said to Wolmar, 'and were ready to support me from -one end to the other of my course; but my father's -death takes me away from our conversations and our -lessons.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_94" id="Ref_94" href="#Foot_94">[94]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bourges did not fall back into darkness after Calvin's -departure. A venerable doctor, named Michel -Simon, perhaps that <i>Michel</i> whom we have already -mentioned, displayed a holy boldness notwithstanding -his age. One day a Pelagian cordelier (as all the -doctors of that order are) had effrontery enough to -maintain that man can be saved by his natural -strength alone. Simon confronted him, and succeeded -in getting it laid down that in the public disputations -every proposition must be established by -the text of Scripture. This gave a new impulse to -theological studies.</p> - -<p>The priests came to an understanding with one -another, and made their preparations without saying -a word. On the following Sunday, Michel Simon, -having entered the pulpit, was about to begin his sermon, -when the curé, with his vicars and choristers, -entered the choir, and began to chant the office for -the dead. It was impossible either to preach or to -hear. The exasperated students rushed into the -choir, threw the books about, upset the lecterns, and -drove out the priests, who ran off 'in great disorder.' -Simon, who remained master of the field, delivered -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">{40}</a></span> -his sermon, and, to the surprise of his hearers, ended -by repeating the Lord's prayer <i>in French</i>, without -adding the <i>Ave Maria</i>! Whereupon a man, sitting -in one of the upper stalls (he was the king's proctor), -stood up, and with a sonorous voice began: -<i>Ave Maria, gratia</i>.... He could not complete the -sentence. A universal shout interrupted him; the -women, who are easily excited, caught up their little -stools, crowded round the proctor, and shook them -over his head. These people were catholics, disgusted -with the priests, not with the disciples of the -Saviour.</p> - -<p>While the student of Noyon was devoting himself -to the preaching of the Gospel, extreme danger threatened -him who had been his forerunner in this work.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_57" id="Foot_57" href="#Ref_57">[57]</a> -'Quod tibi promiseram discedens me brevi adfuturum.'—Calvinus -Chemino, May 14, 1528, Berne MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_58" id="Foot_58" href="#Ref_58">[58]</a> -'Ea me expectatio diutius suspensum habuit.'—Calvinus Chemino.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_59" id="Foot_59" href="#Ref_59">[59]</a> -'Nam dum reditum ad vos meditor.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_60" id="Foot_60" href="#Ref_60">[60]</a> -Calvini <i>Opera</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_61" id="Foot_61" href="#Ref_61">[61]</a> -'Sed cum medici spem facerent posse redire in prosperam valetudinem.'—Calvinus -Chemino.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_62" id="Foot_62" href="#Ref_62">[62]</a> -'Nihil aliud visum est quam tui desiderium.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_63" id="Foot_63" href="#Ref_63">[63]</a> -'Interim dies de die trahitur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_64" id="Foot_64" href="#Ref_64">[64]</a> -'Certum mortis periculum.'—Calvinus Chemino.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_65" id="Foot_65" href="#Ref_65">[65]</a> -'In litteris missitandis plus satis officiosum, ne dicam importunum.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_66" id="Foot_66" href="#Ref_66">[66]</a> -'Utcunque res ceciderit, ad vos revisam.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_67" id="Foot_67" href="#Ref_67">[67]</a> -'Factum est ut ad te pervenirem anno Domini 1528, nonis Decembris.'—Letter -of Theodore Beza to Wolmar, Preface to the <i>Confessio Fidei -Christianæ</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_68" id="Foot_68" href="#Ref_68">[68]</a> -'Anno Domini 1519 die 24 junii, placuit Deo O. M. ut mundi lucem -aspicerem.'—Letter of Theodore Beza to Wolmar, Preface to the <i>Confessio -Fidei Christianæ</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_69" id="Foot_69" href="#Ref_69">[69]</a> -'Ut me quamvis adhuc a nutricis uberibus pendentem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_70" id="Foot_70" href="#Ref_70">[70]</a> -'Aureliæ primum, deinde Biturigibus, quum in eam urbem regina -Navarræ te evocasset.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_71" id="Foot_71" href="#Ref_71">[71]</a> -'Eique discedenti doctoratus insignia absque ullo pretio offeruntur.'—Bezæ -<i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_72" id="Foot_72" href="#Ref_72">[72]</a> -<i>Conrad Gessner</i> von Hanhait, p. 22. <i>Theodor. Beza</i> von Baum, -p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_73" id="Foot_73" href="#Ref_73">[73]</a> -'Vir fuit corpulentus, proceræ staturæ. Auri avidus habitus est -et cibi avidior.'—Panzivole, <i>De claris Legum Interpret.</i> lib. ii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_74" id="Foot_74" href="#Ref_74">[74]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, p. 6.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_75" id="Foot_75" href="#Ref_75">[75]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_76" id="Foot_76" href="#Ref_76">[76]</a> -'Of Rome in its decline the greatest dread.'—Bezæ <i>Icones</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_77" id="Foot_77" href="#Ref_77">[77]</a> -'Libros quos e Germania acceperat, mittebat.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. -de l'Hérésie</i>, ii. liv. vii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_78" id="Foot_78" href="#Ref_78">[78]</a> -'Die quodam cum discipulo magister, animi gratia, deambulans.'—Flor. -Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_79" id="Foot_79" href="#Ref_79">[79]</a> -'Ut posito Justiniani codice ad Theologiæ omnium scientiarum -reginæ studium, animum applicaret.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, -liv. vii. ch. ix. Florimond Rémond was so hostile to the Reformation -which he had abjured, that he cannot be trusted when his prejudices are -concerned; but he ought to be believed when his predilections do not -mislead him. I cannot see what object he could have had in inventing -this conversation. 'The Calvinists, in order to be avenged of this writer,' -says Moreri, 'have endeavoured to traduce his memory.' The most -sensible course is to hold a just mean between the Romish apologists and -the protestant detractors.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_80" id="Foot_80" href="#Ref_80">[80]</a> -'Non omnes esse Verbi ministerio idoneos . . . requiritur specialis -vocatio.'—Calv. <i>Opera</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_81" id="Foot_81" href="#Ref_81">[81]</a> -'Tanto proficiendi studio exarsi, ut reliqua studia quamvis non abjicerem, -frigidius tamen sectarer.'—Calv. <i>Præf.</i> in Psalm.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_82" id="Foot_82" href="#Ref_82">[82]</a> -'Acriter exhortans ut de reformanda atque illustranda Dei ecclesia -cogitationem ac curam serio inciperet.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Histoire de -l'Hérésie</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_83" id="Foot_83" href="#Ref_83">[83]</a> -Leo Colladon died at Geneva on the 31st of August, 1552. His son -Nicholas took refuge there in 1553, and in 1556 succeeded Calvin in the -chair of divinity. Germain II., made free of the city in 1555, was the -compiler of the Genevese code. Galiffe, <i>Généalogie des Familles Genevoises</i>. -Haag, <i>France Protestante</i>, article <i>Colladon</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_84" id="Foot_84" href="#Ref_84">[84]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, p. 7.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_85" id="Foot_85" href="#Ref_85">[85]</a> -Calvin, <i>Commentaire sur Mathieu</i>, ch. x.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_86" id="Foot_86" href="#Ref_86">[86]</a> -In the reign of Louis XIV. this lordship belonged to Colbert.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_87" id="Foot_87" href="#Ref_87">[87]</a> -'Contrefont les marmitons.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_88" id="Foot_88" href="#Ref_88">[88]</a> -'Nonnullas interdum conciones in agro Biturigum, in oppidulo quod -<i>Linerias</i> vocant.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_89" id="Foot_89" href="#Ref_89">[89]</a> -Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, p. 7.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_90" id="Foot_90" href="#Ref_90">[90]</a> -'Nisi me ab ipsis prope carceribus mors patris revocasset.'—Calvinus -Volmario, <i>in 2ᵃᵐ Ep. ad Corinth</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_91" id="Foot_91" href="#Ref_91">[91]</a> -<i>Commentaire sur Mathieu</i>, ch. x.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_92" id="Foot_92" href="#Ref_92">[92]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Vie de Calvin</i> (French text), p. 11. -'In agro Biturigum ... mors patris nuntiata in patriam vocavit.'—Ibid. -in Latin text.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_93" id="Foot_93" href="#Ref_93">[93]</a> -'Repentina mors patris,' says Beza. This <i>sudden</i> death proves that -Calvin's father did not die, as some assert, of the long illness described in -the letter to Duchemin.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_94" id="Foot_94" href="#Ref_94">[94]</a> -<i>Dédicace de la 2ᵉ aux Corinthiens.</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">{41}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY,<br /> - A MARTYR FOR THE GOSPEL.<br /> - (1529.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">WHEN Calvin passed through the capital on his -way from Bourges to Noyon, on the occasion of -his father's death, he might have remarked a certain -agitation among his acquaintances. In fact, the -Sorbonne was increasing its exertions to destroy -Berquin, who, forsaken by almost everybody, had no -one to support him but God and the Queen of Navarre.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET'S SORROWS.=</p> - -<p>Margaret, who was at St. Germain-en-Laye, enjoyed -but little repose. The brilliant court of Francis I. -filled the noble palace with their pastimes. Early in -the morning every one was afoot; the horns sounded, -and the king set off, accompanied by the King of -Navarre, a crowd of nobles, the Duchess of Etampes, -and many other ladies, and joined one of those great -hunting parties of which he was so fond. Margaret, -remaining alone, recalled her sorrows, and sought the -<i>one thing needful</i>. Her husband sometimes indulged -in gaming, and the queen entreated Montmorency to -give him good advice. Henry, who thought his wife -rather too pious, complained of this with all the -impetuosity of his character. It was not Margaret's -only vexation. At first her mother had appeared to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">{42}</a></span> -take part with the Reformation. One day, in December -1522, Louisa of Savoy had said to her daughter, who -was delighted to hear it: 'By the grace of the Holy -Ghost, my son and I are beginning to know these -hypocrites, white, black, grey, and all colours.... -May God, by his mercy and infinite goodness, defend -us from them; for, if Jesus Christ is not a liar, there -is no such dangerous brood in all human nature.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_95" id="Ref_95" href="#Foot_95">[95]</a></span> -But this princess, whose morality was more than -doubtful, had now become reconciled, and even -leagued with these 'hypocrites black, white, and -grey,' and the king was beginning to give them his -support. Thus Margaret saw the three objects of -her tenderest affection alienating themselves from -God; and remaining at the palace while Francis with -his lords and ladies and his hounds was chasing the -wild animals, she walked sadly in the park, saying to -herself:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Father and mother I have none;</div> -<div class="verse">Brother and sister—all are gone,</div> -<div class="verse">Save God, in whom I trust alone,</div> -<div class="verse">Who rules the earth from his high throne.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">All these loved ones I would forget;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Parents and friends, the world, its joys,</div> -<div class="verse">Honour and wealth however great,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I hold my deepest enemies!</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Hence, ye delights!</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Whose vanity</div> -<div class="verse">Jesus the Christ has shown to me!</div> -</div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">{43}</a></div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">But God, God only is my hope;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I know that he is all in all,</div> -<div class="verse">Dearer than husband to the wife—</div> -<div class="verse indent2">My father, mother, friend, my all!</div> -<div class="verse indent4">He is my hope,</div> -<div class="verse indent4">My resting-place,</div> -<div class="verse indent2"> My strength, my being, and my trust,</div> -<div class="verse">For he hath saved me by his grace.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Father and mother I have none;</div> -<div class="verse">Brother and sister—all are gone,</div> -<div class="verse">Save God, in whom I trust alone,</div> -<div class="verse">Who rules the earth from his high throne.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_96" id="Ref_96" href="#Foot_96">[96]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="side">=SORBONNE PLOTS AGAINST BERQUIN.=</p> - -<p>Whilst Margaret was seeking consolation in God, -there came a support which she had not expected. -Erasmus was growing uneasy; the letters which he -received were full of alarming news; he saw that -Francis I., on whom he had so much relied, was -stumbling and ready to fall. This would give the -victory to the Sorbonne. Having a presentiment that -the ultramontanists were daring revolutionists, prepared -to sacrifice not only literature and the Gospel, -but royalty itself, he laid aside his usual prudence, -and resolved to tear the veil from the king's eyes, -which concealed the perverted designs of the Roman -party, and to show him conspirators in those who -called themselves the supporters of the throne. 'These -men,' he wrote, 'under the cloak of the interests of -the faith, creep into all sorts of dark ways. Their -only thought is of bringing the august heads of monarchs -under their yoke and of suspending their -power. Wait a little. If a prince resists them, they -call him a favourer of heresy, and say that it is the -duty of the Church (that is to say, of a few apocryphal -monks and false doctors) to dethrone him. -What! shall they be permitted to scatter their poisons -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">{44}</a></span> -everywhere, and we be forbidden to apply the antidote?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_97" id="Ref_97" href="#Foot_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<p>This epistle from the prince of letters, who with so -much discernment placed his finger on the sore, soon -became known; and when it reached the Sorbonne, -the doctors, dismayed that a man so moderate and -respected should reveal their secrets so boldly, saw no -other means of saving their cause than by striking -their enemies with terror. They dared do nothing -against the sage of Rotterdam, who was besides out of -their reach; but they swore that his friend Berquin -should pay for his master. The theologians of the -Sorbonne demanded that this gentleman should be -brought to trial; Duprat, Louisa of Savoy, and Montmorency -supported their petition. There was no -means of evading it, and twelve judges were nominated -by the pope and by the king.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_98" id="Ref_98" href="#Foot_98">[98]</a></span> -These men were -greatly embarrassed, for Berquin's irreproachable life, -amiable character, inexhaustible charity, and regular -attendance at public worship, had won universal -esteem. However, as the first president De Selva, -the fourth president Pailot, and some others, were -either weak or fanatical persons, the Sorbonne did not -lose all hope. One alone of the twelve caused any -fear: this was William Budæus, called by Erasmus -'the prodigy of France;' an enlightened man, who, -while professing a great respect for the Catholic -Church, had more than once betrayed certain evangelical -tendencies to his wife and children. The -twelve judges proceeded with their investigation, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">{45}</a></span> -without requiring the accused man to be shut up -in prison. Berquin went and came as he pleased; he -spoke to the judges and parliament, and convinced -them of his innocence. But terror began to paralyse -the weak minds among them; they were afraid -of the righteous man; they would have nothing to -do with 'that sort of people,' and turned their backs -upon him.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET INTERCEDES FOR BERQUIN=</p> - -<p>Berquin now resolved to address the king and to -get Margaret to support him. 'It was generally reported,' -says one of the enemies of the Reform, 'that -the Queen of Navarre took wondrous pains to save -those who were in danger, and that she alone prevented -the Reformation from being stifled in the -cradle.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_99" id="Ref_99" href="#Foot_99">[99]</a></span> -Berquin went to the palace, and made his -danger known to the queen. He found in Margaret -the compassion which failed him elsewhere. She knew -that we ought not 'to stand aside from those who -suffer persecution for the name of Christ, and would -not be ashamed of those in whom there was nothing -shameful.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_100" id="Ref_100" href="#Foot_100">[100]</a></span> -Margaret immediately took up her pen, -and sitting down at that table where she had so often -pleaded both in prose and verse the cause of Christ -and of christians, she wrote the king the following -letter:—</p> - -<p>'Monseigneur,—The unhappy Berquin, who maintains -that God, through your goodness, has twice saved -his life, presents himself before you, to make manifest -his innocence to you, having no one else to whom he -can apply. Knowing, Monseigneur, the esteem in -which you hold him, and the desire which he has -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">{46}</a></span> -now and always has had to serve you, I fear not -to entreat that you will be pleased to have pity -upon him. He will convince you that these heretic-finders -are more slanderous and disobedient towards -you than zealous for the faith. He knows, Monseigneur, -that you desire to maintain the rights of -every one, and that the just man needs no advocate -in the eyes of your compassion. For this cause I shall -say no more. Entreating Him who has given you -such graces and virtues to grant you a long and -happy life, in order that he may long be glorified by -you in this world and everlastingly in the world to -come,</p> - -<p>'Your most obedient and most humble subject and -sister,</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right1">'<span class="smc">Margaret</span>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_101" id="Ref_101" href="#Foot_101">[101]</a></span></div> -</div> - -<p>Having finished, the queen rose and gave the letter -to Berquin, who immediately sought an audience of -the king. We know not how he was received, or -what effect Margaret's intercession had upon Francis. -It would seem, however, that the king addressed a -few kind words to him. We know at least that Beda -and the Sorbonne were uneasy, and that, fearing to see -their victim once more escape them, they increased -their exertions, and brought one charge after another -against him. At last the authorities gave way; the -police received orders to avoid every demonstration -calculated to alarm him, lest he should escape to -Erasmus at Basle. All their measures were arranged, -and at the moment when he least expected it, about -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">{47}</a></span> -three weeks before Easter (in March 1529), Berquin -was arrested and taken to the Conciergerie.</p> - -<p class="side">=BERQUIN'S LETTER DISCOVERED.=</p> - -<p>Thus then was 'the most learned of the nobles,' -as he was termed, thrown into prison in despite of -the queen. He paced sadly up and down his cell, -and one thought haunted him. Having been seized -very unexpectedly, he had left in his room at Paris -certain books which were condemned at Rome, and -which consequently might ruin him. 'Alas!' he -exclaimed, 'they will cost me serious trouble!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_102" id="Ref_102" href="#Foot_102">[102]</a></span> -Berquin resolved to apply to a christian friend -whom he could trust, to prevent the evil which he -foresaw; and the next day after his incarceration, -when the domestic, who had free access to him, and -passed in and out on business, came for orders, the -prisoner gave him, with an anxious and mysterious -air, a letter which he said was of the greatest importance. -The servant immediately hid it under his -dress. 'My life is at stake,' repeated Berquin. In -that letter, addressed to a familiar friend, the prisoner -begged him without delay to remove the books -pointed out to him and to burn them.</p> - -<p>The servant, who did not possess the courage -of a hero, departed trembling. His emotion increased -as he proceeded, his strength failed him, and -as he was crossing the Pont au Change, and found -himself in front of the image of Our Lady, known -as <i>la belle ymage</i>, the poor fellow, who was rather -superstitious, although in Berquin's service, lost his -presence of mind and fainted. 'A sinking of the -heart came over him, and he fell to the ground as -if in a swoon,' says the catholic chronicler.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_103" id="Ref_103" href="#Foot_103">[103]</a></span> -The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">{48}</a></span> -neighbours and the passers-by gathered round him, -and lifted him up. One of these kind citizens, eager -to assist him, unbuttoned his coat to give him room -to breathe, and found the letter which had been so -carefully hidden. The man opened and read it; he -was frightened, and told the surrounding crowd what -were its contents. The people declared it to be a -miracle: 'He is a heretic,' they said. 'If he has -fallen like a dead man, it is the penalty of his crime; -it was Our Lady who did it.'—'Give me the letter,' -said one of the spectators; 'the famous Jacobin doctor -who is preaching the Lent sermons at St. Bartholomew's -dines with me to-day. I will show it to him.' -When the dinner-hour came, the company invited by -this citizen arrived, and among them was the celebrated -preacher of the Rue St. Jacques in his white -robe and scapulary and pointed hood. This Jacobin -monk was no holiday inquisitor. He understood the -great importance of the letter, and, quitting the table, -hastened with it to Beda, who, quite overjoyed at the -discovery, eagerly laid it before the court. The -christian gentleman was ruined. The judges found -the letter very compromising. 'Let the said Berquin,' -they ordered, 'be closely confined in a strong tower.' -This was done. Beda, on his side, displayed fresh -activity; for time pressed, and it was necessary to -strike a decisive blow. With some the impetuous -syndic spoke gently, with others he spoke loudly; he -employed threats and promises, and nothing seemed -to tire him.</p> - -<p>From that hour Berquin's case appeared desperate. -Most of his friends abandoned him; they were afraid -lest Margaret's intervention, always so powerful, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">{49}</a></span> -should now prove unavailing. The captive alone did -not give way to despair. Although shut up in a -strong tower, he possessed liberty and joy, and uplifting -his soul to God, he hoped even against hope.</p> - -<p class="side">=BERQUIN'S SENTENCE.=</p> - -<p>On Friday, the 16th of April, 1529, the inquiry was -finished, and at noon Berquin was brought into court. -The countenance of Budæus was sorrowful and kind; -but the other judges bore the stamp of severity on -their features. The prisoner's heart was free from -rancour, his hands pure from revenge, and the calm of -innocence was on his face. 'Louis Berquin,' said the -president, 'you are convicted of belonging to the -sect of Luther, and of having written wicked books -against the majesty of God and of his glorious mother. -Wherefore we condemn you to do public penance, -bareheaded and with a lighted taper in your hand, in -the great court of our palace, asking pardon of God, -of the king, and of justice, for the offence you have -committed. You shall then be taken, bareheaded and -on foot, to the Grève, where you shall see your books -burnt. Next you shall be led to the front of the -church of Notre Dame, where you shall do penance -to God and the glorious Virgin, his mother. Afterwards -you shall have your tongue pierced—that instrument -of unrighteousness by which you have so -grievously sinned.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_104" id="Ref_104" href="#Foot_104">[104]</a></span> -Lastly, you shall be taken to the -prison of Monsieur de Paris (the bishop), and be shut -up there all your life between four walls of stone; -and we forbid you to be supplied either with books to -read, or pen and ink to write.'</p> - -<p>Berquin, startled at hearing such a sentence, which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">{50}</a></span> -Erasmus terms 'atrocious,' and which the pious nobleman -was far from expecting,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_105" id="Ref_105" href="#Foot_105">[105]</a></span> - at first remained silent, -but soon regaining his usual courage, and looking -firmly at his judges,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_106" id="Ref_106" href="#Foot_106">[106]</a></span> - he said: 'I appeal to the king.'—'Take -care,' answered his judges; 'if you do not -acquiesce in our sentence, we will find means to prevent -you from ever appealing again.' This was clear. Berquin -was sent back to prison.</p> - -<p>Margaret began to fear that her brother would -withdraw his support from the evangelicals. If the -Reformation had been a courtly religion, Francis -would have protected it; but the independent air that -it seemed to take, and, above all, its inflexible holiness, -made it distasteful to him. The Queen of Navarre -saw that the unhappy prisoner had none but the Lord -on his side. She prayed:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent4">Thou, God, alone canst say:</div> -<div class="verse">Touch not my son, take not his life away.</div> -<div class="verse">Thou only canst thy sovereign hand outstretch</div> -<div class="verse">To ward the blow.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_107" id="Ref_107" href="#Foot_107">[107]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Everything indicated that the blow would be struck. -On the afternoon of the very day when the sentence -had been delivered, Maillard, the lieutenant-criminal, -with the archers, bowmen, and arquebusiers of the city, -surrounded the Conciergerie. It was thought that -Berquin's last hour had come, and an immense crowd -hurried to the spot. 'More than twenty thousand -people came to see the execution,' says a manuscript.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_108" id="Ref_108" href="#Foot_108">[108]</a></span> -'They are going to take one of the king's officers to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">{51}</a></span> -Grève,' said the spectators. Maillard, leaving his -troops under arms, entered the prison, ordered the -martyr's cell to be opened, and told him that he had -come to execute the sentence. 'I have appealed to the -king,' replied the prisoner. The lieutenant-criminal -withdrew. Everybody expected to see him followed -by Berquin, and all eyes were fixed upon the gate; -but no one appeared. The commander of the troops -ordered them to retire; the archers marched back, -and 'the great throng of people that was round the -court-house and in the city separated.' The first -president immediately called the court together, to -take the necessary measures. 'We must lose no time,' -said some, 'for the king has twice already rescued him -from our hands.' Was there no hope left?</p> - -<p class="side">=BUDÆUS TRIES TO SAVE BERQUIN.=</p> - -<p>There were in France at that time two men of the -noblest character, both friends of learning, whose whole -lives had been consecrated to doing what was right: -they were Budæus on the bench, and Berquin in his -cell. The first was united to the second by the -purest friendship, and his only thought was how to -save him. But what could he do singly against the -parliament and the Sorbonne? Budæus shuddered -when he heard of his friend's appeal; he knew the -danger to which this step exposed him, and hastened -to the prison. 'Pray do not appeal!' said he; 'a second -sentence is all ready, and it orders you to be put -to death. If you accept the first, we shall be able to -save you eventually. Pray do not ruin yourself!' -Berquin, a more decided man than Budæus, would -rather die than make any concession to error. His -friend, however, did not slacken his exertions; he -desired at whatever risk to save one of the most -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">{52}</a></span> -distinguished men of France. Three whole days -were spent by him in the most energetic efforts.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_109" id="Ref_109" href="#Foot_109">[109]</a></span> -He had hardly quitted his friend before he returned and -sat down by his side or walked with him sorrowfully -up and down the prison. He entreated him for his own -safety, for the good of the Church, and for the welfare -of France. Berquin made no reply; only, after -a long appeal from Budæus, he gave a nod of dissent. -Berquin, says the historian of the University -of Paris, 'sustained the encounter with indomitable -obstinacy.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_110" id="Ref_110" href="#Foot_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BERQUIN'S FALL AND RECOVERY=</p> - -<p>Would he continue firm? Many evangelicals were -anxiously watching the struggle. Remembering the -fall of the apostle Peter at the voice of a serving-maid, -they said one to another that a trifling opposition was -sufficient to make the strongest stumble. 'Ah!' said -Calvin, 'if we cease but for an instant to lean upon the -hand of God, a puff of wind, or the rustling of a falling -leaf, is enough ... and straightway we fall!' It was -not a puff of wind, but a tempest rather, by which -Berquin was assailed. While the threatening voices -of his enemies were roaring around him, the gentle -voice of Budæus, full of the tenderest affection, penetrated -the prisoner's heart and shook his firmest resolutions. -'O my dear friend,' said Budæus, 'there -are better times coming, for which you ought to preserve -yourself.' Then he stopped, and added in a -more serious tone: 'You are guilty towards God and -man if by your own act you give yourself up to -death.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_111" id="Ref_111" href="#Foot_111">[111]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">{53}</a></span> -Berquin was touched at last by the perseverance of -this great man; he began to waver; his sight became -troubled. Turning his face away from God, he bent -it to the ground. The power of the Holy Spirit was -extinguished in him for a moment (to use the language -of a reformer), and he thought he might be more useful -to the kingdom of God by preserving himself for -the future, than by yielding himself up to present -death. 'All that we ask of you is to beg for pardon. -Do we not all need pardon?' Berquin consented to -ask pardon of God and the king in the great court of -the palace of justice.</p> - -<p>Budæus ran off with delight and emotion to inform -his colleagues of the prisoner's concession. But at -the very moment when he thought he had saved his -friend, he felt a sudden sadness come over him. He -knew at what a price Berquin would have to purchase -his life; besides, had he not seen that it was only after -a struggle of nearly sixty hours that the prisoner had -given way? Budæus was uneasy. 'I know the man's -mind,' he said. 'His ingenuousness, and the confidence -he has in the goodness of his cause, will be his ruin.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_112" id="Ref_112" href="#Foot_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p>During this interval there was a fierce struggle in -Berquin's soul. All peace had forsaken him; his -conscience spoke tumultuously. 'No!' he said to -himself, 'no sophistry! Truth before all things! We -must fear neither man nor torture, but render all -obedience to God. I will persevere to the end; I will -not pray the leader of this good war for my discharge. -Christ will not have his soldiers take their ease until -they have conquered over death.'</p> - -<p>Budæus returned to the prison shortly afterwards. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">{54}</a></span> -'I will retract nothing,' said his friend; 'I would -rather die than by my silence countenance the condemnation -of truth.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_113" id="Ref_113" href="#Foot_113">[113]</a></span> -He was lost! Budæus withdrew, -pale and frightened, and communicated the -terrible news to his colleagues. Beda and his friends -were filled with joy, being convinced that to remove -Berquin from the number of the living was to remove -the Reformation from France. The judges, by an unprecedented -exercise of power, revised their sentence, -and condemned the nobleman to be strangled and then -burnt on the Grève.</p> - -<p>Margaret, who was at St. Germain, was heartbroken -when she heard of this unexpected severity. Alas! -the king was at Blois with Madame ——.... Would -there be time to reach him? She would try. She wrote -to him again, apologising for the very humble recommendations -she was continually laying before him, and -adding: 'Be pleased, Sire, to have pity on poor Berquin, -who is suffering only because he loves the Word -of God and obeys you. This is the reason why those -who did the contrary during your captivity hate him -so; and their malicious hypocrisy has enabled them -to find advocates about you to make you forget his -sincere faith in God and his love for you.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_114" id="Ref_114" href="#Foot_114">[114]</a></span> -After having uttered this cry of anguish, the Queen of Navarre -waited.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE EXECUTION HURRIED ON.=</p> - -<p>But Francis gave no signs of life. In his excuse it -has been urged that if he had at that time been victorious -abroad and honoured at home, he would have -saved Berquin once more; but the troubles in Italy and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">{55}</a></span> -the intrigues mixed up with the treaty of Cambray, -signed three months later, occupied all his -thoughts. These are strange reasons. The fact is, -that if the king (as is probable) had desired to save -Berquin, he had not the opportunity; the enemies -of this faithful christian had provided against that. -They had scarcely got the sentence in their hands, -when they called for its immediate execution. They -fancied they could already hear the gallop of the horse -arriving from Blois, and see the messenger bringing -the pardon. Beda fanned the flame. Not a week's -delay, not even a day or an hour! 'But,' said some, -'this prevents the king from exercising the right of -pardon, and is an encroachment upon his royal authority.'—'It -matters not! put him to death!'—The -judges determined to have the sentence carried out -the very day it was delivered, '<i>in order that he might -not be helped by the king</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_115" id="Ref_115" href="#Foot_115">[115]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the morning of the 22nd of April, 1529,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_116" id="Ref_116" href="#Foot_116">[116]</a></span> -the officers of parliament entered the gloomy cell where -Berquin was confined. The pious disciple, on the -point of offering up his life voluntarily for the name -of Jesus Christ, was absorbed in prayer; he had long -sought for God and had found him; the Lord was near -him, and peace filled his soul. Having God for his -father, he knew that nothing would be wanting to him -in that last hour when everything else was to fail him: -he saw a triumph in reproach, a deliverance in death. -At the sight of the officers of the court, some of whom -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">{56}</a></span> -appeared embarrassed, Berquin understood what they -wanted. He was ready; he rose calm and firm, and -followed them. The officers handed him over to the -lieutenant-criminal and his sergeants, who were to -carry out the sentence.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile several companies of archers and bowmen -were drawn up in front of the Conciergerie. -These armed men were not alone around the prison. -The news had spread far and wide that a gentleman -of the court, a friend of Erasmus and of the Queen of -Navarre, was about to be put to death; and accordingly -there was a great commotion in the capital. A -crowd of common people, citizens, priests and monks, -with a few gentlemen and friends of the condemned -noble, waited, some with anger, others with curiosity, -and others with anguish, for the moment when he -would appear. Budæus was not there; he had not -the courage to be present at the punishment. Margaret, -who was at St. Germain, could almost see the -flames of the burning pile from the terrace of the -château.</p> - -<p>When the clock struck twelve, the escort began to -move. At its head was the grand penitentiary Merlin; -then followed the archers and bowmen, and after -them the officers of justice and more armed men. -In the middle of the escort was the prisoner. A -wretched tumbrel was bearing him slowly to punishment. -He wore a cloak of velvet, a doublet of satin -and damask, and golden hose, says the Bourgeois of -Paris, who probably saw him pass.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_117" id="Ref_117" href="#Foot_117">[117]</a></span> -The King of -heaven having invited him to the wedding, Berquin -had joyfully put on his finest clothes. 'Alas!' said -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">{57}</a></span> -many as they saw him, 'he is of noble lineage, a very -great scholar, expert and quick in learning ... and -yet he has gone out of his mind!' There was nothing -in the looks or gestures of the reformer which -indicated the least confusion or pride. He neither -braved nor feared death: he approached it with tranquillity, -meekness, and hope, as if entering the gates -of heaven. Men saw peace unchangeable written on -his face. Montius, a friend of Erasmus, who had -desired to accompany this pious man even to the -stake, said in the highest admiration: 'There was -in him none of that boldness, of that hardened air -which men led to death often assume; the calmness -of a good conscience was visible in every feature.'—'He -looks,' said other spectators, 'as if he were in -God's house meditating upon heavenly things.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_118" id="Ref_118" href="#Foot_118">[118]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BERQUIN'S MARTYRDOM.=</p> - -<p>At last the tumbrel had reached the place of punishment, -and the escort halted. The chief executioner -approached and desired Berquin to alight. He did -so, and the crowd pressed more closely round the ill-omened -spot. The principal officer of the court, having -beckoned for silence with his hand, unrolled a -parchment, and read the sentence 'with a husky -voice,' says the chronicler. But Berquin was about -to die for the Son of God who had died for him; his -heart did not flinch one jot; he felt no confusion, and -wishing to make the Saviour who supported him in -that hour of trial known to the poor people around -him, he uttered a few christian words. But the -doctors of the Sorbonne were watching all his movements, -and had even posted about a certain number -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">{58}</a></span> -of their creatures in order to make a noise if they -thought it was necessary. Alarmed at hearing the -soft voice of the evangelist, and fearing lest the people -should be touched by his words, these 'sycophants' -hastily gave the signal. Their agents immediately -began to shout, the soldiers clashed their arms, 'and -so great was the uproar that the voice of the holy -martyr was not heard in the extremity of death.' -When Berquin found that these clamours drowned -his voice, he held his peace. A Franciscan friar, -who had accompanied him from the prison, eager to -extort from him one word of recantation, redoubled -his importunities at this last moment; but the martyr -remained firm. At length the monk was silent, -and the executioner drew near. Berquin meekly -stretched out his head; the hangman passed the cord -round his neck and strangled him.</p> - -<p class="side">=EFFECT ON THE SPECTATORS.=</p> - -<p>There was a pause of solemn silence ... but not -for long. It was broken by the doctors of the Sorbonne -and the monks, who hastily went up and contemplated -the lifeless body of their victim. No one -cried 'Jesus! Jesus!'—a cry of mercy heard even -at the execution of a parricide. The most virtuous -man in France was treated worse than a murderer. -One person, however, standing near the stake, showed -some emotion, and, strange to say, it was the grand -penitentiary Merlin. 'Truly,' he said, 'so good a -christian has not died these hundred years and -more.' The dead body was thrown into the flames, -which mounted up and devoured those limbs once so -vigorous and now so pale and lifeless. A few men, -led away by passion, looked on with joy at the progress -of the fire, which soon consumed the precious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">{59}</a></span> -remains of him who should have been the reformer of -France. They imagined they saw heresy burnt out, -and when the body was entirely destroyed, they -thought that the Reformation was destroyed with it, -and that not a fragment of it remained. But all the -spectators were not so cruel. They gazed upon the -burning pile with sorrow and with love. The christians -who had looked upon Berquin as the future -reformer of France, were overwhelmed with anguish -when they saw the hero in whom they had hoped -reduced to a handful of dust. The temper of the -people seemed changed, and tears were seen to flow -down many a face. In order to calm this emotion, -certain rumours were set afloat. A man stepped out -of the crowd, and going up to the Franciscan confessor, -asked him: 'Did Berquin acknowledge his -error?'—'Yes, certainly,' answered the monk, 'and -I doubt not that his soul departed in peace.' This -man was Montius; he wrote and told the anecdote to -Erasmus. 'I do not believe a word of it,' answered -the latter. 'It is the usual story which those people -invent after the death of their victims, in order to -appease the anger of the people.'</p> - -<p>Some such stratagems were necessary, for the general -agitation was increasing. Berquin's innocence, -stamped on his features and on all his words, struck -those who saw him die, and they were beginning to -murmur. The monks noticed this, and had prepared -themselves beforehand in case the indignation of the -people should break out. They penetrated into the -thickest of the crowd, making presents to the children -and to the common people; and having worked them -up, they sent them off in every direction. The impressionable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">{60}</a></span> -crowd spread over the Grève and through -the neighbouring streets, shouting out that Berquin -was a heretic. Yet here and there men gathered in -little groups, talking of the excellent man who had -been sacrificed to the passion of the theological -faculty. 'Alas!' said some with tears in their eyes, -'there never was a more virtuous man.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_119" id="Ref_119" href="#Foot_119">[119]</a></span> -Many were astonished that a nobleman who held a high -place in the king's affections should be strangled like -a criminal. 'Alas!' rejoined others indignantly, 'what -caused his ruin was the liberty which animated him, -which is always the faithful companion of a good -conscience.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_120" id="Ref_120" href="#Foot_120">[120]</a></span> -Others of more spirit exclaimed: 'Condemn, -quarter, crucify, burn, behead ... that is what -pirates and tyrants can do; but God is the only just -judge, and blessed is the man whom he pardoneth.' -The more pious looked for consolation to the future. -'It is only through the cross,' they said, 'that Christ -will triumph in this kingdom.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_121" id="Ref_121" href="#Foot_121">[121]</a></span> -The crowd dispersed.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE MARTYRS' HYMN.=</p> - -<p>The news of this tragedy soon spread through -France, everywhere causing the deepest sorrow. Berquin -was not the only person struck down; other -christians also suffered the last punishment. Philip -Huaut was burnt alive, after having his tongue cut -out; and Francis Desus had both hand and head cut -off. The story of these deaths, especially that of Berquin, -was told in the shops of the workmen and in the -cottages of the peasants. Many were terrified at it; -but more than one evangelical christian, when he heard -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">{61}</a></span> -the tale at his own fireside, raised his head and cast a -look towards heaven, expressive of his joy at having a -Redeemer and a <i>Father's house</i> beyond the sky. 'We -too are ready,' said these men and women of the -Reformation to one another, 'we are ready to meet -death cheerfully, setting our eyes on the life that is -to come.' One of these christian souls, who had -known Berquin best, and who shed most tears over -him, was the Queen of Navarre. Distressed and -alarmed by his death and by the deaths of the christians -sacrificed in other places for the Gospel, she -prayed fervently to God to come to the help of his -people. She called to mind these words of the Gospel: -<i>Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and -night unto him?</i><span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_122" id="Ref_122" href="#Foot_122">[122]</a></span> -A stranger to all hatred, free from -every evil desire of revenge, she called to the Lord's -remembrance how dear the safety of his children is to -him, and implored his protection for them:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O Lord our God, arise,</div> -<div class="verse">Chastise thy enemies</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Thy saints who slay.</div> -<div class="verse">Death, which to heathen men</div> -<div class="verse">Is full of grief and pain,</div> -<div class="verse">To all who in heaven shall reign</div> -<div class="verse indent2">With thee is dear.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">They through the gloomy vale</div> -<div class="verse">Walk firm, and do not quail,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To rest with thee.</div> -<div class="verse">Such death is happiness,</div> -<div class="verse">Leading to that glad place</div> -<div class="verse">Where in eternal bliss</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Thy sons abide.</div> -</div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">{62}</a></div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Stretch out thy hand, O Lord,</div> -<div class="verse">Help those who trust thy Word,</div> -<div class="verse">And give for sole reward</div> -<div class="verse indent2">This death of joy.</div> -<div class="verse">O Lord our God, arise,</div> -<div class="verse">Chastise thy enemies</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Thy saints who slay.<span class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_123" id="Ref_123" href="#Foot_123">[123]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>This little poem by the Queen of Navarre, which -contains several other verses, was the martyrs' hymn -in the sixteenth century. Nothing shows more clearly -that she was heart and soul with the evangelicals.</p> - -<p>Terror reigned among the reformed christians for -some time after Berquin's martyrdom. They endured -reproach, without putting themselves forward; they -did not wish to irritate their enemies, and many of -them retired to <i>the desert</i>, that is, to some unknown -hiding-place. It was during this period of sorrow -and alarm, when the adversaries imagined that by -getting rid of Berquin they had got rid of the Reformation -as well, and when the remains of the noble -martyr were hardly scattered to the winds of heaven, -that Calvin once more took up his abode in Paris, -not far from the spot where his friend had been burnt. -Rome thought she had put the reformer to death; -but he was about to rise again from his ashes, more -spiritual, more clear, and more powerful, to labour at -the renovation of society and the salvation of mankind.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_95" id="Foot_95" href="#Ref_95">[95]</a> -<i>Journal de Louise de Savoie.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_96" id="Foot_96" href="#Ref_96">[96]</a> -<i>Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. p. 502.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_97" id="Foot_97" href="#Ref_97">[97]</a> -'Illis licere venena sua spargere, nobis non licere admovere antidota.'—Erasmi -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1109.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_98" id="Foot_98" href="#Ref_98">[98]</a> -<i>Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris sous François I.</i> p. 380.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_99" id="Foot_99" href="#Ref_99">[99]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, p. 348.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_100" id="Foot_100" href="#Ref_100">[100]</a> -Calvin.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_101" id="Foot_101" href="#Ref_101">[101]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, ii. p. 96.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_102" id="Foot_102" href="#Ref_102">[102]</a> -<i>Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris</i>, p. 381.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_103" id="Foot_103" href="#Ref_103">[103]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_104" id="Foot_104" href="#Ref_104">[104]</a> -'Lingua illi ferro perfoderetur.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i> p. 1277. <i>Journal d'un -Bourgeois de Paris</i>, p. 382.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_105" id="Foot_105" href="#Ref_105">[105]</a> -'Audita præter expectationem atroci sententia.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_106" id="Foot_106" href="#Ref_106">[106]</a> -'Constanti vultu.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_107" id="Foot_107" href="#Ref_107">[107]</a> -<i>Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. p. 444.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_108" id="Foot_108" href="#Ref_108">[108]</a> -<i>Chronique du Roi François I.</i> p. 76, note.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_109" id="Foot_109" href="#Ref_109">[109]</a> -'Budæum triduo privatim egisse cum Berquino.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_110" id="Foot_110" href="#Ref_110">[110]</a> -Crévier, v. p. 206.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_111" id="Foot_111" href="#Ref_111">[111]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, p. 103, verso.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_112" id="Foot_112" href="#Ref_112">[112]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, p. 103, verso.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_113" id="Foot_113" href="#Ref_113">[113]</a> -'At ego mortem subire, quam veritatis damnationem, vel tacitus -approbare velim.'—Bezæ <i>Icones</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_114" id="Foot_114" href="#Ref_114">[114]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, ii. p. 99.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_115" id="Foot_115" href="#Ref_115">[115]</a> -<i>Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris</i>, p. 383.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_116" id="Foot_116" href="#Ref_116">[116]</a> -Crespin and Theodore Beza speak of the month of November; the -Bourgeois de Paris mentions the 17th of April, but most of the authorities -give the 22nd.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_117" id="Foot_117" href="#Ref_117">[117]</a> -'Des chausses d'or.'—<i>Journal d'un Bourgeois de Paris</i>, p. 384.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_118" id="Foot_118" href="#Ref_118">[118]</a> -'Dixisses illum in templo de rebus cœlestibus cogitare.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i> -p. 1277.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_119" id="Foot_119" href="#Ref_119">[119]</a> -'Prædicant eo nihil fuisse integrius.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i> p. 1313.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_120" id="Foot_120" href="#Ref_120">[120]</a> -'Libertas, bonæ conscientiæ comes, perdidit virum.'—Ibid. p. 113.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_121" id="Foot_121" href="#Ref_121">[121]</a> -'Christo, nonnisi sub cruce, in Gallis triumphaturo.'—Bezæ <i>Icones</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_122" id="Foot_122" href="#Ref_122">[122]</a> -Luke xviii. 7.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_123" id="Foot_123" href="#Ref_123">[123]</a> </p> - -<div class="poetry-fn"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="verse quote1">'Reveille-toi, Seigneur Dieu,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Fais ton effort,</div> -<div class="verse">Et viens venger en tout lieu</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Des tiens la mort.'</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent4"><i>Les Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. p. 508.</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">{63}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FIRST LABOURS OF CALVIN AT PARIS.<br /> - (1529.)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN REVISITS NOYON.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">CALVIN, having bid farewell to the towns and -châteaux of Berry, had arrived in the midst of -those hills and plains, those green pastures and noble -forests, which stretch along both sides of the Oise. -He approached that little city of Noyon, which had -been one time the capital of the empire of Charlemagne, -and where Hugues Capet, the head of the third race, -had been elected king. But his thoughts were not -on these things: he was thinking of his father. As -soon as he caught a glimpse of that beautiful Gothic -cathedral, beneath whose shadow he had been brought -up, he said to himself that its pavement would -never more be trodden by his father's feet. He -had never before returned to Noyon in such deep -emotion. The death of Berquin, the death of his -father, the future of the Church and of himself—all -oppressed him. He found consolation in the affection -of his family, and especially in the devoted attachment -of his brother Anthony and of his sister Mary, who -were one day to share his exile. Bowed down by -so many afflictions, he would have sunk under the -burden, 'like a man half dead, if God had not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">{64}</a></span> -revived his courage while comforting him by his -Word.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_124" id="Ref_124" href="#Foot_124">[124]</a></span></p> - -<p>His father—that old man with mind so positive, with -hand so firm, and whose authority he had venerated—was -not there to guide him: he was free. Gerard -had decided that his son should devote himself to -the law, by which he might rise to a high position in -the world. Calvin aspired, indeed, to another future, -but from obedience he had renounced his most ardent -desires; and now, finding himself at liberty, he turned -towards that christian career in which he was to be, -along with Luther, the greatest champion of modern -times. 'Earthly fathers,' he said on one occasion, -'must not prevent the supreme and only Father of all -from enjoying his rights.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_125" id="Ref_125" href="#Foot_125">[125]</a></span></p> - -<p>As yet, however, Calvin did not meditate becoming -a reformer in the same sense as Luther. At that time -he would have liked to see all the Church transformed, -rather than set himself apart and build up a -new one. The faith which he desired to preach was -that old christian truth which Paul had preached at -Rome. The scribes had substituted for it the false -traditions of man, but this was only one reason the -more for proclaiming in the Church the doctrine which -had founded the Church. After the first phase of -christian life, in which man thinks only of Christ, -there usually comes a second, where the christian -does not voluntarily worship with assemblies opposed -to his convictions. Calvin was now in the first of -these phases. He thought only of preaching the Gospel. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">{65}</a></span> -Did he not possess a pulpit in this very neighbourhood, -and was it not his duty to glorify God from -it? Had it been in his power, he would have done so -in St. Peter's at Rome; why, then, should he refrain -in his own church?</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S PROMOTION AND PREACHING.=</p> - -<p>Calvin had friends in Picardy, even among the dignitaries -of the clergy. Early attached to their young -fellow-townsman, these men had received him with joy; -they had found him more advanced in piety and learning, -and had observed nothing in him opposed to their -opinions. They thought that he might become one of -the pillars of the Church. The circumstance that he -had studied the law did not check them; it rendered -him, in their eyes, fitter still to maintain the interests -of the faith ... and of the clergy. Far from repelling -him, his former patrons endeavoured to bind him still -closer to them. That noble friend of his boyhood, -Claude de Hangest of Momor, now abbot of St. Eloy, -offered to give him the living of Pont L'Evêque in exchange -for that of St. Martin of Marteville. Calvin, -seeing in this offer the opportunity of preaching in the -very place where his ancestors had lived, accepted; -and then resigned, in favour of his brother Anthony, -the chapel of La Gésine, of which he had been titulary -for eight years. The act is dated the 30th of April, -1529.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_126" id="Ref_126" href="#Foot_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p>The same persons who presided over these several -changes encouraged Calvin to preach. When a young -man who has gone through his studies for the ministry -of the Word returns to his native place, every one is -anxious to hear him. Curiosity was still more keenly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">{66}</a></span> -aroused in Calvin's case, for his reputation had preceded -him, and some little charge of heresy, put forward -from time to time, served but to increase the -general eagerness. Everybody wanted to hear the -son of the episcopal secretary, the cooper's grandson. -The men and women who knew him hastened to the -church; people even came from Noyon. The holy -place was soon filled. At last a young man, of middle -height, with thin pale face, whose eyes indicated firm -conviction and lively zeal, went up into the pulpit -and explained the Holy Scriptures to his fellow-townsmen.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_127" id="Ref_127" href="#Foot_127">[127]</a></span> -The effects of Calvin's preaching were -various. Many persons rejoiced to hear, at last, a -living word beneath that roof which had reechoed -with so much vain and useless babbling. Of this number -were, no doubt, certain notable men who were seen -pressing round the preacher: Laurent of Normandy, -who enjoyed great consideration in that district; -Christopher Lefèvre, Lancelot of Montigny, Jacques -Bernardy, Corneille de Villette, Nicholas Néret, -Labbé surnamed Balafré, Claude Dupré, and Nicholas -Picot, Anthony Calvin's brother-in-law. All were -afterwards accused of having embraced the new doctrine, -and were condemned by the parliament of Paris -to be drawn on hurdles and burnt in the great square -of Noyon; but they had already quitted the kingdom.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_128" id="Ref_128" href="#Foot_128">[128]</a></span></p> - -<p>The words of the young speaker did not merely -communicate fresh knowledge—they worked a transformation -of the heart and life. But there were men -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">{67}</a></span> -present quite ready to receive certain evangelical ideas, -who yet did not mean to change either their life or their -heart. The same word thus produced faith in some -and opposition in others: it <i>divided the light from the -darkness</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_129" id="Ref_129" href="#Foot_129">[129]</a></span> -Certain bigots and priests, in particular, -inveighed against the preaching of that serious-looking, -earnest young man, and exclaimed: 'They are setting -wolves to guard the sheep!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_130" id="Ref_130" href="#Foot_130">[130]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=DECIDES ON GOING TO PARIS.=</p> - -<p>Calvin stayed only two or three months at Noyon. -Perhaps a growing opposition forced him to depart. -He desired also to continue his Greek studies; but -instead of returning to Orleans or Bourges, he resolved -to go to Paris. The moment was favourable. Classical -studies were at that time making great progress in the -capital. Francis I., at the request of Budæus and -Du Bellay, had just founded (1529) several professorships -for teaching Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. It was -a complete revolution, and Paris was full of animation -when Calvin arrived. The fantastical framework -which the scholastics, theologians, jurists, and philosophers -had erected during the middle ages, fell to the -ground in the midst of jeering and laughter, and the -modern learning arose amid the unanimous applause of -the rising generation. Pierre Danès, a pupil of Budæus -and Lascaris, and afterwards a bishop, taught -Greek;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_131" id="Ref_131" href="#Foot_131">[131]</a></span> -Francis Vatable introduced young scholars -to the knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, although -he failed himself to find the counsel of God therein;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_132" id="Ref_132" href="#Foot_132">[132]</a></span> -other illustrious professors completed this precious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">{68}</a></span> -course of instruction. Paris was a centre whence light -emanated; and this was the reason which induced -Calvin to forsake Noyon, Bourges, and even Orleans, -and hasten his steps thither.</p> - -<p>The journey was a painful one; Calvin (whether on -horseback or on foot is unknown) arrived in Paris -about the end of June, quite worn out with fatigue. -'It is impossible,' he said next morning, 'for me to go -out of doors;'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_133" id="Ref_133" href="#Foot_133">[133]</a></span> -indeed, he did not leave his room for -four days. But the news of his arrival soon spread; -his friends and admirers hastened to his inn, and -during these four days his room was never empty.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_134" id="Ref_134" href="#Foot_134">[134]</a></span> -All the agitation of the schools seemed to be transported -thither.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S VISITORS.=</p> - -<p>They talked of Budæus, Vatable, and Danès, of -Greek and Hebrew, and of the sun of learning then -shining over the old Lutetia.... Calvin listened and -learnt the state of men's minds. One of the first who -hurried to him was Coiffard, his fellow-collegian at -Orleans, who brought his father with him. People -contended for the student of Noyon, who had already -become celebrated. 'Come and stay with us,' said -the young Parisian; and when Calvin declined, 'I entreat -you,' said Coiffard in the most affectionate manner, -'to grant me this favour.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_135" id="Ref_135" href="#Foot_135">[135]</a></span> -The father also -insisted, for the worthy citizen knew what a steady -friend his rather frivolous son would find in the -Picardin student. 'There is nothing in the world -I desire so much,' he said, 'as to see you associate -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">{69}</a></span> -with my son.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_136" id="Ref_136" href="#Foot_136">[136]</a></span> -—'Come, do come,' urged the son, -'and be my companion.' Calvin was touched by this -affection; but he feared the interruptions of the family, -its distance from college, and he had but one object—study. -'I would accept your offer with both hands,' he -said, 'but that I intend to follow Danès' Greek course, -and his school is too far from your house.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_137" id="Ref_137" href="#Foot_137">[137]</a></span> -The father and son went away greatly disappointed.</p> - -<p>Not long after this, a more important personage -entered the room. It was Nicholas Cop, professor at -St. Barbe, whose father, a native of Basle, had just -been appointed physician to the king. Both father -and son were strongly suspected of belonging to the -'new opinions;' but at that time Francis cared little -about them. The elder Cop had translated Galen -and Hippocrates, and the king had confided to him -the care of his health. A strict friendship erelong -united Calvin and the son. The latter, although a -professor in the university, listened to the student of -Noyon as a disciple listens to his master; it is one of -those marks of Calvin's superiority, which every one -recognised instantly. He showed his friend 'how -Christ discharges the office of physician, since he is -sent by the Father to quicken the dead.'</p> - -<p>The conversations which these two young men -then held together resulted in after years in an event -which exercised a certain influence over the destiny -of the reformer and of the Reform itself.</p> - -<p class="side">=VISIT TO A CONVENT.=</p> - -<p>An object of less importance occupied them now: -it was Calvin's first business in Paris, and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">{70}</a></span> -account he gives of it throws a new light on the -future legislator. The custom of shutting up in -convents the young persons who had any tendency -towards the Gospel had already begun. 'Our friend -Daniel, the advocate,' said Calvin to Cop, 'has a sister -in a nunnery at Paris; she is about to take the veil, -and Daniel wishes to know if it is with her full consent.'—'I -will accompany you,' said the professor, -and on the following Sunday, Calvin having recovered -from his fatigue, the two friends set out for the convent. -The future reformer, who was already opposed -to monastic vows, especially when taken under constraint, -cleverly devised a plan for learning whether -any restriction was placed upon the young lady's -liberty. 'Converse with the abbess,' he said to Cop, -as they were going to the nunnery, 'and contrive -that I may be able to talk privately with our friend's -sister.' The abbess, followed by the girl, entered the -parlour. 'We have granted her,' said the former, -'the privilege of taking the solemn vows.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_138" id="Ref_138" href="#Foot_138">[138]</a></span> -According -to his instructions Cop began to talk with the -superior on different subjects which had no connection -with the matter in hand. During this time, -Calvin, who believed he saw a victim before him, -took advantage of the opportunity, and said to Daniel's -sister: 'Are you taking this yoke upon you willingly, -or is it placed on your neck by force?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_139" id="Ref_139" href="#Foot_139">[139]</a></span> -Do not fear -to trust me with the thoughts that disturb you.' The -girl looked at Calvin with a thoughtless air, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">{71}</a></span> -answered him with much volubility: 'The veil is -what I most desire, and the day when I shall make -my vow can never come too soon.' The future reformer -was astonished: he had before him a giddy -young person, who had been led to believe that she -would find great amusement in the cloister. 'Every -time she spoke of her vows,' said Calvin, 'you might -have fancied she was playing with her doll.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_140" id="Ref_140" href="#Foot_140">[140]</a></span> -He desired, however, to address one serious word to her: -'Mademoiselle,' he said to her, 'I beg of you not to -trust too much to your own strength: I conjure you -to promise nothing as if you could accomplish it yourself. -Lean rather on the strength of God, in whom -we live and have our being.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_141" id="Ref_141" href="#Foot_141">[141]</a></span> -Perhaps Calvin -thought that by speaking so seriously to the young -girl, she would renounce her rash undertaking; but -he was mistaken.</p> - -<p>He returned to his inn, and two days after (the -25th of June) he wrote to Daniel an account of his visit -to the convent. Having finished, he was beginning -another letter to a canon of Orleans,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_142" id="Ref_142" href="#Foot_142">[142]</a></span> -when one of -his friends arrived, who had come to take him for a -ride. We might suppress this incident as being of no -importance; but it is perhaps also an unexpected feature -in Calvin's habits. He is generally represented -as absorbed in his books or reprimanding the disorderly. -And yet he was no stranger to the decent -relaxations of life: he could ride on horseback and -took pleasure in the exercise. He accepted his friend -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">{72}</a></span> -Viermey's offer. 'I shall finish the letter on my return,' -he said,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_143" id="Ref_143" href="#Foot_143">[143]</a></span> -and the two students set off on their -excursion in the neighbourhood of Paris. A few -days later Calvin hired a room in the college of -Fortret, where he was near the professors, and resumed -his study of languages, law, and philosophy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_144" id="Ref_144" href="#Foot_144">[144]</a></span> -He desired to learn. Having received the knowledge -of divine things, he wished to acquire a true -understanding of the world.</p> - -<p>But erelong the summons from on high sounded -louder than ever in his heart. When he was in his -room, surrounded by his law books, the voice of his -conscience cried to him that he ought to study the -Bible. When he went out, all his friends who felt a -love for pure religion begged of him to devote himself -to the Gospel.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_145" id="Ref_145" href="#Foot_145">[145]</a></span> -Calvin was one of those fortresses -that are not to be taken at the first assault. As he -looked upon the books scattered about his study, he -could not make up his mind to forsake them. But -whenever in the course of his life God spoke clearly -to him, he repressed his fondest desires. Thus urged -from within and from without, he yielded at last. 'I -renounce all other sciences,' he said, 'and give myself -up entirely to theology and to God.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_146" id="Ref_146" href="#Foot_146">[146]</a></span> -This news -spread among the secret assemblies of the faithful, -and all were filled with great satisfaction.</p> - -<p>A mighty movement had taken place in Calvin's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">{73}</a></span> -soul; but it must be understood that there was no -plan laid down in his mind. He had no ambition, no -art, no <i>rôle</i>; but he did with a strong will whatever -God set before him. The time he now spent in Paris -was his apprenticeship. Having given himself to -God, he set to work with the decision of an energetic -character and the firmness of a persevering mind. -He studied theology with enthusiasm. 'The science -of God is the mistress-science,' he said; 'the others -are only her servants.' He gave consistency to that -little chosen band who, in the midst of the crowd -of scholars, turned lovingly towards the Holy Scriptures. -He excited young and noble minds; he studied -with them and endeavoured to explain their -difficulties.</p> - -<p class="side">=SPEAKS AT SECRET MEETINGS.=</p> - -<p>He did more. Berquin's death had struck all his -friends with terror. 'If they have burnt this green -wood,' said some, 'they will not spare the dry.' -Calvin, not permitting himself to be checked by these -alarms, began to explore that city which had become -so dangerous. He joined the secret assemblies -which met under the shadow of night in remote -quarters,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_147" id="Ref_147" href="#Foot_147">[147]</a></span> -where he explained the Scriptures with -a clearness and energy of which none had ever -heard the like. These meetings were held more particularly -on the left bank of the Seine, in that part of -the city which the catholics afterwards termed <i>Little -Geneva</i>, and which, on the other hand, is now the -seat of Parisian catholicism. One day the evangelicals -would repair mysteriously to a house on the property -of the abbey of St. Germain des Prés; another day -they would meet in the precincts of the university, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">{74}</a></span> -the <i>quartier latin</i> of our times. In the room would be a -few wooden benches, on which the poor people, a few -students, and sometimes one or two men of learning, -took their seats. They loved that simple-hearted -young man, who so effectually introduced into their -minds and hearts the truths he found in the Scriptures. -'The Word of Christ is always a fire,' they -said; 'but when he explains it, this fire shines out -with unusual brilliancy.'</p> - -<p>Young men formed themselves on his model; but -there were many who rushed into controversy, instead -of seeking edification as Calvin did. In the university -quarter the pupils of Daniel and Vatable might -be seen, with the Hebrew or Greek Testaments in -their hands, disputing with everybody. 'It is thus -in the Hebrew text,' they said; 'and the Greek text -reads so and so.' Calvin did not, however, disdain -polemics; following the natural bent of his mind, he -attacked error and reprimanded the guilty. Some -who were astonished at his language asked: 'Is not -this the curé of Pont l'Evêque, the friend of Monseigneur -de St. Eloy?' But, not allowing himself -to be checked by these words, he confounded alike -the superstitious papists and the incredulous innovators. -'He was wholly given up to divinity and to -God, to the great delight of all believers.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_148" id="Ref_148" href="#Foot_148">[148]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=HE CIRCULATES INFORMATION.=</p> - -<p>It was already possible to distinguish in him, in -some features at least, the character of chief of the -Reform. As he possessed great facility of correspondence, -he kept himself informed, and others also, -of all that was passing in the christian world. He -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">{75}</a></span> -made about this time a collection of papers and documents -relating to the most recent facts of the Reformation, -and sent them to Duchemin, but not for -him to keep.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_149" id="Ref_149" href="#Foot_149">[149]</a></span> -'I send them to you on this condition,' -wrote Calvin, 'that, in accordance with your -good faith and duty, they may pass through your -hands to our friends.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_150" id="Ref_150" href="#Foot_150">[150]</a></span> -To this packet he added -an epitome,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_151" id="Ref_151" href="#Foot_151">[151]</a></span> -some commentaries, and a collection of -notes made probably by Roussel during his residence -at Strasburg. He purposed adding an appendix:<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_152" id="Ref_152" href="#Foot_152">[152]</a></span>'But I had no time,' he said.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_153" id="Ref_153" href="#Foot_153">[153]</a></span> -Calvin desired that -all the friends of the Gospel should profit by the -light which he himself possessed. He brought the new -ideas and new writings into circulation. A close -student, an indefatigable evangelist, this young man -of twenty was, by his far-seeing glance, almost a -reformer.</p> - -<p>He did not confine his labours to Paris, Orleans, -Bourges, or Noyon: the city of Meaux occupied his -attention. Meaux, which had welcomed Lefèvre and -Farel, which had heard Leclerc, the first martyr, still -possessed Briçonnet. This former protector of the -evangelicals would indeed no longer see them, and -appeared absorbed in the honours and seductions of -the prelacy. But some men thought that at the bottom -of his heart he still loved the Gospel. What a triumph -if the grace of God should once more blossom in his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">{76}</a></span> -soul! Daniel had friends at Meaux; Calvin begged -of him to open the door (or, to use his own expression, -<i>the window</i>) of this city for him. In the number of -these friends was a certain <i>Mæcenas</i>. The young -doctor, writing from Meaux, gives a portrait of this -individual which exactly fits the bishop. He does -not name Briçonnet; but as he often suppresses names, -or employs either initials or pseudonyms, we might -almost say that the name was not necessary here. -Daniel accordingly wrote to Mæcenas, who returned -a very cold answer.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_154" id="Ref_154" href="#Foot_154">[154]</a></span> -'I cannot walk with those -people,' he said; 'I cannot conform my manners to -theirs.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_155" id="Ref_155" href="#Foot_155">[155]</a></span> -Daniel insisted; but it was all of no use: -the timid Mæcenas would on no account have anything -to do with Calvin. Briçonnet, we learn, was -surrounded by friends who were continually repeating -to him: 'A bishop ought to have no commerce with -persons suspected of innovation.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_156" id="Ref_156" href="#Foot_156">[156]</a></span> -Calvin, animated -by the noblest ambition, that of bringing back to God -a soul that was going astray, finding himself denied -every time he knocked at the gate of this great personage, -at last gave up his generous enterprise, and, -shaking the dust from his feet, he said with severity: -'Since he will not be with us, let him take pleasure in -himself, and with a heart full, or rather inflated by his -own importance, let him pamper his ambition.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_157" id="Ref_157" href="#Foot_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">{77}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S MISSIONARY ZEAL.=</p> - -<p>Calvin did not, however, fail completely at Meaux: -'You have given me prompt and effectual aid,' he -wrote to Daniel; 'you have opened me a window, -and have thus given me the privilege of being in future -an indiscreet petitioner.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_158" id="Ref_158" href="#Foot_158">[158]</a></span> -He took advantage of this -opening to propagate the Gospel. 'I will do it,' he -said, 'without imprudence or precipitation.' And, -calling to mind that 'the doctrine of Christ is like -old wine, which has ceased working, but which nevertheless -gives nourishment to the body,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_159" id="Ref_159" href="#Foot_159">[159]</a></span> -he busied -himself in filling vessels with this precious drink: 'I -will take care,' he wrote to Daniel, 'that the inside -shall be well filled with wine.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_160" id="Ref_160" href="#Foot_160">[160]</a></span> -He ended his -letter by saying: 'I want the <i>Odyssey</i> of Homer -which I lent Sucquet: pray tell him so.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_161" id="Ref_161" href="#Foot_161">[161]</a></span> -Luther -took Plautus and Terence into the convent with him; -Calvin asked for Homer.</p> - -<p>He soon returned to Paris, which opened a wider -field of labour to him. On the 15th of January, 1530, -he wrote Daniel a letter which he dated from the -<i>Acropolis</i>, as if Paris were to him the citadel of catholicism -or the Parthenon of France.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_162" id="Ref_162" href="#Foot_162">[162]</a></span> -He was always -trying to save some lost sheep, and such a desire filled -his mind on the 15th of January. On that day he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">{78}</a></span> -expected two friends to dinner. One of them, Robert -Daniel, brother to the advocate of Orleans, an enthusiastic -young man, was burning with desire to see the -world. Calvin, who had already done all in his power -to win him over, flattered himself that he would succeed -that day; but the giddy young fellow, suspecting -perhaps what awaited him, did not come. Calvin sent -a messenger to Robert's lodging. 'He has decamped,' -said the landlord; 'he has left for Italy.' At Meaux -Calvin had desired to win over a great personage; at -Paris he had hoped to win over a young adventurer: -in both cases he failed. 'Alas!' he said, 'I am but -a dry and useless log!' And once more he sought -fresh strength in Christ.</p> - -<p class="side">=BEDA ATTACKS THE PROFESSORS.=</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Sorbonne, proud of the victory it had -gained in bringing Berquin to the stake, decided to -pursue its triumphs. The war was about to begin -again. It was Beda who renewed the combat—that -Beda of whom Erasmus said: 'There are three thousand -priests in that man alone!' He did not attack Calvin, -disdaining, or rather ignoring him. He aimed at -higher game, and having triumphed over one of the -king's gentlemen, he attacked the doctors whom Francis -had invited to Paris for the propagation of learning. -Danès, Vatable, and others having been cited before -the parliament, the fiery syndic rose and said: 'The -king's doctors neglect Aristotle, and study the Holy -Scriptures only.... If people continue to occupy themselves -with Greek and Hebrew, it is all over with faith. -These folks desire to explain the Bible, and they are -not even theologians!... The Greek and Hebrew -books of the Holy Scriptures come mostly from Germany, -where they may have been altered. Many of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">{79}</a></span> -the persons who print Hebrew books are Jews.... It -is not, therefore, a sufficient argument to say: It is -so and so in the Hebrew.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_163" id="Ref_163" href="#Foot_163">[163]</a></span> -These doctors ought to -be forbidden to interfere with Holy Scripture in their -courses; or at least they should be ordered first to -undergo an examination at the university.' The king's -professors did not hold back in the cause of knowledge. -They boldly assumed the offensive. 'If the -university of Paris is now in small esteem among -foreign nations,' they said to the parliament, 'it is because -instead of applying themselves to the study of -the Holy Gospels and of the ancient fathers—Cyprian, -Chrysostom, Jerome, and Augustin—its theologians -substitute for this true knowledge a science teaching -nothing but craft and sophistry. It is not thus that -God wills to enlighten his people. We must study -sacred literature, and drink freely of all the treasures -of the human mind.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_164" id="Ref_164" href="#Foot_164">[164]</a></span> -Beda had gone too far. At -court, and even in parliament, numerous voices were -raised in behalf of learning and learned men. Parliament -dismissed the charges of the syndic of the Sorbonne.</p> - -<p>The exasperated Beda now employed all his eloquence -to get the professors condemned by the Sorbonne. -'The new doctors,' he exclaimed, 'horrible -to say! pretend that Holy Scripture cannot be understood -without Greek, Hebrew, and other such languages.' -On the 30th of April, 1530, the Sorbonne -did actually condemn as rash and scandalous the proposition -of the professors which Beda had denounced.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_165" id="Ref_165" href="#Foot_165">[165]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">{80}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=SMALL BEGINNINGS OF A GREAT WORK.=</p> - -<p>Calvin anxiously observed in all its phases this -struggle between his teachers and the doctors of the -Sorbonne. All the students were on the watch, as -was Calvin also in his college; and when the decision -of the parliament became known there, it was received -with loud acclamations. While the Sorbonne placed -itself on the side of tradition, Calvin placed himself -still more decidedly on the side of Scripture. He -thought that as the oral teaching of the apostles had -ceased, their written teaching had become its indispensable -substitute. The writings of Matthew and John, -of Peter and Paul, were, in his opinion, the living -word of these great doctors, their teaching for those -ages which could neither see nor hear them. It -appeared to Calvin as impossible to reform the Church -without the writings of the apostles, as it would have -been to form it in the first century without their -preaching. He saw clearly that if the Church was to -be renewed, it must be done by faith and by Scripture—a -twofold principle which at bottom is but one.</p> - -<p>But the hour had not yet come when Calvin was to -proclaim these great truths with the authority of a -reformer. A modest and devout man, he was now -performing a more humble work in the remotest -streets and loneliest houses of the capital. One would -have taken him for the most insignificant of men, -and yet he was already a conqueror. The light of -Scripture, with which his mind was saturated, was -one day to shine like the lightning from east to west; -and no man since St. Paul was to hold the Gospel torch -so high and with so firm a hand. When that student, -so thin, pale, and obscure, in appearance so mean, in -manner so timid, passed down the street of St. Jacques -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">{81}</a></span> -or of the Sorbonne; when he crept silently past the -houses, and slipped unobserved into one of them, -bearing with him the Word of life, there was not even -an old woman that noticed him. And yet the time -was to come when Francis I., with his policy, conquests, -priests, court, and festivities, would only call up -frivolous or disgusting recollections; while the work -which this poor scholar was by God's grace then beginning, -would increase day by day for the salvation -of souls and prosperity of nations, and would advance -calmly but surely to the conquest of the world.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_124" id="Foot_124" href="#Ref_124">[124]</a> -Calvini <i>Opusc.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_125" id="Foot_125" href="#Ref_125">[125]</a> -'Unico omnium patri suum jus integrum maneat.'—Calvin <i>in -Matthæum</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_126" id="Foot_126" href="#Ref_126">[126]</a> -Desmay, <i>Vie de Calvin</i>, pp. 40-42. Drelincourt, <i>Défense de Calvin</i>, -pp. 167, 168.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_127" id="Foot_127" href="#Ref_127">[127]</a> -'Quo loco constat Calvinum ... ad populum conciones habuisse.'—Bezæ -<i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_128" id="Foot_128" href="#Ref_128">[128]</a> -Archives Générales, x. 8946. <i>France Protestante</i>, article <i>Normandie</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_129" id="Foot_129" href="#Ref_129">[129]</a> -Genesis i. 5.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_130" id="Foot_130" href="#Ref_130">[130]</a> -Desmay, <i>Vie de Calvin</i>, p. 41. Drelincourt, <i>Défense de Calvin</i>, p. 168.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_131" id="Foot_131" href="#Ref_131">[131]</a> -Crévier, <i>Hist. de l'Université de Paris</i>, v. p. 245.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_132" id="Foot_132" href="#Ref_132">[132]</a> -'Quo alios introduxisti, nusquam ipse ingressus.'—Bezæ <i>Icones</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_133" id="Foot_133" href="#Ref_133">[133]</a> -'Lassus de itinere pedem extrahere domo non potui.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_134" id="Foot_134" href="#Ref_134">[134]</a> -'Proximos quatuor dies, cum me ægre adhuc sustinerem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_135" id="Foot_135" href="#Ref_135">[135]</a> -'Multis precibus, iisque non frigidis, sæpe institit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_136" id="Foot_136" href="#Ref_136">[136]</a> -'Nihil magis appetere quam me adjungi filio.'—Calvinus Danieli, -Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_137" id="Foot_137" href="#Ref_137">[137]</a> -'Nihil unquam magis ambabus ulnis complexus sum, quam hanc -amici voluntatem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_138" id="Foot_138" href="#Ref_138">[138]</a> -'Eam obtinuisse ex solenni more voti nuncupandi potestatem.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_139" id="Foot_139" href="#Ref_139">[139]</a> -'Num jugum illud molliter exciperet? num fracta potius quam -inflexa cervix?'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_140" id="Foot_140" href="#Ref_140">[140]</a> -'Diceres eam ludere cum puppis, quoties audivit voti nomen.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_141" id="Foot_141" href="#Ref_141">[141]</a> -'Omnia reponeret in Dei virtute in quo sumus et vivimus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_142" id="Foot_142" href="#Ref_142">[142]</a> -'Habeo litteras inchoatas ad canonicum.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_143" id="Foot_143" href="#Ref_143">[143]</a> -'Viermæus cum quo equum ascendo.'—Calvinus Danieli, Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_144" id="Foot_144" href="#Ref_144">[144]</a> -'In collegio Forterestano domicilium habuit.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. -de l'Hérésie</i>, ii. p. 246.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_145" id="Foot_145" href="#Ref_145">[145]</a> -Theodore Beza, <i>Vie de Calvin</i>, in French text, p. 12. 'Omnibus -purioris religionis studiosis.'—Ibid. Latin text.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_146" id="Foot_146" href="#Ref_146">[146]</a> -'Ab eo tempore sese Calvinus, abjectis reliquis studiis, Deo totum -consecravit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_147" id="Foot_147" href="#Ref_147">[147]</a> -'Qui tunc Lutetiæ occultos cœtus habebant.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_148" id="Foot_148" href="#Ref_148">[148]</a> -Beza, <i>Vie de Calvin</i>, French text, p. 12. 'Summa piorum omnium -voluptate.'—Ibid. Latin text.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_149" id="Foot_149" href="#Ref_149">[149]</a> -'Mitto ad te rerum novarum collectanea.'—Calvinus Chemino, Berne -MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_150" id="Foot_150" href="#Ref_150">[150]</a> -'Hac tamen lege, ut pro tua fide officioque per manus tuas ad amicos -transeant.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_151" id="Foot_151" href="#Ref_151">[151]</a> -'Mitto Epitomem alteram G. nostri.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_152" id="Foot_152" href="#Ref_152">[152]</a> -'Cui velut appendicem assuere decreveram.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_153" id="Foot_153" href="#Ref_153">[153]</a> -'Nisi me tempus defecisset.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_154" id="Foot_154" href="#Ref_154">[154]</a> -'Supinum illum Mæcenatem.'—Calvinus Danieli Aureliano, Idibus -Septembris 1529. Geneva MSS. Calvin borrows this expression from -Juvenal, i. 65: - - 'Multum referens de Mæcenate supino.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_155" id="Foot_155" href="#Ref_155">[155]</a> -'Non potest mores suos nobis accommodare.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_156" id="Foot_156" href="#Ref_156">[156]</a> -Maimbourg, <i>Histoire du Calvinisme</i>, liv. ii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_157" id="Foot_157" href="#Ref_157">[157]</a> -'Sit assentator suus, et pleno, seu verius turgido pectore, foveat -ambitionem.'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_158" id="Foot_158" href="#Ref_158">[158]</a> -'Apertam esse fenestram, ne post hæc simus verecundi petitores.'—Calvinus -Danieli, Geneva MSS. An expression imitated from Suetonius, -lib. xxviii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_159" id="Foot_159" href="#Ref_159">[159]</a> -Calvin, <i>in Lucam</i>, ch. v. 39.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_160" id="Foot_160" href="#Ref_160">[160]</a> -'Interim tamen penum vino instruendum curabo.'—Calvinus Danieli, -Geneva MSS. This passage presents some difficulty. 'Penus' in -Persius means a <i>safe</i> where meat is kept; in Festus and Lampridius, -the <i>sanctuary</i> of the temple.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_161" id="Foot_161" href="#Ref_161">[161]</a> -'Odysseam Homeri quam Sucqueto commodaveram, finges a me -desiderari.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_162" id="Foot_162" href="#Ref_162">[162]</a> -<i>Calvin's Letters</i>, i. p. 30. Philadelphia, edit. J. Bonnet.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_163" id="Foot_163" href="#Ref_163">[163]</a> -'Ita habent Hebræa.'—<i>Actes du Parlement.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_164" id="Foot_164" href="#Ref_164">[164]</a> -Crévier, <i>Hist. de l'Université de Paris</i>, v. p. 249.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_165" id="Foot_165" href="#Ref_165">[165]</a> -'Hæc propositio temeraria est et scandalosa.'—D'Argentré, <i>Collectio -Judiciorum de novis Erroribus</i>, ii. p. 78.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">{82}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">MARGARET'S SORROWS AND THE FESTIVITIES OF THE COURT<br /> - (1530-1531.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">WHEN was France to turn herself towards the -Word of God? At the time of her brother's -return from his Spanish captivity, Margaret had -solicited him to grant liberty of preaching the Gospel, -and the king, as will be remembered, had deferred -the matter until his sons were restored to -freedom. That moment seemed to have arrived. -In order to recover his children, Francis had sacrificed -at Cambray (June 1529), in <i>the Ladies' Peace</i>, -the towns he had conquered, the allies who had -been faithful to him, and two millions of crowns besides.</p> - -<p>It was not, however, until ten months later that the -children of France returned. All the royal family -hurried to the Spanish frontier to receive them; all, -except Margaret. 'As it would be difficult to take -you further without danger,' said her mother, 'the -king and I have determined to leave you behind for -your confinement.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_166" id="Ref_166" href="#Foot_166">[166]</a></span> -Margaret, uneasy and perhaps -a little jealous, wrote to Montmorency: 'When the -King of Navarre is with you, I pray you to advise -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">{83}</a></span> -him; but I much fear that you will not be able -to prevent his falling in love with the Spanish -ladies.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_167" id="Ref_167" href="#Foot_167">[167]</a></span> -At the beginning of July the king's children -were restored to their father; Margaret was -transported with joy, and showed it by her enthusiastic -letters to Francis I.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_168" id="Ref_168" href="#Foot_168">[168]</a></span> -She loved these princes -like a mother. More serious thoughts soon filled her -mind: the epoch fixed by her brother had arrived, but -would he keep his promise?</p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET PROMOTES UNITY.=</p> - -<p>Margaret lost no time. Being left alone at Blois, -she endeavoured to strengthen the good cause, and -carried on an active correspondence with the leaders -of the Reform. 'Alas!' said the priests, 'while King -Francis is labouring to protect his kingdom from the -inundations of the Rhine (that is, the Reformation), -his sister the Queen of Navarre is trying to break the -dykes and throw down the embankments.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_169" id="Ref_169" href="#Foot_169">[169]</a></span> -There -was one work above all which Margaret had at heart; -she wished to put an end to the divisions among -the evangelicals. She entreated the Frenchmen who -were at Strasburg, 'waiting for the consolation of -Israel,' to do all in their power to terminate the disunion; -she even commanded Bucer to do so.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_170" id="Ref_170" href="#Foot_170">[170]</a></span> -Bucer's -fine talents, benevolent character, and cultivated understanding, -the eloquence of his language, the dignity -of his carriage, the captivating sound of his voice, his -discerning of spirits, his ardent zeal—all seemed to -fit him for a peace-maker. He set to work without -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">{84}</a></span> -delay, and informed Luther of the princess's injunctions. -'If our opinions are compared with yours,' he -said, 'it will be easily seen that they are radically the -same, although expressed in different terms. Let us -not furnish our enemies with a weapon with which to -attack truth.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_171" id="Ref_171" href="#Foot_171">[171]</a></span></p> - -<p>If Margaret had confidence in Bucer, he too had confidence -in her. He admired the sincerity of her faith, -the liveliness of her piety, the purity of her manners, -the beauty of her understanding, the charms of her -conversation, and the abundance of her good works. -'Never was this christian heroine found wanting in -her duty,' he wrote to Luther.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_172" id="Ref_172" href="#Foot_172">[172]</a></span> -The Strasburgers -thought that if Luther and the Germans on one side, -and Margaret and the French on the other, were united, -the cause of the Reformation would be triumphant in -Europe. Whenever any good news arrived from -France, Bucer thrilled with joy; he ran to communicate -it to Capito, to Hedion, to Zell, and to Hohenlohe; -and then he wrote to Luther: 'The brethren write to -us from France, dear doctor, that the Gospel is spreading -among them in a wonderful manner. A great number -of the nobility have already received the truth.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_173" id="Ref_173" href="#Foot_173">[173]</a></span> -There is a certain district in Normandy where the -Gospel is spread so widely that the enemy call it <i>Little -Germany</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_174" id="Ref_174" href="#Foot_174">[174]</a></span> -The king is no stranger to the good -doctrine;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_175" id="Ref_175" href="#Foot_175">[175]</a></span> -and as his children are now at liberty, he -will no longer pay such regard to what the pope and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">{85}</a></span> -the emperor demand. Christ will soon be publicly -confessed over the whole kingdom.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_176" id="Ref_176" href="#Foot_176">[176]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=DEATH OF MARGARET'S CHILD.=</p> - -<p>The Queen of Navarre was obliged to discontinue -her correspondence with the reformers of Germany; -great joys and great anguish gave another direction -to her thoughts. About a fortnight after the return -of the children of France, Margaret became the -mother of a fine boy at the castle of Blois. When -the king passed through that place on his return from -the Pyrenees, he took his sister with him, after her -churching, to Fontainebleau. But erelong bad tidings -of her child summoned Margaret to Alençon, where -he was staying with his nurse; he died on Christmas -day, 1530, at the age of five months and a half. The -mother who had watched near him, who had felt his -sweet breath upon her cheek, saw him now lying dead -in his little cradle, and could not turn away her eyes -from him. At one time she thought he would revive, -but alas! he was really dead. The queen felt as if -her life had been torn from her; her strength was -exhausted; her heart bled, but God consoled her. -'I place him,' she said, 'in the arms of his Father;' -and as she felt the necessity of giving glory to God -publicly, she sent for one of her principal officers, and, -with a voice stifled by tears and sighs, ordered that the -child's death should be posted up in the principal -quarters of the city, and that these words should be -at the foot of the notice:</p> - - <p class="center"><span class="smc">The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.</span></p> - -<p>A sentiment of joy mingled, however, with her inexpressible -sorrow; and, confident that the little child -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">{86}</a></span> -was in the presence of God, the pious mother ordered -a <i>Te Deum</i> to be sung.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_177" id="Ref_177" href="#Foot_177">[177]</a></span> -'I entreat you both,' she -wrote to her brother and to her mother, 'to <i>rejoice at -his glory</i>, and not give way to any sadness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_178" id="Ref_178" href="#Foot_178">[178]</a></span> -Francis, -who had not long before lost two daughters, was moved -at this solemn circumstance, and replied to his sister: -'You have borne the grief of mine, as if they were -your own lost children; now I must bear yours, as if -it were my own loss. It is the third of yours and -the last of mine, whom God has called away to his -blessed communion, acquired by them with little -labour, and desired by us with such great travail.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_179" id="Ref_179" href="#Foot_179">[179]</a></span> -There are afflictions from God which awaken deep -feelings, even in the most frivolous hearts, and lips -which are ordinarily dumb sometimes utter harmonious -sounds in the presence of death. Other consolations -were not wanting to the queen. Du Bellay, -at that time Bishop of Bayonne, and afterwards of -Paris, hastened to Alençon: 'Ah!' said Margaret, -'but for our Lord's help, the burden would have been -more than I could bear.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_180" id="Ref_180" href="#Foot_180">[180]</a></span> -The bishop urged her, -on the part of the king, to go to St. Germain, where -preparations were making for the coronation of Queen -Eleanor, the emperor's sister. Margaret, who always -obeyed her brother's orders, quitted Alençon, though -with sorrow, in order to be present at his marriage.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARRIAGE OF FRANCIS AND ELEANOR.=</p> - -<p>The court had never been more brilliant. The less -happiness there was in this marriage, the more pomp -the king desired to display; joy of the heart was replaced -by the sound of the fife and drum and of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">{87}</a></span> -hautboy. The dresses were glittering, the festivities -magnificent.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="verse">There were mysteries and games, and the streets were gaily drest,</div> -<div class="verse">And the roads with flowers were strewn of the sweetest and the best;</div> -<div class="verse">On every side were galleries, and, if 't would pleasure yield,</div> -<div class="verse">We'd have conjured up again for thee a new Elysian field.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_181" id="Ref_181" href="#Foot_181">[181]</a></span></div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Princes, archbishops, bishops, barons, knights, gentlemen -of parliament, and the magistrates of the city, -were assembled for this illustrious marriage; scholars -and poets were not wanting. Francis I. would often -repeat the proverb addressed by Fouquet, Count of -Anjou, to Louis IV.:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="verse">Un roi non lettré</div> -<div class="verse">Est un âne couronné.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_182" id="Ref_182" href="#Foot_182">[182]</a></span></div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Philologers, painters, and architects had flocked to -France from foreign countries. They had met in Paris -men worthy to receive them. William Budæus, the -three brothers Du Bellay, William Petit, the king's -confessor; William Cop, the friend of Lascaris and -Erasmus; Pierre du Châtel, who so gracefully described -his travels in the East; Pellicier, the learned commentator -on Pliny, whose papers have not, however, been -printed;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_183" id="Ref_183" href="#Foot_183">[183]</a></span> -Peter Danès, whose talents and knowledge -Calvin esteemed so highly: all these scholars, -who entertained sympathies, more or less secret, for -the Reform, were then at court. These men of -letters passed among the Roman party as belonging -to Luther's flock.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_184" id="Ref_184" href="#Foot_184">[184]</a></span> -Somewhat later, indeed, when one -of them, Danès, was at the Council of Trent, a French -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">{88}</a></span> -orator inveighed strongly against the lax morals of -Rome. The Bishop of Orvieto said with contempt: -'<i>Gallus cantat!</i>'—'<i>Utinam</i>,' sharply retorted Danès, -then ambassador for France, '<i>utinam ad galli cantum -Petrus resipisceret!</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_185" id="Ref_185" href="#Foot_185">[185]</a></span> -But the cock has often crowed, -and Peter has shed no tears.</p> - -<p>In the midst of all these men of letters was</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="verse">Margaret, the fairest flower</div> -<div class="verse">That ever grew on earth,</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="nodent">as Ronsard called her. But although her fine understanding -enjoyed this select society, more serious -thoughts occupied her mind. She could not forget, -even in the midst of the court, the little angel that -had flown away from her; she was uneasy about the -friends of the Gospel; the worldly festivities around -her left her heart depressed and unsatisfied. She -endeavoured to pierce the thick clouds that hung over -her, and soaring in spirit to the 'heavenly kingdom,' -she grasped the hand that Christ stretched out to her -from on high. She returned to the well of Jacob, -where she had drunk when she was so tired with -her journey. She had been as a parched and weary -land, having neither dew nor moisture, and the Lord -had refreshed her with the clear springs of his -Holy Spirit. 'A continual sprinkling (to use her -own words) kept up in her a heavenly eternity;' -and she would have desired all who gathered round -her to come to that well where she had so effectually -quenched her own thirst. Accordingly, in the midst -of the worldly agitation of the court, and of all the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">{89}</a></span> -honours lavished on her rank and her wit, the poor -mother, whose heart was bruised but consoled, looked -out in silence for some lamb which she could recall -from its wandering, and said:</p> - -<p class="side">=THE FOUNTAIN PURE AND FREE.=</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse quote1">'Come to my fountain pure and free,</div> -<div class="verse">Drink of its stream abundantly.'</div> -<div class="verse">Hasten, sinners, to the call</div> -<div class="verse">Of your God, who speaks to all:</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse quote1">'Come and drink—it gives relief</div> -<div class="verse">To every form of mortal grief;</div> -<div class="verse">Come and drink the draught divine,</div> -<div class="verse">Out of this new fount of mine.</div> -<div class="verse">Wash away each mortal stain</div> -<div class="verse">In the blood of Jesu slain.</div> -<div class="verse">No return I seek from thee</div> -<div class="verse">But works of love and charity.'</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Hasten, sinners, to the brink</div> -<div class="verse">Of this stream so pure, and drink!</div> -<div class="verse">Fill your hearts, so that ye may</div> -<div class="verse">Serve God better every day.</div> -<div class="verse">Then, well washed of every stain</div> -<div class="verse">That of earth might yet remain,</div> -<div class="verse">By Jesu's love at last set free,</div> -<div class="verse">Live in heaven eternally.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse quote1">'Come to my fountain pure and free,</div> -<div class="verse">Drink of its stream abundantly!'</div> -<div class="verse">Listen, sinners, to the call</div> -<div class="verse">Of your God, who speaks to all.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_186" id="Ref_186" href="#Foot_186">[186]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>These appeals were not unavailing. The Reformation -was advancing in France by two different roads: -one was on the mountains, the other in the plain. -The Gospel gained hearts among the sons of labour -and of trial; but it gained others also among the -learned and high-born, whose faculty of inquiry had -been aroused, and who desired to substitute truth in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">{90}</a></span> -the place of monastic superstitions. Margaret was -the evangelist of the court and of the king. Her -mother, with Duprat and Montmorency, ruled in the -council-chamber, the Duchess of Etampes in the court -festivities, but the gentle voice of the Queen of Navarre -supported Francis in his frequent periods of -uneasiness and dejection. Yet not to the king alone -did Margaret devote at this time the attentions of her -ardent charity. All the affections of her heart were -just now concentrated on a single object.</p> - -<p class="side">=LOUISA OF SAVOY DYING.=</p> - -<p>She had not recovered from the death of her child, -when another blow fell upon the Queen of Navarre. -The brilliant and gay festivities of the court were -succeeded by the sullen silence of the grave; and the -icy coldness, which had presided over the marriage of -Francis with his enemy's sister, was followed by the -keen anguish and the bitter sorrows of the tenderest -of daughters. About the end of the year 1531 the -Isle of France was visited by an epidemic. Louisa -of Savoy was taken seriously ill at Fontainebleau, -where the children of the king were staying. Margaret -hurried thither immediately. Louisa, that great -enemy of the Reformation, weakened by her dissolute -life, was suffering from a severe fever, and yet, imagining -that she would not die, she continued to attend to -business of importance, and, between the paroxysms -of the disease that was killing her, dictated her despatches -to the king. Never had mother so depraved -and daughter so virtuous felt such love for each other. -As soon as she saw the Duchess of Angoulême, the -Queen of Navarre anticipated 'the greatest of misfortunes,' -and never left her side. The king's children -afforded their grandmother some diversion. Charles, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">{91}</a></span> -Duke of Angoulême, then nine years old, thought -only of his father. 'If I only meet him,' said the -boy one day, 'I will never let go his hand.'—'And -if the king should go to hunt the boar?' said his aunt.—'Well! -I shall not be afraid; papa will be able -to take care of me.'—'When Madame heard these -words,' wrote Margaret to her brother, 'she burst into -tears, which has done her much good.'</p> - -<p>In the midst of all these mournful occupations, Margaret -kept watch over the friends of the Gospel. 'Dear -nephew,' she wrote to the grand-master Montmorency, -'that good man Lefèvre writes to me that he is uncomfortable -at Blois, because the folks there are trying -to annoy him. For change of air, he would willingly -go and see a friend of his, if such were the king's good -pleasure.' Margaret, finding that the enemies of the -Reform were tormenting the old man, gave him an -asylum at Nerac in her own states. We shall meet -with him there hereafter.</p> - -<p>On the 20th of September, Louisa, feeling a little -better, left Fontainebleau for Romorantin; but she had -hardly reached Grez, near Nemours, when her failing -voice, her labouring breath, and her words so sad -'that no one could listen to them, gave her daughter -a sorrow and vexation impossible to describe.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_187" id="Ref_187" href="#Foot_187">[187]</a></span> -'It is probable that she will die,' wrote Margaret to the -king. Louisa, notwithstanding her weakness, still -busied herself with affairs of state; she wished to die -governing. Deep sorrow filled her daughter's heart. -It was too much for her, this sight of a mother whom -she loved with intense affection, trifling on the brink -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">{92}</a></span> -of the grave, strengthening herself against death by -means of her power and her greatness, 'as if they -would serve her as a rampart and strong tower,' -forgetting that there was another besides herself, who -disposed of that life of which she fancied herself to be -the mistress. Margaret did not rest content with -only praying for her mother; she sat by her and spoke -to her of the Saviour. 'Madame,' she said, 'I entreat -you to fix your hopes elsewhere. Strive to make -God propitious to you.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_188" id="Ref_188" href="#Foot_188">[188]</a></span> -This woman, so ambitious, -clever, false, and dissolute, whose only virtue was -maternal love, does not appear to have opened her -heart to her daughter's voice. She breathed her last -on the 29th of September, 1531, in the arms of the -Queen of Navarre.</p> - -<p>Thoughts of a different order were soon to engross -Margaret's attention. Hers was a sincere and living -piety, but she had an excessive fear of contests and -divisions, and, like many eminent persons of that -epoch, she desired at any cost, and even by employing -diplomatic means, to achieve a reform which -should leave catholicity intact. To set before herself -a universal transformation of the Church was certainly -a noble and a christian aim; but Calvin, -Luther, Farel, and others saw that it could only be -attained at the expense of truth. The Queen of -Navarre's fault was her readiness to sacrifice everything -to the realisation of this beautiful dream; and -we shall see what was done in France (Francis lending -himself to it from mere political motives) to attain -the accomplishment of this magnificent but chimerical -project.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_166" id="Foot_166" href="#Ref_166">[166]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 247.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_167" id="Foot_167" href="#Ref_167">[167]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 246.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_168" id="Foot_168" href="#Ref_168">[168]</a> -Ibid. ii. p. 105.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_169" id="Foot_169" href="#Ref_169">[169]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, p. 487.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_170" id="Foot_170" href="#Ref_170">[170]</a> -'Jussu reginæ Navarræ, ut hoc tandem dissidium tollatur.'—Buceri -<i>Opera Anglicana</i>, fᵒ 693. Gerdesius, ii. p. 33.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_171" id="Foot_171" href="#Ref_171">[171]</a> -'Præbetur telum hostibus.'—Gerdesius, iv. p. 33.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_172" id="Foot_172" href="#Ref_172">[172]</a> -'Nunquam suo officio deest christianissima illa heroīna, -regis soror.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_173" id="Foot_173" href="#Ref_173">[173]</a> -'Procerum magnus numerus jam veritati accessit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_174" id="Foot_174" href="#Ref_174">[174]</a> -'Ut cœperint eam vocare <i>parvam Allemaniam</i>.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_175" id="Foot_175" href="#Ref_175">[175]</a> -'Rex a veritate alienus non est.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_176" id="Foot_176" href="#Ref_176">[176]</a> -'Bona spes est, brevi fore, ut Christus publicum apud ipsos obtineat.'—Gerdesius, -iv. p. 33.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_177" id="Foot_177" href="#Ref_177">[177]</a> -Charles de Sainte-Marthe, <i>Oraison funèbre de Marguerite</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_178" id="Foot_178" href="#Ref_178">[178]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 269.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_179" id="Foot_179" href="#Ref_179">[179]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_180" id="Foot_180" href="#Ref_180">[180]</a> -Ibid. i. pp. 272, 273.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_181" id="Foot_181" href="#Ref_181">[181]</a> -Marot, <i>Chronique de François I.</i> p. 90.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_182" id="Foot_182" href="#Ref_182">[182]</a> -'An unlettered king is a crowned ass.' <small>A.D.</small> 936.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_183" id="Foot_183" href="#Ref_183">[183]</a> -Teissier, <i>Eloge des Hommes savants</i>, i. p. 200.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_184" id="Foot_184" href="#Ref_184">[184]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, p. 884.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_185" id="Foot_185" href="#Ref_185">[185]</a> -The Latin word <i>gallus</i> signifies both <i>Frenchman</i> and <i>cock</i>. 'The -Frenchman crows,' said the bishop. 'Would to God,' retorted Danès, -'that Peter (the pope) would repent at the crowing of the cock!' -Sismondi, <i>Hist. des Français</i>, xvi. p. 359.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_186" id="Foot_186" href="#Ref_186">[186]</a> -<i>Les Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. pp. 505-508.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_187" id="Foot_187" href="#Ref_187">[187]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 280; ii. p. 120.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_188" id="Foot_188" href="#Ref_188">[188]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 269.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">{93}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DIPLOMATISTS, BACKSLIDERS, MARTYRS.<br /> - (1531.)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=CHARLES SLANDERS THE PROTESTANTS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE royal trio was now broken up. Margaret, -knowing well that her mother had always influenced -her brother in favour of popery, hoped to -profit by an event that had cost her so many tears, -and immediately attempted to incline her brother to -the side of the Reform. But there were other influences -at work at court: the Sorbonne, the bishops, -Montmorency, and even the emperor endeavoured -to set Francis against the evangelicals. Charles V. -especially desired to take advantage of the alliance -which drew him closer to France, in order to turn its -sovereign against Luther. His envoy, Noircarmes, -had very positive instructions on this point. One -day, when this ambassador had gone to present his -homage to the king, they had a long conversation -together, and Noircarmes gave utterance to all the -usual calumnies against the Reformation. Francis -did not know what answer to make, but fixed the -diplomatist's accusations in his memory, with the intention -of repeating them to his sister. He paid her -a visit, while still in a state of excitement. 'Madame,' -said he angrily, 'do you know that your friends the -protestants preach the community of goods, the nullity -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">{94}</a></span> -of the marriage tie, and the subversion of thrones? -Noircarmes says that if I do not destroy Lutheranism, -my crown will be in danger.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_189" id="Ref_189" href="#Foot_189">[189]</a></span> -To justify the -innocent was one of the tasks which the Queen of -Navarre had imposed upon herself. 'Sire,' she said -to the king, 'the reformers are righteous, learned, -peaceful men, who have no other love than that of -truth, no other aim than the glory of God, and no -other thought than to banish superstition and to correct -morals.' The Queen of Navarre was so gracious, -so true, so eloquent, that the king left her completely -changed—at least for the day.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_190" id="Ref_190" href="#Foot_190">[190]</a></span> -But it was not long -before perfidious insinuations again roused his anger.</p> - -<p class="side">=REINHOLD AND THE COURTIERS.=</p> - -<p>Margaret, either by her own hand or through her -agents, informed the protestants of Germany of the -charges brought against them by Charles's ambassador, -and called upon them to contradict Noircarmes. -This they did immediately. One of them, Matthew -Reinhold, a man devoted to the Gospel and a clever -diplomatist, arrived in Paris about the middle of -April 1531, and having been received by the king, -attended by his lords and his bishops, he handed in a -letter from the Elector of Saxony, the Landgrave of -Hesse, and their allies. Francis opened it and appeared -to read it with interest. 'Sire,' wrote the -princes, 'a few monks (Tetzel and his friends) having -through avarice hawked their indulgences about -the country to the dishonour of Christ and the ruin -of souls,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_191" id="Ref_191" href="#Foot_191">[191]</a></span> -certain just and wise men have reproved -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">{95}</a></span> -them; the sun has risen upon the Church, and has -brought to light a world of scandals and errors. -Help us, Sire, and use such means that these disputes -may be settled, not by force of arms, but by a -lawful judgment, which shall do no violence to the -consciences of christians.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_192" id="Ref_192" href="#Foot_192">[192]</a></span></p> - -<p>While Francis was reading this letter, the lords and -prelates of his court eyed the Lutheran from head -to foot. They went up to him and asked the strangest -questions. 'Is it true,' said a bishop, 'that the women -in your country have several husbands?'—'All nonsense!' -replied the German envoy. To other questions -he returned similar answers; the eagerness of the -speakers increased, and the conversation was becoming -animated, when the king, who had finished the letter, -declared that he thought it very reasonable, and, to -the great surprise of the court, smiled graciously upon -Reinhold.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_193" id="Ref_193" href="#Foot_193">[193]</a></span> -A few days later (21st April) he gave -the envoy an answer: 'In order to heal the sores of -the christian republic,' he said, 'there must be a council; -provided the Holy Ghost, who is the lord of truth, -has the chief place in it.' Then he added: 'Do not -fear the calumnies of your enemies.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_194" id="Ref_194" href="#Foot_194">[194]</a></span> -The first step was taken.</p> - -<p>The grand idea of the counsellors of Francis I., and -of the king himself, was, at this time, to substitute for -the old policy of France a new and more independent -policy, which would protect it against the encroachments -of the papacy. Melanchthon was charmed at -the king's letter. 'The Frenchman answered us in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">{96}</a></span> -the most amiable manner,' he said.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_195" id="Ref_195" href="#Foot_195">[195]</a></span> -A council guided -by the Spirit of God was precisely what the German -protestants demanded: they thought themselves on -the point of coming to an understanding with the -King of France. This hope took possession of Margaret -also, and of the powerful party in the royal -council who thought, like her, that the union of France, -Germany, and England would lead to an internal and -universal reform of christendom. The king, urged to -form an alliance with the German princes, resolved to -send an ambassador on his part, and selected for this -mission one Gervais Waim. The choice was an unlucky -one: Waim, a German by birth, but long resident -in Paris,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_196" id="Ref_196" href="#Foot_196">[196]</a></span> -desired that everything in Germany should -remain as he had left it. A blind partisan of the -ancient state of things, he regarded any change as an -outrage towards the German nation, and was full of -prejudices against the Reformation. Accordingly, he -had hardly arrived at Wittemberg (this was in the -spring of 1531), when he sought every opportunity -of gratifying his blind hatred. He met with a grand -reception; banquets and entertainments were given -in his honour. One day there was a large party, at -which Luther was present with his friends and many -evangelical christians, who were desirous of meeting -the envoy of the King of France. The latter, instead -of conciliating their minds, grew warm, and exclaimed: -'You have neither church nor magistrate nor marriage; -every man does what he pleases, and all is confusion -as among the brutes. The king my master knows -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">{97}</a></span> -it very well.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_197" id="Ref_197" href="#Foot_197">[197]</a></span> -On hearing this extravagant assertion, -the company opened their eyes. Some got -angry, others laughed, many despaired of ever coming -to an understanding with Francis I. Melanchthon -changed his opinion entirely. 'This man,' he said, -'is a great enemy of our cause.... The kings of the -earth think of nothing but their own interest; and if -Christ does not provide for the safety of the Church, -all is lost.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_198" id="Ref_198" href="#Foot_198">[198]</a></span> -He never said a truer thing. Waim -soon found that he had not been a good diplomatist, -and that he ought not to have shocked the protestant -sentiment; he therefore confined himself to his duty, -and his official communications were of more value -than his private conversations.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_199" id="Ref_199" href="#Foot_199">[199]</a></span> - We shall see presently -the important steps taken by France towards -an alliance with evangelical Germany.</p> - -<p class="side">=IMPRUDENCE OF THE FRENCH DEPUTY.=</p> - -<p>Margaret, believing that the triumph of the good -cause was not far off, determined to move forward -a little. She had struck out of her prayer-book all -the prayers addressed to the Virgin and to the saints. -This she laid before the king's confessor, William Petit, -Bishop of Senlis, a courtier, and far from evangelical, -though abounding in complaisance for the sister of his -master. 'Look here!' she said; 'I have cut out all -the most superstitious portions of this book.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_200" id="Ref_200" href="#Foot_200">[200]</a></span> -—'Admirable!' -exclaimed the courtier; 'I should desire -no other.' The queen took the prelate at his word: -'Translate it into French,' she said, 'and I will have -it printed with your name.' The courtier-bishop did -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">{98}</a></span> -not dare withdraw; he translated the book, the queen -approved of it, and it appeared under the title of -<i>Heures de la Royne Marguerite</i> ('Queen Margaret's -Prayer-book'). The Faculty of Divinity was angry -about it, but they restrained themselves, not so much -because it was the queen's prayer-book, as because the -translator was a bishop and his Majesty's confessor.</p> - -<p class="side">=LECOQ'S SERMON BEFORE THE KING.=</p> - -<p>Nor did the Queen of Navarre stop here. There -was at that time in Paris a curé, named Lecoq, whose -preaching drew great crowds to St. Eustache. Certain -ladies of the court, who affected piety, never missed -one of his sermons. 'What eloquence!' said they, -speaking of Lecoq, one day when there was a reception -at St. Germain; 'what a striking voice! what a -flow of words! what boldness of thought! what fervent -piety!'—'Your fine orator,' said the king, who -was listening to them, 'is no doubt a Lutheran in disguise!'—'Not -at all, Sire,' said one of the ladies; 'he -often declaims against Luther, and says that we must -not separate from the Church.' Margaret asked her -brother to judge for himself. 'I will go,' said Francis. -The curé was informed that on the following Sunday -the king and all his court would come to hear his -sermon. The priest was charmed at the information. -He was a man of talent, and had received evangelical -impressions; only they were not deep, and the breath -of favour might easily turn him from the right way. -As this breath was just now blowing in the direction -of the Gospel, he entered with all his heart into this -conspiracy of the ladies, and began to prepare a discourse -adapted, as he thought, to introduce the new -light into the king's mind.</p> - -<p>When Sunday came, all the carriages of the court -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">{99}</a></span> -drew up before the church of St. Eustache, which the -king entered, followed by Du Bellay, Bishop of Paris, -and his attendant lords and ladies. The crowd was -immense. The preacher went up into the pulpit, -and everybody prepared to listen. At first the -king observed nothing remarkable; but gradually the -sermon grew warmer, and words full of life were -heard. 'The end of all visible things,' said Lecoq, -'is to lead us to invisible things. The bread which -refreshes our body tells us that Jesus Christ is the -life of our soul. Seated at the right hand of God, -Jesus lives by his Holy Spirit in the hearts of his -disciples. <i>Quæ sursum sunt quærite</i>, says St. Paul, -<i>ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens</i>. Yes, <i>seek those -things which are above</i>! Do not confine yourselves -during mass to what is upon the altar; raise yourselves -by faith to heaven, there to find the Son of God. -After he has consecrated the elements, does not the -priest cry out to the people: <i>Sursum corda!</i> lift up -your hearts! These words signify: Here is the bread -and here is the wine, but Jesus is in heaven. For this -reason, Sire,' continued Lecoq, boldly turning to the -king, 'if you wish to have Jesus Christ, do not look -for him in the visible elements; soar to heaven on the -wings of faith. <i>It is by believing in Jesus Christ that -we eat his flesh</i>, says St. Augustin. If it were true -that Christ must be touched with the hands and -devoured by the teeth,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_201" id="Ref_201" href="#Foot_201">[201]</a></span> -we should not say <i>sursum</i>, -upwards! but <i>deorsum</i>, downwards! Sire, it is to -heaven that I invite you. Hear the voice of the Lord: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">{100}</a></span> -<i>sursum corda</i>, Sire, <i>sursum corda!</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_202" id="Ref_202" href="#Foot_202">[202]</a></span> -And the sonorous -voice of the priest filled the whole church with -these words, which he repeated with a tone of the -sincerest conviction. All the congregation was moved, -and even Francis admired the eloquence of the preacher. -'What do you think of it?' he asked Du Bellay as they -were leaving the church.—'He may be right,' answered -the Bishop of Paris, who was not opposed to a moderate -reform, and who was married.—'I have a great mind -to see this priest again,' said the king.—'Nothing can -be easier,' replied Du Bellay.</p> - -<p class="side">=FALL OF LECOQ.=</p> - -<p>Precautions, however, were taken that this interview -should be concealed from everybody. The curé -disguised himself and was introduced secretly into -the king's private cabinet.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_203" id="Ref_203" href="#Foot_203">[203]</a></span> -'Leave us to ourselves,' -said Francis to the bishop.—'Monsieur le curé,' continued -he, 'have the goodness to explain what you -said about the sacrament of the altar.' Lecoq showed -that a spiritual union with Christ could alone be of use -to the soul. 'Indeed!' said Francis; 'you raise strange -scruples in my mind.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_204" id="Ref_204" href="#Foot_204">[204]</a></span> -This encouraged the priest, -who, charmed with his success, brought forward other -articles of faith.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_205" id="Ref_205" href="#Foot_205">[205]</a></span> -His zeal spoilt everything; it was -too much for the king, who began to think that the -priest might be a heretic after all, and ordered him to -be examined by a Romish doctor. 'He is an arch-heretic,' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">{101}</a></span> -said the inquisitor, after the examination. -'With your Majesty's permission I will keep him -locked up.' The king, who did not mean to go so -far, ordered Lecoq 'to be set at liberty, and to be -admitted to prove his assertions by the testimony of -Holy Scripture.'</p> - -<p>Upon this the Cardinals of Lorraine and Tournon, -'awakened by the crowing of the cock,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_206" id="Ref_206" href="#Foot_206">[206]</a></span> -arranged a -conference. On one side was the suspected priest, on -the other some of the most learned doctors, and the -two cardinals presided as arbiters of the discussion. -Tournon was one of the ablest men of this period, -and a most implacable enemy of the Reformation; in -later years he was the persecutor of the Waldenses, -and the introducer of the Jesuits into France. The -discussion began. 'Whoever thought,' said the doctors -of the Sorbonne to Lecoq, 'that these words -<i>sursum corda</i> mean that the bread remains bread? -No; they signify that your heart should soar to -heaven in order that the Lord may descend upon the -altar.' Lecoq showed that the Spirit alone gives life; -he spoke of Scripture; but Tournon, who had been the -means of making more than one pope, and had himself -received votes for his own election to the papacy, -exclaimed in a style that the popes are fond of using: -'The Church has spoken; submit to her decrees. If -you reject the authority of the Church, you sail without -a compass, driven by the winds to your destruction. -Delay not!... Save yourself! Down with the yards -and furl the sails, lest your vessel strike upon the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">{102}</a></span> -rocks of error, and you suffer an eternal shipwreck.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_207" id="Ref_207" href="#Foot_207">[207]</a></span> -The cardinals and doctors surrounded Lecoq and -pressed him on every side. Here a theologian fell -upon him with his elaborate scholastic proofs; there -an abbé shouted in his ears; and the cardinals threw -the weight of their dignity into the scales. The curé -of St. Eustache was tossed to and fro in indecision. -He had some small taste for the Gospel, but he loved -the world and its honours more. They frightened -and soothed him by turns, and at last he retracted -what he had preached. Lecoq had none of the qualities -of a martyr: he was rather one of those weak -minds who furnished backsliders to the primitive -Church.</p> - -<p>Happily there were in France firmer christians than -he. While, in the world of politics, diplomatists were -crossing and recrossing the Rhine; while, in the world -of Roman-catholicism, the most eloquent men were -becoming faithless to their convictions: there were -christian men in the evangelical world, among those -whose faith had laid hold of redemption, who sacrificed -their lives that they might remain faithful to the -Lord who had redeemed them. It was a season when -the most contrary movements were going on.</p> - -<p>Toulouse, in olden times the sanctuary of Gallic -paganism, was at this period filled with images, relics, -and 'other instruments of Romish idolatry.' The -religion of the people was a religion of the eye and -of the ear, of the hands and of the knees—in short, a -religion of externals; while within, the conscience, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">{103}</a></span> -the will, and the understanding slept a deep sleep. -The parliament, surnamed 'the bloody,' was the docile -instrument of the fanaticism of the priests. They -said to their officers: 'Keep an eye upon the heretics. -If any man does not lift his cap before an image, he is -a heretic. If any man, when he hears the <i>Ave Maria</i> -bell, does not bend the knee, he is a heretic. If any -man takes pleasure in the ancient languages and polite -learning, he is a heretic.... Do not delay to inform -against such persons.... The parliament will condemn -them, and the stake shall rid us of them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_208" id="Ref_208" href="#Foot_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>A celebrated Italian had left his country and settled -at Agen. Julius Cesar della Scala, better known by -the name of Scaliger, belonged to one of the oldest -families of his native country, and on account of the -universality of his knowledge, many persons considered -him the greatest man that had ever appeared -in the world. Scaliger did not embrace the reformed -faith, as his son did, but he imported a love of learning, -particularly of Greek, to the banks of the Garonne.</p> - -<p class="side">=CATURCE AT TOULOUSE.=</p> - -<p>The licentiate Jean de Caturce, a professor of laws -in the university, and a native of Limoux, having -learnt Greek, procured a New Testament and studied -it. Being a man of large understanding, of facile -eloquence, and above all of thoughtful soul, he found -Christ the Saviour, Christ the Lord, Christ the life -eternal, and adored him. Erelong Christ transformed -him, and he became a new man. Then the Pandects -lost their charm, and he discovered in the Holy Scriptures -a divine life and light which enraptured him. -He meditated on them day and night. He was consumed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">{104}</a></span> -by an ardent desire to visit his birthplace and -preach the Saviour whom he loved and who dwelt in -his heart. Accordingly he set out for Limoux, which -is not far from Toulouse, and on All Saints' day, 1531, -delivered 'an exhortation' there. He resolved to return -at the Epiphany, for every year on that day -there was a great concourse of people for the festival, -and he wished to take advantage of it by openly -proclaiming Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE TWELFTH-NIGHT SUPPER.=</p> - -<p>Everything had been prepared for the festival.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_209" id="Ref_209" href="#Foot_209">[209]</a></span> -On the eve of Epiphany there was usually a grand -supper, at which, according to custom, the king of -the feast was proclaimed, after which there was shouting -and joking, singing and dancing. Caturce was -determined to take part in the festival, but in such a -way that it should not pass off in the usual manner. -When the services of the day in honour of the three -kings of the East were over, the company sat down -to table: they drank the wine of the south, and at last -the cake was brought in. One of the guests found -the bean, the gaiety increased, and they were about -to celebrate the new royalty by the ordinary toast: -<i>the king drinks!</i> when Caturce stood up. 'There is -only one king,' he said, 'and Jesus Christ is he. It -is not enough for his name to flit through our brains—he -must dwell in our hearts. He who has Christ in -him wants for nothing. Instead then of shouting <i>the -king drinks</i>, let us say this night: <i>May Christ, the -true king, reign in all our hearts!</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_210" id="Ref_210" href="#Foot_210">[210]</a></span></p> - -<p>The professor of Toulouse was much esteemed in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">{105}</a></span> -his native town, and many of his acquaintances already -loved the Gospel. The lips that were ready to shout -<i>the king drinks</i> were dumb, and many sympathised, -at least by their silence, with the new 'toast' which -he proposed to them. Caturce continued: 'My -friends, I propose that after supper, instead of loose -talk, dances, and revelry, each of us shall bring forward -in his turn one passage of Holy Scripture.' -The proposal was accepted, and the noisy supper was -changed into an orderly christian assembly. First -one man repeated some passage that had struck him, -then another did the same; but Caturce, says the -chronicle, 'entered deeper into the matter than the -rest of the company,' contending that Jesus Christ -ought to sit on the throne of our hearts. The professor -returned to the university.</p> - -<p>This Twelfth-night supper produced so great a -sensation, that a report was made of it at Toulouse. -The officers of justice apprehended the licentiate in -the midst of his books and his lessons, and brought -him before the court. 'Your worships,' he said, 'I -am willing to maintain what I have at heart, but let -my opponents be learned men with their books, who -will prove what they advance. I should wish each -point to be decided without wandering talk.' The -discussion began; but the most learned theologians -were opposed to him in vain, for the licentiate, who -had the Divine Word within him, answered 'promptly, -pertinently, and with much power, quoting immediately -the passages of Scripture which best served -his purpose,' says the chronicle. The doctors were -silenced, and the professor was taken back to prison.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_211" id="Ref_211" href="#Foot_211">[211]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">{106}</a></div> - -<p>The judges were greatly embarrassed. One of -them visited the <i>heretic</i> in his dungeon, to see if he -could not be shaken. 'Master Caturce,' said he, 'we -offer to set you at full liberty, on condition that -you will first retract only three points, in a lecture -which you will give in the schools.' The chronicler -does not tell us what these three points were. The -licentiate's friends entreated him to consent, and for -a moment he hesitated, only to regain his firmness -immediately after. 'It is a snare of the Evil one,' -he replied. Notwithstanding this, his friends laid -a form of recantation before him, and when he had -rejected it, they brought him another still more skilfully -drawn up. But 'the Lord strengthened him so -that he thrust all these papers away from him.' His -friends withdrew in dismay. He was declared a -heretic, condemned to be burnt alive, and taken to -the square of St. Etienne.</p> - -<p>Here an immense crowd had assembled, especially -of students of the university who were anxious to witness -the degradation of so esteemed a professor. The -'mystery' lasted three hours, and they were three -hours of triumph for the Word of God. Never had -Caturce spoken with greater freedom. In answer to -everything that was said, he brought some passage of -Scripture 'very pertinent to reprove the stupidity of -his judges before the scholars.' His academical robes -were taken off, the costume of a merry-andrew was -put on him, and then another scene began.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DOMINICAN SILENCED.=</p> - -<p>A Dominican monk, wearing a white robe and -scapulary, with a black cloak and pointed cap, made -his way through the crowd, and ascended a little -wooden pulpit which had been set up in the middle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">{107}</a></span> -of the square. This by no means learned individual -assumed an important air, for he had been commissioned -to deliver what was called 'the sermon -of the catholic faith.' In a voice that was heard all -over the square, he read his text: <i>The Spirit speaketh -expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart -from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and -doctrines of devils</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_212" id="Ref_212" href="#Foot_212">[212]</a></span> -The monks were delighted with -a text which appeared so suitable; but Caturce, who -almost knew his Testament by heart, perceiving that, -according to their custom of distorting Scripture, he -had only taken a fragment (<i>lopin</i>) of the passage, -cried out with a clear voice: 'Read on.' The Dominican, -who felt alarmed, stopped short, upon which -Caturce himself completed the passage: <i>Forbidding -to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, -which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving -of them which believe</i>. The monks were confounded; -the students and other friends of the -licentiate smiled. 'We know them,' continued the -energetic professor, 'these deceivers of the people, -who, instead of the doctrine of faith, feed them with -trash. In God's service there is no question of fish -or of flesh, of black or of grey, of Wednesday or Friday.... -It is nothing but foolish superstition which -requires celibacy and abstaining from meats. Such -are not the commandments of God.' The Dominican -in his pulpit listened with astonishment; the prisoner -was preaching in the midst of the officers of justice, -and the students heard him 'with great favour.' The -poor Dominican, ashamed of his folly, left his sermon -unpreached.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">{108}</a></div> - -<p>After this the martyr was led back to the court, -where sentence of death was pronounced upon him. -Caturce surveyed his judges with indignation, and, as -he left the tribunal, exclaimed in Latin: 'Thou seat -of iniquity! Thou court of injustice!' He was now -led to the scaffold, and at the stake continued exhorting -the people to know Jesus Christ. 'It is impossible -to calculate the great fruit wrought by his death,' -says the chronicle, 'especially among the students -then at the university of Toulouse,' that is to say, in -the year 1532.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_213" id="Ref_213" href="#Foot_213">[213]</a></span></p> - -<p>Certain preachers, however, who had taught the -new doctrine, backslided deplorably at this time, and -checked the progress of the Word in the south; among -them were the prothonotary of Armagnac, the cordelier -Des Noces, as well as his companion the youthful -Melchior Flavin, 'a furious hypocrite,' as Beza calls -him. One of those who had received in their hearts -the fire that warmed the energetic Caturce, held firm -to the truth, even in the presence of the stake: he -was a grey friar named Marcii. Having performed -'wonders' by his preaching in Rouergue, he was -taken to Toulouse, and there sealed with his blood the -doctrines he had so faithfully proclaimed.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_214" id="Ref_214" href="#Foot_214">[214]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=TWO MODES OF REFORMATION.=</p> - -<p>We must soon turn to that external reformation -imagined by some of the king's advisers, under the -inspiration of the Queen of Navarre, and by certain -German protestants who, under the influence of -motives partly religious, partly political, proposed to -reform Christendom by means of a council, without -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">{109}</a></span> -doing away with the Romish episcopate. But we -must first return to that humble and powerful teacher, -the noble representative of a scriptural and living -reformation, who, while urging the necessity of a -spiritual unity, set in the foremost rank the imprescriptible -rights of truth.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_189" id="Foot_189" href="#Ref_189">[189]</a> -Seckendorf, pp. 1170, 1171.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_190" id="Foot_190" href="#Ref_190">[190]</a> -'Fratris iras pro viribus moderavit.'—Bezæ <i>Icones</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_191" id="Foot_191" href="#Ref_191">[191]</a> -'Propter quæstum, cum contumelia Christi et cum periculo animarum.'—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 472.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_192" id="Foot_192" href="#Ref_192">[192]</a> -Sleidan, ch. viii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_193" id="Foot_193" href="#Ref_193">[193]</a> -'Ihm eine gnädige Mine gemacht.'—Seckendorf, p. 118.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_194" id="Foot_194" href="#Ref_194">[194]</a> -Sleidan, ch. viii. p. 232.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_195" id="Foot_195" href="#Ref_195">[195]</a> -'Gallus rescripsit humanissime.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 503.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_196" id="Foot_196" href="#Ref_196">[196]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, iv. p. 167.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_197" id="Foot_197" href="#Ref_197">[197]</a> -'Sondern gienge alles unter einander wie das Viehe.—Schelhorn, -p. 289.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_198" id="Foot_198" href="#Ref_198">[198]</a> -'Illi reges sua agunt negotia.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 518.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_199" id="Foot_199" href="#Ref_199">[199]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 167.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_200" id="Foot_200" href="#Ref_200">[200]</a> -Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 8.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_201" id="Foot_201" href="#Ref_201">[201]</a> -'Corpus et sanguinem Domini, in veritate, manibus sacerdotum -tractari, frangi, et fidelium dentibus atteri.' (The formula which Pope -Nicholas exacted of Bérenger.)—Lanfranc, <i>De Euchar.</i> cap. v.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_202" id="Foot_202" href="#Ref_202">[202]</a> -'Speciebus illis nequaquam adhærendum, sed fidei alis ad cœlos -evolandum esse. Illud subinde repetens: <i>Sursum corda! sursum corda!</i>'—Flor. -Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, ii. p. 225. See also Maimbourg, <i>Calvinisme</i>, -pp. 22-24.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_203" id="Foot_203" href="#Ref_203">[203]</a> -'Bellaii opera, Gallus hic in secretiorem locum vocatus.'-Flor. -Rémond, ii. p. 225.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_204" id="Foot_204" href="#Ref_204">[204]</a> -'Regi scrupulos non leves injecit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_205" id="Foot_205" href="#Ref_205">[205]</a> -'Idem de aliis quoque fidei articulis.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_206" id="Foot_206" href="#Ref_206">[206]</a> -A play upon the priest's name, both in French and in Latin. 'Lotharingus -et Turnonius cardinales Galli hujus cantu excitati.'—Flor. Rémond, -ii. p. 225.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_207" id="Foot_207" href="#Ref_207">[207]</a> -'Antennas dimittite ac vela colligite, ne ad errorum scopulos illisa -navi æternæ salutis naufragium faciatis.'—Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de -l'Hérésie</i>, ii. p. 225.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_208" id="Foot_208" href="#Ref_208">[208]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 7.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_209" id="Foot_209" href="#Ref_209">[209]</a> -This <i>jour des Rois</i> corresponds with our <i>Twelfth day</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_210" id="Foot_210" href="#Ref_210">[210]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 7. Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_211" id="Foot_211" href="#Ref_211">[211]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 7. Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_212" id="Foot_212" href="#Ref_212">[212]</a> -1 Timothy iv. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_213" id="Foot_213" href="#Ref_213">[213]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 7. Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_214" id="Foot_214" href="#Ref_214">[214]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">{110}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CALVIN'S SEPARATION FROM THE HIERARCHY: - HIS FIRST WORK, HIS FRIENDS.<br /> - (1532.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">LECOQ had been caught in the snares of the world; -Caturce had perished in the flames; some elect -souls appeared to be falling into a third danger—a sort -of christianity, partly mystical, partly worldly, partly -Romanist. But there was a young man among the -evangelicals who was beginning to occasion some uneasiness -in the lukewarm. Calvin—for it is of him -we speak—was successively attacked on these three -sides, and yet he remained firm. He did more than -this, for every day he enlarged the circle of his -christian activity. An advocate, a young <i>frondeur</i>, a -pious tradesman, a catholic student, a professor of the -university, and the Queen of Navarre—all received -from him at this time certain impulses which carried -them forward in the path of truth.</p> - -<p class="side">=DANIEL'S VIEWS FOR CALVIN.=</p> - -<p>The advocate Daniel loved him dearly, and desired -to keep him in the Romish communion. His large -understanding, his energetic character, his indefatigable -activity seemed to promise the Church a St. -Augustin or a St. Bernard; he must be raised to -some important post where he would have a prospect -of making himself useful. The advocate, who thought -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">{111}</a></span> -Calvin far less advanced in the ways of liberty than -he really was, had an idea of obtaining for him an -ecclesiastical charge which, he imagined, would perfectly -suit his young friend: it was that of official or -vicar-general, empowered to exercise episcopal jurisdiction. -Would Daniel succeed? Would he rob the -Reformation of this young and brilliant genius? -Influential men were ready to aid him in establishing -Calvin in the ranks of the Romish hierarchy. -Accordingly the first temptation to which he was -exposed proceeded from clerical ambition.</p> - -<p>An ecclesiastic of high birth, John, Count of -Longueville and Archbishop of Toulouse, had been -appointed Bishop of Orleans in 1521, with permission -to retain his archbishopric.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_215" id="Ref_215" href="#Foot_215">[215]</a></span> -In 1532 a new bishop -was expected at Orleans, either because Longueville -was dead, or because, on account of his illness, a coadjutor -had become necessary. The pluralist prelate -was a fellow-countryman of Calvin's.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_216" id="Ref_216" href="#Foot_216">[216]</a></span> -Daniel, thinking -that he ought to seize this opportunity of procuring -the post of official for the young scholar, -made the first overtures to Calvin on the 6th of -January, 1532. 'I never will abandon,' he said, 'the -old and mutual friendship that unites us.' And -then, having by this means sought to conciliate his -favourable attention, he skilfully insinuated his wishes. -'We are expecting the bishop's arrival every day; I -should be pleased if, by the care of your friends, you -were so recommended to him that he conferred on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">{112}</a></span> -you the charge of official or some other post.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_217" id="Ref_217" href="#Foot_217">[217]</a></span> -There -was much in this to flatter the self-love of a young -man of twenty-three. If Calvin had been made vicar-general -at so early an age, he would not have stopped -there; that office often led to the highest dignities, and -his brilliant genius, his great and strong character, -would have made him a bishop, cardinal, who can say? -... perhaps pope. Instead of freeing the Church he -would have enslaved it; and instead of being plain -John Calvin he might perhaps have been the Hildebrand -of his age.</p> - -<p>What will Calvin do? Although settled as regards -doctrine, he was still undecided with regard to the -Church: it was a period of transition with him. 'On -the one hand,' he said, 'I feel the call of God which -holds me fast to the Church, and on the other I fear -to take upon myself a burden which I cannot bear.... -What perplexity!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_218" id="Ref_218" href="#Foot_218">[218]</a></span> -Erelong the temptation presented -itself. 'Consider!' whispered an insidious -voice; 'an easy, studious, honoured, useful life!'—'Alas!' -he said, 'as soon as anything appears which -pleases us, instantly the desires of the flesh rush impetuously -after it, like wild beasts.' We cannot tell -whether these 'wild beasts' were roused in his ardent -soul, but at least, if there was any covetousness -within, 'which tempted the heart,' he forced it to -be still. Strong decision distinguishes the christian -character of Calvin. The new man within him rejected -with horror all that the old man had loved. -Far from entering into new ties, he was thinking of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">{113}</a></span> -breaking those which still bound him to the Roman -hierarchy. He therefore did not entertain Daniel's -proposal. Of the two roads that lay before him, he -chose the rougher one, and gave himself to God -alone.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN'S COMMENTARY ON SENECA.=</p> - -<p>Having turned his back on bishops and cardinals, -Calvin looked with love upon the martyrs and their -burning piles. The death of the pious Berquin and -of other confessors had distressed him, and he feared -lest he should see other believers sinking under the -same violence. He would have desired to speak in -behalf of the dumb and innocent victims. 'But, alas!' -he exclaimed, 'how can a man so mean, so low-born, -so poor in learning as I, expect to be heard?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_219" id="Ref_219" href="#Foot_219">[219]</a></span> -He had finished his commentary upon Seneca's treatise of -<i>Clemency</i>. Being a great admirer of that philosopher, -he was annoyed that the world had not given him the -place he deserved, and spoke of him to all his friends. -If one of them entered his little room and expressed -surprise at seeing him take such pains to make the -writings of a pagan philosopher better known, Calvin, -who thought he had discovered a vein of Gospel gold -in Seneca's iron ore, would answer: 'Did he not write -against superstition? Has he not said of the Jews, -that the conquered give laws to their conquerors? -When he exclaims: "We have all sinned, we shall all -sin unto the end!"<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_220" id="Ref_220" href="#Foot_220">[220]</a></span> -may we not imagine that we hear -Paul speaking?'</p> - -<p>Another motive, however, as some think, influenced -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">{114}</a></span> -Calvin to select the treatise on <i>Clemency</i>. There was -a similarity (and Calvin had noticed it) between the -epochs of the author and of the commentator. Seneca, -who lived at the time of the first persecutions against -the christians, had dedicated his treatise on <i>Clemency</i> -to a persecutor. Calvin determined to publish it with -a commentary, in the hope (it has been said) that the -king, who was fond of books, would read this legacy -of antiquity. Without absolutely rejecting this hypothesis, -we may say that he was anxious to compose -some literary work, and that he displayed solid learning -set off by an elegant and pleasing style which -at once gave him rank among the literati of his day.</p> - -<p>These are the words of Seneca, which, thanks to -Calvin, were now heard in the capital of the kings of -France: 'Clemency becomes no one so much as it does -a king.—You spare yourself, when you seem to be -sparing another. We must do evil to nobody, not -even to the wicked; men do not harm their own diseased -limbs. It is the nature of the most cowardly -wild beasts to rend those who are lying on the ground, -but elephants and lions pass by the man they have -thrown down.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_221" id="Ref_221" href="#Foot_221">[221]</a></span> -To take delight in the rattling of -chains, to cut off the heads of citizens, to spill much -blood, to spread terror wherever he shows himself—is -that the work of a king? If it were so, far better -would it be for lions, bears, or even serpents to reign -over us!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_222" id="Ref_222" href="#Foot_222">[222]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE YOUNG AUTHOR'S DIFFICULTIES.=</p> - -<p>As soon as the work was finished, Calvin thought -of publishing it; but the booksellers turned their backs -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">{115}</a></span> -on him, for an author's first work rarely tempts them. -The young commentator was not rich, but he came to -a bold resolution. He felt, as it would appear, that -authorship would be his vocation, that God himself -called him, and he was determined to take the first -step in spite of all obstacles. He said: 'I will publish -the book on <i>Clemency</i> at my own expense;' but when -the printing was finished, he became uneasy. 'Upon -my word,' he said, 'it has cost me more money than -I had imagined.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_223" id="Ref_223" href="#Foot_223">[223]</a></span></p> - -<p>The young author wrote his name in Latin on the -title-page of the first work he published, <i>Calvinus</i>, -whence the word <i>Calvin</i> was derived, which was substituted -for the family name of <i>Cauvin</i>. He dedicated -his book to the abbot of St. Eloy (4th April, 1532), -and then gave it to the world. It was a great affair -for him, and he was full of anxiety at its chances and -dangers. 'At length the die is cast,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_224" id="Ref_224" href="#Foot_224">[224]</a></span> -he wrote to -Daniel on the 23rd of May; 'my Commentary on -<i>Clemency</i> has appeared.'</p> - -<p>Two thoughts engrossed him wholly at this time: -the first concerned the good that his book might do. -'Write to me as soon as possible,' said he to his friend, -'and tell me whether my book is favourably or coldly -received.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_225" id="Ref_225" href="#Foot_225">[225]</a></span> -I hope that it will contribute to the public -good.' But he was also very anxious about the sale: -all his money was gone. 'I am drained dry,' he said; -'and I must tax my wits to get back from every quarter -the money I have expended.'</p> - -<p>Calvin showed great activity in the publication of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">{116}</a></span> -his first work; we can already trace in him the captain -drawing out his plan of battle. He called upon several -professors in the capital, and begged them to use his -book in their public lectures. He sent five copies to -his friends at Bourges, and asked Sucquey to deliver -a course of lectures on his publication. He made -the same request to Landrin with regard to the university -of Orleans.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_226" id="Ref_226" href="#Foot_226">[226]</a></span> -In short, he lost no opportunity -of making his book known.</p> - -<p>Daniel had asked him for some Bibles. Probably -Calvin's refusal to accept office in the Church had not -surprised the advocate, and this pious man desired -to circulate the book which had inspired his young -friend with such courage and self-denial. But it was -not easy to execute the commission. There was Lefèvre's -Bible, printed in French at Antwerp in 1530; -and the Latin Bible of Robert Stephens, which appeared -at Paris in 1532. The latter was so eagerly -bought up, that the doctors of the Sorbonne tried to -prohibit the sale. It was probably this edition which -Calvin tried to procure. He went from shop to shop, -but the booksellers looked at him with suspicion, and -said they had not the volume. Calvin renewed his inquiries -in the Latin quarter, where at last he found -what he sought at a bookseller's who was more independent -of the Sorbonne and its proclamations -than the others. 'I have executed your commission -about the Bible,' he wrote to Daniel; 'and it cost me -more trouble than money.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_227" id="Ref_227" href="#Foot_227">[227]</a></span> -Calvin profited by the -opportunity to entreat his friend to deliver a course -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">{117}</a></span> -of lectures on the <i>Clemency</i>. 'If you make up your -mind to do so,' he wrote, 'I will send you a hundred -copies.' These copies were, no doubt, to be sold to -Daniel's hearers. Such were the anxieties of the great -writer of the sixteenth century at the beginning of his -career. Calvin's first work (it deserves to be noted) -was on <i>Clemency</i>. Did the king read the treatise?... -We cannot say; at any rate, Calvin was not more fortunate -with Francis I. than Seneca had been with Nero.</p> - -<p class="side">=AN UNHAPPY FRONDEUR.=</p> - -<p>Another case of a very different nature occupied -his attention erelong. Calvin had a great horror of -falsehood: calumny aroused his anger, whether it -was manifested by gross accusations, or insinuated by -equivocal compliments. Among his friends at the -university there was a young man whom he called -his excellent brother, whose name has not been preserved. -All his fellow-students loved him; all the -professors esteemed him;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_228" id="Ref_228" href="#Foot_228">[228]</a></span> -but occasionally he showed -himself a little rough. This unknown student, having -received the good news of the Gospel with all his -soul, felt impelled to speak about it out of the abundance -of his heart, and rebelled at the obligation he -was under of concealing his convictions. There was -still in him some remnant of the 'old man,' and feeling -indignant at the weakness of those around him, -and being of a carping temper, he called them -cowards. He could not breathe in the atmosphere -of despotism and servility in which he lived. He -loved France, but he loved liberty more. One day this -proud young man said to his friends: 'I cannot bend -my neck beneath the yoke to which you so willingly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">{118}</a></span> -submit.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_229" id="Ref_229" href="#Foot_229">[229]</a></span> -Farewell! I am going to Strasburg, and -renounce all intention of returning to France.'</p> - -<p>Strasburg did not satisfy him. The eminent men -who resided there sometimes, and no doubt with good -intentions, placed peace above truth. The caustic -opinions of the young Frenchman displeased Bucer -and his friends. He was a grumbler by nature, and -spoke out bluntly on all occasions.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_230" id="Ref_230" href="#Foot_230">[230]</a></span> -He had a sharp -encounter with a Strasburger, whose name Calvin -does not give, and who was perhaps just as susceptible -as the Parisian was hasty. The young Frenchman -was declaiming against baptismal regeneration, when -on a sudden his adversary, whom Calvin judges with -great moderation, began to accuse the poor refugee -of being an anabaptist. This was a dreadful reproach -at that time. Wherever he went the Strasburger -scattered his accusations and invectives. Every -heart was shut against the poor fellow; he was not -even permitted to make the least explanation. He -was soon brought to want, and claimed the assistance -of friends whom he had formerly helped. It -was all of no use. Reduced to extreme necessity, -having neither the means of procuring food nor of -travelling, he managed however to return to France -in a state of the greatest destitution. He found Calvin -at Noyon, where the latter chanced to be at the -beginning of September 1532.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN RECEIVES HIM KINDLY.=</p> - -<p>The young man, soured and disappointed, drew a -sad picture of Strasburg. 'There was not a single -person in the whole city from whom I could obtain a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">{119}</a></span> -penny,' he said. 'My enemy left not a stone unturned; -scattering the sparks of his wrath on every -side, he kindled a great fire.... My sojourn there was -a real tragedy, which had the ruin of an innocent -man for its catastrophe.' Calvin questioned him on -baptism, and the severe examination was entirely to -the advantage of the young refugee. 'Really,' said -the commentator on <i>Clemency</i>, 'I have never met -with any one who professed the truth on this point -with so much frankness.' Calvin did not lose a moment, -but sat down (4th of September) to write to -Bucer, whom he styled the <i>bishop</i> of Strasburg. -'Alas!' he said, 'how much stronger calumny is -than truth! They have ruined this man's reputation, -perhaps without intention, but certainly without -reason. If my prayers, if my tears have any value -in your eyes, dear Master Bucer, have pity on the -wretchedness of this unfortunate man!<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_231" id="Ref_231" href="#Foot_231">[231]</a></span> -You are -the protector of the poor, the help of the orphan; -do not suffer this unhappy man to be reduced to the -last extremity.'</p> - -<p>Shortly after writing this touching appeal, Calvin -returned to Paris. As for the young man, we know -not what became of him. He was not, however, the -only one who first attacked and then called for pity.</p> - -<p>The literary movement of the capital manifested -itself more and more every day in a biblical direction. -Guidacerio of Venice, devoting himself to scriptural -studies, published a commentary on the <i>Song of Solomon</i>, -and an explanation of the <i>Sermon on the Mount</i>,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_232" id="Ref_232" href="#Foot_232">[232]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">{120}</a></span> -to the great annoyance of the doctors of the Sorbonne, -who were angry at seeing laymen break through their -monopoly of interpreting Scripture. Priests in their -sermons, students in their essays, put forward propositions -contrary to the Romish doctrine; and Beda, -who was beside himself, filled Paris with his furious -declamations. He soon met with a cutting reply. -Some young friends of learning gave a public representation -of a burlesque comedy entitled: 'The university -of Paris is founded on a monster.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_233" id="Ref_233" href="#Foot_233">[233]</a></span> -Beda -could not contain himself: 'They mean me,' he -exclaimed, and called together the Faculties. They -laid the matter before the inquisitors of the faith, who -had the good sense to let it drop.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_234" id="Ref_234" href="#Foot_234">[234]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE MERCHANT DE LA FORGE.=</p> - -<p>When Calvin returned to Paris, he did not join this -literary world, which was jeering at the attacks of -the priests: he preferred the narrow and the thorny -way. Every day he attended the meetings which -were held secretly in different parts of the capital. He -associated with pious families, sat at the hearths of the -friends of the Gospel, and discoursed with them on the -truth and on the difficulties which the Reformation -would have to encounter in France. A pious and -open-hearted merchant, a native of Tournay, Stephen -de la Forge by name, particularly attracted him at this -time. When he entered his friend's warehouse, he -was often struck by the number of purchasers and by -the bustle around him. 'I am thankful,' said La -Forge, 'for all the blessings that God has given me; -and I will not be sparing of my wealth, either to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">{121}</a></span> -succour the poor or to propagate the Gospel.' In -fact, the merchant printed the Holy Scriptures at his -own expense, and distributed copies along with the -numerous alms he was in the habit of giving. Noble, -kind-hearted, ready to share all that he possessed with -the poor, he had also a mind capable of discerning -error. He was good, but he was not weak. Certain -doctors, infidel and immoral philosophers, were beginning -at that time to appear in Paris, and to visit at -La Forge's, where Calvin met them. The latter asked -his friend who these strange-looking people were: -'They pretend to have been banished from their country,' -said La Forge; 'perhaps.... But if so, believe -me it was for their misdeeds and not for the Word of -God.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_235" id="Ref_235" href="#Foot_235">[235]</a></span> -They were the chiefs of the sectarians afterwards -known by the name of <i>Libertines</i>, who had just -come from Flanders. La Forge not only gave his -money, but was able somewhat later to give himself, -and to die confessing Jesus Christ. When Calvin -remembered at Geneva the sweet conversations they -had enjoyed together, he exclaimed with a sentiment -of respect: 'O holy martyr of Jesus Christ! thy -memory will always be sacred among believers.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_236" id="Ref_236" href="#Foot_236">[236]</a></span></p> - -<p>Besides La Forge, Calvin had another intimate -friend at Paris, whose personal character possessed a -great attraction for him, although the tendency of his -mind was quite different from that of his own. Louis -du Tillet was one of those gentle moderate christians, -who fear the cross and are paralysed by the opinion of -the world. The <i>frondeur</i> and he were two extremes: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">{122}</a></span> -Calvin was a mean between them. Du Tillet wished to -maintain the Catholic Church, even when reforming -it, for he respected its unity. The reformer had been -struck with his charity, his humility, and his love of -truth; while Louis, on the other hand, admiring 'the -great gifts and graces which the Lord had bestowed on -his friend,' was never tired of listening to him. He -belonged to a noble family of Angoulême; his father -was vice-president of the Chamber of Accounts; his -eldest brother was the king's valet-de-chambre; and -his other brother was second chief-registrar to the -parliament. He was continually fluctuating between -Calvin and his own relatives, between Scripture and -tradition, between God and the world. He would -often leave Calvin to go and hear mass; but erelong, -attracted by a charm for which he could not account, -he returned to his friend, whose clear ideas threw some -little light into his mind. Du Tillet exclaimed: 'Yes, -I feel that there is much ignorance and darkness -within me.' But the idea of forsaking the Church -alarmed him, and he had hardly uttered such words -as these when he hurried off again to confess.</p> - -<p>Calvin, thanks to the numerous friends who saw him -closely, began to be appreciated even by those who -calumniated his faith. 'This man at least leads an -austere life,' they said: 'he is not a slave to his belly; -from his youth he has abhorred the pleasures of the -flesh;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_237" id="Ref_237" href="#Foot_237">[237]</a></span> -he indulges neither in eating nor drinking.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_238" id="Ref_238" href="#Foot_238">[238]</a></span> -... Look at him ... his mind is vigorous; his soul -unites wisdom with daring.... But his body is thin -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">{123}</a></span> -and spare; one clearly sees that his days and nights -are devoted to abstinence and study.'—'Do not suppose -that I fast on account of your superstitions,' said -Calvin. 'No! it is only because abstinence keeps -away the pains that disturb me in my task.'</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN AND COP.=</p> - -<p>Professor Nicholas Cop, son of that William Cop, -the king's physician, the honour of whose birth (says -Erasmus) both France and Germany disputed,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_239" id="Ref_239" href="#Foot_239">[239]</a></span> -had -recognised an inward life in Calvin, and a vigorous -faith which captivated him, and he never met him in -the neighbourhood of the university without speaking -to him. They were often seen walking up and down -absorbed in talk, while the priests looked on distrustfully. -These conversations disturbed them: 'Cop -will be spoilt,' they said, and they endeavoured to -prejudice him against his friend; but their intimacy -only became stricter.</p> - -<p>Calvin's reputation, which was beginning to extend, -reached the ears of the Queen of Navarre, and that -princess, who admired men of genius and delighted -in agreeable conversation, wished to see the young -literary christian. Thus there was an early intercourse -between them. The christian and learned -scholar undertook the defence of the sister of Francis I. -in a letter written to Daniel in 1533, and this princess -afterwards made known to him the projected -marriage of her daughter Jeanne d'Albret—circumstances -which indicate an intimate connection between -them. During the time when the piety of the Queen -of Navarre was the purest, a mutual respect and -affection united these two noble characters. 'I conjure -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">{124}</a></span> -you,' said Margaret to Calvin, 'do not spare me -in anything wherein you think I can be of service to -you. Rest assured that I shall act with my whole -heart, according to the power that God has given -me.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_240" id="Ref_240" href="#Foot_240">[240]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET AND CALVIN.=</p> - -<p>'A man cannot enter the ministry of God,' says -Calvin, 'without having been proved by temptation.' -The queen's wit, the court of St. Germain, intercourse -with men of genius and of rank, the prospect of exercising -an influence that might turn to the glory of God—all -these things might tempt him. Would he become -Margaret's chaplain, like Roussel? Would he quit -the narrow way in which he was treading, to enter -upon that where christians tried to walk with the -world on their right hand and Rome on their left? -The queen's love for the Saviour affected Calvin, and -he asked himself whether that was not a door opened -by God through which the Gospel would enter the -kingdom of France.... He was at that moment on the -brink of the abyss. What likelihood was there that -a young man, just at the beginning of his career, -would not gladly seize the opportunity that presented -itself of serving a princess so full of piety and genius—the -king's sister? Margaret, who made Roussel a -bishop, would also have a diocese for Calvin. 'I should -be pleased to have a servant like you,' she told him -one day. But the rather mystical piety of the princess, -and the vanities with which she was surrounded, were -offensive to that simple and upright heart. 'Madame,' -he replied, 'I am not fitted to do you any great service; -the capacity is wanting, and also you have enough -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">{125}</a></span> -without me.... Those who know me are aware that I -never desired to frequent the courts of princes; and I -thank the Lord that I have never been tempted, for I -have every reason to be satisfied with the good Master -who has accepted me and retains me in his household.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_241" id="Ref_241" href="#Foot_241">[241]</a></span> -Calvin had no more longing for the semi-catholic -dignities of the queen than for the Roman dignities of -the popes. Yet he knew how to take advantage of -the opportunity offered him, and nobly conjured Margaret -to speak out more frankly in favour of the Gospel. -Carried away by an eloquence which, though simple, -had great power, she declared herself ready to move -forward.</p> - -<p>An opportunity soon presented itself of realising -the plan she had conceived of renewing the universal -Church without destroying its unity; but the means -to be employed were not such as Calvin approved -of. They were about to have recourse to carnal -weapons. 'Now the only foundation of the kingdom -of Christ,' he said, 'is the humiliation of man. I know -how proud carnal minds are of their vain shows; -but the arms of the Lord, with which we fight, will -be stronger, and will throw down all their strongholds, -by means of which they think themselves invincible.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_242" id="Ref_242" href="#Foot_242">[242]</a></span></p> - -<p>Luther now appears again on the scene; and on this -important point Luther and Calvin are one.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_215" id="Foot_215" href="#Ref_215">[215]</a> -'Cum facultate retinendi simul archiepiscopatum tolosanum.'—<i>Gallia -Christiana.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_216" id="Foot_216" href="#Ref_216">[216]</a> -'Scis nos episcopum nationis tuæ habere.'—Daniel Calvino, Berne -MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_217" id="Foot_217" href="#Ref_217">[217]</a> -'Ut officialis dignitate aut aliqua alia te ornaret.'—Daniel Calvino, -Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_218" id="Foot_218" href="#Ref_218">[218]</a> -Calvin, <i>Lettres Françaises</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_219" id="Foot_219" href="#Ref_219">[219]</a> -'Unus de plebe, homuncio mediocri seu potius modica eruditione -præditus.'—Calvinus, <i>Præf. de Clementia</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_220" id="Foot_220" href="#Ref_220">[220]</a> -'Peccavimus omnes ... et usque ad extremum ævi delinquemus.'—<i>De -Clementia</i>, lib. i.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_221" id="Foot_221" href="#Ref_221">[221]</a> -'Ferarum vero, nec generosarum quidem, præmordere et urgere -projectos.'—<i>De Clementia</i>, cap. v.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_222" id="Foot_222" href="#Ref_222">[222]</a> -'Si leones ursique regnarent.'—Ibid. cap. xxvi.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_223" id="Foot_223" href="#Ref_223">[223]</a> -'Plus pecuniæ exhauserunt.'—Calvinus Danieli, Geneva MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_224" id="Foot_224" href="#Ref_224">[224]</a> -'Tandem jacta est alea.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_225" id="Foot_225" href="#Ref_225">[225]</a> -'Quo favore vel frigore excepti fuerint.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_226" id="Foot_226" href="#Ref_226">[226]</a> -'Ut Landrinum inducas in protectionem.'—Calvinus Danieli, -Geneva MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_227" id="Foot_227" href="#Ref_227">[227]</a> -'De Bibliis exhausi mandatum tuum.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_228" id="Foot_228" href="#Ref_228">[228]</a> -'Ita se gessit, ut gratiosus esset apud ordinis nostri homines.'—Calvinus -Bucero, Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_229" id="Foot_229" href="#Ref_229">[229]</a> -'Cum non posset submittere diutius cervicem isti voluntariæ servituti.'—Calvinus -Bucero, Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_230" id="Foot_230" href="#Ref_230">[230]</a> -'Cassait toutes les vitres.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_231" id="Foot_231" href="#Ref_231">[231]</a> -'Si quid preces meæ, si quid lacrimæ valent, hujus miseriæ succurras.'—Calvinus -Bucero, Berne MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_232" id="Foot_232" href="#Ref_232">[232]</a> -<i>Versio et Commentarii</i>, published at Paris in 1531.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_233" id="Foot_233" href="#Ref_233">[233]</a> -'Academiam parisiensem super monstrum esse fundatam.'—Morrhius -Erasmo, March 30, 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_234" id="Foot_234" href="#Ref_234">[234]</a> -'Res delata est ad inquisitores fidei.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_235" id="Foot_235" href="#Ref_235">[235]</a> -'Quod ex Stephano a Fabrica (<i>De la Forge</i>) intellexi, istos potius -ob maleficia ... egressos esse.'—<i>Adv. Libertinos.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_236" id="Foot_236" href="#Ref_236">[236]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_237" id="Foot_237" href="#Ref_237">[237]</a> -'Calvinus strictiorem vivendi disciplinam secutus est.'—Flor. -Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, ii. p. 247.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_238" id="Foot_238" href="#Ref_238">[238]</a> -'Cibi ac potus abstinentissimus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_239" id="Foot_239" href="#Ref_239">[239]</a> -'Illum incomparabilem, quem certatim sibi vindicant, hinc Gallia, -hinc Germania.'—Erasmi <i>Epp.</i> p. 15.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_240" id="Foot_240" href="#Ref_240">[240]</a> -<i>Calvin's Letters</i>, i. p. 342. Philadelphia, ed. J. Bonnet.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_241" id="Foot_241" href="#Ref_241">[241]</a> -<i>Lettres Françaises de Calvin. A la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 114, ed. -J. Bonnet.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_242" id="Foot_242" href="#Ref_242">[242]</a> -Calvin, <i>in 2ᵃᵐ Epist. ad Corinth.</i> ch. x.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">{126}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCES AT SMALCALD AND CALAIS.<br /> - (<span class="smc">March to October 1532.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=DU BELLAY'S PROJECTS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">FRANCE, or at least the king and the influential men, -appeared at this time to be veering towards a moderate -Reform. Francis I. seemed to have some liking -for his sister's religion; but there were other motives -inclining him to entertain these ideas. Finding himself -without allies in Europe, he endeavoured to gain the -friendship of the protestants, hoping that with their -help he would be in a condition to oppose the emperor -and restore the French preponderance in Italy. One -man in particular set himself the task of directing his -country into a new path; this was William du Bellay, -brother to the Bishop of Paris, and 'one of the greatest -men France ever had,' says a catholic historian.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_243" id="Ref_243" href="#Foot_243">[243]</a></span> -A skilful, active, and prudent diplomatist, Du Bellay -called to mind the memorable struggles that had formerly -taken place between the popes and the kings of -France; he believed that christendom was in a state of -transition, and desired, as the Chancellor de l'Hôpital -did in later years, that the new times should be marked -with more liberty, and not with more servitude, as the -Guises, the Valois, and the Bourbons would have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">{127}</a></span> -wished. He went even farther: he thought that the -sixteenth century would substitute for the papacy of -the middle ages a form of christianity, catholic of -course, but more in conformity with the ancient Scriptures -and the modern requirements. From that hour -his dominant idea, his chief business, was to unite -catholic France to protestant Germany.</p> - -<p>Having received the instructions of Francis I., Du -Bellay left Honfleur, where the king was staying,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_244" id="Ref_244" href="#Foot_244">[244]</a></span> -on the 11th of March, 1532, and crossed the Rhine about -the middle of April. At Schweinfurth-on-the-Maine, -between Wurtzburg and Bamberg, he found an assembly -composed of a few protestant princes on one side, -and a few mediators on the other, among whom was -the elector-archbishop of Mayence. As this brings us -into Germany, it is necessary that we should take a -glance at what had happened there since the great -diet of Augsburg in 1530.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_245" id="Ref_245" href="#Foot_245">[245]</a></span></p> - -<p>The catholics and protestants had made up their -minds at that time for a contest, and everything foreboded -the bursting of the storm in the next spring -(1531). There were, so to say, two contrary currents -among the friends of the Reformation in Germany. -One party (the men of prudence) wished -that the evangelical states should seek powerful alliances -and prepare to resist the emperor by force of -arms; the other (the men of piety) called to mind -that the Reformation had triumphed at Augsburg by -faith, and added that from faith all its future triumphs -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">{128}</a></span> -were to be expected. These two parties had frequent -meetings at Wittemberg, Torgau, and elsewhere. -One man especially, with open countenance and firm -look, whose lips seemed always ready to speak, made -his clear and sonorous voice heard: this was Luther. -'To God alone,' he told the elector, 'belongs the -government of the future; your Highness must therefore -persevere in that faith and confidence in God -which you have just displayed so gloriously at Augsburg.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_246" id="Ref_246" href="#Foot_246">[246]</a></span> -But the jurists of Torgau were not entirely -of that opinion, and they endeavoured to prove that -their rights in the empire authorised the protestants to -repel force by force. Luther was not to be shaken. 'If -war breaks out,' he replied, 'I call God and the world -to witness, that the Lutherans have in no wise provoked -it; that they have never drawn the sword, -never thrown men into prison, never burnt, killed, -and pillaged, as their adversaries have done; and, in -a word, that they have never sought anything but -peace and quietness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_247" id="Ref_247" href="#Foot_247">[247]</a></span> -The politicians smiled at such -enthusiasm, and said that in real life things must go -on very differently. A conference was appointed for -the consideration of what was to be done, and in the -meanwhile great efforts were made to win over new -allies to the protestant cause.</p> - -<p class="side">=ALLIANCE OF SMALCALD.=</p> - -<p>On the 29th of March, 1531, the deputies of the -protestant states met at Smalcald, in the electorate -of Hesse. In the eyes of the peace party this was a -place of evil omen: the town was fortified, and there -were iron mines in the neighbourhood, from which arms -have been manufactured and cannons founded. As -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">{129}</a></span> -the deputies proceeded to the castle of Wilhelmsburg, -built on a hill near the town, they wore a mournful -anxious look. They were disappointed in the hope -they had entertained of seeing Denmark, Switzerland, -Mecklenburg, and Pomerania join them. Nevertheless -they did not hesitate, notwithstanding their -weakness, to assert their rights against the power of -Charles V. Nine princes and eleven cities entered -into an alliance for six years 'to resist all who should -try to constrain them to forsake the Word of God and -the truth of Christ.'</p> - -<p>This resolution was received with very different -sentiments. Some said that it was an encroachment -on the spirituality of the Church; others maintained -that since liberty of conscience was a civil as well as -a religious right, it ought to be upheld, if necessary, -by force of arms. They soon went farther. Some -persons proposed, with a view of making the alliance -closer, to introduce into all the evangelical churches -a perfect uniformity both of worship and ecclesiastical -constitution; but energetic voices exclaimed that this -would be an infringement of religious liberty under -the pretence of upholding it. When the deputies -met again at Frankfort, on the 4th of June, these generous -men said boldly: 'We will maintain diversity -for fear that uniformity should, sooner or later, lead -to a kind of popery.' They understood that the inward -unity of faith is better than the superficial unity -of form.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_248" id="Ref_248" href="#Foot_248">[248]</a></span></p> - -<p>After various negotiations the evangelicals met at -Schweinfurth to receive the proposals of their adversaries; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">{130}</a></span> -and it was during this conference (April and -May 1532) that the ambassador of the King of France -arrived. When the protestants saw him appear, they -were rather embarrassed; but still they received -him with respect. He soon found out in what a -critical position the men of the confession of Augsburg -were placed. True, the mediators offered them -peace, but it was on condition that they made no -stipulations in favour of those who might embrace -the Gospel hereafter. This proposal greatly irritated -the Landgrave of Hesse, his chancellor Feig, and -the other members of the conference. 'What!' exclaimed -the Hessians, 'shall a barrier be raised between -protestantism and popery, and no one be allowed -to pass it?... No! the treaty of peace must equally -protect those who now adhere to the confession of -Augsburg and those who may hereafter do so.'—'It -is an affair of conscience,' wrote the evangelical theologians, -and Urban Regius in particular; 'this is a -point to be given up on no account.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_249" id="Ref_249" href="#Foot_249">[249]</a></span> -The electoral -prince himself was resolved to adopt this line of -conduct.</p> - -<p class="side">=LUTHER OPPOSES DIPLOMACY AND WAR.=</p> - -<p>Luther was not at Schweinfurth, but he kept on -the look-out for news. He spoke about the meeting -to his friends; he attacked the schemes of the politicians; -all these negotiations, stipulations, conventions, -signatures, ratifications, and treaties in behalf -of the Gospel annoyed him. When he learnt what -they were going to do at Schweinfurth, he was dismayed. -To presume to save the faith with protocols -was almost blasphemous in his eyes! One of his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">{131}</a></span> -powerful letters fell like a bomb-shell into the midst -of the conference. 'When we were without any support,' -he said, 'and entirely new in the empire, with -struggles and combats all around us, the Gospel -triumphed and truth was upheld, despite the enemies -who wished to stifle them both. Why should -not the Gospel triumph now with its own strength? -Why should it be necessary to help it with our diplomacy -and our treaties? Is not God as mighty now -as then? Does the Almighty want us to vote the aid -that we mean to give him in future by our human -stipulations?'...</p> - -<p>These words of Luther caused general consternation. -People said to one another that 'the Doctor had -been ill, and that he had consoled his friends by saying: -"Do not be afraid; if I were to sink now, the -papists would be too happy; therefore I shall not die." -They added that his advice against treaties was no doubt -a remnant of his fever; the great man is not quite right -in his mind; the prince-electoral and the excellent chancellor -Bruck wrote to the elector, who was in Saxony, -that everybody was against Luther, who appeared to -have no understanding of business.' But the reformer -did not suffer himself to be checked; on the contrary, -he begged the elector to write a sharp letter to his representatives. -'The princes and burgesses have embraced -the Gospel at their own risk and peril,' he -said, 'and in like manner every one must in future -receive and profess it at his own expense.' At the -same time he began to agitate Wittemberg, and drew -up an opinion which Pomeranus signed with him. In -it he said: 'I will never take upon my conscience -to provoke the shedding of blood, even to maintain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">{132}</a></span> -our articles of faith. It would be the best means of -destroying the true doctrine, in the midst of the confusions -of war.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_250" id="Ref_250" href="#Foot_250">[250]</a></span> -The reformer thought that if the -Lutherans and the Zwinglians, the Germans and the -Swiss united, they would feel so strong, that they -would assume the initiative and draw the sword—which -he wished to avert by all means in his power.</p> - -<p class="side">=DU BELLAY'S OVERTURES.=</p> - -<p>But the politicians were not more inclined to give -way than the theologians. On the contrary, they -made preparations for receiving the ambassador of -France, in which, however, there was some difficulty. -The diplomatist's arrival compromised them with the -imperialists; they could not receive him in the assembly -at Schweinfurth, since catholic princes would be -present. The protestants therefore went a few miles -off, to the little town of Königsberg in Franconia, -between Coburg, Bamberg, and Schweinfurth. Here -they formed themselves into a secret committee and -received the ambassador. 'Most honoured lords,' -said Du Bellay, 'the king my master begs you will -excuse him for not having sent me to you sooner. -That proceeds neither from negligence nor from want -of affection, but because he desired to come to some -understanding with the King of England, who also -wishes to help you in your great enterprise. The -negotiations are not yet ended; but my august master, -desirous of avoiding longer delay, has commissioned me -to say that you will find him ready to assist you. Yes, -though he should do it alone; though his brother of -England (which he does not believe) were to refuse; -though the emperor should march his armies against -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">{133}</a></span> -you, the king will not abandon you. On the honour -of a prince, he said. I have received ample powers to -arrange with you about the share of the war expenses -which his Majesty is ready to pay.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_251" id="Ref_251" href="#Foot_251">[251]</a></span></p> - -<p>The circumstances were not favourable for the proposals -of Francis I. The pacific ideas of Luther prevailed. -The Elector of Saxony, who was then ill, -desired to die in peace. He therefore sided with the -reformer, and it was agreed to name in the act of -alliance the princes and cities that had already adhered -to the confession of Augsburg, and that they alone -should be included in the league. These peaceful -ideas of the protestants did not harmonise with the -warlike ideas of King Francis. Du Bellay was not -discouraged, and skilfully went upon another tack; -while the Saxon diplomatists were compelled to yield -to the will of their master, Du Bellay remarked a -young prince, full of spirit and daring, who spared -nobody and said aloud what he thought. This was -the Landgrave of Hesse, who complained unceasingly -either of Luther's advice, or of the resolution of the -conference. 'The future will show,' he told everybody, -'whether they have acted wisely in this matter.' -The minister of Francis I., who was of the landgrave's -opinion, entered into communication with him.</p> - -<p>An important question—the question of Wurtemberg—at -that time occupied Germany. In 1512 -Duke Ulrich, annoyed because he had not more influence -in the Suabian league, had seceded from it, -quarrelled with the emperor, thrown that prince's -adherents into prison, burdened his subjects with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">{134}</a></span> -oppressive taxes, and caused trouble in his own family. -In consequence of all this, the emperor expelled -him from his states in 1519 and 1520, and he took -refuge in his principality of Montbéliard. It seemed -that adversity had not been profitless to him. In -1524, when Farel went to preach the Reformation at -Montbéliard, Ulrich (as we have seen<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_252" id="Ref_252" href="#Foot_252">[252]</a></span> -) defended religious -liberty. When the emperor was at Augsburg -in 1530, wishing to aggrandise the power of Austria, -he had given the duchy of Wurtemberg to his brother -Ferdinand, to the great indignation of the protestants, -and especially of the landgrave. 'We must -restore the legitimate sovereign in Wurtemberg,' said -this young and energetic prince: 'that will take the -duchy from the catholic party and give it to the protestants.' -But all the negotiations undertaken with -this view had failed. If, however, one of the great -powers of Europe should take up the cause of the -dukes of Wurtemberg, their restoration would be -easier. Francis I. had not failed to see that he could -checkmate the emperor here. 'As for the Duke of -Wurtemberg,' said Du Bellay to the Königsberg conference, -'the king my lord will heartily undertake to -serve him to the utmost of his power, without infringing -the treaties.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_253" id="Ref_253" href="#Foot_253">[253]</a></span> -The landgrave had taken -note of these words, and their result was to establish -the Reformation in a country which is distinguished -by its fervent protestantism and its zeal in propagating -the Gospel to the ends of the world.</p> - -<p class="side">=PEACE OF NUREMBERG.=</p> - -<p>A mixed assembly of catholics and protestants -having met at Nuremberg in the month of May, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">{135}</a></span> -protestants demanded a council in which everything -should be decided 'according to the pure Word of -God.' The members of the Romish party looked -discontented: 'It is a captious, prejudiced, and anti-catholic -condition,' they said. Yet, as the Turks -were threatening the empire, it was necessary to -make some concessions to the Reformation, in order -to be in a condition to resist them. The violent -fanatics represented to no purpose that Luther was -not much better than Mahomet; peace was concluded -at Nuremberg on the 23rd of July, 1532, and it was -agreed that, while waiting for the next free and general -council, the <i>status quo</i> should be preserved, and -all Germans should exercise a sincere and christian -friendship. This first religious peace cheered with -its mild beams the last days of the elector John of -Saxony. On the 14th of August, 1532, that venerable -prince, whom even the imperialists styled 'the -Father of the German land,' was struck with apoplexy. -'God help me!' he exclaimed, and immediately expired. -'Wisdom died with the elector Frederick,' -said Luther, 'and piety with the elector John.'</p> - -<p>Yet Du Bellay was always harassed by the desire -of emancipating from Rome that France which the -Medici, the Guises, the Valois, and afterwards the -Bourbons, were about to surrender to her. He therefore -increased his exertions among the protestants to -induce them to accept the friendship, if not the alliance, -of his master. But they had no great confidence in -'the Frenchman;' they were afraid that they would be -surprised, deceived, and then abandoned by Francis; -they 'shook with fear.' The ambassador was more -urgent than ever; he accepted the conditions of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">{136}</a></span> -protestants, and the two parties signed a sort of agreement. -Du Bellay returned to Francis I., who was then -in Brittany, and the king having heard him, sent him -instantly to England, to give Henry VIII. a full -account of all his negotiations with the protestant -princes.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_254" id="Ref_254" href="#Foot_254">[254]</a></span></p> - -<p>Thus politicians were intriguing on every side. In -Germany, France, and England, the princes imagined -that they could conquer by means of diplomacy; but -far different were the forces by which the victory was -to be gained. In the midst of all this activity of courts -and cabinets, there was an inner and secret activity -which stirred the human mind and excited in it a -burning thirst, which the truth and the life of God -alone could quench. Centuries before, as early as -1020, the revival had begun in Aquitaine, at Orleans, -and on the Rhine. Men had proclaimed that christians -'ought to be filled with the Holy Ghost; that -God would be with them, and would give them the -treasures of his wisdom.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_255" id="Ref_255" href="#Foot_255">[255]</a></span> -This inward movement had -gone on growing from age to age. The Waldenses in the -twelfth century, the purest portion of the Albigenses in -the thirteenth, Wickliffe and the Lollards in the fourteenth, -and John Huss and his followers in the fifteenth, -are the heroes of this noble war. This christian life -arose, increased, and spread; if it was extinguished in -one country, it reappeared in another. The religious -movement of the mind gained strength; the electricity -was accumulated in the battery; the mine was charged, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">{137}</a></span> -and the explosion was certain erelong. All this was -being accomplished under the guidance of a sovereign -commander. He applied the match in the sixteenth -century by the hand of Luther; once more he sprang -the mine by the powerful preaching of Calvin, Knox, -and others. It was this that won the victory, and not -diplomacy. However, we have not yet done with it.</p> - -<p class="side">=MEETING OF FRANCIS AND HENRY.=</p> - -<p>At this time Francis I. was enraptured with -Henry VIII., calling him his 'good brother' and -'perpetual ally.' Wearied of the pope and of the -popedom, which appeared as if unable to shake off the -tutelage of Charles V., the King of France saw Germany -separating from Rome, and England doing the -same, and Du Bellay was continually asking him why -he would not conclude a triple alliance with these two -powers? Such a coalition, formed in the name of the -revival of learning and of reform in the Church, would -certainly triumph over all the opposition made to it by -ignorance and superstition. Francis I. had not made -up his mind to break entirely with the pope, though -he was resolved to unite with the pope's enemies. In -order to conclude a close alliance with Henry, he chose -the moment when that prince was most out of humour -with the court of Rome. The articles were drawn up -on the 23rd of June, 1532.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_256" id="Ref_256" href="#Foot_256">[256]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two kings were not content with making preparations -only for the great campaign they meditated -against the emperor and Rome: they determined to -have an interview. On the 11th of October, 1532, -the gallant Henry, accompanied by a brilliant court, -crossed the Channel and arrived at Calais, at that time -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">{138}</a></span> -an English possession; while the elegant Francis, -attended by his three sons and many of his nobles, -arrived at Boulogne one or two days later. The great -point with Francis was glory—a victory to be gained -over Charles V.; the great point with Henry was to -gratify his passions, and as Clement VII. thwarted him, -he had a special grudge against the pope. With such -hatreds and such intentions, it was easy for the two -kings to come to an understanding.</p> - -<p>Their first meeting was at Boulogne, in the abbot's -palace, where they stayed four days under the same -roof. Francis was inexhaustible in attentions to his -guest; but the important part of their business was -transacted in one of their closets, where these impetuous -princes confided to each other their anger and -their plans. The King of England gave vent to 'great -complaints and grievances' against Clement VII. 'He -wants to force me to go to Rome in person. If -he means to institute an inquiry, let him send his -proctors to England. Let us summon the pope (he -added) to appear before a free council empowered to -inquire into the abuses under which princes and people -suffer so severely, and to reform them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_257" id="Ref_257" href="#Foot_257">[257]</a></span></p> - -<p>Francis, who also had 'goodwill to complain,' -filled the abbot's palace with his grievances: 'I have -need of the clergy-tenths (the tenth part of the Church -revenues), in order that I may resist the Turk; but -the holy father opposes my levying them. I have -need of all the resources of my subjects; but the holy -father is continually inventing new exactions, which -transfer the money of my kingdom into the coffers of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">{139}</a></span> -the popedom. He makes us pay annates, maintain -pontifical officers at a great expense, and give large -presents to prothonotaries, valets, chamberlains, ushers, -and others. And what is the consequence? The -clergy are poor; the ruined churches are not repaired; -and the indigent lack food.... Most assuredly -the Roman government is only <i>a net to catch -money</i>. We must have a council.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_258" id="Ref_258" href="#Foot_258">[258]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two princes resolved to 'take from the pope -the obedience of their kingdoms,' as Guicciardini says.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_259" id="Ref_259" href="#Foot_259">[259]</a></span> -However, before resorting to extreme measures, Francis -desired to begin with milder means, and Henry -was forced to consent that France should forward his -grievances to Rome.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE MASKED LADY.=</p> - -<p>After living together for four days at Boulogne, -Henry and Francis went to Calais, where the latter -found his apartments hung with cloth of gold, embroidered -with pearls and precious stones. At table, -the viands were served on one hundred and seventy -dishes of solid gold. Henry gave a grand masked -ball, at which the King of France was considerably -tantalised by a masked lady of very elegant manners -with whom he danced. She spoke French like a -Frenchwoman, abounded in wit and grace, and knew, -in its most trifling details, all the scandal of the -court of France. The king declared the lady to be -charming, and her neck the prettiest he had ever seen. -He little imagined then that this neck would one day -be severed by the orders of Henry VIII. At the -end of the dance, the King of England, with a smile, -removed the lady's mask, and showed the features of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">{140}</a></span> -Anne Boleyn, Marchioness of Pembroke, who (it will -be recollected) had been brought up at the court of -the French king's sister.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_260" id="Ref_260" href="#Foot_260">[260]</a></span></p> - -<p>Pleasure did not make the two princes forget business. -They were again closeted, and signed a treaty, -in accordance with which they engaged to raise an -army of 65,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry, intended -apparently to act against the Turks.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_261" id="Ref_261" href="#Foot_261">[261]</a></span> -Du Bellay's -policy was in the ascendant. 'The great king,' he -said, 'is staggering from his obedience.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_262" id="Ref_262" href="#Foot_262">[262]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=FRANCIS THREATENS SEPARATION.=</p> - -<p>Wishing to make a last effort before determining -to break with the pope, Francis summoned Cardinals -de Tournon and de Gramont, men devoted to his -person, and said to them: 'You will go to the holy -father and lay before him in confidence both our -grievances and our dissatisfaction. You will tell him -that we are determined to employ, as soon as may be -advisable, all our alliances, public as well as private, -to execute great things ... from which much damage -may ensue and perpetual regret for the future. You -will tell him that, in accord with other christian -princes, we shall assemble a council without him, and -that we shall forbid our subjects in future to send -money to Rome. You will add—but as a secret and -after taking the pope aside—that in case his holiness -should think of censuring me and forcing me to go -to Rome for absolution, I shall come, but <i>so well -attended</i> that his holiness will be only too eager to -grant it me....</p> - -<p>'Let the pope consider well,' added the king, 'that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">{141}</a></span> -the Germans, the Swiss League, and several other -countries in Christendom, have separated from Rome. -Let him understand that if two powerful kings like -us should also secede, we should find many imitators, -<i>both Italians and others</i>;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_263" id="Ref_263" href="#Foot_263">[263]</a></span> - and that, at the least, there -would be a greater war in Europe than any known -in time past.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_264" id="Ref_264" href="#Foot_264">[264]</a></span></p> - -<p>Such were the proud words France sent to Rome. -The two kings separated. A young prince, held -captive by Charles V., gave them the first opportunity -of acting together against both emperor and -pope.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_243" id="Foot_243" href="#Ref_243">[243]</a> -Le Grand, <i>Hist. du Divorce de Henri VIII.</i> i. p. 20.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_244" id="Foot_244" href="#Ref_244">[244]</a> -'Ex oppido unde fluctu Lexoviorum.'—Rommel, <i>Philippe le M.</i> ii. -p. 259.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_245" id="Foot_245" href="#Ref_245">[245]</a> -<i>History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. iv. bk. xiv. -ch. xii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_246" id="Foot_246" href="#Ref_246">[246]</a> -Lutheri <i>Epp.</i> iv. p. 201—Dec. 1530.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_247" id="Foot_247" href="#Ref_247">[247]</a> -<i>Warnung an seine lieben Deutschen.</i> Lutheri <i>Opp.</i> lib. xx. p. 298.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_248" id="Foot_248" href="#Ref_248">[248]</a> -Seckendorf, pp. 1174-1192, sqq.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_249" id="Foot_249" href="#Ref_249">[249]</a> -Urban Regius to the Landgrave.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_250" id="Foot_250" href="#Ref_250">[250]</a> -Lutheri <i>Epp.</i> iv. pp. 335, 337, 369, 372, sqq.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_251" id="Foot_251" href="#Ref_251">[251]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 168, 169, Paris, 1588. The historian is very -well informed, especially on everything concerning his brother's missions.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_252" id="Foot_252" href="#Ref_252">[252]</a> -<i>Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Cent.</i> vol. iii. bk. xii. chap. xi.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_253" id="Foot_253" href="#Ref_253">[253]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 171, 172.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_254" id="Foot_254" href="#Ref_254">[254]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 171, 172.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_255" id="Foot_255" href="#Ref_255">[255]</a> -'Deus tibi comes nunquam deerit, in quo sapentiæ thesauri -atque divitiarum consistunt.' See Ademarus, monk of Angoulême in 1029, -<i>Chronic.</i> <i>Gesta Synodi Aurelianensis</i>, &c.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_256" id="Foot_256" href="#Ref_256">[256]</a> -The articles are given in Herbert's <i>Life of Henry VIII.</i> p. 366, sqq. -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 171.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_257" id="Foot_257" href="#Ref_257">[257]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 173.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_258" id="Foot_258" href="#Ref_258">[258]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 173, 174.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_259" id="Foot_259" href="#Ref_259">[259]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Hist. des Guerres d'Italie</i>, ii. liv. xx. p. 893.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_260" id="Foot_260" href="#Ref_260">[260]</a> -'The French king talked with the marchioness a space.'—<i>Hall</i>, p. 794.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_261" id="Foot_261" href="#Ref_261">[261]</a> -Le Grand, <i>Hist. du Divorce de Henri VIII.</i> p. 238.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_262" id="Foot_262" href="#Ref_262">[262]</a> -Brantôme, <i>Mémoires</i>, i. p. 235.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_263" id="Foot_263" href="#Ref_263">[263]</a> -The words <i>tant italiens que autres</i>, are not in the speech delivered at -Calais according to Du Bellay; but they are in the written instructions -given to the two cardinals. <i>Preuves des Libertés</i>, p. 260.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_264" id="Foot_264" href="#Ref_264">[264]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 175, 176, sqq.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">{142}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">A CAPTIVE PRINCE ESCAPES FROM THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1532.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE news of the meeting of Francis I. and Henry VIII. alarmed Germany, Italy, and all Europe. -'The kings of France and England,' it was said, 'are -going to take advantage of the emperor's campaign -against the Turks, to unite their armies with those of -the protestants and gain a signal victory.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_265" id="Ref_265" href="#Foot_265">[265]</a></span> -But nobody -was more alarmed than the pope. Abruptly -addressing the Bishop of Auxerre, the minister of -France, he made the bitterest complaints to him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_266" id="Ref_266" href="#Foot_266">[266]</a></span> -Already he saw France, like England, shaking off the -yoke of Rome. 'I have it from good authority,' -says Brantôme, 'that the King of France was on the -point of renouncing the pope, as the King of England -had done.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_267" id="Ref_267" href="#Foot_267">[267]</a></span></p> - -<p>On leaving Boulogne, Francis went to Paris, where -he spent the winter and took his measures for 'the -great effort' with which he threatened the pope. The -priests were very uneasy, and began to dread a reform -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">{143}</a></span> -similar to that in England. Calling to mind that in -Denmark, Sweden, and elsewhere, a great part of the -ecclesiastical property had been transferred to the -treasury of the State, they granted the king all he -asked; and the prince thus obtained between five -and six hundred thousand ducats, which put him in -a condition to do 'the great things' with which the -cardinals were to menace the pontiff.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_268" id="Ref_268" href="#Foot_268">[268]</a></span> -An unexpected -event furnished the opportunity of employing -the priests' money in favour of the Reformation.</p> - -<p class="side">=CHARLES V. HASTENS TO ITALY.=</p> - -<p>The haughty Soliman had invaded Hungary, in -July 1532, at the head of numerous and terrible -hordes. Displaying a luxury without precedent, he -gave audience on a golden throne, with a crown of -solid gold at his side, and the scabbards of his -swords covered with pearls. But erelong the sickly -Charles succeeded in terrifying this magnificent barbarian. -Having raised an army which combined the -order and strength of the German lansquenets with -the lightness and impetuosity of the Italian bands and -the pride and perseverance of the Spanish troops, he -forced Soliman to retreat. The emperor was all the -more delighted, as the conference between Henry and -Francis made him impatient to settle with the Mussulmans. -It was even said in the empire that it was this -conference which brought Charles back, as he desired -to join the pope in combating projects which threatened -them both. The emperor passed the Alps in the -autumn of 1532.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_269" id="Ref_269" href="#Foot_269">[269]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">{144}</a></span> -Among the nobles and warriors who accompanied -him, was a young prince of eighteen, Christopher, -son of Duke Ulrich of Wurtemberg. He was only -five years old when his father was expelled from his -duchy by the Austrians; and the latter, wishing to -make him forget Wurtemberg, resolved to separate -him from his country and his parents. The little boy -and his guardians having left Stuttgard, stopped to -pass the night in a town near the frontier. A lamb -was gambolling in the yard; the poor boy, delighted -with the gentleness of the animal, ran and took it up -in his arms, and began to play with it. In the morning, -just as they were leaving, little Christopher, less -distressed at their taking away his sceptre than at their -separating him from his pet companion, kissed it with -tears in his eyes, and said to the host: 'Pray take -care of it, and when I return I will pay you for your -trouble.'</p> - -<p>Christopher was taken to Innsbruck, where his life -was a hard one. The young prince who, in later -times, filled his country with evangelical schools, had -no one to cultivate his mind, and he who was one day -to sit at the table of kings was often half-starved; his -dress was neglected, and even the beggars, when they -saw him, were moved with compassion. From Innsbruck -he was transferred to Neustadt (Nagy-Banya) -in Hungary, beyond the Theiss. One day a troop of -Turkish horsemen, having crossed the Carpathians, -scoured the country that lay between the mountains -and the river, and, catching sight of the prince, -rushed upon him to carry him off. But a faithful -follower, who had observed their movements, shouted -for help, and succeeded in saving Christopher from the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">{145}</a></span> -hands of the Mussulmans. And thus the heir of -Wurtemberg grew up in the bosom of adversity.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE PRINCE AND HIS GOVERNOR.=</p> - -<p>The noble-hearted man who had saved him at the -peril of his own life was Michael Tifernus. In his -early childhood he had been carried off by the Turks, -and, being abandoned by them, he had succeeded in -reaching a village near Trieste, where some kind people -took care of him. Tifernus (who derived this name -from the place of his adoption, for his parents' name -was never known) was sent to a school in Vienna, where -he received a sound education. King Ferdinand, who -was guilty of negligence towards Christopher rather -than of ill-will, gave him Tifernus for tutor. The -latter attached himself passionately to the prince, who, -under his care, became an accomplished young man. -In the midst of the splendours of the court of Austria -and of the Roman worship, grew up one who was erelong -to rescue Wurtemberg from both Austria and -Rome. An important circumstance occurred to agitate -the young prince deeply, and throw a bright light over -his dark path.</p> - -<p>Christopher accompanied the emperor in 1530 to the -famous diet of Augsburg. He was struck by the noble -sight of the fidelity and courage of the protestants. -He heard them make their confession of faith; his -elevated soul took the side of the oppressed Gospel; -and when, at this very diet, Charles solemnly invested -his brother Ferdinand with the duchy of Wurtemberg,—when -Christopher saw the standard of his fathers -and of his people in the hands of the Austrian archduke—the -feeling of his rights came over him; he -viewed the triumphant establishment of the evangelical -faith in the country of his ancestors as a task -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">{146}</a></span> -appointed him. He would recover his inheritance, -and, uniting with the noble confessors of Augsburg, -would bring an unexpected support to the Reformation.</p> - -<p>The emperor, after the war against the Turks, desired -the prince to accompany him to Italy and Spain; -perhaps it was his intention to leave him there; but -Christopher made no objection. He had arranged his -plans: two great ideas, the independence of Wurtemberg -and the triumph of the Reformation, had taken -possession of his mind, and while following the emperor -and appearing to turn his back on the states of his -fathers, he said significantly to his devoted friend -Tifernus: 'I shall not abandon my rights in Germany.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_270" id="Ref_270" href="#Foot_270">[270]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PRINCE CHRISTOPHER'S ESCAPE.=</p> - -<p>Charles V. and his court were crossing the Alps in -the autumn of 1532. The young duke on horseback -was slowly climbing the passes which separate Austria -from Styria, contemplating the everlasting snows -in the distance, and stopping from time to time on -the heights from whose base rushed the foaming torrents -which descend from the sides of the mountains. -He had a thoughtful look, as of one absorbed by -some great resolution. The news of the interview -of Francis I. and Henry VIII., which had alarmed -Austria, had inflamed his hopes; and he said to himself -that now was the time for claiming his states. -He had conversed with his governor about it, and it -now remained to carry the daring enterprise into -execution. To escape from Charles V., surrounded -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">{147}</a></span> -by his court and his guards, seemed impossible; but -Christopher believing that God can <i>deliver out of the -mouth of the lion</i>, prayed him to be his guide during -the rest of his life. As etiquette was not strictly -observed in these mountains, Christopher and his -governor lagged a little in the rear of their travelling -companions. A tree, a rock, a turn in the road -sufficed to hide them from view. Yet, if one of the -emperor's attendants should turn round too soon and -look for the laggards, the two friends would be ruined. -But no one thought of doing so: erelong they were at -some distance from the court, and could see the imperial -procession stretching in the distance, like a -riband, along the flanks of the Norican Alps. On a -sudden the two loiterers turned their horses, and set -off at full gallop. They asked some mountaineers to -show them a road which would take them to Salzburg, -and continued their flight in the direction indicated. -But there were some terrible passes to cross; Christopher's -horse broke down, and it was impossible to -proceed. What was to be done? Perhaps the imperialists -were already on their track.</p> - -<p>The two friends were not at a loss. There was a -lake close at hand; they dragged the useless animal -by the legs towards it, and buried it at the bottom of -the water, in order that there might be no trace of -their passage. 'Now, my lord,' said his governor, -'take my horse and proceed; I shall manage to get -out of the scrape.' The young duke disappeared, -and not before it was time. 'What has become of -Prince Christopher?' asked Charles's attendants. 'He -is in the rear,' was the reply; 'he will soon catch us -up.' As he did not appear, some of the imperial -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">{148}</a></span> -officers rode back in search of him. The little -lake into which the prince's horse had been thrown -was partly filled with tall reeds, among which -Tifernus lay concealed. Presently the imperialists -passed close by him; he heard their steps, their voices; -they went backwards and forwards, but found nothing. -At last, they returned and mournfully reported the -uselessness of their search. It was believed that -the two young men had been murdered by brigands -among the mountains. The court continued its -progress towards Italy and Rome. All this time -Christopher was fleeing on his governor's horse, and -by exercising great prudence he reached a secure -asylum without being recognised, and here he kept -himself in concealment under the protection of his -near relatives the dukes of Bavaria. Tifernus joined -him in his retreat.</p> - -<p class="side">=CHRISTOPHER CLAIMS HIS STATES.=</p> - -<p>The report of Christopher's death was circulated -everywhere; the Austrians, who had no doubt about -it, felt surer than ever of Wurtemberg; they were -even beginning to forget the prince, when a document -bearing his name and dated the 17th of November, -1532,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_271" id="Ref_271" href="#Foot_271">[271]</a></span> -was suddenly circulated all over Germany. -Faithful to his resolution, the young prince in this -noble manifesto gave utterance to the bitterest complaints, -and boldly claimed his inheritance in the face -of the world. This paper, which alarmed Ferdinand -of Austria, caused immense joy in Wurtemberg and -all protestant Germany. The young prince had everything -in his favour: an age which always charms, a -courage universally acknowledged, virtues, talents, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">{149}</a></span> -graceful manners, an ancient family, a respected name, -indisputable rights, and the love of his subjects. -They had not seen him, indeed, since the day when -he had bedewed the pet lamb with his tears; but -they hailed him as their national prince who would -recover their independence. Protected by the Duke -of Bavaria, by the Landgrave of Hesse, and by the -powerful King of France, Christopher had all the -chances in his favour. He had more: he had the -support of God. As a friend of the Gospel, he -would give fresh strength to the great cause of the -Reformation. Du Bellay would use all his zeal to -reestablish him on the throne, and thus procure an -ally for France who would help her to enter on the -path of religious liberty.</p> - -<p>We must now return to the country of Margaret -of Navarre, and see how this princess began to realise -her great project of having the pure Gospel preached -in the bosom and under the forms of the Roman -Catholic Church.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_265" id="Foot_265" href="#Ref_265">[265]</a> -'The people was marvellously affrayed less you would have joined -armies.'—Hawkins to Henry VIII., Nov. 21, 1532. <i>State Papers</i>, vii. -p. 388.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_266" id="Foot_266" href="#Ref_266">[266]</a> -'Hys Holynes taketh it greatly for ill.'—Ibid. p. 381.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_267" id="Foot_267" href="#Ref_267">[267]</a> -Brantôme, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 235.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_268" id="Foot_268" href="#Ref_268">[268]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 174. <i>Relation des Ambassadeurs Vénitiens</i>, i. -p. 52.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_269" id="Foot_269" href="#Ref_269">[269]</a> -Hammer, iii. p. 118. Schoertlin, <i>Lebens Beschreibung</i>. Ranke, -<i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. p. 425.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_270" id="Foot_270" href="#Ref_270">[270]</a> -'Entschlossen seine Gerechtigkeiten in Deutschland nicht zu verlassen.'—Ranke, -<i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. pp. 448-451. This narrative is -based upon Gabelkofer, extracted by Sattler and Pfister.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_271" id="Foot_271" href="#Ref_271">[271]</a> -This document will be found in Sattler, ii. p. 229. See also Ranke, -<i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. p. 450.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">{150}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE GOSPEL PREACHED AT THE LOUVRE AND IN - THE METROPOLITAN CHURCHES.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Lent 1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE alliance with England, and the hope of being -able, sooner or later, to triumph over Charles V., -filled the King of France with joy; and accordingly -the carnival of the year 1533 was kept magnificently -at Paris. The court was absorbed in entertainments, -balls, and banquets. The young lords and ladies -thought of nothing but dancing and intriguing, at -which soberer minds were scandalised. 'It is quite -a Bacchanalia,' said the evangelicals.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_272" id="Ref_272" href="#Foot_272">[272]</a></span> -As soon as -the carnival was ended, Francis started for Picardy; -leaving the King and Queen of Navarre at Paris. -Margaret now breathed more freely. She had been -compelled, willingly or unwillingly, to take part in -all the court fêtes; and she now determined to make -up for it by organising a great evangelical preaching -instead of the 'bacchanalia' at which she had -sometimes been present. Was not Francis holding -out his hand to the King of England and to the protestants -of Germany? The opportunity should be -seized of preaching the new doctrine boldly. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">{151}</a></span> -Queen of Navarre sent for Roussel and communicated -her intention to him. She will open the great -churches of the capital, and from their pulpits the -inhabitants of Paris shall hear the mighty summons. -The poor almoner, in whom courage was not the -most prominent virtue, was alarmed at first. In the -handsome saloons of Margaret he might indulge in his -pious and rather mystical aspirations; but to enter -the pulpits of Paris ... the very thought dismayed -him, and he begged the queen to find some other -person. Roussel did not deny that it was right to -preach the Gospel publicly, but declared himself to -be incompetent for the work. 'The minister of the -Gospel,' he said, 'ought to possess an invincible faith.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_273" id="Ref_273" href="#Foot_273">[273]</a></span> -The enemy against which he fights is the kingdom of -hell with all its powers.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_274" id="Ref_274" href="#Foot_274">[274]</a></span> -... He must defend himself -on the right hand and on the left.... What do you -require of me? To preach peace, but under the cross! -To bring in the kingdom of God, but among the strongholds -of the devil.... To speak of repose in the midst -of the most furious tempests, of life in the midst of -death, of blessedness in the midst of hell! Who is -fitted for such things?... Doubtless it is a noble -task, but no one ought to undertake it unless he -is called to it. Now I feel nothing in me which a -minister of the Gospel of Christ ought to possess at -this moment.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_275" id="Ref_275" href="#Foot_275">[275]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=ROUSSEL'S HESITATION.=</p> - -<p>Such a man as Calvin would certainly have been -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">{152}</a></span> -preferable, but Margaret would neither have dared -nor wished to put him in the front. These sermons -undoubtedly formed part of the chaplain's duty; -and hence the Queen, an energetic and impulsive -woman, being determined to profit by the opportunity -of giving the Gospel free entrance into Paris, persisted -with Roussel, promised him the help of her prayers -and of her favour, and at last prevailed on him to -preach. In truth, his modesty is an honour to -him: no doubt there was boldness wanted; but -many humble and candid souls would have hesitated -like him. He was fitter than he imagined for -the work which the Queen of Navarre had taken in -hand.</p> - -<p>This obstacle having been surmounted, Margaret -met with another. It was the custom for the Sorbonne -to appoint the preachers, and it was impossible -to get them to accept Roussel. 'They will nominate -some furious and insolent monks,' says Calvin, 'who -will make the churches ring with their insults -against truth.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_276" id="Ref_276" href="#Foot_276">[276]</a></span> -The struggle began, and despite -the absence of Francis, despite the influence of the -Queen of Navarre, the Sorbonne gained the day, and -the pulpits of the capital were closed against the -almoner. Margaret was very indignant at these -doctors, who looked upon themselves as the doorkeepers -of the kingdom of heaven, and by their -tyranny prevented the door from being opened; but -Roussel was by no means sorry to be prohibited from -a work beyond his strength.</p> - -<p class="side">=PREACHINGS AT THE LOUVRE.=</p> - -<p>But nothing could stop the queen. Being resolved -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">{153}</a></span> -to give the Gospel to France, she said to herself that it -must be done now or never. Her zeal carried her to -an extraordinary act. The Sorbonne closed the doors -of the churches against Roussel: Margaret opened to -him the palace of the king. She had a saloon prepared -in the Louvre, and gave orders to admit all who desired -to enter. Was the king informed of this? It is -possible, and even probable, that he was. He did not -fear to show the pope and Charles V. how far his alliance -with Henry VIII. and the protestants would extend. -He would not have liked to appear schismatic -and heretical; but he sometimes was pleased that his -sister should do so; and he could always vindicate -himself on the ground of absence.</p> - -<p>A Lutheran sermon at the Louvre! That was truly -a strange thing; and accordingly the crowd was so -great that there was not room for them. Margaret -threw open a larger hall, but that too was filled, as -well as the corridors and ante-chamber.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_277" id="Ref_277" href="#Foot_277">[277]</a></span> -A third time -the place of meeting was changed.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_278" id="Ref_278" href="#Foot_278">[278]</a></span> -She had vainly -selected the largest hall; the galleries and adjoining -rooms were filled, and room was wanting still. These -evangelical preachings at the Louvre excited a lively -curiosity in Paris. They were all the fashion, and the -worthy Roussel, to his great surprise, became quite -famous. He preached every day during Lent,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_279" id="Ref_279" href="#Foot_279">[279]</a></span> -and every day the crowd grew larger. Nobles, lawyers, -men of letters, merchants, scholars, and tradespeople -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">{154}</a></span> -of every class flocked to the Louvre from all parts of -Paris, especially from the quarters of the University -and St. Germain. At the hour of preaching, the citizens -poured over the bridges in a stream, or crossed -the Seine in boats. Some were attracted by piety, -some by curiosity, and others by vanity. Four or five -thousand hearers crowded daily round Roussel.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_280" id="Ref_280" href="#Foot_280">[280]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the worthy citizens, students, and professors -had climbed the stairs at the Louvre, crossed the antechambers, -and reached the door of the principal saloon, -they stopped, opened their eyes wide, and looked -wonderingly on the sight presented to them in the -monarch's palace. The King and Queen of Navarre -were in the chief places, seated in costly chairs, whence -the active Margaret cast a satisfied glance on all those -courtiers, those notables of the city, those curious -Parisians, those friends of Reform, who were flocking -to hear the Word of God. There were people of -every rank: John Sturm, already so decided for the -Gospel, was seen by the side of the elegant John de -Montluc, afterwards Bishop of Valence. At length -the minister appeared; he prayed with unction, read -the Scriptures with gravity, and then began his exhortations -to the hearers. His language was simple, -but it stirred their hearts profoundly. Roussel proclaimed -the salvation obtained by a living faith, and -urged the necessity of belonging to the invisible -Church of the saints. Instead of attacking the Roman -religion, he addressed his appeals to the conscience; -and this preaching of the Gospel (rather softened down -as it was) won, instead of irritating, men's minds. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">{155}</a></span> -Accustomed as they were to the babbling of the monks, -the congregation listened seriously to the practical -preaching of the minister of God. Here were no -scholastic subtleties, no absurd legends, no amusing -anecdotes, no burlesque declamations, and no unclean -pictures: it was the Gospel.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_281" id="Ref_281" href="#Foot_281">[281]</a></span> -As they quitted the -Louvre, men conversed about the sermon or the -preacher. Sturm of Strasburg and John de Montluc, -in particular, often talked together.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_282" id="Ref_282" href="#Foot_282">[282]</a></span> -The satisfaction -was general. 'What a preacher!' they said; 'we have -never heard anything like it! What freedom in his -language! what firmness in his teaching!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_283" id="Ref_283" href="#Foot_283">[283]</a></span> -Some of -his hearers wrote in their admiration to Melanchthon, -who informed Luther, Spalatin, and others of it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_284" id="Ref_284" href="#Foot_284">[284]</a></span> -Germany rejoiced to see France begin to move at last.</p> - -<p>Margaret, who had a lively imagination and warm -heart, was all on fire. She spoke to the worldlings -of that 'peace of God which passeth all understanding.' -She said to the friends of the Gospel: -'The Almighty will graciously complete what he has -graciously begun through us.' She added: 'I will -spend myself in it.' She excited and stirred up -everybody about her, and the crowded congregations -of the Louvre were in great measure the result of her -incessant activity. She knew how by a word or a message -to attract courtiers whose only thoughts were of -debauchery, and catholics whose only wish was for the -pope. Like a sabbath-bell, she called Paris to hear the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">{156}</a></span> -voice of God, and drew the crowd. Possessing in the -highest degree, so long as her brother did not check it, -that energy which women often show in religious -matters, she was resolved to prosecute her work and -win the prize of the contest.</p> - -<p>She returned to her first idea. She said to herself -that the best way to effect a reform in the Church -without occasioning a schism, was for the Gospel to -be preached in the churches of Paris and of France. -The ceremonies of the Roman worship and the jurisdiction -of the bishops would remain, but Christ would -be proclaimed. This system, which was fundamentally -that of Melanchthon and even of Luther at this time,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_285" id="Ref_285" href="#Foot_285">[285]</a></span> -she did her best to realise. The victory she had just -achieved at the Louvre doubled her courage; she determined -to have the churches which had been refused -to her at first. She therefore began to work upon the -king, and, as he was thinking only of his alliances with -Henry VIII. and the protestants, she obtained from -him an order authorising the Bishop of Paris to appoint -whom he pleased to preach in his diocese.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_286" id="Ref_286" href="#Foot_286">[286]</a></span> -The prelate, -who was a brother of the diplomatist Du Bellay, -passed like him for a friend of the Reformation. At -Margaret's request he named two evangelical Augustine -monks—Courault and Berthaud. 'Strange!' -said the public voice; 'here are men of the order to -which Luther belonged going to preach the doctrine -of the great reformer in the capital of France.' All the -evangelicals were overjoyed and wrote to their friends -everywhere that 'Paris was supplied with three excellent -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">{157}</a></span> -preachers, announcing the truth ... with a -little more boldness than was customary.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_287" id="Ref_287" href="#Foot_287">[287]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=ESSENCE OF EVANGELICAL PREACHING.=</p> - -<p>Courault, a sincere scriptural christian, who did not -participate in Margaret's subtleties, preached at St. -Saviour's. The inhabitants of the quarter of St. Denis -and from other parts crowded to this church. Many -persons who had said of the preachings at the Louvre, -'They are not for us,' hastened to the place which belonged -to the people. The man who occupied the pulpit -was about the middle age; he did not possess Roussel's -grace, he was even somewhat rough, and preached the -Gospel without reserve and without disguise. His -lively and aggressive style, his expressive and rather -threatening gestures arrested attention. He attacked -unsparingly the errors of the Church and the vices -of christians. Courault did not come, as the Roman -preachers had done up to that very hour, to impose -on his hearers certain laws, ceremonies, and acts of -worship by means of which they could be reconciled -to God and merit his favour. He spoke not of feasts, -or of dedications, or of customs, or of those mechanical -prayers and chantings, in which the understanding -and the heart have no share, and with which -the Church burdened believers. He had a special -horror of all that mixes up the worship of the creature -with the adoration of God, and would not suffer the -perfect work of Christ to be obscured by the invocation -of other mediators. He preached that the true -worship of the New Testament was faith in the Gospel, -and the love which proceeds from faith; that it was -communion with Christ, patience under the cross, and -a holy activity in doing good, accompanied by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">{158}</a></span> -constant prayers of the heart. This preaching, so -new in the capital, attracted an immense crowd. The -enthusiasm was universal. 'This man is in the first -rank among good men,' was the general opinion.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_288" id="Ref_288" href="#Foot_288">[288]</a></span> -'He is like a sentinel on a tower who, with his eyes -fixed on the east, proclaims that the sun, so long -hidden, will shine at last upon the earth.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_289" id="Ref_289" href="#Foot_289">[289]</a></span> -Light beamed from Courault's discourses. His sight was -weak, and in after years, during his exile in Switzerland, -where he was Calvin's colleague, he became -quite blind; but his language was always marked by -great clearness. It was said of him that 'although -blind he enlightens the soul.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_290" id="Ref_290" href="#Foot_290">[290]</a></span> -Among his hearers -was Louis du Tillet, Calvin's friend, and the youthful -canon was deeply excited by the living faith of the -aged Augustine. 'Oh! what piety I found in him!' -he exclaimed on a later occasion.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_291" id="Ref_291" href="#Foot_291">[291]</a></span></p> - -<p>Berthaud, the other preacher named by the bishop, -subsequently deserted the Gospel and died a canon of -Besançon: so that each of them reminds us of our -Saviour's words: <i>There shall two be in the field; the -one shall be taken, and the other left</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_292" id="Ref_292" href="#Foot_292">[292]</a></span></p> - -<p>These evangelical preachings in the palace of the -king and in the churches of Paris were important facts, -and there has been nothing like it since in France. -The alarm was consequently at its height. People -asked whether the sentinels of the Church were asleep, -and whether the bark of St. Peter would founder, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">{159}</a></span> -while the Gospel ship seemed floating onwards in full -sail.</p> - -<p class="side">=AGITATION OF THE SORBONNE.=</p> - -<p>But the doctors of the Sorbonne were not asleep; -on the contrary, they were on the watch, they sent -their spies into the evangelical assemblies, received -their reports, and took counsel together every day. -The members of this society, the principal, the prior, -the senior, the recorder, the professors, the proctors, -and the librarians declared boldly and unanimously -that all was lost if they did not make haste to -check the evil. The evangelicals and the men of -letters were informed of these fanatical discussions. -'What a horde of scribes and pharisees!' they exclaimed.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_293" id="Ref_293" href="#Foot_293">[293]</a></span> -But that did not stop the horde. 'What -must be done?' they asked; and Beda replied: 'Let -the preachers be seized and put to death like Berquin.' -Some, more moderate or more politic, knowing -that Roussel was preaching by order of the -king's sister, shrank from this proposal, fearing they -would offend their sovereign.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_294" id="Ref_294" href="#Foot_294">[294]</a></span> -'What foolish policy!' -exclaimed Beda, 'what ineffable cowardice!... Is -not the Sorbonne the oracle of Europe? Shall it render -ambiguous answers, like the pagan oracles of old?'</p> - -<p>Beda prevailed, and Roussel was denounced to the -king. 'Apply to my chancellor,' said Francis, who -did not wish to say either yes or no. The Sorbonne -delegates then waited upon Duprat. 'Apply to the -bishop,' said the cardinal, who was afraid of displeasing -the king. The Sorbonnists went to their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">{160}</a></span> -diocesan, rather anxious about the reception they -would receive from him; and with good reason, for -the liberal Du Bellay only laughed at them.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_295" id="Ref_295" href="#Foot_295">[295]</a></span> -The exasperated but indefatigable doctors now turned to -the first president, who was one of their party; but -that magistrate, believing the Sorbonne to be in disgrace, -was not anxious to support their cause. The -wrath of the doctors now became unbounded. Would -there no longer be any justice in France for the -champions of the papacy? The friends of letters, -who had carefully noted all these repulses, smiled at -the confusion of the priests; and Sturm in particular, -the reviver of learning at Strasburg, and now professor -at Paris, did not spare them: 'Look at these -<i>Thersites</i>!' he said, comparing them to the ugliest, -most cowardly, and most ridiculous of the Grecian -host at Troy. 'They are at the end of their tether -and cannot succeed,' continued Sturm; 'for those -who can help them will not, and those who will -cannot.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_296" id="Ref_296" href="#Foot_296">[296]</a></span></p> - -<p>The doctors of the Sorbonne now lost all moderation. -'The king,' said they, 'who publicly supports -the heretics, his sister and the Archbishop of Paris, -who protect them, are as guilty as they.' Orders -were sent through all the camp: every pulpit became a -volcano. Furious declamations, superstitious sermons, -scholastic discourses, violent and grotesque speeches—the -supporters of Rome made use of all. 'Do you -know what an heretical minister is?' asked a monk. -'He is a pig in a pulpit, decorated with cap and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">{161}</a></span> -surplice, and preaching to a congregation ... of -asses.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_297" id="Ref_297" href="#Foot_297">[297]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE FIREBRAND LE PICARD.=</p> - -<p>The most active firebrand in this conflagration -was Le Picard, a bachelor of divinity, professor of the -college of Navarre, and subsequently dean of St. -Germain l'Auxerrois. He was twenty-nine years old, -of a 'stormy' temper if ever there was one, and in -truth he did 'storm' in the churches and at the -meetings of the priests. He went into the pulpit to -oppose Courault; and the people who had gone to -hear the Augustine monk, crowded also to hear his -opponent. The latter gesticulated much, shouted -loudly, invoked the Virgin, and attacked the king, -accusing him bluntly of heresy. He was a true -precursor of those who advised the massacre of St. -Bartholomew; and indeed he made a proposal, not -long after, worthy of the Guises and the Medici. -'Let the government pretend to be Lutheran,' he -said, 'in order that the reformed may assemble openly; -then we can fall upon them and clear the kingdom -of them once for all.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_298" id="Ref_298" href="#Foot_298">[298]</a></span> -A monk, charmed with his -virtues, has written his life under the title of <i>The -Perfect Ecclesiastic</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_299" id="Ref_299" href="#Foot_299">[299]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SEDITION OF BEDA AND MONKS.=</p> - -<p>Yet if Le Picard was the most active champion, -Beda was still general. Placed as on a hill, he overlooked -the field of battle, examined where it was necessary -to send help, wrote every day to the orators of his -party—to Le Picard, Maillard, Ballue, Bouchigny, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">{162}</a></span> -others, and conjured them not to relax for an instant in -their attacks. 'Stir up the people by your discourses,' -he said.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_300" id="Ref_300" href="#Foot_300">[300]</a></span> -It was a critical moment: it was in the -balance whether France would remain catholic or -become heretic. 'Though the monarch deserts the -papacy,' he said, 'agitate, still agitate!' Then the -fanatical monks went into the pulpits and aroused -the people by their fiery eloquence: 'Let us not -suffer this heresy, the most pestilential of all, to take -root among us.... Let us pluck it up, cast it out, -and annihilate it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_301" id="Ref_301" href="#Foot_301">[301]</a></span></p> - -<p>All the forces of the papacy were engaged at this -time as in a battle where the general launches his -reserves into the midst of the struggle. The mendicant -friars, those veteran soldiers of the popedom, who -had access into every family, were set to work. -Dominicans, Augustines, Carmelites, and Franciscans, -having received their instructions, entered the houses -of Paris. The women and children, who were used to -them, saluted them with 'Good morning, friar John or -friar James;' and while their wallet was being filled, -they whispered in the ears of the citizens: 'The pope -is above the king.... If the king favours the heretics, -the pope will free us from our oaths of fidelity.'</p> - -<p>They went still further. Whenever it is felt desirable -to arouse the people, they require to be excited -by some spectacle. A <i>neuvaine</i> was ordered in honour -of St. James. The crowd flocked to adore the good -saint with his long pilgrim's staff; and for nine -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">{163}</a></span> -days the devout of both sexes, kneeling round his -image, crossing themselves and employing other usual -ceremonies, loudly called upon the saint to give a -knock-down blow with his staff to those who protected -the heretics.</p> - -<p>These incendiary discourses and bigoted practices -succeeded. The people began to be restless and to -utter threats.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_302" id="Ref_302" href="#Foot_302">[302]</a></span> -They paraded in bands through the -streets, they collected in groups in the public places, -and cries were heard of: 'The pope for ever! down -with his enemies!... Whoever opposes the holy -father, even if he be a king, is a knave and a tyrant, -to whom the Grand Turk is preferable.... We will dye -our streets with the blood of those people.'... There -was already in the veins of the inhabitants of Paris the -blood of the men of the Reign of Terror. The crowds -who filled the streets stopped before the booksellers' -shops, where books and pictures, defamatory of the -reformers and even of the Queen of Navarre, were -displayed. Among the books was a 'stage play' -aimed at the king's sister: it was probably that entitled: -<i>The Malady of Christendom, with thirteen -characters</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_303" id="Ref_303" href="#Foot_303">[303]</a></span></p> - -<p>But even that was not sufficient. There was still -wanting a theological decision from the first academical -authority of christendom, which should place Roussel -in the same rank as the arch-heretic Luther. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">{164}</a></span> -Sorbonne, wishing to strike a decisive blow, published -a certain number of the so-called pernicious and scandalous -doctrines imputed to Roussel, and condemned -them as being similar to the errors of Luther. The -alarm and agitation were now at their height; the -people fancied they could see the monk of Wittemberg -breathing his impious doctrines over Paris. Rome -fought boldly, and everything was in confusion.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_304" id="Ref_304" href="#Foot_304">[304]</a></span></p> - -<p>What became of Calvin during all this uproar? -'What is this madness,' he said on a later occasion, -'which impels the pope and his bishops, the priests -and the friars, to resist the Gospel with such obstinate -rebellion?... The servants of God must be furnished -with invincible constancy in order to sustain without -alarm the commotions of the people. We are sailing -on a sea exposed to many tempests; but nothing -ought to turn us aside from doing our duty conscientiously.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_305" id="Ref_305" href="#Foot_305">[305]</a></span> -The Lord consoles and strengthens his -servants when they are thus agitated.... He has in -his hand the management of every whirlwind and of -every storm, and appeases them whenever it seems -good to him.... We shall be roughly handled, but he -will not suffer us to be drowned.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_306" id="Ref_306" href="#Foot_306">[306]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_272" id="Foot_272" href="#Ref_272">[272]</a> -'Bacchanalia factis multis regiis conviviis.'—Siderander Bedroto, -Strasburg MSS. ed. Schmidt.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_273" id="Foot_273" href="#Ref_273">[273]</a> -'Exigit invictum fidei robur.'—Roussel to Œcolampadius, <i>Ep. Ref. -Helvet.</i> p. 20.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_274" id="Foot_274" href="#Ref_274">[274]</a> -'Adversus totum inferorum regnum, a dexteris et a sinistris.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_275" id="Foot_275" href="#Ref_275">[275]</a> -'Nihil minus in me sentiam quam quod ad evangelicum dispensatorem -et ministrum attinet.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_276" id="Foot_276" href="#Ref_276">[276]</a> -'Quisque erat clamosissimus et stolido furore præditus.'—Calvinus -Danieli, <i>Epp.</i> p. 3. Genève, 1575.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_277" id="Foot_277" href="#Ref_277">[277]</a> -'Vix enim locus inveniebatur qui satis capax esset.'—Letter dated -Paris, May 28, 1533, by Peter Siderander. Strasburg MSS. Schmidt, -<i>G. Roussel</i>, p. 201.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_278" id="Foot_278" href="#Ref_278">[278]</a> -'Adeo ut ter mutare locum coactus sit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_279" id="Foot_279" href="#Ref_279">[279]</a> -'Concionatus est autem quotidie per totam hanc quadragesimam.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_280" id="Foot_280" href="#Ref_280">[280]</a> -'Ut nulla fere concio facta fuerit quin hominum quatuor vel quinque -millia adfuerint.'—Siderander, Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_281" id="Foot_281" href="#Ref_281">[281]</a> -Schmidt, <i>G. Roussel</i>, p. 85.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_282" id="Foot_282" href="#Ref_282">[282]</a> -See Sturm to Montluc, June 17, 1562.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_283" id="Foot_283" href="#Ref_283">[283]</a> -'Gerardus libere docet Evangelium in ipsa Lutetia ... in -aula reginæ Navarræ magna animi constantia.'—Melanchthon, <i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_284" id="Foot_284" href="#Ref_284">[284]</a> -'Hæc certa sunt et mihi, ex Parisiis, ab optimis viris diligenter perscripta.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_285" id="Foot_285" href="#Ref_285">[285]</a> -Negotiations of Smalcald, Aug. 1531.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_286" id="Foot_286" href="#Ref_286">[286]</a> -'Allatum est regium diploma quo parisiensi episcopo permittitur -præficere quos velit singulis parochiis concionatores.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 3.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_287" id="Foot_287" href="#Ref_287">[287]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, i. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_288" id="Foot_288" href="#Ref_288">[288]</a> -'Qui inter bonos postremus non erat.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 3.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_289" id="Foot_289" href="#Ref_289">[289]</a> -'In specula nostra, donec appareat quod nunc absconditum est.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_290" id="Foot_290" href="#Ref_290">[290]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, i. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_291" id="Foot_291" href="#Ref_291">[291]</a> -<i>Correspondance de Calvin et Du Tillet</i>, p. 78.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_292" id="Foot_292" href="#Ref_292">[292]</a> -Matthew, xxiv. 40.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_293" id="Foot_293" href="#Ref_293">[293]</a> -'Turba illa scribarum et pharisæorum.'—Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_294" id="Foot_294" href="#Ref_294">[294]</a> -'Non facile contra regem temere ausi sunt certamen suscipere.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_295" id="Foot_295" href="#Ref_295">[295]</a> -'Hic aperte eos illusit.'—Sturm to Bucer, ed. Strobel, p. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_296" id="Foot_296" href="#Ref_296">[296]</a> -Isti Thersitæ . . . hi qui possunt nollent, et qui cuperent non auderent -adesse.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_297" id="Foot_297" href="#Ref_297">[297]</a> -One of the stalls in a church at Toulouse represents a similar scene, -with these words: <i>Calvin the pig preaching</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_298" id="Foot_298" href="#Ref_298">[298]</a> -Labitte, <i>Démocratie des Prédicateurs de la Ligue</i>, p. 3.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_299" id="Foot_299" href="#Ref_299">[299]</a> -H. de Coste, <i>Le parfait Ecclésiastique, ou Histoire de Le Picard</i>, 12mo, -Paris, 1658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_300" id="Foot_300" href="#Ref_300">[300]</a> -'Beda sollicitabat suos oratores ut ne cessarent in suis demegoriis -concitare populum.'—Sturm to Bucer. Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_301" id="Foot_301" href="#Ref_301">[301]</a> -'Populum stimulare ne hæresim hanc pestilentissimam radices agere -pateretur.'—Siderander Bedroto. Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_302" id="Foot_302" href="#Ref_302">[302]</a> -'Ad extremum populus etiam mussitare et minari cœpit.'—Sturm to -Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_303" id="Foot_303" href="#Ref_303">[303]</a> -Typographi in suis pægmatis scriptura et pictura et ludo scenico -læserunt reginam.'—Ibid. <i>The Moralité de la Maladie de la Chrétienté</i>, -8vo, appeared at Paris this very year (1533). The learned biographer -of Roussel and of Sturm supposes, very reasonably as it appears to me, -that this is the <i>ludus scenicus</i>, the play of which Sturm speaks.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_304" id="Foot_304" href="#Ref_304">[304]</a> -'Omnino res cœpit esse <span title="thorubôdês">θορυβώδης</span>.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_305" id="Foot_305" href="#Ref_305">[305]</a> -'En rondeur de conscience.'—Calv. <i>Opusc.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_306" id="Foot_306" href="#Ref_306">[306]</a> -Calvin, <i>in Acta</i> xix.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">{165}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DEFEAT OF THE ROMISH PARTY IN PARIS AND MOMENTARY - TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL.<br /> - (1533.)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=FRANCIS PUNISHES BOTH PARTIES.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">MARGARET and her husband, with the Bishop du -Bellay, alarmed at the storm, resolved to lay -their complaints before Francis I. The kingly authority -was threatened; these hot-headed 'wallet-bearers' -were the predecessors of those who instigated the -murders of Henry III. and Henry IV. The King of -Navarre on the one hand, and the Bishop of Paris -on the other, laid before their sovereign an alarming -picture of the state of the capital. 'The blood of -Berquin does not satisfy these fanatics,' they said; 'they -are calling for fresh acts of cruelty.... And who will -be their victims now?... They are planning a crime, -a revolt!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_307" id="Ref_307" href="#Foot_307">[307]</a></span> -But while Francis was listening to his -sister's denunciations with one ear, he was receiving -those of the Sorbonne in the other. 'Sedition!' said -one party. 'Heresy!' cried the other. 'Sire,' repeated -the theologians incessantly, 'shut the pulpits against -Roussel and his colleagues.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_308" id="Ref_308" href="#Foot_308">[308]</a></span> -Thus pulled in different -directions, the king, puzzled which to believe, resolved -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">{166}</a></span> -to punish both parties alike. 'I will confine them all -to their houses,' he said; 'Beda with his orators on -one side, and Gerard Roussel with his preachers on the -other. We shall then have some peace and be able at -our leisure to examine these contradictory accusations.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_309" id="Ref_309" href="#Foot_309">[309]</a></span> -Thus, at the same moment, Beda, Maillard, -Ballue, and Bouchigny of the church party, and -Roussel, Courault, and Berthaud of the evangelical -party, received orders not to leave their houses. The -schoolmaster thus punished the quarrelsome boys -by putting them in opposite corners.</p> - -<p>Preparations were made for investigating the two -cases, but the matter was not so easy as the king had -imagined. The theologians were indignant at finding -themselves placed in the same rank with the Lutherans. -Far from submitting to be prosecuted for sedition, they -claimed to prosecute the others for heresy. They -would not be the accused or even the accusers; they -took their stand as inquisitors of the faith and as -judges.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_310" id="Ref_310" href="#Foot_310">[310]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BEDA BREAKS LOOSE.=</p> - -<p>The terrible Beda, shut up in the college of -Montaigu,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_311" id="Ref_311" href="#Foot_311">[311]</a></span> - and not daring to go out, found himself -condemned, considering his restless temper, to the -severest penance. At first he was content to keep -his agents at work, who were ready at any moment to -bear his orders. But when he learnt that his right to -judge was disputed, and that he was to be put in the -same rank with Roussel, the turbulent doctor could -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">{167}</a></span> -restrain himself no longer. His room was too narrow -to contain his anger. He made light of the king's -commands, and, disobeying his orders, mounted his -mule and rode into the city. From time to time he -stopped. The catholic tribune, the defender of the -pope, was soon recognised; a crowd gathered round -him; he addressed the people from his mule, and did -his best to arouse their fanatical passions. While the -catholics flocked round him, some evangelicals were -watching the orator and his audience from a distance. -'I saw him riding on his mule,' says Siderander.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_312" id="Ref_312" href="#Foot_312">[312]</a></span> -Beda thought himself stronger than the king, and in -some respects he was; he reigned over the savage -appetites of an ignorant and fanatical populace. Such -was the power in the sixteenth century by which the -pope triumphed more than once in the capital of -France and elsewhere.</p> - -<p>Beda was vigorously supported by all his subalterns: -Le Picard especially, who had not been put -under arrest, expressed his indignation in his fanatical -discourses that the king should desire to hold the -balance even between the Church and heresy; and -advocated a resort to force to insure the triumph of -the oppressed papacy. A riot seemed about to break -out. The friends of learning and of the king were -alarmed. Might not the Roman party take advantage -of Francis's absence to establish another power than -his in Paris, and to treat this monarch as the Seize in -after years treated his grandson Henry III.?</p> - -<p>The King of Navarre and the Bishop of Paris -hastened to Meaux, where Francis was staying with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">{168}</a></span> -his court, and informed him that Beda, Le Picard, and -their colleagues had thrown aside all reserve, and that, -unless energetic measures were taken, the public tranquillity -and perhaps his crown might be endangered. -The king gave way to a paroxysm of anger. Beda's -freak of parading the streets of Paris on his mule, -notwithstanding the prohibition, was one of those -insults that Francis felt very keenly. He ordered -Cardinal Duprat and the Bishop of Senlis to make all -haste to Paris, and stop the intrigues of the Sorbonne -and the promenades of Beda, and also arrest Le -Picard. 'As for the inquiry about heresy,' said the -king, 'I reserve that for myself.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_313" id="Ref_313" href="#Foot_313">[313]</a></span> -Heresy was treated -with more tenderness than the first catholic faculty of -christendom. Francis began to find the Lutherans -gentle as lambs in comparison with the hot-headed -papists. Certain personages, whose arrival was soon -to be announced by the officers of his court, confirmed -him in this opinion.</p> - -<p class="side">=SORBONNE THREATENS FRANCIS.=</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the two prelates left Meaux, when a -deputation from the Sorbonne arrived. When Francis -received them, he was evidently in a bad humour, but -he did not address them sharply, as the courtiers had -expected. The theologians approached him with all -the required formalities; they desired, if possible, to -win him by meekness. But by degrees they raised -their tone; they beset him with their accusations, and -irritated him with their pretensions, repeating again -and again that it was the prerogative of the Sorbonne, -and not of the prince, to give their opinion in a matter -of heresy. There was some truth in this, but the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">{169}</a></span> -truth did not please Francis, who claimed to be master -in everything. Still he contained himself, until the -doctors, coming to threats of revolt, and shouting their -loudest, reminded him of the possibility of a deposition -of kings by the popes.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_314" id="Ref_314" href="#Foot_314">[314]</a></span> -These recollections of the -middle ages, with which they menaced the haughty -monarch, who claimed to begin a new era, and who -desired that the Reformation should serve at least to -abate the pretensions of Rome, and emancipate princes -from its yoke, made the king shudder, and aroused a -terrible fit of anger. His face grew red, his eyes flashed -fire, and putting aside his usual courtesy, he drove the -reverend fathers from his presence, calling them beasts, -and saying: 'Get about your business, you donkeys!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_315" id="Ref_315" href="#Foot_315">[315]</a></span> -At this moment Francis inaugurated modern times—though -certainly in a fashion rather cavalier.</p> - -<p>However, Cardinal Duprat was on the road. What -would he do, this vile courtier of the popes, who -at their demand had destroyed the bulwark of the -Gallican liberties, and who hated the Reformation? -The Sorbonne placed their hope in him. But Duprat -served his master before all things, and he could not -hide from himself that the hot-headed catholics were -threatening the king's crown. He resolved to strike -heavily. As soon as he reached Paris, he had Le -Picard arrested, as being the most compromised. He -confined him in his own palace, seized his books and -papers, and had him interrogated by the advocate-general. -The seditious bachelor raved in his prison, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">{170}</a></span> -and protested aloud against the indignity of such -treatment; but all his storming was of no use. He was -condemned to be shut up in the abbey of St. Magloire, -and forbidden to teach.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_316" id="Ref_316" href="#Foot_316">[316]</a></span></p> - -<p>Nor did Duprat stop here. He was shocked that -paltry priests should dare speak against that royal -majesty of Francis I. for which he, a cardinal and -chancellor, had nothing but humble flatteries. He -never ceased to be the mortal enemy of the Gospel, -and originated many a measure of persecution against -the reformed; but his chief quality was a slavish -devotion to the wishes of his master. To the mendicant -monks sent out by the Sorbonne he opposed -'inquirers'—the name he gave to the spies who were -in every parish, and who skilfully interrogated men -and women, nobles and sacristans, to find out whether -the preachers or the friars had attacked the king's -government in their hearing. Many of the townspeople -were unwilling to say anything; yet the -clever and dreaded minister attained his ends, and -having discovered the most refractory priests, he -summoned them before him. This summons from a -cardinal of the holy Church, from the most powerful -person in the kingdom, alarmed these violent clerics; -on a sudden their courage collapsed, and they appeared -before his eminence with downcast eyes, trembling -limbs, and confused manner. 'Who permitted or -who authorised you to insult the king and to excite -the people?' asked the haughty Duprat.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_317" id="Ref_317" href="#Foot_317">[317]</a></span> -The priests -were too much terrified to conceal anything: 'It was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">{171}</a></span> -with the consent and the good pleasure of our reverend -masters,' they replied.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_318" id="Ref_318" href="#Foot_318">[318]</a></span></p> - -<p>The theologians of the Sorbonne were now summoned -in their turn. They were quite as much -alarmed as their creatures, and, seeing the danger, -denied everything.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_319" id="Ref_319" href="#Foot_319">[319]</a></span> -They managed to take shelter -behind certain clever reservations: they had <i>hinted</i> -the insult, but they had not <i>commanded</i> it. At heart -both chiefs and followers were all equally fanatical, and -not one of them needed any stimulus to do his duty -in this holy war. These reverend gentlemen, having -thus screened themselves under denials, withdrew, -fully convinced that no one would dare lay hands -upon them. But a hundred Bedas would not have -stopped the terrible cardinal. In the affair of the -concordat, had he taken any notice of the fierce -opposition of the sovereign courts, of the universities, -or even of the clergy of France? Duprat smiled at -his own unpopularity, and found a secret pleasure in -attracting the general hatred upon himself. Catholics -and evangelicals—he will brave and crush them all. -He went to the bottom of the matter, and having -discovered who were the Æoluses that had raised -these sacerdotal tempests, he informed the king of the -result.</p> - -<p class="side">=FRANCIS ACTS VIGOROUSLY.=</p> - -<p>Francis had never been so angry with the catholics. -He had met with men who dared resist him!... It -was his pride, his despotism, and not his love of truth, -that was touched. Besides, was he not the ally of -Henry VIII., and was he not seeking to form a league -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">{172}</a></span> -with the protestants of Germany? Severe measures -against the ultramontane bigots would convince his -allies of the sincerity of his words. He had another -motive still: Francis highly valued the title 'patron -of letters,' and he looked upon the friars as their -enemy. He put himself forward as the champion of -the learning of the age, and not of the Gospel; but for -a moment it was possible to believe in the triumph -of the Reformation under the patronage of the -Renaissance.</p> - -<p class="side">=CONDEMNATION OF BEDA.=</p> - -<p>On the 16th of May, 1533, the indefatigable Beda, -the fiery Le Picard, and the zealous friar Mathurin, -the three most intrepid supporters of the papacy in -France, appeared before the parliament. An event so -extraordinary filled both university and city with -surprise and emotion. Devout men raised their eyes -to heaven; devout women redoubled their prayers to -Mary; but Beda and his two colleagues, proud of their -Romish orthodoxy, appeared before the court, and compared -themselves with the confessors of Christ standing -before the proconsuls of Rome. No one could believe -in a condemnation; was not the King of France -the eldest son of the Church? But the disciples of -the pope did not know the monarch who then reigned -over France. If they wanted to show what a priest -was like, the sovereign wanted to show what a king -was like. When signing the letters-royal in which -Francis had suggested the arrest to parliament, he -exclaimed: 'As for Beda, on my word, he shall never -return to Paris!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_320" id="Ref_320" href="#Foot_320">[320]</a></span> -The king's ordinance had been -duly registered; the court was complete; and not a -sound could be heard, when the president, turning to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">{173}</a></span> -the three doctors, said: 'Reverend gentlemen, you -are banished from Paris, and will henceforward live -thirty leagues from this capital; you are at liberty, -however, to select what residences you please, provided -they be at a distance from each other. You -will leave the city in twenty-four hours. If you break -your ban, you will incur the penalty of death. You -will neither preach, give lessons, nor hold any kind of -meeting, and you will keep up no communication with -one another, until the king has ordered otherwise.'</p> - -<p>Beda, Le Picard, Mathurin, and their friends, were -all terrified. Francis had, however, reserved for the -last a decision which must have abated their courage -still more. As if he wished to show the triumph of -evangelical ideas, he cancelled the injunction against -Roussel; and Margaret's almoner was able once more -to preach the Gospel in the capital. 'If you have any -complaint against him,' said the king to the Sorbonne, -'you can bring him before the lawful tribunals.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_321" id="Ref_321" href="#Foot_321">[321]</a></span></p> - -<p>This decree of the parliament fell like a thunderbolt -in the midst of the Sorbonne. Stunned and stupefied, -unable to say or do anything, the doctors shook off -their stupor only to be seized with a fit of terror. -They visited each other, conversed together, and whispered -their alarms. Had the fatal moment really come -which they had feared so long? Was Francis about -to follow the example of Frederick of Saxony and -Henry of England? Would the cause of the holy -Roman Church perish under the attacks of its enemies? -Would France join the triumphal procession of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">{174}</a></span> -Reformation?... The old men, pretty numerous at -the Sorbonne, were overwhelmed. One of them, a -broken-down, feeble hypochondriac, was so terribly -disturbed by the decree, that he fairly lost his senses. -He suffered a perpetual nightmare. He fancied he -saw the king and the parliament, with all France, destroying -the Sorbonne, and trampling on the necks of -the doctors while their palace was burning. The poor -man expired in the midst of these terrible phantoms.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_322" id="Ref_322" href="#Foot_322">[322]</a></span> -Yet the blow which stunned some, aroused others. -The more intrepid doctors met and conferred together, -and strove to encourage their partisans and to enlist -new ones: they took no rest night or day.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_323" id="Ref_323" href="#Foot_323">[323]</a></span> -Unable -to believe that this decree really expressed the king's -will, they determined to send a deputation to the -south of France, whither he had gone; but Francis -had not forgotten their hint about the deposition of -kings by the popes, and, angry as ever, he rejected -every demand.</p> - -<p class="side">=HOPES OF THE REFORMERS.=</p> - -<p>Nor was the Sorbonne alone agitated: all the city -was in commotion, some being against the decree, -others for it. The bigots, in their compassion for 'the -excellent Beda,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_324" id="Ref_324" href="#Foot_324">[324]</a></span> -exclaimed: 'What an indignity, to -expose so profound a divine, so high-born a man, to -such a harsh punishment!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_325" id="Ref_325" href="#Foot_325">[325]</a></span> - But, on the other hand, -the friends of learning leapt for joy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_326" id="Ref_326" href="#Foot_326">[326]</a></span> -A great movement -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">{175}</a></span> -seemed to be accomplishing; it was a solemn -time. Some of the most intelligent men imagined -that France was about to be regenerated and transformed.... -Sturm in his college was delighted. What -news to send to Germany, to Bucer, to Melanchthon!... -He ran to his study, took up his pen, and wrote in his -transport: 'Things are changing, the hinges are turning.... -It is true there still remain here and there -a few aged Priams, surrounded by servile creatures, -who cling to the things that are passing away.... But, -with the exception of this small number of belated -men, no one any longer defends the cause of the -Phrygian priests.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_327" id="Ref_327" href="#Foot_327">[327]</a></span> -The classic Sturm could only -compare the spirit of the ultramontanists to the superstition -and fanaticism of the priests of Phrygia, so -notorious for those qualities in ancient times. But the -friends of the Reform and of the Renaissance were -indulging in most exaggerated illusions. A few old -folks, mumbling their <i>Ave-Marias</i> and <i>Pater-nosters</i>, -seemed to them to constitute the whole strength of the -papacy. They had great hopes of the new generation: -'The young priests,' they said, 'are rushing into the -shining paths of wisdom.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_328" id="Ref_328" href="#Foot_328">[328]</a></span> -Francis I. having shown -an angry face to the Sorbonne, every Frenchman was -about to follow his example, according to the belief -of the friends of letters. They indulged in transports -of joy, and, as it were, a universal shout welcomed the -opening of a new era. But alas! France was still far -distant from it; she was not judged worthy of such -happiness. Instead of seeing the triple banner of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">{176}</a></span> -Gospel, morality, and liberty raised upon her walls, -that great and mighty nation was destined, owing to -Romish influence, to pass through centuries of despotism -and wild democracy, frivolity and licentiousness, -superstition and unbelief.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE FOUR DOCTORS EXILED.=</p> - -<p>In the midst of the contrary movements now agitating -Paris, there was a certain number of spectators -who, while leaning more to one party than to the -other, set about studying the situation. In one of the -colleges was a student of Alsace, the son of an ironmonger -at Strasburg, who, wishing to give himself a -Greek or Latin name, called himself <i>Siderander</i>, 'man -of iron.' Such, however, was not his nature; he was -particularly curious; he had a passion for picking up -news, and his great desire to know other people's -business made him supple as the willow, rather than -hard as the metal. Siderander was an amiable well-educated -young man, and he gives us a pretty faithful -picture of the better class of students of that day. -On Monday, May 26, he was going to hear a lecture -on logic by Sturm, who, leaving the paths of barren -scholasticism, was showing by example as well as by -precept how clearness of thought may be united -with elegance of language. Just as the Alsatian was -approaching the college of Montaigu, where Sturm -lectured, he met with a piece of good-luck. He saw -an immense crowd of students and citizens collected -in front of the college, where they had been waiting -since the morning to witness the departure of the -Hercules of the Sorbonne.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_329" id="Ref_329" href="#Foot_329">[329]</a></span> -He ran as fast as he -could, his heart throbbing with joy at the thought of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">{177}</a></span> -seeing Beda, the great papist, going into banishment.... -For such a sight, the student would have walked -from Strasburg. The rumour had spread through -Paris that the three or four disgraced doctors were to -leave the capital on that day. Everybody wished to -see them: some for the joy they felt at their disgrace; -others, to give vent to their sorrow. But, sad misfortune! -the lucky chance which had delighted the -student failed him. The government was alarmed, -and fearing a riot, the exiles did not appear. The -crowd was forced to disperse without seeing them, and -Siderander went away in great disappointment. The -next morning, at an early hour, the four culprits, Beda, -Le Picard, Mathurin, and a Franciscan, came forth -under guard and without noise. The doctors, humiliated -at being led out of the city like malefactors, -did not even raise their heads. But the precautions -of the police were useless: many people were on the -look-out, the news spread in a moment through the -quarter, and a crowd of burgesses, monks, and common -people filled the streets to see the celebrated theologians -pass, dejected, silent, and with downcast eyes. -The glory of the Sorbonne had faded; even that of -Rome was dimmed; and it seemed to many as if the -papacy was departing with its four defenders. The -devout catholics gave way to sighs and groans, indignation -and tears; but at the very moment when these -bigots were paying the last honours to popery, others -were saluting the advent of the new times with transports -of joy. 'They are sycophants,' said some -among the crowd, 'banished from Paris on account of -their lies and their traitorous proceedings.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_330" id="Ref_330" href="#Foot_330">[330]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">{178}</a></div> - -<p>The disciples of the Gospel did not confine themselves -to words. Matters were in good train, and it was -desirable to persevere until the end was reached. While -the Sorbonne bent its head, the Reformation was looking -up. The Queen of Navarre and her husband, with -many politicians and men of rank, encouraged Roussel, -Courault, and others to preach the Gospel fearlessly; -even these evangelists were astonished at their sudden -favour. Roussel in particular advanced timidly, asking -whether the Church would not interpose its <i>veto</i>? -But no; Bishop du Bellay, the diplomatist's brother, -did not interfere. During the whole period of the -king's absence, Paris was almost like a country in the -act of reforming itself. Men thought themselves -already secure of that religious liberty which, alas! -was to cost three centuries of struggle and the purest -blood, and whose lamentable defeats were to scatter -the confessors of Jesus Christ into every part of the -world. When a great good is to be bestowed on the -human race, the deliverance is only accomplished by -successive efforts. But at this time men thought they -had attained the end at a single bound. From the -pulpits that were opened to them in every quarter of -Paris, the evangelists proclaimed that the truth had -been revealed in Jesus Christ; that the Word of God, -contained in the writings of the prophets and apostles, -did not require to be sanctioned or interpreted by an -infallible authority; and that whoever listened to it or -read it with a sincere heart, would be enlightened and -saved by it. The tutelage of the priests was abolished, -and emancipated souls were brought into immediate -contact with God and his revelation. The great -salvation purchased by the death of Christ upon the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">{179}</a></span> -cross was announced with power, and the friends of -the Gospel, transported with joy, exclaimed: 'At last -Christ is preached publicly in the pulpits of the -capital, and all speak of it freely.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_331" id="Ref_331" href="#Foot_331">[331]</a></span> -May the Lord -increase among us day by day the glory of his -Gospel!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_332" id="Ref_332" href="#Foot_332">[332]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SATIRES OF THE STUDENTS.=</p> - -<p>The most serious causes always find defenders -among trivial men, who do not thoroughly understand -them, but yet despise their adversaries. The -Reformation has no reason to be proud of some of its -auxiliaries in the sixteenth century. A serious cause -ought to be seriously defended; but history cannot -pass by these manifestations, which are as much in her -domain as those of another kind. Satire was not spared -in this matter. The students especially delighted -in it: they posted up a long placard, written carefully -with ornamented letters in French verse, in which -the four theologians were described in the liveliest and -most fantastic colours.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_333" id="Ref_333" href="#Foot_333">[333]</a></span> -Two of their colleagues were -also introduced, for the four doctors on whom the -king's wrath had fallen were not the only criminals. -A cordelier especially was notorious for his curious -sermons, full of bad French and bad Latin, and still -more notorious for the clever and popular eloquence -he displayed, whenever a collection was to be made in -favour of his order. This Pierre Cornu, who had -been nicknamed <i>des Cornes</i>, was wonderfully touched -off in the poem of the students. Groups of scholars, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">{180}</a></span> -burgesses, and Parisian wits gathered round the -placards, some bursting with laughter and others with -anger. The vehement and ridiculous Cornu especially -excited the mirth of the idlers. A profane author -who had nothing to do with the Reformation, speaks -of him in his writings:—'Ha! ha! Master Cornu,' -said one, 'you are not the only man to have horns.... -Friend Bacchus wears a pair; and so do Pan, and -Jupiter Ammon and hosts besides.'—'Ha! ha! dear -Master Cornibus,' said another, 'give me an ounce of -your sermon, and I will make the collection in your -parish.' Strange circumstance! The public voice -seemed at this time opposed to these forerunners of -the preachers of the League. The Sorbonne, however, -had friends who replied to these jests by bursts of -passion. 'The man who wrote these verses is a -heretic,' they exclaimed.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_334" id="Ref_334" href="#Foot_334">[334]</a></span> -From insults they passed -to threats; from threats they came to blows, and the -struggle began. The bigots wished to pull down -the placard. A creature of the Faculty succeeded; -springing into the air, he tore it down and ran off -with his spoil.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_335" id="Ref_335" href="#Foot_335">[335]</a></span> -Then the crowd dispersed.</p> - -<p class="side">=SORBONNE CALLS FOR THE STAKE.=</p> - -<p>In that age placards played a great part, similar -to that played by certain pamphlets in later times. -There was no need to buy them at the bookseller's; -everybody could read the impromptu tracts at the -corners of the streets. Rome was not in the humour -to leave these powerful weapons in the hands of her -enemies, and the Sorbonne determined to appeal to -the people against the abhorred race of innovators. It -did not jest, like the youth of the schools; it went -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">{181}</a></span> -straight to the point, and invoked the stake against -its adversaries. Two days after that on which the -former placard was posted up, another was found on -the walls, containing these unpolished verses:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">To the stake! to the stake! with the heretic crew,</div> -<div class="verse">That day and night vexes all good men and true.</div> -<div class="verse">Shall we let them Saint Scripture and her edicts defile?</div> -<div class="verse">Shall we banish pure science for Lutherans vile?</div> -<div class="verse">Do you think that our God will permit such as these</div> -<div class="verse">To imperil our bodies and souls at their ease?</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O Paris, of cities the flower and the pride,</div> -<div class="verse">Uphold that true faith which these heretics deride;</div> -<div class="verse">Or else on thy towers storm and tempest shall fall....</div> -<div class="verse">Take heed by my warning; and let us pray all</div> -<div class="verse">That the King of all kings will be pleased to confound</div> -<div class="verse">These dogs so accursed, where'er they be found,</div> -<div class="verse">That their names, like bones going fast to decay,</div> -<div class="verse">May from memory's tablets be clean wiped away.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">To the stake! to the stake! the fire is their home!</div> -<div class="verse">As God hath permitted, let justice be done.</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>A crowd equally great assembled before this placard, -as cruel as it was crafty. The writer appealed -to the people of Paris; he entitled them 'the flower -and pride of cities,' knowing that flattery is the -best means of winning men's minds; and then he -called for the stake. The 'stake' was the argument -with which men opposed the Reform. 'Burn those -who confute us!' This savage invocation was a -home-thrust. Many of the citizens, kneeling down to -write, copied out the placard, in order to carry it to -every house: the press is less rapid, even in our -days. Others committed the verses to memory, and -walked along the streets singing the burden:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">To the stake! to the stake! the fire is their home!</div> -<div class="verse">As God hath permitted, let justice be done.</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">{182}</a></div> - -<p>These rude rhymes became the motto of their -party; this cruel ballad of the sixteenth century erelong -summoned the champions of the Church in -various quarters to fatten the earth with the ashes of -their enemies. Pierre Siderander happened to be in -the crowd; noticing several papists copying the incendiary -verses, the Strasburg student did the same, -and sent copies to his friends. By this means they -were handed down to our times.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_336" id="Ref_336" href="#Foot_336">[336]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next day there was a fresh placard. The Sorbonne, -finding the people beginning to be moved, -wished to arouse them thoroughly. This ballad was -not confined to a general appeal to the stake; Roussel -was mentioned by name as one who deserved to be -burnt. The fanatical placards of the Sorbonnists -were not so soon torn down as the satirical couplets -of their pupils. They could be read for days together, -such good watch did the sacristans keep over -them.</p> - -<p>But the Sorbonne did not limit themselves to a -paper war; they worked upon the most eminent -members of the parliament. Their zeal displayed -itself on every side. 'Justice! justice!' they exclaimed; -'let us punish these detestable heretics, -and pluck up Lutheranism, root and branch.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_337" id="Ref_337" href="#Foot_337">[337]</a></span> -The whole city was in commotion; the most odious plots -were concocted; and the <i>matéologues</i>, as the students -called the defenders of the old abuses, took counsel at -the Sorbonne every day. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">{183}</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PROGRESS OF THE REFORM.=</p> - -<p>In the midst of all this agitation the Reformation -was advancing quietly but surely. While the Queen -of Navarre boldly professed her living piety in the -palace, and preachers proclaimed it from their pulpits -to the believing crowd, evangelical men, still in obscurity, -were modestly propagating around them a -purer and a mightier faith. At this period Calvin -spent four years in Paris (1529-1533), where he at -first engaged in literature. It might have been thought -that he would appear in the world as a man of letters, -and not as a reformer. But he soon placed profane -studies in the second rank, and devoted himself to -the service of God, as we have seen. He would have -desired not to enter forthwith upon a career of evangelical -activity. 'During this time,' he said, 'my sole -object was to live privately, without being known.' -He felt the necessity of a time of silence and christian -meditation. He would have liked to imitate Paul, -who, after his conversion and his first preaching at -Damascus, passed several quiet years in Arabia and -Cilicia;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_338" id="Ref_338" href="#Foot_338">[338]</a></span> -but he had to combat error around him, -and he soon took a step in advance. While Courault -and Roussel were preaching in the churches to large -audiences and dealing tenderly with the papacy, -Calvin, displaying great activity,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_339" id="Ref_339" href="#Foot_339">[339]</a></span> visited the different -quarters of Paris where secret assemblies were -held, and there proclaimed a more scriptural, a more -complete, and a bolder doctrine. In his discourses -he made frequent allusions to the dangers to which -those were exposed who desired to live piously; and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">{184}</a></span> -he taught them at the same time 'what magnanimity -believers ought to possess when adversity draws -them on to despair.'—'When things do not go as we -wish,' he said, 'sadness comes over the mind and -makes us forget all our confidence. But the paternal -love of God is the foundation of an invincible strength -which overcomes every trial. The divine favour is -a shelter against all storms, from whatever quarter -they may come.' And he usually ended his discourses, -we are told, with these words: '<i>If God be -for us, who can be against us?</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_340" id="Ref_340" href="#Foot_340">[340]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mere preaching did not satisfy Calvin: he entered -into communication with all who desired a purer -religion,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_341" id="Ref_341" href="#Foot_341">[341]</a></span> -made them frequent visits, and conversed -seriously with them. He avoided no one, and -cultivated the friendship of those whom he had -formerly known. He advanced step by step, but he -was always busy, and the doctrine of the Gospel -made some progress every day. All persons rendered -the strongest testimony to his piety.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_342" id="Ref_342" href="#Foot_342">[342]</a></span> -The friends of the Word of God gathered round him, -and among them were many burgesses and common -people, but there were nobles and college professors -also.</p> - -<p>These christians were full of hope, and even Calvin -entertained the bold idea of winning the king, the university, -and indeed France herself, over to the Gospel. -Paris was in suspense. Every one thought that some -striking and perhaps sudden change was about to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">{185}</a></span> -take place in one direction or another. Will Rome -or will the Reformation have the advantage? There -were strong reasons for adopting the former opinion, -and reasons hardly less powerful for adopting the -latter. Discussions arose upon this point, even -among friends. Men were on the look-out for anything -that might help them to divine the future, and -the more curious resorted to the various places where -they hoped to pick up news. Public attention was -particularly turned towards the Sorbonne, when it -was known that the heads of the Roman party were -holding council.</p> - -<p class="side">=PIERRE SIDERANDER.=</p> - -<p>On the 23rd of May, 1533, Pierre Siderander (who -was naturally inquisitive), instigated by a desire to -learn what was going to happen, and wishing in -particular to know what was doing in the theological -clubs (for from them, he doubted not, would proceed -the blow that would decide who should be the victors), -stole into the buildings belonging to the faculty of -divinity.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_343" id="Ref_343" href="#Foot_343">[343]</a></span> -He did not dare penetrate farther than -the great gate: stopping there like any other lounger, -he began to look at the pictures that were sold at the -entrance of the building.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_344" id="Ref_344" href="#Foot_344">[344]</a></span> -But, with all his innocent -air, his eyes and ears were wide open, trying to pick -up a word or two that would tell him what was going -on; for the doctors, as they went in or out talking -together, must necessarily pass close by him. Pierre -wasted his time sauntering about before the pictures -of the saints and of the Virgin (which he looked upon -as idolatrous). On a sudden he saw the illustrious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">{186}</a></span> -Budæus coming out of the Sorbonne.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_345" id="Ref_345" href="#Foot_345">[345]</a></span> -At that time -Budæus was playing the same part as the noble Chancellor -l'Hôpital afterwards did: he was present in every -place where it was necessary to moderate, enlighten, -or restrain the hot-headed. He passed Siderander -without saying a word, and quitted the building; but -the curious student could not resist; he left his post -and began to follow the celebrated hellenist, wishing -to look at him at his ease, and hoping no doubt to -learn something.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_346" id="Ref_346" href="#Foot_346">[346]</a></span> -'Am I not,' he said, 'the friend -of his two sons who like myself attend the course -of Latomus? Has not the eldest invited me to come -and see his museum?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_347" id="Ref_347" href="#Foot_347">[347]</a></span> -Did not I go there the other -day, and ought he not to return my visit along with -his brother?' Siderander, who burnt with desire to -know what was said in the assembly which the -founder of the college of France had just left, quickened -his pace; the words were already on his lips, -when he suddenly stopped intimidated. Timidity -was stronger than curiosity, and he soon lost sight -of the man whom Erasmus called 'the prodigy of -France.' And yet, had he asked him, he would perhaps -have learnt what the Roman party was plotting, -and been able to tell his friends the probable -issue of the crisis. He had often asked the sons of -Budæus what their father was planning.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_348" id="Ref_348" href="#Foot_348">[348]</a></span> -'He is -much with the bishop,' answered they, 'but he is -planning nothing.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_349" id="Ref_349" href="#Foot_349">[349]</a></span> -Thus Siderander did all he could, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">{187}</a></span> -but to no purpose, to elicit some interesting communication -and to learn some rare news. He was -unable to satisfy his extreme curiosity. 'And that is -not all,' he said to himself, 'for if, instead of losing my -time under the portico of the Sorbonne, I had been -elsewhere, I might have learnt something.' He desired -to be everywhere, and yet was nowhere. 'Ha!' he -said with vexation as he returned from running after -Budæus, 'while I throw my hook in at one place, the -fish goes to another. Things occur in our quarter -which the inhabitants of the others know nothing -about, and we know nothing of what takes place elsewhere.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_350" id="Ref_350" href="#Foot_350">[350]</a></span> -Alas! everything assumes a threatening -aspect; everything announces a violent storm.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_351" id="Ref_351" href="#Foot_351">[351]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SIDERANDER'S CURIOSITY.=</p> - -<p>The Sorbonne, the religious orders, and all fervent -catholics, being convinced that the innovators, by -exalting Jesus Christ and his Word, were humbling -the Church and the papacy, were determined to wage -a deadly war against them. They thought that if -they first struck down the most formidable of their -adversaries, they could easily disperse the rest of the -rebel army. But against whom should the first blow -be aimed? This was the subject of deliberation in -those councils which the curious Siderander desired -so much to overhear.</p> - -<p>Before we learn what was preparing at the Sorbonne, -we must enter more illustrious council-chambers, and -transport ourselves to Bologna.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_307" id="Foot_307" href="#Ref_307">[307]</a> -'Rex Navarræ instinctu uxoris et episcopus regem sollicitare ... -seditionis crimen intendere.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_308" id="Foot_308" href="#Ref_308">[308]</a> -'Gerardum removeat a concionibus.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_309" id="Foot_309" href="#Ref_309">[309]</a> -'Placuit regi ut Beda cum suis oratoribus et G. Rufus, quisque in -suis ædibus, tanquam privata custodia detineretur.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_310" id="Foot_310" href="#Ref_310">[310]</a> -'Ut ne accusatores viderentur, sed opinatores tantum, et inquisitores -hæreticæ pravitatis.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_311" id="Foot_311" href="#Ref_311">[311]</a> -'Tum bonus noster Beda in Monte suo Acuto manere coactus est.'—Siderander -Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_312" id="Foot_312" href="#Ref_312">[312]</a> -'In mulo suo equitantem vidi.'—Siderander Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_313" id="Foot_313" href="#Ref_313">[313]</a> -'Judicium de hæresi sibi reservavit.'—Sturmius Bucero.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_314" id="Foot_314" href="#Ref_314">[314]</a> -'Vociferati sunt seditiosissime, regi minantes ipsi.'—Melanchthon to -Spalatin, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 685.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_315" id="Foot_315" href="#Ref_315">[315]</a> -'Rex, quoniam esset exacerbatus, irrisit tanquam Arcadicorum -pecorum.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_316" id="Foot_316" href="#Ref_316">[316]</a> -H. de Coste, <i>Le parfait Ecclésiastique</i>, p. 73.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_317" id="Foot_317" href="#Ref_317">[317]</a> -'Cujus vel permissu vel jussu populum commovissent et læsissent -regem.'—Sturm to Bucer, ed. Schmidt.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_318" id="Foot_318" href="#Ref_318">[318]</a> -'Responderunt ex consensu et placito magistrorum nostrorum.'—Sturm -to Bucer, ed. Schmidt.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_319" id="Foot_319" href="#Ref_319">[319]</a> -'Theologi cum pericula animadverterent, negabant.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_320" id="Foot_320" href="#Ref_320">[320]</a> -'Nunquam velit Bedam reverti.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_321" id="Foot_321" href="#Ref_321">[321]</a> -'Gerardus libere concionatur; et imperatum theologis, si quid -habeant negotii adversus eum, ut jure agant.'—Melanchthon to Spalatin, -July 22. <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_322" id="Foot_322" href="#Ref_322">[322]</a> -'Senex quidem theologus hanc contumeliam theologici ordinis adeo -ægre tulit, ut delirio vitam amiserit.'—Melanchthon to Spalatin. <i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_323" id="Foot_323" href="#Ref_323">[323]</a> -<span title="Hoi theologoi">'Ὁι θεολόγοι</span> non die, non nocte, unquam cessant ab opere.'—Siderander, -Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_324" id="Foot_324" href="#Ref_324">[324]</a> -'Illi miserantur optimi Bedæ.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_325" id="Foot_325" href="#Ref_325">[325]</a> -'Hominem tam grandem natu, exilium tam durum pati oportere.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_326" id="Foot_326" href="#Ref_326">[326]</a> -'Audias alios qui gaudio exultent.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_327" id="Foot_327" href="#Ref_327">[327]</a> -'Vide rerum commutationem ... Praeter senes Priamos et paucos -alios, nemo est qui faveat istis sacerdotibus Phrygiis.'—Sturm to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_328" id="Foot_328" href="#Ref_328">[328]</a> -'Juniores theologi jam sapere incipiunt.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_329" id="Foot_329" href="#Ref_329">[329]</a> -'Maximam turbam ante collegium Montis Acuti vidi.'—Siderander -Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_330" id="Foot_330" href="#Ref_330">[330]</a> -'Beda urbe pulsus cum aliis quibusdam sycophantis.'—Melanchthon -to Spalatin, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_331" id="Foot_331" href="#Ref_331">[331]</a> -'Palam prædicare Christum quidam cœperunt, omnes loqui liberius.'—Bucer -to Blaarer. Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_332" id="Foot_332" href="#Ref_332">[332]</a> -'Christus evangelii gloriam augeat.'—Melanchthon to Spalatin. -<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 658.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_333" id="Foot_333" href="#Ref_333">[333]</a> -'In qua pulcherrime suisque coloribus omnes isti theologi depingebantur.'—Siderander -Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_334" id="Foot_334" href="#Ref_334">[334]</a> -'Alii auctorem clamabant esse hæreticum.'—Siderander Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_335" id="Foot_335" href="#Ref_335">[335]</a> -'Tandem nescio quis delator dilaceravit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_336" id="Foot_336" href="#Ref_336">[336]</a> -'Quos cum viderem, descripsi et ipse,' and here follow the verses. -Schmidt, <i>G. Roussel. Pièces Justificatives</i>, p. 205.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_337" id="Foot_337" href="#Ref_337">[337]</a> -'Ut supplicium de detestandis illis hæreticis sumat, eosque extirpet -funditus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_338" id="Foot_338" href="#Ref_338">[338]</a> -Galatians i. 17-21.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_339" id="Foot_339" href="#Ref_339">[339]</a> -'Nec ei mox defuit in quo sese strenue exerceret.'—Bezæ <i>Vita -Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_340" id="Foot_340" href="#Ref_340">[340]</a> -Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>. Herzog, <i>Real Encyclopädie</i>, art. <i>Calvin</i>. Schmidt, -<i>G. Roussel</i>, p. 94.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_341" id="Foot_341" href="#Ref_341">[341]</a> -'Omnibus purioris religionis studiosis innotuit.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calv.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_342" id="Foot_342" href="#Ref_342">[342]</a> -'Non sine insigni pietatis testimonio.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_343" id="Foot_343" href="#Ref_343">[343]</a> -'Heri videre volui quidnam in Sorbonna ageretur.'—Siderander -Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_344" id="Foot_344" href="#Ref_344">[344]</a> -'Picturas et imagines quæ ibi venduntur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_345" id="Foot_345" href="#Ref_345">[345]</a> -'Budæum egredientem video.'—Siderander Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_346" id="Foot_346" href="#Ref_346">[346]</a> -'Quem relicto instituto secutus sum.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_347" id="Foot_347" href="#Ref_347">[347]</a> -'Me rogavit ut musæum suum viderem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_348" id="Foot_348" href="#Ref_348">[348]</a> -'Quid novi jam pater moliretur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_349" id="Foot_349" href="#Ref_349">[349]</a> -'Negabat quicquam moliri.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_350" id="Foot_350" href="#Ref_350">[350]</a> -'Quod nos ignoramus.'—Siderander Bedroto.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_351" id="Foot_351" href="#Ref_351">[351]</a> -'Nemo est qui possit expiscari omnia ... Omnia tumultum minari -videntur.'—Ibid.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">{188}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCE OF BOLOGNA. THE COUNCIL AND CATHERINE DE MEDICI.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1532-1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE emperor, having descended the Italian slopes -of the Alps and crossed the north of Italy, arrived -at Bologna on the 5th of December, 1532, somewhat -annoyed at the escape of Duke Christopher, but not -suspecting that it would lead to any serious consequences. -This city, afterwards made famous by Guido, -Domenichino, the two Caracci, and by Benedict XIV., -one of the most distinguished popes of the eighteenth -century, grew more animated every day. The pope -had arrived there: princes, nobles, prelates, and courtiers -filled its splendid palaces; a new world was in -motion around the churches, the Asinelli, the fountain -of Neptune, and the other monuments which adorn -that ancient city. The emperor had desired a conference -with the pope, with the intention of uniting -closely with him, and through him with the other -catholic princes, to act together against their two -enemies, France and the Reformation. But Charles -was mistaken if he thought to find himself alone with -the pope at Bologna. He was to meet with opponents -who would hold their own against him: a struggle -was about to begin around Clement VII. between -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">{189}</a></span> -France and the empire. Francis I., who had just had -a conference with Henry VIII., did not care, indeed, -to meet Charles; but his place in Italy was to be -supplied by men who would do his work better than -he could do it himself. On the 4th of January, 1533, -Cardinals de Tournon and de Gramont, sent by Francis -to Clement to threaten him with a certain 'great -injury' which he might have cause to regret for ever, -arrived in this city. Would the presence of the two -cardinals thwart Charles's plans?</p> - -<p class="side">=PLANS OF CHARLES V.=</p> - -<p>The first point which the emperor desired to carry -was the convocation of a general council. A grave -man and always occupied with business, he possessed -a soul greedy of dominion. Ferdinand and Isabella -having founded their power in Spain by restoring that -country to unity, he desired to do in central Europe -what they had done in the peninsula, that is, unite -it under his patronage, if not under his sceptre. And -lo! Germany is suddenly broken in his hands and -divided into two parts. Sad humiliation! When he -had crossed the Alps, after Soliman's retreat, he had -no longer that unlimited confidence in his genius and -authority which he had felt two years before, when -going to the diet of Augsburg. He had come from Spain -to crush that new sect which thwarted the dreams of -his ambition; and instead of crushing it, he had been -forced to recognise it. After the retreat of the Turks, -Charles found himself at the head of a numerous and -triumphant army, and men asked one another if he -would not fall upon the protestants with it; but the -best soldiers of that army were protestant themselves. -Other means must be resorted to in order to bring -the schism to an end. He weighed everything carefully, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">{190}</a></span> -and brought to this business that nice and calm -attention which always distinguished him. Knowing -that the result of an appeal to arms was uncertain, -and that instead of restoring concord he might stir up -a hatred that nothing could extinguish, he decided in -favour of a council to restore unity, and made his -demand to the pope at Bologna. But Clement VII. -feared a council as much as Charles desired it. 'They -would want to redress grievances,' he said to his confidants, -'and reform abuses, quite as much as to extirpate -heresy.' Possessing great intelligence and rare -ability, vain, cunning, false, and with no elevation of -soul, Clement determined to put off this assembly -indefinitely, although always promising it. While the -emperor recognised the inefficiency of temporal arms, -the pope felt still more keenly the inefficiency of spiritual -arms. Each of these two personages distrusted -the power of which he had most experience. The -humble Gospel of the reformers intimidated both -Church and Empire. Clement conferred on the subject -with the Archbishop of Cortona, governor of Bologna, -with the legate Campeggio, and with the nuncio Gambara: -all agreed with him, and declared that to desire -to bring back protestants to the Romish faith otherwise -than by force was a very perilous enterprise.</p> - -<p class="side">=CLEMENT AGAINST A COUNCIL.=</p> - -<p>As, however, neither the pope nor the emperor -would give way, they desired a conference, at which -each would endeavour to convince the other. A -day, therefore, was appointed, and the two potentates -met in the palace of Bologna. Charles represented to -Clement, that 'a great number of catholics desired -and demanded a council as necessary to destroy the -heresy of Luther, which was gaining strength every -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">{191}</a></span> -day, and to suppress the numerous disorders that -existed in the Church.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_352" id="Ref_352" href="#Foot_352">[352]</a></span> -But the pope replied: 'If we -assemble a council, and permit the protestants to be -present and to question the doctrines sanctioned by -the Church, they will attack them all, and numberless -innovations will be the result. If, on the contrary, -we do not allow them to speak, they will say that they -are condemned unheard; they will leave the assembly, -and the world will believe that we are in the wrong. -As the protestants reject the decisions of past councils, -how can we hope that they will respect the decisions -of future councils? Do we not know their obstinacy? -When we put forward the authority of the Church, -do they not set the authority of Holy Scripture in its -place? They will never acknowledge themselves defeated, -which will be a great scandal. If the council -decrees that the pope is above the council (which -is the truth), the heretics will hold another, and -will elect an anti-pope (Luther, perhaps). Sire, the -remedy which you propose will give rise to greater -evils than those which we have now to cure.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_353" id="Ref_353" href="#Foot_353">[353]</a></span></p> - -<p>The papacy in the sixteenth century had fallen into -a state of inertia. It was active enough as a political -power; but as a spiritual power it was nothing. It -had great pretensions still, as far as appearances went; -but it was satisfied if certain preferences and a certain -pomp were conceded to it. It was afraid of -everything that possessed any vitality, and feared not -only those it called heretics, but even an assembly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">{192}</a></span> -consisting of prelates of the Roman Church. And -while the papacy was thus affected with a general -weakness as regards spiritual powers, the Reformation -was full of vigour and of life. It was a young warrior -attacking a decrepid veteran. Besides these general -causes, there were private motives which added to -Clement's inactivity; but these he kept to himself. -When he was alone in his chamber, he called to mind -that his birth was not legitimate; that the means he -had used to obtain the popedom had not been irreproachable; -and that he had often employed the resources -of the Church for his own interest ... in -waging a costly war, for instance. All this might be -brought against him in a council, and endanger his -position. But as his position was dearer to him than -the unity of the Church, he would grant nothing, and -so reduced Charles to despair by his evasions.</p> - -<p>The hatred which the emperor bore to the pope -was still further increased by the pontiff's resistance.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_354" id="Ref_354" href="#Foot_354">[354]</a></span> -In his anger he appealed to the cardinals. -At first he succeeded, having brought powerful -inducements into play, and a consistory decided in -favour of the immediate convocation of a council. -The alarmed Clement set to work to bring back the -misguided cardinals, and he was successful; for a -second consistory, held on the 20th of December, -coincided with the pope. 'We cannot think of assembling -a council,' said the sacred college, 'before we -have reconciled all the christian princes.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_355" id="Ref_355" href="#Foot_355">[355]</a></span> -The emperor openly expressed his dissatisfaction. Wait -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">{193}</a></span> -until Henry VIII., Francis I., and Charles V. are -agreed ... as well put it off to the Greek calends! -Clement endeavoured to pacify him. He would -assemble it at <i>a suitable time</i>, he said; and then, as he -feared that the Germans, on hearing of his refusal, -would hold a <i>national</i> council, he sent off envoys to -prevent it, at the same time hinting to the emperor -that they were empowered to prepare that nation -for a general council.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_356" id="Ref_356" href="#Foot_356">[356]</a></span> - Was Charles V. the pope's -dupe? It is a doubtful point. Clement, an enthusiastic -disciple of his fellow-countryman Machiavelli, -was, conformably to the instructions of his master, -supple and false, without conscience and without -faith. But the emperor knew full well that such -were the precepts of the illustrious Florentine.</p> - -<p class="side">=ITALIAN LEAGUE.=</p> - -<p>For some time past Charles had been silently -meditating another project which, he thought, could -not fail to render him master of Italy. It was the -formation of a defensive Italian league against Francis. -He communicated his plan to the pope with the -reserve and ability that characterised him, and set -himself up as the defender of Rome. Clement, however, -did not believe in his generosity, but on the contrary -feared that this confederation would give him a -master; nevertheless he appeared to be charmed with -it. 'Yes!' he exclaimed, 'Italy must set itself against -the ambition of France.' At the same time he informed -the ambassador of Venice that he had said these things, -not as being his own opinion, but the emperor's. -'Report this prudently to your lords,' he added.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_357" id="Ref_357" href="#Foot_357">[357]</a></span> -The pontiff had always two faces and two meanings. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">{194}</a></span></p> - -<p>In reality, he did not know what course to pursue. -At one time he was ready to throw himself -into Charles's arms and run the same chances with -him; and then, on learning what had taken place at -Boulogne and Calais, he trembled lest the King of -France should throw off his obedience. These two -terrible monarchs made a shuttlecock of the pope, -and drove him to despair. But he remembered how -Machiavelli had said, that the world is governed by -two things—force and cunning; and leaving the former -to the emperor, he took refuge in the latter. 'Accordingly -Clement determined to move softly,' says Du -Bellay, 'temporising, quibbling, waiting, and stopping -to see what the French cardinals would bring him.' -They arrived just at this critical moment. It was -an ill-omened embassy for France, since no event of -the sixteenth century did more to strengthen the -dominion of intrigue, cowardice, debauchery, crime, -and persecution in that country.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE FRENCH ENVOYS AND CLEMENT.=</p> - -<p>Cardinal de Tournon, the most influential of the two -ambassadors, was a skilful priest, devoted to the pope -and popery, cruel, the accomplice of the Guises in -after years, and all his life one of the greatest enemies -of religious liberty. His colleague, Cardinal de Gramont, -Bishop of Tarbes and afterwards Archbishop of -Toulouse, was a more pliable diplomatist, and had -been employed in England at the time of the dissolution -of Henry's marriage with Catherine of Arragon. -The first of these two men was the more hierarchical, -the second the more politic; but both had the interests -of their master Francis at heart. Their mission was -difficult, and they had many a consultation about -what was to be done. Tournon was ready to sacrifice -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">{195}</a></span> -everything, truth in the first place, in order to -unite the king with the pope. 'It is to be feared,' he -said to his colleague, 'that if we let the holy father -know all the discontent of the two kings, we shall but -increase his despair; and that the emperor, profiting -by our threats, will gain him over and do with him -as he likes, which would lead to the disturbance of -christendom.' Instead of carrying out the Calais -resolutions, Tournon and Gramont determined to put -them aside. They thought that Francis I. was going -wrong, and desired to be more royalist than the king -himself. To win the pope from Charles V. and give -him to Francis I. was the great work they resolved to -attempt at Bologna. The emperor was there, and he -was a stout antagonist; but the two priests were not -deficient in skill. To save catholicism threatened in -France, and to lay the kingdom at the pope's feet, was -their aim. 'Let us carry out our instructions,' they -said, 'by beginning with the last article. Instead of -employing severity first and mildness last, we will do -just the contrary.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_358" id="Ref_358" href="#Foot_358">[358]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two cardinals having been received by the -pontiff, paid him every mark of respect, and tried -to make him understand that, for the good of the holy -see, he ought to preserve the goodwill of the most -christian king. They therefore proposed an interview -with Francis, and even with the King of England, -that prince being eager to put an end to the difficulties -of the divorce. 'Finally,' they added, laying a -slight stress upon the word, 'certain proposals, formerly -put forward in the king's name, might be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">{196}</a></span> -carried out.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_359" id="Ref_359" href="#Foot_359">[359]</a></span> -—'These proposals,' says Du Bellay, -'would lead, it must be understood, to the great -exaltation of the pope and his family.' The last -argument was the decisive stroke which gained -Clement VII.</p> - -<p>Francis, even while desiring to throw off the Roman -tutelage, wished to gain the support of the pope -in order to humiliate Charles V. He had therefore -revived a strange idea, which he had once already -hinted at, without overcoming, however, the excessive -repugnance which it caused him. But he saw -that the moment was critical, and that, to ally himself -with both Henry and Clement, he must make some -great sacrifice. He had therefore sent a special ambassador -to Bologna, to carry out a scheme which -would fill all Europe with surprise: a deplorable -combination which by uniting the pope, indissolubly -as it appeared, to the interests of the Valois, was sooner -or later to separate France from England, change the -channel that divides them into a deep gulf, infuse -Florentine blood into the blood of France, introduce -the vilest Machiavellism into the hearts of her kings -who boasted of their chivalrous spirit, check the -spread of learning, turn back on their hinges the gates -that were beginning to open to the sun, confine the -people in darkness, and install an era of debauchery, -persecution, and assassination both private and public.</p> - -<p>The special ambassador charged with the execution -of this scheme was John, Duke of Albany, qualified -by his illustrious birth for transacting the great -affair. Alexander Stuart, son of James II., King of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">{197}</a></span> -Scotland, having been exiled by his eldest brother -James III., had gone to France in 1485. His son -John, the last Duke of Albany, attached himself to -Louis XII., and followed him into Italy. Being -recalled to Scotland, he was made regent of the kingdom -in 1516, and again quitted his country to follow -Francis I. into Lombardy. This royal personage, supported -by Gramont and Tournon, was commissioned -by the King of France to propose to the pope the -marriage of his son Henry, Duke of Orleans, with -a girl of fourteen, a relative of the popes, and who -was named Catherine de Medici.</p> - -<p class="side">=CATHERINE DE MEDICI.=</p> - -<p>Catherine was the daughter of Lorenzo II. de -Medici, nephew of Leo X., and invested by his uncle -in 1516 with the duchy of Urbino. Lorenzo, who -had made himself hateful by his despotism, died the -very year of his daughter's birth (1519). The duchy -reverted to Leo X., and subsequently to its former -masters the Della Rovera, and Catherine was left a -portionless orphan. A marriage with this girl, descended -from the rich merchants of Florence, was a -strange alliance for the son of a king, and it was this -that made Francis hesitate; but the desire of winning -the pope's favour from his rival helped him at last to -overcome his haughty disgust. Clement, who held -(says Du Bellay) his family 'in singular esteem,' was -transported with delight at the offer. A Medici on -the throne of France!... He could not contain himself -for joy. At the same time Francis intended to -make a good bargain. He asked through the Duke -of Albany, whose wife was Catherine's maternal aunt, -that the pope should secure to his son Henry a fine -Italian state composed of Parma, Florence, Pisa, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">{198}</a></span> -Leghorn, Modena, Urbino, and Reggio; besides (said -the secret articles) the duchy of Milan and the lordship -of Genoa, which, added the French diplomatists, -'already belong to the future husband.' In order to -fulfil these engagements the pope was to employ his -influence, his negotiations, his money, and his soldiers. -Clement said that the conditions were very reasonable.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_360" id="Ref_360" href="#Foot_360">[360]</a></span> -He knew perfectly well that he could not give -these countries to his niece; but that was the least of -his cares. The preceding year, when he was speaking -to Charles's ambassador of the claims of Francis upon -Italy, the Austrian diplomatist had said abruptly: -'The emperor will never <i>yield</i> either Milan or Genoa -to the King of France.'—'Impossible, no doubt!' -answered the pope, 'but could not they be <i>promised</i> -to him?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_361" id="Ref_361" href="#Foot_361">[361]</a></span> -... The scion of the Medici brought to -France neither Genoa nor Milan, nor Parma, nor -Piacenza, nor Pisa, but in their stead she gave it the -imbecile Francis II., the sanguinary Charles IX., the -abominable Henry III., the infamous Duke of Anjou, -and also that woman, at once so witty and dissolute, -who became the wife of Henry IV., and in comparison -with whom Messalina appears almost chaste. Four -children of the Medici are among the monsters recorded -in history, and they have been the disgrace and the -misery of France.</p> - -<p class="side">=PROPOSALS OF MARRIAGE.=</p> - -<p>The pope stalked proudly and haughtily through the -halls of his palace, and gave everybody a most gracious -reception. This good-luck, he thought, had come from -heaven. Not only did it cover all his family with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">{199}</a></span> -glory, but secured to him France and her king, whose -reforming caprices began to make him uneasy; 'and -then,' adds Du Bellay, 'he was very pleased at finding -this loophole, to excuse himself to the emperor, who -was pressing him so strongly to enter into the Italian -league.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_362" id="Ref_362" href="#Foot_362">[362]</a></span> -Nevertheless the pope stood in awe of -Charles V., who seemed eager to set himself up for -a second Constantine, and he appeared anxious and -embarrassed.</p> - -<p>Charles, whom nothing escaped, immediately remarked -this, and thought to himself that some new -wind had blown upon the pontiff. In order to find it -out, he employed all the sagacity with which he was -so eminently endowed. 'The emperor knew from the -language and countenance of the holy father,' says Du -Bellay, 'that he was less friendly towards him than -before, and suspected whence the change proceeded.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_363" id="Ref_363" href="#Foot_363">[363]</a></span> -Charles had heard something about this marriage -some time before; but the ridiculous story had only -amused him. The King of France unite himself with -the merchants of Florence!... And Clement can -believe this!... 'Hence Charles V., thinking,' as -Du Bellay tells us, 'that the affair would never be -carried out, had advised the pope to consent.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_364" id="Ref_364" href="#Foot_364">[364]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=HENRY'S OPINION OF THE MARRIAGE.=</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Francis lost no time. He had commissioned -Du Bellay, the diplomatist, to communicate -his intentions to his good brother the King of England, -who had a claim to this information, as he was godfather -to the future Henry II.—worthy godfather, and -worthy godson! The self-conceit of the Tudor was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">{200}</a></span> -still more hurt than that of the Valois. He said -to Lord Rochford, whom he despatched to the King -of France: 'You will tell the Most Christian King, -our very dear brother, the great pleasure that we -enjoy every day by calling to mind the pure, earnest, -and kind friendship he feels for us.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_365" id="Ref_365" href="#Foot_365">[365]</a></span> -He added: -'Since our good brother has asked us, we are willing -to declare, that truly (as we know how he himself -considers it), having regard to the low estate and -family from which the pope's niece is sprung, and to -the most noble and most illustrious blood, ancestry, -and royal house of France, from which descends our -very dear and very beloved cousin and godson, the -Duke of Orleans, the said marriage would be very ill-matched -and unequal; and for this reason we are by -no means of opinion that it ought to be concluded.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_366" id="Ref_366" href="#Foot_366">[366]</a></span> -At the same time, after Henry had given his advice as -a sovereign, he could not fail to consult his personal -interests; and Rochford (Anne Boleyn's father) was -to say to the King of France: 'If, however, by this -means our brother should receive some great advantage, -which should redound to the profit and honour -both of himself and us; if the pope should do or concede -anything to counterbalance and make up for the -default of noble birth ... let him be pleased to inform -us of it; he will find us very prompt to execute whatever -shall be thought advisable, convenient, and opportune -by him and us.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_367" id="Ref_367" href="#Foot_367">[367]</a></span> -Henry, therefore, consented -that Francis should deal with the pope about his godson: -he only wished that he might be sold dear. His -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">{201}</a></span> -full restoration to the favour of the court of Rome -after his marriage with Anne Boleyn was the price -that he asked. And then the royal godfather, who -was at heart the most papistical of kings, would have -declared himself fully satisfied and the pope's most -humble servant.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_352" id="Foot_352" href="#Ref_352">[352]</a> -'Concilii, desiderati da molti, come necessarii per la eresia di Lutero, -che ogni di ampliava e per molti discordini che sono nella chiesa.'—Guicciardini, -<i>Discorsi politici, Opere inedite</i>, i. p. 388.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_353" id="Foot_353" href="#Ref_353">[353]</a> -'Al contrario, remedio e piu pericoloso et poi partorire maggiori -mali.'—<i>Lettere di Principi</i>, ii. p. 197. Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 183-185.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_354" id="Foot_354" href="#Ref_354">[354]</a> -'Il papa con chi forse avea odio.'—Guicciardini, <i>loc. cit.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_355" id="Foot_355" href="#Ref_355">[355]</a> -Despatch of the Bishop of Auxerre, ambassador of France, dated -December 24, 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_356" id="Foot_356" href="#Ref_356">[356]</a> -Instructions for the nuncio Rangoni. Pallavicini, liv. iii. ch. xiii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_357" id="Foot_357" href="#Ref_357">[357]</a> -Despatch of the Bishop of Auxerre, dated January 1, 1533.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_358" id="Foot_358" href="#Ref_358">[358]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 177.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_359" id="Foot_359" href="#Ref_359">[359]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 178.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_360" id="Foot_360" href="#Ref_360">[360]</a> -The secret articles are in the Bibliothèque Impériale at Paris. MSS. -Béthune, No. 8541, fol. 36. Ranke, <i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. p. 439.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_361" id="Foot_361" href="#Ref_361">[361]</a> -Bucholz, ix. p. 101. Ranke, <i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. p. 439.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_362" id="Foot_362" href="#Ref_362">[362]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 178.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_363" id="Foot_363" href="#Ref_363">[363]</a> -Ibid. p. 179.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_364" id="Foot_364" href="#Ref_364">[364]</a> -Ibid. p. 180.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_365" id="Foot_365" href="#Ref_365">[365]</a> -Henry's instructions are in French. <i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 423.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_366" id="Foot_366" href="#Ref_366">[366]</a> -Ibid. p. 428.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_367" id="Foot_367" href="#Ref_367">[367]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">{202}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">INTRIGUES OF CHARLES V., FRANCIS I., AND CLEMENT VII., - AROUND CATHERINE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1532-1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">WHEN the emperor was informed of these matters, -he began to knit his brows. A flash of light -revealed to him the ingenious plans of his rival, and -he took immediate steps to prevent the dangerous -union. Charles V., Francis I., Henry VIII., and the -pope were all in commotion at the thought of this -marriage, and little Catherine was the Briseis around -whom met and contended the greatest powers of the -world.</p> - -<p class="side">=DOUBTS INSINUATED BY CHARLES.=</p> - -<p>At first the emperor endeavoured to instil into the -pope's mind suspicions of the good faith of the King of -France. That was no difficult matter. 'Clement -dared not feel confident,' says Du Bellay, 'that the -king really wished to do him such great honour.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_368" id="Ref_368" href="#Foot_368">[368]</a></span> -—'The -Orleans marriage would certainly be very -honourable and advantageous,' said Charles V. and -his ministers; 'but his holiness must not rely upon -it; the king makes the proposal only with the intention -of <i>befooling</i> him and using him to his own benefit.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_369" id="Ref_369" href="#Foot_369">[369]</a></span> -And when the pope repeated the promises of Albany, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">{203}</a></span> -Gramont, and Tournon, the ministers of Charles kept -silence, and replied only by a slight smile. The blow -had told. Clement, who always tried to deceive, was -naturally inclined to believe that the king was doing -the same.</p> - -<p>When the emperor and the diplomatists saw that -they had made a breach, they attempted a new assault. -Charles asked the young lady's hand for Francis Sforza, -Duke of Milan. This scheme was worthy of that -exuberant genius which Charles always displayed -in the invention of means calculated to secure the -success of his policy. This union would, in fact, have -the double advantage of wresting Catherine and the -Milanese from France at one blow. Charles hinted to -her uncle that he would do much better to accept for -his young relative a <i>real</i> marriage than to run after a -shadow. 'It is a great offer, and the match is a good -one,' said Clement; 'but the other is so grand and -so honourable for my house, regard being had to dignities, -that I never could have hoped for such honour ... -and so much progress has been made, that I cannot -listen to any other proposal without offending the -king.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_370" id="Ref_370" href="#Foot_370">[370]</a></span></p> - -<p>Clement had become hard to please. If the Medici -were the descendants of a merchant, the Sforzas came -from a peasant, a leader of free troops, a <i>condottiere</i>. -Clement looked down upon the Duke of Milan. 'Besides,' -says Guiccardini, 'he burnt with desire to marry -his niece to the second son of Francis I.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_371" id="Ref_371" href="#Foot_371">[371]</a></span> -This is -what he always came back to. Charles told him that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">{204}</a></span> -Francis wanted, by this offer, to break up the Italian -league, and when that was done, the marriage would -be broken off too.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_372" id="Ref_372" href="#Foot_372">[372]</a></span> -But Clement maintained that the -king was sincere in his offer. 'Good!' said the emperor -to the pope; 'there is a very simple means of satisfying -yourself on that point. Ask the two cardinals -to procure immediately from France the powers necessary -for settling the marriage contract. You -will soon see whether his proposal is anything better -than base money which they want to palm off upon -you.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_373" id="Ref_373" href="#Foot_373">[373]</a></span></p> - -<p>The emperor's remarks were not without their effect -upon Clement: he was thoughtful and uneasy. The -French ambassadors had been lavish of words, but -there was nothing written: <i>verba volant</i>. The pope -caught at the idea suggested by Charles. If the full -powers do not arrive, the king's treachery is unveiled; -if they arrive, the game is won. Clement asked for -them. 'Nothing is more easy,' said Tournon and -Gramont, who wrote to their master without delay.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_374" id="Ref_374" href="#Foot_374">[374]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE KING'S HESITATION.=</p> - -<p>Francis I. was startled when he received their -despatch. His proposal was sincere, for he thought it -necessary to his policy; but the remarks of Charles V. -and Henry VIII. about the daughter of the Florentine -merchant, and the astonishment of Europe, -which unanimously protested against 'such great disparity -of degree and condition,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_375" id="Ref_375" href="#Foot_375">[375]</a></span> -had sunk into his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">{205}</a></span> -mind. He, so proud of his blood and of his crown -... countenance a misalliance! He hesitated; he -would only proceed slowly ... step by step ... -and with a long interval after each.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_376" id="Ref_376" href="#Foot_376">[376]</a></span> -If Charles, -who was impatient to return to Spain, should -leave Italy without banding it against France ... -then ... new facts, new counsel ... he would consider. -But now he was driven to the wall: the question -must be answered. Shall Catherine de Medici -come and sit on the steps of the throne of St. Louis, -or shall she remain in Italy? Shall she continue to -receive abominable lessons from her relative Alexander -de Medici, a detestable prince who exiled and -imprisoned even the members of his own family, and -confiscated their property, and was addicted to the -most scandalous debauchery? ... or shall she come -to France to put in practice those lessons among the -people of her adoption? The king must make up his -mind: the courier was waiting. One thing decided -him. His old gaoler, the emperor, said that this -marriage proposal was a trick. If Francis refused -what the pope asked, Charles would triumph, and -turn against him both pope and Italy. The king's -ambition was stronger than his vanity, and coming to -a desperate resolution, he had the full powers drawn -up, signed, and sent off.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_377" id="Ref_377" href="#Foot_377">[377]</a></span></p> - -<p>They arrived at Bologna about the middle of -February. Albany, Gramont, and Tournon carried -them in triumph to the pope, who immediately communicated -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">{206}</a></span> -them to the emperor. The latter read the -procuration, which contained 'an express clause for -settling the marriage of the Duke of Orleans with the -Duchess of Urbino,' and was greatly surprised.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_378" id="Ref_378" href="#Foot_378">[378]</a></span> -'You see,' said Clement, 'there is no hole by which he can -creep out.' Charles could not believe it. 'The king -has only sent this document for a <i>show</i>,' he said to -Clement; 'if you press the ambassadors to go on and -conclude the treaty, they will not listen to you.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_379" id="Ref_379" href="#Foot_379">[379]</a></span> -A little while ago there had been nothing but words, -and now there was only a piece of <i>paper</i>.... The new -propositions were communicated to the duke and the -two cardinals, who replied: 'We offer to stipulate -forthwith the clauses, conditions, and settlements that -are to be included in the contract.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_380" id="Ref_380" href="#Foot_380">[380]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE EMPEROR'S NEW MANŒUVRES.=</p> - -<p>Clement breathed again, and believed in the star of -the Medici. If that star had placed his ancestors the -Florentine merchants at the head of their people, it -might well raise Catherine, the niece of two popes, the -daughter and grand-daughter of dukes, to the throne -of France. He informed the emperor that everything -was arranged, and that the terms of the contract were -being drawn up. Clement's face beamed with joy. -The emperor began to think the matter serious, 'and -was astonished and vexed above all,' says Du Bellay, -'at the frustration of his plan, which was to excite the -holy father against the king.' Charles saw that the -impetuosity of Francis had been too much for his -own slowness; but he knew how to retrace his steps, -and the fecundity of his genius suggested a last means -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">{207}</a></span> -of breaking up 'this detestable cabal.'—'Since it is -so,' he said, 'I require your holiness at least to include -among the conditions of the contract now drawing up, -the four articles agreed to between us, the first time -you spoke to me of this marriage.' Clement appeared -surprised, and asked what articles they were. 'You -promised me,' said Charles, 'first that the king should -bind himself to alter nothing in Italy; second, to confirm -the treaties of Cambray and Madrid; third, to -consent to a council; and fourth, to get the King of -England to promise to make no innovations in his -country until the matter of his divorce was settled at -Rome.' The King of France would never agree to -such conditions; the pope was dismayed. Would he -be wrecked just as he had reached the harbour?—'I -made no such promises,' he exclaimed eagerly. 'The -holy father,' says Du Bellay, 'formally denied ever -having heard of these matters.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_381" id="Ref_381" href="#Foot_381">[381]</a></span> -The altercation -between the two chiefs of christendom threatened to -be violent. Which of them was the liar? Probably -the pope had said something of the kind, but only for -form's sake, in order to pacify Charles, and without -any intention of keeping his promise. He was the -first to recover his calmness; he detested the emperor, -but he humoured him. 'You well know, Sire,' he -said, 'that the profit and honour accorded by the king -to my family in accepting my alliance, are so great, -that it belongs to him and not to me to propose conditions.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_382" id="Ref_382" href="#Foot_382">[382]</a></span> -He offered, however, to undertake that -everything should remain in 'complete peace.' The -emperor, a master in dissimulation, tried to conceal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">{208}</a></span> -his vexation, but without success; this unlucky -marriage baffled all his plans. Francis had been more -cunning than himself.... Who would have thought -it? The King of France had sacrificed the honour of -his house, but he had conquered his rival. Confounded, -annoyed, and dejected, Charles paced up and -down with his long gloomy face, when an unexpected -circumstance revived his hopes of completely embroiling -the pope and the King of France.</p> - -<p>We have witnessed the conferences that took place -between Clement and Charles on the subject of a -general council. The emperor had asked for one in -order 'to bring back the heretics to union with the -holy faith, and he observed that if it were not called, -it was to be feared that the heretics would unite with -the Turks; that they would fancy themselves authorised -to lay hands upon the property of the Church, -and would succeed in living in that liberty which -they called <i>evangelical</i>, but which,' added Charles, -'is rather <i>Mahometan</i>, and would cause the ruin of -christendom.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_383" id="Ref_383" href="#Foot_383">[383]</a></span> -The pope, who thought much more -of himself and of his family than of the Church, -had rejected this demand. He had smiled at seeing -the great potentate's zeal for the religious and evangelical -question.... Clement never troubled himself -about the Gospel: Machiavelli was the gospel of the -Medici. They cherished it, and meditated on it day -and night; they knew it by heart, and put it into -admirable practice. Clement and Catherine were its -most devoted followers and most illustrious heroes.</p> - -<p class="side">=A LAY COUNCIL PROPOSED.=</p> - -<p>The policy of the King of France was quite as interested, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">{209}</a></span> -but it was more frank and honest. Even -while politically uniting with the pope, he did not -mean to place himself ecclesiastically under his guardianship. -He had, like Henry VIII., the intention of -emancipating kings from the pontifical supremacy, -and desired to make the secular instead of the papal -element predominate in christian society. For many -centuries the hierarchical power had held the first -rank in Europe: it was time that it gave way to the -political power. Francis, having come to a knowledge -of the opposite opinions of the pope and the emperor -touching the council, slipped between the two and -enunciated a third, which filled the emperor with -astonishment and the pontiff with alarm. It was one -of the greatest, most original, and boldest conceptions -of modern times: we recognise in it the genius of -Du Bellay and the aspirations of a new era. 'It is -true, as the holy father affirms,' said the King of -France, 'that the assembling of a council has its -dangers. On the other hand, the reasons of the -emperor for convoking it are most worthy of consideration; -for the affairs of religion are reduced to -such a pass that, without a council, they will fall into -inextricable confusion, and the consequence will be -great evils and prejudice to the holy father and all -christian princes. The pope is right, yet the emperor -is not wrong; but here is a way of gratifying their -wishes, and at the same time preventing all the -dangers that threaten us.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_384" id="Ref_384" href="#Foot_384">[384]</a></span> -Let all the christian -potentates, whatever be their particular doctrine (the -King of England and the protestant princes of Germany -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">{210}</a></span> -and the other evangelical states, were therefore -included), first communicate with one another on the -subject, and then let each of them send to Rome as -soon as possible ambassadors provided with ample -powers to discuss and draw up by common accord all -the points to be considered by the council. They -shall have full liberty to bring forward anything -that they imagine will be for the unity, welfare, and -repose of christendom, the service of God, the suppression -of vice, the extirpation of heresy, and the -uniformity of our faith. No mention shall be made -of the remonstrances of our holy father, or of the -decisions of former councils; which would give many -sovereigns an opportunity or an excuse for not attending.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_385" id="Ref_385" href="#Foot_385">[385]</a></span> -When the articles are thus drawn up by -the representatives of the various states of christendom, -each ambassador will take a duplicate of them -to his court, and all will go to the council, at the -time and place appointed by them, well instructed -in what they will have to say. If those who have -separated from the Roman Church agree with the -others, they will in this way take the path of salvation. -If they do not agree, at least they will not be -able to deny that they have been deaf to reason, and -refused the council which they had called for so -loudly.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_386" id="Ref_386" href="#Foot_386">[386]</a></span></p> - -<p>This is one of the most remarkable documents that -we have met with in relation to the intercourse between -France and Rome, and it has not attracted sufficient -attention. In it Francis makes an immense stride. -Convinced that the new times ought to tread in a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">{211}</a></span> -new path, he inaugurates a great revolution. He -emancipates the political power, so far as regards -religious matters, and desires that it shall take precedence -of the pontifical power in everything. If -his idea had been carried out, great ecclesiastical -questions would no longer have been decided in the -Vatican, but in the cabinets of princes. This system, -indeed, is not the true one, and yet a great step -had been taken in the path of progress. A new -principle was about to influence the destinies of the -Church.</p> - -<p>Up to this time the clerical element had reigned -in it alone; but now the lay element claimed its place. -The new society was unwilling that priests alone -should govern christians, just as shepherds lead their -flocks. But this system, we repeat, was not the true -one. Christian questions ought not to be decided -either by pope or prince, but by the ministers of the -Church and its members, as of old in Jerusalem by -the <i>apostles</i>, <i>elders</i>, and <i>brethren</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_387" id="Ref_387" href="#Foot_387">[387]</a></span> -For this we have -the authority of God's Word. That evangelical path -is forbidden to the Roman-catholic Church; for it is -afraid of every christian assembly where the opinions -of believers are taken into account, and finds itself -miserably condemned to oscillate perpetually between -the two great powers—the pope and the king.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE LAY COUNCIL REJECTED.=</p> - -<p>It was very near the end of February when the emperor -received at Bologna this singular opinion of -the French king. Having failed in his attempts to -prevent the Orleans marriage, he was busy forming -the Italian league, and preparing to leave for Spain. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">{212}</a></span> -Charles instinctively felt the encroachment of modern -times in this project of Du Bellay's. To deprive the -pope and clergy of their exclusive and absolute -authority would lead (he thought) to taking it away -from kings also. It seemed to him that popery rendered -liberty impossible not only in the Church but -also among the people. Francis, or rather Du Bellay, -had imagined that Charles would say (as one of his -successors said<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_388" id="Ref_388" href="#Foot_388">[388]</a></span> -): 'My trade is to be a king,' and -that he would grasp at the institution of a <i>diplomatic</i> -papacy. But whether Charles wished to profit by -this opportunity 'to fish up again' the pope who had -plunged into French waters, or simply yielded to his -Spanish catholic nature and the desire he felt for unlimited -power, he rejected Francis's proposal. 'What!' -he exclaimed, 'shall the ambassadors of christian -kings and potentates lay down beforehand the points -to be discussed in the council?... That would be -depriving it of its authority by a single stroke. Whatever -is to be discussed in the council ought to depend -entirely on the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and not -on the appetites of men.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_389" id="Ref_389" href="#Foot_389">[389]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SECULARISATION OF THE POPEDOM.=</p> - -<p>This answer vexed Francis considerably. His proposition -failing, it became a weapon in the hands of -his rival to destroy him. He therefore sought to -justify himself. 'I cannot help being surprised,' he -said, 'that, with a view to calumniate me, my opinion -has been misrepresented to the emperor. Is it not -more reasonable to have this business managed by ambassadors -who can arrive speedily in Rome, than to -wait for a council which at the soonest cannot meet -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">{213}</a></span> -within a year?... And as for everything depending -upon the Holy Ghost, assuredly my proposal has been -wickedly and malignantly interpreted; for as we -shall send ambassadors guided by a sincere affection -for the Church, is it not evident that this assembly -cannot be without the Holy Ghost?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_390" id="Ref_390" href="#Foot_390">[390]</a></span> -Thus the king, -in defending himself, took shelter under the <i>inspiration</i> -of his diplomatists. We may well admit that the -Holy Ghost was less with the pope than with the king; -but He was really with neither of them.</p> - -<p>Thus for a moment the idea of Francis I. fell to the -ground; it was premature, and only began to be realised -in after days by the force of circumstances and in the -order of time. It was in 1562, when the council -which had been so much discussed, and which opened -at Trent in 1545, met for the third time, that this new -fashion was introduced into Roman catholicism. The -prelates could not come to an understanding, the -Italian deputies wishing to maintain everything, while -the French and German deputies demanded important -concessions with a view to a reconciliation between the -princes and their subjects. There were struggles, jests, -and quarrels: they came to blows in the streets. The -majority of the council were angry because the Roman -legates regularly delayed to give their opinions until -the courier arrived from Rome. 'Their Inspiration,' -said the French, who were always fond of a joke, 'their -Inspiration comes to Trent in a portmanteau.' The -meeting was about to be broken up, when the papacy, -being obliged to choose between two evils, resolved to -come to an understanding with the princes. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">{214}</a></span> -pope agreed that all important questions should be -previously discussed in the secular courts, and the -secondary questions be left to the council, provided -that all proper respect was shown to the papacy. -Rome triumphed within the walls of Trent, but she -ceased to be a pure hierarchy. From that hour the political -element has had the precedence, and the papacy -has become more and more dependent on the secular -power. The scheme of Francis I. has been partly -realised. There remains, however, one step more -to be taken. Instead of the interested decisions of -kings, it is the sovereign and unchangeable Word of -God which ought to be placed on the throne of -the Church.</p> - -<p>Charles V. hoped that the singular opinion of the -King of France would incline Clement to enter into -the Italian league; but the pope was not very susceptible -in religious matters. Still, as the emperor was -impatient, Clement resolved to give him this trifling -satisfaction. Why should he refuse to enter into a -league whose object was to exclude Francis I. from -Italy? As at that very time he was signing secret -articles by which he bound himself to give to France -Parma, Piacenza, Urbino, Reggio, Leghorn, Pisa, -Modena, and even Milan and Genoa, there was no -reason why the worthy uncle of Catherine should not -sign another treaty with Charles which stipulated -exactly the contrary. Francis would not be alarmed -at the pontiff's entering the league; he would understand -that it was simply an honorary proceeding, a -diplomatic measure. The marriage of the pope's -niece caused the poor emperor so much annoyance, -that he deserved at least this consolation. Besides, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">{215}</a></span> -when the pope gave his signature to Charles V., he -was doing (as he thought) a very honest thing, for -he had not the least intention of keeping the solemn -promises he had made to Francis.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_391" id="Ref_391" href="#Foot_391">[391]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was now the 28th of February, and the imperial -equipage was ready: horses, mules, carriages, servants, -officers, noblemen, were all waiting the moment of -departure. The ships that were to convey the mighty -Charles and his court to Spain were in the harbour of -Genoa, ready to weigh anchor. This very day had -been fixed for signing the act of the Italian league. -The high and mighty contracting powers met in the -palace of Bologna. The document was read aloud -before the delegates of the princes and sovereigns of -Italy included in it. Every one assented, the signatures -were affixed, and Clement eagerly added his name, -promising himself to sign another contract very shortly -with the King of France.</p> - -<p class="side">=CARDINALS' HATS ASKED AND GIVEN.=</p> - -<p>Everything seemed as if it would pass off in a -regular way, without Charles allowing his vexation to -break out. That prince, who knew so well how to -restrain himself, raised a sensation, however, among -the great personages around him. Addressing the -pope, he demanded a cardinal's hat for three of his -prelates: it was a trifling compliment (he thought) -which Clement might well concede him; but the pope -granted one hat only. The ambassador of France -then came forward, and, on behalf of his master, demanded -one for John, Bishop of Orleans and uncle of -the Duke of Longueville, which was granted. Then -the same ambassador, growing bolder, begged, <i>on</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">{216}</a></span> -<i>behalf of the King of England</i>, a cardinal's hat for the -Bishop of Winchester. This was too much for Charles. -'What! ask a favour for a king who has put away my -aunt Catherine, who is quarrelling with the pope and -rushing into schism!'... 'The emperor took this -request,' says Du Bellay, 'in very bad part.'—'We -can see clearly,' said Charles to those around him, -'that the affairs of these two kings are in the same -scales; that one does not less for the other than for -himself.' Then, throwing off his usual reserve, he -openly expressed his disapprobation. 'This request -of a hat for England,' said he, 'displeases me more -than if the ambassador of France had asked <i>four</i> for -his master.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_392" id="Ref_392" href="#Foot_392">[392]</a></span> -The diplomatists there present could -not turn away their eyes from that face, usually so -placid, and now so suddenly animated; they were -secretly delighted at seeing any feeling whatever, -especially one of ill-humour, on the features of that -powerful monarch, all whose words and actions were -the result of cold reflection and calculated with the -nicest art. But no one was so rejoiced as Hawkins, -the English ambassador: 'The emperor departed from -hence evil-contented,' he wrote to Henry forthwith, -'and satisfied in nothing that he came for. All he did -was to renew an old league, lest he should be seen to -have done nothing.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_393" id="Ref_393" href="#Foot_393">[393]</a></span> -Charles was eager to leave the -city where he had been duped by the pope and checkmated -by the king, and already he repented having -shown his displeasure. He descended the steps of the -palace, threw himself into his carriage, and departed -for Milan, where he had some business to settle before -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">{217}</a></span> -going to Genoa and Spain. It was, as we have said, -Friday, the 28th of February.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_394" id="Ref_394" href="#Foot_394">[394]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=MEETING OF FRANCIS AND CLEMENT.=</p> - -<p>The pope remained ten days longer at Bologna. -There was a talk of an interview between him and the -King of France, to whom he had written with his own -hand. The papal nuncio had proposed to the king that -the emperor should be present also. 'Provided the -King of England be the fourth,' answered Francis.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_395" id="Ref_395" href="#Foot_395">[395]</a></span> -'We should be unwilling, the King of England and I,' -added he, 'to be present at the interview except with -forces equal to those of the emperor, for fear of a surprise.... -Now it might happen that, the escorts of these -<i>not very friendly</i> princes being together, we should -begin a war instead of ratifying a peace.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_396" id="Ref_396" href="#Foot_396">[396]</a></span> -They accordingly -fell back upon the conference of <i>two</i>, pending -which the marriage should be completed. Nice was at -first selected as the place of meeting; but the Duke -of Savoy, who did not like to see the French at Nice, -objected. 'Well, then,' said the pope, 'I will go to -Antibes, to Fréjus, to Toulon, to Marseilles.' To ally -himself with the family of France, he would have gone -beyond the columns of Hercules. Francis, on his side, -desired that the pope, who had waited for the emperor -in Italy, should come and seek him in his own kingdom. -The pope thus showed him greater honour than -he had shown Charles—on which point he was very -sensitive. Marseilles was agreed upon.</p> - -<p>At last all was in proper train. The blood of the -Valois and of the Medici was about to be united. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">{218}</a></span> -clauses, conditions, and conventions were all arranged. -The marriage ceremony was to be magnificently -celebrated in the city of the Phocæans. The pope -was at the summit of happiness, and the bride's eyes -sparkled with delight. The die was cast; Catherine -de Medici would one day sit on the throne of France; -the St. Bartholomew was in store for that noble -country, the blood of martyrs would flow in torrents -down the streets of Paris, and the rivers would roll -through the provinces long and speechless trains of -corpses, whose ghastly silence would cry aloud to -heaven.</p> - -<p>But that epoch was still remote; and just now Paris -presented a very different spectacle. It is time to -return thither.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_368" id="Foot_368" href="#Ref_368">[368]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 179.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_369" id="Foot_369" href="#Ref_369">[369]</a> -Ibid. p. 180.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_370" id="Foot_370" href="#Ref_370">[370]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 180. Guicciardini, <i>Wars of Italy</i>, ii. bk. -xvi. pp. 894-897.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_371" id="Foot_371" href="#Ref_371">[371]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>ibid.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_372" id="Foot_372" href="#Ref_372">[372]</a> -'Cæsar arbitratus illud conjugium quasi per simulationem a rege -oblatum.'—Pallavicini, <i>Hist. Concil. Trid.</i> lib. iii. cap. ii. p. 274.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_373" id="Foot_373" href="#Ref_373">[373]</a> -'Adulterinam esse monetam qua rex ipsum commercari studebat.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_374" id="Foot_374" href="#Ref_374">[374]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 180. Pallavicini, <i>ibid.</i> Guicciardini, <i>Wars of -Italy</i>, ii. p. 898.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_375" id="Foot_375" href="#Ref_375">[375]</a> -Guicciardini, ii. p. 898.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_376" id="Foot_376" href="#Ref_376">[376]</a> -'Quo fortasse magis dubitanter ac pedetentim processisset.'—Pallavicini, -<i>Hist. Concil. Trid.</i> i. p. 274.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_377" id="Foot_377" href="#Ref_377">[377]</a> -'Gallus explorato æmuli consilio, ut ipsum eluderet, eo statim properavit.'—Ibid. -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>. Guicciardini, <i>Wars of Italy</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_378" id="Foot_378" href="#Ref_378">[378]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 182.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_379" id="Foot_379" href="#Ref_379">[379]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_380" id="Foot_380" href="#Ref_380">[380]</a> -Ibid. Guicciardini. Pallavicini.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_381" id="Foot_381" href="#Ref_381">[381]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 182.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_382" id="Foot_382" href="#Ref_382">[382]</a> -Ibid. pp. 182, 183.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_383" id="Foot_383" href="#Ref_383">[383]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 186.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_384" id="Foot_384" href="#Ref_384">[384]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 185.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_385" id="Foot_385" href="#Ref_385">[385]</a> -The protestant sovereigns.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_386" id="Foot_386" href="#Ref_386">[386]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> pp. 186, 187.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_387" id="Foot_387" href="#Ref_387">[387]</a> -Acts xv. 23.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_388" id="Foot_388" href="#Ref_388">[388]</a> -The Emperor Joseph II.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_389" id="Foot_389" href="#Ref_389">[389]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 189.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_390" id="Foot_390" href="#Ref_390">[390]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 187.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_391" id="Foot_391" href="#Ref_391">[391]</a> -Guicciardini. Du Bellay.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_392" id="Foot_392" href="#Ref_392">[392]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 189.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_393" id="Foot_393" href="#Ref_393">[393]</a> -<i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 439.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_394" id="Foot_394" href="#Ref_394">[394]</a> -'The 28th the emperor departed from hens' (<i>State Papers</i>, viii. p. -438), 'and went to Milan' (p. 447).</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_395" id="Foot_395" href="#Ref_395">[395]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 189.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_396" id="Foot_396" href="#Ref_396">[396]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">{219}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">STORM AGAINST THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE AND HER 'MIRROR - OF THE SINFUL SOUL.'<br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=UNEASINESS OF THE ULTRAMONTANES.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE Romish party would not be comforted under -its defeat. Beda, Le Picard, and Mathurin in -exile; evangelical sermons freely preached in the great -churches of the capital; the new doctrines carried -through Paris from house to house; and the Queen of -Navarre seated, as it were, upon the throne during -her brother's absence, protecting and directing this -Lutheran activity—it was too much! The anxiety -and alarm of the ultramontanists increased every day: -they held numerous conferences; and if the young -Alsatian whom we saw at the gate of the Sorbonne, -or any other inquisitive person, could have crept into -these catholic committees, he would have heard the -most violent addresses. 'It is not only the approach -of the enemy that alarms us,' they said: 'he is there -... the revolutionary, immoral, impious, atheistic, -abominable, execrable monster!' Other epithets were -added, to be found only in the popish vocabulary. -'He is making rapid progress; unless we resist him -vigorously, it is all over! The world will perhaps -see crumbling under his blows those ancient walls of -Roman catholicism under which the nations have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">{220}</a></span> -taken shelter for so many ages.' And hence the -Sorbonne was of the same opinion with the priests -and the most hot-headed laymen, that, overlooking -for the moment secondary persons, it was necessary -to strike the most dangerous. In their eyes the -Queen of Navarre was the great enemy of the papacy; -the monks, in particular, whose disorders she had -not feared to expose, were full of fury against -her; their clamours were heard in every quarter. -'The queen,' they said, 'is the modern Eve by -whom the new revolt is entering into the world.'—'It -is the nature of women to be deceived,' said one; -and to prove it he quoted St. Jerome. 'Woman is the -gate of the devil,' said another, citing the authority of -Tertullian. 'The wily serpent,' said the greatest -doctors, 'remembers that memorable duel fought in -Paradise. Another fight is beginning, and he is again -putting in practice the stratagems that succeeded so -well before. At the beginning of the world and now, -it is always against woman—that tottering wall, that -<i>pannel</i> so weak and easy to break down—that he -draws up his battery. It is the Queen of Navarre -who supports the disciples of Luther in France; she -has placed them in schools; she alone watches over -them with wonderful care, and saves them from all -danger.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_397" id="Ref_397" href="#Foot_397">[397]</a></span> -Either the king must punish her, or she -must publicly recant her errors.' The ultramontanists -did not restrict themselves to words: they entered into -a diabolical plot to ruin that pious princess.</p> - -<p class="side">=PLOTS AGAINST MARGARET.=</p> - -<p>This was not an easy thing to do. The king loved -her, all good men revered her, and all Europe admired -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">{221}</a></span> -her. Yet, as Francis was very jealous of his authority, -the priests hoped to take advantage of his extreme susceptibility -and set him at variance with a sister who -dared to have an opinion of her own. Besides, the -Queen of Navarre, like every other eminent person, -had powerful enemies at court, 'people of Scythian -ingratitude,' who, having been received in her household -and raised by her to honours, secretly did all -in their power to bring her into discredit with the king -and with her husband.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_398" id="Ref_398" href="#Foot_398">[398]</a></span> -The most dangerous enemy -of all was the grand-master Montmorency, an enterprising, -brave, and imperious man, skilful in advancing -his own fortune, though unlucky with that of the kingdom; -he was besides coarse and uncultivated, despising -letters, detesting the Reformation, irritated by the -proselytism of the Queen of Navarre, and full of contempt -for her books. He had great influence over -Francis. The Sorbonne thought that if the grand-master -declared against her, it would be impossible -for Margaret to retain the king's favour.</p> - -<p>An opportunity occurred for beginning the attack, -and the Sorbonne caught at it. The Queen of Navarre, -sighing after the time when a pure and spiritual religion -would displace the barren ceremonial of popery, -had published, in 1531, a christian poem entitled: -<i>The Mirror of the Sinful Soul, in which she discovers -her Faults and Sins, as also the Grace and Blessings -bestowed on her by Jesus Christ her Spouse</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_399" id="Ref_399" href="#Foot_399">[399]</a></span> -Many persons had read this poem with interest, and admired -the queen's genius and piety. Finding that this edition, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">{222}</a></span> -published in a city which belonged to her, had made -no noise, aroused no persecution, and had even gained -her a few congratulations, she felt a desire to issue -her pious manifesto to a wider circle. Encouraged, -moreover, by the position which her brother had just -taken up, she made an arrangement with a bookseller -rather bolder than the rest, and in 1533 published -at Paris a new edition of her book, without the -author's name, and without the authorisation of the -Sorbonne.</p> - -<p>The poem was mild, spiritual, inoffensive, like the -queen herself; but it was written by the king's sister, -and accordingly made a great sensation. In her verses -there were new voices, aspirations towards heaven -long unknown; many persons heard them, and here -and there certain manifestations showed themselves -of a meek and inward piety long since forgotten. The -alarmed Sorbonne shouted out—'heresy!' There -was, indeed, in the <i>Mirror</i> something more than aspirations. -It contained nothing, indeed, against the -saints or the Virgin, against the mass or popery, and -not a word of controversy; but the essential doctrine -of the Reformation was strongly impressed on it, -namely, salvation by Jesus Christ alone, and the certain -assurance of that redemption.</p> - -<p class="side">=BEDA DISCOVERS HERESY IN THE POEMS.=</p> - -<p>At the time of which we are writing, Beda had not -been banished. At the beginning of 1533 he had -been intrusted by the Sorbonne with the examination -of all new books. The fiery syndic discovered the -<i>Mirror</i>, and with excess of joy he fell upon it to seek -matter of accusation against the king's sister. He -devoured it; he had never been so charmed by any -reading, for at last he had proof that the Queen of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">{223}</a></span> -Navarre was really a heretic.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_400" id="Ref_400" href="#Foot_400">[400]</a></span> -'But understand me -well,' he said; 'they are not dumb proofs nor half -proofs, but literal, clear, complete proofs.' Beda prepared -therefore to attack Margaret. What a contrast -between the formal religion of the Church and that of -this spiritual poem! St. Thomas and the other chiefs -of the schools teach that man may at least possess -merits of <i>congruity</i>; that he may perform supererogatory -works, that he must confess his sins in the ear of -the priest, and satisfy the justice of God by acts of -penance, <i>satisfactio operis</i>. But according to the -<i>Mirror</i>, religion is a much simpler thing ... all is -summed up in these two terms: man's sin and God's -grace. According to the queen, what man needs is to -have his sins remitted and wholly pardoned in consequence -of the Saviour's death; and when by faith he -has found assurance of this pardon, he enjoys peace.... -He must consider all his past life as being no -longer for him a ground of condemnation before God: -these are the <i>glad tidings</i>. Now these <i>tidings</i> scandalised -Beda and his friends exceedingly. 'What!' he -exclaimed, holding the famous book open before them, -'what! no more auricular confessions, indulgences, -penance, and works of charity!... The cause of -pardon is the reconciliatory work of Christ, and what -helps us to make it our own is not the Church, but -faith!' The syndic determined to make the 'frightful' -book known to all the venerable company.</p> - -<p>The Sorbonne assembled, and Beda, holding the -heretical poem in his hand, read the most flagrant -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">{224}</a></span> -passages to his colleagues. 'Listen,' he said, and the -attentive doctors kept their eyes fixed on the syndic. -Beda read:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Jesus, true fisher thou of souls!</div> -<div class="verse indent2">My only Saviour, only advocate!</div> -<div class="verse">Since thou God's righteousness hast satisfied,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I fear no more to fail at heaven's gate.</div> -<div class="verse">My Spouse bears all my sins, though great they be,</div> -<div class="verse">And all his merits places upon me....</div> -<div class="verse">Come, Saviour, make thy mercies known....</div> -<div class="verse">Jesus for me was crucified:</div> -<div class="verse">For me the bitter death endured,</div> -<div class="verse">For me eternal life procured.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_401" id="Ref_401" - href="#Foot_401">[401]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>It has been said that Margaret's poems are theology -in rhyme. It is true that her verses are not so elegant -as those of our age, and that their spirit is more -theological than the poetry of our days; but the -theology is not that of the schools, it is that of the -heart. What specially irritated the Sorbonne was the -peace and assurance that Margaret enjoyed, precious -privilege of a redeemed soul, which scholasticism had -condemned beforehand. The queen, leaning upon the -Saviour, seemed to have no more fear. 'Listen again,' -said Beda:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Satan, where is now thy tower?</div> -<div class="verse">Sin, all withered is thy power.</div> -<div class="verse">Pain or death no more I fear,</div> -<div class="verse">While Jesus Christ is with me here.</div> -<div class="verse">Of myself no strength have I,</div> -<div class="verse">But God, my shield, is ever nigh.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_402" id="Ref_402" - href="#Foot_402">[402]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="side">=ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.=</p> - -<p>Thus, argued the doctors of the Sorbonne, the queen -imagines that sins are remitted gratuitously, no satisfaction -being required of sinners. 'Observe the foolish -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">{225}</a></span> -assurance,' said the syndic, 'into which the new -doctrine may bring souls. This is what we find in -the <i>Mirror</i>:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse quote1">'Not hell's black depth, nor heaven's vast height,</div> -<div class="verse">Nor sin with which I wage continual fight,</div> -<div class="verse">Me for a single day can move,</div> -<div class="verse">O holy Father, from thy perfect love.'<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_403" id="Ref_403" - href="#Foot_403">[403]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>This simple faith, supported by the promises of God, -scandalised the doctors. 'No one,' said they, 'can -promise himself anything certain as regards his own -salvation, unless he has learnt it by a special revelation -from God.' The council of Trent made this declaration -an article of faith. 'The queen,' continued her accuser, -'speaks as if she longed for nothing but heaven:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse quote1">'How beautiful is death,</div> -<div class="verse">That brings to weary me the hour of rest!</div> -<div class="verse">Oh! hear my cry and hasten, Lord, to me,</div> -<div class="verse">And put an end to all my misery.'<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_404" id="Ref_404" - href="#Foot_404">[404]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Some one having observed that the Queen of Navarre -had not appended her name to the title of her work, -her accuser replied: 'Wait until the end, the signature -is there;' and then he read the last line:</p> - - <p class="center">The good that he has done to me, his Margaret.<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_405" id="Ref_405" - href="#Foot_405">[405]</a></span></p> - -<p>In a short time insinuations and accusations against -the sister of the king were heard from every pulpit. -Here a monk made his hearers shudder as he described -Margaret's wicked <i>heresies</i>; and there another tried to -make them laugh. 'These things,' says Theodore -Beza, 'irritated the Sorbonne extremely, and especially -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">{226}</a></span> -Beda and those of his temper, and they could not -refrain from attacking the Queen of Navarre in their -sermons.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_406" id="Ref_406" href="#Foot_406">[406]</a></span></p> - -<p>Other circumstances excited the anger of the monks. -Margaret did not love them. Monachism was one of -the institutions which the reformers wished to see disappear -from the Church, and the Queen of Navarre, in -spite of her conservative character, did not desire to -preserve it. The numerous abuses of the monastic -life, the constraint with which its vows were often accompanied, -the mechanical vocation of most of the conventuals, -their idleness and sensuality, their practice -of mendicancy as a trade, their extravagant pretensions -to merit eternal life and to atone for their sins by -their discipline, their proud conviction that they had -attained a piety which went beyond the exigencies of -the divine law, the discredit which the monastic institution -cast upon the institutions appointed by God, on -marriage, family, labour, and the state politic; finally, -the bodily observances and macerations set above that -living charity which proceeds from faith, and above -the fruits of the Spirit of God in man:—all these -things were, according to the reformers, entirely -opposed to the doctrine of the Gospel.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE'S TALES.=</p> - -<p>Margaret went further still. She had not spared the -monks, but on the contrary had scourged them soundly. -If Erasmus and Ulrich von Hutten had overwhelmed -them with ridicule, the Queen of Navarre had in -several tales depicted their grovelling character and -dissolute life. She had, indeed, as yet communicated -these stories to few besides her brother and mother, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">{227}</a></span> -and never intended publishing them; but, some -copies having been circulated among the attendants -of the court, a few leaves had fallen into the hands -of the monks, and this was the cause of their anger. -Margaret, like many others of her time, was mistaken—such -at least is our opinion—as to the manner in -which the vices of the monasteries ought to be combated. -Following the example of Menot, the most -famous preacher of the middle ages, she had described -faithfully, unaffectedly, and sometimes too broadly -the avarice, debauchery, pride, and other vices of the -convents. She had done better than this, however; to -the silly nonsense and indecent discourses of the grey -friars she had opposed the simple, severe, and spiritual -teaching of the Gospel. 'They are moral tales,' -says a contemporary author (who is not over favourable -to Margaret); 'they often <i>degenerate</i> into real -sermons, so that each story is in truth only the <i>preface -to a homily</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_407" id="Ref_407" href="#Foot_407">[407]</a></span> -After a narrative in illustration of -human frailty, Margaret begins her application thus: -'Know that the first step man takes in confidence in -himself, by so much he diverges from confidence in -God.' After describing a false miracle by which an -incestuous monk had tried to deceive Margaret's -father, the Count of Angoulême, she added: 'His faith -was proof against these external miracles. We have -but one Saviour who, by saying <i>consummatum est</i> (it -is finished), showed that we must wait for no successor -to work out our salvation.' No one but the monks -thought, in the sixteenth century, of being scandalised -by these tales. There was then a freedom of language -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">{228}</a></span> -which is impossible in our times; and everybody felt -that if the queen faithfully painted the disorders of the -monks and other classes of society, she was equally -faithful in describing the strict morality of her own -principles and the living purity of her faith. It was -her daughter, the austere Jeanne d'Albret, who published -the first correct edition of these <i>Novels</i>; and -certainly she would not have done so, if such a publication -had been likely to injure her mother's memory.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_408" id="Ref_408" href="#Foot_408">[408]</a></span> -But times have changed; the book, harmless then, is so -no longer; in our days the tales will be read and the sermons -passed over: the youth of our generation would -only derive harm from them. We acquit the author as -regards her intentions, but we condemn her work. And -(apologising to the friends of letters who will accuse -us of barbarism) if we had to decide on the fate of -this book, we would willingly see it experience a fate -similar to that which is spoken of in the Bible, where -we are told that <i>many Corinthians brought their books -together and burned them</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_409" id="Ref_409" href="#Foot_409">[409]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE MIRROR SEIZED BY THE SORBONNE.=</p> - -<p>Let us return to the <i>Mirror</i>, in which the pious soul -of Margaret is reflected.</p> - -<p>The Faculty decided that the first thing to be done -was to search every bookseller's shop in the city and -seize all the copies found there.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_410" id="Ref_410" href="#Foot_410">[410]</a></span> -Here Beda disappeared: -he no longer played the principal part. It -is probable that the proceedings against him had -already begun; but this persecution, by removing its -leader, helped to increase the anger of the Romish -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">{229}</a></span> -party, and consequently the efforts of the Sorbonne -to ruin the Queen of Navarre. As Beda was absent, -the priest Le Clerq was ordered to make the search. -Accompanied by the university beadles, he went to -every bookseller's shop, seized the <i>Mirror of the Sinful -Soul</i>, wherever the tradesman had not put it out -of sight, and returned to the Sorbonne laden with his -spoils. After this the Faculty deliberated upon the -measures to be taken against the author.</p> - -<p>This was no easy matter: they knew that the king, so -hasty and violent, had much esteem and affection for -his sister. The most prudent members of the Faculty -hesitated. Their hesitation exasperated the monks, -and the rage with which the more fanatical were -seized extended even to the provinces. A meeting -of the religious orders was held at Issoudun in Berry -to discuss what ought to be done. The superior of -the grey friars, an impetuous, rash, and hardly sane -person, spoke louder than all the rest. 'Let us have -less ceremony,' he exclaimed; 'put the Queen of -Navarre in a sack and throw her into the river.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_411" id="Ref_411" href="#Foot_411">[411]</a></span> -This speech, which circulated over France, having -been reported to the Sorbonne doctors, alarmed them, -and many counselled a less violent persecution, to -which a Dominican friar answered: 'Do not be -afraid; we shall not be alone in attacking this heretical -princess, for the grand-master is her mortal -enemy.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_412" id="Ref_412" href="#Foot_412">[412]</a></span></p> - -<p>Montmorency, who next to Francis was now the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">{230}</a></span> -most important personage in the kingdom, concealed -under the cloak of religion a cruel heart and peevish -disposition, and was feared by everybody, even by his -friends. If he were gained over, the Queen of Navarre, -attacked simultaneously by the priestly and -the political party, must necessarily fall.</p> - -<p>Margaret supported these insults with admirable -mildness. At this very time she was carrying on an -almost daily correspondence with Montmorency, and -subscribed all her letters: '<i>Your good aunt and friend</i>.' -Full of confidence in this perfidious man, she called -on him to defend her. 'Dear nephew,' she wrote, 'I beg -you to believe that, as I am just now away from the -king, it is necessary for you to help me in this matter. -<i>I rely upon you</i>; and in this trust, which I am sure -can never fail me, confides your good aunt and friend, -Margaret.' The queen made some allusion to the -violent language of the monks, but with great good-humour. -'I have desired the bearer,' she said, 'to -speak to you about <i>certain nonsense</i> that a Jacobin -monk has uttered in the faculty of theology.' This -was all: she did not make use of one bitter word.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_413" id="Ref_413" href="#Foot_413">[413]</a></span> -Montmorency, that imperious courtier who before -long persecuted the protestants without mercy, began -to think himself strong enough to ruin Margaret, and -we shall soon see what was the result of his perfidious -insinuations. The Sorbonne deliberated as to what -was to be done. According to the decrees of Sixtus -IV. and Alexander VI., no books, treatises, or writings -whatsoever<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_414" id="Ref_414" href="#Foot_414">[414]</a></span> -could be printed without an express -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">{231}</a></span> -authorisation; but the Queen of Navarre had printed -her book without any such permission. The society, -without pretending to know the author, declared the -<i>Mirror of the Sinful Soul</i> prohibited, and put it in the -<i>Index Librorum Prohibitorum</i>.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE PRIESTS' COMEDY.=</p> - -<p>This was not enough. The priests excited the -students; but while the former were playing a tragedy, -the latter (or rather their teachers) resorted to -satire. The scholars of the college of Navarre, who -passed from the grammar to the logic class, were -in the habit of giving a dramatic representation on the -1st of October. The clerical heads of the college, -wishing to render the queen hateful to the people and -ridiculous to the court, composed a drama. The -parts were distributed among the pupils; the rehearsals -began, and those who were admitted to them -agreed that the author had so seasoned the plot with -gall and vinegar, that success was certain.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_415" id="Ref_415" href="#Foot_415">[415]</a></span> -The report -spread through the Latin quarter: and even -Calvin heard of it, for he kept himself well informed -of all that took place in the schools. While applying -himself constantly to the work of God, he kept watch -also upon the work of the adversary. There was so -much talk about this play, that, when the day of the -representation arrived, there was a rush for admission, -and the hall was crammed. The monks and theologians -took their seats in front, and the curtain rose.</p> - -<p>A queen, magnificently dressed and sitting calmly -on the stage, was spinning, and seemed to be thinking -of nothing but her wheel. 'It is the king's sister,' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">{232}</a></span> -said the spectators; 'and she would do well to keep -to her distaff.'</p> - -<p>Next a strange character appeared: it was a woman -dressed in white, carrying a torch and looking fiercely -around her. Everybody recognised the fury Megæra. -'That is Master Gerard,' they said, 'the almoner of -the king's sister.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_416" id="Ref_416" href="#Foot_416">[416]</a></span> -Megæra, advancing cautiously, -drew near the queen with the intention of withdrawing -her from her peaceful feminine occupation, and -making her lay aside her distaff. She did not show -her enmity openly, but came slily forward, putting on -a smiling look, as if bringing additional light. She -walked round and round the queen, and endeavoured -to divert her attention by placing the torch boldly -before her eyes.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_417" id="Ref_417" href="#Foot_417">[417]</a></span></p> - -<p>At first the princess takes no heed, but continues -spinning; at length, alas! she stops and permits -herself to be attracted by the false light -before her; she gives way, she quits her wheel.... -Megæra has conquered, and in exchange for the -distaff she places the Gospel in the queen's hand.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_418" id="Ref_418" href="#Foot_418">[418]</a></span> -The effect is magical; in a moment the queen is -transformed. She was meek, she becomes cruel; she -forgets her former virtuous habits; she rises, and, -glaring around with savage eyes, takes up a pen -to write out her sanguinary orders, and personally -inflicts cruel tortures on her wretched victims. Scenes -still more outrageous than these follow. The sensation -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">{233}</a></span> -was universal! 'Such are the fruits of the Gospel!' -said some of the spectators. 'It entices men away -to novelties and folly; it robs the king of the devoted -affection of his subjects, and devastates both Church -and State.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_419" id="Ref_419" href="#Foot_419">[419]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SUCCESS OF THE COMEDY.=</p> - -<p>At last the play was ended. The Sorbonne exulted; -the Queen of Navarre, who had formerly lashed the -priests and monks, was now scourged by them in -return.</p> - -<p>Shouts of approbation rose from every bench, and -the theologians clapped the piece with all their might; -such applause as that of these reverend doctors had -never been heard before.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_420" id="Ref_420" href="#Foot_420">[420]</a></span> -There were, however, a few -reasonable men to whom such a satire written against -the king's sister appeared unbecoming. 'The authors -have used neither veil nor figure of speech,' they -said: 'the queen is openly and disgracefully insulted -in the play.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_421" id="Ref_421" href="#Foot_421">[421]</a></span> -The monks, finding they had gone -too far, wished to hush up the matter; but in a short -time the whole city was full of it, and a few days -after a mischievous friend went and spoke of it at -court, describing the whole play, scene after scene, to -the queen herself.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_422" id="Ref_422" href="#Foot_422">[422]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Sorbonne, the highest authority in the Church -after the pope, had struck the first blow; the second -had been given in the colleges; the third was to be -aimed at Margaret by the court. By ruining this -princess in the eyes of her brother, the enemies of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">{234}</a></span> -the Reformation would cause her the most unutterable -sorrow, for she almost adored Francis. Afterwards -they would get her banished to the mountains -of Béarn. Montmorency lent himself to this intrigue; -he advanced prudently, speaking to the king about -heresy, of the dangers it was bringing upon France, -and of the obligation to free the kingdom from it for -the salvation of souls. Then, appearing to hesitate, -he added: 'It is true, Sire, that if you wish to extirpate -the heretics, you must begin with the Queen of -Navarre.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_423" id="Ref_423" href="#Foot_423">[423]</a></span> -... And here he stopped.</p> - -<p>Margaret was not informed of this perfidious proceeding -immediately; but everybody told her that if -she allowed the impertinence of the monks and the -condemnation of the Sorbonne to pass unpunished, she -would encourage their malice. She communicated -what had taken place to her brother, declared herself -to be the author of the <i>Mirror</i>, and insisted on the -fact that it contained nothing but pious sentiments, -and did not attack the doctrines of the Church: -'None of us,' she said, 'have been found <i>sacramentarians</i>.' -Finally, she demanded that the condemnation -by the theological faculty should be rescinded, -and the college of Navarre called to account.</p> - -<p class="side">=CHRISTIANS MADE A SHOW.=</p> - -<p>Calvin watched the whole business very closely; -it might almost be said, after reading his letter, that -he had been among the spectators. He censured the -behaviour of both scholars and masters.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_424" id="Ref_424" href="#Foot_424">[424]</a></span> -'Christians,' -he said later, 'are made a show of, as when in -a triumph the poor prisoners are paraded through the -city before being taken to prison and strangled. But -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">{235}</a></span> -the spectacle made of believers is no hindrance to -their happiness, for in the presence of God they -remain in possession of glory, and the Spirit of God -gives them a witness who dwells steadfast in their -hearts.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_425" id="Ref_425" href="#Foot_425">[425]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_397" id="Foot_397" href="#Ref_397">[397]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, pp. 847-849.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_398" id="Foot_398" href="#Ref_398">[398]</a> -Sainte-Marthe, <i>Oraison funèbre de Marguerite</i>, p. 45.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_399" id="Foot_399" href="#Ref_399">[399]</a> -The first edition of the <i>Miroir de l'Ame pécheresse</i>, was published at -Alençon, by Simon Dubois.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_400" id="Foot_400" href="#Ref_400">[400]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, i. p. 8. Génin, <i>Notice sur -Marguerite d'Angoulême</i>, p. iii. Freer, <i>Life of Marguerite d'Angoulême</i>, -ii. p. 112.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_401" id="Foot_401" href="#Ref_401">[401]</a> -<i>Les Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. p. 60.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_402" id="Foot_402" href="#Ref_402">[402]</a> -Ibid. p. 63.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_403" id="Foot_403" href="#Ref_403">[403]</a> -<i>Les Marguerites</i>, i. p. 65.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_404" id="Foot_404" href="#Ref_404">[404]</a> -Ibid. pp. 51, 57.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_405" id="Foot_405" href="#Ref_405">[405]</a> -Ibid. p. 70.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_406" id="Foot_406" href="#Ref_406">[406]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Eglises Réformées</i>, i. pp. 8, 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_407" id="Foot_407" href="#Ref_407">[407]</a> -Génin, <i>Notice sur Marguerite d'Angoulême</i>, p. 95, preceding her -letters.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_408" id="Foot_408" href="#Ref_408">[408]</a> -<i>Marguerite de Valois, Reine de Navarre, étude historique</i>, 1861.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_409" id="Foot_409" href="#Ref_409">[409]</a> -Acts xix. 19.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_410" id="Foot_410" href="#Ref_410">[410]</a> -'Quum excuterent officinas bibliopolarum.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 2; -Genève, 1617.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_411" id="Foot_411" href="#Ref_411">[411]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 282. Freer, <i>Life of Marguerite</i>, -ii. p. 118. Castaigne, <i>Notice sur Marguerite</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_412" id="Foot_412" href="#Ref_412">[412]</a> -Lettre de la Reine Marguerite à Montmorency. <i>Lettres de la Reine -de Navarre</i>, i. p. 282.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_413" id="Foot_413" href="#Ref_413">[413]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. pp. 282, 283.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_414" id="Foot_414" href="#Ref_414">[414]</a> -'Libri, tractatus aut scripturæ quæcunque.'—Raynald, <i>Annales -Eccl.</i> xix. p. 514.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_415" id="Foot_415" href="#Ref_415">[415]</a> -'Fabula felle et aceto, ut ait ille, plusquam mordaci conspersa.'—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_416" id="Foot_416" href="#Ref_416">[416]</a> -The word <i>Megæra</i> is made up of the first syllables of <i>Magister -Gerardus</i>. 'Megæram appellant alludens ad nomen Magistri Gerardi.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_417" id="Foot_417" href="#Ref_417">[417]</a> -'Tunc Megæra illi faces admovens, ut acus et colum abjiceret.'—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_418" id="Foot_418" href="#Ref_418">[418]</a> -'Evangelia in manus recepit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_419" id="Foot_419" href="#Ref_419">[419]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, p. 844.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_420" id="Foot_420" href="#Ref_420">[420]</a> -'Mirabiliter applaudentibus theologis.'—Sturmius Bucero.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_421" id="Foot_421" href="#Ref_421">[421]</a> -'Quam non figurate, nec obscure, conviciis suis proscindebant.—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_422" id="Foot_422" href="#Ref_422">[422]</a> -'Re ad reginam delata.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_423" id="Foot_423" href="#Ref_423">[423]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 58.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_424" id="Foot_424" href="#Ref_424">[424]</a> -'Indigna prorsus ea muliere.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_425" id="Foot_425" href="#Ref_425">[425]</a> -Calvini <i>Opp.</i> passim.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">{236}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">TRIUMPH OF THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">FRANCIS was not at Paris when the storm broke -out against his sister. In the summer of 1533, -says the chronicle, 'the king visited his states and -lordships of Languedoc, and made his triumphal -entry into the city of Toulouse.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_426" id="Ref_426" href="#Foot_426">[426]</a></span> -It was by letter, -therefore, that he heard of what was taking place. -All were asking what he would do. On the one hand, -he had a great affection for the queen; but, on the -other, he did not like his tranquillity to be disturbed; -he protected learning, but he detested the Gospel. -His better self gained the upper hand; his hatred of -the absurdities of the monks was aroused; his great -susceptibility made him take the affronts offered to -his sister as if they had been offered to himself; and -one after another he gave Margaret's enemies a forcible -lesson.</p> - -<p>The first whom he taught his place was Montmorency. -When the latter endeavoured to instil his -perfidious insinuations into the king's mind, Francis -silenced him: 'Not a word more about it,' he said: -'she is too fond of me to take up with any religion that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">{237}</a></span> -will injure my kingdom.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_427" id="Ref_427" href="#Foot_427">[427]</a></span> -Margaret was informed -subsequently of the attempt of the grand-master, -'whom she never liked more,' adds Brantôme.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE FRANCISCAN FRIAR.=</p> - -<p>The second to feel the king's hand was the prior -of the Franciscans who had proposed to sew Margaret -in a sack and throw her into the Seine. 'Let -him suffer the punishment he desired to inflict upon -the queen,' he exclaimed. On hearing of this sentence -the monks became irritated, and the populace, -according to one historian, got up a riot. But the -queen interceded for the wretch, and his life was -spared; he was simply deprived of his ecclesiastical -dignities and sent to the galleys for two years.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_428" id="Ref_428" href="#Foot_428">[428]</a></span></p> - -<p>The play represented against the queen, as well as -the priests who had composed it and superintended -the representation, next engaged the king's attention; -he resolved not to spare them, and at the least to put -them in a terrible fright. He issued his orders, and -immediately the lieutenant of police marched out and -appeared at the head of a hundred archers before the -college of Navarre.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_429" id="Ref_429" href="#Foot_429">[429]</a></span> -'Surround the building,' he -said, 'so that no one can escape.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_430" id="Ref_430" href="#Foot_430">[430]</a></span> -The archers did -as they were ordered. For this narrative we are -again indebted to Calvin, who continued to take the -deepest interest in the whole affair. The orders of -the lieutenant were not executed without noise, and -some of the professors and pupils, attracted to the -windows, had watched the movements of the municipal -officers. The author of the drama, who had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">{238}</a></span> -expected nothing like this, and who was very vain and -continually boasting of his pious exploit, happened to -be in the room of a friend, joking about the queen -and the famous comedy, when suddenly he heard an -unusual noise.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_431" id="Ref_431" href="#Foot_431">[431]</a></span> -He looked out, and, seeing the college -surrounded by soldiers, became alarmed and -confused. 'Hide me somewhere,' he exclaimed. He -was put in a place where it was supposed nobody -could find him: there are always good hiding-places -in colleges. 'Stay there,' said his friends, 'until we -find an opportunity for your escape.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_432" id="Ref_432" href="#Foot_432">[432]</a></span> -And then -the door was carefully shut.</p> - -<p class="side">=ARRESTS IN THE COLLEGE OF NAVARRE.=</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the lieutenant of police had entered -with a few of his archers, and demanded the surrender -of the author of the satire against the Queen of -Navarre. The head of the college, a man of distinction, -profound learning, and great influence, whom -Calvin styles 'the great Master Lauret,' and Sturm -'the king of the wise,' did not deserve his name. He -refused everything. Upon this, the sergeants began -to search the building for the culprit; and professors -and students were in great anxiety. But every nook -and corner was explored in vain; they found nothing.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_433" id="Ref_433" href="#Foot_433">[433]</a></span> -The lieutenant thereupon ordered his archers to lay -hands upon the actors in default of the author, and -he himself arrested one of the persons who had taken -a part in the play. This was the signal for a great -tumult. Master Lauret, knowing himself to be more -guilty than those youths, rushed upon the lieutenant -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">{239}</a></span> -and endeavoured to rescue the scholar;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_434" id="Ref_434" href="#Foot_434">[434]</a></span> -the students, -finding themselves supported by their chief, fell upon -the archers, and kicked and beat them, some even -pelting them with stones.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_435" id="Ref_435" href="#Foot_435">[435]</a></span> -There was a regular battle -in the college of Navarre. But the law prevailed at -last, and all the beardless actors fell into the hands of -the police.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant was bent on knowing the nature of -their offence. 'Now,' said he to the juvenile players, -'you will repeat before me what you said on the -stage.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_436" id="Ref_436" href="#Foot_436">[436]</a></span> -The unlucky youths were forced to obey; -in great confusion and hanging their heads, they repeated -all their impertinence. 'I have not done,' resumed -the lieutenant, turning to the head of the -college; 'since the author of the crime is concealed -from me, I must look to those who should have prevented -such insolence. Master Lauret, you will go -with me as well as these young scamps. As for you, -Master Morin (he was the second officer of the college), -you will keep your room.' He then departed -with his archers; Lauret was taken to the house of a -commissary, and the students were sent to prison.</p> - -<p>The most important affair still remained—the decision -come to by the Sorbonne against Margaret's -poem. The king, wishing to employ gentle means, -simply ordered the rector to ask the faculty if they -had really placed the <i>Mirror</i> in the list of condemned -books,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_437" id="Ref_437" href="#Foot_437">[437]</a></span> -and in that case to be good enough to point -out what they saw to blame in it. To the rector, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">{240}</a></span> -therefore, was confided the management of the affair. -A new rector had been elected a few days before -(10th of October); and whether the university perceived -in what direction the wind was blowing, or -wished to show its hostility to the enemies of the -light, or desired to court the king's favour by promoting -the son of one of his favourites, the chief -physician to the court, they had elected, in spite of -the faculty of theology, Nicholas Cop, a particular -friend of Calvin's. 'Wonderful!' said the friends of -the Gospel: 'the king and his sister, the rector of -the university, and even, as some say, the Bishop of -Paris, lean to the side of the Word of God; how can -France fail to be reformed?'</p> - -<p>The new rector took the affair vigorously in hand. -Won over to the Gospel by Calvin, he had learnt, in -conversation with his friend, that sin is the great -disease, the loss of eternal life the great death, and -Jesus Christ the great physician. He was impatient -to meet the enemies of the Reform, and the king -gave him the desired opportunity.... He had several -conversations with Calvin on the subject, and convened -the four faculties on the 24th of October, 1532. The -Bishop of Senlis, the king's confessor, read his Majesty's -letter to them; after which the youthful rector, the -organ of the new times, began to speak, and, full of the -ardour which a recent conversion gives, he delivered -(Calvin tells us) a long and severe speech,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_438" id="Ref_438" href="#Foot_438">[438]</a></span> -a christian -philippic, confounding the conspirators who were plotting -against the Word of God. 'Licence is always -criminal,' he said; 'but what is it when those who -violate the laws are those whose duty it is to teach -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">{241}</a></span> -others to observe them?... Now what have they done? -They have attacked an excellent woman, who is alike -the patroness of sound learning and mother of every -virtue.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_439" id="Ref_439" href="#Foot_439">[439]</a></span> -They penetrate into the sanctuary of the -family of our kings, and encroach upon the sovereign -majesty... What presumptuous temerity, what imprudent -audacity!... The laws of propriety, the laws -of the realm, the laws of God even, have all been violated -by these impudent men... They are seditious -and rebellious subjects.' Then turning to the faculty -of theology, the rector continued: 'Put an end, Sirs, -to these foolish and arrogant manners; or else, if -you have not committed the offence, do not bear the -responsibility. Do you desire to encourage the malice -of those who, ever ready to perpetrate the most -criminal acts, wipe their mouths afterwards and say: -"It is not I who did it! it is the university!" while -the university knows nothing about it?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_440" id="Ref_440" href="#Foot_440">[440]</a></span> -Do not mix -yourselves up in a matter so full of danger, or ... -beware of the terrible anger of the king.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_441" id="Ref_441" href="#Foot_441">[441]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE SORBONNE DISAVOWS ITS ACT.=</p> - -<p>This speech, the terror inspired by the king's name, -and the recollection of Beda's imprisonment, disturbed -the assembly. The theologians, who were all guilty, -basely abandoned their colleague, who had only carried -out a general resolution, and exclaimed unanimously: -'We must disavow the rash deed.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_442" id="Ref_442" href="#Foot_442">[442]</a></span> -The four faculties -declared they had not authorised the act of which the -king complained, and the whole responsibility fell on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">{242}</a></span> -Le Clerq, curé of St. André, who had taken the most -active part in the matter. He was the Jonah to be -thrown into the sea.</p> - -<p>Le Clerq was very indignant. He had gone up and -down the city in the sight of everybody, he had ransacked -the booksellers' shops to lay hold of the heretical -<i>Mirror</i>; the booksellers, if necessary, could depose -against him; but when he found himself abandoned by -those who had urged him on, he was filled with anger -and contempt. Still, he endeavoured to escape the -danger that threatened him, and seeing among the -audience several officers of the court, he said in French, -so that all might understand him: 'In what words, -Sirs, can I sufficiently extol the king's justice?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_443" id="Ref_443" href="#Foot_443">[443]</a></span> -Who can describe with what unshaken fidelity this great -prince has on all occasions shown himself the valiant -defender of the faith?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_444" id="Ref_444" href="#Foot_444">[444]</a></span> -I know that misguided men<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_445" id="Ref_445" href="#Foot_445">[445]</a></span> -are endeavouring to pervert the king's mind, and conspiring -the ruin of this holy faculty; but I have a firm -conviction that their manœuvres will fail against his -majesty's heroic firmness. I am proud of the resistance -I make them. And yet I have done nothing of -myself; I was delegated by an order of the university -for the duty I have fulfilled.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_446" id="Ref_446" href="#Foot_446">[446]</a></span> -And do you imagine -that in discharging it, I had any desire to get up a plot -against an august princess whose morals are so holy, -whose religion is so pure,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_447" id="Ref_447" href="#Foot_447">[447]</a></span> -as she proved not long ago -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">{243}</a></span> -by the respect with which she paid the last honours to -her illustrious mother? I consider such obscene productions -as <i>Pantagruel</i> ought to be prohibited; but I -place the <i>Mirror</i> simply among the suspected books, -because it was published without the approbation of the -faculty. If that is a crime, we are all guilty—you, -gentlemen,' he said, turning towards his colleagues, -'you as well as myself, although you disavow me.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_448" id="Ref_448" href="#Foot_448">[448]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE UNIVERSITY APOLOGISES.=</p> - -<p>This speech, so embarrassing to the doctors of the -faculty, secured the triumph of the queen. 'Sirs,' -said the king's confessor, 'I have read the inculpated -volume, and there is really nothing to blot out of it, -unless I have forgotten all my theology.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_449" id="Ref_449" href="#Foot_449">[449]</a></span> -I call, -therefore, for a decree that shall fully satisfy her -majesty.' The rector now rose again and said: 'The -university neither recognises nor approves of the censure -passed upon this book. We will write to the -king, and pray him to accept the apology of the -university.' Thereupon the meeting broke up.</p> - -<p>Thus did Margaret, the friend of the reformers, -come out victorious from this attack of the monks. -'This matter,' says Beza, 'somewhat cowed the fury -of our masters (<i>magistri</i>), and greatly strengthened -the small number of believers.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_450" id="Ref_450" href="#Foot_450">[450]</a></span> -The clear and striking -account which Calvin has left us, has enabled us -to watch the quarrel in all its phases. As we read -it, we cannot help regretting that the reformer did not -sometimes employ his noble talents in writing history.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_451" id="Ref_451" href="#Foot_451">[451]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">{244}</a></div> - -<p>An astonishing change was taking place in France. -Calvin and Francis appeared to be almost walking -together. Calvin watched with an observing eye the -movements of men's minds, and his lofty understanding -delighted in tracing out the approaching consequences. -What did he see in the year 1533? The -different classes of society are in motion; men of the -world begin to speak more freely;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_452" id="Ref_452" href="#Foot_452">[452]</a></span> -students, with the -impetuosity of youth, are rushing towards the light; -many young professors perceive that Scripture is -above the pope; one of his most intimate friends is at -the head of the university; the fanatical doctors are in -exile; and the most influential men both in Church and -State are favourable to the Reform. The Bishop of -Senlis, confessor to the king; John du Bellay, Bishop -of Paris, who possesses the king's entire confidence; -his brother William, one of the greatest men in France, -seem all to be placing themselves at the service of -evangelical truth. William du Bellay, in particular, -excited the greatest hopes among the reformers at this -time; they entertained, indeed, exaggerated ideas -about him. As Berquin was no more, and Calvin -had hardly appeared, it was Du Bellay, in their opinion, -who would reform France. 'O that the Lord would -raise up many heroes like him!' said the pious Bucer; -'then should we see Christ's kingdom appearing with -the splendour of the sun.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_453" id="Ref_453" href="#Foot_453">[453]</a></span> -The Sire de Langey -(William du Bellay) is ready to suffer everything for -Jesus Christ.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_454" id="Ref_454" href="#Foot_454">[454]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">{245}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=REFORM MOVEMENT IN FRANCE.=</p> - -<p>The most earnest men believed in the salutary -influences which the Reformation would exert. In -fact, by awakening the conscience and reviving faith, -it was to be a principle of order and liberty; and -the religious activity which it called into existence -could not but be favourable to education and morality, -and even to agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. -If Francis I. had turned to the Gospel, the noblest -minds would have followed him, and France would -have enjoyed days of peace and marvellous prosperity.</p> - -<p>Among the enlightened men of whom we are speaking, -we must include Philip de Chabot, seignior of -Brion, admiral of France, a favourite with the king, -and inclined to the cause of the Reform;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_455" id="Ref_455" href="#Foot_455">[455]</a></span> -Maure Musée, groom of the chamber, also won over to the -Gospel; and the pious Dame de Cany, who influenced -her sister, the Duchess of Etampes, in favour of the -reformed.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_456" id="Ref_456" href="#Foot_456">[456]</a></span> -That frivolous woman was far from being -converted; but if the Reform was reproached with the -protection she afforded it, the evangelicals called to -mind that Marcia, mistress to the Emperor Commodus, -as the duchess was to the king, had protected the -early christians, and primitive Christianity was none -the less respected for it.</p> - -<p>Calvin did not place his hope in the powers of the -world: 'Our wall of brass,' he said, 'is to have God -propitious to us. <i>If God be for us</i>—that is our only -support. There is no power under heaven or above -which can withstand his arm, and having him for -our defender we need fear no evil.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_457" id="Ref_457" href="#Foot_457">[457]</a></span> -And yet the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">{246}</a></span> -blows which Francis I. had warded from the head of -the queen were to fall upon Cop and Calvin himself. -But before we come to these persecutions, we must -follow the king, who, quitting Toulouse and Montpellier, -proceeded to Marseilles to meet the pope.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_426" id="Foot_426" href="#Ref_426">[426]</a> -<i>Chronique du Roi François I.</i> p. 98.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_427" id="Foot_427" href="#Ref_427">[427]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 88.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_428" id="Foot_428" href="#Ref_428">[428]</a> -Castaigne, <i>Notice sur Marguerite</i>. Freer, <i>Life of Marguerite</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_429" id="Foot_429" href="#Ref_429">[429]</a> -'Prætor stipatus centum apparitoribus gymnasium adit.'—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_430" id="Foot_430" href="#Ref_430">[430]</a> -'Suis jussis domum circumcidere, ne quis elaberetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_431" id="Foot_431" href="#Ref_431">[431]</a> -'Sed cum forte in amici cubiculo esset, tumultum prius exaudisse.'—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_432" id="Foot_432" href="#Ref_432">[432]</a> -'E quibus per occasionem fugeret.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_433" id="Foot_433" href="#Ref_433">[433]</a> -'Autor sceleris deprehendi non poterat.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_434" id="Foot_434" href="#Ref_434">[434]</a> -'Dum vult obsistere gymnasiarcha.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_435" id="Foot_435" href="#Ref_435">[435]</a> -'Lapides a nonnullis pueris conjecti sunt.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_436" id="Foot_436" href="#Ref_436">[436]</a> -'Quod pro scena recitassent jussit repetere.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_437" id="Foot_437" href="#Ref_437">[437]</a> -'Improbatæ religionis.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_438" id="Foot_438" href="#Ref_438">[438]</a> -'Longa et acerba oratione.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_439" id="Foot_439" href="#Ref_439">[439]</a> -'In reginam virtutum omnium et bonarum literarum matrem arma -sumere.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_440" id="Foot_440" href="#Ref_440">[440]</a> -'Ut dicant Academiam fecisse.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_441" id="Foot_441" href="#Ref_441">[441]</a> -'Ne se immiscerent tanto discrimini, ne regis iram experiri vellent.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_442" id="Foot_442" href="#Ref_442">[442]</a> -'Omnium sententia fuit factum abjurandum.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_443" id="Foot_443" href="#Ref_443">[443]</a> -'Magnificis verbis regis integritatem.'—Calvini <i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_444" id="Foot_444" href="#Ref_444">[444]</a> -'Fidei animosum protectorem.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_445" id="Foot_445" href="#Ref_445">[445]</a> -'Aliquos sinistros homines.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_446" id="Foot_446" href="#Ref_446">[446]</a> -'Se quidem fuisse delegatum Academiæ decreto.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_447" id="Foot_447" href="#Ref_447">[447]</a> -'Fœminam tam sanctis moribus, tam pura religione præditam.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_448" id="Foot_448" href="#Ref_448">[448]</a> -'Omnes esse culpæ affines, si qua esset, quantumvis abnegarent.'—Calvini -<i>Epp.</i> p. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_449" id="Foot_449" href="#Ref_449">[449]</a> -'Nisi oblitus esset suæ theologiæ.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_450" id="Foot_450" href="#Ref_450">[450]</a> -Théodore de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_451" id="Foot_451" href="#Ref_451">[451]</a> -This letter is the first in the collection published by Theodore Beza, -and will be the tenth in that to be published by Dr. Bonnet.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_452" id="Foot_452" href="#Ref_452">[452]</a> -'Omnes cœperunt loqui liberius.'—Bucer to Blaarer. Strasburg -MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_453" id="Foot_453" href="#Ref_453">[453]</a> -'Dominus excitet multos isti heroï similes.'—Bucer to Chelius, -quoted by Schmidt.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_454" id="Foot_454" href="#Ref_454">[454]</a> -'Quidvis pati pro Christo.'—Sturm to Bucer. Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_455" id="Foot_455" href="#Ref_455">[455]</a> -'Admiralius adest, qui unice nobis favet.'—Sturm to Bucer, quoted -by Schmidt.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_456" id="Foot_456" href="#Ref_456">[456]</a> -<i>Lettres de Jean Calvin</i>, i. p. 335, edit. J. Bonnet.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_457" id="Foot_457" href="#Ref_457">[457]</a> -Calvini <i>Opp.</i> passim.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">{247}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CATHERINE DE MEDICI GIVEN TO FRANCE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THIS interview of the pope with the king might be -more injurious to the Gospel than all the attacks -of the Sorbonne. If Clement united sincerely with -Francis against Charles; if Catherine de Medici became -the pledge of union between Rome and France; -would not the Reformation soon be buried by the -mournful glare of the pale torches of this fatal marriage? -Yet men still hoped that the projected interview -would not take place. In fact, Henry VIII. -and the emperor did all they could to prevent Francis -from meeting the pope.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_458" id="Ref_458" href="#Foot_458">[458]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE INTENDED MARRIAGE.=</p> - -<p>But Clement VII., more charmed than ever with -a matrimonial union between the family of the Florentine -merchants and that of St. Louis, cared naught for -the emperor or the king of England; and about the -end of April 1533, he convoked a sacred college at -Rome, to whom he communicated his plans. They -already knew something about them: the Roman cardinals -smiled and congratulated his Holiness, but the -Spanish cardinals looked very much out of humour. -The pope tried to persuade them that he only desired -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">{248}</a></span> -this marriage for the glory of God and of the Church. -'It is for <i>holy opportunities</i>,' he told them. No one -dared oppose it openly; but, on leaving the meeting, -the emperor's cardinals hurried to his ministers and -informed them of the pontifical communication. The -latter lost no time; they called upon all their friends, -managed them with great ability, and, by dint of energy -and stratagem, succeeded in holding a congregation at -the beginning of June, at which none of the French -cardinals were present. Not daring to oppose the -marriage itself, Charles's prelates displayed extreme -sensibility for the honour and welfare of the pope. -They appeared to be suddenly seized with a violent -affection for Clement. 'What! the pope in France!' -they exclaimed. 'Truly it must be something more -than the marriage of a niece to <i>move a pope from his -seat</i>.' Then, as if Clement's health was very precious -to them, and the Roman air excellent, the crafty -Spaniards brought forward sanitary reasons. 'Such -a journey would be dangerous, <i>considering the extreme -heat of Provence</i>.'—'Never mind that,' cunningly -answered the pope; 'I shall not start until after the -first rains.'</p> - -<p class="side">=IMPERIAL OBSTACLES.=</p> - -<p>Charles then sought other means to prevent the -conference. He will contrive that the pope shall delay -his departure from week to week, until the winter sets -in, and then it is not to be thought of. A very natural -occasion for these delays presented itself. The marriage -of Henry VIII. with Anne Boleyn having been made -public, the emperor haughtily demanded that justice -should be done to the queen, his aunt. Here, certainly, -was matter enough to occupy the court of Rome for -months; but Clement, who had let the English business -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">{249}</a></span> -drag along for years, being eager to finish the <i>other</i> -marriage, hastily assembled a consistory, and pronounced -against Henry VIII. all the censures which -Charles V. demanded. Then, in his zeal forgetting -his usual cunning, he made Catherine's marriage the -peroration of his speech, and having done with England -and its king, he ended by saying: 'Gentlemen, -if any of you desire to make the voyage with me, you -must hold yourselves in readiness for departure.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_459" id="Ref_459" href="#Foot_459">[459]</a></span></p> - -<p>Immediate preparations were made for fitting up -the galleys of Rhodes in which the pope was to sail. -All was bustle in the harbour. Those long low barks -were supplied with everything necessary for subsistence, -for sailing, and even for attack and defence. -The oars were fixed in their places; the yards and -sails were set; the flags were hoisted.... Then the -imperialists, trying to outwit the pope, had recourse to -a new stratagem; they were smitten with a sudden -fondness for Coron.—'Coron, that city in the south -of Greece,' they said to the pope, 'a city of such great -importance to christendom, is attacked by the Turks; -we require the galleys of Rhodes to defend it; we must -deliver the Greeks our brothers from slavery, and -restore the empire of the East.'... The pope understood; -it was difficult to beat him in cunning. 'Well, -well,' said he, 'make haste; fly to the help of christendom.... -I will lend you the said galleys, and will add -my own ... and ... I will make the passage on board -the galleys of France.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_460" id="Ref_460" href="#Foot_460">[460]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the emperor turned to the Swiss; the Dukes of -Savoy and Milan, also, fearing that at the projected interview -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">{250}</a></span> -something would be <i>brewed</i> to their detriment, -united with him. These three princes attempted to -induce the catholic cantons to enter the Italian league. -If these terrible Helvetic bands pass the Alps, all idea -of travelling will be abandoned by the pope. How -could he expose himself to pikes and arquebuses? Clement VII. -had not the warlike disposition of Julius II. -'The King of France favours the protestants,' said -Charles's deputies to the catholic cantons; 'he desires -to put the evangelical cantons in a condition to avenge -the defeat at Cappel; but if you join us, you have -nothing to fear.' At these words the catholics became -eager<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_461" id="Ref_461" href="#Foot_461">[461]</a></span> -to enter the league against the king and the -pope; but Francis sent them money to keep quiet, and -they did not move.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_462" id="Ref_462" href="#Foot_462">[462]</a></span></p> - -<p>Were all his manœuvres to fail? Never had a marriage -been heard of against which so many obstacles -had been raised; but it was written in the book of -fate, said many; the arms forged against it could not -succeed; and the haughty Charles vainly agitated all -Europe—Swiss, Germans, Greeks, and Turks. His -ministers now had recourse to another stratagem. -Everybody knew that the pope was not brave. They -revived their tender affection for his person; and as -Switzerland was not to be tempted, they turned to -Africa. 'Let your Holiness beware,' they said; 'if -you undertake this voyage, you will certainly fall into -the hands of the Moors.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_463" id="Ref_463" href="#Foot_463">[463]</a></span> -... A fleet of pirates, lurking -behind the islands of Hyères, will suddenly appear, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">{251}</a></span> -fall on the ship in which you are sailing, and carry -you off.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_464" id="Ref_464" href="#Foot_464">[464]</a></span> -This time the pope was staggered. The -terror inspired by the barbarian ships was at that time -very great. To be carried away by the Moors! A -pope captive in Algiers or Tunis! What a dreadful -thought!</p> - -<p>Will he go or will he not? was the question -Europe set itself. But the matter was violently canvassed -at Rome, where Guelphs and Ghibelines almost -came to blows. Arguments for the marriage, and -consequently for the voyage, were not wanting. 'The -time has come,' said the papists, 'for a bold stroke to -prevent France from being lost like Germany and -England.' There were loud discussions in the convents -and churches, and even in the public places. A -Franciscan of the Low Countries, Herbom by name, -a monk of fiery fanaticism, stirred up the pontifical -city. 'Luther, Zwingle, and Œcolampadius,' he said, -'are soldiers of Pilate; they have crucified Jesus -Christ.... But, alas! alas! this crime is repeated -in our days ... at Paris. Yes, even at Paris, by -certain disciples of Erasmus.' It was clearly necessary -for the pope and his little niece to hasten to France, -in order to prevent what these blaspheming monks -dared to call the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE POPE DETERMINES TO GO.=</p> - -<p>At last Clement made up his mind. He would -brave the fury of the waves, and risk the attacks of -the corsairs, in order to conquer the <i>soldiers of Pilate</i> -and give a royal husband to his niece. The galleys -of France, commanded by the Duke of Albany, left -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">{252}</a></span> -Marseilles in September to fetch the pope, who had -gone to Pisa, making a boast, wherever he went, of the -most noble disinterestedness. 'I am going to this -interview,' he said, 'in order to procure the peace of -Europe, to prepare an expedition against the infidels, -to lead back the King of England to the right path, -and, in a word, solely for the interests of christendom.' -Then, after thus disguising himself, like the wolf in the -fable, under a borrowed dress, he showed the tip of -his ear, and begged the Duke of Albany to escort <i>their -common relative</i> to Nice, where she would wait for -further orders. The honour done to his family was -so great that doubts were continually arising in his -mind about the trustworthiness of the French king's -promises. He would not take his niece with him to -Marseilles, for fear he should have to bring her back. -He will see Francis alone first; he will speak to him -and sound him. Clement believed that his piercing -eye would read the king's heart to the very bottom. -When all his fears are removed, Catherine shall come -to France; but until then, she shall only go part of the -way.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_465" id="Ref_465" href="#Foot_465">[465]</a></span></p> - -<p>The young lady departed for Nice, and people said, -pointing to her as they saw her going on board ship: -'There is the real cause of the strange journey of a -pope to France! If it were a matter touching the -safety of the Church, Clement would not do so much; -but it is to place a Medici beside a throne, and -perhaps set her upon it.'... The French fleet put to -sea: the ship, on whose mainmast the standard of -France had been hoisted, exhibited a sight at once gay -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">{253}</a></span> -and sad. Beneath the flags and banners, at the side -of the Duke of Albany, and in the midst of a brilliant -retinue, might be seen a kind of little fairy, who was -then making her first appearance in the world. She -was a young creature, of middle stature, with sparkling -eyes and bell-like voice, who appeared to possess -some supernatural power, and singularly fascinated -every one that came near her. Her enchantments -and her philtres were the subtle poison on which the -papacy relied for destroying heresy. This child, -between thirteen and fourteen years of age, skipped -with joy about the stately ship. 'I am going to be -the daughter-in-law of the glorious King of France,' -she said to herself. Death, with whom this strange -creature seemed to have made a secret and terrible -treaty, was in truth erelong to raise her to the summit -of power. The galleys of Albany, after having conveyed -<i>the girl</i> to Nice (it is Guicciardini's word), -returned to Leghorn, the port of Pisa, and on the 4th -of October the pope, with the cardinals and all his -household, put to sea.</p> - -<p class="side">=PAPAL PLANS, FRENCH HOPES.=</p> - -<p>The papal fleet, all fluttering with banners, had a -smooth passage.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_466" id="Ref_466" href="#Foot_466">[466]</a></span> -Clement could without interruption -meditate on a thousand different projects. Marry -Catherine to the son of the King of France; free himself, -thanks to the support of this prince, from the -patronage of the emperor whom he detested; put off -indefinitely the council which Charles had been so -bold as to promise to the protestants; and finally -crush the Reformation, both in France and elsewhere.... -Such were Clement's projects during the voyage. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">{254}</a></span> -Before leaving Rome, he had drawn up (1st of September) -a bull against the heretics; he had it on board -the ship, and he purposed demanding its immediate -execution from Francis, as a wedding present. The -winds blew softly in the direction of Marseilles; all -congratulated themselves on the beauty of the passage; -but this fleet, in appearance so inoffensive, which -glided so smoothly over the waters of the Mediterranean, -carried, like the bark of Ulysses, stores of -future tempests.</p> - -<p>Opinions were much divided in France about the -pope's voyage. If Clement satisfied Francis, the -Reform was ruined; if he thwarted the king, France -would follow the example of England. Everybody -admitted the hypothesis that pleased him best. -'Francis and Clement,' said the reformed, 'follow -such opposite courses, that it is impossible for them -to coincide.'—'The king and the pope,' said the ultramontanists, -'are about to be united by indissoluble -bonds, and popery will be restored in France in all -its exclusive supremacy.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_467" id="Ref_467" href="#Foot_467">[467]</a></span> -There were however some -of the school of Erasmus who remained in doubt. 'As -for me,' wrote Professor Sturm to Bucer, 'I desire -much that popery should be overthrown, but ... I -fear greatly that it will be restored.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_468" id="Ref_468" href="#Foot_468">[468]</a></span> -Sturm did -not compromise himself. To which side will Marseilles -make Francis I. incline? Historians have decided -that he was won over to Rome; but after hearing -the historians, we must listen to history. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">{255}</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE POPE AT MARSEILLES.=</p> - -<p>At the beginning of October 1533, the ancient city -of the Phocæans was in a state of great excitement; -the King of France and the pope were coming; what -an honour! It is well known that the inhabitants of -that city are quick, enthusiastic, and fond of show -and parade. Watchmen had been placed on the -highest points to telegraph the approaching fleet. At -length, on the 4th of October, the castles of If and -Notre Dame de la Garde suddenly gave the looked-for -signals. One cry only was heard in the streets of -Marseilles: 'The flotilla with the pope on board has -come in sight.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_469" id="Ref_469" href="#Foot_469">[469]</a></span> -A feverish agitation pervaded the city; -the sound of trumpets, clarions, and hautboys filled -the air; the people hurried to the harbour. Nobles -and prelates went on board the ships that had been -kept ready; their sails were unfurled, and in a short -time this extemporised fleet saluted that of the pope -with deafening acclamations. Many devout catholics -trembled with joy and admiration; they could hardly -believe their eyes. 'Behold the real representative -of Christ,' they said, 'the father of all christians, the -only man who can at will give new laws to the -Church;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_470" id="Ref_470" href="#Foot_470">[470]</a></span> -the man who has never been mistaken and -never will be; whose name is alone in the world, -<i>vice-God</i> upon earth.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_471" id="Ref_471" href="#Foot_471">[471]</a></span> -Clement smiled: in Italy he -had never heard such exclamations or witnessed such -enthusiasm. O France! truly art thou the eldest -daughter of the Church! He did not know that -vanity, curiosity, love of pomp, and a fondness for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">{256}</a></span> -noise had much to do with this rapture, and that -France, like her king Clovis, worships what it has -cast down, and casts down what it has worshipped. -The pope had no leisure to indulge in such reflections. -At the moment his galley entered the harbour, three -hundred pieces of artillery fired a salute. Notre Dame -de la Garde, the tower of St. John, the abbey of St. -Victor, the harbour and its vicinity were all on fire.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_472" id="Ref_472" href="#Foot_472">[472]</a></span></p> - -<p>Francis was not to be seen among the vast and -brilliant crowd which filled Marseilles. There were -princes of the blood, prelates, diplomatists, magistrates, -courtiers, and warriors; but the king, although -at the gates of the city, kept himself in the background -and apart. However, when the night came, -and everybody had retired to their quarters to rest -after so fatiguing a day, a man, wrapped up in a -cloak, entered the city, glided mysteriously along the -dark streets, and stopped at the gate of the palace -where the pope was lodging. This man was immediately -introduced into the apartments where Clement -was preparing to take his repose: it was the King of -France.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_473" id="Ref_473" href="#Foot_473">[473]</a></span> -... What was the object of this nocturnal -visit? Was it because the king wished to sound the -pontiff in secret, before receiving him officially? Was -it the etiquette of the time? However that may be, -Francis, after a secret and confidential conversation, -returned with the same mystery, wearing a very -satisfied look. The pope had promised everything, -all the rights, all the possessions,—in a word, whatever -he had made up his mind not to give.</p> - -<p>The next day the pope, dressed in his pontifical -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">{257}</a></span> -robes, and seated in a magnificent chair borne on -men's shoulders, made his solemn entry, attended by -his cardinals, also in all the brilliancy of their costume, -and by a great number of lords and ladies of -France and Italy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_474" id="Ref_474" href="#Foot_474">[474]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=LATIN ADDRESS TO THE POPE.=</p> - -<p>Early in the morning, and while the streets were -echoing with cries of joy, the president of the parliament, -living in one of the handsomest houses of -Marseilles, was pacing his room with anxious brow, gesticulating -and carefully repeating some Latin phrases. -That magistrate had been commissioned, as a great -orator, to deliver an address to the pope; but as -unfortunately Latin was not familiar to him, he had -had his speech written out beforehand, and by dint -of labour he had so far committed it to memory, -as to be able to repeat it off-hand—provided there -was no change made in it.</p> - -<p>At the same moment, a messenger from the pope -appeared at the king's levée with a paper, and requested, -on behalf of the pontiff, who had a great fear -of the terrible Charles V., that the said oration should -be delivered as it was written on the paper he brought -with him, so as to give the emperor no offence. Francis -despatched Clement's draft to the president. What -a disappointment! The new address was precisely -the contrary of what he had been learning by heart. -The famous orator became confused: he did not know -what to do.... Alas! he had but a few minutes to -spare, and the sonorous words which would have -offended the great emperor, and which he had counted -on reciting in his loudest voice, kept recurring to his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">{258}</a></span> -mind. He fancied himself in the presence of that -magnificent assembly of proud Roman prelates who -knew Latin so well.... There could be no doubt -about it ... he would become embarrassed, he would -stammer, he would not remember what he had to say, -and would break down. He was quite in a fever. -The president, no longer master of himself, hurried -off to the king, and begged him to give the office -to some one else. 'Very well, then,' said Francis to -Bishop du Bellay, 'you must undertake it.' At -that moment the procession started. It reached -its destination; the Bishop of Paris, although taken -unawares, put a bold face upon the matter; and being -a good Latin scholar and able orator, he executed his -commission wonderfully well.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_475" id="Ref_475" href="#Foot_475">[475]</a></span></p> - -<p>The official conferences began shortly after, and -neither king nor pope spared protestations, stratagems, -or falsehoods: the pope particularly excelled in -the latter article. 'He used so much artifice in the -business,' says Guicciardini,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_476" id="Ref_476" href="#Foot_476">[476]</a></span> -'that the king confided -marvellously in him.' What Francis required to compensate -him for the misalliance was not much: he -asked for the duchies of Urbino and Milan, Pisa, -Leghorn, Reggio, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, and -Genoa. But if the king was inexhaustible in his -demands, the pope was equally so in his promises, -being the more liberal as he intended to give nothing. -Clement, touched by the good-nature of Francis, who -appeared to believe all that was told him, sent at last -to Nice for the youthful Catherine.</p> - -<p class="side">=BULL AGAINST HERETICS.=</p> - -<p>It was not decorous for the pope to appear to have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">{259}</a></span> -come so far only to give away a young lady. He -proposed, therefore, in order to conceal his intrigues, -to issue the bull against the heretics which he had -brought with him. It was his wedding present, and -nothing could better inaugurate Catherine's entry into -France. But the diplomatist, William du Bellay, did -all in his power to prevent this truly Roman transaction. -He had several very animated conversations on -this subject with the cardinals and with the pope himself. -He represented to him the necessity of satisfying -the protestants of Germany: 'A free council -and mutual concessions,' he said; but Clement was -deaf. Du Bellay would not give way; he struggled -manfully with the pontiff, and conjured him not to -attempt to put down the Reformation with violence.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_477" id="Ref_477" href="#Foot_477">[477]</a></span> -He used similar language to Francis, and laid before -him some letters which he had recently received from -Germany; but the king replied that he was taking the -matter too seriously. The bull of excommunication -was simply a <i>manner</i>, a papal form ... and nothing -more. The bull was published, and there was a great -noise about it. Francis and Clement, each believing -in the other's good faith, were deceiving one another. -The only truth in all this Marseilles business was the -gift the pope made to France of Catherine de Medici. -That was quite enough certainly.</p> - -<p>As soon as the pope's niece arrived, preparations -were made for the marriage. The ministers of the king -and of the pope took the contract in hand, and the -latter having spoken of an annuity of one hundred -thousand crowns: 'It is very little for so noble an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">{260}</a></span> -alliance,' said the treasurers of Francis I.—'True,' -replied Strozzi, one of Clement's most able servants; -'but observe that her grace the Duchess of Urbino -brings moreover three rings of inestimable value ... -Genoa, Milan, and Naples.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_478" id="Ref_478" href="#Foot_478">[478]</a></span> -These diamonds, whose -brilliancy was to dazzle the king and France, never -shone on Catherine's fingers or on the crown of -Henry II.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARRIAGE OF CATHERINE AND HENRY.=</p> - -<p>The ceremony was conducted with great magnificence. -The bride advanced, young, brilliant, radiant -with joy, with smiling lips and sparkling eyes, her -head adorned with gold, pearls, and flowers; and in -her train ... Death.... Death, who was always her -faithful follower, who served her even when she would -have averted his dart; who, by striking the dauphin, -was to make her the wife of the heir to the crown; by -striking her father-in-law, to make her queen; and -by striking down successively her husband and all -her sons, to render her supreme controller of the -destinies of France. In gratitude, therefore, towards -her mysterious and sinister ally, the Florentine woman -was forty years later, and in a night of August, to give -him a magnificent entertainment in the streets of Paris, -to fill a lake with blood that he might bathe therein, -and organise the most terrible festival that had ever -been held in honour of Death. Catherine approached -the altar, trembling a little, though not agitated. The -pope officiated, desirous of personally completing the -grandeur of his house, and tapers without number -were lighted. The King and Queen of France, with -a crowd of courtiers dressed in the richest costumes, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">{261}</a></span> -surrounded the altar. Catherine de Medici placed -her cold hand in the faithless hand of Henry of Valois, -which was to deprive the Reform of all liberty, and -France herself, in the <i>Unhappy Peace</i>, of her glory and -her conquests. Clement gave his pontifical blessing -to this tragic pair. The marriage was concluded; the -<i>girl</i>, as Guicciardini calls her, was a wife; her eyes -glanced as with fire. Was it a beam of happiness and -pride? Probably. We might ask also if it was not -the joy of the hyena scenting from afar the graves -where it could feast on the bodies of the dead; or of -the tiger espying from its lair in the African desert -the groups of travellers upon whom it might spring -and quench its raging thirst for blood. But although -the appetites which manifested themselves in the -St. Bartholomew massacre already existed in the germ -in this young wife, there is no evidence (it must be -acknowledged) that she allowed herself to be governed -at Marseilles by these cruel promptings.</p> - -<p>There are creatures accursed of God, who, under -a dazzling veil and fair outward show, impart to a -nation an active power of contagion, the venom of -corruption, an invisible principle of death which, circulating -through the veins, infects with its morbid -properties all parts of the body, and strikes the physical -powers with general prostration. It was thus -at the commencement of the history of the human -race that a fallen being deceived man; by him sin -entered into the world, and <i>death by sin</i>. This first -scene, which stands alone, has been repeated, however, -from time to time in the world, though on a smaller -scale. It happened to France when the daughter of -the Medici crept into the family of its kings. No -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">{262}</a></span> -doubt the disease was already among the people, but -Catherine's arrival was one of those events which bring -the corruption to a head. This woman, so false and -dissolute, so vile as to crawl at the feet of her husband's -mistress and pick up secrets for her; this woman, -who gave birth to none but enervated, idiotic, -distempered, and vicious children, not only corrupted -her own sons, but infected an entire brilliant society -that might have been noble and just (as Coligny -showed), and instilled her deadly venom into its -veins. The niece of the pope poisoned France.</p> - -<p>'Clement's joy was incredible,' says Guicciardini.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_479" id="Ref_479" href="#Foot_479">[479]</a></span> -He had even a feeling of gratitude, and resolved to -give the king four <i>hats</i> for four French bishops. Did -he intend that these hats should supply the place of -Urbino, Genoa, Milan, and Naples? Nobody knows. -One of the new cardinals was Odet de Chatillon, then -eleven years old, brother of the immortal Coligny, -and subsequently one of the supporters of protestantism -in France. The king, wishing to appear grateful -for so many favours, wrote to the Bishop of Paris, -that 'as the crime of heresy increased and multiplied, -he should proceed to act against the heretics.'—'Do -not fail,' he added.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_480" id="Ref_480" href="#Foot_480">[480]</a></span> -But the Bishop of Paris, brother -of the diplomatist Du Bellay, was the least inclined -of all the prelates in France to persecution. Francis -knew this well, and for that very reason, perhaps, -gave him the order.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE POPE'S HEALTH DECLINES.=</p> - -<p>The pope, delighted at having made so good a bargain -in the city of merchants, embarked on the 20th -of November to return to Rome. Excess of joy was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">{263}</a></span> -hurtful to him, as it had been to his cousin Leo X. -The threats of the emperor, who demanded a council; -the pressure of Francis I., who claimed Catherine's -<i>three rings</i>;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_481" id="Ref_481" href="#Foot_481">[481]</a></span> -the quarrels of his two nephews, who -were fighting at Florence,—all filled poor Clement -with uneasiness and sorrow. He told his attendants -that his end was near; and immediately after -his return, he had the ring and the garments prepared -which are used at the burial of the popes.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_482" id="Ref_482" href="#Foot_482">[482]</a></span> -His only consolation, the approaching destruction of -the protestants, seemed to fail him in his last days. -Even during his interview with the pope, Francis -was secretly intriguing to unite with the most formidable -of the enemies of Rome. After embracing -the old papacy with apparent emotion, the chivalrous -king gallantly held out his hand to the young Reformation. -In the space of two months he had two -interviews as opposite as possibly could be. These two -contradictory conferences point out one of the traits -that best characterise the versatile and ambitious -Francis. This modern Janus had a head with two faces. -We have just seen that which looked backwards into -the past; we shall soon see that which looked forwards -into the future. But before we follow the King of -France in his oscillation towards Germany and the -protestants, we must return to Calvin. In October -1533, Francis and Clement had met at Marseilles; -and on the 1st of November, while those princes were -still diplomatising, a great evangelical demonstration -took place at Paris.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_458" id="Foot_458" href="#Ref_458">[458]</a> -Henry VIII. to Norfolk, Aug. 8, 1533. <i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 493.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_459" id="Foot_459" href="#Ref_459">[459]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 195.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_460" id="Foot_460" href="#Ref_460">[460]</a> -Ibid. p. 185.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_461" id="Foot_461" href="#Ref_461">[461]</a> -'En grand branle.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_462" id="Foot_462" href="#Ref_462">[462]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 195.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_463" id="Foot_463" href="#Ref_463">[463]</a> -'Non licere ejus Sanctitati sine Maurorum periculo illuc accedere.'—Vanner -to Cromwell. <i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 508.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_464" id="Foot_464" href="#Ref_464">[464]</a> -'Ob insulas de Yeres, ubi piratarum classis posset ad intercipiendum -pontificem in insidiis latitare.'—Vanner to Cromwell, <i>State Papers</i>, -vii. p. 508.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_465" id="Foot_465" href="#Ref_465">[465]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Wars of Italy</i>, ii. bk. xx.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_466" id="Foot_466" href="#Ref_466">[466]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Wars of Italy</i>, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_467" id="Foot_467" href="#Ref_467">[467]</a> -'Papam aut subversum, aut restitutum iri in suam et inveteratam -tyrannidem.'—Sturm to Bucer. Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_468" id="Foot_468" href="#Ref_468">[468]</a> -'Alterum ego expecto magno cum desiderio, alterum non mediocriter -extimesco.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_469" id="Foot_469" href="#Ref_469">[469]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 204.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_470" id="Foot_470" href="#Ref_470">[470]</a> -'Quod illi soli licet pro temporis necessitate novas leges condere.'—<i>Dict. -Gregorii.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_471" id="Foot_471" href="#Ref_471">[471]</a> -'Veri Dei vicem gerit in terris.'—<i>De Translatione Episc.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_472" id="Foot_472" href="#Ref_472">[472]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 205. <i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 515.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_473" id="Foot_473" href="#Ref_473">[473]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Wars of Italy</i>, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_474" id="Foot_474" href="#Ref_474">[474]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 205.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_475" id="Foot_475" href="#Ref_475">[475]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mém.</i> p. 206.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_476" id="Foot_476" href="#Ref_476">[476]</a> -<i>Wars of Italy</i>, ii. bk. xx. p. 901.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_477" id="Foot_477" href="#Ref_477">[477]</a> -'Legatum vehementer contendisse cum romano pontifice Massiliæ, -ne violenter agat.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 721.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_478" id="Foot_478" href="#Ref_478">[478]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Hist. des Guerres d'Italie</i>, ii. liv. xx. p. 901.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_479" id="Foot_479" href="#Ref_479">[479]</a> -<i>Guerres d'Italie</i>, ii. liv. xx. p. 901.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_480" id="Foot_480" href="#Ref_480">[480]</a> -<i>Lettre close à l'évêque de Paris</i>, p. 21.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_481" id="Foot_481" href="#Ref_481">[481]</a> -'S. M. Christᵐᵃ dimando che da sua Santᵃ li fussino osservate le -promesse.'—Soriano, Ranke, <i>Päpste</i>, i. p. 127.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_482" id="Foot_482" href="#Ref_482">[482]</a> -Guicciardini, <i>Guerres d'Italie</i>, i. liv. xx. p. 902.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">{264}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">ADDRESS OF THE RECTOR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS.<br /> - (<span class="smc">November 1533.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">CALVIN had not quitted Paris. He was at one -moment on the boulevards with the merchant De -la Forge, at another in the university quarter with -Cop; in the dwellings of the poor, and the mansions -of the nobles, 'increasing greatly the work of the -Lord,' says Beza, 'not only by teaching truth, but also -by opposing the heretics.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_483" id="Ref_483" href="#Foot_483">[483]</a></span> -He then retired to his -chamber and meditated. He turned his piercing -glance upon the future, and fancied he could see, in -a time more or less remote and through certain -clouds, the triumph of the Gospel. He knew that -the cause of God in general advances painfully; that -there are rocks in the way; that interest, ignorance, -and servility check it at every moment; that it -stumbles and falls, and men may think it ruined. But -Calvin believed that He who is its Head would help -it to overcome all its enemies. 'Only,' he said, 'those -who bear its standard must mount to the assault with -unflinching courage.' Calvin, thinking that the time -for the assault had come, desired that in the university -itself, from that pulpit which all Europe -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">{265}</a></span> -respected, the voice of truth should be heard after -centuries of silence. A very natural opportunity -occurred.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY.=</p> - -<p>During the month of October Cop was much occupied -with a task that had fallen to him. It was the -custom of the university for the rector to deliver an -inaugural address in Latin on All Saints' Day in one -of the churches of Paris. Calvin thought that it was -his duty to take advantage of this opportunity to proclaim -the Gospel boldly in the face of France. The -rector replied that he was a physician, and that it -was difficult for him to speak like a divine: 'If, however, -you will write the address,' he said, 'I will promise -to deliver it.' The two young men were soon -agreed; they understood the risk they ran, but were -ready to incur it, without presumption however, and -with prudence. They agreed to explain the essence -of the Gospel before the university, giving it the -academic name of <i>Christian Philosophy</i>. 'Christ,' -says Calvin, 'desires us to be like serpents, careful -to avoid all that may hurt us; and yet like doves, -who fly without fear and without care, and who offer -themselves innocently to the fowlers who are laying -snares for them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_484" id="Ref_484" href="#Foot_484">[484]</a></span></p> - -<p>All Saints' Day, 1533, having arrived, the university -assembled with great pomp in the Mathurins' -church; many were impatient to hear Cop, whose -conduct in the case of the Queen of Navarre had -made him an object of suspicion to the Sorbonne. -A great number of monks, and especially of Franciscans, -took their places and opened their ears. There -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">{266}</a></span> -were however scattered about the church many steadfast -friends of the Gospel, who had come to be present -at the assault and perhaps witness the triumph of their -faith. Among them, and on a bench apart, sat a young -man of humble appearance, calm, modest, and attentive -to all that was said. Nobody suspected that it -was he (Calvin) who was about to set the university, -and indeed all France, in commotion. The hour -having come, all the dignitaries, professors, and students -fixed their eager eyes upon Cop as he rose -to speak. He pronounced the opening address 'in a -very different fashion,' says Theodore Beza, 'from -what was usual.' There was a simplicity and life -in his delivery which contrasted strongly with the -dryness and exaggeration of the old doctors. The -discourse is of importance in the history of the Reformation; -we shall give it, therefore, in part, all the more -because it has lain unknown until this hour among -the manuscripts of the library of Geneva, and is now -first presented to the christian public.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_485" id="Ref_485" href="#Foot_485">[485]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=COP'S INAUGURAL DISCOURSE.=</p> - -<p>'Christian philosophy is a great thing,' said the -rector; 'a thing too excellent for any tongue to express -and even for any mind to conceive its value. -The gift of God to man by Jesus Christ himself, it -teaches us to know that true happiness which deceives -nobody, making us believe and comprehend that we -are truly the sons of God.... The brightness of the -splendour of this wisdom of God eclipses all the glimmerings -of the wisdom of the world. It places its -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">{267}</a></span> -possessors as far above the common order of men, as -that order is itself above the brutes.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_486" id="Ref_486" href="#Foot_486">[486]</a></span> -The mind of -man, opened and enlarged by the divine hand, then -understands things infinitely more sublime than all -those which are learnt from our feeble humanity. -How admirable, how holy must this divine philosophy -be, since, in order to bring it to men, God was willing -to become man, and, to teach it to us, the Immortal -put on mortality! Could God better manifest his -love to us than by the gift of his eternal Word? -What stronger and tenderer bond could God establish -between himself and us than by becoming a man such -as we are? Sirs, let us praise the other sciences, I -approve of it; let us admire logic, natural philosophy, -and ethics, in consideration of their utility; but who -would dare compare them with that other philosophy, -which explains what philosophers have long been -seeking after and never found ... the will of God? -And what is the hidden will that is revealed to us -here? It is this: <i>The grace of God alone remits sins.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_487" id="Ref_487" href="#Foot_487">[487]</a></span> -... -The Holy Ghost, which sanctifies all hearts and -gives eternal life, is promised to all christians.</i><span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_488" id="Ref_488" href="#Foot_488">[488]</a></span> -If there is any one among you who does not praise this -science above all other sciences, I would ask him, -what will he praise? Would you delight the mind of -man, give him repose of heart, teach him to live holy -and happily? Christian philosophy abundantly supplies -him with these admirable blessings; and, at the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">{268}</a></span> -same time, it subdues, as with a wholesome rein, the -impetuous movements of the soul.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_489" id="Ref_489" href="#Foot_489">[489]</a></span> -Sirs, since the -dignity and glory of this Gospel are so great, how I -rejoice that the office with which I am invested calls -upon me to lay it before you to-day!'</p> - -<p>This appeared a strange exordium to a great number -of hearers: What! not a word about the saints -whom all catholics glorify on this day?... Let us -wait, however, and see.</p> - -<p>The rector then announced that according to -custom he would explain the Gospel of the day, that -is, the beatitudes pronounced by Jesus on the mountain. -'But first of all,' he said, 'unite with me in -earnest prayer to Christ, who is <i>the true and only -intercessor with the Father</i>, in order that by his fertilising -Spirit he may enlighten our understandings, -and that <i>our discourse may praise him, savour of him, -be full of him, and reflect his image, so that this divine -Saviour, penetrating our souls, may water them with the -dew of his heavenly grace</i>!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_490" id="Ref_490" href="#Foot_490">[490]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the rector explained the happiness of those -who are <i>poor in spirit</i>, who <i>mourn</i>, who <i>hunger and -thirst after righteousness</i>.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DISCOURSE CAUSES A SENSATION.=</p> - -<p>The university had never heard the like. An -admirable proportion was observed throughout the -address; it was academical and yet evangelical—a -thing not often seen. Calvin had discovered that -tongue of the wise which useth knowledge aright. -But the enemies of the Gospel were not deceived. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">{269}</a></span> -Through the thin veil with which he had covered the -grandeur of divine love, they discovered those heights -and depths of grace which are a source of joy to the -true christian, but an object of abhorrence to the -adversary. There was an indescribable uneasiness -among the auditory. Certain of the hearers exchanged -glances, in this way indicating to one another the -passages which seemed to them the most reprehensible. -University professors, priests, monks, and -students—all listened with astonishment to such unusual -language. Here and there in the congregation -signs of approbation might be observed, but far more -numerous signs of anger. Two Franciscans, in particular, -were so excited that they could scarcely keep -their seats; and when the assembly broke up they -were heard expressing their indignation in loud terms: -'Grace ... God's pardon ... the Holy Ghost ... there -is abundance of all that in the rector's discourse; but -of penance, indulgences, and meritorious works ... -not a word!' It was pointed out to them that the -rector, according to custom, had ended his exordium -with the salutation which the angel had addressed to -Mary; but that, in the opinion of the monks, was a -mere form. The words being in Scripture, how could -the rector refuse to pronounce them? Had he not -besides begun by saying that Christ is the <i>only true</i> -intercessor, <i>verus et unus apud Patrem intercessor</i>?... -What is left then to Mary, except that she is the -mother of the Saviour? The Sorbonne was filled with -anger and alarm.... To select the day of the festival -of <i>All Saints</i>, in order to proclaim that there is <i>only -one</i> intercessor! Such a crime must not remain unpunished. -If Cop wished to produce a sensation, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">{270}</a></span> -monks will produce one also! The two Franciscans -having consulted with their friends, their opinion was -that the university was not to be trusted. Consequently -they hastened to the parliament and laid the -rector's heretical propositions before it.</p> - -<p>Cop and Calvin had each retired separately, and -been visited in their respective apartments by many -of their friends. Some of them did not approve of -these great manifestations; they would have wished -the evangelicals to be content with a few small conventicles -here and there in retired places. Calvin did -not agree with them. In his opinion there was one -single universal christian Church, which had existed -since the time of the apostles, and would exist always. -The errors and abuses abounding in christendom, profane -priests, hypocrites, scandalous sinners, do not -prevent the Church from existing. True, it is often -reduced to little more than a small humble flock; but -the flock exists, and it must, whenever it has the -opportunity, manifest itself in opposition to a fallen -catholicism. The reformers themselves, though it -is frequently forgotten, maintained the doctrine of a -universal Church; but while Rome counts among the -number of signs which characterise it 'a certain pomp -and temporal possessions,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_491" id="Ref_491" href="#Foot_491">[491]</a></span> -the evangelical doctors, on -the contrary, reckon persecution and the cross as a -mark of the true Church. Cop and Calvin were to -make the experiment in their own persons.</p> - -<p class="side">=DEBATES IN THE UNIVERSITY.=</p> - -<p>The rector was not inclined to give way to the -monks: he resolved to join battle on a question of -form, which would dispose his colleagues in his favour, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">{271}</a></span> -and perhaps in favour of truth. It was a maxim -received in the university, that all its members, and <i>a -fortiori</i> its head, must be tried first by the corporation, -and that it was not permissible to pass over any -degree of jurisdiction.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_492" id="Ref_492" href="#Foot_492">[492]</a></span> -Accordingly, on the 19th of -November, the rector convoked the four faculties, and, -having undertaken the defence of his address, complained -bitterly that certain persons had dared to -carry the matter before a foreign body. The privileges -of the university had thus been attacked. 'It has -been insulted by this denunciation of its chief to -the parliament,' said Cop; 'and these impudent informers -must give satisfaction for the insult.'</p> - -<p>These words excited a great commotion in the -assembly. The theologians, who had hung down -their heads in the case of the Queen of Navarre,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">... N'osant approfondir</div> -<div class="verse">De ces hautes puissances</div> -<div class="verse">Les moins pardonnables offenses,</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="nodent">resolved to compensate themselves by falling with their -whole strength upon a plain doctor, who was besides by -birth a Swiss. Every one of them raised a cry against -him. The university was divided into two distinct -parties, and the meeting reechoed with the most contradictory -appeals. The theologians shouted loudest: -'Time presses,' they said; 'the crisis has arrived. If -we yield, the Romish doctrine, vanquished and expelled -from the university, will give place to the new -errors. Heresy is at our gates; we must crush it by a -single blow!'—'The Gospel, philosophy, and liberty!' -said one party.—'Popery, tradition, and submission!' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">{272}</a></span> -said the other. The noise and disturbance became such -that nothing could be heard. At last the question -was put to the vote: two faculties, those of letters and -medicine, were for Cop's proposition; and two, namely, -law and divinity, were against it. The rector, to show -his moderation, refused to vote, being unwilling to -give the victory to himself.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_493" id="Ref_493" href="#Foot_493">[493]</a></span> -The meeting broke up -in the greatest confusion.</p> - -<p>The rector's address, and the discussions to which it -gave rise, made a great noise at court as well as in the -city; but no one took more interest in it than the -Queen of Navarre. The question of her poetry had -been the first act; Calvin's address was the second. -Margaret knew that he was the real author of the -discourse. She always granted her special patronage -to the students trained in any of her schools. She -watched the young scholars with the most affectionate -interest, and rejoiced in their successes. There was -not one of them that could be compared with Calvin, -who had studied at Bourges, Margaret's university. -The purity of his doctrine, the boldness of his profession, -the majesty of his language, astonished everybody, -and had particularly struck the queen. Calvin -was one of her students for whom she anticipated the -highest destinies. That princess was not indeed formed -for resistance; the mildness of her character inclined -her to yield; and of this she was well aware. About -this time, being commissioned by the king to transact -certain business with one of her relations, a very -headstrong woman, she wrote to Montmorency, 'Employ -a head better steeled than mine, or you will not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">{273}</a></span> -succeed. She is a Norman woman, and smells of the -sea; I am an Anjoumoise, sprinkled with the soft -waters of the Charente.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_494" id="Ref_494" href="#Foot_494">[494]</a></span> -But, mild as she was, -she took this matter of Cop and Calvin seriously -to heart. When the friends of the Gospel placed the -candle boldly on the candlestick to give light to all -France, should a violent wind come and extinguish it?</p> - -<p class="side">=INTERVIEW OF CALVIN AND MARGARET.=</p> - -<p>The Queen of Navarre summoned Calvin to the -court, Beza informs us.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_495" id="Ref_495" href="#Foot_495">[495]</a></span> -... The news circulated -immediately among the evangelical christians, who -entertained great hopes from it. 'The Queen of -Navarre,' they said, 'the king's only sister, is favourable -to true religion. Perhaps the Lord, by the intervention -of that admirable woman, will disperse the -impending storm.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_496" id="Ref_496" href="#Foot_496">[496]</a></span> -Calvin accordingly went to court. -The ladies-in-waiting having introduced him into the -queen's apartment, she rose to meet him, and made -him sit down by her side, 'receiving him with great -honour,' says Beza, 'and hearing him with much -pleasure.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_497" id="Ref_497" href="#Foot_497">[497]</a></span> -The two finest geniuses which France -then possessed were thus brought face to face—the -man of the people and the queen, so different in outward -appearance and even as to the point of view from -which they regarded the Reform, but yet both animated -with an ardent desire to see the triumph of the -Gospel. They communicated their thoughts to each -other. Calvin, notwithstanding the persecution, was -full of courage. He knew that the Church of Christ -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">{274}</a></span> -is exposed to changes and error, like all human things, -and the state of christendom, in his opinion, showed -this full clearly; but he believed that it possessed an -incorruptible power of life, and that, at the very -moment when it seemed entirely fallen and ruined, it -had by the Holy Spirit the ability to rise again and be -renewed. The hour of this renewal had arrived, and -it was as impossible for men to retard it as to prevent -the spring-time from budding and covering the earth -with leaves, blossoms, and fruit. Yet Calvin was -under no delusion as to the dangers which threatened -evangelical christianity. 'When the peril is imminent,' -he said, 'it is not the time to indulge ourselves -like silly, careless people; the fear of danger, serving -as an incentive, should lead us to ask for God's help, -and to put on our armour without trembling.' The -queen promised to use all her influence to calm the -storm. Calvin was conducted out of the palace with -the same attentions that had been paid him when he -entered it. He afterwards spoke about this interview -to Theodore Beza, who has handed it down to us.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_498" id="Ref_498" href="#Foot_498">[498]</a></span></p> - -<p>Still the sky became more threatening. The parliament, -paying no respect to the privileges of the -university, had entertained the complaint of the -monks; the rector, therefore, received a message from -this sovereign court summoning him to appear before -it. Calvin knew quite well that a similar process -would soon reach him; but he never shrank back -either from before the despotism of an unjust power, -or from the popular fury. 'We are not in the school -of a Plato,' he said, 'where, sitting in the shade, we can -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">{275}</a></span> -indulge in idle discussions. Christ nobly maintained -his doctrines before Pilate, and can we be so cowardly -as to forsake him?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_499" id="Ref_499" href="#Foot_499">[499]</a></span> -Cop, strengthened by his friend, -determined to appear to the summons of the parliament. -That body had great power, no doubt; but -the rector said to himself that the university possessed -incontestable privileges, and that all learned Europe -had been for many centuries almost at its feet. He -resolved to support its rights, to accuse his accusers, -and to reprimand the parliament for stepping out of -the lawful course. Cop, therefore, got himself ready -to appear, as became the head of the first university -of the christian world. He put on his academical -robes, and preceded by the beadles and apparitors, -with their maces and gold-headed staves,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_500" id="Ref_500" href="#Foot_500">[500]</a></span> -set out -with great ceremony for the Palace of Justice.</p> - -<p class="side">=COP GOES IN STATE TO THE PARLIAMENT.=</p> - -<p>He was going to his death. The parliament, as -well as Calvin, had understood the position, but had -arrived at very different conclusions. It saw that -the hour was come to strike the blow that would -crush the Reformation, and had resolved to arrest -the rector even in the court. The absence of the -king was an opportunity of which they must hasten to -take advantage. A signal vengeance, inflicted in full -parliament, was to expiate a crime not less signal, -committed in the presence of the whole university. -A member of the court, converted to the Gospel, determined -to save the unfortunate Cop, and sent a -trusty man to warn him of the impending danger. -As he quitted the great hall, the messenger caught -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">{276}</a></span> -sight of the archers who had been sent for to arrest -the rector: might it not be too late to save him? Cop -was already on the road and approaching the palace, -accompanied by a crowd of students, citizens, and -common people, some full of good wishes, others -curious to learn the issue of this singular duel between -the parliament and the university. The man -sent to forewarn the rector arrived just as the university -procession was passing through a narrow -street. Taking advantage of a momentary confusion -occasioned by the crowd, he approached Cop, and -whispered in his ear: 'Beware of the enemy;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_501" id="Ref_501" href="#Foot_501">[501]</a></span> -they intend shutting you up in the Conciergerie; Berquin's -fate awaits you; I have seen the officers authorised -to seize you; if you go farther, you are a dead man.' -... What was to be done?... If it had been Calvin -instead of Cop, he would perhaps have gone on. I cannot -tell; for the peril was imminent, and it appeared -doubtful if anything would be gained by braving it. -However that may be, Cop was only Calvin's double; it -was his friend's faith that urged him forward more perhaps -than his own. To stand firm in the day of tempest, -man must cling to the rock without human help; Cop, -overtaken by this news of death at the very moment -he fancied he was marching to victory, lost his presence -of mind, stopped the procession, was suddenly -surrounded by several friends, and, the disorder being -thus augmented, he escaped and hastily returned -home.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_502" id="Ref_502" href="#Foot_502">[502]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE RECTOR'S FLIGHT.=</p> - -<p>Where shall he go now? There could be no doubt -that the parliament would seize him wherever he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">{277}</a></span> -could be found; his friends therefore insisted that he -should quit France. He was strongly inclined to do -so: Basle, the asylum of his master Erasmus, was his -native place, and he was sure of finding a shelter -there. Cop flung off the academical dress, the cap -and gown, which would have betrayed him;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_503" id="Ref_503" href="#Foot_503">[503]</a></span> -caught -up hurriedly what was necessary for his journey, and -by mistake, some say, carried away the university -seal with him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_504" id="Ref_504" href="#Foot_504">[504]</a></span> -I rather believe he did so designedly; -compelled to yield to force, he desired, even when far -from Paris, to retain the insignia of that illustrious -body. His friends hurried him; at any moment the -house might be surrounded; he quitted it stealthily, -escaped out of Paris, and fled along the road which -leads to Basle, using every precaution to conceal himself -from the pursuit of his enemies. When the archers -went to his house, they searched it in vain: the -rector had disappeared.</p> - -<p>The parliament, exasperated at this escape, promised -a reward of three hundred crowns to any one -who should bring back the fugitive rector, <i>dead or -alive</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_505" id="Ref_505" href="#Foot_505">[505]</a></span> -But Cop in his disguise eluded every eye; -he succeeded through innumerable dangers in getting -safely out of the kingdom, and arrived in Switzerland. -He was saved; but the Reformation was threatened -with a still more terrible blow.</p> - -<p>The Roman party consoled themselves a little for -this escape by saying that Cop was only a puppet, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">{278}</a></span> -and that the man who had pulled the strings was still -in their power. 'It is Calvin,' they said, 'whom we -must seize. He is a daring adventurer, a rash determined -man, resolved to make the world talk of him -like that incendiary of the temple of Diana, of whom -history speaks. He will keep all Europe in disquietude, -and will build up a new world. If he is -permitted to live, he will be the Luther ... the firebrand -of France.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_506" id="Ref_506" href="#Foot_506">[506]</a></span></p> - -<p>The lieutenant-criminal, Jean Morin, had kept his -eye for some time upon the young doctor. He had -discovered his activity in increasing the heretical sect, -and also his secret conferences with Cop. His agents -were on his track whenever Calvin went by night to -teach from house to house.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_507" id="Ref_507" href="#Foot_507">[507]</a></span> -... Cop was the shadow, -said the monks; if the shadow escapes us, let us -strike the substance. The parliament ordered the -lieutenant-criminal to seize the reformer and shut -him up in the Conciergerie.</p> - -<p class="side">=FLIGHT OF CALVIN.=</p> - -<p>Calvin, trusting to his obscurity and, under God, to -the protection of the Queen of Navarre, was sitting -quietly in his room in the college of Fortret.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_508" id="Ref_508" href="#Foot_508">[508]</a></span> -He was not however free from emotion; he was thinking -of what had happened to Cop, but did not believe -that the persecution would reach him. His friends, -however, did not share in this rash security. Those -who had helped Cop to escape, seeing the rector out -of his enemies' reach, said to themselves that the same -danger threatened Calvin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_509" id="Ref_509" href="#Foot_509">[509]</a></span> -They entered his chamber -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">{279}</a></span> -at a time when they were least expected. 'Fly!' -they said to him, 'or you are lost.' He still hesitated. -Meanwhile the lieutenant-criminal arrived before the -college with his sergeants. Several students immediately -hurried to their comrade, told him what was -going on, and entreated him to flee. But scarcely -have they spoken, when heavy steps are heard: it is -no longer time.... The officers are there! It was the -noise made by them at Calvin's door (says an historian) -which made him comprehend the danger that -threatened him. Perhaps the college gate is meant, -rather than the door of the reformer's own room.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_510" id="Ref_510" href="#Foot_510">[510]</a></span> -In either case, the moment was critical; but if they -could manage to gain only a few minutes, the young -evangelist might escape. His noble, frank, and sympathetic -soul conciliated the hearts of all who knew -him. He always possessed devoted friends, and they -did not fail him now. The window of his room -opened into the street of the Bernardins. They lost -not a moment: some of those who came to warn him -engaged the attention of Morin and his officers for a -few minutes; others remaining with Calvin twisted -the bed-clothes into a rope, and fastened them to the -window. Calvin, leaving his manuscripts scattered -about, caught hold of the sheets and lowered himself -down to the ground.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_511" id="Ref_511" href="#Foot_511">[511]</a></span> -He was not the first -of Christ's servants who had taken that road to escape -death. When the Jews of Damascus conspired against -Paul, 'the disciples took him by night and let him -down by the wall in a basket.'—'Thus early,' says -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">{280}</a></span> -Calvin, 'Paul went through his apprenticeship of -carrying the cross in after years.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_512" id="Ref_512" href="#Foot_512">[512]</a></span></p> - -<p>He had hardly disappeared when the lieutenant-criminal, -notorious for his excessive cruelty,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_513" id="Ref_513" href="#Foot_513">[513]</a></span> -entered the room, and was astonished to find no one there. -The youthful doctor had escaped like a bird from the -net of the fowler. Morin ordered some of his sergeants -to pursue the fugitive, and then proceeded to examine -carefully all the heretic's papers, hoping to find something -that might compromise other Lutherans. He -did lay his hand on certain letters and documents -which afterwards exposed Calvin's friends to great -danger, and even to death.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_514" id="Ref_514" href="#Foot_514">[514]</a></span> -Morin docketed them, -tied them up carefully in a bundle, and withdrew. -The cruel hatred which animated him against the -evangelical christians had been still further increased -by his failure.</p> - -<p>Calvin, having landed in the street of the Bernardins, -entered that of St. Victor, and then proceeded towards -the suburb of that name. At the extremity of this -suburb, not far from the open country (a catholic -historian informs us), dwelt a vine-dresser, a member -of the little church of Paris. Calvin went to this -honest protestant's and told him what had just happened. -The vine-dresser, who probably had heard -him explain the Scriptures at their secret meetings, -moved with a fatherly affection for the young man, -proposed to change clothes with him. Forthwith, says -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">{281}</a></span> -the canon to whom we are indebted for the account, -Calvin took off his own garments and put on the peasant's -old-fashioned coat. With a hoe on one shoulder, -and a wallet on the other, in which the vine-dresser -had placed some provisions, he started again. If Morin -had sent his officers after him, they might have passed -by the fugitive reformer under this rustic disguise.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALVIN IS RECOGNISED.=</p> - -<p>He was not far beyond the suburbs of Paris, however, -when he saw a canon whom he knew coming -towards him. The latter with astonishment fixed a -curious look on the vine-dresser, and fancying him to -be very unlike a stout peasant, he drew near, stopped, -and recognised him. He knew what was the matter, -for all Paris was full of it. The canon immediately remonstrated -with him: 'Change your manner of life,' -he said; 'look to your salvation, and I will promise -to procure you <i>a good appointment</i>.' But Calvin, -'who was hot-headed,' replied: 'I shall go through -with it to the last.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_515" id="Ref_515" href="#Foot_515">[515]</a></span> -The canon afterwards related -this incident to the Abbot de Genlis, who told it to -Desmay.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_516" id="Ref_516" href="#Foot_516">[516]</a></span></p> - -<p>Is this a story invented in the idle talk of a cloister? -I think not. Some of the details, particularly the -language of the canon, render it probable. It was -also by the promise of a 'good appointment' that -Francis de Sales endeavoured to win over Theodore -Beza. Simony is a sin so <i>innocent</i> that three priests, -a canon, an abbot, and a doctor of the Sorbonne, combine -to relate this peccadillo. If the language of the -canon is in conformity with his character, Calvin's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">{282}</a></span> -answer, 'I will go through with it to the last,' is also -in his manner. Although we may have some trouble -to picture the young reformer disguised as a peasant, -with his wallet and hoe, we thought it our duty to -relate an incident transmitted to us by his enemies. -The circumstance is really not singular. Calvin was -then beginning an exodus which has gone on unceasingly -for nearly three centuries. The disciples -of the Gospel in France, summoned to abjure Christ, -have fled from their executioners by thousands, and -under various disguises. And if the gravity of -history permitted the author to revert to the stories -that charmed his childhood, he could tell how many -a time, seated at the feet of his grandmother and -listening with attentive ear, he has heard her describe -how her mother, a little girl at the time of the -Revocation in 1685, escaped from France, concealed -in a basket which her father, a pious huguenot, disguised -as a peasant, carried carefully on his back.</p> - -<p>Calvin, having escaped his enemies, hurried away -from the capital, from his cherished studies and his -brethren, and wandered up and down, avoiding the -places where he might be recognised. He thought -over all that had happened, and his meditative mind -drew wholesome lessons from it. He learnt from his -own experience by what token to recognise the true -Church of Christ. 'We should lose our labour,' he -said in later days, thinking perhaps of this circumstance, -'if we wished to separate Christ from his cross; -it is a natural thing for the world to hate Christ, even -in his members. There will always be wicked men -to prick us like thorns. If they do not draw the sword, -they spit out their venom, and either gnash their teeth -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">{283}</a></span> -or excite some great disturbance.' The sword was -already 'drawn' against him: acting, therefore, with -prudence, he followed the least frequented roads, -sleeping in the cottages or the mansions of his friends. -It is asserted that being known by the Sieur de Hasseville, -whose château was situated beyond Versailles, he -remained there some time in hiding.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_517" id="Ref_517" href="#Foot_517">[517]</a></span></p> - -<p>The king's first movement, when he heard of Cop's -business and the flight of Calvin, was one of anger and -persecution. Duprat, formerly first president of parliament, -was much exasperated at the affront offered -to that body. Francis commanded every measure to -be taken to discover the person who had warned Cop -of his danger; he would have had him punished -severely as a favourer of heresy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_518" id="Ref_518" href="#Foot_518">[518]</a></span> -At the same time, -he ordered the prosecution of those persons whom the -papers seized in Calvin's room pointed out as partisans -of the new doctrine.</p> - -<p class="side">=MANY EVANGELICALS QUIT PARIS.=</p> - -<p>There was a general alarm among the evangelicals, -and many left Paris. A Dominican friar, brother of -De la Croix, feeling a growing thirst for knowledge, -deliberated in his convent whether he ought not to -remove to a country where the Gospel was preached -freely.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_519" id="Ref_519" href="#Foot_519">[519]</a></span> -He was one of those compromised by Calvin's -papers. He therefore made his escape, reached Neufchatel, -and thence proceeded to Geneva, where we -shall meet him again.</p> - -<p>The greater part of the friends of the Gospel, however, -remained in France: Margaret exerted all her -influence with her brother to ward off the impending -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">{284}</a></span> -blow, and succeeded in appeasing the storm.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_520" id="Ref_520" href="#Foot_520">[520]</a></span> -Francis -was always between two contrary currents, one coming -from Duprat, the other from his sister; and once more -he followed the better.</p> - -<p>The Queen of Navarre, exhausted by all these -shocks, disgusted with the dissipations of the court, -distressed by the hatred of which the Gospel was the -object among all around her, turned her face towards -the Pyrenees. Paris, St. Germain, Fontainebleau, -had no more charms for her; besides, her health was -not strong, and she desired to pass the winter at Pau. -But, above all, she sighed for solitude, liberty, and -meditation; she had need of Christ. She therefore -bade farewell to the brilliant court of France, and -departed for the quiet Béarn.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Adieu! pomps, pleasures, now adieu!</div> -<div class="verse">No longer will I sort with you!</div> -<div class="verse">Other pleasure seek I none</div> -<div class="verse">Than in my Bridegroom alone!</div> -<div class="verse">For my honour and my having</div> -<div class="verse">Is in Jesus: him receiving,</div> -<div class="verse">I'll not leave him for the fleeting!...</div> -<div class="verse indent10">Adieu, adieu!<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_521" id="Ref_521" - href="#Foot_521">[521]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Margaret arrived in the Pyrenees.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_483" id="Foot_483" href="#Ref_483">[483]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_484" id="Foot_484" href="#Ref_484">[484]</a> -Calvini <i>Opera</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_485" id="Foot_485" href="#Ref_485">[485]</a> -The document is in the library of Geneva (MS. 145). It has on the -margin: 'Hæc Johannes Calvinus <i>propria manu</i> descripsit, et est <i>auctor</i>.' -Dr. Bonnet came upon it in the course of his researches for his edition of -Calvin's Letters, and gave the author a copy.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_486" id="Foot_486" href="#Ref_486">[486]</a> -'Hac qui excellunt, tantum prope reliquæ hominum multitudini -præstare mihi videntur, quantum homines belluis antecedunt.'—Geneva -MSS. 145.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_487" id="Foot_487" href="#Ref_487">[487]</a> -'Sola Dei gratia peccata remittit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_488" id="Foot_488" href="#Ref_488">[488]</a> -'Spiritum sanctum, qui corda sanctificat et vitam æternam adfert, -omnibus christianis pollicetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_489" id="Foot_489" href="#Ref_489">[489]</a> -'Motus animi turbulentos, quasi habenis quibusdam.'—Geneva MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_490" id="Foot_490" href="#Ref_490">[490]</a> -'Ut tota nostra oratio illum laudet, illum sapiat, illum spiret, illum -referat. Rogabimus ut in mentes nostras illabatur, nosque gratiæ cœlestis -succo irrigare dignetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_491" id="Foot_491" href="#Ref_491">[491]</a> -Bellarmine, <i>De Controversiis</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_492" id="Foot_492" href="#Ref_492">[492]</a> -Crévier, <i>Hist. de l'Université</i>, v. p. 275.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_493" id="Foot_493" href="#Ref_493">[493]</a> -Crévier, <i>Hist. de l'Université</i>, v. p. 276.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_494" id="Foot_494" href="#Ref_494">[494]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 287.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_495" id="Foot_495" href="#Ref_495">[495]</a> -'In aulam.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_496" id="Foot_496" href="#Ref_496">[496]</a> -'Hanc tempestatem Dominus, reginæ Navariensis, piis tunc admodum -faventis, intercessione, dissipavit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_497" id="Foot_497" href="#Ref_497">[497]</a> -'Ibique perhonorifice ab ea accepto et audito Calvino.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_498" id="Foot_498" href="#Ref_498">[498]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Vie de Calvin</i>, p. 14. Calvini <i>Opera</i>, passim.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_499" id="Foot_499" href="#Ref_499">[499]</a> -Calvini <i>Opera</i>, i. pars iii. pp. 1002, 1003.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_500" id="Foot_500" href="#Ref_500">[500]</a> -'Citatus rector sese quidem in viam cum suis apparitoribus dedit.'—Bezæ -<i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_501" id="Foot_501" href="#Ref_501">[501]</a> -'Ut sibi ab adversariis caveret.'—Bezæ <i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_502" id="Foot_502" href="#Ref_502">[502]</a> -'Domum reversus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_503" id="Foot_503" href="#Ref_503">[503]</a> -Maimbourg, <i>Hist. du Calvinisme</i>, p. 58.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_504" id="Foot_504" href="#Ref_504">[504]</a> -'Ablato secum, forte per imprudentiam, signo universitatis.'—Bucer -to Blaarer, Jan. 18, 1534.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_505" id="Foot_505" href="#Ref_505">[505]</a> -'CCC coronatos ei qui fugitivum rectorem, vivum vel mortuum -adducat.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_506" id="Foot_506" href="#Ref_506">[506]</a> -Flor. Rémond, <i>Hist. de l'Hérésie</i>, liv. vii. ch. viii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_507" id="Foot_507" href="#Ref_507">[507]</a> -Maimbourg, <i>Hist. du Calvinisme</i>, p. 58.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_508" id="Foot_508" href="#Ref_508">[508]</a> -Gaillard, <i>Hist. de François I.</i> iv. p. 274.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_509" id="Foot_509" href="#Ref_509">[509]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. des Egl. Réf.</i> i. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_510" id="Foot_510" href="#Ref_510">[510]</a> -Varillas, <i>Hist. des Revolutions Religieuses</i>, ii. p. 467. This writer is -not always correct.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_511" id="Foot_511" href="#Ref_511">[511]</a> -Drelincourt, <i>Défense de Calvin</i>, pp. 35, 169.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_512" id="Foot_512" href="#Ref_512">[512]</a> -Acts ix. 25.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_513" id="Foot_513" href="#Ref_513">[513]</a> -'Morinus, cujus adhuc nomen ab insigni sævitia celebratur.'—Bezæ -<i>Vita Calvini</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_514" id="Foot_514" href="#Ref_514">[514]</a> -'Deprehensis, inter schedas, multis amicorum litteris, ut plurimi in -maximum vitæ discrimen incurrerent.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_515" id="Foot_515" href="#Ref_515">[515]</a> -'Je poursuivrai tout outre.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_516" id="Foot_516" href="#Ref_516">[516]</a> -Desmay, <i>Jean Calvin Hérésiarque</i>, p. 45. Drelincourt, <i>Défense de -Calvin</i>, p. 175.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_517" id="Foot_517" href="#Ref_517">[517]</a> -Casan, <i>Statistique de Mantes</i>. <i>France Protestante</i>, i. p. 113.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_518" id="Foot_518" href="#Ref_518">[518]</a> -Registres du Parlement.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_519" id="Foot_519" href="#Ref_519">[519]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_520" id="Foot_520" href="#Ref_520">[520]</a> -Gaillard, <i>Hist. de François I</i>. iv. p. 275.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_521" id="Foot_521" href="#Ref_521">[521]</a> -<i>Les Marguerites de la Marguerite</i>, i. p. 518.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">{285}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCE AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN FRANCIS I. - AND PHILIP OF HESSE AT BAR-LE-DUC.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1533-34.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=PROPOSED GERMAN ALLIANCE.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">ALMOST about the same time, Francis bent his -steps towards the Rhine. The establishment of -the Reform throughout Europe depended, as many -thought, on the union of France with protestant Germany. -This union would emancipate France from the -papal supremacy, and all christendom would then be -seen turning to the Gospel. The king was preparing -to hold a conference with the most decided of the protestant -princes of Germany. Rarely has an interview -between two sovereigns been of so much importance.</p> - -<p>Francis I. had hardly quitted Marseilles and arrived -at Avignon, when he assembled his council (25th of -November, 1533), and communicated to it the desire -for an alliance which the German protestants had expressed -to him. A certain shame had prevented him -from moving in the matter, amid the caresses which -papacy and royalty were lavishing upon each other at -Marseilles. But now that Clement was on board his -galleys, nothing prevented the King of France, who -had given his right hand to the pontiff, from giving -his left to the heretics.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_522" id="Ref_522" href="#Foot_522">[522]</a></span> -There were many reasons -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">{286}</a></span> -why he should do so. The clergy were not allies -for whose support he was eager: the best orthodoxy, -in his eyes, was the iron arm of the lansquenets. -Besides, the opportunity was unprecedented: in fact, -he could at one stroke gain the protestants to his cause, -and inflict an immense injury on Austria—that is to -say, on Charles V.</p> - -<p>It will no doubt be remembered that the young -Prince of Wurtemberg, whom the emperor was leading -in his train across the Alps, having escaped with -his governor, had loudly demanded back the states -of which Austria had robbed his father. Francis was -chiefly occupied about him at Avignon. 'At this -place,' says the historian Martin du Bellay, 'the king -assembled his council, and deliberated on a request -made to him not only by young Duke Christopher -of Wurtemberg and his father, but by his uncles, -Duke William and Duke Louis of Bavaria. Christopher -himself had written to Francis I.: "Sire," he -said, "during the great and long calamity of my -father and myself, what first made hope spring up in -our hearts was the thought that you would interpose -your influence to put an end to our misery.... Your -compassion for the afflicted is well known. I doubt -not that, by your assistance, we shall soon be restored -to our rights."'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_523" id="Ref_523" href="#Foot_523">[523]</a></span></p> - -<p>Francis, always on the watch to injure his rival, -was delighted at this proceeding, and did not conceal -his joy from the privy council. 'I desire much,' he -said, 'to see the dukes of Wurtemberg restored to their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">{287}</a></span> -states, and should like to help them, as much to weaken -the emperor's power as to acquire new friendships in -Germany. But,' he added, 'I would do it under so -<i>colourable a pretext</i>, that I may affirm that I have infringed -no treaty.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_524" id="Ref_524" href="#Foot_524">[524]</a></span> -To humble the emperor and to -exalt the protestants, without appearing to have anything -to do with it, was what Francis desired.</p> - -<p class="side">=DU BELLAY SENT TO GERMANY.=</p> - -<p>William du Bellay urged the king to return the -duke a favourable answer. A friend of independence -and sound liberty, he was at that time the representative -of the old French spirit, as Catherine de Medici -was to become the representative of the new—that is -to say, of the Romish influence under which France -has unhappily suffered for nearly three centuries. It -has been sometimes said that the cause of France is -the cause of Rome; but the noblest aspirations of the -French people and its most generous representatives -condemn this error. Popery is the cause of the pope -alone; it is not even the cause of Italy; and if the -contrary opinion still exists in France, it is a remnant -of the influence of the Medici.</p> - -<p>The transition from Marseilles to Avignon was, -however, a little abrupt. To ally the eldest son of -the Church with the protestants at the very moment -he left the pope's arms, in a city which belonged to -the holy see, and in the ancient palace of the pontiffs, -seemed strange to the French, whose eyes were still -fascinated by the pomp of Rome. This was noticed -by Du Bellay, who, wishing to facilitate the transition, -explained to the council 'that a diet was about to be -held at Augsburg, where the reparation of a great -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">{288}</a></span> -injustice would be discussed; that an innocent person -implored the king's assistance; that it was the practice -of France to succour the oppressed everywhere; -that precious advantages might result from it ... -besides, there could be no doubt of success, and as -the cause of Duke Christopher would be conducted -in the diet according to the rights, usages, immunities, -and privileges of the German nation, the emperor -could not prevent justice being done.... Let us send -an ambassador,' added Du Bellay, 'to support the -claims of the dukes of Wurtemberg, and Austria -must either restore these princes to their states, or -arouse the hostility of all Germany against it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_525" id="Ref_525" href="#Foot_525">[525]</a></span> -Francis was already gained. He hoped not only to take -Wurtemberg from Austria, but also to get up a general -war in Germany between the protestants and the -empire, of which he could take advantage to seize -upon the states which he claimed in Italy. When his -detested rival had fallen beneath their combined blows, -the religious question should be settled. The king, -who had meditated all this in the intervals of his -conferences with Clement VII., ordered Du Bellay to -proceed to Augsburg forthwith, and charged him 'to -do everything in his power, <i>with a sufficiently colourable -pretext</i>, towards the re-establishment of the -dukes of Wurtemberg.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_526" id="Ref_526" href="#Foot_526">[526]</a></span> -Du Bellay was satisfied. -He wished for more than the king did; he desired -to emancipate France from the papal supremacy, -and with that object to draw Francis and protestantism -closer together. That was difficult; but this -Wurtemberg affair, which presented itself simply as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">{289}</a></span> -a political question, would supply him with the means -of overcoming every difficulty. This was where he -would have to set the wedge in order to split the tree. -He thought that he could make use of it to counteract -the effects of the conference which the king had just -held with the pope by contriving another between -the two most anti-papistical princes in Europe. Du -Bellay departed, taking the road through Switzerland.</p> - -<p class="side">=DU BELLAY IN SWITZERLAND.=</p> - -<p>He had his reasons for adopting this route. The -emperor and his brother consented, indeed, that their -rights should be discussed in the diet, but it was only -that they might not appear to refuse to do justice: -everybody knew that Ferdinand had no intention of -restoring Wurtemberg. The balance was at that time -pretty even in Germany between Rome and the Gospel, -and the restitution of Wurtemberg would make it -incline to the side of the Reformation. If Austria -would not give way, she would have to be constrained -by force of arms. Du Bellay desired, therefore, to -induce the protestant cantons of Switzerland, bordering -on Wurtemberg, to unite their efforts with those -of protestant Germany in wresting that duchy from -the Austrian rule. Francis, who knew how to manage -such matters, had conceived the design of placing in -the hands of the Helvetians, probably through Du -Bellay, a certain sum of money to cover the expenses -of the campaign. But it seems that the protestant -cantons did not agree to the arrangement.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_527" id="Ref_527" href="#Foot_527">[527]</a></span></p> - -<p>When Du Bellay arrived at Augsburg, he met the -young Duke Christopher. He entered into conversation -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">{290}</a></span> -with him, and they were henceforth inseparable: -this prince, so amiable, but at the same time so -firm, was his man. He is to be the lever which -the counsellor of Francis I. will use to stir men's -minds, and to unite Germany and France.... The -first thing to be done was to restore him to his -throne. The French ambassador paid a visit to the -delegates from Austria. 'The king my master,' -he said, 'is delighted that this innocent young man -has at last found a harbour in the midst of the -tempest. His father and he have suffered enough -by being driven from their home.... It is time to -restore the son to the father, the father to the son, and -to both of them the states of their ancestors. If -entreaties are not sufficient,' added Du Bellay firmly, -'the king my master will employ all his power.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_528" id="Ref_528" href="#Foot_528">[528]</a></span> -Thus did France take up her position as the protector -of the distressed; but there was something else underneath: -the chief object of the king was to strike a blow -at the emperor; that of Du Bellay, to strike the pope.</p> - -<p>Christopher, who received encouragement from -every quarter, appeared before the diet on the 10th -of December, 1533. He was no longer the captive -prince whom Charles had led in his train. The poor -young man, who not long ago had been compelled to -flee, leaving his companion behind him, hidden among -the reeds of a marsh in the Norican Alps, stood now -before the German diet, surrounded by a brilliant -throng of nobles, the representatives of the princes -who supported his claims, and having as <i>assistants</i> -(that is, as espousing his quarrel) the delegates of -Saxony, Prussia, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Luneburg, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">{291}</a></span> -Hesse, Cleves, Munster, and Juliers. The -King of Hungary pleaded his cause in person: -'Most noble seigniors,' he began, 'when we see the -young Duke Christopher of Wurtemberg deprived of -his duchy without having done anything to deserve -such punishment, disappointed by the Austrians in all -the hopes they had given him, unworthily treated at -the imperial court,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_529" id="Ref_529" href="#Foot_529">[529]</a></span> -compelled to make his escape by -flight, imploring at this moment by earnest supplications -your compassion and your help—we are profoundly -agitated. What! because his father has done -wrong, shall this young man be reduced to a hard and -humiliating life? Has not the voice of God himself -declared that the son shall not bear the iniquities of -the father?'</p> - -<p class="side">=UNION TO ASSIST WURTEMBERG.=</p> - -<p>The Austrian commissioners, finding their position -rather embarrassing, began to temporise, and proposed -that Christopher should accept as compensation some -town of small importance. He refused, saying: 'I -will never cease to claim simply and firmly the country -of my fathers.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_530" id="Ref_530" href="#Foot_530">[530]</a></span> -But Austria, fearing the preponderance -of protestantism in Germany, closed her ears to -his just request. At this point France intervened -strongly in favour of the two protestant princes. Du -Bellay, after reminding the diet that Ulrich had confessed -his faults, and that he was much altered by -age, long exile, and great trials, continued thus: -'Must the duke see his only son, a young and innocent -prince, who ought to be the support of his declining -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">{292}</a></span> -years, for ever bearing the weight of his misfortunes? -Will you take into consideration neither the calamitous -old age of the one, nor the unhappy youth of the -other? Will you avenge the sins of the father upon -the child who was then in the cradle? The dukes of -Wurtemberg are of high descent. Their punishment -has been permitted, but not their destruction. Help -this innocent youth (Christopher), receive this penitent -(Ulrich), and reestablish them both in their -former dignity.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_531" id="Ref_531" href="#Foot_531">[531]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Austrians, who were annoyed at seeing the -ambassador of the King of France intermeddling in -their affairs, held firm. The deputies of Saxony, -Hesse, Prussia, Mecklenburg, and the other states, -now made up their minds to oppose Austria; they -told the young duke that they were ready to cast -their swords in the balance, and Christopher himself -requested Du Bellay 'to change his congratulatory -oration into a comminatory one.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_532" id="Ref_532" href="#Foot_532">[532]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=DU BELLAY PLEADS AND MENACES.=</p> - -<p>When the French envoy was admitted again before -the diet, he assumed a higher tone: 'My lords,' he -said, 'will you lend your hands to the ruin of an -innocent person?... If you do so ... I tell you that -you will bring a stain upon your reputation that all -the water in the sea will not be able to wash out. -This prince, in heart so proud, in origin so illustrious, -will not endure to live miserably in the country whose -sovereign he is by birth; he will go into a foreign land. -And in what part soever of the world he may be, -what will he carry with him?... The shame of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">{293}</a></span> -emperor, the shame of King Ferdinand, the shame of -all of you. Every man, pointing to him, will say: -That is he who formerly.... That is he who now.... -That is he who through no fault of his own.... That -is he who, being compelled to leave Germany.... You -understand, my lords, what is omitted in these sentences; -I willingly excuse myself from completing -them ... you will do it yourselves. No! you will -not be insensible to such great misery.... I see your -hearts are touched already.... I see by your gestures -and your looks that you feel the truth of my -words.'</p> - -<p>Then, making a direct attack upon the emperor and -his brother, he said: 'There are people who, very -erroneously in my opinion, consult only their wicked -ambition and unbridled covetousness, and who think -that, by oppressing now one and now another, they -will subdue all Germany.'</p> - -<p>Turning next to the young Prince of Wurtemberg, -the representative of Francis I. continued: 'Duke -Christopher, rely upon it the Most Christian King will -do all that he can in your behalf, without injury to -his faith, his honour, and the duties of blood. The -court of France has always been the most liberal -of all—ever open to receive exiled and suffering -princes. With greater reason, then, it will not be -closed against you who are its ally ... you who, -by the justice of your cause and by your innocence, -appear even to your enemies worthy of pity and -compassion.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_533" id="Ref_533" href="#Foot_533">[533]</a></span></p> - -<p>The members of the diet had listened attentively to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">{294}</a></span> -this speech, and their countenances showed that they -were convinced.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_534" id="Ref_534" href="#Foot_534">[534]</a></span> -The cause was won: the Swabian -league, the creature of Austria and the enemy of the -Reformation, was not to be renewed. Du Bellay left -Augsburg, continued his journey through Germany, -and endeavoured to form a new confederation there<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_535" id="Ref_535" href="#Foot_535">[535]</a></span> -against Austria, which Francis I. and Henry VIII. -could join. 'If any one should think of invading -England,' the latter was told, 'we would send you -soldiers <i>by the Baltic sea</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_536" id="Ref_536" href="#Foot_536">[536]</a></span> -It is to be feared that -this succour by way of the Baltic would have arrived -rather late in the waters of the Thames. But the -main thing in Du Bellay's eyes was action, not -diplomatic negotiations. His idea was to unite -Francis I. and the protestants of Germany in a common -movement which would lead France to throw off -the ultramontane yoke; but there were only two men -of sufficient energy to undertake it. The first was -the king his master, to whom we now return.</p> - -<p>Francis, after leaving Avignon, had gone into Dauphiny, -thence to Lyons and other cities in the east -of France. In January 1534, he reached Bar-le-Duc, -thus gradually drawing nearer to the German frontier. -The winter this year was exceedingly severe, but for -that the king did not care: he thought only of uniting -France and the protestants by means of Wurtemberg, -as the marriage of Catherine had just united France -and the pope.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">{295}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=THE LANDGRAVE'S PROJECT.=</p> - -<p>The second of the princes from whom an energetic -course might be expected was the Landgrave of Hesse. -Of all the protestant leaders of Germany he was the -one whose heart had been least changed by the Gospel. -Without equalling Francis I. in sensuality, he was yet -far from being a pattern of chastity. But, on the -other hand, none of the princes attached to the Reformation -equalled him in talent, strength, and activity. -By his character he was the most important man of -the evangelical league, and more than once he exercised -a decisive influence on the progress of the protestant -work. Philip, cousin of the Duke of Wurtemberg, -often had him at his court; Ulrich had -even taken part in the famous conference of Marburg. -Moved by the misfortunes of this prince, delighted -at the trick Christopher had played the emperor, -touched by the loyalty of the Wurtembergers, who -claimed their dukes and their nationality, impatient to -win this part of Germany to the evangelical faith, he -desired to take it away from Austria. To find the -men to do it was easy, if only he had the money ... -but money he had none.</p> - -<p>Du Bellay saw that there lay the knot of the affair, -and he made haste to cut it. The clergy of France -had just given the king a considerable sum: could a -better use be made of it than this? The French envoy -let Philip know that he might obtain from his master -the subsidies he needed. But more must be done: he -must take advantage of the opportunity to bring together -the two most enterprising princes of the epoch. -If they saw and heard one another, they would like -each other and bind themselves in such a manner that -the union of France and protestant Germany would -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">{296}</a></span> -be effected at last. Philip of Hesse received all these -overtures with delight.</p> - -<p class="side">=LUTHER OPPOSES THE WAR.=</p> - -<p>But fresh obstacles now intervened. The theologians -of the Reformation detested these foreign alliances -and wars, which, in their opinion, defiled the -holiest of causes. Luther and Melanchthon waited -upon the elector, conjuring him to oppose the landgrave's -rash enterprise; and Du Bellay found the two -reformers employing as much zeal to prevent the -union of Francis and Philip as he to accomplish it. -'Go,' said the elector to Luther and Melanchthon, -'and prevail upon the landgrave to change his -mind.'</p> - -<p>The two doctors, on their way from Wittemberg to -Weimar, where they would meet Philip, conversed -about their mission and the landgrave: 'He is an intelligent -prince,' said Luther, 'all animation and impulse, -and of a joyous heart. He has been able to -maintain order in his country, so that Hesse, which is -full of forests and mountains where robbers might -find shelter, sees its inhabitants travelling and roaming -about, buying and selling without fear.... If one -of them is attacked and robbed, forthwith the landgrave -falls upon the bandits and punishes them. He -is a true man of war—an Arminius. His star never -deceives him, and he is much dreaded by all his adversaries.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_537" id="Ref_537" href="#Foot_537">[537]</a></span> -'And I too,' said Melanchthon, 'love the -<i>Macedonian</i>' (for so he called Philip of Hesse, because, -in his opinion, that prince had all the shrewdness -and courage of his namesake of Macedon); 'for that -reason,' he added, 'I am unwilling that, being so high, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">{297}</a></span> -he should risk so great a fall.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_538" id="Ref_538" href="#Foot_538">[538]</a></span> -The two theologians -had no doubt that a war undertaken against the -powerful house of Austria would end in a frightful -catastrophe to the protestants.</p> - -<p>When they reached Weimar the two reformers saw -the landgrave, and employed 'their best rhetoric,' says -Luther, to dissuade him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_539" id="Ref_539" href="#Foot_539">[539]</a></span> -The doctor held very -decided opinions on this subject. An alliance with -the King of France, what a disgrace! A war against -the emperor, what madness! 'The devil,' he said, -'desires to govern the nation by making everybody -draw the sword. With what eloquence he strives to -convince us that it is lawful and even necessary! -Somebody is injuring these people, he says; let us -make haste to strike and save them! Madman! God -sleeps not, and is no fool; he knows very well how to -govern the world.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_540" id="Ref_540" href="#Foot_540">[540]</a></span> -We have to contend with an -enemy against whom no human strength or wisdom -can prevail. If we arm ourselves with iron and steel, -with swords and guns, he has only to breathe upon -them, and nothing remains but dust and ashes.... But -if we take upon us the armour of God, the helmet, the -shield, and the sword of the Spirit, then God, if necessary, -will hurl the emperor from his throne,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_541" id="Ref_541" href="#Foot_541">[541]</a></span> -and will keep for us all he has given us—his Gospel, his -kingdom.' Luther and Melanchthon persevered in -their representations to the landgrave, in order to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">{298}</a></span> -thwart Du Bellay's plans. 'This war,' they said, -'will ruin the cause of the Gospel, and fix on it an -indelible stain. Pray do not disturb the peace.' At -these words the prince's face grew red; he did not like -opposition, and gave the two divines an angry answer.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_542" id="Ref_542" href="#Foot_542">[542]</a></span> -'They are people who do not understand the affairs of -this world,' he said; and, returning to Hesse, he pursued -his plans with vigour.</p> - -<p>He had not long to wait for success. The King of -France invited the landgrave to cross into Lorraine to -come to an understanding with him: he added, 'without -forgetting to bring Melanchthon.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_543" id="Ref_543" href="#Foot_543">[543]</a></span> -Then Philip -held back no longer: a conference with the mighty -King of France seemed to him of the utmost importance. -He started on his journey, reached Deux-Ponts -on the 18th of January, 1534; and shortly -afterwards that daring prince, who, by quitting Augsburg -in 1530, had thrown the diet into confusion, and -alarmed the cabinet of the emperor,—the most warlike -chief of the evangelical party, the most brilliant -enemy of popery, Philip of Hesse, arrived at Bar-le-Duc, -where Francis received him with the smile -which had not left his lips since his meeting with -Clement.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_544" id="Ref_544" href="#Foot_544">[544]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CONFERENCE OF PHILIP AND FRANCIS.=</p> - -<p>The two princes first began to scrutinise each other. -The landgrave was thirty years old, and Francis forty. -Philip was short, his eyes large and bold, and his whole -countenance indicated resolution of character. Politics -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">{299}</a></span> -and religion immediately occupied their attention. -The king expressed himself strongly in favour of the -ancient liberties of the Germanic empire, which Austria -threatened, and pronounced distinctly for the restoration -of the dukes of Wurtemberg. Coming then to -the grand question, he said, 'Pray explain to me the -state of religious affairs in Germany; I do not quite -understand them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_545" id="Ref_545" href="#Foot_545">[545]</a></span> -The landgrave explained to -the king, as well as he could, the causes and true -nature of the Reformation, and the struggles to -which it gave rise. Francis I. consented to hear from -the mouth of a prince a statement of those evangelical -principles to which he closed his ears when explained -to him by Zwingle or by Calvin. It is true that Philip -presented them rather in a political light. Francis -showed himself favourable to the protestant princes. -'I refused my consent to a council in Italy,' he -said; 'I desire a neutral city, and instead of an assembly -in which the pope can do what he pleases, I -demand a free council.' 'These are the king's very -words,' wrote the landgrave to the elector.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_546" id="Ref_546" href="#Foot_546">[546]</a></span> -Philip -of Hesse was delighted. Assuredly, if Germany, -France, England, and other states should combine -against the emperor and the pope, all Europe would -be transformed. 'That is not all,' added the landgrave; -'the king told me certain things ... which I am sure -will please your highness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_547" id="Ref_547" href="#Foot_547">[547]</a></span></p> - -<p>The secret conference being ended: 'Now,' said -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">{300}</a></span> -Francis to the landgrave, 'pray present Melanchthon -to me.' He had begged the German prince, as we -have seen, to bring this celebrated doctor with him; -the King of France wished for something more than -a diplomatic conference, he desired a religious one. -But the landgrave had not forgotten the interview at -Weimar; and far from inviting Melanchthon, he had -carefully concealed from the Elector of Saxony the -resolution he had formed, notwithstanding his representations, -to unite with the King of France in hostilities -against Austria. Philip having answered that -Melanchthon was not with him: 'Impossible!' exclaimed -the king, and all the French nobles echoed the -word. 'Impossible! you will not make us believe that -Melanchthon is not with you!'—'Everybody wished -to convince us that we had Philip with us,' said the -landgrave.—'Show him to us,' they exclaimed, 'almost -using violence towards us.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_548" id="Ref_548" href="#Foot_548">[548]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was indeed a great disappointment. Melanchthon -was the most esteemed representative of the Reformation. -Some of those who accompanied the king had -reckoned upon him for a detailed explanation of the -evangelical principles; there were some even who -desired to consult him on the best means of insuring -their success in France. In their eyes Melanchthon was -as necessary as Philip. 'As he is not here,' said they, -'you must send for him.'—'Really,' said the landgrave, -smiling, 'these Frenchmen desire so much to -see Melanchthon, that, if we could show him to them, -they would give us as much money as Tetzel and all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">{301}</a></span> -the indulgence vendors ever gained with their sanctimonious -paper rubbish.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_549" id="Ref_549" href="#Foot_549">[549]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE TREATY SIGNED.=</p> - -<p>They consoled themselves for this disappointment -by holding a new conference on the mode of delivering -Wurtemberg. The king said that he could not -furnish troops, as that would be contrary to the -treaty of Cambray. 'I do not require soldiers,' answered -the landgrave, 'but I want a subsidy.' But -to supply funds for a war against Charles V. was -equally opposed to the treaty. An expedient was -sought and soon found. Duke Ulrich shall sell Montbéliard -to France for 125,000 crowns; but it shall be -stipulated, in a secret article, that if the duke repays -this sum within three years (as he did) Francis will -give back Montbéliard. It would appear that England -also had something to do with the subsidy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_550" id="Ref_550" href="#Foot_550">[550]</a></span> -The treaty was signed on the 27th of January, 1534. It -is worthy of notice that the French historians, even -those free from ultramontane prejudices, do not speak -of this conference.</p> - -<p>Several other interviews took place. The landgrave -was not the best type of the true Reformation, -but he had with him some good evangelicals, who, in -their pious zeal, could show the King of France, as -Luther would have done, the way of salvation. Solemn -opportunities are thus given men of leaving the -low grounds in which they live, and rising to the -heights where they will see God. Francis I. closed -his eyes. That prince possessed certain excellent -gifts, but his religion 'was nothing but vanity and -empty show.' At Bar-le-Duc he took the mailed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">{302}</a></span> -hand of the landgrave, but had no desire for the hand -of Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p>The landgrave went back into Germany, and the -King of France to the interior of his states. Returning -from the two interviews, he congratulated himself -on having embraced the pope at Marseilles and -the protestants at Bar-le-Duc. In proportion as the -conference with Clement had been public, that with -Philip had been secret; but, on the other hand, it had -been more confidential and more real. These two -meetings, these two facts in appearance so different, -had been produced by the action of the same law. -That law, which Francis wore in his heart, was hatred -and ruin to Charles V. Were not the pope and the -landgrave two of the princes of Europe who detested -the emperor most? It was therefore quite logical -and in harmony with the science of Machiavelli for -the king to give one hand to Clement and the other -to Philip. Internal contradictions could not fail to -show themselves erelong. In fact, the Landgrave of -Hesse, supported by France, was about to attack -Austria, and establish protestantism in Wurtemberg -in the place of popery.... What would Clement say? -But before we follow the landgrave upon this perilous -enterprise, let us return into France with the -king.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_522" id="Foot_522" href="#Ref_522">[522]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 206.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_523" id="Foot_523" href="#Ref_523">[523]</a> -Martin du Bellay gives Duke Christopher's letter. <i>Mémoires</i>, -pp. 207, 208.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_524" id="Foot_524" href="#Ref_524">[524]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 208.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_525" id="Foot_525" href="#Ref_525">[525]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 209.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_526" id="Foot_526" href="#Ref_526">[526]</a> -Ibid. p. 210.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_527" id="Foot_527" href="#Ref_527">[527]</a> -'Regem Franciæ deposuisse certam pecuniæ summam in bellum -pro restitutione junioris ducis Wurtembergensis apud Helvetios.'—<i>State -Papers</i>, vii. p. 539.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_528" id="Foot_528" href="#Ref_528">[528]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 211.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_529" id="Foot_529" href="#Ref_529">[529]</a> -'Coactus qui fuerit ex ea curia in qua tam indigne tractabatur, sese -subducere.'—Johannes rex Hungariæ, manu propria, <i>State Papers</i>, vii. -p. 538.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_530" id="Foot_530" href="#Ref_530">[530]</a> -Ranke, after Gabelkofer and Pfister, iii. p. 453.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_531" id="Foot_531" href="#Ref_531">[531]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 213-219. He gives his brother's speech -at full length.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_532" id="Foot_532" href="#Ref_532">[532]</a> -'Changer son oraison gratulatoire en oraison comminatoire.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_533" id="Foot_533" href="#Ref_533">[533]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, pp. 220-232.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_534" id="Foot_534" href="#Ref_534">[534]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, p. 232.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_535" id="Foot_535" href="#Ref_535">[535]</a> -'Eum (Du Bellay) laborare inter certos Germaniæ principes, ut -fœdus novum inter se creent.'—Mont to Henry VIII., <i>State Papers</i>, vii. -p. 539.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_536" id="Foot_536" href="#Ref_536">[536]</a> -'Ipsi vero militem per mare Balticum nobis mitterent, si quis -Majestatem Vestram invadere vellet.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_537" id="Foot_537" href="#Ref_537">[537]</a> -'Der Landgraf ist ein Kriegsmann, ein Arminius.'—Lutheri <i>Opp.</i> -xxii. p. 1842.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_538" id="Foot_538" href="#Ref_538">[538]</a> -'Ego certe <span title="ton Makedona">τὸν Μακεδόνα</span> non possum non amare et nolim cadere.'—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 727.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_539" id="Foot_539" href="#Ref_539">[539]</a> -'Und brauchten dazu unsere beste Rhetorica.'—Lutheri <i>Opp.</i> xxii. -p. 1843.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_540" id="Foot_540" href="#Ref_540">[540]</a> -'Gott schläfet nicht, ist auch kein Narr: Er weiss sehr wohl wie -man regieren soll.'—Ibid. x. p. 254.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_541" id="Foot_541" href="#Ref_541">[541]</a> -'Den Kayser von seinem Stuhl stürzen.'—Ibid. xi. p. 434.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_542" id="Foot_542" href="#Ref_542">[542]</a> -'Da ward S. F. G. gar roth und erzumte sich drüber.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_543" id="Foot_543" href="#Ref_543">[543]</a> -'Der König von Frankreich an uns beghert hat, das wir zu Ihm -kommen wolten.'—The Landgrave to the Elector, Rommel's <i>Urkundenbuch</i>, -p. 53.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_544" id="Foot_544" href="#Ref_544">[544]</a> -Sleidan, i. liv. ix. p. 358.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_545" id="Foot_545" href="#Ref_545">[545]</a> -'Wie doch die Saclien und Zwiespalten der Religion standen.'—The -Landgrave to the Elector, Rommel's <i>Urkundenbuch</i>, p. 53.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_546" id="Foot_546" href="#Ref_546">[546]</a> -'Und sind das eben die Worte des Konigs.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_547" id="Foot_547" href="#Ref_547">[547]</a> -'Es haben sich zwischen dem Könige und uns Reden zugetragen -... daran E. L. gut gefallen haben werden.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_548" id="Foot_548" href="#Ref_548">[548]</a> -'Der König und die grossen Herrn und jedermann wolten uns <i>mit -Gewald uberreden</i>, wir hätten Philippum bey uns.'—The Landgrave to -the Elector, Rommel's <i>Urkundenbuch</i>, p. 53.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_549" id="Foot_549" href="#Ref_549">[549]</a> -Rommel's <i>Urkundenbuch</i>, p. 53.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_550" id="Foot_550" href="#Ref_550">[550]</a> -<i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 568.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">{303}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">TRIUMPH AND MARTYRDOM.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Winter 1533-34.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=THE GOSPEL IN THE PARIS CHURCHES.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE consequences of the meeting at Marseilles were -to be felt at Paris. After Calvin's flight, the -Queen of Navarre, as we have seen, had succeeded in -calming the storm; and yet the evangelical cause had -never been nearer a violent persecution. The prisons -were soon to be filled; the fires of martyrdom were soon -to be kindled. During the year 1533 <i>Lutheran</i> discourses -had greatly multiplied in the churches. 'Many -notable persons,' says the chronicler, 'were at that -time preaching in the city of Paris.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_551" id="Ref_551" href="#Foot_551">[551]</a></span> -The simplicity, -wisdom, and animation of their language had moved -all who heard them. The churches were filled, not -with formal auditors, but with men who received the -glad-tidings with great joy. 'Drunkards had become -sober; libertines had become chaste; the fruits which -proceeded from the preaching of the Gospel had astonished -the enemies of light and truth.'</p> - -<p>The doctors of the Sorbonne did not wait for the -king's orders to attack the evangelicals; his interview -with the pope, and the news of the bull brought from -Rome, had filled the catholic camp with joy. 'What!' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">{304}</a></span> -they exclaimed, 'the king is uniting with the pope at -Marseilles, and in Paris the churches are opened to -heresy! ... let us make haste and close them.'</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile Du Bellay, the Bishop of Paris, who -had made such a fine Latin speech to Clement VII., and -who went at heart half-way with his brother, arrived -in the capital. The leaders of the Roman party immediately -surrounded him, urged him, and demanded -the realisation of all the hopes which they had entertained -from the interview at Marseilles. The bishop -was embarrassed, for he knew that his brother and the -king were just then occupied with a very different -matter. Yet it was the desire of Francis that, for -the moment, they should act in conformity with his -apparent and not with his real action. The bishop -gave way. The pious Roussel, the energetic Courault, -the temporising Berthaud, and others besides, were -forbidden to preach, and one morning the worshippers -found the church doors shut.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_552" id="Ref_552" href="#Foot_552">[552]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PRIVATE MEETINGS.=</p> - -<p>Great was their sorrow and agitation. Many went -to Roussel and Courault, and loudly expressed their -regret and their wishes. The ministers took courage, -and 'turned their preaching into private lectures.' -Little meetings were formed in various houses in the -city. At first none but members of the family were -present; but it seemed that Christ, according to his -promise, was in the midst of them, and erelong -friends and neighbours were admitted. The ministers -set forth the promises of Holy Scripture, and the -worshippers exclaimed: 'We receive more blessings -now than before.'</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">{305}</a></div> - -<p>There were others besides Parisian faces which -Courault, Roussel, and their friends saw on the humble -benches around their little table: there were persons -from many provinces of France, and even from the -neighbouring countries. Among them was Master -Pointet, a native of Menton, near Annecy, in Savoy, -'who practised the art of surgery in the city of Paris.' -He had been brought to a knowledge of the Gospel in -a singular way. 'Monks and priests,' says the chronicler, -'used to come to him to be cured of the diseases -peculiar to those who substitute an impure celibacy -for the holy institution of marriage.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_553" id="Ref_553" href="#Foot_553">[553]</a></span> -Pointet, observing -that godliness was not to be found among the -priests, sought for it in the Scriptures; and, having discovered -it there, began to remonstrate seriously with -those unhappy men. 'These punishments,' he told -them, 'proceed from your accursed celibacy: they are -your wages, and you would do much better to take a -wife.' Pointet, while reading these severe lessons, loved -to go and learn in the lowly assemblies held by the -humble ministers of the Word of God, and no one listened -with more attention to the preaching of Roussel -and Courault.</p> - -<p>The Sorbonnists, having heard of these conventicles, -declared 'that they disliked <i>these lectures</i> still more -than the sermons.' In fact, if the preaching in the -churches had been a loud appeal, the Divine Word in -these small meetings spoke nearer to men's hearts, enlightening -them and making them fast in Jesus Christ; -and accordingly the conversions increased in number. -The lieutenant-criminal once more took the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">{306}</a></span> -field: he posted his agents at the corners of the -more suspected streets, with orders to watch the -Lutherans and ferret them out. These spies discovered -that on certain days and hours many suspicious-looking -persons, most of them poor, were in the -habit of frequenting certain houses. Morin and his -officers set to work immediately: they made the -round of these conventicles, seizing the pastors and -dispersing the flocks. 'We are deprived of everything,' -said the worshippers; 'we remain without -teaching and exhortation. Alas! poor sheep without -shepherds, shall we not go astray and be lost?' Then -with a sudden impulse they exclaimed: 'Since our -guides are taken away from us here, let us seek them -elsewhere!' Many French evangelicals fled into -foreign countries.</p> - -<p>While the poor reformed<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_554" id="Ref_554" href="#Foot_554">[554]</a></span> -who remained in Paris -were thus forsaken and sorrowful, the Sorbonne loudly -demanded the return of Beda and the other exiles. -The theologians canvassed the most influential members -of the parliament, and besieged Cardinal Duprat. -The king and the pope had just met solemnly at -Marseilles; one of the Medici had just entered the -family of the Valois; a royal letter, despatched from -Lyons, ordered proceedings to be taken against the -heretics: could they leave the champions of the papacy -in disgrace? The demand was granted, and the impetuous -Beda returned in triumph to the capital with -his friends. That wicked little fairy Catherine had, -unconsciously, and by her mere presence, restored him -to liberty.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">{307}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=FRESH EFFORTS OF THE SORBONNE.=</p> - -<p>The wrath and fanaticism of Beda, excited by exile, -knew no bounds. The repression of obscure <i>preachers</i> -did not satisfy him; he determined to renew the attack -he had formerly made upon the learned. 'I accuse the -king's readers in the university of Paris,' he said to -the parliament. These were the celebrated professors -Danès, Paul Paradis, Guidacieri, and Vatable, learned -philologists, esteemed by Francis and honoured over -all literary Europe. 'Their interpretations of the -text of Scripture,' continued Beda, 'throw discredit -on the Vulgate, and propagate the errors of Luther. -I demand that they be forbidden to comment on -the Holy Scriptures.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_555" id="Ref_555" href="#Foot_555">[555]</a></span></p> - -<p>Beda did not stand alone. Le Picard had returned -from exile with his master, and the Sorbonne, wishing -to give him a striking mark of their esteem, had conferred -on him the degree of doctor of divinity. Beda -and Le Picard took counsel together with some other -priests. War was resolved upon, the legions were -mustered, the plan of the campaign drawn up, and the -various battle-fields allotted among the combatants. -They took possession of the pulpits from which the -preachers of the Reform had been expelled, and loud -voices were heard everywhere giving utterance to -violent harangues against 'the Lutherans.' Beda, Le -Picard, and their followers denounced the heretics as -enemies of the altar and the throne. In the Gospel, -the germ of every liberty, they saw the cause of every -disorder. 'It is not enough to put the Lutheran evangelists -in prison,' said these forerunners of the preachers -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">{308}</a></span> -of the League; 'we must go a step further, and burn -them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_556" id="Ref_556" href="#Foot_556">[556]</a></span></p> - -<p>The arrests were begun immediately; but early in -the year 1534 the burning pile was declared to be the -best answer to heresy. The parliament of Paris -published an edict, according to which whoever was -convicted of Lutheranism on the testimony of two -witnesses, should be burnt forthwith.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_557" id="Ref_557" href="#Foot_557">[557]</a></span> -That was -the surest way: the dead never return. Beda immediately -demanded that the decree should be -applied to the four evangelists: Courault, Berthaud, -Roussel, and one of their friends. Notwithstanding -his moderation and his concessions, Roussel -particularly excited the syndic's anger. Was he not -Margaret's chaplain? The terror began to spread. -Whilst Francis at Bar-le-Duc was endeavouring to -please the most decided of the protestants, the evangelicals -of Paris, alarmed by the inquiries of the -police, shut themselves up in their humble dwellings. -'Really,' they said, 'this is not much unlike the -Spanish inquisition.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_558" id="Ref_558" href="#Foot_558">[558]</a></span> - The Sorbonne dared not, -however, burn Roussel and his friends without the -consent of the king.</p> - -<p class="side">=THREE HUNDRED EVANGELICAL PRISONERS.=</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile the ultramontane party formed -the design of catching all the Lutherans in Paris in -one cast of the net. Morin set to work: he urged on -his hounds; his sergeants entered the houses, went -down into the cellars and up into the garrets, taking -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">{309}</a></span> -away, here the husband from the wife; there, the -father from the children; and in another place, the son -from the mother. Some of these poor creatures hid -themselves, others escaped by the roofs; but the chase -was successful upon the whole. The alguazils of the -Sorbonne lodged about <i>three hundred prisoners</i> in the -Conciergerie.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_559" id="Ref_559" href="#Foot_559">[559]</a></span> -When this news spread, with its concomitants -of terror and distress, the flight recommenced -on a larger scale: some were stopped on the road, but -many succeeded in crossing the frontier. Among -their number was a christian courtier, Maurus Musæus, -a gentleman of the king's chamber, who took refuge at -Basle, whence he wrote describing his numerous perplexities -to Bucer.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_560" id="Ref_560" href="#Foot_560">[560]</a></span></p> - -<p>All this was done by the Sorbonne and parliament, -as the king had not yet spoken out. At last he -returned to the capital, and everybody thought he -would be eager to fulfil the promises he had made the -pope; but, on the contrary, he hesitated and affected -to be scrupulous. The evil spirit that he had received -from Clement VII. under the form of a Medici, was -too young to have any influence over him. Besides, -he was thinking much more just then of his alliance -with the protestants of Germany than of his union -with the pope, and the attacks made against his professors -in the university annoyed him.</p> - -<p>Beda was not discouraged: he got some persons, who -had access to the king, to beg that Roussel and his -friends might be burnt. But how could that prince -send the Lutherans of France to the stake at the very -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">{310}</a></span> -time he was seeking an alliance with the Lutherans of -Germany? 'Nobody is condemned in France,' he said, -'without being tried. Beda wishes to have Roussel and -his friends burnt; very well! let him first go to the -Conciergerie and reduce them to silence.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_561" id="Ref_561" href="#Foot_561">[561]</a></span> -This was not what Beda wanted: he knew that it was -easier to burn the chaplain than to refute him. But -the king compelled him to go to the prison; and there -the impetuous Beda and the meek Roussel stood face -to face. The disputation began in the presence of -witnesses. The prisoner brought forward, with much -simplicity, the Scriptures of God; the syndic of the -Sorbonne replied with scholastic quibbles and ridiculous -trifling.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_562" id="Ref_562" href="#Foot_562">[562]</a></span> - His own friends were embarrassed; -everybody saw his ignorance; Beda left the prison -overwhelmed with shame, and Roussel was not burnt.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_563" id="Ref_563" href="#Foot_563">[563]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE KING'S IRRITATION.=</p> - -<p>While Beda and Roussel were disputing in the Conciergerie, -a different scene was passing at the Louvre. -A friend of letters, belonging to the royal household, -knowing the king's susceptibility, placed a little book -elegantly bound on a table near which the king was -accustomed to sit. Francis approached, took up the -book heedlessly, and looked at it. He was greatly surprised -on reading the title: <i>Remonstrance addressed to -the King of France by the three doctors of Paris, banished -and relegated, praying to be recalled from their exile</i>. -It was a work published by Beda before his return -to Paris, and had been carefully concealed from the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">{311}</a></span> -monarch. 'Ho! ho!' said he, 'this book is addressed -to me!' He opened and read, and great was his anger -on seeing how he was insulted and slandered.... -'Francis I. regards neither pope nor Medici: in his -eyes, the chief infallibility is always his own.' 'Send -those wretches to prison,' he exclaimed; and immediately -Beda, Le Picard, and Le Clerq were shut up -in the bishop's prison on a charge of high treason.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_564" id="Ref_564" href="#Foot_564">[564]</a></span></p> - -<p>And now the chiefs of both causes were in confinement: -Gerard Roussel, Courault, and Berthaud on -one side; Beda, Le Picard, and Le Clerq on the other. -Would any one dare affirm that the King of France -did not hold the balance even between the two schools? -Who shall be released? who shall remain a prisoner? -was now the question. It would have been better to -set them all at large; but neither Francis nor his -age had attained to religious liberty. Contrary winds -agitated that prince, and drove him by turns towards -Rome and towards Wittemberg. One or other of -them, however, must prevail. Margaret, believing -the time to be critical, displayed indefatigable activity. -She pleaded the cause of her friends to the king and -to his ministers. Still mistaken, or seeming to be -mistaken, as regards Montmorency, she begged this -treacherous friend to save the very persons whose destruction -he had sworn. 'Dear nephew,' she wrote to -him, 'they are just now completing the proceedings -against Master Gerard, and I hope the king will find him -worthy of something better than the stake, and that he -has never held any opinion deserving such punishment, -or savouring of heresy. I have known him these five -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">{312}</a></span> -years, and, believe me, if I had seen anything doubtful -in him, I should not so long have put up with -such a pagan.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_565" id="Ref_565" href="#Foot_565">[565]</a></span> -The king could not resist his sister's -earnest solicitations and the desire of making friends -among the protestants of Germany. In the month of -March 1534 he published an ordinance vindicating -the evangelical preachers from the calumnies of the -theologians, and setting them at liberty.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_566" id="Ref_566" href="#Foot_566">[566]</a></span></p> - -<p>Surprising thing! Roussel, Courault, and Berthaud -at liberty; Beda, Le Picard, and Le Clerq in prison! -The champions of heresy triumph, and the champions -of the Church are in chains! And this, too, after the -king's return from Marseilles (the interview at Bar-le-Duc -was not known at Paris), and four months after -the marriage of Henry of France with the pope's -niece!... Where are the promises made to Clement VII.? -Both the city and the Sorbonne were -deeply excited by this measure.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_567" id="Ref_567" href="#Foot_567">[567]</a></span> -The greater the -hopes aroused by the union with the papacy, the greater -the fears caused by the king's conduct towards its -most intrepid defenders. Would Francis I. become a -Henry VIII.? Would Roman catholicism be ruined -in France? The priests were afraid—many of them -even despaired.</p> - -<p>The evangelicals, on the contrary, were delighted. -The Word of God was about to triumph, they thought, -not only in Paris, but also throughout France. Surprising -news indeed came from Lyons, where an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">{313}</a></span> -invisible preacher kept the whole population in -suspense.</p> - -<p class="side">=ALEXANDER AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>The friar De la Croix, whom we have already -mentioned, having abandoned Paris, his convent, his -cowl, and his monkish title, had reached Geneva under -the name of Alexander. Cordially welcomed by Farel -and Froment, he had been instructed by their care in -the knowledge of the truth. His transformation had -been complete. Christ had become to him 'the sun -of righteousness; he had a burning zeal to know him, -and great boldness in confessing him. Incontinent, -he showed himself resolute, and resisted all gainsayers.' -Accordingly the Genevan magistracy, which was under -the influence of the priests, had condemned him to -death as a heretic; the sentence had, however, been -commuted, 'for fear of the King of France,' who would -not suffer a Frenchman, even if heretical, to be maltreated, -and Alexander was simply turned out of the -city. When on the high-road beyond the gates, and -near the Mint, he stopped and preached to the people -who had followed him. Such was the power of his -language that it inspired respect in all around him. -'Nobody could stop him,' says Froment, 'so strongly -did his zeal impel him to win people to the Lord.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_568" id="Ref_568" href="#Foot_568">[568]</a></span></p> - -<p>Alexander first went to Berne with Froment, and -then, retracing his steps, seriously reflected whether he -ought not to return into France. He did not deceive -himself: persecution, imprisonment, death, awaited him -there. Then ought he not rather, like so many others, -to preach the Gospel in Switzerland? But France -had so much need of the light and grace of God.... -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">{314}</a></span> -should he abandon her? To preach Christ to his countrymen, -Alexander was ready to bear all manner of -evil, and even death. One single passion swallowed -up all others. 'O my Saviour! thou hast given thy -life for me; I desire to give mine for thee!' He crossed -the frontier; and, learning that Bresse and Maconnais -(Saône-et-Loire), where Michael d'Aranda had preached -Christ in 1524, were without evangelists, he began to -proclaim the forgiveness of the Gospel to the simple and -warm-hearted people of that district, among whom fanaticism -had so many adherents. He did not mind this: -wandering along the banks of the Bienne, the Ain, the -Seille, and the Saône, he entered the cottages of the -poor peasants, and courageously scattered the seed of -the Gospel.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_569" id="Ref_569" href="#Foot_569">[569]</a></span> -A rumour of his doings reached Lyons, -where certain pious goldsmiths, always ready to make -sacrifices for their faith, invited Alexander to come -and preach in their city.</p> - -<p class="side">=HIS WORK AT LYONS.=</p> - -<p>It was a wider field than the plains of Bresse. -Alexander departed, arrived at Lyons, and entered the -goldsmiths' shops. He conversed with them, and -made the acquaintance of several <i>poor men of Lyons</i>, -who were rich in faith; they edified one another, but -this did not satisfy him. The living faith by which he -was animated gave him an indefatigable activity. He -was prompt in his decisions, full of spirit in his addresses, -ingenious in his plans. He began to preach -from house to house; next 'he got a number of people -together here and there, and preached before them, to -the great advancement of the Word.' Opposition soon -began to show itself, and Alexander exclaimed: 'Oh -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">{315}</a></span> -that Lyons were a free city like Geneva!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_570" id="Ref_570" href="#Foot_570">[570]</a></span> -Those who -desired to hear the Word grew more thirsty every -day; they went to Alexander, and conversed with him; -they dragged him to their houses, but the evangelist -could not supply all their wants. He wrote to Farel, -asking for help from Geneva, but none came; the persecution -was believed to be so fierce at Lyons, that nobody -dared expose himself to it. Alexander continued, -therefore, to preach alone, sometimes in by-streets, -and sometimes in an upper chamber. The priests -and their creatures, always on the watch, endeavoured -to seize him, but the evangelist had hardly finished -his sermon when the faithful, who loved him devotedly, -surrounded him, carried him away, and -conducted him to some hiding-place. But Alexander -did not remain there long: wistfully putting out -his head, and looking round the house, to see that -there was no one on the watch, he came forth to go -and preach at the other extremity of the city. He -had hardly finished when he was carried away again, -and the believers took him to some new retreat, 'hiding -him from one house to another,' says the chronicler, -'so that he could not be found.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_571" id="Ref_571" href="#Foot_571">[571]</a></span> -The evangelist -was everywhere and nowhere. When the priests were -looking after him in some suburb in the south, he was -preaching in the north, on the heights which overlook -the city. He put himself boldly in the van, he proclaimed -the Gospel loudly, and yet he was invisible.</p> - -<p>Alexander did more than this: he even visited the -prisons. He heard one day that two men, well known -in Geneva, who had come to Lyons on business, had -been thrown into the bishop's dungeons on the information -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">{316}</a></span> -of the Genevan priests: they were the energetic -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve, and his friend -Cologny.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_572" id="Ref_572" href="#Foot_572">[572]</a></span> -The gates opened for Alexander: he entered, -and that mysterious evangelist, who baffled the -police of Lyons, was inside the episcopal prison. If one -of the agents who are in search of him should recognise -him, the gates will never open again for him. But -Alexander felt no uneasiness; he spoke to the two -Genevans, and exhorted them; he even went and -consoled other brethren imprisoned for the Gospel, -and then left the dungeons, no man laying a hand -on him. The priests and their agents, bursting with -vexation at seeing the futility of all their efforts, -met and lamented with one another. 'There is a -Lutheran,' they said, 'who preaches and disturbs the -people, collecting assemblies here and there in the city, -whom we must catch, for he will spoil all the world, as -everybody is running after him; and yet we cannot -find him, or know who he is.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_573" id="Ref_573" href="#Foot_573">[573]</a></span> -They increased their -exertions, but all was useless. Never had preacher -in so extraordinary a manner escaped so many snares. -At last they began to say that the unknown preacher -must be possessed of satanic powers, by means of -which he passed invisible through the police, and no -one suspected his presence.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET AND ROUSSEL.=</p> - -<p>Thus the Gospel was proclaimed in the first and in -the second city of France. The Sorbonne and the -catholic party had been intimidated by the king, and -the Easter festival of 1534, which was approaching, -might give the evangelicals of Paris a striking opportunity -of proclaiming their faith. This was what the -Queen of Navarre desired. She had passed some -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">{317}</a></span> -time at Alençon, and also at Argentan, not far from -Caen, with her sister-in-law, Catherine d'Albret, abbess -of the convent of the Holy Trinity; at length -she had returned to Paris. The priests dared not name -her, but they made certain allusions to her in their -sermons which their hearers very well understood. -These things were reported to Margaret, who cared -neither to pacify nor to punish her accusers, and -answered them only by endeavouring still more to -advance the cause of piety in France. The little -conventicles only half pleased her: she wanted the -evangelical doctrine to enter the kingdom by the -churches, and not by the 'upper chambers.' She -would have desired for France a reformation similar -to that of England, which, while giving it the Word -of God, preserved its archbishops and bishops, its -cathedrals, its liturgy, and its grandeur. Queen of -France, she would have been its Elizabeth; but -doubtless with more grace. Her ambition was to -install the Gospel at Notre Dame. She paid a visit -to the king; she spoke to the bishop ... Roussel -shall preach there. He was not a Farel in boldness, -but Margaret encouraged him; besides, the idea of -preaching the Gospel to the people of Paris in that -old cathedral was pleasing to him. He determined, -therefore, to comply with the queen's wishes.</p> - -<p>The report of Margaret's intentions had hardly -become known, when the canons were in commotion. -How scandalous! What! shall these evangelicals, of -whom they wished to purge France, assemble in -the cathedral?... A disciple of Luther ... in the -temple ennobled by so many holy bishops!... -Finding themselves betrayed by the king, the priests -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">{318}</a></span> -resolved to turn to the people. These fanatics did not -scruple to become mob-leaders; they traversed the city -and the suburbs, entered the shops, distributed little -handbills, and stuck up placards: under the excitement -of this mission the oldest Sorbonnists regained all -the activity of youth. 'We must resist these scandalous -meetings at any cost,' they said. 'Let the people -crowd before the gates of Notre Dame, and hinder the -evangelicals from entering; or, if they do not succeed, -let them fill the cathedral, and prevent Roussel from -ascending the pulpit, and drown his heretical voice by -the shouts of the believers.' When the day came, a -great movement took place among the citizens of Paris. -An immense crowd hastened from all the neighbouring -quarters, who surrounded Notre Dame and filled the -interior of the church. The Lutherans could not get -in, and Roussel was forced to give up his sermon.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_574" id="Ref_574" href="#Foot_574">[574]</a></span></p> - -<p>A favourable wind seemed generally to be breathing -over the Reformation: its enemies were still in -prison and its friends at liberty; Francis appeared -to be more than ever in harmony with his sister and -with the protestants of Germany; and an evangelical -orator was authorised to preach at Notre Dame: a -violent hurricane, however, suddenly burst upon the -metropolis. A pious and active christian was there -to lose his life, and Paris was to witness at the same -time—a triumph and a martyrdom.</p> - -<p class="side">=ALEXANDER AT LYONS.=</p> - -<p>One day, a few weeks after Easter, a man loaded -with chains entered the capital: he was escorted by -archers, all of whom showed him much respect. They -took him to the Conciergerie. It was Alexander -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">{319}</a></span> -Canus, known among the Dominicans by the name -of Father Laurent de la Croix. At Lyons, as at -Paris, Easter had been the time appointed by the -evangelicals for boldly raising their banner. The -goldsmiths, who were to Alexander what the Queen -of Navarre was to Roussel, were no longer satisfied -with preachings in secret. Every preparation was -made for a great assembly; the locality was settled; -pious christians went through the streets from house -to house and gave notice of the time and place. Many -were attracted by the desire of hearing a doctrine that -was so much talked about, and on Easter-day the ex-dominican -preached before a large audience.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_575" id="Ref_575" href="#Foot_575">[575]</a></span> -Was it in a church, in some hall, or in the open air? The -chronicler does not say. Alexander moved his hearers -deeply, and it might have been said that Christ rose -again that Easter morn in Lyons, where he had so long -lain in the sepulchre. All were not, however, equally -friendly; some cast sinister glances. Alexander was -no longer invisible: the spies in the assembly saw him, -heard him, studied his physiognomy, took note of his -<i>blasphemies</i>, and hurried off to report them to their -superiors.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_576" id="Ref_576" href="#Foot_576">[576]</a></span></p> - -<p>While the police were listening to the reports and -taking their measures, there were voices of joy and -deliverance in many a humble dwelling. A divine -call had been heard, and many were resolved to obey -it. Alexander, who had belonged to the order of -<i>Preachers</i>, combined the gift of eloquence with the -sincerest piety. Accordingly, his hearers requested -him to preach again the second day of Easter. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">{320}</a></span> -meeting took place on Monday, and was more numerous -than the day before. All eyes were fixed on -the evangelist, all ears were attentive, all faces were -beaming with joy; here and there, however, a few -countenances of evil omen might be seen: they were -the agents charged to seize the mysterious preacher. -The assembly heard a most touching discourse; but -just when Alexander's friends desired, as usual, to -surround him and get him away, the officers of justice, -more expeditious this time, came forward, laid their -hands upon him, and took him to prison. He was -brought before the tribunal and condemned to death. -This cruel sentence distressed all the evangelicals, -who urged him to appeal; he did appeal, which had -the effect of causing him to be transferred to Paris. -'That was not done without great mystery,' says -Froment, 'and without the great providence of God.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_577" id="Ref_577" href="#Foot_577">[577]</a></span> -People said to one another that Paul, having appealed -to the emperor, won over a great nation at Rome; and -they asked whether Alexander might not do the same -at Paris. The evangelist departed under the escort -of a captain and his company.</p> - -<p>The captain was a worthy man: he rode beside -Alexander, and they soon entered into conversation. -The officer questioned him, and the ex-dominican -explained to him the cause of his arrest. The soldier -listened with astonishment; he took an interest in the -story, and by degrees the words of the pious prisoner -entered into his heart. He heard God's call and awoke; -he experienced a few moments of struggle and doubt, -but erelong the assurance of faith prevailed. 'The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">{321}</a></span> -captain was converted,' says Froment, 'while taking -him to Paris.' Alexander did not stop at this; he -spoke to each of the guards, and some of them also -were won over to the Gospel. The first evening they -halted at an inn, and the prisoner found means to -address a few good words to the servants and the -heads of the household. This was repeated every day. -People came to see the strange captive, they entered -into conversation with him, and he answered every -question. He employed in the service of the Gospel -all the skill that he possessed in discussion. 'He was -learned in the doctrine of the sophists,' says a contemporary, -'having profited well and studied long at -Paris with his companions (the Dominicans).' Now -and then the people went and fetched the priest or -orator of the village to dispute with him; but they -were easily reduced to silence. Many of the hearers -were enlightened and touched, and some were converted. -They said, as they left the inn: 'Really we -have never seen a man answer and confound his adversaries -better by Holy Scripture.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_578" id="Ref_578" href="#Foot_578">[578]</a></span> -The crowd increased -from town to town. At last Alexander arrived -in Paris: 'Wonderful thing!' remarks the chronicler, -'he was more useful at the inns and on the road than -he had ever been before.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_579" id="Ref_579" href="#Foot_579">[579]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=A PRISONER IN PARIS.=</p> - -<p>This remarkable prisoner was soon talked of in many -quarters of Paris. The case was a very serious -one. 'A friar, a Dominican, an inquisitor,' said the -people, 'has gone over to the Lutherans, and is striving -to make heretics everywhere.' The monks of his -own convent made the most noise. The king, who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">{322}</a></span> -detained Beda in prison, desired to preserve the -balance by giving some satisfaction to the catholics. -He was not uneasy about the German protestants; he -had observed closely the landgrave's ardour, and had -no fear that the fiery Philip would break off the -alliance for a Dominican monk. Francis, therefore, -allowed matters to take their course, and Alexander -appeared before a court of parliament. 'Name your -accomplices,' said the judges; and as he refused to -name the accomplices, who did not exist, the president -added: 'Give him the boot.' The executioners brought -forward the boards and the wedges, with which they -tightly compressed the legs of the evangelist. His -sufferings soon became so severe that, hoping they -had converted him, they stopped the torture, and the -president once more called upon him to name all who, -like himself, had separated from the Church of Rome; -but he was not to be shaken, and the punishment -began again. 'He was severely tortured several -times,' say the <i>Actes</i>, 'to great extremity of cruelty.' -The executioners drove the wedges so tightly between -the boards in which his limbs were confined, that -his left leg was crushed. Alexander groaned aloud: -'O God!' he exclaimed, 'there is neither pity nor -mercy in these men! ... oh that I may find both in -thee!'—'Keep on,' said the head executioner. The -unhappy man, who had observed Budæus among the -assessors, turned on him a mild look of supplication, -and said: 'Is there no Gamaliel here to moderate the -cruelty they are practising on me?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_580" id="Ref_580" href="#Foot_580">[580]</a></span> -The illustrious -scholar, an honest and just man, although irresolute in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">{323}</a></span> -his proceedings, kept his eyes fixed on the martyr, -astonished at his patience. 'It is enough,' he said: -'he has been tortured too much; you ought to be -satisfied.' Budæus was a person of great authority; -his words took effect, and the <i>extraordinary gehenna</i> -ceased. 'The executioners lifted up the martyr, and -carried him to his dungeon a cripple.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_581" id="Ref_581" href="#Foot_581">[581]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=ALEXANDER TORTURED.=</p> - -<p>It was the custom to deliver sentence in the absence -of the accused, and to inform him of it in the Conciergerie -through a clerk of the criminal office. The idea -occurred of pronouncing it in Alexander's presence; -perhaps in his terror he might ask for some alleviation, -and by this means they might extort a confession. -But all was useless. The court made a great display, -and a crowd of spectators increased the solemnity, -to no purpose: Alexander Canus, of Evreux, in Normandy, -was condemned to be burnt alive. A flash -of joy suddenly lit up his face. 'Truly,' said the -spectators, 'is he more joyful than he was before!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_582" id="Ref_582" href="#Foot_582">[582]</a></span></p> - -<p>The priests now came forward to perform the sacerdotal -degradation. 'If you utter a word,' they told -him, 'you will have your tongue cut out.'—'The -practice of cutting off the tongue,' adds the historian, -'began that year.' The priests took off his sacerdotal -dress, shaved his head, and went through all the <i>usual -mysteries</i>. During this ceremony Alexander uttered -not a word; only at one of the absurdities of the priests -he let a smile escape him. They dressed him in the -<i>robe de fol</i>—a garment of coarse cloth, such as was -worn by the poorer peasantry. When the pious -martyr caught sight of it, he exclaimed, 'O God, is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">{324}</a></span> -there any greater honour than to receive this day -the livery which thy Son received in the house of -Herod?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_583" id="Ref_583" href="#Foot_583">[583]</a></span></p> - -<p>A cart, generally used to carry mud or dust, was -brought to the front of the building. Some Dominicans, -his former brethren, got into it along with the humble -christian, and all proceeded towards the Place Maubert. -As the cart moved but slowly, Alexander, standing up, -leant over towards the people, and 'scattered the seed -of the Gospel with both hands.' Many persons, moved -even to tears, exclaimed that they were putting him -to death wrongfully; but the Dominicans pulled him -by his gown, and annoyed him in every way. At -first he paid no attention to this; but when one of the -monks said to him coarsely: 'Either recant, or hold -your tongue,' Alexander turned round and said to -him with firmness: 'I will not renounce Jesus Christ.... -Depart from me, ye deceivers of the people!'</p> - -<p>At last they reached the front of the scaffold. -While the executioners were making the final preparations, -Alexander, observing some lords and ladies in -the crowd, with common people, monks, and several of -his friends, asked permission to address a few words -to them. An ecclesiastical dignitary, a chanter of the -Sainte Chapelle, carrying a long staff, presided over -the clerical part of the ceremony, and he gave his -consent. Then, seized with a holy enthusiasm, Alexander -confessed, 'with great vehemence and vivacity -of mind,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_584" id="Ref_584" href="#Foot_584">[584]</a></span> -the Saviour whom he loved so much, and -for whom he was condemned to die. 'Yes,' he exclaimed, -'Jesus, our only Redeemer, suffered death to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">{325}</a></span> -ransom us to God his Father. I have said it, and -I say it again, O ye christians who stand around me, -pray to God that, as his son Jesus Christ died for me, -he will give me grace to die now for him.'</p> - -<p class="side">=ALEXANDER'S TRIUMPHANT DEATH.=</p> - -<p>Having thus spoken, he said to the executioner: -'Proceed.' The officers of justice approached, they -bound him to the pile and set it on fire. The wood -crackled, the flames rose, and Alexander, his eyes upraised -to heaven, exclaimed: 'O Jesus Christ, have -pity on me! O Saviour, receive my soul!' He saw -the glory of God; by faith he discerned Jesus in -heaven, who received him into his kingdom. 'My -Redeemer!' he repeated, 'O my Redeemer!' At last -his voice was silent. The people wept; the executioners -said to one another: 'What a strange criminal!' -and even the monks asked: 'If this man is not -saved, who will be?' Many beat their breasts, and -said: 'A great wrong has been done to that man!' -And as the spectators separated, they went away -thinking: 'It is wonderful how these people suffer -themselves to be burnt in defence of their faith.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_585" id="Ref_585" href="#Foot_585">[585]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Romish party having obtained this satisfaction, -the political party thought only of overthrowing popery -in one of the states of Germany, and of paving the -way for its decline in the kingdom of St. Louis.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_551" id="Foot_551" href="#Ref_551">[551]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 111.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_552" id="Foot_552" href="#Ref_552">[552]</a> -Théod. de Bèze, <i>Hist. Eccl.</i> i. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_553" id="Foot_553" href="#Ref_553">[553]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 107 verso.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_554" id="Foot_554" href="#Ref_554">[554]</a> -The words <i>reform</i> and <i>reformed</i> apply especially to the religious -movement in France.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_555" id="Foot_555" href="#Ref_555">[555]</a> -Crévier, <i>Hist. de l'Université de Paris</i> v. p. 278.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_556" id="Foot_556" href="#Ref_556">[556]</a> -'Hos Beda vellet incendio tradere.'—Myconius to Bullinger, <i>Ep. -Helvet. Ref.</i> p. 121, 8vo.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_557" id="Foot_557" href="#Ref_557">[557]</a> -'Edictum, omnem qui duobus testibus convinceretur lutheranus, -statim exurendum esse.'—Bucer to Blaarer, Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_558" id="Foot_558" href="#Ref_558">[558]</a> -'Res erit non absimilis inquisitioni Hispaniæ.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_559" id="Foot_559" href="#Ref_559">[559]</a> -'Nunc circa trecentos Parisiis jam captos.'—Bucer to Blaarer, -Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_560" id="Foot_560" href="#Ref_560">[560]</a> -His letters are preserved in the Seminary at Strasburg.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_561" id="Foot_561" href="#Ref_561">[561]</a> -'Tum <i>coegit</i> Bedam ut privatim cum eis congredi oporteret.'—Letter -of Oswald Myconius, <i>Ep. Helvet. Ref.</i> p. 121.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_562" id="Foot_562" href="#Ref_562">[562]</a> -'Pessime enim nugas suas ad scripturas Dei adhibuit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_563" id="Foot_563" href="#Ref_563">[563]</a> -'Inscitiam suam ostendere, quod et ei cessit in magnam ignominiam.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_564" id="Foot_564" href="#Ref_564">[564]</a> -'Beda conjectus est in carcerem, accusatus criminis læsæ majestatis.'—Cop -to Bucer, Strasb. MSS. See also H. de Coste, p. 77. Schmidt, p. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_565" id="Foot_565" href="#Ref_565">[565]</a> -<i>Lettres de la Reine de Navarre</i>, i. p. 299.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_566" id="Foot_566" href="#Ref_566">[566]</a> -'Prorsus liberatus est theologorum calumniis, ac decreto regis -absolutus.'—Cop to Bucer, Strasburg MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_567" id="Foot_567" href="#Ref_567">[567]</a> -'Quo multi commoti sunt et perturbati.'—Cop to Bucer, Strasburg -MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_568" id="Foot_568" href="#Ref_568">[568]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes de Genève</i>, p. 76.—The Mint was near the -present railway station.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_569" id="Foot_569" href="#Ref_569">[569]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_570" id="Foot_570" href="#Ref_570">[570]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 74.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_571" id="Foot_571" href="#Ref_571">[571]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_572" id="Foot_572" href="#Ref_572">[572]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_573" id="Foot_573" href="#Ref_573">[573]</a> -Ibid. p. 74.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_574" id="Foot_574" href="#Ref_574">[574]</a> -Coste, <i>Hist. de Le Picard</i>, p. 46; Schmidt, <i>Mémoires de Roussel</i>, -p. 107.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_575" id="Foot_575" href="#Ref_575">[575]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 106.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_576" id="Foot_576" href="#Ref_576">[576]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_577" id="Foot_577" href="#Ref_577">[577]</a> -<i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_578" id="Foot_578" href="#Ref_578">[578]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_579" id="Foot_579" href="#Ref_579">[579]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_580" id="Foot_580" href="#Ref_580">[580]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 107.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_581" id="Foot_581" href="#Ref_581">[581]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 107.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_582" id="Foot_582" href="#Ref_582">[582]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_583" id="Foot_583" href="#Ref_583">[583]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 107. Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, p. 76.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_584" id="Foot_584" href="#Ref_584">[584]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_585" id="Foot_585" href="#Ref_585">[585]</a> -Crespin, <i>Martyrologue</i>, fol. 107 verso. Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes</i>, -p. 78.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">{326}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">WURTEMBERG GIVEN TO PROTESTANTISM BY THE KING OF FRANCE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Spring 1534.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE idea of correcting the errors of the Church -without changing its government was not new -in France. By the Pragmatic Sanction in 1269, -St. Louis had founded the liberties of the Gallican -Church; and the great idea of reform had been widely -spread since the time of the council of Constance -(1414), of Clemengis, and of Gerson. The two Du -Bellays, with many priests, scholars, and noblemen, -thought it was the only means of calming down the -agitations of christendom, and Margaret of Valois had -made it the great business of her life.</p> - -<p class="side">=INTERVIEW OF DU BELLAY AND BUCER.=</p> - -<p>William du Bellay, on his way back from Augsburg, -where he had delivered such noble speeches -in favour of the protestant dukes of Wurtemberg, -had stopped at Strasburg, and had several meetings -with the pacific Bucer. His success in Germany, his -conversations with the evangelical princes and doctors, -who took him for as sound a protestant as themselves, -had filled him with hope. In no place could those -who desired to take a middle course meet with -more sympathy than at Strasburg; there was quite a -system of compromises there with the Swiss and with -Luther; why not with Rome also? 'Since Luther -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">{327}</a></span> -will not give way in anything,' Bucer had said, 'I will -accommodate myself to his terminology; only I will -avoid every expression that may indicate a too local -and too gross presence of the body of Christ in the -bread.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_586" id="Ref_586" href="#Foot_586">[586]</a></span> -Accordingly Bucer, with his pious and -moderate friends Capito, Hedio, and Zell, received -the diplomatic mediator with great pleasure. They -retired to the reformer's library, where Du Bellay -explained his great project with all the seriousness of -a man convinced. 'It is a greater work,' he said to -Bucer, 'than this union of Zwinglians and Lutherans -which has hitherto been your sole and constant occupation. -We wish to effect a fusion between catholicism -and the Reformation. We shall maintain the <i>unity</i> of -the former; we shall uphold the <i>truth</i> of the latter.' -Du Bellay's plan was at bottom, we see, the same as -Leibnitz endeavoured to get Bossuet and Louis XIV. -to accept. Bucer was in ecstasies: it was what he had -sought so long; the diplomatist appeared to him as if -surrounded with a halo of glory. And hence he often -said: 'If the Lord would raise up many men like this -<i>hero</i>, the kingdom of Christ would soon come out of -the pit.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_587" id="Ref_587" href="#Foot_587">[587]</a></span> -According to Bucer, Du Bellay was meditating -a very perilous but still a great enterprise: it was -a labour worthy of Hercules.... The counsellor of the -King of France was satisfied to find the great pacificator -agreeing with him, and hastened to Paris, flattering -himself that he would gain a victory more striking -than that of Francis I. at Marignan, or of Charles V. -at Pavia.</p> - -<p>Everything seemed favourable: Francis, delighted -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">{328}</a></span> -at his conference with the landgrave, had never been -better disposed for conciliation. Du Bellay endeavoured -to convince him that Germany was quite ready for -the <i>great fusion</i>. Melanchthon, whom all Germany -venerated, was (in his opinion) the man of the hour, -by whose agency the two contrary currents would -mingle their waters and form but one stream bearing -life to every part. Was it not he who said: 'Preserve -all the old ceremonies that you can: every innovation -is injurious to the people?' Had he not declared at -Augsburg that no doctrine separated him from the -Roman Church; that he respected the universal -authority of the pope, and desired to remain faithful -to Christ and the Church of Rome? Margaret -of Navarre also spoke to her brother of this great and -good man: 'Melanchthon's mildness,' she said, 'contrasts -with the violent temper of Zwingle and Luther.' -Other persons observed to the king that what distinguished -France from all catholic nations was its attachment -to those liberties of the Church, which were -on that account denominated <i>Gallican</i>. 'It would -thus be a thoroughly French enterprise,' they said, 'to -strip the pope of his usurped privileges.'</p> - -<p>Francis listened. To be king both in Church and -State, to imitate his dear brother of England, who at -heart was more catholic than himself,—this was his -desire. Du Bellay, noticing this disposition, laboured -vehemently (to use his own expression)<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_588" id="Ref_588" href="#Foot_588">[588]</a></span> -to introduce -the Melanchthonian ideas into France. He spoke of -them at court and in the city, sometimes even to the -clergy, and met everywhere with almost universal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">{329}</a></span> -approbation.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_589" id="Ref_589" href="#Foot_589">[589]</a></span> -'Only make a forward movement,' he -was told. The king resumed the reading of the Bible, -which he had laid aside after the first days of the -Reformation. It was not that he relished the Word of -God, but the Bible was a weapon that would help him -to gain the victory over the emperor. When conversing -with the persons around him, he would quote -some phrase of Scripture. He particularly liked the -passages where St. Paul speaks of <i>breastplates</i>, <i>shields</i>, -<i>helmets</i>, and <i>swords</i>. He found the apostle, indeed, a -little too spiritual and mystical; and in his heart he -preferred the helmet of a soldier to the <i>helmet of -salvation</i>; but he appeared every day better disposed -towards the Holy Scriptures.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_590" id="Ref_590" href="#Foot_590">[590]</a></span> -Margaret was -transported with joy. 'I agree with the German -protestants,' said the king to Du Bellay. 'Yes, I -agree with them in <i>all</i> points ... except <i>one</i>!' Du -Bellay wrote immediately to Bucer, and added: 'You -know what that means.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_591" id="Ref_591" href="#Foot_591">[591]</a></span> -Francis desired to remain -in union with Rome for form's sake, if it were only -by a thread. But Rome is not contented with a -thread.</p> - -<p class="side">=FRANCIS COOPERATES WITH THEM.=</p> - -<p>An approaching event seemed destined to decide -whether or not a semi-reformation would be established -in France. The king and his minister kept -their eyes fixed on Germany, and waited impatiently -to learn if the enterprise decided upon at Bar-le-Duc -for the restoration of the protestant princes to the -throne of Wurtemberg would be crowned with success. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">{330}</a></span> -In their eyes Wurtemberg was the field of battle where -the cause of the papacy would triumph or be crushed. -Francis hoped that, if the protestants were victorious, -they would enter upon a war that would become -general. If the empire and the papacy fell beneath -the blows of their enemies, new times would begin. -Europe would be emancipated from both pope and -emperor, and Francis would profit largely, both for -himself and France, by this glorious emancipation.</p> - -<p>The landgrave prepared everything for the great -blow he was about to strike. At once prudent and -active, he did not write a word that could compromise -him, but sent his confidential counsellors in every -direction. He went in person to the Elector of -Trèves and the elector-palatine, and promised them -that if Wurtemberg was restored to its lawful princes, -Charles's brother should be compensated by being -recognised King of the Romans. These measures -succeeded with Philip, who immediately made known -this happy commencement to Francis I.</p> - -<p>On Easter Monday (1534) the Louvre displayed all -its magnificence; many officers of the court were on -foot, for Francis was to give audience to the agent of -the Waywode (hospodar) of Wallachia, who had been -dispossessed by Austria, like the Duke of Wurtemberg. -The king's eyes sparkled with delight: 'The -Swabian league is dissolved,' he told the envoy. 'I -am sending money into Germany.... I have many -friends there.... My allies are already in arms.... We -are on the point of carrying our plan into execution.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_592" id="Ref_592" href="#Foot_592">[592]</a></span> -Francis was so happy that he could not keep -his secret.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">{331}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=FEARS IN GERMANY.=</p> - -<p>All was not, however, so near as he imagined. An -old obstacle came up again, and seemed as if it would -check the landgrave. The other evangelical princes -and doctors did all they could to thwart an enterprise -which would, in Philip's opinion, secure their triumph. -'The restoration of the Duke of Wurtemberg,' said -the wise Melanchthon, 'will engender great troubles. -Even the Church will be endangered by them. You -know my forebodings.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_593" id="Ref_593" href="#Foot_593">[593]</a></span> -All the kings of Europe -will be mixed up in this war. It is a matter full of -peril, not only to ourselves, but to the whole world.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_594" id="Ref_594" href="#Foot_594">[594]</a></span> -Astrology interfered in the matter, and spread terror -among the people. Lichtenberg, a famous astrologer, -published some predictions, to which he added certain -'monstrous pictures,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_595" id="Ref_595" href="#Foot_595">[595]</a></span> - and said: 'The Frenchman -(Francis) will again fall into the emperor's hands;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_596" id="Ref_596" href="#Foot_596">[596]</a></span> -and all who unite with him in making war will be -destroyed. The lion will want help, and will be -deceived by the lily.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_597" id="Ref_597" href="#Foot_597">[597]</a></span> -In such terms the German -prophecy declared that France (the lily) would deceive -Hesse (whose device is a lion): this shows how -little confidence Germany had in the French monarch.</p> - -<p>Ferdinand of Austria distrusted the prophecy, and -thought the landgrave's attack close at hand. Sensible -of his own weakness, he turned to the pope and said -to him through his envoy Sanchez: 'The landgrave's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">{332}</a></span> -expedition is a danger which threatens the Church -and Italy ... the spirituality and the temporality.' -The pope promised everything, but (as was his -custom) with the determination to do nothing. A -war that might weaken Charles was gratifying to him, -even though protestantism should profit by it. Clement, -however, convoked the consistory; described -to them in very expressive language the danger of the -empire and the Church; but of helping them, not a -word.... Ferdinand, still more alarmed, became more -importunate, and the matter was brought before a -congregation: 'Alas!' said Clement to the cardinals, -'it is impossible to conceal from you the dangers that -threaten King Ferdinand and the Austrian power. -They are attacked by so severe a disease that a simple -medicine would be insufficient to effect a cure.... It -requires an energetic remedy ... but where can it be -found?' The cardinals agreed with their chief; they -thought that, as the danger threatened Austria alone, -it was for Austria to get out of it as she could. The -recollection of the sack of Rome by the imperialists -in 1527 was not yet effaced from the hearts of these -Roman priests, and they were not sorry to see the -emperor punished by an heretical scourge. They -resolved that as Rome could not give a subsidy sufficiently -large, they would give none at all. 'This -expedition,' said Clement VII. to Ferdinand's envoy, -with a certain frankness, 'is only a private matter.... -But if the landgrave touches the Church, you may -reckon then upon my help.' Sanchez, seeing the -pontiff's lukewarmness, and moved by sorrow and -indignation,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_598" id="Ref_598" href="#Foot_598">[598]</a></span> -forcibly replied: 'Be not deceived, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">{333}</a></span> -holy father.... This matter is not so small as you -suppose.... It will cost the Church of Rome dear ... -and not the Church only, but the city and all -Italy.'</p> - -<p class="side">=THE POPE AND AUSTRIA.=</p> - -<p>Sanchez thought, like Francis and the politicians, -that the protestants, victorious in Wurtemberg, would -not stop in so glorious a career; that they would raise -a large army; and that, aided by France, they would -cross the Alps and go to Rome to dethrone the successor -of St. Peter, and put an end to what they -regarded as the power of antichrist. This suggestion -exasperated Clement: he felt the tiara shaking on his -head, and angrily exclaimed: 'And where is the -emperor? What is he doing? Why does he not -watch over his brother's states and the peace of -Germany?' Charles V., quite unconcerned about -a project which might, however, insure his rival's -triumph, was calmly enjoying his repose beneath the -smiling sky of Spain, reclining on the banks of its -beautiful rivers, under the shade of its orange and -citron trees and of its gigantic laurels. The pope took -courage from his example to do the same. If he did -nothing to stop the protestant army, the papacy might -suffer; but if he did anything, he might turn aside -from the house of Austria the terrible blow about to -fall on it, and save from a reverse that imperial -power which he detested. The pontiff sank back -into his apostolic chair, and prepared for a luxurious -slumber, thinking it would be time enough to wake -up ... when danger was at his own door. 'Alas!' -said sincere catholics, 'why are the successors of -St. Peter, the fisherman and apostle, <i>clothed in soft -raiment</i>, which is for those who are <i>in kings' houses</i>? -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">{334}</a></span> -Why do they covet these courtly pomps and effeminacies? -Why do they imitate <i>the princes of the Gentiles -who exercise dominion over them</i>? Christ bore the -cross.' The political passions of Clement VII. extinguished -his ecclesiastical zeal. The temporal power -of the popes has never been other than a clog upon -their spiritual power, preventing it from working -freely. The judgments of God were about to be -executed.</p> - -<p>At the beginning of May everything was astir -in Hesse, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Westphalia, -and on the banks of the Rhine; the landgrave -was preparing to march against Austria. Omens -threatened, indeed, to detain him. At Cassel, the -chief town of Hesse, a monster was seen walking -mysteriously and silently upon the water during the -night.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_599" id="Ref_599" href="#Foot_599">[599]</a></span> -'It is a sure warning,' said the old crones and -a few citizens, 'that the prince ought to stop.' But -Philip replied coldly: 'These visions are not worthy -of belief.' Without heeding the monster, Philip, -mounted on horseback and carrying a lance in his -hand, reviewed his army on Wednesday, the 6th of -May, after midnight, and then gave the order to march. -Almost all the officers and a great many of the soldiers -belonged to the evangelical confession. It was, alas! -the first politico-religious army of the sixteenth century, -and this campaign was the first Germanico-European -opposition to the house of Austria.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_600" id="Ref_600" href="#Foot_600">[600]</a></span> -History -shrouds herself beneath a veil of mourning as she points -to this epoch; for the employment of human force in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">{335}</a></span> -the interests of religion, the armed struggle between -the new and the old times, began then.</p> - -<p class="side">=PHILIP DEFEATS THE AUSTRIAN.=</p> - -<p>The Austrian government, deserted by the pope, -saw that it must help itself, and had made great exertions -on its part. All the convents, chapters, and -towns of Wurtemberg had been forced to contribute -large sums of money, and the most experienced -generals of the Italian wars had been placed at the -head of the imperial army. The soldiers of Austria -marched to Laufen on the Neckar, and there waited -for the enemy. The landgrave's army, full of hope -and courage, uttered loud shouts of joy when they -heard of it.</p> - -<p>It was not so at Wittemberg. Melanchthon was -more grieved than ever, and many persons sympathised -with him. On the one hand, the theologians of the -Reformation detested war; but on the other, they said -to themselves at certain moments: 'Still ... if Philip -takes up arms it is to restore legitimate princes to the -throne of their fathers, and secure a free course to the -Word of God!'—'Oh, what cruelties in the Roman -Church,' added Melanchthon, 'what idolatries, and -what obstinacy in defending them! Who knows but -God desires to punish their defenders, if not utterly to -destroy such notorious evils for ever?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_601" id="Ref_601" href="#Foot_601">[601]</a></span> -Oh that the -issue of this war may be beneficial to the Church of -Christ!' Some time after, when Melanchthon was -told of the advance of the army of Philip of Hesse, -that peaceful christian gave way once more to his -anguish: 'These movements are quite against our -advice,' he said, and then shutting himself up in his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">{336}</a></span> -closet, he exclaimed: 'In the midst of the dangers and -sorrows to which God exposes us, we have nothing else -to do but to call upon Christ and to feel his presence.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_602" id="Ref_602" href="#Foot_602">[602]</a></span> -He then fell upon his knees before God; and God, who -saw him in secret, rewarded him openly. But while -the christians were weeping and praying, the politicians -were rejoicing and acting. Du Bellay, in particular, -did not doubt that an early victory would cement the -union of France with German protestantism; and perceiving -the consequences that would follow from the -enfranchisement of his country, he gave utterance to -his joy.</p> - -<p>The impetuous landgrave, taking a spring, cleared, -as at one bound, the country which separated him from -the Neckar, arrived unexpectedly on the banks of that -river near Laufen, where the imperial army was posted, -and attacked it with spirit. At first the Austrians -courageously sustained the fight; but the count palatine, -their commander, having been wounded by a -cannon-shot, they retired precipitately. Early the -next morning, the landgrave, putting himself at the -head of his cavalry and artillery, fell upon them as -they were beginning to retreat, and drove part of them -into the Neckar.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_603" id="Ref_603" href="#Foot_603">[603]</a></span></p> - -<p>Wurtemberg was gained, and Duke Ulrich, accompanied -by Prince Christopher, reappeared in the -country of his fathers. The people, excited at the -thought of seeing their national princes once more -after so many years, assembled in the open country -near Stuttgard, and received them with immense -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">{337}</a></span> -acclamation. The landgrave, not allowing himself to -be retarded by the warm reception of the people whom -he had restored to independence, followed up his plan, -and on the 18th of June reached the Austrian frontier. -Everybody thought that he would march on Vienna, -and overthrow that insolent dynasty which desired to -be the master of the world.</p> - -<p class="side">=ALARM AT THE VATICAN.=</p> - -<p>Great was the consternation in all the catholic -world, but particularly in the Vatican. On the 10th -of June, 1534, Clement, who was sick, went sorrowful, -downcast, and tottering, to the college of cardinals, -and laid before them the pitiful letters he had received -from King Ferdinand.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_604" id="Ref_604" href="#Foot_604">[604]</a></span> -The cardinals, as they read -them, were struck with terror. Would Vienna, that -had resisted the Turks, fall under the assault of the -protestants? Would a victorious army, crossing the -Alps, come and perpetrate a second sack of Rome -which, as the work of heretics, might not be more -compassionate than that of the catholic Charles V.? -The cardinals saw no other remedy than that to which -Rome had recourse when her ducats and arquebuses -were gone. 'A general council,' they exclaimed, 'is -the only remedy that can save us from heresy and all -the calamities by which christendom is distressed.'</p> - -<p>While there was mourning at Rome, there were great -rejoicings at the Louvre. It was a long time since -the emperor had received such a check. About the -end of June a courier from Germany brought Francis -the despatches announcing the arrival of Philip of -Hesse on the Austrian frontier. He could not repress -the outburst of his joy. He spoke to himself, to his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">{338}</a></span> -councillors, to his courtiers.... 'My friends,' he exclaimed, -'my friends have conquered Wurtemberg.' -Then, as if the landgrave and his victorious army -were before him, he exclaimed in a tone of command: -'Forward! forward!' His dream was about to be -realised; the war would become general; he already -saw the landgrave at Vienna; and, what was better -still, he saw himself at Genoa, Urbino, Montferrat, and -Milan. All his life through he forgot France for Italy, -which he never possessed. But he was mistaken as to -the landgrave's intentions. Much as Francis desired to -see the war become general, Philip of Hesse laboured -to keep it local. Satisfied with having restored Wurtemberg -to its princes, he meant to respect the empire. -The kings of France and England were seriously -vexed: 'The Duke of Wurtemberg, restored by my -help and yours,' said Henry VIII. to Francis I., 'is -only seeking how to make peace with the emperor.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_605" id="Ref_605" href="#Foot_605">[605]</a></span> -It would appear by the evidence derived from the -<i>State Papers</i>, that the gold of England as well as of -France had contributed to despoil Austria of Wurtemberg. -Henry, more perhaps than Francis I., had -hoped that the blow struck upon the banks of the -Neckar would be, to emperor as well as to pope, the -commencement of sorrows; but they were both mistaken. -The temptation, no doubt, was great for a prince -of thirty, full of decision and energy, who believed -that nothing would make the triumph of protestantism -so secure as the humiliation of Austria; but Philip's -loyalty resisted the temptation.</p> - -<p class="side">=WURTEMBERG RESTORED.=</p> - -<p>On the 27th of June the peace of Cadan put an end -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">{339}</a></span> -to all differences, and restored Wurtemberg to its national -princes, with a voice in the council of the empire. -If there had never been a war more energetically conducted, -there had never been a peace so promptly -concluded. The landgrave had displayed a spirit and -talents which, men thought, might in future prove -troublesome to the puissant Charles.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_606" id="Ref_606" href="#Foot_606">[606]</a></span></p> - -<p>The emperor having received his lesson, the pope's -turn came next. As the state of Wurtemberg had -been wrested from the hands of Austria, the Church -was to be saved from the clutches of the papacy. At -the diet of Augsburg, in 1530, Duke Christopher had -seen the landgrave, his relation and friend, come forward -as the most intrepid champion of the Reformation. -His generous heart had been won to a cause -which included such a noble defender, and his desire -was to see it triumph in Wurtemberg. On the other -hand, King Ferdinand, when renouncing his authority -over the duchy, desired at least to maintain that of -the pope; and he therefore proposed to insert in the -treaty of peace an article forbidding any change in -religious matters. But the dukes, the landgrave, and -the Elector of Saxony unanimously declared that the -Gospel ought to have free course in the duchy, and -the electoral chancellor wrote this word on the margin, -by the side of the article proposed by the King of the -Romans: <i>Rejected</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_607" id="Ref_607" href="#Foot_607">[607]</a></span> -'You are in no respect bound as -to the faith,' said the evangelical princes to Ulrich; -while the papal nuncio Vergerio entreated King Ferdinand -not to give way to the Lutherans. All the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">{340}</a></span> -efforts of the Romish party were useless. The important -victory of the landgrave (and of Francis I.) -was about to open the gates of Wurtemberg to the -Reformation, and consequently those of other Roman-catholic -countries.</p> - -<p>Ulrich and Christopher, being quite as desirous of -bringing souls to the knowledge of the Word of God -as of replacing their subjects under the sceptre of the -ancient house of Emeric,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_608" id="Ref_608" href="#Foot_608">[608]</a></span> - set to work immediately. -They invited to their states Ambrose Blaarer, the -friend of Zwingle and Bucer, and Ehrard Schnepf, the -friend of Luther, converted by his means at Heidelberg -at the beginning of the Reformation.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_609" id="Ref_609" href="#Foot_609">[609]</a></span> -Their labours -and those of other servants of God spread the evangelical -light over the country.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_610" id="Ref_610" href="#Foot_610">[610]</a></span> -Nor was that all: if -the defeat at Cappel had restored many cities to the -Romish creed,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_611" id="Ref_611" href="#Foot_611">[611]</a></span> -the victory of Laufen allowed many -to come to the evangelical faith. Baden, Hanau, -Augsburg, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, and other places -began, advanced, or completed their reformation about -this time. French money had never before returned -such good interest.</p> - -<p class="side">=A KINGLY PROJECT.=</p> - -<p>France was now about to undertake a still greater -task. We have seen that there were at that time two -systems of reform: Margaret's system and Calvin's. -It was in the order of things that the one which remained -nearest to catholicism should be tried first. If -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">{341}</a></span> -the most eminent persons of the age, who sought in -this middle course the last and supreme resource of -christendom, did not see their efforts crowned with -success, it would be necessary to undertake, or rather -to continue spiritedly, a more simple, more scriptural, -more practical, and more radical reform. When Margaret -failed, there remained Calvin. The realisation -of this specious but illusory system, recommended in -after years to Louis XIV. by a great protestant philosopher -of Germany, was about to be tried by Francis I. -The narrative of this experiment ought to occupy a -remarkable place in the religious history of the sixteenth -century.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_586" id="Foot_586" href="#Ref_586">[586]</a> -Rœhrich, <i>Reform in Elsass</i>, ii. p. 274.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_587" id="Foot_587" href="#Ref_587">[587]</a> -'Dominus excitet multos isti heroï similes.'—Bucer to Chelius.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_588" id="Foot_588" href="#Ref_588">[588]</a> -'Adhuc vehementer laboratur.'—Du Bellay to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_589" id="Foot_589" href="#Ref_589">[589]</a> -'Omnes enim bene sperare jubent.'—Du Bellay to Bucer.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_590" id="Foot_590" href="#Ref_590">[590]</a> -'Etiam rex ipse, cujus animus <i>erga meliores litteras</i> magis ac magis -augetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_591" id="Foot_591" href="#Ref_591">[591]</a> -'Una tamen in re vehementer a Germanis abhorret.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_592" id="Foot_592" href="#Ref_592">[592]</a> -Béthune MSS. 8493. Ranke, iii. p. 456.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_593" id="Foot_593" href="#Ref_593">[593]</a> -'Restitutio ducis Wurtembergensis brevi magnos motus pariet. -Divinationes meas nosti.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 706.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_594" id="Foot_594" href="#Ref_594">[594]</a> -'Magna et periculosa res universo orbi terrarum ac præcipue nobis.'—Ibid. -p. 728.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_595" id="Foot_595" href="#Ref_595">[595]</a> -'Mit monstrosen Figuren.'—Seckendorf, p. 833.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_596" id="Foot_596" href="#Ref_596">[596]</a> -'Gallum iterum venturum in potestatem imperatoris Caroli.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_597" id="Foot_597" href="#Ref_597">[597]</a> -'Leo carebit auxilio et decipietur a lolio.'—Ibid. The correct reading -is evidently <i>lilium</i> (lily) and not <i>lolium</i> (tares). The preposition <i>a</i> -indicates that the word is taken in a symbolical sense.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_598" id="Foot_598" href="#Ref_598">[598]</a> -'Dolore et indignatione accensus replicui.'—Sanchez' report to -Ferdinand: Bucholz. Ranke.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_599" id="Foot_599" href="#Ref_599">[599]</a> -'Cassellæ nescio quid memorant noctu, super aquis monstri visum -esse.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 729.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_600" id="Foot_600" href="#Ref_600">[600]</a> -Ranke, <i>Deutsche Geschichte</i>, iii. p. 459.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_601" id="Foot_601" href="#Ref_601">[601]</a> -'Quid si Deus illa publica vitia tum punire, tum aliqua ex parte -tollere decrevit?'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 729.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_602" id="Foot_602" href="#Ref_602">[602]</a> -'Ut Christum invocare et præsentiam ejus experiri discamus.'—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 730.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_603" id="Foot_603" href="#Ref_603">[603]</a> -Sleidan, i. liv. ix p. 365. Ranke, iii. p. 461. Rommel, ii. p. 319.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_604" id="Foot_604" href="#Ref_604">[604]</a> -'In senatum pontifex venit, lectæque ibi sunt litteræ fratris Caroli.'—Pallavicini, -<i>Conc. Trid.</i> i. p. 294.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_605" id="Foot_605" href="#Ref_605">[605]</a> -'The Duke of Wyttemberg lately restored by his and his good -brother's meanes.'—<i>State Papers</i>, vii. p. 568.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_606" id="Foot_606" href="#Ref_606">[606]</a> -Sleidan, i. pp. 366-368. Ranke, iii. pp. 465-468.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_607" id="Foot_607" href="#Ref_607">[607]</a> -'Soll aussen bleiben.'—Sattler, iii. p. 129. Sleidan, iii. p. 369. -Ranke, iii. p. 481.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_608" id="Foot_608" href="#Ref_608">[608]</a> -The house of Wurtemberg boasts its descent from Emeric, mayor of -the palace under Clovis.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_609" id="Foot_609" href="#Ref_609">[609]</a> -<i>Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. i. bk. iii. ch. ii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_610" id="Foot_610" href="#Ref_610">[610]</a> -'Snepfius Stuttgardiæ pastor ecclesias in illo ducatu reformavit.'—Melch. -Adami <i>Vitæ Germanorum Theologorum</i>, p. 322.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_611" id="Foot_611" href="#Ref_611">[611]</a> -<i>Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. iv. bk. xvi. ch. x.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">{342}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">CONFERENCE AT THE LOUVRE FOR THE UNION OF TRUTH AND - CATHOLICITY IN THE CHURCH.<br /> - (1534.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE Wurtemberg affair being ended, Du Bellay -thought of nothing but his great plan; that is, a -Reformation according to the ideas of the Queen of -Navarre—the combination of catholicism and truth -by the union of France and Germany. They were -not the only persons who entertained such thoughts: -Roussel, Bucer, and many other evangelical christians -asked themselves whether the great success obtained -in Germany would not decide the reformation of -France. Intercourse was much increased between the -two countries. Frenchmen and Germans were continually -crossing and recrossing the Rhine.</p> - -<p class="side">=A WITTEMBERG STUDENT.=</p> - -<p>In the month of July 1534, the Queen of Navarre -was in one of the chambers of her palace: before her -stood a bashful timid young man, and she had a letter -in her hand which she appeared to be reading with the -liveliest interest. The young man was a native of -Nîmes, Claude Baduel by name. He had just come -from Wittemberg, where he had found, at the feet of -Melanchthon and Luther, the knowledge of the Saviour. -He was not an ordinary student. Of reserved manners,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_612" id="Ref_612" href="#Foot_612">[612]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">{343}</a></span> -generous heart, rare disinterestedness, and great -firmness in the faith, he had at the same time a highly -cultivated mind. He spoke Latin not only with -purity, but with great elegance, and his discourses -were as full of matter as of harmony.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_613" id="Ref_613" href="#Foot_613">[613]</a></span></p> - -<p>Like many other young scholars, Baduel was very -poor, not having the means of studying and scarcely -of living. Often during his residence at Wittemberg, -he found himself in his little room reduced to the last -extremity. He had uttered many a groan, and had -prayed to that heavenly Father who feedeth the birds -of the air. As the moment of his departure approached, -his distress had increased. How could he -perform the journey? What would become of him -in France? He had asked himself with sorrow -whether he ought not to abandon letters and devote -himself to some manual labour. On a sudden, he -conceived the idea of applying to the Queen of -Navarre; and going to Melanchthon, he said to him: -'Ill fortune compels me to forsake the liberal arts -for vulgar occupations, which my nature and my -will abhor with equal energy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_614" id="Ref_614" href="#Foot_614">[614]</a></span> -In vain have I zealously -devoted myself to the study of Holy Scripture -and of eloquence; in vain have I ardently desired to -make further progress; a cruel enemy—poverty—lays -its barbarous hands upon me, and compels me to -renounce a vocation which transported me with joy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_615" id="Ref_615" href="#Foot_615">[615]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">{344}</a></span> -Yet I am determined to make a last and supreme -attempt. The Queen of Navarre is a sort of providence, -almost a divinity for the friends of letters and of the -arts.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_616" id="Ref_616" href="#Foot_616">[616]</a></span> -... Pray, dear master, give me a letter to her.'</p> - -<p>Melanchthon, grieved at the destitute condition of a -young man whose fine understanding he appreciated, -did not hesitate to accede to his request. In those -days there was less etiquette and formality and more -familiarity between princes and the friends of letters -than there has been since. On the 13th of June, 1534, -a month after the battle of Laufen, the master of -Germany wrote to the sister of Francis, to introduce -the scholar to her. It was this letter which Baduel -had delivered to the queen, and which she, delighted -at entering into direct communication with Melanchthon, -was reading with the greatest interest.</p> - -<p>'It is certainly a great boldness,' wrote the illustrious -reformer, 'for a man like me, of low condition -and unknown to your highness,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_617" id="Ref_617" href="#Foot_617">[617]</a></span> -to dare recommend -a friend to you; but the reputation of your eminent -piety, spread through all the world,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_618" id="Ref_618" href="#Foot_618">[618]</a></span> -does not permit -me to refuse an upright and learned man the service -he begs of me. The liberal arts can never be supported -except by the generosity of princes.' Melanchthon -ended by saying: 'Never will alms more royal -or more useful have been bestowed. The Church, -scattered over the world, has long counted your highness -among the number of those queens whom the -prophet Isaiah calls the <i>nursing mothers</i> of the people -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">{345}</a></span> -of God, and will take care to hand down the remembrance -of your kindnesses to the most distant generations.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_619" id="Ref_619" href="#Foot_619">[619]</a></span> -But the student, that living message of the -reformers, interested Margaret no less than the letter -itself. Baduel had seen and heard them, in their -homes, in the street, and in the pulpit. 'Talk to me,' -she said with that amiable grace which distinguished -her, 'talk to me about Melanchthon and Luther; tell -me how they teach and how they live, what are their -relations with their pupils, and what they think of -France.' Margaret desired to know everything. She -questioned him on several points, a knowledge of which -might be useful for the projects she had conceived in -conjunction with Du Bellay.</p> - -<p class="side">=MARGARET'S PATRONAGE.=</p> - -<p>The queen did not forget the young man himself: -observing the beauty of his mind, the liveliness of his -faith, and the elevation of his soul, she thought that to -protect Baduel was to prepare a chosen instrument to -propagate evangelical principles in France. Thanks -to her care, the young man, recommended by Melanchthon, -became erelong a professor at Paris. Subsequently, -when a college of arts was founded at Nîmes, -the youthful doctor resolved to sacrifice the advantageous -post he held in the capital to devote his -services to the city of his birth. The queen recommended -him to the consuls of that city for rector of -their new institution. 'I provided for his studies,' she -told them. But persecution did not allow Baduel to -serve France unto the end; he was obliged to take -refuge at Geneva, where he became professor in the -academy founded by Calvin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_620" id="Ref_620" href="#Foot_620">[620]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">{346}</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE MISSION OF CHELIUS=</p> - -<p>The communications of the young man of Nîmes -strengthened Margaret, the king, and Du Bellay in -their plans, and Francis resolved to send across the -Rhine a confidential person, empowered to ask the -doctors of the Reformation for a sketch of the means -best suited to found an evangelical catholicism in -Europe. It was not Baduel whom Du Bellay selected -for this mission: he was too young. The diplomatist -cast his eyes on Ulric Chelius, a doctor of medicine -and native of Augsburg, at that time living at Strasburg, -a great friend of Sturm and Bucer, and more -than once employed by the King of France in various -negotiations. Intelligent, active, and animated like -Bucer with the double desire of reforming and at the -same time of uniting christendom, Chelius was well -suited for such a work. Although a German, and -consequently knowing Germany thoroughly, he had -all the promptitude of a Frenchman; and the circumstance -that he was not of exalted rank rendered him -fitter still for entering into negotiations that were to -be carried on secretly. He left Strasburg and arrived -at Wittemberg in July 1534.</p> - -<p>Melanchthon was at that time greatly agitated. The -divisions which separated catholicism from reform, and -the quarrels between the Zwinglians and the Lutherans, -filled him with anguish. He often stole away -from that crowd of every age, condition, and country -which continually filled his house, eager to see him.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_621" id="Ref_621" href="#Foot_621">[621]</a></span> -His wife's anxious heart was wrung when she saw -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">{347}</a></span> -her husband's sadness, and even the children could -scarcely cheer him by their innocent smiles. The -future alarmed him.... 'What sad times are hanging -over us,' he exclaimed, 'unless there be somebody to -remedy the existing disorders!... We are moving -to our destruction.... They will have recourse to -arms ... and State and Church will perish!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_622" id="Ref_622" href="#Foot_622">[622]</a></span></p> - -<p>As soon as Chelius reached Wittemberg, he called -upon Melanchthon. 'King Francis,' he said, 'desires -truth and unity. In almost every particular he is in -accord with you, and approves of your book of -<i>Common-places</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_623" id="Ref_623" href="#Foot_623">[623]</a></span> -I am authorised to ask you for a -plan to put an end to the religious dissensions which -disturb christendom; and I can assure you that the -King of France is doing, and will do, all he can with -the pope to procure harmony and peace.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_624" id="Ref_624" href="#Foot_624">[624]</a></span> -Nothing -was better adapted to captivate Melanchthon. At -this period the <i>moderates</i> had not yet renounced the -idea of preserving external unity; they desired to -maintain catholicity: even Melanchthon saw no other -safety for divided and agitated christendom. Accordingly, -never had message arrived at a more suitable -time. Chelius was to him like an angel come from -heaven; a beam of joy lighted up the great doctor's -clouded brow. He went to see Luther, and conversed -with him and other friends about the proposals of the -King of France. 'If a few good and learned men,' -said he, 'brought together by certain sovereigns, were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">{348}</a></span> -to confer freely and amicably together, it would be -easy, believe me, to come to an understanding with -each other.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_625" id="Ref_625" href="#Foot_625">[625]</a></span> -Ignorant men know nothing about the -matter, and make the evil greater than it is.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_626" id="Ref_626" href="#Foot_626">[626]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THE UNION.=</p> - -<p>Melanchthon thought that he could unite catholics -and protestants. We must not be surprised at it, -for in our days very estimable, though not very clear-sighted -men, entertain the same idea. Truth was -dear to the doctor of Germany, but concord, unity, -and catholicity were not less so. The Church, according -to Melanchthon and his friends, ought to be -universal; for redemption is appointed for all men, -and all have need of it. The Church ought therefore -to strive to unite all the children of Adam in communion -with God, on the foundation of Christ, the only -Redeemer. It possesses a power which can embrace -all humankind and keep all differences in subjection. -Such were the thoughts by which Melanchthon was -inspired: if there were any sacrifices to be made to -preserve the catholicity of the Church, he would -gladly make them; he would recognise the bishops, -and even the head of the bishops, rather than destroy -unity. 'There is no question of abolishing the -government of the Church,' he said; 'the chief men -among us ardently desire that the received forms -should be preserved as much as possible.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_627" id="Ref_627" href="#Foot_627">[627]</a></span> -Luther's friend took the matter so much to heart that he began -to address Du Bellay personally: 'I entreat you,' he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">{349}</a></span> -said, 'to prevail upon the great monarchs to establish -a concord which shall be consistent with piety.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_628" id="Ref_628" href="#Foot_628">[628]</a></span> -The dangers which threaten us are such that so great a -man as you ought not to be wanting in the cause -of the State and of the Church.... But what am I -doing?... What need to urge you to walk who are -running already?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_629" id="Ref_629" href="#Foot_629">[629]</a></span> -<i>Catholicity and truth</i>: such was -the device graven on the arms borne by the champions -who, under the auspices of the King of France, -were to appear between the two camps of Rome and -the Reformation.</p> - -<p>Melanchthon busied himself with sketching the plan -of the new Church, which, with God's help and the -support of the <i>great monarchs</i> (Francis I., Henry VIII., -and probably Charles V.), was to become the Church -of modern times. It might be eventually one of the -most important labours ever undertaken by man. Not -only the politicians, but all pious, loving, and perhaps -feeble hearts, who feared controversy more than anything, -ardently hoped for the success of this heroic -attempt. The <i>chief men</i>, said Melanchthon, shared his -opinion and encouraged his projects. Yet there were -simple, earnest, christian men, with minds determined -to set truth above everything, who saw with uneasiness -these theologico-diplomatic negotiations. Neither -Farel, nor Calvin, nor probably Luther, was among -those who rallied round the standard raised by Du -Bellay and grasped by Melanchthon.</p> - -<p>That pious man, however, was far from wishing to -sacrifice the truth. 'I am quite of your opinion,' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">{350}</a></span> -said he to Bucer, 'that there can be no agreement -between us and the Bishop of Rome.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_630" id="Ref_630" href="#Foot_630">[630]</a></span> -But, to satisfy -the worthy men who are endeavouring to bring this -great matter to a happy issue, I shall lay down what -ought to be the essential points of agreement.' -Melanchthon then believed, and many evangelical -christians in France, and particularly in Germany, -believed also, that if a reform, though incomplete, -were once established, the power of truth would -soon bring about a complete reform. He therefore -finished his sketch and gave it to Chelius.</p> - -<p class="side">=NOTES OF THE THREE DOCTORS.=</p> - -<p>The latter, imagining that he held the salvation of -the Church in his hands, hastened to Strasburg to -communicate Melanchthon's project to his friends. -On arriving at Bucer's house (17th of August), he -found him writing his answer to the <i>Catholic Axiom</i> -of the Bishop of Avranches, a great enemy of -protestantism. Bucer put aside his own papers and -took those of the Wittemberg doctor, which he was -impatient to see. He read them eagerly over and -over again. 'Really there is nothing here to offend -anybody,' he said, 'if people have the least idea of -what the reign of Christ means. But, my dear -Chelius,' he added, 'a union is possible only among -those who truly believe in Christ. That there should -be a superior authority, well and good! but it must be -a holy authority in order that every man may obey -it with a good conscience.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_631" id="Ref_631" href="#Foot_631">[631]</a></span> -If we are to unite, all -additions must be cut away, and we must return -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">{351}</a></span> -simply to the doctrine of Scripture and of the -Fathers.'</p> - -<p>Chelius desired Bucer to give him his opinion in -writing. The reformer hastily drew up a memoir, -which, being approved by his colleagues, he handed -to his friend on the 27th of August.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_632" id="Ref_632" href="#Foot_632">[632]</a></span> -Francis's agent -had fixed that day for his departure; but at the last -moment he changed his mind, and remained twenty-four -hours longer in Strasburg. There was another -doctor in that city, a meek, pious, and firm man, an -old friend of Zwingle's:<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_633" id="Ref_633" href="#Foot_633">[633]</a></span> -it was Hedio, and Chelius -asked him for his opinion also. Then, taking with -him the memoirs of the three doctors, he started -without delay for Paris, convinced that catholicity -and truth were about to be saved.</p> - -<p>On reaching the capital Chelius gave the papers to -William du Bellay, who immediately laid them before -the king. The latter ordered that the Bishop of Paris -and certain of the nobles, men of letters, and ecclesiastics, -who desired to see a united but reformed -Church, should have these documents communicated -to them. The arrival of this ultimatum of the -Reformation was an event of great importance; and -accordingly the memoirs of the three doctors were -anxiously perused at the Louvre, in the bishop's -palace, and in other houses of the capital. Perhaps -history has made a mistake in taking so little note of -this. Three of the reformers, with England, Francis I., -and some of the most eminent men of the epoch, -demanded one only catholic but reformed Church. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">{352}</a></span> -A great evangelical unity seemed on the point of being -realised. Shall we not set forth in some detail a proposal -of such high interest? There are individuals, -we are aware, who are always looking for facts and -sensations, never troubling themselves about principles -and doctrines; but the wise, on the contrary, know -that the world is moved by ideas, and, whatever may -be the objections of curious minds, history must -perform her task, and give to opinions the place that -belongs to them.</p> - -<p>At this time several meetings of an extraordinary -kind were held at the Louvre, and upon them, as some -thought, the future of christendom depended. The -opinions of Melanchthon, Bucer, and Hedio, demanded -by the king, brought by Chelius, and laid before the -monarch by Du Bellay, were in his majesty's closet. -The walls of the Louvre, which had witnessed such -levity of morals, and which hereafter were to witness -so many crimes, heard those holy truths explained in -which everlasting life is to be found. Around the table -on which these documents lay, there were politicians -no doubt who in this investigation looked only to -temporal advantages, and Francis was at their head; -but there were also serious men who desired for the -new Church both unity and reform. We will let the -reformers speak. They were not present in person, -it will be understood, before the King of France; -it is their written advice which he had asked for, -and which was probably read by one of the Du -Bellays. But, for brevity's sake, we shall designate -these memoirs by the names of their authors, since it -is the authors themselves who speak, and not the -historian.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">{353}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=THE PROPOSALS EXAMINED.=</p> - -<p>Francis I., eager both to emancipate France from its -subordination to the papacy, and to form in Europe -a great united party capable of vanquishing and -thwarting Austria, listened with goodwill to Melanchthon -and his friends; yet he found the language of -the reformers a little more severe and <i>heretical</i> than -he had imagined. Some of the persons around him -were pleased; some were astonished, and others were -scandalised, and not without reason. To place the moderate -Melanchthon by the side of the pacific Bishop -of Paris, well and good! but to hope to unite the unyielding -Luther and the fiery Beda, the pious elector -and the worldly Francis ... what a strange undertaking! -Let us listen, however; for these personages -have taken their seats, and the inquiry is about to -begin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_634" id="Ref_634" href="#Foot_634">[634]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'There can be no concord in the Church except -between those who are really of the Church.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_635" id="Ref_635" href="#Foot_635">[635]</a></span> -There is nothing in common between Christ and Belial. We -cannot unite God and the world.... Now, what are the -majority of bishops and priests?... I grieve to say.'</p> - -<p>This introduction appeared to the king rather -high-flown; but he said to himself that Bucer doubtless -wished to make protestation of his loyalty at the -very outset. Perhaps his colleagues will be more -conciliating.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">{354}</a></div> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'The catholic doctrine, say some, has a few trifling -blemishes here and there; while we and our friends -have been making a great noise without any cause.... -That is a mistake. Let not the pontiff and the great -monarchs of christendom shut their eyes to the diseases -of the Church.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_636" id="Ref_636" href="#Foot_636">[636]</a></span> -They ought, on the contrary, to -acknowledge that these pretended trifling blemishes -destroy the essential doctrines of the faith, and lead -men into idolatry and manifest sin.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'If you wish to establish christian concord, apply -to those who truly believe in Christ.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_637" id="Ref_637" href="#Foot_637">[637]</a></span> -Those who do -not listen to the Word cannot explain the Word.... -What errors have been introduced by wicked priests! -Shall we apply to other priests to correct them, who -perhaps surpass the former in wickedness?'</p> - -<p>Really the pacific Bucer and Melanchthon speak as -boldly as Luther and Farel. The king and his councillors -were beginning to be alarmed, but more conciliatory -words revived their hopes.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'All that can be conceded, while maintaining the -faith and the love of God, we will concede. Every -salutary custom, observed by the ancients, we will -restore. We have no desire to upset everything that -is standing, and we know very well that the Church -here below cannot be without blemish.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_638" id="Ref_638" href="#Foot_638">[638]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">{355}</a></div> - -<p class="gap-above2 side">~CHURCH GOVERNMENT.~</p> - -<p>The satisfaction of the king and his councillors -increased when they came to Church government. -There must be order in the Church, said the protestants. -There must be a ministry of the Word; -an inspection of the pastors and of the flocks, in -order to secure discipline and peace. The service, -the time appointed for worshipping in common, the -place where the Church should assemble, the holy -offices, the temporal aid necessary for the support of -the ministry, the care of the poor: all these things -require an attentive and faithful administration. -These principles were set forth by the reformers, the -Strasburg doctor insisting most on this point.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'The kingdom of Christ ought not to be without a -government. In no place ought order to be stricter, -obedience more complete, and power more respected.'</p> - -<p>Francis I. and his councillors heard these declarations -with pleasure. They had been told that the -<i>pretended</i> Church of the protestants was composed of -atoms that had no cohesion with each other. Others -affirmed that the only superior power recognised in -it was that of certain theocratic prophets, like Thomas -Munzer and others. Francis, therefore, was satisfied -to learn that while they acknowledged a universal -priesthood, by virtue of which every believer approached -God in prayer, protestantism maintained a -special evangelical ministry. But what was this -ministry, this government? This the king and his -advisers desired to know. Here, in our opinion, the -mediating divines went wrong: the king's wishes were -to be almost satisfied.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">{356}</a></div> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'As a bishop presides over several Churches, no -one can think it wrong for a pontiff to preside at -Rome over several bishops. The Church must have -leaders to examine those who are called to the ministry, -to judge in ecclesiastical causes, and watch over the -teaching of the ministers.... If there were no such -bishops, they ought to be created.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_639" id="Ref_639" href="#Foot_639">[639]</a></span> -One sole pontiff -may even serve to maintain harmony of faith between -the different nations of christendom.'</p> - -<p>Francis was delighted; but the more decided evangelicals -looked upon this idea of an <i>evangelical</i> pope as -a dream to be consigned to the Utopia described by -Sir Thomas More. An accessory declaration of another -kind was to please the king even more.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'As for the Roman pontiff's claim to transfer kingdoms -from one prince to another, that concerns neither -the Gospel nor the Church; and it is the business of -kings to combat that unjust pretension.'</p> - -<p>Now that these concessions were granted, the reformers -were about to make the loud voice of the -Reformation heard.</p> - -<p class="gap-above2 side">~JUSTIFICATION AND THE MASS.~</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'The first of doctrines is the justification of sinners.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'Remission of sins ought to be accompanied by a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">{357}</a></span> -change of life; but this remission is not given us -because of this new life; it comes to us only through -mercy, and is given to us solely because of Christ.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'Thus, then, we have done with the merits ascribed -to the observances and prayers of the monks and -priests: we have done with all vain confidence in our -own works. Let the grace of God be obscured no -longer, and the righteousness of Christ be no more -diminished! It is on account of the blood of his only -Son that God forgives us our sins.'</p> - -<p>Francis and his advisers thought that <i>orthodox</i> -enough. Even the schoolmen (they said) have used -this language in some of their books. They raised -no opposition to the opinion of the reformers upon -justification by faith.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_640" id="Ref_640" href="#Foot_640">[640]</a></span> -But one point made them -uneasy.... What will they say of the mass? This -important subject was not forgotten.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'What! to be present every day at mass without -repentance, without piety, even without thinking of -the mysteries connected with it, will suffice to obtain -all kinds of grace from God!... No! when we celebrate -the sacrament of our Lord's body and blood, -there must be a living communion between Christ -and the living members of Christ.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_641" id="Ref_641" href="#Foot_641">[641]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">{358}</a></div> - -<p class="gap-above2 side">~PROTEST AGAINST ABUSES.~</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'The mass is the only knot we cannot untie;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_642" id="Ref_642" href="#Foot_642">[642]</a></span> -for it contains such horrible abuses ... invented for the -profit of the monks. All impious rites must be interdicted, -and others established in conformity with the -truth.'</p> - -<p>'The mass must be preserved,' said Francis; 'but -the stupid, absurd, and foolish legends abolished.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_643" id="Ref_643" href="#Foot_643">[643]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Frenchmen were anxious to learn the doctrine -of the reformers on the sacraments: it was, in fact, the -embarrassing point, in consequence of the different -opinions of different doctors. The enemies of the -Reformation spread the rumour through France that -the sacraments were to protestants mere ceremonies -only, by which christians show that they belong to the -Church. 'No,' said the doctors, 'these outward forms -are means by which grace works inwardly in our souls. -Only this working does not proceed from the disposition -of the priest administering the sacrament, but -from the faith of him who receives it.' And here -came the great question: 'Is Christ present or not -in the communion?' Bucer and his friends cleverly -extricated themselves from this difficulty.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'The body of Christ is received in the hands of the -communicants, and eaten with their mouths, say some. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">{359}</a></span> -The body of Christ is discerned by the soul of the believer -and eaten by faith, say others. There is a way -of putting an end to this dispute by simply acknowledging -that, whatever be the manner of eating, there -is a real <i>presence of Christ</i> in the Lord's Supper.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_644" id="Ref_644" href="#Foot_644">[644]</a></span></p> - -<p>By degrees the reformers became more animated.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'We must teach the people that the saints are not -more merciful than Jesus Christ, and that we must not -transfer to them the confidence due to Christ alone.</p> - -<p>'The monasteries must be converted into schools.</p> - -<p>'Celibacy must be abolished, for most of the priests -live in open uncleanness.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_645" id="Ref_645" href="#Foot_645">[645]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Bucer.</span></h4> - -<p>'The Church must have a constitution in which -everything will be decided by Scripture; and a conference -of learned and pious men is wanted to draw -it up.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Hedio.</span></h4> - -<p>'That assembly must not be composed of divines -only, but of laymen also; and, above all things, no -forward step should be taken so long as the pope and -the bishops persist in their errors, and even defend -them by force.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_646" id="Ref_646" href="#Foot_646">[646]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the reformers drew up these articles, they -had gradually begun to feel some hope. It is possible, -perhaps probable, that unity will be restored.... -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">{360}</a></span> -Moved at the thought, they lifted their eyes towards -the mighty arm from which they expected help.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Melanchthon.</span></h4> - -<p>'O that the Lord Jesus Christ would look down -from heaven and restore the Church for which he -suffered to a pious and perpetual union, which may -cause his glory to shine afar!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_647" id="Ref_647" href="#Foot_647">[647]</a></span></p> - -<p>Francis and his councillors were satisfied upon the -whole;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_648" id="Ref_648" href="#Foot_648">[648]</a></span> -but the doctors of Rome looked with an uneasy -eye upon these (to them) detestable negotiations. -There was agitation at the Sorbonne and even at the -Louvre. All the leaders of the Roman party who had -a voice at court made respectful representations. Cardinal -de Tournon added remonstrances. Du Bellay -held firm; but it was not so with Francis. He hesitated -and staggered. An event occurred to give him -a fresh impulse, and to legitimatise in his eyes the -reforms demanded by his minister.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_612" id="Foot_612" href="#Ref_612">[612]</a> -'Mores modestissimi.'—Melanchthon to the Queen of Navarre, <i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 733.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_613" id="Foot_613" href="#Ref_613">[613]</a> -'Non solum mundities et elegantia singularis, sed etiam quædam non -insuavis copia.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_614" id="Foot_614" href="#Ref_614">[614]</a> -'Ad quasdam alias operas, a quibus et natura et voluntate -abhorret.'—Ibid. p. 735.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_615" id="Foot_615" href="#Ref_615">[615]</a> -'Paupertas, quasi manus injecit.'—Ibid. p. 752.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_616" id="Foot_616" href="#Ref_616">[616]</a> -'Velut in quodam numine.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 752.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_617" id="Foot_617" href="#Ref_617">[617]</a> -'Homo infimæ sortis et ignotus Celsitudini tuæ.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_618" id="Foot_618" href="#Ref_618">[618]</a> -'Fama tuæ eximiæ pietatis quæ totum terrarum orbem pervagata -est.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_619" id="Foot_619" href="#Ref_619">[619]</a> -'Et recensebit ad posteros universa ecclesia.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 733.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_620" id="Foot_620" href="#Ref_620">[620]</a> -He died there in 1561. See Senebier, <i>Hist. Litt. de Genève</i>. Ch. le -Fort, <i>Livre du Recteur</i>, p. 371. Haag, <i>France Protestante</i>, which contains -a list of Baduel's numerous writings.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_621" id="Foot_621" href="#Ref_621">[621]</a> -'Videres in ædibus illis perpetuo accedentes et discedentes atque -exeuntes aliquos.'—Camerarius, <i>Vita Melanchthonis</i>, p. 40.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_622" id="Foot_622" href="#Ref_622">[622]</a> -'Quanta dissipatio reipublicæ et ecclesiæ.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 740.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_623" id="Foot_623" href="#Ref_623">[623]</a> -'In plerisque dicebat regem esse non alienum a libro Philippi quo -<i>locos</i> ille tractat <i>communes</i>.'—Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. renov.</i> iv. p. 114.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_624" id="Foot_624" href="#Ref_624">[624]</a> -'Regem Gallorum apud pontificem de pace et mitigatione tantarum -rerum acturum esse.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 976.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_625" id="Foot_625" href="#Ref_625">[625]</a> -'Si monarchæ aliqui efficerent ut aliqui boni et docti viri amanter et -libere inter se colloquerentur.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 740.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_626" id="Foot_626" href="#Ref_626">[626]</a> -'Et interdum præter rem tumultuantur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_627" id="Foot_627" href="#Ref_627">[627]</a> -'Usitatam ecclesiæ formam conservare, quantum possibile est.—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_628" id="Foot_628" href="#Ref_628">[628]</a> -'Ut Celsitudo tua, propter Christi gloriam, hortetur summos -monarchas.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 740.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_629" id="Foot_629" href="#Ref_629">[629]</a> -'Sed nihil opus est, <i>te currentem</i>, ut dici solet, adhortari.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_630" id="Foot_630" href="#Ref_630">[630]</a> -'Assentior tibi, mi Bucere, desperandam esse concordiam cum pontifice -romano.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 275.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_631" id="Foot_631" href="#Ref_631">[631]</a> -'Dass die obere Gewalt eine heilige sey.'—Schmidt, <i>Zeitschrift für -Hist. Theol.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_632" id="Foot_632" href="#Ref_632">[632]</a> -'Consentientibus symmistis meis.'—Consilium Buceri, Strasburg -MSS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_633" id="Foot_633" href="#Ref_633">[633]</a> -<i>Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. ii. bk. viii. ch. viii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_634" id="Foot_634" href="#Ref_634">[634]</a> -Melanchthon's memoir will be found in the <i>Corpus Reformatorum</i>, -published by Dr. Bretschneider, ii. pp. 743-766. I am indebted to -Professor Schmidt for a copy of Bucer's memoir, which is in the Strasburg -library. The volume containing Hedio's memoir has disappeared from -the archives; we have, however, found a few extracts.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_635" id="Foot_635" href="#Ref_635">[635]</a> -'Concordia esse non potest nisi inter eos qui sunt de ecclesia.'—Consilium -Buceri MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_636" id="Foot_636" href="#Ref_636">[636]</a> -'Pontifex et summi reges agnoscant ecclesiæ morbos.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> -ii. p. 743.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_637" id="Foot_637" href="#Ref_637">[637]</a> -'Nisi inter eos qui Christo vere credunt.'—Consilium Buceri.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_638" id="Foot_638" href="#Ref_638">[638]</a> -'Nec etiam ut nulla omnino labes tolleretur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_639" id="Foot_639" href="#Ref_639">[639]</a> -'Creari tales oporteret.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 746.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_640" id="Foot_640" href="#Ref_640">[640]</a> -'Locum de justificatione, ut a nostris tractatur, <i>probare regem</i>.'—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 1017.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_641" id="Foot_641" href="#Ref_641">[641]</a> -'Viva vivorum membrorum Christi communione.'—Buceri Consilium -MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_642" id="Foot_642" href="#Ref_642">[642]</a> -'Hic unus nodus de missa videtur inexplicabilis esse.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> -ii. p. 781.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_643" id="Foot_643" href="#Ref_643">[643]</a> -'Orationes et legendas multas ineptas et impias abrogandas aut -saltem emendandas.'—Ibid. p. 1015.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_644" id="Foot_644" href="#Ref_644">[644]</a> -'Veram Christi in cœna præsentiam exprimi.'—Buceri Cons.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_645" id="Foot_645" href="#Ref_645">[645]</a> -'Plurimi in manifesta turpitudine vivunt.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 764.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_646" id="Foot_646" href="#Ref_646">[646]</a> -Schmidt, <i>Zeitschrift für Hist. Theolog.</i> 1850, p. 35.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_647" id="Foot_647" href="#Ref_647">[647]</a> -'Ut Christus ecclesiam suam ... redigat in concordiam piam et -perpetuam.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_648" id="Foot_648" href="#Ref_648">[648]</a> -'Hos articulos Francisco regi non displicuisse multa sunt quæ -suadent.'—Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. renov.</i> iv. p. 124.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">{361}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE APPARITION AT ORLEANS.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1534.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=THE PROVOST'S WIFE.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">CALVIN, as it will be remembered, had studied and -evangelised at Orleans, and his teaching had left -deep traces, particularly among the students and with -certain ladies of quality. The wife of the city provost -seems to have been one of the souls converted by the -ministry of the young reformer. The narrative he -has devoted to her, the full details into which he -enters, show the interest he took in her conversion.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_649" id="Ref_649" href="#Foot_649">[649]</a></span> -This woman, who occupied a distinguished rank in -the city, had found peace for her soul in faith in -Christ; she had believed in the promises of the Word -which Calvin had explained; she had felt keenly -the nothingness of Roman pomps and superstitions; -the grace of God was sufficient for her; and caring -little for <i>outward adorning</i>, she strove after that <i>which -is not corruptible</i>, the ornament of the <i>women who trusted -in God</i>. 'She is a Lutheran,' said some; 'she belongs -to those who have listened to the teaching of Luther's -disciples.' Her husband the provost, a person of influence, -a great landowner, an esteemed magistrate, a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">{362}</a></span> -man of upright, prompt, and energetic character, was -touched by the purity of his wife's conduct, and, without -being converted to the Gospel, had become disgusted -with the Roman superstitions, and despised the -monks.</p> - -<p>The provostess (to adopt the language of the -manuscripts) fell ill, sent for a lawyer, and dictated -her will to him. Lying on a bed of sickness, which -she was never to leave again, full of a living faith -in Christ, she felt certain of going to her Saviour, -and experienced an insurmountable repugnance to -the performance over her grave of any of the superstitious -ceremonies for which devout women have -ordinarily such a strong liking. Accordingly, while the -notary, pen in hand, was waiting the dictation of -her last will, she said: 'I forbid all bell-ringing and -chanting at my funeral, and no monks or priests -shall be present with their tapers. I desire to be -buried without pomp and without torches.' The lawyer -was rather surprised, but he wrote down the words; -and her husband, who remained near her and knew -her faith, promised that her wishes should be kept -sacred. When she died, the mortal remains of this -pious woman were laid in the tomb of her father and -grandfather, with no other accompaniment than the -tears of all who had known her, and the prayers of the -children of God who formed the little evangelical flock -of Orleans.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE PROVOST AND THE MONKS.=</p> - -<p>When the ceremony was over, the provost proceeded -to the convent of the Franciscans, in whose cemetery -the burial had taken place. He was a liberal man, -and, though despising the monks, did not wish to -do them wrong, even in appearance. The friars, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">{363}</a></span> -already much irritated, did not understand what the -magistrate wanted with them, and received him very -coldly. 'As you were not called upon to do duty,' -he told them, 'here are six gold crowns by way of -compensation.' The monks, who had reckoned on the -death of this lady as a great windfall, were by no -means satisfied with the six gold pieces; and, even -while taking them, looked sulkily at the widower, and -swore to be revenged.</p> - -<p>Not long after this, the provost having determined -upon cutting down a wood he possessed near Orleans, -was giving directions to his workmen, when two monks, -following the narrow lanes running through the forest, -arrived at the spot where the owner and the woodmen -were at work, boldly addressed the former, and demanded -in the name of the convent permission to -send their waggon once a day during the felling to -lay up their store. 'What!' answered the provost, -whom the avarice of the monks had always disgusted, -'a waggon a day! Send thirty, my reverend fathers, -but (of course) with ready money. All that I want, -I assure you, is good speed and good money.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_650" id="Ref_650" href="#Foot_650">[650]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two cordeliers returned abashed and vexed, -and carried the answer to their superiors. This was -too much: two affronts one after the other! The -monks consulted together; they desired to be revenged -by any means; such <i>heresies</i>, if they were tolerated, -would be the ruin of the convents. They deliberated -on the best manner of giving a striking lesson to the -provost and to all who might be tempted to follow -the example of his wife. 'These gentlemen, to be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">{364}</a></span> -revenged, proceeded to devise a fraud,' says Calvin. -Two monks particularly distinguished themselves -among the speakers: brother Coliman, provincial and -exorcist of great reputation among the grey friars, and -brother Stephen of Arras, 'esteemed a great preacher.' -These two doctors, wishing to teach the city that -monks are not to be offended with impunity, invented -a 'tragedy,' which, they thought, would everywhere -excite a horror of Lutheranism.</p> - -<p>Brother Stephen undertook to begin the drama: -he shut himself up in his cell and composed, in a style -of the most vulgar eloquence, a sermon which he -fancied would terrify everybody. The news of a -homily from the great preacher circulated through the -city, and when the day arrived, he went up into the -pulpit and delivered before a large congregation (for -the church was crammed) a 'very touching' discourse, -in which he pathetically described the sufferings of -the souls in purgatory.... 'You know it,' he exclaimed, -'you know it. The unhappy spirits, tormented -by the fire, escape; they return after death, -sometimes with great tumult, and pray that some -consolation may be given them. Luther, indeed, -asserts that there is no purgatory.... What horror! -what abominable impiety!' 'The friar forgot nothing,' -says Beza, 'to convince his audience that spirits return -from purgatory.' The congregation dispersed -in great excitement; and after that the least noise at -night frightened the devout. The way being thus -prepared, the impudent monks arranged among themselves -the horrible drama which was to avenge them -on the provost and his wife.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE APPARITION IN THE CONVENT.=</p> - -<p>On the following night the monks rose at the usual -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">{365}</a></span> -hour and entered the church, carrying their antiphonaires -or anthem-books in their hands. They -began to chant; their hoarse voices were intoning -matins ... when suddenly a frightful tumult was -heard, coming from heaven as it seemed, or at least -from the ceiling of the church. On hearing this -'great uproar,' the chanting ceased, the monks appeared -horrified, and Coliman, the bravest, moved -forward, armed with all the weapons of an exorcist, -and <i>conjured</i> the evil spirit; but the spirit said not a -word. 'What wantest thou?' asked Coliman. There -was no answer. 'If thou art dumb,' resumed the -exorcist, 'show it us by some sign.' Upon this the -spirit made another uproar. The hearers, not in the -secret, were terror-stricken. 'All is going on well,' -said Coliman, Stephen, and their accomplices; 'now -let us circulate the news through Orleans.' The next -day the friars visited some of the most considerable -personages of the city who were among the number of -their devotees. 'A misfortune has happened to us,' -they said, without mentioning what it was; 'will you -come to our help and be present at our matins?'</p> - -<p>These worthy citizens, anxious to know what -was the matter, did not go to bed, and went to the -convent at midnight. The monks had already -assembled in the church to chant their collects, -anthems, and litanies; they provided good places -for the devout laymen, and with trembling voices -began to intone:</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Domine! labia</i>...</p> - -<p>The words had hardly been uttered, when a frightful -noise interrupted the chanting. 'The ghost! -the ghost!' exclaimed the terrified monks. Then -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">{366}</a></span> -Coliman, who had 'the usual equipment when he -wished to speak to the devil,' came forward, and, -playing his part admirably, said, 'Who art thou?'—Silence.—'What -dost thou want?'—Silence.—'Art -thou dumb?'—Silence.—'If thou art not permitted to -speak,' said Coliman, 'answer my questions by signs.... -For <i>Yes</i>, give two knocks; and three for <i>No</i>. Now, -tell me ... art thou not the ghost of a person buried -here?' The ghost began to knock <i>Yes</i>. Then resumed -Coliman: 'Art thou the ghost of such a one, or such -a one?' naming in succession many of those who were -buried in the church; but to each question the ghost -answered <i>No</i>. After a long circuit, the exorcist -came at last to the point he desired: 'Art thou the -ghost of the provostess?' The spirit replied with a -loud <i>Yes</i>. The mystery seemed about to be cleared -up: a new act of the comedy began. 'Spirit, for -what sin hast thou been condemned?' asked the -exorcist: 'Is it for pride?'—<i>No!</i> 'Is it for unchastity?'—<i>No!</i> -Coliman, after running through all -the sins enumerated in Scripture, bethought himself -at last, and said: 'Art thou condemned for having -been a Lutheran?' Two knocks answered <i>Yes</i>, and -all the monks crossed themselves in alarm. 'Now -tell us,' continued the exorcist, 'why thou makest -such an uproar in the middle of the night? Is it for -thy body to be exhumed?'—<i>Yes!</i> There could no -longer be any doubt about it: the provostess was -suffering for her Lutheranism. The report had been -prepared beforehand, but a few witnesses refused -to sign it, suspecting some trick. The provincial -concealed his vexation, and wishing to excite their -imaginations still more strongly, he exclaimed: 'The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">{367}</a></span> -place is profaned; let us leave it ... as the papal -canons command.' Forthwith one of the monks -caught up the pyx containing the <i>corpus Domini</i>; -another seized the chalice; others took the relics -of the saints and 'the rest of their tools;'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_651" id="Ref_651" href="#Foot_651">[651]</a></span> -and all fled into the chapter-room, where divine service was -thenceforward celebrated.</p> - -<p class="side">=INQUEST ON THE SPIRIT.=</p> - -<p>The news of this affair soon reached the ears of the -bishop's official, and there was much talk about it at -the palace. The Franciscans were pretty well known -there. 'There is some monkish trick at the bottom,' -said the official, an estimable and upright clergyman. -He could not conceal his disgust at this cheat of the -friars. He thought that these impetuous cordeliers -would compromise, and perhaps ruin the cause of -religion, instead of advancing it, by their pretended -miracles. It was to be one of the peculiarities of protestantism -to unveil the cunning, avarice, and hypocrisy -of the priests, the workers of miracles. Extraordinary -acts of the divine power were manifested at the time -of the creation of the Church, as at the time when the -heavens and the earth were first made by the Word of -God. Is not all creation a miracle? But the Reformation -turned away with disgust from the tricks and -cheats of the Roman mountebanks, who presumed -to ape the power of God. There were even in the -Catholic Church men of good sense who shared this -opinion. Of this number was the official of Orleans, -the man who filled the place which some had destined -for Calvin.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">{368}</a></div> - -<p>He took with him a few honest people, and went to -the grey friars' church to inquire more particularly -into the fact. He called the monks together: brother -Coliman gravely told the whole story, and the official, -after hearing their tales, said: 'Well, my brethren, I -now order these conjurations to be performed in my -presence.—You, gentlemen,' he said to some of his -party, 'will mount to the roof and see if any ghost -appears.'—'Do nothing of the kind,' exclaimed friar -Stephen of Arras, in great alarm; 'you will disturb -the spirit!' The official insisted that the conjuration -should be performed; but it was not possible; the -exorcist and the ghost both remained dumb. The -episcopal judge withdrew, confirmed in his views. -'Here's a ghost that appears only to the monks,' -he said to his companions; 'it is frightened at the -official.' This affair, which made some tremble and -others smile, soon became known throughout the city; -the news reached the dark and winding streets where -the students lived: one told it to another, and all -hurried off to the university. Everything was in commotion -there: some were for the monks, the majority -against them. 'Let us go and see,' exclaimed this -young France. Off they started, and arriving in a -large body, says Calvin, soon filled the church. They -raised their heads, they fixed their eyes on the roof -that had become so celebrated; but they waited in -vain, it uttered no sound. 'Pshaw!' said they, 'it -is a plot the friars have wickedly contrived to be -revenged of the provost and his wife. We will find -out all about it.' These curious and rather frolicsome -youths rushed to the roof in search of the ghost; -they looked for it in every corner, they called it, but -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">{369}</a></span> -the phantom was determined to be neither seen nor -heard, and the students returned to the university, -joking as they went.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE PROVOST APPEALS TO THE KING.=</p> - -<p>There was one person, however, in Orleans who did -not joke: it was the provost. Irritated at the insult -offered to his wife, he had recourse to the law: a -written summons was left at the convent, but the -monks refused to put in an answer, pleading the immunities -they enjoyed in their ecclesiastical quality. -The provost, true to his character, was not willing to -lose this opportunity of giving the friars a severe -lesson. 'What!' he exclaimed, 'shall these wretches -make her, who rests at peace in the grave, the talk of -the whole city? If she had been accused in her lifetime, -I would have defended her, much more will I do -so after her death!' He determined to lay the matter -before the king, and set out for Paris.</p> - -<p>The story of the ghost who appeared with a great -noise in a convent at Orleans, had already reached the -capital, and been repeated at court. The monks, in -general, were not in high favour there. The courtiers -called to mind the words of the king's mother, who -thanked God for having taught her son and herself to -know 'those hypocrites, white, grey, black, and of all -colours.' Du Bellay especially and his friends gladly -welcomed a story which set in bold relief the vices of -the old system and the necessity of a reform. As -soon as the provost reached the capital, he had an -audience of the king. Francis, who was not famed -for his conjugal affections, could not understand the -emotion of the widower; but despising the monks -at least as much as his mother and sister did, and -delighted to put in practice the new reforming ideas -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">{370}</a></span> -which were growing in his mind, he resolved to seize -the opportunity of humbling the insolence of the convents. -He granted all the provost asked; he nominated -councillors of parliament to investigate the matter; and -as the cordeliers pleaded their immunities, Duprat, in -his quality of legate, gave, by papal authority, power -to the commissioners to proceed.</p> - -<p>The day when the royal agents arrived at Orleans -was a day of sorrow to one part of the inhabitants of -that city, but of joy to the greater number. People -looked with astonishment on these gentlemen from -Paris, who would be stronger than the monks, and -would punish them for their long tyranny. A crowd -followed them to the convent, and when they had entered, -waited until they came out again. Oh! how -every one of them would have liked to see what was -going on within those gloomy walls! The officers of -the parliament spoke to the monks with authority, -exhibited their powers, and arrested the principal -culprits, to the great consternation of all the other -monks. Some wretched carts stood at the gate of -the monastery; the archers brought out the insolent -friars; and the crowd, to its unutterable amazement, -saw them mount like vulgar criminals into these poor -vehicles, which the maréchaussée was preparing to -escort. What inexpressible disgrace for the disciples -of St. Francis!</p> - -<p class="side">=THE MONKS TAKEN TO PARIS.=</p> - -<p>The news of the arrest had spread to all the -sacristies, parsonages, and convents of the city, and a -cry of persecution arose everywhere. At the moment -of departure, a bigoted and excited crowd collected -round the carts in which sat the reverend fathers, -quite out of countenance at their misfortune. These -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">{371}</a></span> -people, some of whom no doubt were fanatics, but -amongst whom were many who felt a sincere affection -for the monks, wept bitterly; they uttered loud -lamentations, and put money into the friars' hands, -'as much to make good cheer with,' says Calvin, 'as -to help in their defence.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_652" id="Ref_652" href="#Foot_652">[652]</a></span> -But in the midst of this -dejected crowd might be observed some citizens and -jeering students, who exclaimed: 'Fine champions, -indeed, to oppose the Gospel!' Certain sayings of -Luther had crossed the Rhine, and were circulating -among the youths of the schools: 'Who made the -monks?' asked one. 'The devil,' answered another. -'God having created the priests, the devil (as is always -the case) wished to imitate him, but in his bungling -he made the crown of the head too large, and instead -of a priest he turned out a monk.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_653" id="Ref_653" href="#Foot_653">[653]</a></span> -Such was the -exodus of the reverend fathers: they arrived in Paris, -and there they were separated and confined in different -places, in order that they might not confer with one -another.</p> - -<p>The deception was manifest, but it was impossible -to obtain a confession. The monks had sworn to keep -profound silence, in order to preserve the honour of -their order and of religion, and also to save themselves. -They called to mind what had happened in the Dominican -convent at Berne in 1500: how a soul had appeared -there in order to be delivered from purgatory; -how the five wounds of St. Francis had been marked -on a poor novice; and how, at the request of the -papal legate, four of the guilty monks had been burnt -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">{372}</a></span> -alive.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_654" id="Ref_654" href="#Foot_654">[654]</a></span> -Might not the same punishment be inflicted -on a monk of Orleans? They trembled at the very -thought. In vain, therefore, did the councillors of -parliament begin their inquiry; in vain did they go -from one house to another, and enter the rooms where -these reverend fathers were confined: the monks -were sullen, unfathomable, and more silent than the -ghost itself.</p> - -<p>The judges determined to try what they could with -the novice who had acted the part of the ghost; but -if the monks were silent, sullen, and immovable, the -novice was agitated and frightened out of his senses. -The friars had uttered the most terrible threats; and -hence, when he was interrogated, 'he held firm,' says -the Geneva manuscript, 'fearing, if he spoke, that the -cordeliers would kill him.' The judges then reminded -him of the power of the parliament and the protection -of the king. 'You shall never return into the hands -of the monks,' they told him. At these words the poor -young fellow began to breathe; he recovered from his -great fright; his tongue was loosened, and he 'explained -the whole affair to the judges,' says Beza. -'I made a hole in the roof,' he said, 'to which I applied -my ear, to hear what the provincial said to me from -below. Then I struck a plank which I held in my -hand, and I hit it hard enough for the noise to be -heard by the reverend fathers underneath. That was -all the <i>fun</i>,' he added.</p> - -<p class="side">=THEIR CONDEMNATION.=</p> - -<p>The friars were then confronted with the novice, -who stoutly maintained the cheat got up by them. -They were both indignant and alarmed at seeing this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">{373}</a></span> -pitiful varlet turning against their reverences; but as -it was now impossible to deny the fact, they began to -protest against their judges, and to plead their privileges -once more. They were condemned; the indignation -was general, the king especially being greatly -irritated. All his life long he looked upon the monks, -black or white, as his personal enemies. Besides, the -hatred he felt against that lazy and ignorant herd was, -he thought, one of his attributes as the Father of -Letters. His anger broke out in the midst of his -court: 'I will pull down their convent!' he exclaimed, -'and build in its place a palace for the duke!' (that is, -for the Duke of Orleans, Catherine's husband). All -the councillors of parliament, both lay and clerical, -were assembled. The haughty Coliman, the eloquent -brother Stephen, and their accomplices were forced -to stand at the bar, and sentence was solemnly -delivered. They were to be taken to the Chatelet -prison at Orleans; there they would be stripped of -their frocks, be led into the cathedral, and then, set -on a platform with tapers in their hands, they were to -confess 'that, with certain fraud and deliberate malice, -they had plotted such wickedness.' Thence they were -to be taken to their convent, and afterwards to the -place of public execution, where they would again -confess their crime.</p> - -<p>This promised the idlers of Orleans a still more -extraordinary spectacle than that given them when -the friars got into their carts. Every day they -expected to see the sentence carried out; but the -government feared to appear too favourable to the -Lutherans. The matter was protracted; some of the -monks died in prison; the others were suffered to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">{374}</a></span> -escape; and thus ended an affair which characterises -the epoch, and shows the weapons that a good many -priests used against the Reformation. If the sentence -was never executed, the moral influence of the story -was immense, and we shall presently see some of its -effects.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_649" id="Foot_649" href="#Ref_649">[649]</a> -Calvin's manuscript narrative, recently discovered in the Geneva -library by Dr. J. Bonnet, has been printed in the <i>Bulletin de l'Histoire du -Protestantisme Français</i>, iii. p. 33.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_650" id="Foot_650" href="#Ref_650">[650]</a> -This affair is mentioned by Sleidan and Theodore Beza, both of -whom appear to have seen Calvin's narrative.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_651" id="Foot_651" href="#Ref_651">[651]</a> -Calvin, <i>Hist. de l'Esprit des Cordeliers d'Orléans</i>. Geneva MS. -(<i>Bulletin de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français</i>, iii.) Beza, <i>Hist. Eccles.</i> -p. 11. Sleidan, i. p. 361.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_652" id="Foot_652" href="#Ref_652">[652]</a> -Calvin's MS. <i>Bulletin de l'Hist. du Prot. Fran.</i> iii. p. 36.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_653" id="Foot_653" href="#Ref_653">[653]</a> -Lutheri <i>Opp.</i> xxii. p. 1463.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_654" id="Foot_654" href="#Ref_654">[654]</a> -<i>History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. ii. bk. viii. -ch. ii.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">{375}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FRANCIS PROPOSES A REFORMATION TO THE SORBONNE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Autumn 1534.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=FRANCIS CONFESSES HIS ERRORS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE disgust inspired by the imposture of the cordeliers -of Orleans, and the jests lavished upon -the monks in the Louvre and throughout Paris, were -further encouragements to the king to prosecute his -alliances with protestantism. He had, however, little -need of a fresh incentive; the reform proposed by -Melanchthon was in his view acceptable and advantageous, -because it diminished the power of the pope, -and corrected abuses incompatible with the new light, -at the same time that it left untouched that catholicism -from which the king had no desire to secede. In his -private conversations with Du Bellay, Francis, laying -aside all reserve, acknowledged frankly that the -Romish Church was upon the wrong track, and said -in a confidential tone, that 'Luther was not so far -wrong as people said.' He did not fear to add that it -was himself rather who had been mistaken. The -King of France, and the country along with him, thus -appeared to be in a good way for reform.</p> - -<p>Francis determined to acquaint the protestant -princes with his sentiments on Melanchthon's memoir. -'My envoy, on his return to Paris,' he wrote, 'having -laid before me the opinions of your doctors on the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">{376}</a></span> -course to be pursued, I entertain a hope of seeing the -affairs of religion enter upon a fair way at last.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_655" id="Ref_655" href="#Foot_655">[655]</a></span> -Du Bellay, well satisfied on his part with the impression -made on his master by the opinions of the evangelical -divines, informed the magistrates of Augsburg, Ulm, -Nuremberg, Meiningen, and other imperial cities, that -the King of France approved of the Lutheran doctrines, -and would protect the protestants. The Melanchthonian -reformation was therefore in progress, and -already men were preparing the stones for the edifice -of the reformed Catholic Church. The French government -did not confine itself to writing letters; but, -strange to say! the sovereign, the absolute monarch, -did not fear to make an acknowledgment of his errors, -and to express his regret: he sent a thorough palinode -into Germany. He who was putting the Lutherans to -death was not far from declaring himself a Lutheran. -In October and November 1534, an agent from Francis -I. visited the cities of the Germanic empire, announcing -everywhere that 'the king now saw his -mistake in religious matters,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_656" id="Ref_656" href="#Foot_656">[656]</a></span> -and that the Germans -who followed Luther <i>thought correctly as regards the -faith that is in Christ</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_657" id="Ref_657" href="#Foot_657">[657]</a></span> -The worthy burgomasters and -councillors of Germany were amazed at such language, -and looked at one another with an incredulous air; -but the French envoy assured them repeatedly that -the King of France desired a reform even in his own -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">{377}</a></span> -country.... 'The emperor,' he added, 'wishes to constrain -the protestants by force of arms to keep to the -old doctrine; but the King of France will not permit -it. He has sent me into Germany to form an alliance -with you to that intent.' Such was the strange news -circulated beyond the Rhine. It reached the ears of -the Archbishop of Lunden, who immediately forwarded -it to Charles V.</p> - -<p>When Francis I. annulled the pragmatic sanction -at the beginning of his reign, he had reserved the -right of appointing bishops, and had thus made the -Church subordinate to the State. The time seemed to -have arrived for taking a second step. It was necessary -to put an end to the popish superstitions and abuses, -condemned by the friends of letters, whose patron he -claimed to be, and thus satisfy the protestants; and, -by a wise reform, maintain in Europe the catholicity -of the Church, which the popes were about to destroy -by their incredible obstinacy. The king would thus -appear to be a better guardian of European catholicism -than even the pope, and secure for himself that European -preponderance which Charles V. had hitherto -possessed.</p> - -<p class="side">=FRENCH VERSION OF THE ARTICLES.=</p> - -<p>He must set his hand to the work and begin with -the clergy. The king, seeing that it would be unwise -to communicate to them unreservedly the opinions of -the reformers, as they had been read at the Louvre, -resolved to have a new edition of them prepared, which -should contain the essential ideas. It would appear -that he confided this task to a numerous commission.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_658" id="Ref_658" href="#Foot_658">[658]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">{378}</a></span> -William du Bellay and his brother the Bishop of -Paris were doubtless the two chief members. The -commissioners set to work, correcting, suppressing, -adding, hitting certain popular superstitions a little -harder even than the reformers, and at length they -prepared a memoir which may be considered as a -statement of what the French government meant by -the proposed reformation.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_659" id="Ref_659" href="#Foot_659">[659]</a></span> -The changes made by -the French excited much discontent among the German -protestants, and Melanchthon himself complained -of them bitterly.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_660" id="Ref_660" href="#Foot_660">[660]</a></span></p> - -<p>The king, who carried into every pursuit the courage -and fire of which he had given so many proofs on the -field of battle, appeared at first to attack the papacy -with the same resolution that he would have employed -in attacking one of Charles's armies. It must be -clearly remembered that, in his idea, the reform which -he was preparing carried with it the cessation of schism, -and that his plan would restore the catholicity torn to -pieces by Roman insolence and imprudence. This -remark, if duly weighed, justifies the king's boldness. -He sent the project to Rome, we are assured, asking -the pope to support or to amend it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_661" id="Ref_661" href="#Foot_661">[661]</a></span> -We may imagine -the alarm of the Vatican on reading this heretical -memoir. Then Du Bellay, taking the Sorbonne in -hand, had a conference with the deputies of that illustrious -body, whose whole influence was ever employed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">{379}</a></span> -in maintaining the factitious unity that characterises -the papacy. 'Gentlemen,' he said to them, 'by the -king's commands I have endeavoured to prevail upon -the German churches to moderate the doctrines on -which they separated from the Roman Church, wishing -thus to lead them back to union. By order, therefore, of -my master, I hand you the present articles, to receive -instruction from you as to what I shall have to say to -the German doctors.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_662" id="Ref_662" href="#Foot_662">[662]</a></span> -The deputies having received -the paper from Du Bellay, forwarded it to the sacred -faculty. The latter delegated to examine it 'eminent -men, doctors of experience in such matters,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_663" id="Ref_663" href="#Foot_663">[663]</a></span> -who immediately set to work.</p> - -<p class="side">=TERROR OF THE SORBONNE.=</p> - -<p>The secretary of the Sorbonne began to read the -articles: the doctors listened and soon began to look at -each other and ask if they had heard correctly. The -venerable committee was agitated like the surface of -the sea by a sudden squall. They knew Francis; they -knew he did not think there existed in his kingdom -any society daring enough to set limits to his power. -He expected that a word from his mouth would be -considered as a decree from God. The doctors came -to the conclusion, therefore, that if the king desired -such a reform, nothing in the world could prevent -him from establishing it. They saw the Church laid -waste, and Rome in ruins.... It was the beginning -of the end. Their terror and alarm increased every -minute. All the sacred faculty, all the Church must -rise and exclaim: 'Stop, Sire, or we perish!'</p> - -<p>The French autocrat, however, took his precautions, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">{380}</a></span> -and even while meditating how he could strip the pope -of his power, he put on a pleasant face, and ascribed to -others the blows aimed by his orders against Rome. -'They are <i>Melanchthonian</i> articles,' said his ministers.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_664" id="Ref_664" href="#Foot_664">[664]</a></span> -True, but behind Melanchthon was Du Bellay, and -behind him was the king. The tactics employed at -this moment by Francis I. are of all times; and if the -multitude is sometimes deceived, intelligent minds -have always recognised the thoughts of the supreme -mover under the pen of the humble secretary. The -movement of Francis towards independence is in no -respect surprising: the outburst is quite French if it -is not christian. There has always existed in France -a spirit of liberty so far as concerns the Church; and -the most pious kings, even St. Louis, have defended -the rights of their people against the holy see. The -Gallican liberties, although they are nothing more than -a dilapidated machine, are still a memorial of something; -and what is dilapidated to-day may be restored -to-morrow. It was therefore a truly French feeling,—it -was that hidden chord which vibrates at the -bottom of every generous heart, from the Channel to -the Mediterranean Sea, whose harmonious sound was -heard at this important period of the reign of Francis I.</p> - -<p>The venerable company had some difficulty to recover -from their alarm. What! really, not in a dream, -not figuratively, heresy is at the gates of the Church -of France, introduced by the king ... who courteously -offers her his hand!... The terrified Sorbonne raised -a cry of horror, and mustered all their forces to prevent -the <i>heretic</i> from entering. They turned over the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">{381}</a></span> -volumes of the doctors; they opposed the <i>Summa</i> of -St. Thomas to the Epistles of St. Paul; they sought -by every means in their power to defend stoutly the -scholastic doctrine in the presence of Francis. A fireship -had been launched by the guilty hand of the -king: did that prince imagine he would see the glorious -vessel, which had so long been mistress of the seas, in -a hurry to lower her flag? The crew were valiant, -determined upon a deadly resistance, and ready to -blow themselves into the air with the ship, rather than -capitulate. The struggle between the king and the -corporation was about to begin. Alas! Beda was no -longer there to support them, and recourse must be -had to others. 'Master Balue was elected to go to -court, carrying the registers, and Master Jacques Petit -was given him as his associate.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_665" id="Ref_665" href="#Foot_665">[665]</a></span> -The Sorbonne was -poor in resources: the strong men were in the camp -of Luther, Calvin, and Melanchthon.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE MINISTERS AND THE SORBONNE.=</p> - -<p>What was said at court between Master Balue, -Master Petit, and the King of France, has not been -recorded; but we have the memoir sent by the king to -the Sorbonne, and the answer returned by that body -to the king. These documents may enlighten us as -to what passed at the conference, and we shall allow -them to speak for themselves, arranging the former -under the name of the king's ministers. William du -Bellay, his brother the Bishop of Paris, and others -probably were the persons empowered by the king to -confer with Master Balue and Master Jacques Petit. -They were champions of very different causes—the -men who then met, probably at the Louvre, in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">{382}</a></span> -presence of Francis I., and whom we are about to -hear.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">The King's Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'To establish a real concord in the Church of God, -we must all of us first look at Christ; we must subject -ourselves to him, and seek his glory, not our own.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_666" id="Ref_666" href="#Foot_666">[666]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'We have heard his Majesty's good and holy words, -for which we all thank God, praying him to give the -king grace to persevere.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_667" id="Ref_667" href="#Foot_667">[667]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was doubtless a mere compliment.</p> - -<p class="gap-above2 side">~QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.~</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'Above all things, let us remember that the doctors -of the Word of God ought not to fight like gladiators, -and defend all their opinions <i>mordicus</i> (tooth and -nail);<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_668" id="Ref_668" href="#Foot_668">[668]</a></span> -but rather, imitating St. Augustin in his <i>Retractations</i>, -they should be willing to give way a little -to one another ... without prejudice to truth.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'Open your eyes, Sire; the Germans desire, in opposition -to your catholic intention, that we should give -way to them by retrenching certain ceremonies and -ordinances which the Church has hitherto observed. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">{383}</a></span> -They wish to draw us to them, rather than be converted -to us.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_669" id="Ref_669" href="#Foot_669">[669]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'You are mistaken: important concessions have -been obtained. The Germans are of opinion that -bishops must hold the chief place among the ministers -of the Churches, and that a pontiff at Rome should -hold the first place among the bishops. But, on the -other hand, the pontifical power must have respect -for consciences, consult their wants, and be ready to -concede to them some relaxation.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_670" id="Ref_670" href="#Foot_670">[670]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'It must not be forgotten that the ecclesiastical -hierarchy is of divine institution, and will last until -the end of time; that man can neither establish nor -destroy it, and that every christian must submit to it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_671" id="Ref_671" href="#Foot_671">[671]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'Having established the catholicity of the Church, -let us consider what reforms must be effected in order -to preserve it. First, there are indifferent matters, such -as food, festivals, ecclesiastical vestments, and other -ceremonials, on which we shall easily come to an understanding. -Let us beware of constraining men to fast -by commandments which nobody observes ... and -<i>least of all those who make them</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_672" id="Ref_672" href="#Foot_672">[672]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">{384}</a></div> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'None resist them but men corrupted by depraved -passions.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_673" id="Ref_673" href="#Foot_673">[673]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SAINTS AND MASS-MONGERS.=</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'Certain doctors of the Church, making use of a holy -prosopopœia, have introduced into their discourses -the saints whom they were eulogising, and have -prayed for their intercession as if they were present -before them;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_674" id="Ref_674" href="#Foot_674">[674]</a></span> -but they only desired by this means -to excite admiration for these godly persons, rather -than to obtain anything by their intercession.... Let -the people, then, be exhorted not to transfer to the -saints the confidence which is due to Jesus Christ -alone. It is Christ's will to be invoked and to answer -prayer.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_675" id="Ref_675" href="#Foot_675">[675]</a></span></p> - -<p>Here the French mind indulged in a sly hit which -would not have occurred to the German mind; and -the king's councillors, determining to strike hard, -continued:</p> - -<p>'What abuses and disorders have sprung out of -this worship of man! Observe the words, the songs, -the actions of the people on the saints' days, near their -graves or near their images! Mark the eagerness -with which the idle crowd hurries off to banquets, -games, dances, and quarrels. Watch the practices of -all those paltry, ignorant, greedy priests, who think of -nothing but putting money in their purses; and then -... tell us whether we do not in all these things -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">{385}</a></span> -resemble pagans, and revive their shameful superstitions?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_676" id="Ref_676" href="#Foot_676">[676]</a></span></p> - -<p>Not a word of this popular description of saints' -days will be found in Melanchthon's memoir: it is -entirely the work of Francis and his councillors.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'Let us beware how we forsake ancient customs. -Let us address our prayers directly to the saints who -are our patrons and intercessors under Jesus Christ. -To assert that they have not the prerogative of healing -diseases, is in opposition to your Majesty's personal -experience and the gift you have received from God of -curing the king's evil.... Let us also pay our devotions -to statues and images, since the seventh general council -commands them to be adored.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_677" id="Ref_677" href="#Foot_677">[677]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the Sorbonne, in order to defend the prerogatives -of the saints, cited the miraculous powers -of the king, they employed an argument to which it -was dangerous to reply; and, accordingly, we find -nothing on this point in the answers of the opponents -of the faculty. The discussion, getting off this -shoal, turned to the act which is the essence of the -Romish doctrine, and priests were once more lashed -by the royal hand, which was even more skilful at -this work than in curing the evil.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'There ought to be in the Church a living communion -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">{386}</a></span> -of the members of Christ.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_678" id="Ref_678" href="#Foot_678">[678]</a></span> -But, alas! what -do we find there? A crowd of ignorant and filthy -priests, the plague of society, a burden to the earth, a -slothful race who can do nothing but say mass, and -who, while saying it, do not even utter those five intelligible -words, preferable, as St. Paul thinks, to ten -thousand words in an unknown tongue.... We must -get rid of these mercenaries, these mass-mongers, -who have brought that holy ceremony into contempt, -and we must supply their place with holy, learned, and -experienced men.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_679" id="Ref_679" href="#Foot_679">[679]</a></span> -Then perhaps the Lord's Supper -will recover the esteem it has lost. Then, instead of -an unmeaning babble, we shall have psalms, and -hymns, and spiritual songs. Then we shall sing to -the Saviour, and every tongue will confess that Jesus -Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.... -What false confidence, what wretched delusion is that -which leads so many souls to believe that by attending -mass every day, even when piety is neglected, -they are performing an act useful to themselves and -their friends, both for this life and for that which is to -come!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_680" id="Ref_680" href="#Foot_680">[680]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE LORD'S SUPPER.=</p> - -<p>The Sorbonne contended for the external mechanism -of the sacramental act, to which their opponents -desired to impart a spiritual and living character, and -defended without shame or scruple the material advantages -the clergy derived from it. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">{387}</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'The mass is a real sacrifice, of great benefit to the -living and the dead, and its excellence is founded on -the passion of Jesus Christ. It is right, therefore, to -bestow temporal gifts on those who celebrate it, be -they good or bad; and the priests who receive them -ought not to be called mass-mongers, even though they -are paid.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_681" id="Ref_681" href="#Foot_681">[681]</a></span></p> - -<p>The king's ministers now came to the much disputed -doctrine of the presence of Christ in the communion.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'Let us put aside the disputes that have divided us -so long.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_682" id="Ref_682" href="#Foot_682">[682]</a></span> -Let us all confess that in the eucharist the -Lord truly gives believers his body to eat and his -blood to drink to feed our souls in life everlasting; -and that in this manner Christ remains in us and we -in Christ. Whether this sacrament be called the -Lord's Supper, the Lord's bread and wine, mass, -eucharist, love-feast, or sacrifice, is of little moment. -Christians ought not to dispute about names, if they -possess the things; and, as the proverb says, "When -we have the bear before us, let us not look after his -track."<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_683" id="Ref_683" href="#Foot_683">[683]</a></span> -Communion with Christ is obtained by -faith, and cannot be demonstrated by human arguments. -When we treat of theology, let us not fall -into matæology.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_684" id="Ref_684" href="#Foot_684">[684]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">{388}</a></div> - -<p>The Sorbonne could not overlook this side-blow -aimed at the scholastic style.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'It is very useful, and often very necessary for the -extirpation of heresy, to employ words not to be found -in Scripture, such as <i>transubstantiation</i>, &c.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_685" id="Ref_685" href="#Foot_685">[685]</a></span> -Yes, the -bread and the wine are truly changed in substance, -preserving only the accidents, and becoming the body -and blood of Christ. It is not true that the <i>panitas</i> -or <i>corporitas</i> of the bread combines with the <i>corporitas</i> -of Christ. The transubstantiation is effected <i>in instanti</i> -and not <i>successivè</i>; and it is certain that neither -laymen nor women can accomplish this miraculous act, -but priests only.'</p> - -<p>The controversy next turned on confession, justification, -faith, works, and free-will; after which they -came to practical questions.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'Good men do not ask that the monasteries should -be destroyed, but be turned into schools;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_686" id="Ref_686" href="#Foot_686">[686]</a></span> -so that thus -the liberality of our brethren may serve to maintain, -not idle people, but men who will instruct youth in -sound learning and morality.'</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'What! the pope should permit the friars to leave -their monasteries whenever they wish! This clearly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">{389}</a></span> -shows us that the Germans are aiming at the overthrow, -the ruin of all religion.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_687" id="Ref_687" href="#Foot_687">[687]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'And what prevents our restoring liberty of marriage -to the ministers of the Church? Did not Bishop -Paphnucius acknowledge at the Nicene council that -those who forbid it encourage licentiousness? In that -great crowd of priests and monks it is impossible for -purity of life to be restored otherwise than by the -divine institution which dates from Eden.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_688" id="Ref_688" href="#Foot_688">[688]</a></span></p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'An article quite as dangerous as the secularisation -of monks.'</p> - -<p class="side">=AN ASSEMBLY OF LAITY AND CLERGY.=</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Ministers.</span></h4> - -<p>'In this age, when everything is in a ferment,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_689" id="Ref_689" href="#Foot_689">[689]</a></span> -and when so many sects are raising their heads in various -places, the interest of the christian Church requires -that there should be an assembly composed not only -of priests and theologians, but also of laymen and -upright, sensible, courageous magistrates, who have -at heart the glory of the Lord, public morality, and -general usefulness.... Ah! it would be easy to agree -if we thought of Christ's glory rather than of our -own!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_690" id="Ref_690" href="#Foot_690">[690]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">{390}</a></div> - -<p>The doctors of the Sorbonne had no great liking -for deliberative assemblies where they would sit with -laymen and even with heretics.</p> - -<h4><span class="smc">Sorbonne.</span></h4> - -<p>'Beware! ... it is to be feared that, under the -pretext of uniting with us, the heretics are conspiring -to lead the people astray.... Have we not seen such -assemblies in Germany, called together on a pretence -of concord, produce nothing but divisions, discord, -and infinite ruin of souls?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_691" id="Ref_691" href="#Foot_691">[691]</a></span></p> - -<p>But the Sorbonne warned the king in vain. Francis -at this time, through policy no doubt, was opposed to -the doctrines maintained by the priests. He desired -to be freed at home from that papal supremacy which -presumed to direct the policy and religion of his -kingdom; and abroad he knew that a league with -England and Germany could alone destroy the overwhelming -preponderance of Charles V. And hence -the meetings of the Sorbonne grew more and more -agitated; the doctors repeated to one another all the -alarming reports they had heard; there was sorrow -and anger; never, they thought, had Roman-catholicism -in France been threatened with such terrible -danger. It was no longer a few obscure sects; no -longer a Brueys, a Henry of Lausanne, a Valdo, -Albigenses, or Waldenses, who attacked the Church: -no! powerful states, Germany and England, were separating -from the papacy, and the absolute monarch of -France was endeavouring to introduce revolutionary -principles into his kingdom. The Church, as its -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">{391}</a></span> -Head had once been, was deserted by its friends. -The grandees who were subsequently to form a -league around the Guises, were silent now; the rough -and powerful Montmorency himself seemed dumb; -and, accordingly, agitation and alarm prevailed -in the corporation. Certain ultramontane fanatics -proposed petitioning the king to put down heresy -by force, and to uphold the Roman dogmas by -fire and sword. More moderate catholics, observing -with sorrow the catholicity so dear to them rent by -schism, sought for more rational means of restoring -the unity destroyed by the Reformation. Everybody -saw clearly that the enemy was at the gate, and that -no time must be lost in closing it.</p> - -<p class="side">=DANGER OF CATHOLICISM.=</p> - -<p>Alas! they had to deal with others besides heretics. -All reflecting minds in Europe, and especially in -France, were struck with the example set by the King -of England, and the members of the Roman party -thought that Francis was about to adopt the same -course in his kingdom. There was indeed a difference -between the systems of these two princes. Henry -desired the doctrine of Rome, but not its bishop; -Francis accepted the bishop, but rejected the doctrine. -Nevertheless, as each of these reforms was a heavy -blow aimed at the system of the middle ages, they -were looked upon as identical. The success which -Henry's plan had met with in England was an indication -of what Francis's plan would meet with in France. -The two monarchs who reigned on each side of the -Channel were equally absolute.</p> - -<p>The Roman doctors, finding that their controversy -had not succeeded, resolved to go to work in a more -cunning way, and, without seeming to reject a union -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">{392}</a></span> -with Germany, to oppose the heretics by putting them -out of court. 'Sire,' they said to Francis, 'your very -humble servants and most obedient subjects of the -Faculty of Theology pray you to ask the Germans -whether they confess that the Church militant, whose -head (under Jesus) is Peter and his successors, is -infallible in faith and morals? whether they agree to -obey him as his subjects, and are willing to admit all -the books contained in the Bible,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_692" id="Ref_692" href="#Foot_692">[692]</a></span> -as well as the -decisions of the councils, popes, and doctors?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_693" id="Ref_693" href="#Foot_693">[693]</a></span> -Obedience to the pope and to tradition, without -discussing doctrines, was their summary of the controversy. -It did not succeed.</p> - -<p class="side">=SHOULD KINGS FEAR PROTESTANTISM?=</p> - -<p>The doctors of the faculty, finding that the king -would not aid them, applied to the papal nuncio. -They found him also a prey to fear. They began to -consult together on the best means of keeping France -in communion with the holy see. As Francis was -deaf to theological arguments, the Sorbonne and the -nuncio agreed that some other means must be -used. The prelate went to the Louvre, carrying with -him a suggestion which the Sorbonne had prompted. -'Sire,' he said, 'be not deceived. The protestants -will upset all civil as well as religious order.... The -throne is in as much danger as the altar.... The -introduction of a new religion must necessarily introduce -a new government.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_694" id="Ref_694" href="#Foot_694">[694]</a></span></p> - -<p>That was indeed the best way of treating the affair; -the nuncio had found the joint in the armour, and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">{393}</a></span> -king was for a moment staggered; but the pope's -conduct restored his confidence. Rome began to -proceed against Henry VIII. as she had formerly done -against kings in the middle ages. This proceeding, so -offensive to the royal dignity, drew Francis towards -the Reformation. If there is danger towards royal -power, it exists on both sides, he thought. He -believed even that the danger was greater on the side -of Rome than of Germany, since the protestants of -that country showed their princes the most loyal -submission, and the most religious and profound -respect. He had observed, that while the pope -desired to deprive the King of England of his states -and release his subjects from their obedience, the -reformation which that prince had carried out had -not prejudiced one of his rights; that there was a -talk, indeed, of insurrections against Henry VIII., -but they were got up by Rome and her agents. -Enlightened men suggested to Francis, that while -popery kept the people in slavery, and caused insurrection -and rebellion against the throne, the Reformation -would secure order and obedience to kings, and -liberty to the people. He seems to have been convinced -... for the moment at least. 'England and I,' -he said, 'are accustomed to keep together and to -manage our affairs in harmony with each other, and -we shall continue to do so.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_695" id="Ref_695" href="#Foot_695">[695]</a></span></p> - -<p>This new movement on the part of Francis emboldened -the evangelicals. They hoped that he would -go on to the end, and would not leave the pope even the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">{394}</a></span> -little place which he intended to reserve for him. If -a prince like Louis IX. maintained the rights of -the Gallican Church in the thirteenth century; -if a king like Charles VII. restored ecclesiastical -liberty in the fifteenth; shall we not see in this -universal revival of the sixteenth century a monarch -like Francis I. emancipating France from the Roman -yoke? At a great sacrifice he has just done much -for Wurtemberg, and will he do nothing for his own -kingdom? The friends of the Reformation encouraged -one another to entertain the brightest hopes. 'What -a noble position!' they said.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_696" id="Ref_696" href="#Foot_696">[696]</a></span> -Whenever they met, -whether in the university, in the country, or in -the town, they exchanged congratulations.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_697" id="Ref_697" href="#Foot_697">[697]</a></span> -In their opinion, old things had passed away.</p> - -<p class="side">=UNEASINESS OF THE REFORMERS.=</p> - -<p>But there were other evangelicals—men more decided -and more scriptural—who looked with a distrustful -eye upon these mysterious conferences between -Francis and the protestants of Germany. Those fine -speeches of Du Bellay, and that remarkable conference -at Bar-le-Duc, were in their eyes policy and diplomacy, -but not religion. They felt uneasy and alarmed; and -when they met to pray in their obscure conventicles, -these humble christians said to one another with terror: -'Satan is casting his net to catch those who are not on -the watch. Let us examine the colours in which he -is disguised.' Astonished and even distressed, they -asked if it was not strange to assert, as Melanchthon -had done, 'that no good man would protest against -the monarchy of the Roman bishop,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_698" id="Ref_698" href="#Foot_698">[698]</a></span> -and that, in consideration -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">{395}</a></span> -of certain reforms, we should hasten to recognise -him!' No, the Roman episcopate will never be -reformed, they said. Remodel it as you like, it will -always betray its domineering spirit, revive its ancient -tricks, and regain its ascendency, even by fire. We -must be on our guard.... Between Rome and the -Reformation it is a matter of mere yes or no: the pope -or Jesus Christ! Unable to conquer the new Church -in fair fight, they hope to strangle it in their embraces. -Delilah will lull to sleep in her lap the prophet whom -the strong men have been unable to bind with green -withes and new ropes. Under the pretence of screening -the Reform from evil influences, they desire to -set it, like a flower of the field, in some place without -light and air, where, fading and pining away ... it -will perish. Thanks to the protection of the Queen of -Navarre, the gallant and high-spirited charger that -loved to sport in the meadows is about to be taken to -the king's stable, where it will be adorned with a -magnificent harness ... but its mouth will be deformed -by the bit, its flanks torn by the spur, and -even the plaits of its mane will bear witness to its -degradation.</p> - -<p>This future was not reserved for the Reform. -While the mild and prudent voices of Melanchthon -and Bucer were soothing it to sleep, innocently enough -no doubt, bolder and freer voices, those of a Farel and -a Calvin, were preparing to arouse it. While the papers -of the conciliating theologians were lying on the velvet -cover of the royal table, another paper, whose lines of -fire seemed penned by the thunderbolt, was about to -circulate through the kingdom, and be posted even at -the door of the king's chamber by a too daring hand, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">{396}</a></span> -which was to arouse in that prince one of the most terrible -bursts of passion ever recorded in history. A loud -peal of thunder would be heard, and the heavy atmosphere -which stifled men's minds would be followed -by a pure and reviving air. There would be furious -tempests; but the christians of the scriptural, practical, -and radical Reformation rejoiced at witnessing the -failure of this specious but impossible project, which -aimed at reforming the Church even while preserving -Roman-catholicism. The system of the Queen of -Navarre will have to be abandoned; that of Calvin -will prevail. To uphold truth, the evangelicals were -about to sacrifice unity. No doubt furious persecutions -would be the consequence, but they said to each other -that it was better to live in the midst of hurricanes that -awaken, than in mephitic vapours which lull men into -the sleep of death.</p> - -<p>We shall describe hereafter the event which had so -notable an influence on the destinies of the Reformation -in France. They were Frenchmen who caused -it; it was a Frenchman who was the principal author; -but it was from Switzerland, as we shall see, that this -formidable blow was to come, and to that country we -must now return.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_655" id="Foot_655" href="#Ref_655">[655]</a> -'Dadurch Ich in gute Hoffnung kommen die Sachen sollten auf -gute Wege gerichtet werden.' This German translation of the king's -letter is given in the <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. pp. 828-835.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_656" id="Foot_656" href="#Ref_656">[656]</a> -'Rex suus cognoscit nunc errorem suum in religione.'—Lanz, <i>Correspondance -de l'Empereur Charles-Quint</i>, ii. p. 144.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_657" id="Foot_657" href="#Ref_657">[657]</a> -'Quod isti Germani Lutherum sequentes de Christo et de fide illius -recte sentiant.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_658" id="Foot_658" href="#Ref_658">[658]</a> -'Fuerunt illi (Melanchthonis articuli) a <i>quamplurimis</i> in Gallia -excerpti, sed non integri verum mutilati.'—Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. -renov.</i> iv. p. 124.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_659" id="Foot_659" href="#Ref_659">[659]</a> -This memoir is printed in the <i>Corpus Reformatorum</i>, ii. pp. -765-775; and while Melanchthon's is entitled <i>Consilium Gallis Scriptum</i>, -this is headed <i>Idem Scriptum a Gallis editum</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_660" id="Foot_660" href="#Ref_660">[660]</a> -'Qua de re Melanchthon ipse conqueritur.'—Gerdesius, iv. p. 124.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_661" id="Foot_661" href="#Ref_661">[661]</a> -'Eosdem articulos Romam misisse dicitur, quo pontificis ipsius -quoque impetraret vel emendationem vel consensum.'—Gerdesius, <i>Hist. -Evang. renov.</i> iv. p. 124.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_662" id="Foot_662" href="#Ref_662">[662]</a> -D'Argentré, <i>De novis Erroribus</i>, i. p. 3553. Gerdesius, iv. App. xiii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_663" id="Foot_663" href="#Ref_663">[663]</a> -Letter from the Faculty of Theology to Francis I. D'Argentré, -i. p. 3953. Gerdesius, iv. App. xiii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_664" id="Foot_664" href="#Ref_664">[664]</a> -D'Argentré, i. p. 3953. Gerdesius, iv. App. xiii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_665" id="Foot_665" href="#Ref_665">[665]</a> -Gerdesius, i. App. xiii. p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_666" id="Foot_666" href="#Ref_666">[666]</a> -'Necessarium ut in Christum omnes spectemus.'—Scriptum a Gallis -editum, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 765.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_667" id="Foot_667" href="#Ref_667">[667]</a> -<i>Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum ad Regem Franciscum</i>, -D'Argentré, i. p. 3953.—Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_668" id="Foot_668" href="#Ref_668">[668]</a> -'Nec geramus alterutri gladiatorios animos nostra mordicus defendendi.'—Scriptum -a Gallis editum, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 765.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_669" id="Foot_669" href="#Ref_669">[669]</a> -<i>Facultatis Theol. Paris. Resp. ad Regem.</i> Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 75.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_670" id="Foot_670" href="#Ref_670">[670]</a> -'Ut consulat conscientiis, aliquando concedere relaxationem.'-Scriptum -a Gallis editum, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 766.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_671" id="Foot_671" href="#Ref_671">[671]</a> -'Jure divino institutam, quæ usque ad consummationem sæculi -perduratura est.'—Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 78.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_672" id="Foot_672" href="#Ref_672">[672]</a> -'Quæ tamen nemo observat, atque hi minime omnium qui præcipiunt.'—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 767.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_673" id="Foot_673" href="#Ref_673">[673]</a> -D'Argentré, i. p. 397. Gerdesius, iv. App. p. 79.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_674" id="Foot_674" href="#Ref_674">[674]</a> -'Pia mortuorum facta prosopopœia ... quasi præsentes a præsentibus -orasse.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 768.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_675" id="Foot_675" href="#Ref_675">[675]</a> -'Qui et velit invocari et velit exaudire.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_676" id="Foot_676" href="#Ref_676">[676]</a> -'Videbimus nos minime abesse a superstitione Ethnicorum.'—Scriptum -a Gallis editum, <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 768.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_677" id="Foot_677" href="#Ref_677">[677]</a> -'Statuas et imagines sanctorum quas adorandas sept. œcum. synodus -decernit.'—<i>Facultatis Theol. Paris. Resp.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_678" id="Foot_678" href="#Ref_678">[678]</a> -'Viva membrorum Christi communione.'—Scriptum a Gallis ed. -<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 769.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_679" id="Foot_679" href="#Ref_679">[679]</a> -'Semotis his missarum conducticiis nundinatoribus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_680" id="Foot_680" href="#Ref_680">[680]</a> -'Præpostera ejus operis fiducia quæ plerosque sic seduxit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_681" id="Foot_681" href="#Ref_681">[681]</a> -'Vocari non debent nundinatores.'—<i>Facult. Theol. Paris Resp.</i></p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_682" id="Foot_682" href="#Ref_682">[682]</a> -'Sublatis quæ inter nos diu viguerunt altercationibus.'—Script. a -Gallis ed., <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 770.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_683" id="Foot_683" href="#Ref_683">[683]</a> -'Præsente urso, quod dicitur, vestigia non quæramus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_684" id="Foot_684" href="#Ref_684">[684]</a> -'Theologiam sic tractemus ut non incidamus in matæologiam.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_685" id="Foot_685" href="#Ref_685">[685]</a> -'Utile et necessarium certa verborum forma uti, in sacra scriptura -non expressa.'—<i>Facult. Theol. Paris. Resp.</i> p. 82.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_686" id="Foot_686" href="#Ref_686">[686]</a> -'Non petunt boni ut monasteria deleantur, sed ut sint scholæ.'—Script. -a Gallis ed., <i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 773.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_687" id="Foot_687" href="#Ref_687">[687]</a> -<i>Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum.</i> Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. -renov.</i> p. 76.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_688" id="Foot_688" href="#Ref_688">[688]</a> -'In tanta sacerdotum et monachorum turba restitui aliter vitæ -puritas non poterit.'—Scriptum a Gallis editum, <i>Corpus Reformatorum</i>, ii. -p. 774.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_689" id="Foot_689" href="#Ref_689">[689]</a> -'Hoc fermentato sæculo.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_690" id="Foot_690" href="#Ref_690">[690]</a> -'Perfacile autem coalescere possumus.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_691" id="Foot_691" href="#Ref_691">[691]</a> -<i>Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum.</i> Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. -renov.</i> p. 77.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_692" id="Foot_692" href="#Ref_692">[692]</a> -Including the apocryphal books.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_693" id="Foot_693" href="#Ref_693">[693]</a> -<i>Facultatis Theologiæ Parisiensis Responsum.</i> Gerdesius, <i>Hist. Evang. -renov.</i> iv. App. p. 77.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_694" id="Foot_694" href="#Ref_694">[694]</a> -Du Bellay, <i>Mémoires</i>, ed. Petitot, Introd. p. 123. Schmidt, <i>Hist. -Theol.</i> p. 36 (ed. 1850).</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_695" id="Foot_695" href="#Ref_695">[695]</a> -'England und Ich pflegen zusammen zu halten und sämmtlich -unsere Sachen vornehmen.'—Rex Galliæ ad principes protest. <i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 830.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_696" id="Foot_696" href="#Ref_696">[696]</a> -'Quam pulchre staremus.'—Sturm to Melanchthon, MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_697" id="Foot_697" href="#Ref_697">[697]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_698" id="Foot_698" href="#Ref_698">[698]</a> -'Neque bonus ullus erit, qui reclamet in pontificis monarchiam.—<i>Corp. -Ref.</i> ii. p. 762.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">{397}</a></div> - - <h2>BOOK III.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">FALL OF A BISHOP-PRINCE, AND FIRST EVANGELICAL - BEGINNINGS IN GENEVA.</span></h2> - - <h3>CHAPTER I.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, THE MIDDLE AGES.<br /> - (1526.)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE Reformation was necessary to christian society. -The Renaissance, daughter alike of ancient and -of modern Rome, was a movement of revival, and yet -it carried with it a principle of death, so that wherever -it was not transformed by heavenly forces, it fell away -and became corrupted. The influence of the humanists—of -such men as Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, and -afterwards of Montaigne—was a balmy gale that shed -its odours on the upper classes, but exerted no power -over the lower ranks of the people. In the elegant -compositions of the men of letters, there was nothing -for the conscience, that divinely appointed force of the -human race. The work of the Renaissance, had it -stood alone, must of necessity, therefore, have ended -in failure and death. There are persons in these days -who think otherwise: they believe that a new state of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">{398}</a></span> -society would have arisen without the Reformation, -and that political liberty would have renewed the -world better than the Gospel. This is assuredly a -great error. At that time liberty had scarcely any -existence in Europe, and even had it existed, and the -dominion of conscience not reappeared along with -it, it is certain that, though powerful enough, perhaps, -to destroy the old elements of order prevailing in -society, it would have been unable to substitute any -better elements in their place. If, even in the nineteenth -century, we tremble sometimes when we hear the distant -explosions of liberty, what must have been the -feeling in the sixteenth? The men who were about to -appear on the theatre of the world were still immersed -in disorder and barbarism. Everything betokened -great virtues in the new generation, but also tumultuous -passions; a divine heroism, but also gigantic -crimes; a mighty energy, but at its side a languishing -insensibility. A renewed society could not be constituted -out of such elements. It wanted the divine -breath to inspire high thoughts, and the hand of God to -establish everywhere the providential order.</p> - -<p>At the end of the fifteenth and the beginning of the -sixteenth century, society was in a state of excitement. -The world was in suspense, as when the statuary -is about to create a work that shall be the object of -universal admiration. The metal is melted, the mass -flows from the furnace like glowing brass; but the -approaching lava alarms, and not without reason, the -anxious spectators. At this period we witness struggles, -insurrections, and reaction. The perfumed spirit of -the Renaissance was unable to check the evil and to -establish order and liberty. Society had appeared to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">{399}</a></span> -grow young again under the breath of antiquity; -but wherever a knowledge of the Gospel was not -combined with the cultivation of letters, that purity, -boldness, and elevation of youth, which at first had -charmed contemporaries, disappeared. The melting -was checked, the metal grew cold, and instead of the -masterpiece that had been expected, there appeared -the repulsive forms of servility, immorality, and superstition.</p> - -<p class="side">=CRISIS AND MEANS OF SALVATION.=</p> - -<p>Was there any means of preventing so fatal a future? -How, in the midst of the old society, which was -crumbling to pieces, could a new one be formed, with -any certain prospect of vitality? In religion only -the coming age was to find its living force. If the -conscience of man was awakened and sanctified by -christianity, then and then only the world would -stand.</p> - -<p>Was it possible to look for this regenerating element -in the society which was expiring? That would be -to search among the dead for the principle of life. It -was necessary to have recourse to the primitive sources -of faith. The Gospel, more human than literature, -more divine than philosophy, exerts an influence over -man that these two things cannot possess. It goes -down into the depths—that is, into the people—which -the Renaissance had not done; it rises towards the -high places—that is, towards heaven—which philosophy -cannot do. When the Gospel lifted up its -voice in the days of the Reformation, the people -listened. It spoke to them of God, sin, condemnation, -pardon, everlasting life—in a word, of Christ. -The human soul discovered that this was what it -wanted; and was touched, captivated, and finally -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">{400}</a></span> -renewed. The movement was all the more powerful -because the doctrine preached to the people had -nothing to do with animosities, traditions, interests of -race, dynasties, or courts. True, it got mixed up -with these things afterwards; but in the beginning it -was simply the voice of God upon earth. It circulated -a purifying fire through corrupted society, and -the new world was formed.</p> - -<p>The old society, whose place was about to be occupied, -did all in its power to resist the light. A terrible -voice issued from the Vatican; a hand of iron -executed its behests in many a country, and strangled -the new life in its cradle. Spain, Italy, Austria, and -France were the chief theatres of the deplorable tragedies, -whose heroes were Philip II. and the Guises. -But there were souls, we may even say nations, protected -by the hand of God, who have been ever since -like trees whose leaves never wither.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_699" id="Ref_699" href="#Foot_699">[699]</a></span> -Intelligent -men, struck by their greatness, have been alarmed for -the nations that are not watered by the same rivers. -Against such a danger there is, however, a sure remedy; -it is that all people should come and drink at those -fountains of life which have given protestant nations -'all the attributes of civilisation and power.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_700" id="Ref_700" href="#Foot_700">[700]</a></span> -Or do -they perchance imagine that by shutting their windows -against the sun, the light will spread more widely?... -A new era is beginning, and all lingering nations -are now invited to the great renovation of which the -Gospel is the divine and mighty organ.</p> - -<p class="side">=NEW SITUATION OF GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>In 1526 Geneva was in a position which permitted -it to receive the new seed of the new society. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">{401}</a></span> -alliance with the cantons, by drawing that city nearer -to Switzerland, facilitated the arrival of the intrepid -husbandmen who brought with them the seeds of life. -At Wittemberg, at Zurich, and even in the upper extremities -of Lake Leman, in those beautiful valleys -of the Rhone and the Alps which Farel had evangelised, -the divine sun had poured down his first rays. -When the Genevans made their alliance with the Swiss, -they had only thought of finding a support to their -national existence; but they had effected more: they -had opened the gates of day, and were about to -receive a light which, while securing their liberties, -would guide their souls along the path of eternal life. -The city was thus to acquire an influence of which -none of its children had ever dreamt, and by the instrumentality -of Calvin, one of the noblest spirits that -ever lived, 'she was about to become the rival of -Rome,' as an historian says (perhaps with a little -exaggeration), 'and wrest from her the dominion of -half the christian world.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_701" id="Ref_701" href="#Foot_701">[701]</a></span></p> - -<p>If the alliance with the cantons opened Geneva on -the side of Switzerland, it raised a wall of separation -between that city and Savoy—which was not less -necessary for the part she was called upon to play in -the sixteenth century. The valley of the Leman was -at that time dotted with châteaux, whose ruins may -still be seen here and there. As invasion, pillage, and -murder formed part of social life in the middle ages, -the nobles surrounded their houses with walls, and -some even built their dwelling-places on the mountains. -From Geneva might be descried the castle of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">{402}</a></span> -Monnetier standing on immense perpendicular rocks -on Mont Salève....</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">J'aimais tes murs croulants, vieux moutier ruiné!</div> -<div class="verse"><i>Naître, souffrir, mourir!</i> devise triste et forte . . .</div> -<div class="verse">Quel châtelain pensif te grava sur la porte?<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_702" id="Ref_702" - href="#Foot_702">[702]</a></span></div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>Further on, and near Thonon, on an isolated hill, -shaded by luxuriant chestnut trees, stood the vast -castle of Allinges, which is still a noble ruin. The -lords of these places, energetic, rude, freebooting, and -often cruel men, growing weary of their isolation -and their idleness, would collect their followers, -lower their drawbridges, rush into the high roads in -search of adventures, and indulge in a life of raids and -plunder, violence and murder.</p> - -<p>The towns, with their traders and travellers, were -especially the abhorrence of these gentlemen robbers. -From the tenth century the Genevan travellers and -foreign merchants, passing through Geneva with their -goods, often fell a prey to the plundering vagabondage -of the neighbouring lords. This was not without -important consequences for civilisation and liberty. -Seeing the nobles perpetually in insurrection against -social order, the burghers learnt to revolt against -despotism, murder, and robbery. Geneva received -one of these lessons, and profited by it better than -others.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_703" id="Ref_703" href="#Foot_703">[703]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PONTVERRE AND THE SAVOYARD NOBLES.=</p> - -<p>In all the castles of Genevois, Chablais, and the -Pays de Vaud, it was said, in 1526, that the alliance -of Geneva with the free Swiss cantons menaced the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">{403}</a></span> -rights of Savoy, the temporal (and even the spiritual) -power of the bishop, and Roman-catholicism. And -hence the irritated nobles ruminated in their strongholds -upon the means of destroying the union, or at -least of neutralising its effects. François de Ternier, -seigneur of Pontverre, whose domains were situated -between Mont Salève and the Rhone, about a league -from Geneva, thought of nothing else night or day. -A noble, upright, but violent man; a fanatical enemy -of the burgher class, of liberty, and of the Reformation; -and a representative of the middle ages, he swore -to combat the Swiss alliance unto death, and he kept -his oath. Owing to the energy of his character and -the nobility of his house, François possessed great -influence among his neighbours. One day, after long -meditation over his plans, he left his residence, attended -by a few horsemen, and visited the neighbouring -castles. While seated at table with the knights, he -made his apprehensions known to them, and conjured -them to oppose the accursed alliance. He asked them -whether it was for nothing that the privilege of bearing -arms had been given to the nobles. 'Let us make -haste,' he said, 'and crush a new and daring power -that threatens to destroy our castles and our churches.' -He sounded the alarm everywhere; he reminded the -nobles that they had a right to make war whenever -they pleased;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_704" id="Ref_704" href="#Foot_704">[704]</a></span> -and forthwith many lords responded to -his energetic appeals. They armed themselves, and, -issuing from their strongholds, covered the district -around Geneva like a cloud of locusts. Caring little -for the political or religious ideas with which Pontverre -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">{404}</a></span> -was animated, they sought amusement, plunder, -and the gratification of their hatred against the citizens. -They were observed at a distance, with their mounted -followers, on the high roads, and they were not idle. -They allowed nobody to enter the city, and carried off -property, provisions, and cattle. The peasants and the -Genevan merchants, so disgracefully plundered, asked -each other if the tottering episcopal throne was to be -upheld by <i>banditti</i>.... 'If you return,' said these noble -highwaymen, 'we will <i>hang you up by the neck</i>.' Nor -was that all: several nobles, whose castles were near the -water, resorted to piracy on the lake: they pillaged the -country-houses near the shore, imprisoned the men, -insulted the women, and cut off all communication -with Switzerland.</p> - -<p class="side">=NOBLES TURN HIGHWAYMEN.=</p> - -<p>One difficulty, however, occurred to these noble -robbers: they chanced to maltreat, without their -knowing it, some of their own party, who were -coming from German Switzerland. Having been -much reproached for this, they took counsel on the -road: 'What must we do,' they asked, 'to distinguish -the Genevans?' They hit upon a curious shibboleth. -As soon as they caught sight of any travellers in the -distance, they spurred their horses, galloped up, and -put some ordinary question to the strangers, 'examining -in this way all who passed to and fro.' If the -travellers replied in French, the language of Geneva, -the knightly highwaymen declared they were <i>huguenots</i>, -and immediately carried them off, goods and -all. If the victims complained, they were not listened -to; and even when they came from the banks -of the Loire and the Seine, they were taken and shut -up in the nearest castle. Many messengers from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">{405}</a></span> -France to the Swiss cantons, who spoke like the -Genevans, were arrested in this way.</p> - -<p>France, Berne, and Geneva complained bitterly; -but the lords (for the most part Savoyards) took no -notice of it. By chastising these burghers, they believed -they were gaining heaven. They laughed -among themselves at the universal complaints, and -added sarcasm to cruelty. One day a Genevan -deputy having appeared before Pontverre, to protest -against such brigandage, the haughty noble replied -coldly: 'Tell those who sent you, that in a fortnight -I will come and set fire to the four corners of your -city.' Another day, De la Fontaine, a retired syndic -and mameluke, as he was riding along the high road, -met a huguenot, and said to him: 'Go and tell your -friends that we are coming to Geneva shortly, and -will throw all the citizens into the Rhone.' As the -Genevan walked away, the mameluke called him -back: 'Wait a moment,' he said, and then continued -maliciously: 'No, I think it will be better to cut off -their heads, in order to multiply the relics.' This -was an allusion to Berthelier's head, which had been -solemnly buried. In the noisy banquets which these -nobles gave each other in their châteaux, they related -their feats of arms: anecdotes akin to those just -quoted followed each other amid roars of laughter: -the subject was inexhaustible. The politicians, although -more moderate in appearance, were not less -decided. They meditated over the matter in cold -blood. 'I will enter Geneva sword in hand,' said -the Count of Genevois, the duke's brother, 'and will -take away six score of the most rebellious patriots.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_705" id="Ref_705" href="#Foot_705">[705]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">{406}</a></div> - -<p>Thus the middle ages seemed to be rising in defence -of their rights. The temporal and spiritual authority -of the bishop-prince was protected by bands of highwaymen. -But while these powers, which pretended -to be legitimate, employed robbery, violence, and -murder, the friends of liberty prepared to defend -themselves lawfully and to fight honourably, like regular -troops. Besançon Hugues, reelected captain-general -three days after the alliance with the Swiss, -gave the signal. Instantly the citizens began to -practise the use of arms in the city; and in the -country, where they were placed as outposts, they -kept strict watch over all the movements of the -gentlemen robbers. Fearing that the latter, to crown -their brigandage, would march against Geneva, the -syndics had iron gratings put to all the windows in -the city walls, built up three of the gates, placed a -guard at the others, and stretched chains across -every street. At the same time they brought into -the harbour all the boats that had escaped the piratical -incursions of the nobles, placed a sentry on the belfry -of St. Pierre, and ordered that the city should be -lighted all the night long. This little people rose -like one man, and all were ready to give their lives -to protect their goods and trade, their wives and -children, and to save their old liberties and their new -aspirations.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_706" id="Ref_706" href="#Foot_706">[706]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=GENEVAN DEPUTATION TO BERNE.=</p> - -<p>While thus resolute against their enemies in arms, -the citizens showed moderation towards their disarmed -foes. Some of those who were most exasperated, -wishing to take their revenge, asked permission to -<i>forage</i>, that is, to seize the property of the disloyal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">{407}</a></span> -and fugitive mamelukes. 'It is perfectly fair,' they -said, 'for their treason and brigandage have reduced -Geneva to extreme misery: we shall only get back -what they have taken from us.' But Hugues, the -friend of order as well as of liberty, made answer: -'Let us commence proceedings against the accused; -let us condemn them in penalties more or less severe; -but let us refrain from violence, even though we have -the appearance of right in our favour.'—'The ducal -faction,' replied these hot-headed men, 'not only -plundered us, but conspired against the city, and -took part in the tortures and murders inflicted upon -the citizens.' The syndics were not convinced, and -the property of the offenders was respected; but after -a rigorous investigation, they were deprived of the -rights of citizenship.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_707" id="Ref_707" href="#Foot_707">[707]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Swiss cantons, discontented because the Genevans, -who were in great straits, had not repaid the -expenses incurred on their behalf, asked more for the -mamelukes than the council granted: they demanded -that they should all be allowed to return to the city. -But to receive those who were making war against -them, seemed impossible to the Genevans. They sent -two good huguenots to Berne, François Favre and -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve, to make representations -in this matter. The deputies were admitted to -the great council on the 5th of June, 1526. De Lullins, -the Savoyard governor, was also received on the same -day, and in the duke's name he made great complaints -against Geneva. Favre, a quick, impatient, passionate -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">{408}</a></span> -man, replied in <i>coarse terms</i>. The Bernese firmly adhered -to their resolution, and reprimanded the Genevan -deputy, who candidly acknowledged his fault: 'Yes,' -he said, 'I am <i>too warm</i>; but I answered rather as a -private individual than as an ambassador.' On returning -to his inn, he thought that the payment of the sum -claimed by the Bernese would settle everything, and -the same day he wrote to the council of Geneva: 'Your -humble servant begs to inform you that you must send -the money promised to my lords of Berne. Otherwise, -let him fly from the city who can! Do you -think you can promise and not be bound to keep your -word? Find the money, or you are lost. I pray you -warn my wife, that she may come to Lausanne. I am -serving at my own expense, and yet I must pay for -others also. Do not ruin a noble cause for such a -trifle. If Berne is satisfied, we shall be all right with -the mamelukes.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_708" id="Ref_708" href="#Foot_708">[708]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CARTELIER'S CONDEMNATION.=</p> - -<p>Robber nobles were not the only supporters of the -middle ages. That epoch has had its great men, but -at the time of its fall it had but sorry representatives. -The knights of the highway had their companions in -the intriguers of the city. Among the latter we may include -Cartelier, who had played his part in the plots got -up to deliver Geneva to Savoy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_709" id="Ref_709" href="#Foot_709">[709]</a></span> -This man, who hated -independence and the Reformation even more than -Pontverre did, was, through the anger of the citizens -and the avarice of the bishop, to suffer for the crimes -of which his party was guilty. Being utterly devoid of -shame, he went up and down the city as if he had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">{409}</a></span> -nothing to fear, and when he chanced to meet the indignant -glance of a huguenot, he braved the anger with -which he was threatened by assuming an air of contempt -and defiance. Rich, clever, but of low character, he -had contrived to be made a citizen in order to indulge in -the most perfidious intrigues. One day he was apprehended, -notwithstanding his insolent airs, and put into -prison. A thrill ran through all the city, as if the hand -of God had been seen striking that great criminal. Amblarde, -Berthelier's widow, and his two children; John, -Lévrier's brother; and a hundred citizens who had all -just cause of complaint against the wretch, appeared -before the council, and called for justice with cries -and tears: 'He has spilt the blood of our fathers, our -brothers, and our husbands,' said the excited crowd. -'He wished to destroy our independence and subject us -to the duke.' Convicted of conspiring against the State, -the wretch was condemned to death. The executioner, -putting a rope round his neck, led him through the -city, followed by an immense crowd. The indignant -people were delighted when they saw the rich and -powerful stranger reduced to such humiliation. Proud -and pitiless, he had plotted to ruin the city, and now -he was expiating his crimes. Things did not stop here: -while moderate men desired to remain in the paths of -justice, the more hot-headed of the party of independence -<i>derided</i> him, says a chronicler, and some mischievous -boys pelted him with mud. The unhappy -man, whose fall had been so great, thus arrived at the -place of execution, and the hangman prepared to perform -his duty.</p> - -<p>Cartelier had but a few minutes more to live, when -the bishop's steward was seen hurrying forward with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">{410}</a></span> -letters of grace, commuting the capital punishment -into a fine of six thousand golden crowns payable to -the prelate and to the city. To spare the life of the -wretched man might have been an act of mercy and -equity, especially as his crimes were political; but the -angry youths who surrounded the criminal ascribed the -bishop's clemency to his covetousness and to the hatred -he bore the cause of independence. They desired the -execution of the condemned man. Twice the hangman -removed the rope, and twice these exasperated -young men replaced it round Cartelier's neck. They -yielded at last, however, and were satisfied with having -made the conspirator feel all the anguish of death. -Cartelier was set at liberty. When the bishop was -informed of what had happened, he became afraid, -imagining his authority compromised and his power -endangered. 'It was for good reasons,' he wrote to -the syndics, 'that I pardoned Cartelier; however, -write and tell me if the people are inclined to revolt -on account of this pardon.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_710" id="Ref_710" href="#Foot_710">[710]</a></span> -The people did not -revolt, and the rich culprit, having paid the fine, -retired quietly to Bourg in Bresse, whence he had -come.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP'S HESITATION.=</p> - -<p>The bishop, who had first sentenced, then pardoned, -and then repented of his pardon, was continually hesitating, -and did not know what party to side with. He -was not devoted body and soul to the duke, like his -predecessor. Placed between the Savoyards and the -huguenots, he was at heart, equally afraid of both, and -by turns flung himself into the arms of opposite parties. -He was like a stag between two packs of hounds, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">{411}</a></span> -always afraid and panting. 'I write <i>angrily</i>,' he says -in his letters: he was, indeed, always angry with one -party or the other. Even the canons, his natural -friends, and the members of his council aroused his -fears, and not without cause; for these reverend persons -had no confidence either in the bishop's character or in -the brigandage of the gentry of the neighbourhood. -Messieurs De Lutry, De Montrotier, De Lucinge, De -St. Martin, and other canons said that the temporal authority -of the prelate was too weak to maintain order; -that the sword of a secular prince was wanted, and at -the bottom of their hearts they called for the duke. -'Ah!' said La Baume to Hugues, 'the chapter is a -<i>poisoned</i> body;' he called the canons thieves and -robbers: <i>Ille fur et latro est</i>, he said of one of them. -The episcopal office appeared a heavy burden to him; -but it put him in a position to give good dinners to his -friends, and that was one of the most important duties -of his life. 'I have wine for the winter,' he wrote in a -postscript to the letter in which he made these complaints, -'and plenty to entertain you with.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_711" id="Ref_711" href="#Foot_711">[711]</a></span> -Such were his episcopal consolations.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_699" id="Foot_699" href="#Ref_699">[699]</a> -Psalm i.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_700" id="Foot_700" href="#Ref_700">[700]</a> -M. Michel Chevalier, on the Prosperity of Protestant Nations.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_701" id="Foot_701" href="#Ref_701">[701]</a> -Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, ii. p. xxviii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_702" id="Foot_702" href="#Ref_702">[702]</a> -Galloix, <i>Salève</i>. The author remembers reading, since the time of -his boyhood, these three words on the ruins that have been since restored, -<i>Nasci, pati, mori</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_703" id="Foot_703" href="#Ref_703">[703]</a> -Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>. Gautier MS. Guizot, <i>Civilisation en France -et en Europe</i>. Froment.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_704" id="Foot_704" href="#Ref_704">[704]</a> -Ordonnance de Louis Hutin. Guizot, <i>Civilisation en France</i>, v. p. -138.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_705" id="Foot_705" href="#Ref_705">[705]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 3 décembre. Lettres de Messieurs de -Berne. Galiffe fils, <i>Besançon Hugues, Pièces Justificatives</i>, p. 487.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_706" id="Foot_706" href="#Ref_706">[706]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 15, 16, 23, 24, 28 mars.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_707" id="Foot_707" href="#Ref_707">[707]</a> -Roset, <i>Chron.</i> MS. liv. ii. ch. ii. Registres du Conseil du 7 septembre -1526. Spon, <i>Histoire de Genève</i>, ii. p. 396. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 446, -447. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_708" id="Foot_708" href="#Ref_708">[708]</a> -This letter will be found in Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de -Genève</i>, ii. p. 489.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_709" id="Foot_709" href="#Ref_709">[709]</a> -See above, vol. i. p. 228.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_710" id="Foot_710" href="#Ref_710">[710]</a> -Archives de Genève. Lettre de Pierre de la Baume aux syndics, du -24 janvier 1527.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_711" id="Foot_711" href="#Ref_711">[711]</a> -Registres du Conseil de décembre 1526, de janvier et avril 1527. -Roset MS. bk. ii. ch. v. Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, -ii. pp. 264, 437, 439, 440. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 452-454. <i>Mém. -d'Archéologie</i>, ii. p. 11. La Sœur de Jussie, <i>Le Levain du Calvinisme</i>.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">{412}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER II.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE GOSPEL AT GENEVA, AND THE SACK OF ROME.<br /> - (<span class="smc">January to June 1527.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE bishop was about to have enemies more formidable -than the duke and the League. The -Reformation was approaching. There is a characteristic -trait in the history of Geneva; the several surrounding -countries were by turns to scatter the seeds -of life in that city; in it was to be heard a concert of -voices from France, Italy, and German Switzerland. -It was the last of these that began.</p> - -<p class="side">=LAYMEN AND CLERGY.=</p> - -<p>At the time when treason was expelled from the -city in the person of Cartelier, the Gospel entered it -in that of an honest Helvetian, one of the Bernese -and Friburg deputies who went there in 1527 about -the affairs of the alliance concluded in 1526. Friburg -would not have permitted a heretic preacher to accompany -the deputation; even Berne would not have desired -it just yet; but one of the Bernese ambassadors, -a pious layman, who was coming to give a valuable -support to national independence, was to call the -Genevese to spiritual liberty. The lay members of -the Church occupied in the time of the apostles, as -is well known, a marked station in the religious community;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_712" id="Ref_712" href="#Foot_712">[712]</a></span> -but by degrees the dominion of the clergy -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">{413}</a></span> -had been substituted for evangelical liberty. One of -the principal causes of this revolution was the inferiority -of the laity; for many centuries ecclesiastics -were the only educated men. But if this state of -things should change, if the laity should attain to -more knowledge and more energy than the clergy, -a new revolution would be effected in an opposite -direction. And this is really what happened in the -sixteenth century. The christian layman who then -arrived at Geneva was Thomas ab Hofen, a friend -of Zwingle, whom we have already mentioned.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_713" id="Ref_713" href="#Foot_713">[713]</a></span> -In the year 1524 he had declared at Berne in favour of -the Reformation. The Zurich doctor, hearing of -his departure for the shores of Lake Leman, was rejoiced, -for the piercing eye of his faith had fancied it -could perceive a ray of evangelical light breaking over -those distant hills. He desired that the Genevans, -now united to Switzerland, should find in her not only -liberty but truth. 'Undoubtedly,' wrote Zwingle -to the excellent Bernese, 'undoubtedly this mission -may be of extraordinary advantage to the citizens of -Geneva, who have been so recently received into alliance -with the cantons.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_714" id="Ref_714" href="#Foot_714">[714]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ab Hofen did not go to Geneva with the intention -of reforming it; his mission was diplomatic; but he -was one of that 'chosen generation' of whom St. Peter -speaks—one of those christians who are always ready -to 'show forth the praises of Him who has called them -to his marvellous light.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_715" id="Ref_715" href="#Foot_715">[715]</a></span> -As he entered the city, he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">{414}</a></span> -said to himself that he would do with earnestness -whatever work God might set before him, as his -Zurich friend had prayed him. Simple-minded, -moderate, and sensitive, Ab Hofen placed the kingdom -of heaven above the things of the earth; but he -was subject to fits of melancholy, which occasionally -made him faint-hearted. When he arrived at Geneva, -he visited many citizens, attended the churches and -the meetings of the people, and, having reflected upon -everything, he thought to himself that there was much -patriotism in the city, but unfortunately little christianity, -and that religion was the weak side of Genevan -emancipation. He was distressed, for he had expected -better things. With a heart overflowing with -sorrow he returned to his inn (17th of January, 1527), -and feeling the necessity of unburdening himself on -the bosom of a friend, he sat down and wrote to the -great reformer of Zurich: 'The number of those who -confess the doctrine of the Gospel must be increased.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_716" id="Ref_716" href="#Foot_716">[716]</a></span> -There were, therefore, at this time in Geneva christians -who confessed salvation by Jesus Christ, and not -by the ceremonies of the Church; but their number -was not large.</p> - -<p class="side">=AB HOFEN'S CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION.=</p> - -<p>Ab Hofen determined to do his best to remedy this -evil. He had a loving heart and practical mind, and -with indefatigable zeal took advantage of every moment -of leisure spared him by his official duties. As -soon, therefore, as a conference with the Genevan magistrates -was ended, or a despatch to the Bernese government -finished, he laid aside his diplomatic character and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">{415}</a></span> -began to visit the citizens, conversing with them, and -telling them of what was going on at Zurich and preparing -at Berne. Being received into the families of some of -the principal huguenots, and seated with them round -the hearth, at the severest portion of the year (January -1527), he spoke to them of the Word of God, of its -authority, superior (he said) to the pope's, and of the -salvation which it proclaimed. He taught them that -in the Gospel God gives man full remission of his -sins. These doctrines, unknown for so many ages, -and subversive of the legal and ceremonial religion of -Rome, were heard at Geneva with astonishment and -pleasure.</p> - -<p>At first the priests received the evangelist magistrate -rather favourably. The rank which he bore -made him honourable in their eyes; and he, far from -being rude towards them, like certain huguenots, was -amiable and sympathising. Some ecclesiastics, believing -him to belong to their coterie, because he -spoke of religion, did not conceal their uneasiness -from him, and described to him, very innocently, the -fine times when presents of bread, wine, oil, game, -and tapers were plentiful in their kitchen, and when -they used to say, with a gracious tone, to the believers -who brought these donations in white napkins: -<i>Centuplum accipietis et vitam æternam possidebitis</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_717" id="Ref_717" href="#Foot_717">[717]</a></span> -Then they added, with loud complaints: 'Alas! the -faithful bring us no more offerings, and people do not -run so ardently after indulgences as they used to do.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_718" id="Ref_718" href="#Foot_718">[718]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">{416}</a></div> - -<p>The Bernese envoy, inwardly delighted at these -candid avowals, which he did not fail to transmit to -Zwingle, apparently avoided all controversy, and continued -to announce the simple Gospel. The citizens -listened to him; they sought his company, and invited -him to take a seat in their family circle, or in some -huguenot assembly, and to speak of the noble things -that were doing at Zurich. These successes encouraged -him: his eyes sparkled, he accosted the -citizens freely, and his words flowed copiously from -his lips. 'I will not cease proclaiming the Gospel,' -he wrote to Zwingle; 'all my strength shall be devoted -to it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_719" id="Ref_719" href="#Foot_719">[719]</a></span> -Erelong the well-disposed men who had -gathered round him were joined by other citizens, -exclusively friends of liberty; they listened to him -with interest; but when he began to blame certain -excesses, and to require certain moral reforms, he met -with coldness and even determined opposition from -them, and they turned their backs on him. Ab -Hofen, although a man of zeal and piety, did not -possess the faith which moves mountains; he returned -dispirited to his inn, shut himself up in his room, and, -heaving deep sighs, wrote all his trouble to Zwingle. -The latter, who possessed a sure glance, saw that -the opportunity was unique. To establish the Reformation -at the two extremities of Switzerland, -at Zurich and Geneva, appeared to him a most -important work. Would not these two arms, as -they drew together, drag all Switzerland with them, -especially if the powerful Berne lent its support in -the centre? But he knew Ab Hofen, and fearing his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">{417}</a></span> -dejection, he wrote to him: 'Take care that the work -so well begun is not stopped. While transacting the -business of the republic, do not neglect the business -of Jesus Christ.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_720" id="Ref_720" href="#Foot_720">[720]</a></span> - You will deserve well of the citizens -of Geneva if you put in order not only their laws -and their rights, but their souls also.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_721" id="Ref_721" href="#Foot_721">[721]</a></span> -Now what can -put the soul in order except it be the Word and the -teaching of Him who created the soul?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_722" id="Ref_722" href="#Foot_722">[722]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=ZWINGLE ENCOURAGES AB HOFEN.=</p> - -<p>Zwingle went further than this, and, in order to -revive Ab Hofen's fainting heart, made use of an -argument to which the politician could not be insensible. -The reformer of Zurich was the friend of -liberty as well as of the Gospel, and he believed that -a people could be governed in only one of two ways: -either by the Bible or by the sword, by the fear of -God or by the fear of man. In his opinion Geneva -could protect her independence against the attacks of -Savoy, France, and all foreign powers, only by submitting -to the King of heaven. 'O my dear Thomas,' -he wrote to his friend, 'there is nothing I desire so -much as to see the doctrine of the Gospel flourishing -in that republic (Geneva). Wherever that doctrine -triumphs, the boldness of tyrants is restrained.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_723" id="Ref_723" href="#Foot_723">[723]</a></span> -At the same time, not wishing to offend the Bernese -deputy, Zwingle added: 'If I write these things, it is -not to awaken one who sleeps, but to encourage one -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">{418}</a></span> -who runs.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_724" id="Ref_724" href="#Foot_724">[724]</a></span> -He ended his letter with a fraternal -salutation to the evangelical christians of Geneva: -'Salute them all in my name,' he said.</p> - -<p>Ab Hofen was not insensible to this appeal; if he -was easily cast down, he was as easily lifted up. He -therefore redoubled his zeal, and pressed Geneva to -imitate Zurich and Berne; but he perceived that his -evangelical exertions were appreciated by a very small -number only, and regarded with coldness, and even -with displeasure and contempt, by the majority of -politicians. Citizens, who had at first given him the -warmest welcome, scarcely saluted him when he met -them, and if he went to any meeting his presence -put a restraint upon the whole assembly. He soon -encountered opposition of a more hostile nature; the -priests eyed him angrily, and the confidence which -some ecclesiastics had placed in him was succeeded by -a violent hatred. The clergy proclaimed a general -crusade against heresy; the canons put themselves at -the head of the opposition; priests and monks filled -the streets, going from house to house, and bade -the citizens be on their guard against the evangelical -addresses of the Bernese envoy. They cried down, -abused, and anathematised the doctrines he taught, -and made war against the New Testament wherever -they found it. They encouraged one another, and -frightened the women especially. According to their -representations, the city would be ruined if it listened -to the heretical diplomatist.</p> - -<p class="side">=AB HOFEN'S INFLUENCE AND DEATH.=</p> - -<p>Ab Hofen now fell into a state of discouragement -more serious than the former. 'All my efforts are -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">{419}</a></span> -vain,' he wrote to Zwingle; 'there are about <i>seven -hundred</i> clergymen in Geneva who do their utmost -to prevent the Gospel from flourishing here.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_725" id="Ref_725" href="#Foot_725">[725]</a></span> -What can I do against such numbers? And yet a wide -door is opened to the Word of God.... The priests -do not preach; and as they are unable to do so, they -are satisfied with saying mass in Latin.... Miserable -nourishment for the poor people!... If any preachers -were to come here, proclaiming Christ with boldness, -the doctrine of the pope would, I am sure, be soon -overthrown.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_726" id="Ref_726" href="#Foot_726">[726]</a></span></p> - -<p>But such preachers did not appear. Convinced of -his insufficiency, and continually repeating that true -ministers, like Zwingle and Farel, were wanted in that -city; finding that many of the Genevans desired to -be liberated not only from the vexations of Savoy, the -shuffling of the bishop, and the doctrines of the pope, -but also from the laws of morality; struck with the -evils he saw ready to burst upon Geneva, and which -the Gospel alone could avert,—this simple-minded, -pious, and sensitive man returned heartbroken to -Berne. Had this disappointment any effect upon -his health? We cannot say; but he died not long -after, in the month of November, 'as a christian ought -to die,' it was said. It was found after his departure -that his exertions had not been useless, and that some -Genevans at least had profited by his teaching: among -their number were counted Besançon Hugues and -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve. Some astonishment -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">{420}</a></span> -may be felt at seeing these two names together, for -they are those of the chiefs of two opposite parties; -but there is nothing improbable about it, for Hugues -must have been frequently brought into contact with -Ab Hofen, and it is not impossible that he listened to -his religious conversation. Hugues was a serious man; -he was, moreover, a statesman, and must have desired -to know something about the religious opinions which -seemed at that time likely to be adopted by the whole -confederation; but his policy consisted in maintaining -the rights of the bishop-prince on one side, and those -of the citizens on the other; as for his religion, he was -a catholic, and we do not see that he changed in either -of those relations. What he might have been, if he -had been living at the time when the Reformation -was carried through, no one can say. De la Maison-Neuve, -on the contrary, was a decided huguenot, and -certainly needed the Gospel to moderate the ardour of -his character. William de la Mouille, the bishop's -chamberlain and confidant, appears to have been the -person who profited most by the teaching of the layman -of Berne.</p> - -<p class="side">=SACK OF ROME.=</p> - -<p>While the Gospel was entering Geneva, desolation -was entering Rome. It is a singular circumstance, -the meeting of these two cities in history: one so -powerful and glorious, the other so small and obscure. -That, however, is capable of explanation: the great -things of the world have always come from great -cities and great nations; but the great things of God -have usually small beginnings. Conquerors must have -treasures and armies; but evangelical christianity, -which undertakes to change man, nations, and the -whole human race, has need of the strength of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">{421}</a></span> -God, and God affects little things. In the first century, -he chose Jerusalem; in the middle ages, the -Waldensian valleys; in the sixteenth century, Wittemberg -and Geneva. 'God hath chosen the weak -things of the world to confound the things which -are mighty.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_727" id="Ref_727" href="#Foot_727">[727]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the month of May (1527) a rumour of startling -importance suddenly spread through the world: -'Rome has just been destroyed,' said the people, 'and -there is no more pope.' The troops of Charles V. -had taken and sacked the pontifical city, and if the -pope was still alive, he was in concealment and almost -in prison. The servants of the Church, who were -terrified at first, soon recovered their breath, and -directly their alarm was dissipated, avarice and covetousness -took its place. In the presence of the -ruins of that ancient city, its friends thought only -of dividing its spoils. The Bishop of Geneva, in -particular, found himself surrounded by petitioners, -who sought to be collated to the benefices hitherto -held by clergymen resident in Rome. 'They have -all perished,' he was told; 'their benefices are vacant: -give them to us.' The bishop granted everything; -and he even conferred on himself (Bonivard tells us) -the priory of St. Jean-lez-Genève, which belonged to a -cardinal. Seldom had so many deaths made so many -people happy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_728" id="Ref_728" href="#Foot_728">[728]</a></span></p> - -<p>The sack of Rome had more important results -for Geneva and the protestant nations. When they -saw the ruin of that city, it appeared to them that the -papacy had fallen with it. The huguenots never grew -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">{422}</a></span> -tired of listening to the wonderful news and of commenting -upon it. Struck with the example set them by -Charles V., they thought to themselves that 'if the emperor -had set aside the bishop and prince of Rome, they -might well abandon the prince and bishop of Geneva.' -Their right to do so was far clearer. The pope-king -had at least been elected at Rome, and in conformity -with ancient custom; while the bishop-prince had not -been elected at Geneva and by Genevans, in accordance -with the ancient constitutions, but by a foreign -and unlawful jurisdiction. The huguenots promised -even to be more moderate than his catholic majesty. -Finally, the acts which impelled them to turn Pierre -de la Baume out of the city, were far more vexatious -in their eyes than those which had induced Charles to -expel Clement VII. from Rome. 'Are we not much -more oppressed by ecclesiastical tyranny,' they said, -'than by secular tyranny? Are we not forced to -pay, always to pay, and is it not our money that -makes the bishop's pot boil?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_729" id="Ref_729" href="#Foot_729">[729]</a></span> -Further, the shameful -conduct of many of the ecclesiastics seemed to -them a sufficient motive for putting an end to their -rule.</p> - -<p>A scandal which occurred just at this time increased -the desire felt by certain huguenots to withdraw themselves -from the government of the monks and priests. -On the 10th of May, certain inhabitants of St. Leger -appeared before the council. For some time past -their sleep had been disturbed by noises and shouting, -in which the cordeliers, jacobins, and other friars were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">{423}</a></span> -concerned; and they desired to put an end to it. -'Some disorderly women have settled in our quarter,' -they told the council, 'and certain monks frequent -their houses.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_730" id="Ref_730" href="#Foot_730">[730]</a></span> -... 'If you observe the monks going -there at night-time,' replied the council, 'give information -to the syndics and the captain-general. The watch -will immediately go and take them.' The citizens -withdrew half satisfied with the answer, but fully -determined to call the watch as soon as the disorder -was renewed.</p> - -<p class="side">=UNION OF FAITH AND MORALITY.=</p> - -<p>These scandals—an acknowledged thing at Rome—greatly -exasperated the citizens of Geneva, and made -the better disposed long for a reformation of faith -and morals. They said that soldiers use their arms -as their officers command them: that the monks and -priests (they should have said all christians) ought -also to use their lives as their chief orders them; -and that if they make a contrary use of them, they -enlist under the standard of vice and avow themselves -its soldiers. The worthy citizens of Geneva could -not make that separation between religion and morality, -of which the greater part of the clergy set -the example. In proportion as the Reformation made -progress in the world, the opposition increased against -a piety which consisted only in certain formulas, ceremonies, -and practices, but was deprived of its true -substance—living faith, sanctification, morality, and -christian works. Christianity, by the separation which -Rome had made between doctrines and morals, had -become like one of those spoilt and useless tools that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">{424}</a></span> -are thrown aside because they can no longer serve -in the operations for which they were made. The -reformers, by calling for a living, holy, active faith, -were again to make christianity in modern times a -powerful engine of light and morality, of liberty and -life.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_712" id="Foot_712" href="#Ref_712">[712]</a> -Acts i. 15; vi. 5; xv.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_713" id="Foot_713" href="#Ref_713">[713]</a> -See above, vol. i. p. 371.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_714" id="Foot_714" href="#Ref_714">[714]</a> -'Nunc vero cum te Gebennæ reipublicæ gratia abesse constat ... -reficiemur. Utilitatem autem non vulgarem recens factis civibus per te -comparari.'—Zwingle to Thomas ab Hofen, 4 Jan. 1527. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_715" id="Foot_715" href="#Ref_715">[715]</a> -1 Peter ii. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_716" id="Foot_716" href="#Ref_716">[716]</a> -'Hic Genevæ numerus Evangelii doctrinam confitentium augeri -incipiat.'—Ab Hofen to Zwingle, January 17, 1527. Zwinglii <i>Epp.</i> -ii. p. 15.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_717" id="Foot_717" href="#Ref_717">[717]</a> -'You shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess everlasting life.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_718" id="Foot_718" href="#Ref_718">[718]</a> -'Clerici queruntur homines neque amplius sacra dona præbere velle, -neque tam vehementer ad indulgentias currere.'—Ab Hofen to Zwingle. -Zwinglii <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 16.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_719" id="Foot_719" href="#Ref_719">[719]</a> -'Quousque meæ vires valeant, in ea re nequaquam me defecturum -esse.'—Ab Hofen to Zwingle. Zwinglii <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 15.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_720" id="Foot_720" href="#Ref_720">[720]</a> -'In mediis reipublicæ negotiis, Christi negotiorum minime sis -negligens.'—Zwinglii <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 9.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_721" id="Foot_721" href="#Ref_721">[721]</a> -'Optime de Gebennæ civibus merebere, si non tantum leges eorum -ac jura, quantum animos componas.'—Ibid. p. 10.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_722" id="Foot_722" href="#Ref_722">[722]</a> -'Animos autem quid melius componet, quam ejus sermo atque -doctrina qui animos ipse formavit?'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_723" id="Foot_723" href="#Ref_723">[723]</a> -'Hæ enim ubi crescunt, tyrannorum audacia coerceretur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_724" id="Foot_724" href="#Ref_724">[724]</a> -'Non quasi torpentem sim expergefacturus; sed currentem adhortor.'—Zwinglii -<i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 10.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_725" id="Foot_725" href="#Ref_725">[725]</a> -'In hac urbe clerici sunt ad 700, qui manibus pedibusque impediunt, -quominus Evangelii doctrina efflorescat.'—Zwinglii <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 10.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_726" id="Foot_726" href="#Ref_726">[726]</a> -'Si prædicatores haberent, fore puto ut pontificia doctrina labefactetur.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_727" id="Foot_727" href="#Ref_727">[727]</a> -1 Cor. i. 27.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_728" id="Foot_728" href="#Ref_728">[728]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 461.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_729" id="Foot_729" href="#Ref_729">[729]</a> -'Ne sont-ce pas nos écus qui font bouillir le pot de l'évêque?'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_730" id="Foot_730" href="#Ref_730">[730]</a> -'Querelaverunt de putanis et certis religiosis qui ibidem affluunt.'—Registres -du Conseil du 10 mai 1527.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">{425}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER III.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE BISHOP CLINGS TO GENEVA, BUT THE CANONS DEPART.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Summer 1527.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP'S NEW SCHEMES.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE sack of Rome had made a great sensation in -catholic countries. Pierre de la Baume almost -believed that the reign of popery had come to an end, -and was much alarmed for himself. If a prince so -powerful as the pope had succumbed, what would -become of the Bishop of Geneva? The alliance with -the cantons, and the Gospel which a Swiss magistrate -had just been preaching, seemed to him the forerunners -of his ruin. He had no lansquenets before him, -like those who had compelled Clement VII. to flee, -but he had huguenots, who, in his eyes, were more -formidable still. Liberty seemed to be coming forth, -like the sun, from the night of the middle ages; and -the bishop thought the safest course would be to turn -towards the rising orb, and to throw himself into the -arms of the liberals. He had a strong preference for -the Savoyard despotism; but, if his interests required -it, he was ready to pay court to liberty. Other instances -of this have been seen. The bishop, therefore, -sanctioned the sequestration of the property of -the mamelukes, and made Besançon Hugues a magnificent -present. He conferred on him the perpetual -fief of the fishery of the lake, the Rhone, and the Arve, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">{426}</a></span> -reserving to himself (which showed the value of the -gift) the right of redemption for two thousand great -ducats of gold.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_731" id="Ref_731" href="#Foot_731">[731]</a></span> -All this was but a step towards the -accomplishment of a strange design.</p> - -<p>The bishop had taken it into his head that he would -form an alliance with the Swiss, feeling convinced that -they alone could protect him against the impetuosity -of the huguenots and the tyranny of the Duke of -Savoy. He therefore sent Robert Vandel to Friburg -and Basle, to entreat these states to admit him into -their citizenship. This move caused the greatest surprise -among the Genevans. 'What!' said they, 'is -Monseigneur turning huguenot?' The Swiss rudely -rejected the Romish prelate's request. 'We will not -have the bishop for our fellow-citizen,' they made -answer, 'and that for four reasons: first, he is fickle -and changeable; second, he is not beloved in Geneva; -third, he is imperialist and Burgundian; and fourth, -he is a <i>priest</i>!' The cantons did not mention the -strongest reason. Friburg and Berne, allies of the -city, could not be at the same time the allies of the -bishop, for how could they have supported the rights -of the Genevans against him?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_732" id="Ref_732" href="#Foot_732">[732]</a></span></p> - -<p>The bishop was not discouraged. At one time he -felt his throne shaking beneath him, and, fearing that -it would fall, he clung to liberty with all his might; -at another, he fancied he could see the phantom of -heresy approaching with slow but sure step, and -erelong taking its seat on his throne ... and the -sight increased his fear. He therefore sent Besançon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">{427}</a></span> -Hugues to Berne—a more influential diplomatist than -Vandel—who was received with consideration in the -aristocratic circles, but had to bear all kinds of reproach. -The proud Bernese were indignant at his -becoming the advocate of a person so little esteemed -as the bishop. One day, in the presence of these -energetic men who had witnessed so many struggles, -as Hugues was warmly pleading the prelate's cause, -his listener suddenly turned away with horror, and, -as if he had been waving aside with his hand some -satanic vision, he said: 'The name of the bishop is -more hateful among us than that of the devil himself.' -This was enough for Hugues, who returned to Geneva -greatly disheartened. Pierre de la Baume, a vain and -frivolous priest, soon consoled himself for this discomfiture, -laughing at the reproaches uttered against him. -He amused himself with the objections of the Swiss, -and was continually repeating to those about him: -'What would you have?... How could the Helvetians -receive me into their alliance? I am a priest -and Burgundian!'... Thus, at one time trembling, -at another laughing, the Bishop of Geneva was moving -towards his ruin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_733" id="Ref_733" href="#Foot_733">[733]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE PLOTS AGAINST THE BISHOP.=</p> - -<p>For some time Charles III., Duke of Savoy, had -been watching the prelate, and noting with vexation -the interested and (in his opinion) culpable overtures -he was making to the Genevans and the confederates. -The news that the bishop had sent two envoys in -succession to the Swiss put a climax to the prince's -anger. It is not sufficient for the citizens to desire to -emancipate themselves; even the bishops, whom the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">{428}</a></span> -dukes have always regarded as their agents, presume -to tread in their footsteps. This deserves a terrible -punishment. The duke conferred with his advisers -on the nature of the lesson to be given the prelate. -One of the most decided of Charles's ministers proposed -that he should be kidnapped; the motion was -supported, and the resolution taken. In order to -carry it into execution, it was necessary to gain some -of the clergy about him. The canons were sounded, -and many of them, already sold to the duke, promised -their good offices. 'The bishop is a great devotee of -the Virgin,' they said; 'on Saturday, the day dedicated -to St. Mary, he generally goes to hear mass -at Our Lady of Grace, outside the city. He rides on -a mule in company with other members of the cloth. -Now, as this church is separated from Savoy only -by a bridge, the captain of his highness's archers has -simply to lie in ambush near the river to snap up -(<i>happer</i>) Monseigneur. The priests and officers about -him, being bribed or men of no courage, will run away. -Let him be dragged hastily to the other side of the -Arve, and, once in the territory of Savoy, he can be -put to death as a traitor.' Everything was arranged -by good catholics, and the Archbishop of Turin probably -had a share in it. The reformers never went -to work in so off-hand a manner as regards bishops.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE'S AMBUSCADE.=</p> - -<p>Thus war broke out between the two great enemies -of Geneva. The Genevans knew not how to get rid -of the prelate, and here was Charles, like another -Alexander, cutting the Gordian knot. The bishop -once carried off, one of the most formidable obstacles -to independence, morality, religion, and civilisation -will be removed. So long as he is there, nothing that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">{429}</a></span> -is good can be done in Geneva; and when he is no -longer there, the city will become free. This, however, -was not his highness's plan: having 'snapped -up' the duke, he expected to 'snap up' the city -also. This was his scheme for taking Geneva. 'As -soon as the Savoyard archers have kidnapped the -bishop, certain of his highness's creatures will go to -the belfry of Notre Dame and ring the great bell. -All the bells of the adjoining villages will answer the -signal; the nobles will rush sword in hand from their -castles, the country-people will take up their scythes -or other weapons, and all will march to Geneva. -The Genevans are hot and hasty: when they learn -that the Savoyards have crossed the Arve and violated -their territory, they will take up arms and march into -the domains of Savoy to avenge the offence; but they -will find Pontverre and all his friends there ready to -meet them. In the midst of this agitation the duke -will have a capital excuse for entering the city and -taking possession of it. And when he is established -there, he will cut off the heads of Hugues, the -syndics, the councillors, M. de Bonmont, and many -others. Finally, Geneva shall have a bishop who will -occupy himself with refuting the heretics, and his -highness will undertake to make the hot-headed -republicans bow beneath the sword of the temporal -power, and expel for ever from the city both reformers -and Reformation.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_734" id="Ref_734" href="#Foot_734">[734]</a></span> -The duke, charmed with this -plan, made immediate preparations for its execution. -To prevent Pierre de la Baume from escaping into -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">{430}</a></span> -Burgundy, he posted soldiers in all the passes of the -Jura, whilst his best captains were stationed round -the city to carry out the ambuscade.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE'S PLOT FAILS.=</p> - -<p>These various measures could not be taken without -something creeping out. Geneva had friends in the -villages, where an unusual agitation indicated the -approaching execution of some act of treachery. On -Thursday, the 11th of July, a man, making his way -along by-paths, arrived from Savoy, and said to the -people of Geneva: 'Be on your guard!' Two days -later, Saturday the 13th, which was the day appointed -for action, another man, crossing the bridge of Arve, -came and told one of the syndics, between eight and -nine in the morning, that some horse and foot soldiers -had been secretly posted at Lancy, only half a league -from the city. The syndics did not trouble themselves -much about it; and the bishop, who was naturally -a timid man, but whom these warnings had not -reached, mounted his mule—it was the day when he -went to make adoration to the Virgin—rode out to -Our Lady's, took his usual place, and the mass began. -Charles's soldiers were already advancing in the direction -of the bridge, in order to seize the prelate directly -he left the church. Some devout persons had pity on -him, and just as the priest had celebrated the mystery, -a man, with troubled look, entered the building -(whether he came from Geneva or Savoy is unknown), -walked noiselessly to the place where the bishop was -sitting, and whispered in his ear: 'Monseigneur, the -archers of Savoy are preparing to clutch you (<i>gripper</i>).' -At these words the startled La Baume turned pale -and trembled. He did not wait for the benediction; -fear gave him wings; he got up, rushed hastily out -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">{431}</a></span> -of the church, and leaped upon his mule 'without -putting his foot in the stirrup, for he was a very -nimble person,' says Bonivard; then, using his heels -for spurs, he struck the animal's flanks, and galloped -off full speed, shouting, at the top of his -voice, to the guards as he passed: 'Shut the gates!' -The prelate reached the city out of breath and all of -a tremble.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_735" id="Ref_735" href="#Foot_735">[735]</a></span></p> - -<p>The city was soon in commotion. Besançon Hugues, -the captain-general, who was sincerely attached to La -Baume, and strongly opposed to the usurpations of -Savoy, had divined the duke's plot, and, with his usual -energy, began to pass through the streets, saying: -'Close your shops, put up the chains, bolt the city -gates, beat the drum, sound an alarm, and let every -man take his arquebuse.' Then, leaving the streets, -Hugues went to St. Pierre's, and, notwithstanding the -opposition of the canons, accomplices in the conspiracy, -he ordered the great bell to be rung. A rumour had -already spread on the other side of the Arve that the -plot had failed, and that the bishop had escaped on his -mule. The men-at-arms of Savoy were disconcerted; -the village bells were not rung, the nobles remained -in their castles, the peasants in their fields. 'Our -scheme has got wind,' said the Savoyard captains; 'all -the city is under arms; and we must wait for a better -opportunity.'</p> - -<p>The canons, though siding with the duke, had concealed -their game, and employed certain creatures of -Savoy to carry out the plot. These people were known; -they became alarmed, and saw no other means of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">{432}</a></span> -escaping death than by leaving the city. But all the -gates were shut!... What of that: despair gave them -courage. At the very moment when the armed men -of Savoy were retiring, several persons were seen to -run along the streets, jump into the ditches of St. Gervais, -scale the palisades, and scamper away as fast as -their legs could carry them. They were the traitors -who had corresponded with the enemy outside.</p> - -<p>As for La Baume, he had lost his presence of mind. -Rejected by the Swiss, despised by the Genevans, -persecuted by the duke, what should he do? If he -could but escape to his benefices in Burgundy, where -the people are so quiet and the wine is so good!—but, -alas! all the passes of the Jura are occupied by -Savoyard soldiers. He was in great distress. Not -thinking himself safe in his palace, he had taken -refuge in the house of one of his partisans when he -returned on his mule from his visit to Our Lady's. -He expected that the duke would follow up his plan, -would enter Geneva, and seek him throughout the -city. Accordingly, he remained quiet in the most -secret hiding-place of the house which had sheltered -him. It was only when he was told that the Savoyard -soldiers had really retired, that all was tranquil outside -the city, and that even the huguenots did not -think of laying hands on him, that he took courage, -came out of his hiding-place, and returned to the -palace. Nevertheless, he looked stealthily out of the -window to see if the huguenots or the ducal soldiers -were not coming to seize him even in his own house. -The Genevans smiled at his terror; but everybody, -the creatures of Charles excepted, was pleased at the -failure of the duke's treachery. Religious men saw -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">{433}</a></span> -the hand of Heaven in this deliverance. 'They gave -God thanks,' says Balard.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_736" id="Ref_736" href="#Foot_736">[736]</a></span></p> - -<p>This attack, abortive as it was, had one important -consequence; it delivered the city from the canons, -and thus paved the way for the Reformation. These -men were in Geneva the representatives and supporters -of all kinds of religious and political tyranny. -To save catholicism, it would have been necessary for -the clergy, and particularly for the canons, who were -their leaders, to unite with the laity, and, while maintaining -the Roman ceremonial, to demand the suppression -of certain episcopal privileges and ecclesiastical -abuses. Some of the huguenot chiefs—those who, -like Hugues, loved the bishop, and those also who -subsequently opposed Calvin's reformation—would -probably have entered with joy into this order of -things. For the execution of such a plan, however, the -priests ought to have been upright and free. But the -absolute authority of the Church, which had enfeebled -the vigour of the human mind, had specially degraded -the priests. The clergy of Geneva had fallen too low -to effect a transformation of catholicism. Many of -the canons and even of the curés could see nothing -but the act of a revolutionist or even of a madman in -the bishop's desire to ally himself with the Swiss, and -had consequently entered into Charles's scheme, which -was so hateful to the Genevans.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP IMPRISONS THE CANONS.=</p> - -<p>The huguenots hastened to take advantage of it. If -the ducal plot had not delivered them from the bishop, -it must at least free them from the canons. These -ecclesiastical dignitaries never quitted Geneva, while -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">{434}</a></span> -the bishop often absented himself to intrigue in Italy -or to amuse himself in Burgundy. They were besides -more bigoted and fanatical than the worldly prelate, -and therefore all the more dangerous. And then, if -they desired to get rid of the bishop, was it not the -wisest plan to begin with his council? Shortly after -the famous alert, some Genevan liberal went to the -palace and said to La Baume: 'The canons, my lord, -are the duke's spies: so long as they remain in Geneva, -Savoy will have one foot in the city.' The poor bishop -was too exasperated against the canons not to lend an -ear to these words, and after ruining himself with the -duke, he took steps to ruin himself with the clergy, -and to throw overboard the most devoted friends of -the Roman institutions. 'Yes,' said he, 'they intrigue -(<i>grabugent</i>) against the Church!... Let them be arrested.... -It is they who wished to see me kidnapped.... -Let them be put in prison!' The next morning -the procurator-fiscal, with his sergeants, knocked at the -doors of the most influential of the canons, Messieurs -De la Madeleine, De Montrotier, De Salery, De Veigy, -and others, arrested them, and, to the indescribable -astonishment of the servants and neighbours of these -reverend gentlemen, carried them off to prison.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_737" id="Ref_737" href="#Foot_737">[737]</a></span></p> - -<p>As soon as the gates were shut upon the canons, -the bishop began to reflect on the daring act he had -just achieved. Still flushed with anger, he did not -repent, but he was uneasy, distressed, and amazed -at his own courage. If the duke sought to kidnap -him but the other day, what will this terrible prince -do, now that he, La Baume, has boldly thrown his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">{435}</a></span> -most devoted partisans into prison?... All Savoy -will march against him. He sent for the captain-general, -imparted to him all his fears; and Besançon -Hugues, his most faithful friend, wishing to dissipate -his alarm, placed watchmen on the tower of St. Pierre, -on the walls, and at every gate. They had instructions -to inform the commander-in-chief if a single -horseman appeared on the horizon in the direction of -Savoy.</p> - -<p class="side">=HE DESIRES TO BE MADE FREE OF THE CITY.=</p> - -<p>La Baume began to breathe again; yet he was not -entirely at his ease. He smiled to himself at the -<i>watch</i> of Besançon Hugues. What can these few -armed citizens do against the soldiers of the nephew -of Francis I. and brother-in-law of Charles V.? The -Duke of Savoy was prowling round him like a wild -beast eager to devour him; the bishop thought that -the bear of Berne alone could defend him. But alas! -Berne would have nothing to do with him, because he -was a <i>priest</i> and a <i>Burgundian</i>!... He turned all -this over in his mind. He, so wary a politician, he -whom the emperor employed in his negotiations—shall -not he find some outlet, when it is a question of -saving himself? On a sudden he hit upon a scheme -for becoming an ally of Berne, in spite of Berne. -He will get himself made a <i>citizen of Geneva</i>, and, by -virtue of the general co-citizenship, he will thus become -the ally of the cantons. Delighted at this bright -idea, he communicated it to his intimate friends, -and, unwilling to lose a day, ordered the council-general -to be convened for the morrow.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_738" id="Ref_738" href="#Foot_738">[738]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">{436}</a></div> - -<p>On the next morning (15th of July) the bells of -the cathedral rang out; the burgesses, girding on -their swords, left their houses to attend the general -council, and the bishop-prince, accompanied by his -councillors and officers, appeared in the midst of the -people, and sat down on the highest seat. Entirely -absorbed by the strange ambition of becoming a plain -burgess of the city in which he was prince, he was -profuse in salutations; and to the huguenots he was -particularly gracious. 'I recall,' he said, 'my protest -against the alliance with the Swiss. I know how you -cling to it; well! ... I now approve of it; I am -willing to give my adhesion to it; and, the more -clearly to show my approval, I desire that I may be -made a freeman of the city.' Great was the astonishment -of the people. A bishop made a citizen of -Geneva! Such a thing had never been heard of. All -the friends of independence, however, were favourable -to the scheme. Some wished to gratify the bishop; -others were pleased at anything that could separate -him more completely from the duke; all agreed that -if the bishop were made a citizen of Geneva, and united -with their friends the confederates, great advantage -would result to the city. If he begins with turning -Swiss, who knows if he will not turn protestant? The -general council therefore granted his request.</p> - -<p class="side">=HE CONCEDES THE CIVIL JURISDICTION.=</p> - -<p>Wishing to make him pay for his freedom, and -not to lose an opportunity of recovering their liberties, -the syndics begged him to transfer all civil -suits to lay jurisdiction. Laymen judges in an ecclesiastical -principality!... It was a great revolution, -and three centuries and more were to pass away -before a similar victory was gained in other states of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">{437}</a></span> -that class. The bishop understood the great importance -of such a request; he fancied he could already -hear the endless appeals of the clergy who found -themselves deprived of their honours and their profits; -but at this time he was acting the part of a liberal -pope, while the canons were playing the incorrigible -cardinals. He said Yes. It was an immense gain -to the community, for interminable delays and crying -abuses characterised the ecclesiastical tribunals at -Geneva as well as at Rome.</p> - -<p>The syndics, transported with joy, manifested all -their gratitude to the prelate. They told him he had -nothing to fear, either from the Genevans or even -from the duke. Then turning to the people, they -said: 'Let every citizen draw his sword to defend -Monseigneur. If he should be attacked, we desire -that, at the sound of the tocsin, all the burgesses, and -even the priests, should fly to arms.'—'Yes, yes!' -shouted the citizens; 'we will be always faithful to -him!' A transformation seemed to have been effected -in their hearts. They knew the great value of the -sacrifice the bishop had made, and showed their -thankfulness to him. Upon this, the bishop, 'raising -his right hand towards heaven, and placing his left -on his breast (as was the custom of prelates),' said: -'I promise, on my faith, loyally to perform all that -is required of a citizen, to prove myself a good -prince, and never to separate myself from you!' -The delighted people also raised their hands and -exclaimed: 'And we also, my lord, will preserve you -from harm as we would our own heads!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_739" id="Ref_739" href="#Foot_739">[739]</a></span> -The poor -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">{438}</a></span> -prelate would have sacrificed still more to protect -himself from Charles's attacks, which filled him with -indescribable terror.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if this concession, by uniting the -bishop and the Genevans more closely, ought to have -put off the Reformation; but it was not so. In proportion -as the Genevans obtained any concession, they -desired more; accordingly, when the citizens had returned -home, or when they met at one another's houses, -they began to say that it was something to have -obtained the civil judicature from the bishop, but that -there were other restitutions still to be made. Some -men asked by what right he held the temporal authority; -and others—those who knew best what was -passing at Zurich—desired to throw off the spiritual -jurisdiction of the prelate in order to acknowledge -only that of Holy Writ.</p> - -<p>Opposition to ecclesiastical principalities began, -then, three centuries ago at Geneva. 'The bishop -grants us the civil jurisdiction,' said Bonivard; 'an -act very damaging to himself, and very profitable to -us.... But ... this is an opening to deprive him -entirely of his authority. Neither La Baume nor the -other bishops were lawfully elected, that is to say by -the clergy at the postulation of the people. They were -thrust into the see by the pope.... They are but -tyrants set over us by other tyrants. We can therefore -reject them without danger to our souls; and -since they came in by the caprice of arbitrary power, -it is lawful for us to expel them by the free authority -of the city. Geneva has never acknowledged other -princes than those whom the people themselves elected.' -Some were astonished at Bonivard's language; but the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">{439}</a></span> -larger number listened to him with enthusiasm. The -catholics, growing more and more uneasy, anticipated -great disasters. The edifice of popery, continually -undermined in Geneva, was tottering; its pillars and -buttresses were giving way; and the keystone of the -arch, the episcopal power itself, was on the point of -crumbling to dust. Alas! catholic Geneva was a dismantled -fortress.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_740" id="Ref_740" href="#Foot_740">[740]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE'S IRRITATION.=</p> - -<p>When the duke heard of the bishop's concessions, he -was seized with one of his fits of anger. And not -without cause: by transferring the civil authority to -a lay tribunal, La Baume had been guilty of a new -offence against the duke; for it was in reality the -jurisdiction of the vidame (that is to say, of the duke) -which the bishop had thus ceded; and hence it was -that he had been induced to do it so readily.</p> - -<p>Charles had no need of this new grievance. When -they learnt at the court of Turin that the canons had -been put in prison by the prelate, there was a violent -commotion; the friends and relatives of those reverend -gentlemen made a great noise, and the duke -resolved to send the most urgent remonstrances to -the Genevans, reserving the right to have recourse to -more energetic measures if words did not suffice. He -commissioned M. de Jacob, his grand equerry, to -go and set this little people to rights, and the ducal -envoy arrived in Geneva about the middle of July. -He carried his head very high, and behaved with -great reserve, as if he had been injured: he had come -with the intention of making that city, so small and -yet so arrogant, feel how great is the power of a mighty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">{440}</a></span> -prince. On the 20th of July, the Sire de Jacob being -introduced before the council, haughtily represented -to them, not that the reverend fathers imprisoned as -criminals were innocent, but that they belonged to high -families and were his highness's subjects, and added -that the duke consequently ordered them to be immediately -set at liberty. 'Otherwise,' added the ambassador -in an insolent tone, 'my lord will see to it, as -shall seem good to him.' The tone and look of the ducal -envoy explained his words, and every one felt that -Charles III. would come and claim the canons at the -head of his army. The embarrassed magistrates and -prelates answered the envoy by throwing the blame -upon one another. The former declared that they had -not interfered in the matter, which concerned Monseigneur -of Geneva only; and the bishop, in his turn, laid -all the blame on the people. 'I was obliged to do so,' -he said, 'to save the canons from being killed.' Nevertheless, -he showed himself merciful. The avoyer of -Friburg, who had been delegated for this purpose by -his council, added his entreaties to the ducal summons; -and, pressed at once by Switzerland and Savoy, the -bishop thought he could not resist. The arrest of the -canons was in reality, on his part, an act of passion as -much as of justice. 'I release them,' he said; 'I -pardon them. I leave vengeance to God.'</p> - -<p>The canons quitted the place where they had been -confined, bursting with anger and indignation. Having -had time to reflect on what was passing in Geneva, on -the impetuous current that was hurrying the citizens -in a direction contrary to Rome, they had made up -their minds to quit a city where they had been so unceremoniously -thrown into the receptacle for criminals. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">{441}</a></span> -De Montrotier, De Veigy, and their colleagues had -hardly returned to their houses when they told everybody -who would listen to them that they would leave -Geneva and the Genevans to their miserable fate. -This strange resolution immediately spread through -the city, and excited the people greatly; it was important -news, and they could hardly believe it. The -canons of Geneva were a very exalted body in the -opinion of catholicity. In order to be received among -them, the candidate must show titles of nobility or -be a graduate in some famous university; and since -the beginning of the century their number included -members of the most illustrious families of Savoy—De -Gramont, De la Foret, De Montfalcon, De Menthon, -De la Motte, De Chatillon, De Croso, De Sablon, and -others as noble as they.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_741" id="Ref_741" href="#Foot_741">[741]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE CANONS LEAVE THE CITY.=</p> - -<p>The canons kept their word. As soon as they had -made the necessary arrangements for their departure, -they mounted their mules or got into their carriages, -and set off. The Genevans, standing at the doors of -their houses and in groups in the streets, watched these -Roman dignitaries thus abandoning their homes, some -with downcast heads, others with angry looks, who -moved along sad and silent, and went out by the -Savoy gate with hearts full of resentment against a -city which they denounced as ungrateful and rebellious. -Out of thirty-two, only seven or eight remained.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_742" id="Ref_742" href="#Foot_742">[742]</a></span> -The citizens, assembling in various places, were agitated -with very different thoughts. The huguenots said to -themselves that these high and reverend clerks, true -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">{442}</a></span> -cardinals, who supported the papacy much better -than the bishop, would no longer be there to prevent -the new generation from throwing off the shackles of -the middle ages; that this unexpected exodus marked -a great revolution; and that the old times were departing, -and the Reformation beginning. On the other -hand, the creatures of Rome felt a bitter pang, and -flames of vengeance were kindled in their hearts. -Lastly, those citizens who were both good Genevans -and good catholics, were seized with fear and melancholy. -'No more canons, erelong perhaps no more -bishop!... Will Geneva, without its canons and -bishops, be Geneva still?' But the great voice, which -drowned all the rest, was that of the partisans of progress, -of liberty, of independence, and of reform, who -desired to see political liberty developed among the -community, and the Church directed by the Word of -God and not by the bulls of the pope. Among them -were Maison-Neuve, Bonivard, Porral, Bernard, Chautemps, -and others. These men, the pioneers of modern -times, felt little respect and no regret for the canons. -They said to one another that these noble and lazy -lords were pleased with Geneva so long as they could -luxuriously enjoy the pleasures of life there; but that -when the hour of combat came, they fled like cowards -from the field of battle. The canons did fly in fact; -they arrived at Annecy, where they settled. As for -Geneva, they were never to enter it again.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_731" id="Foot_731" href="#Ref_731">[731]</a> -'Pro summa ducatorum auri largorum duorum millia.'—Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, p. 454; <i>Pièces Justificatives</i>, No. 4.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_732" id="Foot_732" href="#Ref_732">[732]</a> -Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, i. p. 407, note.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_733" id="Foot_733" href="#Ref_733">[733]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 468. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 112. Gautier -MS. <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, iv. p. 161.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_734" id="Foot_734" href="#Ref_734">[734]</a> -In his journal recently published, Balard, one of the most respected -and most catholic magistrates of the time, describes this plot at full -length, pp. 117, 118. See also Bonivard, <i>Police de Genève</i>, p. 396.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_735" id="Foot_735" href="#Ref_735">[735]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 118. Bonivard, <i>Police de Genève</i>, p. 396.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_736" id="Foot_736" href="#Ref_736">[736]</a> -'On regratia Dieu.'—<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 117. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> -ii. p. 467.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_737" id="Foot_737" href="#Ref_737">[737]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 119. Registres du Conseil, <i>ad locum</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_738" id="Foot_738" href="#Ref_738">[738]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 13 et 14 juillet 1527. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> -ii. p. 467. Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, ii. pp. 421, 517. -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 119.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_739" id="Foot_739" href="#Ref_739">[739]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 15 juillet 1527. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. -p. 471. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 119.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_740" id="Foot_740" href="#Ref_740">[740]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 15 juillet 1527. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 119. -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> pp. 471, 472.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_741" id="Foot_741" href="#Ref_741">[741]</a> -Besson, <i>Mémoire du Diocèse de Genève</i>, p. 87.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_742" id="Foot_742" href="#Ref_742">[742]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 18, 19, 23, 24 juillet 1527. Bonivard, -<i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 468. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 121-124.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">{443}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER IV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE BISHOP-PRINCE FLEES FROM GENEVA.<br /> - (<span class="smc">July and August 1527.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=BISHOPERS AND COMMONERS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">FROM this time parties in Geneva took new forms -and new names. There were not simply, as before, -partisans of the foreign domination and Savoy, -and those of independence and Switzerland: the latter -were divided. Some, having Hugues and Balard as -leaders, declared for the bishop; others, with Maison-Neuve -and Porral at their head, declared for the -people. They desired not only to repel the usurpations -of Savoy, but also to see the fall of the temporal -power of the bishop in Geneva. 'Now,' said Bonivard, -'that the first division into mamelukes and -huguenots has almost come to an end, we have the -second—that of bishopers (<i>évêquains</i>) and commoners -(<i>communiaires</i>).' These two parties had their -men of sense and importance, and also their hotheaded -adherents; as, for instance, De la Thoy on -the side of the commoners, and Pécolat, the man of -whom it would have been least expected, among the -bishopers. A singular change had been effected in -this former martyr of the bishop: the <i>jester</i> had joined -the episcopal band. Was it because he was at heart -catholic and even superstitious (he had ascribed, it -will be remembered, the healing of his tongue to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">{444}</a></span> -intervention of a saint), or because, being a thorough -parasite, he preferred the well-covered tables of the -bishopers? We know not. These noisy partisans, -the vanguard of the two parties, were frequently -quarrelling. 'They murmured, jeered, and made -faces at each other.'</p> - -<p>At the same time this new division marked a step -made in advance by this small people. Two great -questions were raised, which sooner or later must -rise up in every country. The first was <i>political</i>, and -may be stated thus: 'Must we accept a traditional -dominion which has been established by trampling -legitimate rights under foot?' (This was the dominion -of the bishop.) The second was <i>religious</i>, and -may be expressed thus: 'Which must we choose, -popery or the Gospel?' Many of the <i>commoners</i>, seeing -the bishop and the duke disputing about Geneva, -said that these two people were fighting for what belonged -to neither of them, and that Geneva belonged -to the Genevans. But there were politicians also -among them, lawyers for the most part, who founded -their pretensions on a legal basis. The bishops and -princes of Geneva ought by right, as we have seen, to -be elected at Geneva and not at Rome, by Genevans -and not by Romans. The issue of the struggle was -not doubtful. How could the bishop make head -against magistrates and citizens relying on positive -rights, and against the most powerful aspirations of -liberty that were awaking in men's hearts? How -could the Roman doctrine escape the floods of the -Reformation? Certain scandals helped to precipitate -the catastrophe.</p> - -<p>On the 12th of July some huguenots appeared -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">{445}</a></span> -before the council. 'The priests of the Magdalen,' -they said, 'keep an improper house, in which reside -several disorderly women.' There were among the Genevans, -and particularly among the magistrates, men of -good sense, who had the fear of God before their eyes -and confidence in him in their hearts. These respectable -laymen (and there may have been priests who -thought the same) had a deep conviction that one of the -great defects of the middle ages was the existence of -popes, bishops, priests, and monks, who had separated -religion from morality. The council attended to these -complaints to a certain extent. They banished from -Geneva the persons who made it their business to -facilitate illicit intercourse, obliged the lewd women -to live in a place assigned them, and severely remonstrated -with the priests.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_743" id="Ref_743" href="#Foot_743">[743]</a></span> -The first breath of the -Reformation in Geneva attacked immorality. It was -not this affair, however, which gave the bishop his -death-blow; it was a scandal occasioned by himself, -and in his own house. 'Halting justice' was about -to overtake the guilty man at last.</p> - -<p class="side">=ABDUCTION OF A YOUNG WOMAN.=</p> - -<p>One day a report suddenly got abroad which put -the whole city in commotion. 'A young girl, of respectable -family,' said the crowd, 'has just been carried -off by the bishop's people: we saw them dragging her -to the palace.' It was an electric spark that set the -whole populace on fire. The palace gates had been -immediately closed upon the victim, and the bishop's -servants threatened to repel with main force the persons -who demanded her. 'Does the bishop imagine,' -said some of the patriots, 'that we will put up with -his beatings as quietly as the folks of St. Claude do?' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">{446}</a></span> -It would seem that La Baume permitted such practices -among the Burgundians, who did not complain -of them. The girl's mother, rushing into the street, -had followed her as fast as possible, and had only -stopped at the closed gates of the episcopal palace. -She paced round and round the building, roaring like -a lioness deprived of her whelp. The citizens, crowding -in front of the palace, exclaimed: 'Ha! you are -now throwing off the mask of holiness which you -held up to deceive the simple. In your churches you -kiss God's feet, and in your life you daringly spit in -his face!' Many of them called for the bishop, summoning -him to restore the young woman to her -mother, and hammering violently at the gate.</p> - -<p>The prelate, who was then at dinner, did not like -to be disturbed in this important business; being -puzzled, moreover, as to the course which he ought to -adopt, it appeared that the best thing he could do was -to be deaf. He therefore answered his servants, who -asked him for orders, 'Do not open the door;' and -raising the glass to his lips, he went on with his repast. -But his heart was beginning to tremble: the -shouts grew louder, and every blow struck against -the gate found an echo in the soul of the guilty priest. -His servants, who were looking stealthily out of the -windows, having informed him that the magistrates -had arrived, Pierre de la Baume left his chair, paler -than death, and went to the window. There was a -profound silence immediately, and the syndics made -the prelate an earnest but very respectful speech. -The bishop, terrified at the popular fury, replied: -'Certainly, gentlemen, you shall have the young -woman.... I only had her carried off for a harper, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">{447}</a></span> -who asked me for her in return for his services.' -Monseigneur had not carried off the girl in the -violence of passion, but only to pay the wages of a -musician! It was not more guilty, but it was more -vile. The palace gates were opened, and the girl -was restored to her mother. Michael Roset does not -mention the harper, and leads us to believe that the -bishop had taken her for himself. This scandalous -abduction was the last act done in Geneva by the -Roman bishops.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_744" id="Ref_744" href="#Foot_744">[744]</a></span></p> - -<p>From that moment the deposition of the bishop -was signed, as it were, in the hearts of most of the -citizens. 'These, then, are the priests' works,' they -said, 'debauchery and violence!... Instead of purifying -the manners of the people, they labour to corrupt -them! Ha! ha! you bishopers, a fine religion is that -of your bishop!'</p> - -<p>Opposition to a corrupt government soon began to -appear a duty to them. The right of resistance was -one of the principles of that society in the middle -ages, which some writers uphold as a model of servility. -In the Great Charter of England, the king -authorised his own subjects, in case he should violate -any one of their liberties, 'to pursue and molest him -to the uttermost of their power, by seizing his castles, -estates, possessions, and otherwise.' In certain cases, -the vassals could separate themselves entirely from -their suzerain. Some vassals, it is true, might carry -this principle too far, and claim to throw off the -feudal authority <i>whenever it pleased them</i>; but the -law made answer: 'No, not unless there is <i>reasonable cause</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_745" id="Ref_745" href="#Foot_745">[745]</a></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">{448}</a></span> -When freeing herself from the bishop-princes, -who had so often violated the franchises and -connived with the enemies of the city, Geneva thought -she was acting with very reasonable cause, and not -going beyond the bounds of legality. The ruin of the -bishops and princes of Geneva, already prepared by -their political misdeeds, was completed by their moral -disorders.</p> - -<p>But if the friends of law and morality desired to -break by legal means the bonds which united them to -the bishop-prince, other persons, the wits and brawlers, -envenomed against his partisans, began to get up -quarrels with the bishopers. One day 'the young -men of Geneva,' returning from a shooting match, -where, says the chronicler, they had 'had many a -shot at the pot' (that is, had drunk deeply), determined -to give a smart lesson to two of the bishop's -friends, Pécolat and Robert Vandel. The latter, at -that time attached personally to Pierre de la Baume, -afterwards became one of the most zealous patriots. -'They are at St. Victor's,' somebody said; 'let us go -and fetch them.' The party, headed by a drummer, -went to the priory, where Bonivard told the ringleaders -that the two bishopers and others were -diverting themselves at Plainpalais. Just as the -band arrived, the episcopals were entering the city: -one of the 'sons of Geneva,' catching sight of Pécolat -and Vandel, exclaimed: 'My lord, you have traitors -among you there!' The bishop spurred his mule and -rode off; Pécolat drew his sword; his opponent, De la -Thoy, did the same, and they began to cut at each other. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">{449}</a></span> -The fray was so noisy that the guards in alarm shut -the gates, when a few reasonable men parted the combatants. -A more serious movement was accomplishing -in the depths of men's minds. Nothing but -secularisation and reformation could put an end to -the almost universal discontent.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_746" id="Ref_746" href="#Foot_746">[746]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE'S MENACES.=</p> - -<p>The Duke of Savoy wished for another solution. -His councillors represented to him that the bishop -had lost his credit among the nobles and clergy, -through his desire to ally himself with the Swiss; -that he was ruined with the citizens by his unedifying -mode of life; and that the moment had come -for giving these restless people a <i>stronger shepherd</i>, -who would cure them of their taste for political and -religious liberty. In consequence of this, the duke -summoned the Genevans, on the 30th of July, to -recognise his claims, and his ambassadors added that, -if the citizens refused, 'Charles III. would come in -person with an army, and then they would have to -keep their city ... if they could.' The Genevans -made answer: 'We will suffer death rather.' The -Bernese, informed of the threats of Savoy, sent ambassadors -to Chambéry to admonish (<i>admonester</i>) the -duke. 'I have a grudge against the city,' he said, -'and against the bishop also, and I will do my pleasure -upon him in defiance of all opposition.'—'Keep -a good look-out,' said the Bernese ambassadors to -the syndics, on their return, 'for the duke is preparing -to carry off the bishop and confiscate the -liberties of the city.' The bishop and the citizens -were exceedingly agitated. Men, women, and children -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">{450}</a></span> -set to work: they cut down the trees round the -walls, pulled down the houses, and levelled the gardens, -while four gangs worked at the fortifications. -'We would rather die defending our rights,' said the -Genevans, 'than live in continual fear.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_747" id="Ref_747" href="#Foot_747">[747]</a></span></p> - -<p>It might have been imagined that the duke, by declaring -war at the same time against the bishop and the -city, would have brought them nearer each other; but -the popular irritation against the bishop and clergy -was only increased by it. The citizens said that all the -misfortunes of Geneva proceeded from their having a -bishop for a prince; and La Baume saw a conspirator -in every Genevan. More than one bishop, the oppressor -of the liberties of his people, had fallen during -the middle ages under the blows of the indignant -burgesses. For instance, the wretched Gaudri, bishop -of Laon in the twelfth century, having trampled the -rights of the citizens under foot, had been compelled -to flee from their wrath, and hide himself in a cask -in the episcopal cellar. But, being discovered and -dragged into the street, he was killed by the blow -of an axe, and his body covered with stones and mud.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_748" id="Ref_748" href="#Foot_748">[748]</a></span> -If good <i>catholics</i> had practised such revenge upon their -bishop, what would <i>huguenots</i> do?</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP RESOLVES TO LEAVE GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>La Baume had other fears besides. An intriguing -woman, his cousin Madame de Besse, generally known -as Madame de la Gruyère, being gained over by the -duke, alarmed the bishop by insinuating that he -was to be kidnapped, and that this time his mule -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">{451}</a></span> -would not save him. That lady had scarcely left the -palace when the Bernese entered and said to the -frightened bishop: 'Make haste to go! for the duke is -coming to take you.' They may have said this with -a mischievous intention, desiring to free the city from -the bishop. La Baume had not a minute of repose -afterwards. His servants, threatened by the huguenots, -began to be afraid also, and thus increased their master's -alarm. He passed the day in anguish, and awoke -in the night uttering cries of terror. At times he listened -as if he heard the footsteps of the men coming to -carry him off. He did not hesitate: his residence in the -episcopal city had become insupportable. He had too -much sense not to see that the cause of his temporal -principality was lost, and, to add to his misfortune, the -only prince who could defend him was turning against -him. Whatever the risk, he must depart. 'Whereat -the bishop was so vexed,' says Bonivard, 'that he -meditated retiring from Geneva into Burgundy.' He -flattered himself that he would be quiet in the midst -of his good vassals of St. Claude, and happy near his -cellars of Arbois!<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_749" id="Ref_749" href="#Foot_749">[749]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was, however, no easy thing to do. He would -have to get out of Geneva, pass through the district of -Gex, and cross the Jura mountains, all filled with armed -men. Feeling the want of some one to help him, he -determined to apply to Besançon Hugues. He invited -him to come to the palace, but in the night, so that no -one might see him. When Hugues got there, the -wretched and guilty prelate squeezed his hand, and told -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">{452}</a></span> -him all his troubles. 'I can no longer endure the -wrong, violence, and tyranny which the duke does me,' -he said. 'I know that he is plotting to kidnap me and -shut me up in one of his monasteries. On the other -hand, I mistrust my own subjects, for they are aiming -at my life. I am day and night in mortal torment. -You alone can get me out of the city, and I hope you -will manage so that it shall not be talked of.' Besançon -Hugues was touched when he saw the man whom he -recognised as his lord agitated and trembling before -him. How could he refuse the alarmed priest the -favour he so earnestly demanded?... He left the -bishop, telling him that he would go and make preparations -for a nocturnal flight.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_750" id="Ref_750" href="#Foot_750">[750]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=FLEES BY NIGHT TO ST. CLAUDE.=</p> - -<p>In the night of the 1st and 2nd of August, 1527, -Hugues went secretly to the palace, accompanied by -Michael Guillet, a leading mameluke. The prelate -received his friends like liberating angels. They all -three went down into the vaults, where La Baume -ordered a private door to be opened which led into -the street now called the Rue de la Fontaine. He -had to go along this street to reach the lake; but -might not some of those terrible huguenots stop him -in his flight? He crept stealthily and in disguise out -of the palace, put himself between his two defenders, -and, a prey to singular alarm, went forward noiselessly. -On arriving at the brink of the water, the fugitive -and his two companions descried through the darkness -the boatmen whom Hugues had engaged. La -Baume and Besançon entered the boat, while Michael -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">{453}</a></span> -Guillet returned to the city. The boatmen took their -oars, and crossed the lake at the point where the -Rhone flows out of it. La Baume looked all round -him; but he could see nothing, could hear nothing -but the dull sound of the oars. The danger, however, -was far from being passed. The right bank might be -occupied by a band of his enemies.... When the boat -touched the shore, La Baume caught sight of two or -three men with horses. They were friends. Hugues -and the bishop got into their saddles without a -moment's loss, and galloped off in the direction of the -Jura. The bishop had never better appreciated his good -luck in being one of the best horsemen of his day; he -drove the spurs into his steed, fancying at times that -he heard the noise of Savoyard horses behind him. In -this way the bishop and his companion rode on, all the -night through, along by-roads and in the midst of great -dangers, for all the passes were guarded by men-at-arms. -At last the day appeared. In proportion as -they advanced, La Baume breathed more freely. After -four-and-twenty hours of cruel fright, the travellers -arrived at St. Claude. Pierre de la Baume was at the -summit of happiness.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_751" id="Ref_751" href="#Foot_751">[751]</a></span></p> - -<p>The day after his departure, the news of the bishop's -flight suddenly became known in Geneva, where it -caused a great sensation. 'Alas!' said the monks in -their cloisters, 'Monseigneur, seeing the approaching -tribulation, has got away by stealth across the lake.' -The patriots, on the contrary, collecting in groups in -the public places, rejoiced to find themselves delivered -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">{454}</a></span> -by one act both from their bishop and their prince. -At the same time the Savoyard soldiers, posted round -Geneva, were greatly annoyed; they had been on the -watch night and day, and yet the bishop had slipped -through their fingers. To avenge themselves, they -swore to arrest Besançon Hugues on his return. The -latter, making no stay at St. Claude, reappeared next -morning at daybreak in the district of Gex, when he -soon noticed that gentlemen and soldiers were all joining -in the chase after him. The bells were rung in the -village steeples, the peasants were roused, and every -one shouted: 'Hie! hie! the traitor Besançon!' It -seemed impossible for him to escape. Having descended -the mountain, he followed the by-roads through -the plain, when suddenly a number of armed men fell -upon him. Hugues had great courage, a stout sword, -and a good horse; fording the water-courses, and galloping -across the hills, he saved himself, 'as by a -miracle,' says his friend Balard.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_752" id="Ref_752" href="#Foot_752">[752]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE HIRELING FORSAKES THE SHEEP.=</p> - -<p>The Genevans were very uneasy about him, for they -all loved him. The drums beat, the companies mustered -under their officers, and they were about to -march out with their arms to protect him, when suddenly -he arrived, panting, exhausted, and wounded. -They would have liked to speak to him, and, above -all, to hear him; but Hugues, hardly shaking hands -with his friends, rode straight to his own house and -went to bed; he was completely knocked up. The -syndics went to his room to investigate the circumstances -of which he had to complain. But erelong the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">{455}</a></span> -brave man recovered from his fatigue, and the city -was full of joy. The bishop's flight still further increased -their cheerfulness: it snapped the bonds of -which they were weary. 'The <i>hireling</i>,' they said, -'leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, when he seeth the wolf -coming.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_753" id="Ref_753" href="#Foot_753">[753]</a></span> -'Therefore,' they added, 'he is not the shepherd.'</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_743" id="Foot_743" href="#Ref_743">[743]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 12 juillet 1527.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_744" id="Foot_744" href="#Ref_744">[744]</a> -Roset MS. <i>Chronol.</i> liv. ii. ch. xv. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 455.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_745" id="Foot_745" href="#Ref_745">[745]</a> -Beaumanoir, <i>Coutumes de Beauvaisis</i>, p. 61. Guizot, <i>Histoire de la -Civilisation en France</i>, iv. p. 72.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_746" id="Foot_746" href="#Ref_746">[746]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 464.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_747" id="Foot_747" href="#Ref_747">[747]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 30 juillet et 25 août 1527. <i>Journal de -Balard</i>, pp. 125, 126.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_748" id="Foot_748" href="#Ref_748">[748]</a> -'Quot saxis, quot et pulveribus corpus oppressum.'—G. de Novigento, -<i>Opp.</i> p. 507.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_749" id="Foot_749" href="#Ref_749">[749]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 473. Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, ii. p. 410. -Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_750" id="Foot_750" href="#Ref_750">[750]</a> -Savyon, <i>Annales</i>, p. 139. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 474. Galiffe, -<i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, pp. 427, 428, &c.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_751" id="Foot_751" href="#Ref_751">[751]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 126. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 474. <i>Mém. -d'Archéol.</i> ii. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_752" id="Foot_752" href="#Ref_752">[752]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 127. Registres du Conseil du 6 août 1527, -La Sœur de Jussie, p. 4.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_753" id="Foot_753" href="#Ref_753">[753]</a> -John x. 12.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">{456}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER V.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">EXCOMMUNICATION OF GENEVA AND FUNERAL PROCESSION OF - POPERY.<br /> - (<span class="smc">August 1527 to February 1528.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE Duke of Savoy was the wolf. When he heard -of the bishop's flight, his vexation was greater -than can be imagined. He had told the Bernese: 'I -shall have Monsieur of Geneva at my will,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_754" id="Ref_754" href="#Foot_754">[754]</a></span> -and now -the wily prelate had escaped him a second time. At -first Charles III. lost all self-control. 'I will go,' he -said, 'and drag him across the Alps with a rope round -his neck!' After which he wrote to him: 'I will -make you the poorest priest in Savoy;' and, proceeding -to gratify his rage, he seized upon the abbeys of -Suza and Pignerol, which belonged to La Baume. -Gradually his anger cooled down; the duke's counsellors, -knowing the bishop's irresolute and timid character, -said to their master: 'He is of such a changeable -disposition<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_755" id="Ref_755" href="#Foot_755">[755]</a></span> -that it will be easy to bring him -over again to the side of Savoy.' The prince yielded -to their advice, and sent Ducis, governor of the Château -de l'Ile, to try to win him back. It appeared to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">{457}</a></span> -ducal counsellors that Pierre de la Baume, having -fled from Geneva, could never return thither, and -would have no wish to do so; and that the time had -come when a negotiation, favourable in other respects -to the prelate, might put the duke in possession of a -city which he desired by every means to close against -heresy and liberty.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE TRIES TO WIN THE BISHOP.=</p> - -<p>The bishop, at that moment very dejected, was -touched by the duke's advances; he sent an agent to the -prince, and peace seemed on the point of being concluded. -But Charles had uttered a word that sounded -ill in the prelate's ears. 'The duke wishes me to -subscribe myself <i>his subject</i>,' he wrote to Hugues. 'I -think I know why.... It is that he may afterwards -lay hands on me.' Nevertheless, the duke appeared -to restrain himself. 'I will give back all your benefices,' -he told the bishop, 'if you contrive to annul -the alliance between Geneva and Switzerland.' La -Baume consented to everything in order to recover -his abbeys, whose confiscation made a large gap in his -revenues. He did not care much about living at -Geneva, but he wished to be at his ease in Burgundy. -At this moment, as the duke and the Genevans left -him at peace, he was luxuriously enjoying his repose. -Instead of being always in the presence of huguenots -and mamelukes, he walked calmly in his garden -'among his pinks and gilly-flowers.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_756" id="Ref_756" href="#Foot_756">[756]</a></span> -He ordered some -beautiful fur robes, lined with black satin, for the -winter; he kept a good table, and said: 'I am much -better supplied with good wine here than we are at -Geneva.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_757" id="Ref_757" href="#Foot_757">[757]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">{458}</a></div> - -<p>The bishop having fled from his bishopric like a -hireling,—the prince having run away from his principality -like a conspirator,—the citizens resolved to take -measures for preserving order in the State, and to make -the constitution at once stronger and more independent. -The general council delegated to the three -councils of Twenty-five, Sixty, and Two-Hundred -the duty of carrying on the necessary business, except -in such important affairs as required the convocation -of the people. A secret council was also appointed, -composed of the four syndics and of six of the most -decided huguenots. A distinguished historian says -that the Genevan constitution was then made democratic;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_758" id="Ref_758" href="#Foot_758">[758]</a></span> -another historian affirms, on the contrary, -that the power of the people was weakened.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_759" id="Ref_759" href="#Foot_759">[759]</a></span> -We are of a different opinion from both. In proportion -as Geneva threw off foreign usurpation, it would -strengthen its internal constitution. Undoubtedly, -this little nation desired to be free, and the Reformation -was to preserve its liberties; there is a democracy -in the Reform. Philosophy, which is satisfied with a -small number of disciples, has never formed more than -an intellectual aristocracy; but evangelical christianity, -which appeals to all classes, and particularly to the -lowly, develops the understanding, awakens the conscience, -and sanctifies the hearts of those who receive -it, in this way spreading light, order, and peace all -around, and forming a true democracy on earth, very -different from that which does without Christ and -without God. But Geneva, at that time surrounded -by implacable enemies, required, as necessary to its -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">{459}</a></span> -existence, not only liberty, but order, power, and consequently -authority.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUCAL ARMS FALL AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>The bishop had hardly disappeared from Geneva -when the insignia of ducal power disappeared also. -Eight years before this, Charles III. had caused the -white cross of Savoy, carved in marble, to be placed -on the Château de l'Ile, 'at which the friends of liberty -were much grieved.'—'I have placed my arms in the -middle of the city as a mark of sovereignty,' he had -said haughtily, 'and have had them carved in hard -stone. Let the people efface them if they dare!' On -the morning of the 6th of August (five days after the -bishop's flight), some people who were passing near -the castle perceived to their great astonishment that the -ducal arms had disappeared.... A crowd soon gathered -to the spot, and a lively discussion arose. Who did -it? was the general question. 'Oh!' replied some, -'the stone has accidentally fallen into the river;' but -although the water was clear, no one could see it. -'It was you,' said the duke's partisans to the huguenots, -'and you have hidden it somewhere.' Bonivard, who -stood thoughtful in the midst of the crowd, said at -last: 'I know the culprit.'—'Who is it? who is it?' -'St. Peter,' he replied. 'As patron of Geneva, he is -unwilling that a secular prince should have any ensign -of authority in his city!' This incident, the authors -of which were never known, made a great impression, -and the most serious persons exclaimed: 'Truly, it is a -visible sign, announcing to us a secret and mysterious -decision of the Most High. What the hand of God hath -thrown down, let not hand of man set up again!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_760" id="Ref_760" href="#Foot_760">[760]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">{460}</a></div> - -<p>The Genevans wanted neither duke nor bishop; -they went farther still, and being harassed by the -court of Rome, they were going to show that they did -not care for the pope. They had hardly done talking -of La Baume's flight and of the Savoy escutcheon, -when they were told strange news. A report was -circulated that an excommunication and interdict -had been pronounced against them, at the request of -the mamelukes. This greatly excited such citizens -as were still attached to the Roman worship. 'What!' -said they; 'the priests will be suspended from their -functions, the people deprived of the benefit of the sacraments, -divine worship, and consecrated burial ... -innocent and guilty will be involved in one common -misery.'... But the energy of the huguenots, whom -long combats had hardened like steel, was not to be -weakened by this new attack. The most determined -of them resolved to turn against Rome the measure -plotted against Geneva. The council, being resolved to -prevent the excommunication from being placarded -in the streets,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_761" id="Ref_761" href="#Foot_761">[761]</a></span> -ordered 'a strict watch to be kept at -the bridge of Arve, about St. Victor and St. Leger, -and that the gates should be shut early and opened late.' -This was not enough. Five days later (the 29th of -December, 1527), the people, lawfully assembled, -caused the <i>Golden Bull</i> to be read aloud before them, -which ordered that, with the exception of the emperor -and the bishop, there should be no authority in -Geneva. Then a daring proposition was made to the -general council, namely, 'that no metropolitan letters, -and further still no apostolical letters (that is to say, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">{461}</a></span> -no decrees emanating from the pope's courts), should -be executed by any priest or any citizen.'—'Agreed, -agreed!' shouted everybody. It would seem that -the vote was almost unanimous. In this way the -bishop on the banks of the Tiber found men prepared -to resist him on the obscure banks of the Leman.</p> - -<p>This vote alarmed a few timid persons of a traditional -tendency. Advocates of the <i>status quo</i> entreated the -progressionists to restrain themselves; but the latter -had no wish to do so. They answered that the Reformation -was triumphing among the Swiss; that -Zwingle, Œcolampadius, and Haller were preaching -with daily increasing success at Zurich, Basle, and -Berne. They added that on the 7th of January, 1528, -the famous discussion had begun in the last-named -city, and that the Holy Scriptures had gained the -victory; that the altars and images had been thrown -down 'with the consent of the people;' that a spiritual -worship had been substituted in their place, and that -all, including children fourteen years old, had sworn -to observe 'the Lutheran law.' The huguenots -thought that if excommunication came to them from -Rome, absolution would come to them from Berne—or -rather from heaven.</p> - -<p class="side">=FUNERAL PROCESSION OF POPERY.=</p> - -<p>The more light-hearted among them went further -than this. For ages the Roman Church had accustomed -its followers to unite masquerades with the most -sacred recollections. In some cantons there had been -great rejoicings over the abolition of the mass. Such -a fire could not be kindled in Switzerland without -scattering a few sparks over Geneva. Baudichon de -la Maison-Neuve, a great enemy to superstition, an -active and even turbulent man, and daring enough to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">{462}</a></span> -attempt anything, resolved to organise a funeral procession -of the papacy. He would attack Rome with -the weapons that the Roman carnival supplied him, -and would arrange a great procession. Whilst serious -men were reading the epistle from heaven (the Gospel), -which absolved them from the excommunication of its -pretended vicar, the young and thoughtless were in great -excitement; they dressed themselves in their houses -in the strangest manner; they disguised themselves, -some as priests, some as canons, and others as monks; -they came out, met together, drew up in line, and -soon began to march through the streets of the city. -There were white friars, grey friars, and black friars, -fat canons, and thin curates. One was begging, -another chanting; here was one scourging himself, -there another strutting solemnly along; here a man -carrying a hair shirt, there a man with a bottle. -Some indulged in acts of outrageous buffoonery; -others, the more completely to imitate the monks, -went so far as to take liberties with the women who -were looking on, and when some fat friar thus made -any burlesque gesture, there was loud applause, and -the crowd exclaimed: 'That is not the worst they -do.' In truth the reality was more culpable than -the burlesque. When they saw this tumultuous -procession and heard the doleful chanting, mingled -with noisy roars of laughter, every one said that -popery was dying, and singing its <i>De profundis</i>, its -burial anthem.</p> - -<p>The priests took the jest in very bad part, and the -procession was hardly over before they hurried, flushed -with anger, to complain to the syndics of 'the enmity -raised against them by Baudichon and others.' The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">{463}</a></span> -syndics referred their complaint to the episcopal -council, and the latter severely reprimanded the -offenders. But Maison-Neuve and his friends withdrew, -fully convinced that the priests were in the -wrong, and that the victory would ultimately be on -their side.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_762" id="Ref_762" href="#Foot_762">[762]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD AT THE PRIORY.=</p> - -<p>They were beginning in Geneva to estimate a -papal excommunication at its proper value. No one -knew more on this subject than Bonivard, and he -instructed his best friends on this difficult text. -Among the number was François Favre, a man of -ardent character, prompt wit, and rather worldly -manners, but a good citizen and determined huguenot. -Favre was one day, on a famous occasion, to be at the -head of Bonivard's liberators. He went sometimes -to the priory, where he often met Robert Vandel, a -man of less decision than his two friends. Vandel, -who still kept on good terms with the bishop, was -at heart one of the most independent of men, and -Bonivard had made him governor of the domain of -St. Victor.</p> - -<p>These Genevans and others continued the conversations -that Bonivard had formerly had with Berthelier -in the same room and at the same table. They spoke -of Berne, of Geneva, of Switzerland, of the Reformation, -and of excommunication. Bonivard found erelong -a special opportunity of enlightening his two -friends on the acts of the Romish priesthood.</p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD ON EXCOMMUNICATION.=</p> - -<p>There was no one in Geneva whom the papal party -detested more than him. The ultramontanists could -understand why lawyers and citizens opposed the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">{464}</a></span> -clergy; but a prior!... His enemies, therefore, formed -the project of seizing the estates of St. Victor, and of -expelling Bonivard from the monastery. The huguenots, -on hearing of this, ardently espoused his cause, -and the council gave him, for his protection (20th of -January, 1528) six arquebuses and four pounds of gunpowder. -These were hardly monastic weapons; but -the impetuous Favre hastened to offer him his heart -and his arm; and, to say the truth, Bonivard in case -of need could have made very good use of an arquebuse. -He had recourse, however, to other defenders; -he resolved to go and plead his cause before the League. -But this was not without danger, for the duke's agents -might seize him on the road, as he afterwards had the -misfortune to know. Favre, ever ready to go where -there was any risk to be run, offered to accompany -him to Berne. Vandel had to go as governor of St. -Victor: they set off. Arriving at a village in the Pays -de Vaud, the three huguenots dismounted and took a -stroll while their horses were resting. Bonivard, as -he was riding along, had noticed some large placards -on the doors of the churches, and being curious to -know what they were about, he went up to them, and -immediately called his friends; 'Come here,' he said; -'here are some curious things—letters of excommunication.' -He was beginning to read them, when -one of his companions cried out: 'Stop! for as soon as -you have read them, you will thereby be excommunicate!' -The worthy huguenot imagined that the best -plan was to know nothing about such anathemas, -and then to act as if the excommunication did not -exist—which could not be done if they were read. -Bonivard, a man of great good sense, profited by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">{465}</a></span> -opportunity to explain to his friends what these earthly -excommunications were worth. 'If you have done -what is wrong,' he told them, 'God himself excommunicates -you; but if you have acted rightly, the -excommunication of priests can do you no harm. -There is only one tribunal which has power over the -conscience, and that is heaven. The pope and the -devil hurt only those who are afraid of them. Do -therefore what is right, and fear nothing. The bolts -which they may hurl at you will be spent in the air.' -Then he added with a smile: 'If the pope or the metropolitan -of Vienne excommunicate you, pope Berthold -of Berne will give you absolution.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_763" id="Ref_763" href="#Foot_763">[763]</a></span> - Bonivard's words -were repeated in Geneva, and the papal excommunications -lost credit every day.</p> - -<p>This became alarming: the episcopal officers informed -the bishop; but the latter, who was enjoying -himself in his Burgundian benefices, put aside everything -that might disturb his meals and his repose. It -was not the same with the duke and his ministers. -That prince was not content with coveting the prelate's -temporal power; looking upon La Baume as already -dispossessed of his rights, he made himself bishop, -nay almost pope, in his place. The cabinet of Turin -thought that if the principles of civil liberty once -combined with those of religious liberty, Geneva would -attempt to reform Savoy by means of conversations, -letters, books, and missionaries. Charles III. therefore -sent a message to the council, which was read in -the Two-Hundred on the 7th of February. 'I hear,' -said the prince, 'that the Lutheran sect is making way -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">{466}</a></span> -among you.... Make haste to prevent the ravages of -that pestilence, and, to that intent, send on the 17th two -men empowered by you to hear some very important -things concerning <i>my authority in matters of faith</i>.'</p> - -<p>What would the Genevans answer? If a bishop is -made prince, why should not a prince be made bishop? -The confusion of the two provinces is a source of continual -disturbance. Christianity cannot tolerate either -Cæsars who are popes, or popes who are Cæsars; and -yet ambition is always endeavouring to unite these two -irreconcilable powers. The duke did not presume to -abolish definitively the episcopal power and confer it -on himself; but he wished to take advantage of the -bishop's flight to acquire an influence which he would -be able to retain when the episcopal authority was -restored. He spoke, therefore, like a Roman pontiff -... of his authority in matters of faith.</p> - -<p>'Really,' said the council, 'we have had enough and -too much even of one pope, and we do not care to have -two—one at Rome and the other at our very gates.' -The citizens were so irritated at Charles's singular -claim, that they did not return an answer in the usual -form. 'We will not write to the duke,' said the -syndics; 'we will delegate no one to him, seeing that -we are not his subjects; but we will simply tell the -bearer of his letter that <i>we are going on very well</i>, -and that the duke, having no authority to correct us, -ought to <i>mind his own business</i>.' Such is the minute -recorded in the council register for this day. As for -La Baume, the poor prelate, who did not trouble himself -much either about pope or Lutheranism, wrote -the same day to the Genevans, that he permitted -them 'to eat milk-food during the coming Lent.' This -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">{467}</a></span> -culinary permission was quite in his way, and it was -the most important missive from the bishop at that -time.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_764" id="Ref_764" href="#Foot_764">[764]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE DUKE REPRIMANDS THE CANONS.=</p> - -<p>When the episcopal council heard of the syndics' -answer, they were in great commotion. They thought -it rude and unbecoming, and trembled lest Charles -should confound them with these arrogant burgesses. -They therefore sent M. de Veigy, one of the most -eminent canons, to the duke, in order to pacify him. -The reverend father set off, and while on the road, he -feared at one moment Charles's anger, and at another -enjoyed in anticipation the courtesies which the ducal -court could not fail to show him. But he had scarcely -been presented to the duke, and made a profound bow, -when Bishop de Belley, standing at the left of his -highness, and commissioned to be the interpreter of -his sentiments, addressed him abruptly, and, calling -him traitor and huguenot, insulted him just as De la -Thoy might have done. But this abuse was nothing -in comparison with Charles's anger: unable to restrain -himself, he burst out, and, giving utterance to the -terrible schemes he had formed against Geneva, -declared he would reduce that impracticable city to -ashes, and ended by saying: 'If you do not come out -of it, you will be burnt in it with all the rest.' The -poor canon endeavoured to pacify his highness: 'Ah, -my lord,' he said, 'I shall not remain there: all the -canons now in the city are about to leave it!' And -yet De Veigy was fond of Geneva, and thought that -to reside in Annecy would be terribly dull. Accordingly, -on his return to the city, he forgot his terror -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">{468}</a></span> -and his promises, whereupon he received this short -message from Charles III.: 'Ordered, under pain of -death, to quit Geneva in six days.'—'He left on the -3rd of March, and with great regret,' adds Balard.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_765" id="Ref_765" href="#Foot_765">[765]</a></span> -Charles wished to put the canons in a place of safety, -before he burnt the city.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_754" id="Foot_754" href="#Ref_754">[754]</a> -'Que qui en volisse contredire' (whatever any one may do to oppose -it), he added.—<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 124.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_755" id="Foot_755" href="#Ref_755">[755]</a> -'Il est d'un esprit si changeant.'—<i>Hist. de Genève</i>, MS. of the 17th -century. Bibliothèque de Berne, <i>Hist. Helvét.</i> v. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_756" id="Foot_756" href="#Ref_756">[756]</a> -Letter from La Baume to Hugues. Galiffe, <i>Matériaux</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_757" id="Foot_757" href="#Ref_757">[757]</a> -Galiffe, <i>Matériaux</i>, ii. pp. 424-475. <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, ii. pp. 14, 15.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_758" id="Foot_758" href="#Ref_758">[758]</a> -Mignet, <i>Réforme à Genève</i>, p. 34.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_759" id="Foot_759" href="#Ref_759">[759]</a> -James Fazy, <i>Hist. de la République de Genève</i>, p. 158.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_760" id="Foot_760" href="#Ref_760">[760]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 127. Roset MS. <i>Chronol.</i> liv. ii. ch. xx. -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 448. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_761" id="Foot_761" href="#Ref_761">[761]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 24 et 29 décembre 1527. Bonivard, -<i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 473, 474. Gautier MS. <i>Journal de Balard</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_762" id="Foot_762" href="#Ref_762">[762]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 15 et 17 janvier 1528. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, -p. 146. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_763" id="Foot_763" href="#Ref_763">[763]</a> -'Hominum anathemata a Bertholdo papa facile solvenda.'—Spanheim, -<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, p. 35.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_764" id="Foot_764" href="#Ref_764">[764]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 7 février 1528. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 147.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_765" id="Foot_765" href="#Ref_765">[765]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 7 février et du 3 mars 1528. <i>Journal de -Balard</i>, pp. 147-149.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">{469}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER VI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE KNIGHTS OF THE SPOON LEAGUE AGAINST GENEVA - AT THE CASTLE OF BURSINEL.<br /> - (<span class="smc">March 1528.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD COMPLAINS OF GENEVA.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE partisans of absolutism and the papacy rose up -on every side against Geneva, as if the Reformation -were already established there. It was not so, -however. Although Geneva had come out of Romanism, -it had not yet entered Reform: it was still in -those uncertain and barren places, that land of negations -and disputes which lies between the two. A few -persons only were beginning to see that, in order to -separate really from the pope, it was necessary, as -Haller and Zwingle said, to obey Jesus Christ. -Bonivard, a keen critic, was indulging in his reflections, -in his large arm-chair, at the priory of St. Victor, -and carefully studying the singular aspect Geneva at -that time presented. 'A strange spectacle,' he said; -'everybody wishes to command, and no one will obey. -From tyranny we have fallen into the opposite and -worse vice of anarchy.... There are as many tyrants -as heads ... which engenders confusion. Everybody -wishes to make his own profit or private pleasure out -of the common weal; profit tends to avarice; and -pleasure consists in taking vengeance on him whom -you hate. Men are killed, but they are not the real -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">{470}</a></span> -enemies of Geneva.... If you wound a bear, he will not -spring upon the man who wounded him, but will tear -the first poles or the first tree in his way.... And -this, alas! is what they are doing among us. Having -groaned under a tyrannical government, we have the -love of licence instead of the love of liberty. We -must be apprentices before we can be masters, and -break many strings before we can play upon the lute. -The huguenots have driven out the tyrant, but have -not driven out tyranny. It is not liberty to do -whatever we desire, if we do not desire what is -right. O pride! thou wilt be the ruin of Geneva! -Pride has always envy for its follower; and when -pride would mount too high, the old crone catches -her by the tail and pulls her back, so that she falls -and breaks her neck.... The huguenot leagues are -not sufficient; the Gospel must advance, in order -that popery may recede.' It is Bonivard himself -who has transmitted these wise reflections.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_766" id="Ref_766" href="#Foot_766">[766]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was not the only person who entertained such -thoughts. The affairs of the alliance often attracted -Bernese to Geneva; and being convinced that the -Reformation alone could save that city, they continued -Ab Hofen's work. Being admitted into private -families, they spoke against human traditions and -extolled the Scriptures. 'God speaks to us of the -Redeemer,' they said, 'and not of Lent.' But the -Friburgers, thrusting themselves into these evangelical -conferences, exclaimed: 'Obey the Church! If you -separate from the Church, we will break off the -alliance!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_767" id="Ref_767" href="#Foot_767">[767]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">{471}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD'S ANSWER TO THE HUGUENOTS.=</p> - -<p>The <i>bishopers</i> were with Friburg, the <i>commoners</i> -with Berne. The latter were divided into three -classes: there were politicians, to whom religion was -only a means of obtaining liberty; serious and peaceful -men, who called for true piety (Bonivard mentions -Boutelier as one of these); and, lastly, the enemies of -the priests, who saw the Reformation from a negative -point of view, and regarded it essentially as a war -against Roman superstitions. One day these sincere -but impatient men said they could wait no longer, -and went out to St. Victor to invite the prior to put -himself at their head. They rang at the gate of the -monastery, and the janitor went and told Bonivard, -who ordered them to be admitted: 'We wish to put -an end to all this papal ceremony,' they told him; -'we desire to drive out all its ministers, priests, and -monks ... all that papistical rabble; and then we -mean to invite the ministers of the Gospel, who -will introduce a true christian reformation among -us.'</p> - -<p>The prior smiled as he heard these words: 'Gentlemen,' -he said, in a sarcastic tone, 'I think your -sentiments very praiseworthy, and confess that all -ecclesiastics (of whom I am one) have great need to be -reformed. But ought not those who wish to reform -others to begin by reforming themselves? If you love -the Gospel, as you say you do, you will live according -to the Gospel. But if you wish to reform us -without reforming yourselves, it is evident that you -are not moved by love for the Gospel, but by hatred -against us. And why should you hate us? It is not -because our manners are contrary to yours, but because -they are like them. Aristotle says in his <i>Ethics</i>,' continued -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">{472}</a></span> -the learned prior, 'and experience confirms -the statement, that animals which eat off the same -food naturally hate each other. Two horses do not -agree at the same manger, nor two dogs over the -same bone. It is the same with us. We are unchaste, -and so are you. We are drunkards, and so -are you. We are gamblers and blasphemers, and so -are you. Why then should you be so opposed to us?... -We do not hinder you from indulging in your -little pleasures; pray do the same by us. You desire -to expel us, you say, and put Lutheran ministers -in our place.... Gentlemen, think well of what you -are about: you will not have had them two years -before you will be sorry for it. These ministers will -permit you to break the commandments of the pope, -but they will forbid your breaking those of God. -According to their doctrines, you must not gamble -or indulge in debauchery, under severe penalty.... -Ah! how that would vex you!... Therefore, -gentlemen, you must do one of two things: either -leave us in our present condition; or, if you wish to -reform us according to the Gospel, reform yourselves -first.'</p> - -<p>These remarks were not quite so reasonable as they -appeared to be. <i>It is the sick that have need of a physician</i>, -and as these 'sons of Geneva' wished to invite -the ministers of the Gospel, <i>in order to introduce a -true christian reform</i>, Bonivard should have encouraged -instead of opposing them. These worldly -men might have had a real desire for the Gospel at -the bottom of their hearts. Reprimanded by the -prior, they withdrew. Bonivard watched them as -they retired. 'They are going off with their tails -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">{473}</a></span> -between their legs.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_768" id="Ref_768" href="#Foot_768">[768]</a></span> -Certainly, I desire a reformation; -but I do not like that those who are more qualified -to deform than to reform should presume to be -its instruments.'</p> - -<p class="side">=DETERMINATION TO EAT MEAT IN LENT.=</p> - -<p>When they got home, these huguenots deliberated -whether they would allow themselves to be stopped -by Bonivard's irony; they resolved to follow out his -precept—to reform themselves first; but, not knowing -that reformation consists primarily in reestablishing -faith and morality in the heart, they undertook simply -to prune away certain superstitions. As the episcopal -letter permitted them to take milk in Lent, De la -Maison-Neuve and his friends said: 'We are permitted -to take milk, why not meat?' Then repeating the -lesson which the Bernese had taught them—Do not the -Scriptures say, <i>Eat of all that is sold in the shambles</i>?—they -resolved to eat meat every day. The council saw -this with uneasiness, and forbade the new practice -under pain of three days' imprisonment on bread and -water and a fine of five sols.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_769" id="Ref_769" href="#Foot_769">[769]</a></span> -But wishing to hold -the balance even, they had hardly struck one side before -they struck the other, and condemned the forty-four -fugitive mamelukes to confiscation and death.</p> - -<p>This last sentence aroused the anger of all the adjacent -country; the Sire de Pontverre, in particular, -thought the time had come for drawing the sword, -and immediately messengers were scouring the country -between the Alps and the Jura. They climbed -painfully up the rocky roads that led to the mountain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">{474}</a></span> -castles; they crossed the lake, everywhere summoning -the gentlemen, the friends of the mamelukes. The -knights did not need to be pressed; they put on their -armour, mounted their coursers, left their homes, and -proceeded towards the appointed rendezvous, the castle -of Bursinel, near Rolle, on the fertile slope which, -running out from the Jura, borders the lake opposite -Mont Blanc. These rough gentlemen arrived from La -Vaux, Gex, Chablais, Genevois, and Faucigny: one -after another they alighted from their horses, crossed -the courtyard, and entered the hall, which echoed with -the clash of their arms; then, shaking hands, they sat -down at a long table, where they began to feast. The -audacity of the Genevans was the principal subject of -conversation, 'and heaven knows how they of Geneva -were picked to pieces,' says a contemporary.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_770" id="Ref_770" href="#Foot_770">[770]</a></span></p> - -<p>Of all these nobles, the most hostile to Geneva was -the Sire de Pontverre. Of athletic frame, herculean -strength, and violent character, bold and energetic, -he was, from his marked superiority, recognised as -their chief by the gentlemen assembled at the castle -of Bursinel. If these men despised the burgesses, the -latter returned the compliment. 'They are holding -a meeting of bandits and brigands at Bursinel,' said -some of the Genevans. We must not, however, take -these somewhat harsh words too literally. The depredations -of these gentlemen doubtless undermined -the social organisation, and it was time to put an end -to these practices of the middle ages. Many of them -were, however, good sons and husbands, good fathers, -and even good landlords; but they had no mercy for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">{475}</a></span> -Geneva. As they sat at table they said that the -princes had succeeded in France and elsewhere in -destroying the franchises of the municipal towns, and -that this free city, the last that survived, deserved a -similar fate much more than the others, since it was -beginning to add a new vice to its former vices ... -it was listening to Luther. 'A contest must decide,' -they added, 'whether the future times shall belong to -the knights or to the burgesses, to the Church or to -heresy.' If Geneva were overthrown, they thought -they would be masters of the future. Pontverre -has been compared to the celebrated Roman who -feared the Carthaginians, and, like him, never forgot -to repeat at every meeting of the nobles: <i>Delenda -Carthago</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_771" id="Ref_771" href="#Foot_771">[771]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE ORDER OF THE SPOON.=</p> - -<p>The dinner was drawing to an end; the servants of -the lord of Bursinel had brought the best wines from -the castle cellars; the libations were numerous, and -the guests drank copiously. 'It chanced,' says Bonivard, -'that some rice (<i>papet</i>) was brought in, with -as many spoons as there were persons at table.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_772" id="Ref_772" href="#Foot_772">[772]</a></span> -Pontverre rose, took up a spoon with the same hand -that wielded the sword so vigorously, plunged it -into the dish of rice, and, lifting it to his mouth, -ate and said: 'Thus will I swallow Geneva and the -Genevese.' In an instant all the gentlemen, 'heated -with wine and anger,' took up their spoons, and exclaimed -as they ate, 'that they would make but one -mouthful of all the huguenots.' Pontverre did not -stop at this: he took a little chain, hung the spoon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">{476}</a></span> -round his neck, and said: 'I am a <i>knight of the Spoon</i>, -and this is my decoration.'—'We all belong to the -same order,' said the others, similarly hanging the -spoons on their breasts. They then grasped each -other's hands, and swore to be faithful to the last. -At length the party broke up; they mounted their -horses, and returned to their mansions; and when -their neighbours looked with surprise at what hung -round their necks, and asked what the spoon meant, -they answered: 'We intend to eat the Genevans with -it; will you not join us?' And thus the fraternity -was formed which had the conquest of Geneva for its -object.</p> - -<p>The Spoon was taken up everywhere, as in the time -of the crusades men took up the Cross: the decoration -was characteristic of these loud-spoken free-living cavaliers. -Meetings took place every week in the various -castles of the neighbourhood. New members joined -the order, and hung the spoon round their necks, saying: -'Since the commonalty (the Genevans and Swiss) -form alliances, surely the nobles may do so!' They -drew up 'statutes and laws for their guidance, which -were committed to writing, as in public matters.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_773" id="Ref_773" href="#Foot_773">[773]</a></span> -Erelong the 'gentlemen of the Spoon,' as they called -themselves, proceeded to perform their vow; they -issued from their castles, plundered the estates of the -Genevans, intercepted their provisions, and blockaded -them closer and closer every day. When they came -near the city, on the heights of Pregny, Lancy, and -Cologny, they added derision to violence; they took -their spoons and waved them in the air, as if they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">{477}</a></span> -wished to use them in swallowing the city which -lay smiling at their feet.</p> - -<p class="side">=ALARM AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>The alarm increased every day in Geneva; the -citizens called the Swiss to their aid, fortified their -city, and kept strict watch. Whenever any friends -met together, the story of the famous dinner at Bursinel -was repeated. The Genevans went so far, says a -chronicle, as to be unwilling to make use of the innocent -spoon, such a horror they felt at it. Many of -those who read the Scriptures began to pray to God to -save Geneva; and on the 23rd of March, the council -entered the following words in their register: 'May -we be delivered from the evils we endure, may we -conquer and have peace!... May the Almighty be -pleased to grant it to us!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_774" id="Ref_774" href="#Foot_774">[774]</a></span></p> - -<p>Pontverre was not a mere adventurer; he possessed -a mind capable of discerning the political defects of his -party. Two men in Geneva especially occupied his -thoughts at this time: they were the bishop and the -prior. In his opinion, they ought to gain the first and -punish the other.</p> - -<p>He began with Bonivard; no one was more detested -by the feudal party than he was. That the head of a -monastery should side with the huguenots seemed -a terrible scandal. No one besides, at that time, advocated -more boldly than the prior the principles opposed -to absolute power; and this he showed erelong.</p> - -<p>At Cartigny, on the left bank of the Rhone, about -two leagues from Geneva, he possessed a fief which depended -on the dukes of Savoy: 'It is a mere pleasure-house, -and not a fortress,' he said; and yet he was in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">{478}</a></span> -the habit of keeping a garrison there. The duke had -seized it during his vassal's captivity, and to Bonivard's -frequent demands for its restoration he replied 'that -he dared not give it up for fear of being excommunicated -by the pope.' Michaelmas having come, -the time at which the rent was collected, the Savoy -government forbade the tenants to pay it to the prior; -the latter felt indignant, and the principles he then -laid down deserve to be called to mind. 'The rights -of a prince and his subjects are reciprocal,' he said. -'If the subject owes obedience to his prince, the prince -owes justice to his subject. If the prince may constrain -his subject, when the latter refuses obedience in -a case wherein it is lawfully due, the subject has also -the right to refuse obedience to his prince, when the -latter denies him justice. Let the subject then be -without fear, and rest assured that God is for him. -Men, perhaps, will not be on his side; but if he has -strength to resist men, I can answer for God.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_775" id="Ref_775" href="#Foot_775">[775]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bonivard, who was determined to obtain justice, -laid before the council of Geneva the patents which -established his rights, and prayed their help in support -of his claim. His petition at first met with some -little opposition in the general council. 'The city has -enough to do already with its own affairs,' said many, -'without undertaking the prior's;' but most of the -huguenots were of a contrary opinion. 'If the duke -has at St. Victor a lord after his fashion,' they said, -'it might be a serious inconvenience to us. Besides, -the energetic prior has always been firm in the service -of the city.' This consideration prevailed and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">{479}</a></span> -general council decided that they would maintain -Bonivard's rights by force of arms if necessary.</p> - -<p>The prior now made his preparations. 'Since I -cannot have civil justice,' he said, 'I will have recourse -to the law of nations, which authorises to repel -force by force.' The petty sovereign of St. Victor, who -counted ten monks for his subjects, who no longer -possessed his uncle's culverins, and whose only warlike -resources were a few arquebusiers, hired by a -Bernese adventurer, besides four pounds of powder, -determined to march against the puissant Duke of -Savoy, prince of Piedmont, and even to brave that -pope-king who once upon a time had only to frown to -make all the world tremble. Perish St. Victor rather -than principles!</p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD DEFENDS CARTIGNY.=</p> - -<p>Bonivard sent for a herald and told him: 'The -Duke of Savoy has usurped my sovereignty; you will -therefore proceed to Cartigny and make proclamation -through all my lordship, in these terms: "No one in -this place shall execute either ducal or papal letters -under pain of the gallows.'" We see that Bonivard -made a large use of his supreme power. The herald, -duly escorted, made the terrible proclamation round -the castle; and then a captain, a commissioner, and a -few soldiers, sent by Bonivard, took possession of the -domain in his name, <i>under the nose of the pope and the -duke</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_776" id="Ref_776" href="#Foot_776">[776]</a></span> -He was very proud of this exploit. 'The -pope and the duke have not dared send men to prevent -my captain from taking possession,' he said good-humouredly; -for Bonivard, though sparkling with -wit, was also a good-tempered man.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">{480}</a></div> - -<p>The fear ascribed to the duke did not last long. -The lands of Cartigny were near those of Pontverre, -and the order of the Spoon was hardly organised when -an expedition directed against the castle was the prelude -to hostilities. A ducal provost, with some men-at-arms, -appeared before the place on the 6th of March, -1528. Bonivard had vainly told his captain to defend -himself: the place was taken. The indignant prior -exclaimed: 'My people allowed themselves to be surprised.' -He believed, as the Genevans also did, that -the duke had bribed the commandant: 'The captain -of Cartigny, after eating the fig, has thrown away the -basket,' said the huguenots in their meetings.</p> - -<p>The prior of St. Victor, being determined to recover -his property from his highness's troops, came to an -understanding with an ex-councillor of Berne, named -Boschelbach, a man of no very respectable character, -who had probably procured him the few soldiers of his -former expedition, and who now, making greater exertions, -raised for him a corps of twenty men. Bonivard -put himself at the head of his forces, made them -march regularly, ordered them to keep their matches -lighted, and halted in front of the castle. The prior, -who was a clever speaker, trusted more to his tongue -than to his arms: he desired, therefore, first to explain -his rights, and consequently the ex-councillor, attended -by his servant Thiebault, went forward and demanded -a parley on behalf of the prior. By way of answer -the garrison fired, and Thiebault was shot dead.</p> - -<p>That night all Geneva was agitated. The excited -and exasperated citizens ran armed up and down the -streets, and talked of nothing but marching out to -Cartigny to avenge Thiebault's death. 'Be calm,' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">{481}</a></span> -said Boschelbach; 'I will make such a report to my -lords of Berne that Monsieur of Savoy, who is the -cause of all the mischief, shall suffer for it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_777" id="Ref_777" href="#Foot_777">[777]</a></span> -The syndics had not promised to attack Savoy, which -would have been a serious affair, but only to defend -Bonivard. In order, therefore, to keep their word, -they stationed detachments of soldiers in the other -estates belonging to St. Victor, with orders to protect -them from every attack. Cartigny was quite lost to -the prior; but he was prepared to endure even greater -sacrifices. He had his faults, no doubt; and, in particular, -he was too easy in forming intimacies with -men far from estimable, such as Boschelbach; but he -had noble aspirations. He knew that by continuing -to follow the same line of conduct he would lose his -priory, be thrown into prison, and perhaps put to -death: 'But what does it matter,' he thought, 'if -by such a sacrifice right is maintained and liberty -triumphs?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_778" id="Ref_778" href="#Foot_778">[778]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BISHOP AND DUKE RECONCILED.=</p> - -<p>The lord of Pontverre was occupied with a scheme -far more important than Bonivard's destruction. He -wished, as we have said, to win back the bishop. Possessing -much political wisdom, seeing farther and more -clearly than the duke or the prelate, he perceived that -if the war against the new ideas was to succeed, it -would be necessary for all the old powers to coalesce -against them. Nothing, in his opinion, was more deplorable -than the difference between Charles III. and -Pierre de la Baume: he therefore undertook to reconcile -them. He showed them that they had both the -same enemies, and that nothing but their union would -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">{482}</a></span> -put it in their power to crush the huguenots. He -frightened the bishop by hinting to him that the Reformation -would not only destroy Catholicism, but -strip him of his dignities and his revenues. He further -told him that heresy had crept unobserved into his -own household and infected even his chamberlain, -William de la Mouille, who at that time enjoyed his -entire confidence.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_779" id="Ref_779" href="#Foot_779">[779]</a></span> -La Baume, wishing to profit immediately -by Pontverre's information, hastened to -write to La Mouille: 'I will permit no opportunity -for breeding in my diocese any wicked and accursed -sect—such as I am told already prevails there. <i>You -have been too slow in informing me of it.</i>... Tell them -boldly that I will not put up with them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_780" id="Ref_780" href="#Foot_780">[780]</a></span></p> - -<p>The prelate's great difficulty was to become reconciled -with the duke. Having the fullest confidence -in his talent for intrigue, he thought that he -could return into friendly relations with his highness -without breaking altogether with Hugues and the -Genevans. 'He is a fine jockey,' said Bonivard; 'he -wants to ride one and lead the other by the bridle!' -The bishop began his manœuvres. 'I quitted Geneva,' -he informed the duke, 'in order that I might not be -forced to do anything displeasing to you.' It will be -remembered, on the contrary, that he had run away -to escape from Charles III., who wanted to 'snap him -up;' but that prince, satisfied with seeing La Baume -place himself again under his guidance, pretended to -believe him, and cancelled the sequestration of his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">{483}</a></span> -revenues. Being thus reconciled, the bishop and the -duke set to work to stifle the Reformation. 'Good,' -said Bonivard; 'Pilate and Herod were made friends -together, for before they were at enmity between -themselves.'</p> - -<p class="side">=BISHOP HATEFUL TO THE CITY.=</p> - -<p>The bishop soon perceived that he could not be -both with the duke and Geneva; and, every day -drawing nearer to Savoy, he turned against his own -subjects and his own flock. And hence one of the -most enlightened statesmen Geneva ever possessed -said in the seventeenth century, to a peer of Great -Britain who had put some questions to him on the -history of the republic: 'From that time the bishop -became very hateful to the city, which could not but -regard him as a declared enemy.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_781" id="Ref_781" href="#Foot_781">[781]</a></span> -It was the bishop who tore the contract that had subsisted between -Geneva and himself.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_766" id="Foot_766" href="#Ref_766">[766]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Police</i>, &c. pp. 398-400; <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 473. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_767" id="Foot_767" href="#Ref_767">[767]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_768" id="Foot_768" href="#Ref_768">[768]</a> -'La queue entre les jambes.'—Bonivard, <i>Advis des difformes Réformateurs</i>, -pp. 149-151.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_769" id="Foot_769" href="#Ref_769">[769]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 11 et 26 février 1528. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq</i>. -ii. p. 479.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_770" id="Foot_770" href="#Ref_770">[770]</a> -'Dieu sait comme ceux de Genève étaient déchiquetés.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_771" id="Foot_771" href="#Ref_771">[771]</a> -'Ne taschait, fors à la ruine de Genève.'—Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. -482.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_772" id="Foot_772" href="#Ref_772">[772]</a> -Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_773" id="Foot_773" href="#Ref_773">[773]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 483.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_774" id="Foot_774" href="#Ref_774">[774]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 14, 23, 24 mars. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 156. -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 482, 486, etc.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_775" id="Foot_775" href="#Ref_775">[775]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 477.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_776" id="Foot_776" href="#Ref_776">[776]</a> -'A la barbe du pape et du duc.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_777" id="Foot_777" href="#Ref_777">[777]</a> -'En portera la pâte au four.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_778" id="Foot_778" href="#Ref_778">[778]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 475, 480, 502. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_779" id="Foot_779" href="#Ref_779">[779]</a> -See nineteen letters from the bishop to William de la Mouille, his -chamberlain, printed in Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, ii. -pp. 461-485.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_780" id="Foot_780" href="#Ref_780">[780]</a> -Galiffe, ii. p. 477.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_781" id="Foot_781" href="#Ref_781">[781]</a> -<i>Memoir to Lord Townshend on the History of Geneva</i>, by Mr. -Secretary Chouet. Berne MSS. vi. 57.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">{484}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER VII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">INTRIGUES OF THE DUKE AND THE BISHOP.<br /> - (<span class="smc">Spring and Summer 1528.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE first measure Charles exacted from his new -ally was to revoke the civil rights he had conceded -to the citizens. The bishop consented. In -order to deprive the secular magistrate of his temporal -privileges, he resolved to employ spiritual weapons. -Priests, bishops, and popes have always found their -use very profitable in political matters; princes of -great power have been known to tremble before the -documents launched into the world by the high-priest -of the Vatican. The bishop, therefore, caused an -order to be posted on the church doors, forbidding the -magistrates to try civil causes under pain of excommunication -and a fine of one hundred pounds of silver. -It seems that the bishop had thought it prudent to -attack the purses of those who were not to be frightened -by his <i>pastorals</i>. 'Remove these letters,' said -the syndics to the episcopal secretary, 'and carry -them back to the bishop, for they are contrary to our -franchises.' At the same time they said to the judges: -'You will continue to administer justice, notwithstanding -the excommunication.' This, be it remarked, occurred -at Geneva in the beginning of the sixteenth -century.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">{485}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP AND THE SYNDICS.=</p> - -<p>When informed of these bold orders, the bishop-prince -roused himself.... One might have fancied that -the spirit of Hildebrand and Boniface had suddenly -animated the weak La Baume. 'What! under the -pretence of maintaining your liberties,' he wrote to the -Genevans, 'you wish to usurp our sovereignty!... -Beware what you do, for if you persevere, we will -with God's help inflict such a punishment that it shall -serve for an example to others.... The morsel you -desire to swallow is harder to digest than you appear -to believe.... We command you to resign the administration -of justice; to receive the vidame whom the -duke shall be pleased to send you; to permit him to -exercise his power, as was done in the time of the -most illustrious princes his grace's predecessors; and -finally to remit to his highness and us the whole case -of the fugitives. If within a fortnight you do not -desist from all opposition to our authority, we will -declare you our enemies, and will employ all our -resources and those of our relations and friends to -punish you for the outrage you are committing against -us, and we will strive to ruin you totally, whatever -may be the place to which you flee.'</p> - -<p>Great was the commotion in the city at hearing such -words addressed by the pastor of Geneva to his flock; -for if the bishop made use of such threats, it was with -the intention of establishing the authority of a foreign -prince among them. The true huguenots, who wanted -neither duke nor bishop, were silent under these circumstances, -and allowed the episcopal party, of which -Hugues was the chief, to act. Two ambassadors from -the bishop having been introduced before the general -council on the 14th of June, 1528, the premier syndic -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">{486}</a></span> -said to them: 'If the bishop desires to appoint a -vidame to administer justice among us, we will accept -him; but the dukes of Savoy have never had other -than an unlawful authority in Geneva. We have no -prince but the bishop. Has he forgotten the great -misfortunes that have befallen the city in consequence -of these Savoyard vidames?... Citizens perpetually -threatened, many of them imprisoned and tortured, -their heads cut off, their bodies quartered.... But God -has helped us, and we will no longer live in such -misery.... No!' continued the speaker with some emotion, -'we will not renounce the independence which -our charters secure to us.... Rather than lose it, we -will sacrifice our lives and goods, our wives, and our -children.... We will give up everything, to our last -breath, to the last drop of our blood.'... Such words, -uttered with warmth, always excite the masses; and, -accordingly, as soon as the people heard them, they -cried as with one voice: 'Yes! yes! that is the answer -we will make.'</p> - -<p>This declaration was immediately sent into Switzerland; -and, strange to say, such patriotic enthusiasm -was received with ridicule by some persons in that -noble country. Geneva was so small and so weak, -that her determination to resist a prince so powerful -as the duke seemed mere folly: the Swiss had forgotten -that their ancestors, although few in number, -had vanquished Austria and Burgundy. 'These -Genevans <i>are all mad</i>,' said they. When they heard -of this insult, the council of Geneva was content -to enter in its registers the following simple and -spirited declaration: 'Considering our ambassadors' -report of what the Swiss say of us, it is ordered that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">{487}</a></span> -they be written to and told that we <i>are all in our -right minds</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_782" id="Ref_782" href="#Foot_782">[782]</a></span></p> - -<p>On hearing of these proceedings, La Baume, who -was at the Tour de May in Burgundy, flew into a -violent passion. He paced up and down his room, -abused his attendants, and uttered a thousand threats -against Geneva. He included all the Genevans in the -same proscription, and had no more regard for conservatives -like Besançon Hugues than for reformers like -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve. He was angry with -the citizens who disturbed him with their bold speeches -in the midst of his peaceful retreat. 'In his opinion -the chief virtue of a prelate was to keep a plentiful and -dainty table, with good wines; and,' says a person who -often dined with him, 'he had sometimes more than he -could carry.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_783" id="Ref_783" href="#Foot_783">[783]</a></span> -He was, moreover, liberal to women of -doubtful character, very stately, and fond of great -parade.'</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP AND THE MESSENGER.=</p> - -<p>One day, as he was leaving the table where he had -taken too much wine, he was told that a messenger -from Geneva, bearing a letter from the council, desired -to speak with him. 'Messieurs de Genève, remembering,' -says Balard, 'that <i>dulce verbum frangit iram</i>,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_784" id="Ref_784" href="#Foot_784">[784]</a></span> -wrote to him in friendly terms.' The messenger, -Martin de Combes, having been admitted to the bishop, -bowed low, and, courteously approaching, handed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">{488}</a></span> -him the letters of which he was the bearer. But the -mere sight of a Genevan made the bishop's blood boil, -and, losing all self-control, he said 'in great fury:' -'Where do you come from?'—'From Geneva.'—'It -is a lie,' said the bishop; and then, forgetting that -he was contradicting himself, he added: 'You have -changed the colour of your clothes at Geneva;' wishing -apparently to accuse the Genevans of making a -revolution or a reformation. 'Come hither,' he continued; -'tell the folks in Geneva that they are all -traitors—all of them, men, women, and children, little -and big; that I will have justice done shortly, and -that it will be something to talk about. Tell them -never to write to me again.... Whenever I meet -any persons from that city, I will have them put to -death.... And as for you, get out of my sight instantly!' -The poor messenger, who trembled like a leaf, did not -wait to be told twice.</p> - -<p>La Baume, who had forgotten Plutarch's treatise, -<i>De cohibenda ira</i>, could not recover from his emotion, -and kept walking up and down the room with agitated -step. Suddenly, remembering certain cutting expressions, -uttered in Switzerland by Ami Girard, a distinguished, -well-read, and determined huguenot, who -was generally envoy from Geneva to Berne and Friburg, -he said to his servants: 'Bring that man back.' -Poor De Combes was brought back like a criminal -whose rope has once broken, and who is about to be -hanged again. 'Mind you tell those folks at Geneva -all that I have ordered you,' exclaimed the bishop. -'There is one of them (I know him well—it is Ami -Girard) who said that I wish to bridle Geneva in order -that Monsieur of Savoy may ride her.... I will be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">{489}</a></span> -revenged on him ... or I will die for it.... Out of -my sight instantly. Be off to your huguenots.'</p> - -<p class="side">=CALM OF THE GENEVESE.=</p> - -<p>De Combes retired without saying a word, and -reported in Geneva the prelate's violent message. He -had committed nothing to writing; but the whole scene -remained graven in his memory. 'What!' exclaimed -the huguenots, 'he said all that?' and then they made -him tell his story over again. The murmurs now -grew louder: the Genevans said that 'while in the -first centuries the ministers of the Church had conciliated -general esteem by their doctrine and character, -modern priests looked for strength in alliances with -the princes of this world; formerly the vocation of a -bishop was martyrdom, but now it is eating and drinking, -pomp, white horses, and ... bursts of anger.' -All this was a deadly blow to the consideration due to -the clergy. The council was, however, wiser than the -prelate; they ordered that no answer should be returned -him. This decision was indeed conformable -to custom, as the report had been made to the syndics -<i>viva voce</i>, and not by official letter. La Baume, at -the time he gave audience to the envoy from Geneva, -was too confused to hold a pen or to dictate anything -rational to his secretary; but the magistrates of -Geneva, on the other hand, were always men of rule -and law.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_785" id="Ref_785" href="#Foot_785">[785]</a></span></p> - -<p>While the bishop was putting himself into a passion -like a soldier, the Duke of Savoy was convoking a -synod like a bishop. It was not enough for the evangelical -doctrine to <i>infect</i> Geneva—it was invading his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">{490}</a></span> -states. It already numbered partisans in Savoy, and -even the Alps had not proved a sufficient barrier -against the new invasion. Some seeds of the Gospel, -coming from Switzerland, had crossed the St. Bernard, -in despite of the opposition of the most zealous prelate -in Piedmont—we may even say in all Italy. This was -Pierre Gazzini, Bishop of Aosta, who was afterwards -to contend, in his own episcopal city, with the disciples -of Calvin, and with Calvin himself. Gifted with a -lofty intelligence, great energy of character, and ardent -catholicism, Gazzini was determined to wage war to -the death against the heretics, and it was in accordance -with his advice that a synod had been convoked. -When the assembly met on the 12th of July, 1528, -Gazzini drew a deplorable picture of the position. -'My lords,' he said, 'the news is distressing from -every quarter. Switzers and Genevans are circulating -<i>the accursed book</i>. Twelve gentlemen of Savoy adhere -scrupulously to the doctrines of Luther. All our -parishes between Geneva and Chambéry are infected -by forbidden books. The people will no longer pay -for masses or keep the fasts; men go about everywhere -saying that the property of the abbots and prelates -ought to be sold to feed the poor and miserable!' -Gazzini did not confine himself to pointing out the -disease; he sought for the cause. 'Geneva,' he said, -'is the focus,' and he called for the most violent -measures in order to destroy it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_786" id="Ref_786" href="#Foot_786">[786]</a></span> -The duke determined to employ every means to extinguish the fire, -'which (they said) was continually tossing its burning -flakes from Geneva into Savoy.'</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">{491}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=SYNOD CONVOKED BY THE DUKE.=</p> - -<p>Charles III. had been ruminating for some time -over a new idea. Seeing the difficulties that the -annexation of Geneva to Savoy would meet with on -the part of the Swiss, he had conceived another combination; -that is, to make his second son, a child four -years old, count or prince of Geneva. Circumstances -were favourable to this scheme. Pierre de la Baume -was designated successor to the Archbishop of Besançon; -he, doubtless, would not want much pressing to -give up his bishopric when he was offered an archbishopric. -The duke therefore sent commissioners to -the emperor and the pope to arrange the matter with -them. Hugues, ever ready to sacrifice himself to save -his country, started immediately, with three other -citizens, for Berne and Friburg; but he found the -confederates much cooled with regard to Geneva. -'You are very proud,' said the avoyer of Berne to -the envoys in full council, and, adds Hugues, 'they -gave us a good scolding.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_787" id="Ref_787" href="#Foot_787">[787]</a></span> -The duke had set every -engine to work, and, covetous as he was, had distributed -profusely his crowns of the sun. 'Ha!' said -the Genevan, 'Monsieur of Savoy never before sent so -much money here at one time,' and then sarcastically -added, with reference to the lords of Berne: 'The <i>sun</i> -has blinded them.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_788" id="Ref_788" href="#Foot_788">[788]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Genevans found themselves alone; the monarchical -powers of Christendom—Piedmont, France, -and the Empire—were rising against their dawning -liberty; even the Swiss were forsaking them; but not -one of them hesitated. Ami Girard and Robert Vandel, -at that time ambassadors to Switzerland, quivered -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">{492}</a></span> -with indignation, and, filled with an energy that reminds -us of old Rome, they wrote to their fellow-citizens: -'Sooner than do what they ask you, set fire -to the city, and <i>begin with our houses</i>.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_789" id="Ref_789" href="#Foot_789">[789]</a></span></p> - -<p>The duke now prepared to support his pretensions -by more energetic means. His agents traversed the -districts round Geneva; they went from door to door, -from house to house, and said to the peasants: 'Do -not venture to carry provisions to Geneva.' Others -went from castle to castle, and told the lords: 'Let -every gentleman equip his followers with uniform and -arms, and be ready at the sound of the alarm-bell.'</p> - -<p class="side">=DUCAL INTRIGUES IN THE CONVENTS.=</p> - -<p>But the duke did not confine his intrigues to the -outside of the city; he employed every means inside. -Gentlemen of Savoy made visits, gave dinners, and -tampered with certain private persons, promising them -a great sum of money 'if they would do <i>their duty</i>.' -The monks, feeling assured that their knell would ring -erelong, redoubled their efforts to secure the triumph -of Savoy in Geneva. Three of them, Chappuis, superior -of the Dominicans, a man deep in the confidence of -his highness, who had lodged in his monastery, with -Gringalet and Levrat, simple monks, held frequent conferences -in the convent of Plainpalais, in the prior's -chamber, round a table on which lay some little silver -keys; by their side were lists containing the names of -the principal Genevese ecclesiastics and laymen from -whom Chappuis believed he might hope for support. -The three monks took up the keys, looked at them -complacently, and then placed them against certain -names. The duke, knowing that intrigue and vanity -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">{493}</a></span> -are the original sins of monks, had sent the prior these -keys (the arms of Faucigny, a province hostile to -Geneva): 'Procure for us friends in the convents and -the city,' he had told them; 'and for that purpose distribute -these keys with discretion. Whoever wears -them will belong to us.' It was a mysterious decoration, -by means of which the duke hoped to gain partisans -for the annexation. Chappuis and Levrat began -to tamper with the laity of the city, while Gringalet -undertook to gain the monks. In spite of all the -skill they employed, their manœuvres were not always -crowned with success. One day Gringalet went up to -two monks, Bernard and Nicholas, and showed them -the talisman; but they looked coldly on such <i>toys</i>, manifesting -no desire to possess them. The ducal monk, -perceiving that the keys had no virtue, said to his -colleagues: 'If we do not succeed in our scheme; if -Savoy and the papacy do not triumph in Geneva, we -will abandon the ungrateful city; we will transfer the -property of our convent to some other place, and leave -nothing but the bare walls behind!' Bernard and -Nicholas, who inclined to the side of light, were -alarmed, and, judging it to be a matter of high importance, -denounced the plot to the council: 'This, -then, is the use of monks,' said the syndics. 'They -are traitors, ready to deliver the city to the foreigner. -We will put all to rights.' They ordered the two -monks to say nothing, and when night came the -council proceeded to the Dominican monastery. The -beadles knocked at the gate; the porter opened it, and -looked with astonishment at the noble company. The -syndics ordered all the convent to assemble. The -monks were greatly alarmed: Chappuis, Gringalet, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">{494}</a></span> -Levrat trembled, having no doubt that they had been -betrayed. They made haste to hide the little keys, and -then proceeded anxiously to the common hall, where -the brethren had already assembled: 'We have heard of -your intrigues,' said the premier syndic; 'we know -why you are distributing in Geneva the keys of those -Turks (<i>Turcanorum</i>), the Faucignerans.... You had -better say your prayers and not meddle with politics. -You pretend to renounce the world, reverend brethren, -and then do nothing else but intrigue for the things of -this world. You intend, we hear, to carry away your -property, your relics, and your jewels; gently ... we -will spare you that trouble; we will take care of them -in the grotto of St. Pierre, and put your persons in a -place of safety.'... The council ordered an inventory -of the goods of the convent to be drawn up, and -generously left the monks three chalices for the celebration -of mass. They banished Chappuis, Gringalet, -and Levrat, and placed the other brethren under the -surveillance of two deputies of the council. The -monks had their wings clipped, and the Reformation -was beginning.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_790" id="Ref_790" href="#Foot_790">[790]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_782" id="Foot_782" href="#Ref_782">[782]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 23 et 30 avril; 24 mai; 2, 9, 14 juin; -7 août. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 160-170. La Baume's letters, <i>Archéologie</i>, -ii. p. 15. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 493. Gautier MS. Bonivard, <i>Ancienne -et nouvelle Police de Genève</i>, p. 384.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_783" id="Foot_783" href="#Ref_783">[783]</a> -'Il s'en donnait jusqu'à <i>passer trente et un</i>.' This proverbial -expression refers, possibly, to the months whose days never exceed -thirty-one.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_784" id="Foot_784" href="#Ref_784">[784]</a> -'A soft answer turneth away wrath.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_785" id="Foot_785" href="#Ref_785">[785]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 25 août. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 178. -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 495.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_786" id="Foot_786" href="#Ref_786">[786]</a> -Gazzini, <i>Mémoire au Saint Père</i>. Archives of Turin, Roman Correspondence. -Gaberel, <i>Hist. de l'Eglise de Genève</i>, i. p. 95.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_787" id="Foot_787" href="#Ref_787">[787]</a> -'Ils nous lavèrent bien la tête.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_788" id="Foot_788" href="#Ref_788">[788]</a> -Letter of B. Hugues. Galiffe, <i>Matériaux</i>, ii. pp. 525, 526.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_789" id="Foot_789" href="#Ref_789">[789]</a> -Letters of Vandel and Girard. Galiffe, <i>Matériaux</i>, ii. p. 533.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_790" id="Foot_790" href="#Ref_790">[790]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 10, 11 et 20 octobre 1528. <i>Journal de -Balard</i>, p. 183.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">{495}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DEATH OF PONTVERRE.<br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1528 to January 1529.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=PONTVERRE MOWS FOR BONIVARD.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">CHAPPUIS, Gringalet, and Levrat filled the places -through which they passed with their complaints, -and all the bigots looked upon them as martyrs. -The knights of the Spoon, being informed of the fate -with which monastic institutions were threatened in -Geneva, resolved to avenge religion and do all the -injury they could to the audacious burgesses. Pontverre -had already opened the campaign by a little -scene of pillage, which is of no importance except to -show the manners of the age. Wishing to spoil and -plunder the Genevans <i>under their noses</i>, he had ordered -his tenants to sharpen their scythes. One day in -the beginning of June, the peasants shouldered their -scythes; Pontverre put himself at their head, his men-at-arms -surrounded them, and all marched towards -the meadows of the Genevans on the left bank of the -Arve, about a quarter of an hour's walk from the city. -The mowers arrived, whetted their instruments, and -then proceeded to cut down the new grass. At last -they came to a meadow which belonged to Bonivard: -to rob the prior was a <i>dainty thing</i> for Pontverre. -Meanwhile the Genevans, having heard of what was -going on, had hurried to the spot, and discovered by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">{496}</a></span> -the side of the mowers a body of men whose arms -flashed in the rays of the sun. Bonivard easily recognised -the seigneur of Ternier. The huguenots could -hardly contain themselves. The chief of the knights -of the Spoon, having charged his people not to leave a -blade of grass standing, approached the bridge of Arve -which separates the two countries, and, calling out to -the Genevans assembled on the right bank, began to -insult and defy them. 'Come, come, cheer up!' he said; -'why don't you cross the bridge and fetch the hay we -have cut for you?' The citizens loaded their arms, -and the two bands began to fire at each other with their -arquebuses. 'Let us take him at his word,' said some -of the huguenots; 'let us go over the bridge and drive -away the robbers.' Already several young men were -preparing to cross the river; but Bonivard did not -think a few loads of hay worth the risk of a battle -that might not end well for Geneva. 'I dissuaded -them,' says he, 'and led them back to the city.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_791" id="Ref_791" href="#Foot_791">[791]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Genevans, seeing the danger with which they -were threatened by the knights, energetically prepared -for resistance, and solicited aid from Berne and Friburg. -Two <i>enseignes</i>, that is, eight hundred men, -principally from Gessenay, arrived in Geneva and were -quartered among the inhabitants, but especially on -the churchmen and in the convents. The duke, who -attached great importance to the Swiss alliance, and -feared to come into collision with their men-at-arms, -now permitted provisions to be carried to the market -of Geneva, and, the semblance of peace having been -restored, the allied troops quitted the city on the 30th -of October, 1528.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">{497}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=THE MEETING AT NYON.=</p> - -<p>Pontverre's humour was not so pacific. One of the -last representatives of feudal society, he saw that its -elements were on the verge of dissolution, and its -institutions about to disappear. Power, which had -long ago passed from the towns to the country, was -now returning from the country to the towns; Geneva, -in particular, seemed as if it would nullify all the -seigneurs in its neighbourhood. And, further still, -the Church which puts forward creeds in an absolute -manner, so that no person has the right to examine -them, was attacked by the religious revolution beginning -in Geneva. Pontverre desired to preserve the -ancient order of things, and, with that object, to take -and (if necessary) destroy that troublesome city. He -therefore, as prior of the order, convened a general assembly -of the knights of the Spoon at Nyon, in order -to arrange, in concert with the duke, the requisite -measures for capturing the city. The bailiwick of -Ternier, the lordship of Pontverre, was situated about -a league from Geneva, between the verdant flanks of -the Salève and the smiling shores of the Rhone. It -would have been easy, therefore, for that chief to -cross the river between Berney and Peney, and thus -get on the right bank of the lake; but he thought it -more daring and heroic to traverse Geneva. They -represented to him, but to no purpose, the danger to -which he would expose himself, for if he was always -quick to provoke the Genevans, they were equally -quick to reply. Pontverre would listen to nothing. -There was a treaty by which Savoyard gentlemen had -the right of free passage through the city; and, armed -with a sword, he feared nobody. It was in the month -of December, when, presenting himself at daybreak -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">{498}</a></span> -at the Corraterie gate, Pontverre passed in; he rode -quietly through the city, looking to the right and to -the left at the shops which were still closed, and did -not meet a single huguenot. On arriving at the Swiss -gate, by which he had to leave the city, he found it -shut. He summoned the gate-keeper, who, as it appears, -was not yet up. The horse pawed the ground, -the rider shouted, and the porter loitered: he ran out -at last and lowered the chain. The impatient Pontverre -paid him by a slap in the face, and said: 'Rascal, -is this the way you make gentlemen wait?' He then -added with violent oaths: 'You will not be wanted -much longer. It will not be long before we pull down -your gates and trample them under foot, as we have -done before.' He then set spurs to his horse and -galloped away. The porter, exasperated by the blow -he had received, made his report, and the Genevans, -who were irritable folk, became very angry about it. -'It is not enough,' they said, 'for these Savoyards -to do us all sorts of injury outside the walls, but they -must come and brave us within. Wait a little! We -will pay them off, and chastise this insolent fellow.' -The council, while striving to restrain the people, -ordered sentinels to be stationed everywhere.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_792" id="Ref_792" href="#Foot_792">[792]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=CONFERENCE AT NYON.=</p> - -<p>The gentry of the district who had taken part in the -meeting at Bursinel, had immediately begun to canvass -their neighbours, and a great number of persons, -incensed against Geneva, had taken the Spoon, as in -the time of the crusades men took the Cross. The -second meeting, therefore, promised to be more numerously -attended than the first. From all quarters, from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">{499}</a></span> -Gex and Vaud and Savoy, the knights arrived at -Nyon, a central situation for these districts, where -they usually held their councils of war. Climbing the -hill, they entered the castle, from whose windows the -lake, its shores, and the snowy Alps of Savoy were -visible in all their magnificence. Having taken their -places in the great hall, they began their deliberations. -These unpolished gentlemen, descended from the chevaliers -of the middle ages, who thought it enough to build -a tower upon a rock and to pass their lives in crushing -the weak and plundering the innocent, still preserved -something of the nature of their ancestors. Pontverre, -who was their president, had no difficulty in carrying -them with him. Feudalism and even catholicism -exercised great influence over him, and gave to his -words an energy and deep conviction which it was -hard to resist. He pointed out to these lords that the -authority of the prince and of the pope, religious and -monarchical order, the throne and the altar, were -equally threatened by an insolent bourgeoisie. He -showed them how monstrous it was that lawyers, that -men of low birth and no merit, and that even shopkeepers -should presume to take the place of the bishop -and the duke. 'We must make haste,' he said, 'to -disperse and crush the seeds of rebellion, or you will -see them spreading far and wide.' The knights of the -castle of Nyon were unanimous. The right of resistance -had been the characteristic of the feudal -system; and never had the exercise of that right been -more necessary. One lord exercised it in the middle -ages against another lord, his neighbour. But what -were these isolated adversaries compared with that -universal and invisible enemy which threatened the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">{500}</a></span> -old society in all its parts, and which, to be surer of -triumph, was inaugurating a new religion? In the -valley of the Leman, Geneva was the stronghold of -this new and terrible adversary. 'Down with Geneva! -Rome and Savoy for ever!' was the cry that rose from -every heart. It was agreed that all the gentlemen -and their followers should meet at a certain time and -place, armed with sword and lance, in order to seize -upon the city and put an end to its liberties.</p> - -<p>Pontverre, delighted at seeing the success of his -appeal, sat silent, and appeared for a time lost in deep -meditation. He had a subtle mind, he did not fear to -resort to stratagem, and hoped that an assault would -not be necessary. With the greatest secresy he had -gained friends who occupied a house in the Corraterie, -the back door of which opened to the outside of the -city. It would seem that this house belonged to the -hospital of the Pont du Rhone, situated between that -bridge and the Mint, and placed under the patronage -of the canons of the cathedral.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_793" id="Ref_793" href="#Foot_793">[793]</a></span> -The council rose. -Pontverre was particularly intimate with the Sire de -Beaufort, governor of Chillon, one of the most valiant -knights of the assembly. Taking him aside, and enjoining -secresy, he said: 'We have a gate in Geneva at -our orders. No one knows of it; but do not fear. I will -undertake that you shall all enter.'—'Pontverre did -indeed enter,' said Bonivard, some time after, when -he heard of this remark; 'he went in, but he did not -come out.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_794" id="Ref_794" href="#Foot_794">[794]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PONTVERRE'S INSOLENCE.=</p> - -<p>The knights mounted their horses, and each one -rode off to his castle to prepare for the great enterprise. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">{501}</a></span> -Pontverre did the same; but, always daring, -and taking a delight in braving the people of Geneva, -he resolved to pass through the city again. His -friends reminded him that the citizens were now on -their guard; that he had offended them some days -before; that if he attempted such an imprudent act, -he was a dead man; and that his life was necessary -to their enterprise. It was all to no purpose. 'His -hour was come,' says the chronicler of St. Victor, -'and it pleased God so.'—'Fear not,' answered the -daring soldier to his brothers in arms; 'I will pass -through by night, and wrap my face up in my cloak, -so that no one can recognise me. Besides, if they -attack me, I have my sword.' One of his friends, the -Sire de Simon, resolved to accompany him, and some -armed attendants followed them. The knights who -remained behind, watched him as he galloped off -towards Geneva, and wondered anxiously what would -happen.</p> - -<p>Pontverre, checking the speed of his horse, reflected -on the work he was about to undertake. He -thought it worthy of the name he bore, and of the -memory of his ancestors. By lending his sword to -the Duke of Savoy and to the pope, he would make -absolutism in the Church and in the State triumphant -in Geneva; at one blow he would crush in that restless -city both independence and the Reformation. -He reached Geneva between four and five o'clock in -the afternoon of Saturday, the 2nd of January, 1529, -and night had set in. Pontverre hid his face in his -cloak, presented himself with his escort at the Pâquis -gate, and passed through. He entered the streets. -The commander of an army which purposed capturing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">{502}</a></span> -and destroying Geneva, was traversing, like an ordinary -traveller, the city he was about to surround -with his forces, besiege, and perhaps burn.... Such -impudent assurance has perhaps never been witnessed -in modern times. He was hardly inside the city, -when, no longer able to contain himself (for pride -and anger prevailed over discretion), he put aside -all precaution, threw off his cloak, and, drawing -his sword, 'uttered threats and insults out of his -haughtiness and insolence.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_795" id="Ref_795" href="#Foot_795">[795]</a></span> -He went even further -than this: the streets of Geneva, and the presence of -the detested huguenots whom he saw moving about, -made his wrath boil over; and striking one of the -citizens on the head with his sword, he exclaimed with -a round oath: 'We must kill these traitors!' The -assaulted citizen turned round, and others ran up: -this took place in the Rue de Coutance, which has -witnessed many other fights since then, even in -very recent times.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_796" id="Ref_796" href="#Foot_796">[796]</a></span> -The huguenots surrounded the -horseman, and, recognising him, called out: 'It is -Pontverre! it is Pontverre!' The crowd increased -and blocked up the bridge over the Rhone, which -the chief of the knights of the Spoon would have to -cross.</p> - -<p class="side">=FIGHT ON THE BRIDGE.=</p> - -<p>For several days past the citizens had been talking -in Geneva about the conference at Nyon; they said -that these gentlemen of the Spoon were planning -some new attack, that they were going once more to -plunder and kill, and that this time they would probably -try to carry fire and sword into Geneva itself. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">{503}</a></span> -The irritation was excessive among the people; some -of the citizens, meeting in the public places or in -their own houses, were talking about the gentlemen -assembled at Nyon, and many jokes were made upon -them. 'These gentlemen!' said one huguenot. 'Call -them rob-men (<i>gens-pille-hommes</i>),' said a second; 'or -kill-men (<i>gens-tue-hommes</i>),' added a third; and despite -the serious state of affairs, they all began to laugh. -On a sudden, here before them, in their very city, was -the leader of the enterprise, the man who never ceased -harassing them: he had drawn his sword and struck -one of the citizens. The latter drew in their turn, -and just as the bold cavalier had crossed the suburb -of St. Gervais, and was coming upon the bridge, they -surrounded him, and one of them struck him in the -face. The representative of feudalism was fighting -almost alone with the representatives of the bourgeoisie. -The old power and the new were struggling -on the Rhone bridge. And while the blue waters -were flowing beneath, as they had ever done; while -the old waters were running on to be lost in the sea, -and the new ones were coming, loosened from the -Alpine glaciers by the beams of the sun,—on the bridge -above there were other ancient things passing away, -and other new ones appearing in their place. Amid -the flashing of swords and the shock of arms, amid -the indignant shouts of the citizens and the oaths of -the knight, a great transformation was going on; -society was passing over to the system of freedom -and abandoning the system of feudalism.</p> - -<p>The Sire de Pontverre, seeing the number of his -enemies increasing, spurred his horse, dashed through -the crowd, and reached the Corraterie gate, by which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">{504}</a></span> -he desired to leave the city, and which led to the -Black Friars' monastery. But the Genevans had got -there before him.... The gate, alas! was shut. In -this extremity, Pontverre did not falter. Close at -hand was the house, dependent on the hospital, the -back gate of which led outside the city, and by which -he designed introducing the Savoyards by night. -Thanks to his horse, he was a little in advance of his -pursuers; he lost not a moment, he turned back, and -reached the house in question. To get at the door it -was necessary to go up several steps. The Genevans -were now rushing after him in a crowd, shouting: -'Pontverre! Pontverre!'... The latter faced his -enemies, and, without dismounting, backed his horse -up the steps, at the same time using his sword against -his pursuers. At this moment the syndic Ami -Girard arrived; he found the Sire de Simon, and -the other horsemen who had accompanied their chief, -beset on all sides. The syndic begged that they -might not be hurt; and as the horsemen surrendered -their arms, they were lodged in a place of -safety. Pontverre dismounted on reaching the top -of the steps, and, hoping to escape by the door we -have mentioned, rushed into the house. His face -was covered with blood, for, says an eye-witness, 'he -had a sword-cut on his nose;' his eyes were wild; -he heard the feet of the huguenots close behind him. -Had he no time to reach the door, or did he find it -shut? We cannot tell. Seeing that he could not -escape, he appears to have lost his presence of mind. -Had he still been himself, he would no doubt have -faced his enemies and sold his life dearly, but, for the -first time in his life, he became frightened; he dashed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">{505}</a></span> -into one of the apartments, threw himself on the -floor, and crept hastily under a bed: a child might -have done the same. What a hiding-place for the -most valiant knight whom the Alps and the Jura had -seen perhaps for centuries!</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DEATH-STRUGGLE.=</p> - -<p>At this moment, the Genevans who were pursuing -him rushed into the house and began to search it; -they entered the room where the man lay hid who had -threatened to swallow Geneva as if it were a spoonful -of rice. At their head was Ami Bandière, one of the -huguenots who had been compelled to flee to Berne -at the same time as Hugues and the leaders of the -party—the man, it will be remembered, whose father -and children had appeared before the council in -1526, when it was necessary to defend the huguenots -who had taken refuge in Switzerland. Bandière, an -upright, determined, and violent man, an enthusiast -for liberty, noticed the bed; he thought that the -proud gentleman might possibly be hidden beneath -it. 'They poked their swords underneath,' says -Bonivard, 'and the wretched man hidden there received -a stab.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_797" id="Ref_797" href="#Foot_797">[797]</a></span> -This was too much: the Sire de -Pontverre was aroused: being an active and powerful -man, he rushed out of his hiding-place in a fury, and, -springing to his feet, seized Bandière with his vigorous -arms, threw him on the bed, and stabbed him in -the thigh with a dagger. The shouts now grew -louder. If he had surrendered no harm would have -been done him; but Bandière's friends, excited by -the blood of their brother, were eager to avenge him. -They rushed upon Pontverre. Alone in the middle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">{506}</a></span> -of the room, this athletic man received them boldly: -he swung his sword round him, now striking with the -edge, and now with the point; but a citizen, inflamed -by anger, aimed a violent blow at him, and the captain-general -of the knights of the Spoon fell dead. At -this moment the syndic Ami Girard entered, exclaiming: -'Stop! stop!' but it was too late.</p> - -<p>Thus died François de Ternier, lord of Pontverre, -whose ancestors had always been enemies of Geneva, -'and who himself had been the worst,' says one of his -contemporaries. He fell a martyr to feudalism, say -some; a victim to his own insolence, say others. His -sole idea had been to ruin Geneva, to disperse its inhabitants, -to throw down its walls; and now he lay -dead a few yards from the place where, in 1519, he was -present at the head of his troopers to take part in the -murder of Berthelier, and in the very place by which -he had arranged to enter and destroy the city by fire -and sword.—'A memorable instance of divine justice,' -said some of the citizens; 'a striking deliverance for -Geneva; a terrible lesson for its enemies!' There is -a great difference, it must be observed, between the -martyrs of liberty and right, and those of feudalism -and the papacy. Arbitrary power perfidiously seized -the greatest citizens, the Bertheliers and Lévriers, in -the midst of an inoffensive life, and put them to death -by the vile hand of the common headsman, after a -sham trial, which was a disgraceful mockery of justice; -but it was only when provoked by the champions -of feudalism, and at the risk of their own lives, -that the men of liberty struck their adversaries. Pontverre -died in a contest in which he had been the first -to draw the sword.</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">{507}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=HONOURS TO THE DEAD.=</p> - -<p>As the Genevans wished to show every mark of respect -to their dead enemy, the council ordered that he -should be buried with the usual rites by the Franciscans -in a chapel of the convent of Rive, which had -been founded by his family, and where some of his -ancestors had been laid. After this ceremony had taken -place according to the forms of the Roman ritual, an -inquest was made into the cause of this tragical death, -'to do justice therein, if there should be need.' All -the cool-headed people in Geneva were seriously -grieved: 'Alas!' said they, 'what a pity that he -would not live in peace, for he was a virtuous cavalier, -except that he was so pugnacious! It would -have been better to make him prisoner; it would have -been the means of obtaining a perpetual treaty!' The -officers of justice found letters on his person which -had reference to the plot hatched against Geneva, and -in which the knights of the Spoon were ordered to -assemble 'with swords and spears' against the city. -It was made evident that he had been the chief of the -bands which pillaged and killed without mercy the -citizens and inhabitants of the country, and that he -was to blame, having first wounded Bandière: the -magistrates, therefore, came to the conclusion that -there were no grounds for bringing any one to trial. -The Sire de Simon and the other companions of the -famous captain were conducted uninjured to the frontier -of Savoy.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_798" id="Ref_798" href="#Foot_798">[798]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">{508}</a></div> - -<p>One would have thought that, as the head of the -league against Geneva had fallen, the league itself -would have been weakened; but, on the contrary, -Pontverre's death added fuel to the rage of the -brethren of the Spoon. Disorder and violence increased -around the city, and the very next day, Sunday, -the 3rd of January, the gentry, wishing to avenge -their chief, kept the field everywhere. 'We will kill all -the Genevans we can find,' said they.—'They fell upon -the first they met, committing violence and murder.' -It seemed as if Pontverre's soul had revived, and was -impelling his former colleagues to offer sacrifices without -number to his shade. An early attack was expected; -the alarm spread through Geneva, and the -council met. 'François de Ternier's death,' said one -of the members, 'has thrown oil upon the fire instead -of extinguishing it. Alone, we cannot resist the attack -of Savoy and of the knights. Let us make haste to -inform Berne and Friburg.'—'It is impossible,' said -another councillor; 'all the gentlemen of Vaud are in -arms; no one can cross the province. Our envoys -would be stopped at Versoy, Coppet, Nyon, and Rolle; -and whoever is taken will be put to death to avenge -the fall of the illustrious chief.'</p> - -<p>But a free people always finds citizens ready to -sacrifice themselves. Two men stood up: they were -two of the bravest huguenots, Jean Lullin and Robert -Vandel. 'We will go,' they said. They embraced their -relatives, and got into a boat, hoping to reach some -place on the lake where they could land without danger. -But they had hardly left the shore when they were -recognised and pursued by some of the enemies' boats, -well manned and armed. As soon as the two Genevans -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">{509}</a></span> -observed them, they saw their danger, and, catching -up the spare oars, assisted the boatmen with their -vigorous arms, and rowed off as fast as they could. -They kept gaining on the Savoyard boats; they passed -unmolested within sight of several harbours occupied -by their enemies, and at last reached Ouchy, dripping -with perspiration. The people of Lausanne, who were -well disposed towards the Genevans, assisted them. -They got to Friburg, 'by subtle means,' probably in -disguise, and told their old friends of the increasing -dangers to which the city was exposed, especially -since the death of Pontverre.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_799" id="Ref_799" href="#Foot_799">[799]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE SIRE DE VIRY.=</p> - -<p>The place of the latter was now filled by the Sire -de Viry, whose castle, like Pontverre's, was situated -between Mont Salève and the lake (between Chancy -and Léluiset), and whose family had always supplied -Savoy with fanatical partisans. Viry was furious at -the escape of Lullin and Vandel; and, accordingly, on -the next day, the servants of these two Genevans, -who had been ordered to take their masters' horses to -Lausanne, having passed through Coppet, were thrown -into prison by his orders. He did not stop at this. -'The gentlemen assaulted every Genevan they met -with their daggers and battle-axes, striking them on -the loins, the shoulders, and other parts, and many -died thereof.'—'All the territory of Monseigneur of -Savoy is in arms,' said people at Geneva in the beginning -of March 1529, 'and no one can leave the city -except at great risk.'</p> - -<p>The ducal party, desirous of defying the Genevans -in every way, resolved to send them, not a written but -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">{510}</a></span> -a living message, which would show them the fate -that awaited them. On the 14th of March, the people -who were leaving the church of Our Lady of Grace, -saw a strange figure coming over the bridge of Arve. -He had at his back a wooden plank reaching from his -feet to above his head, to which he was fastened; while -his outstretched arms were tied to a cross piece which -was placed on a level with his shoulders. The gentlemen -had thought it a pretty jest to crucify a Genevan, -without doing him any great injury, and they left his -feet at liberty, so that he could return home thus -singularly arrayed. 'What is that?' asked the people, -stopping at the foot of the bridge. They thought they -recognised an inhabitant of the city. 'They have -made a cross of him front and back,' said the spectators. -The man came over the bridge, approached his -fellow-citizens, and told them his story. 'I had gone -to the village of Troinex on business, when the enemy -caught me, trussed me up in this manner, and compelled -me to return in this condition to Geneva.' The -people hardly knew whether to laugh or be angry; -however, they unbound their crucified fellow-citizen, -and all returned together to the city.</p> - -<p>This was only a little joke of the young ones among -the knights; the Sire de Viry and his colleagues had -more serious thoughts. The attack upon Geneva, resolved -upon at the castle of Nyon, was to be put into -execution. The lords issued with their armed retainers -from all the castles in the great valley, and on -the 24th of March some peasants from the banks of -the Arve came and told the syndics that there was a -great concourse of gentlemen and soldiers at Gaillard; -that these armed men intended on the following night -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">{511}</a></span> -to secretly scale the walls of the city, and that there -was a strong guard upon all the roads to detain everybody -who ventured out of Geneva. At that time the -whole garrison consisted but of fifty soldiers, 'keeping -watch and ward by turns,' as Bonivard informs -us. How was it possible to resist with such a few -men? Yet two powers kept the walls: the energy of -the citizens and the providence of God.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE DAY OF THE LADDERS.=</p> - -<p>At midnight on Holy Thursday (25th of March), -the knights of the Spoon, with about four thousand -Savoyard troops and the fugitive mamelukes, moved -forward as secretly as possible to take Geneva by -surprise. The citizens, accustomed to false alarms, -had not paid much attention to the warning they had -received. At the head of the band that was to lead -the assault were a certain number of men carrying long -ladders which had been made at Chillon. The men-at-arms -who followed them wore white shirts over -their armour in order to be recognised in the darkness; -they had even sent to their friends in Geneva -certain tokens which the latter were to fasten to the -ends of their spears in order that the assailants might -know them in the confusion. The city clocks had -struck two when a few Savoyards arrived at the foot -of the wall: not a sound was heard, the night was dark, -and everything promised complete success. Meanwhile -the main body had halted a quarter of a league -from the city, and hesitated to make the attack. -Pontverre was no longer among them, and Viry had -not inherited his influence. 'At the moment of execution, -a spirit of fear fell upon the Savoyards,' says a -chronicler; 'God took away their courage, so that they -were not able to come near.'—'We are not strong -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">{512}</a></span> -enough to carry out our enterprise,' said one.—'If we -fail,' said another, 'Messieurs of the Swiss League will -not fail us.' They consequently withdrew, and, in -order to conceal their disgrace, said that the duke or -the bishop had forbidden them to advance. Might not -the duke, influenced by the cantons, have really given -them the order to retreat at the last moment? That -alone appears to explain this retrograde movement. -However, the Genevans ascribed their deliverance to a -higher cause; they entered on the registers of the -council the following simple words which we copy: -'The gentlemen (<i>gentils</i>) had undertaken to attack the -city, <i>which God has preserved hitherto</i>.' The 25th of -March was called <i>the day of the ladders</i>.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_800" id="Ref_800" href="#Foot_800">[800]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_791" id="Foot_791" href="#Ref_791">[791]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 507. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_792" id="Foot_792" href="#Ref_792">[792]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 517.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_793" id="Foot_793" href="#Ref_793">[793]</a> -<i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, iii. p. 201.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_794" id="Foot_794" href="#Ref_794">[794]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 522.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_795" id="Foot_795" href="#Ref_795">[795]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard.</i> <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, x. p. 189.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_796" id="Foot_796" href="#Ref_796">[796]</a> -July and December 1862, between radicals and liberals.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_797" id="Foot_797" href="#Ref_797">[797]</a> -'A belles épées nues on fourgonna dessous, et le malheureux qui y -était caché reçut un coup d'estoc.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_798" id="Foot_798" href="#Ref_798">[798]</a> -Registres du Conseil <i>ad annum</i>. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 520-525. -Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, i. p. 425. Savyon MS. Balard, <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, -x. p. 189. <i>Le Levain du Calvinisme ou Commencement de l'Hérésie -de Genève</i>, par Révérende Sœur Jeanne de Jussie, publié en 1853, par -M. G. Revilliod, p. 11.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_799" id="Foot_799" href="#Ref_799">[799]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 2, 3 et 6 janvier 1529. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, -p. 189. Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, ii. pp. 422-426. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_800" id="Foot_800" href="#Ref_800">[800]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 25 mars 1529. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 216, -219, 221, 222. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 533. La Sœur de Jussie, p. 6.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">{513}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER IX.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE REFORMATION BEGINS TO FERMENT IN GENEVA, AND THE - OPPOSITION WITHOUT.<br /> - (<span class="smc">April 1529 to January 1530.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=SUPERSTITIONS IN GENEVA.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">WHILE the men of the old times were taking -fright and retreating, the men of the new -times were taking courage and advancing. They -sat down at the firesides of the burgesses of Geneva, -and, leading the way to religious conversation, gradually -scattered new ideas in the city and new seed -in men's hearts. Of these <i>Lutherans</i>, as they were -called, some were Genevans, others Bernese; and the -witty Bonivard occasionally joined in this familiar -talk. Some of them, truly pious men, told their listeners -that they ought to look for salvation to the -cross alone, and that, just as the sun transforms the -earth and causes it to produce fruit, so the light of -the Gospel would transform their hearts and lead -them to perform new works. Others, who were -sarcastic and simply negative men, confined themselves -to pointing out the abuses of Rome and of its -clergy. They said openly what hitherto they had -dared to utter only in secret. If they saw a cordelier -passing, with ruddy face, long beard, brown frock, -and disgusting aspect, they pointed at him and said: -'These monks creep not only into the consciences of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">{514}</a></span> -the citizens, but into their houses, and defile the city -by their scandals and adultery.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_801" id="Ref_801" href="#Foot_801">[801]</a></span> -Our grated windows -and bolted doors can hardly keep out their unbridled -vices, and protect the chastity of our wives and -daughters.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_802" id="Ref_802" href="#Foot_802">[802]</a></span> -God has given them up to the lusts of -their hearts.'</p> - -<p>Such conversations as these were continually taking -place among the Genevans and the Bernese during -the interval between the reformation of Berne and -that of Geneva. When a Genevan invited a Switzer -to his house, the former would volunteer, after dinner, -to show his guest the curiosities of the city. 'We -will first go and have a look at the church of St. -Pierre,' said he. 'See what a fine cathedral it is; -admire these pillars, these arches, that vaulted roof; -but there are other things besides. Here is a shrine -containing an invaluable treasure—the arm of St. -Anthony.... On holidays it is brought out for the -adoration of the people, who kiss the relic with holy -reverence. But,' added the Genevan, in a whisper -to his companion, 'this arm some people affirm to be -only one of the members of a stag. Come with me to -the high altar; you see the box in which the brains of -St. Peter are preserved!... To doubt this is a frightful -heresy, and not to adore them abominable impiety; -but ... between you and me ... these brains of the -apostle are only pumice-stone.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_803" id="Ref_803" href="#Foot_803">[803]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=MONKISH TRICKS.=</p> - -<p>Sometimes Swiss and Genevans crossed the river -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">{515}</a></span> -and climbed the street leading to the ancient church -of St. Gervais. 'What are those old women about, -putting their ears to that hole?' asked one of them. -A number of priests and women had collected there. -'The bodies of St. Gervais, St. Nazaire, St. Celsus, -and St. Pantaleon are buried under this altar,' said -the priests to the women. 'These holy bodies desire -to quit their vault; come and listen at this hole, and -you will hear them.' The simple women approached, -and heard a noise like that of men talking together. -'We can hear them,' they said.—'Alas!' continued -the priests, 'in order to raise the body of a saint, we -require bishops, ceremonies, silver utensils, and we -have nothing!' As they wished to deliver these holy -personages, these good women immediately cast their -offerings into the church box ... and the priests -gathered them up. 'Do you know,' said a huguenot, -'incredulous people affirm that the noise which proceeds, -as the priests say, from the conversation of -St. Pantaleon and his friends, is caused by certain -pipes, cleverly arranged, which, immediately the hole -is opened and the air flows in, give out the sounds -that are heard?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_804" id="Ref_804" href="#Foot_804">[804]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Have you ever seen souls out of purgatory? -Nothing is easier at Geneva,' said a huguenot after -supper. 'It is quite dark; let us go to the cemetery, -and I will show them to you.... Here we are.... Do -you see those little flames creeping slowly here and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">{516}</a></span> -there among the scattered bones?... They are souls -(the priests tell us) which, having left their place of -anguish, crawl slowly about the cemetery at night, -and entreat their relatives to pay the priests for -masses and prayers to free them from purgatorial -fires.... Wait a little ... there is one coming near -us ... I will deliver it.' He stooped, and, picking -it up, showed it to his companions: 'Ha! ha! upon -my word, these souls are curiously made ... they -are crabs, and the priests have fastened little wax -tapers to their backs.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_805" id="Ref_805" href="#Foot_805">[805]</a></span></p> - -<p>'That is one of the tricks of our clergy,' said a -learned huguenot. (Bonivard often took part in these -conversations.) 'They are buffoons in their repasts, -fools in all difficult discussions, snails in work, harpies -in exaction, leopards in friendship, bulls in pride, -minotaurs in devouring, and foxes in cunning.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_806" id="Ref_806" href="#Foot_806">[806]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Genevans went further still. One day—it was -Tuesday, the 4th of January, 1530—when several -huguenots had met together, and the relics and -impositions of the priests had formed the subject of -conversation, some of them, living in St. Gervais, -indignant at the frauds of the clergy, who metamorphosed -the bodies of saints into mines of gold, -determined to protest against these abuses. They -went out of the house in a body, marched up and down -the different streets, and, stopping at certain places, -assembled the people in the usual manner, when, surrounded -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">{517}</a></span> -by a large crowd, they held (says the council -register) 'an auction of an unusual sort, by way of -derision.' Perhaps they offered the bodies to the -highest bidder; but, in any case, they themselves were -sent to prison.</p> - -<p>This scene had greatly amused the inhabitants of -the suburb. Old superstitions were giving way in -Geneva and falling to the ground amid the applause -of the people. The huguenots claimed the right of -free inquiry, and desired that the human understanding -should have some authority in the world. These -experiments of liberty, which alarmed the Church, -delighted the citizens. The inhabitants of St. Gervais, -animated with generous sentiments, went in great -numbers to the hôtel-de-ville. 'We desire that the -prisoners be set at liberty,' said they to the syndics, -'and we offer to be bail for them.' The magistrates -still clung to the old order of things.—'I ought to -reprimand you severely for your disorders,' said the -premier syndic. 'We will have no tumult or sedition -here. Let the relatives of the prisoners come before -the council to-morrow, and we will hear them.' On -the 9th of January, the Two-Hundred resolved to -pardon the prisoners, and to tell them that this folly, -if they ever committed another like it, should count -double against them.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_807" id="Ref_807" href="#Foot_807">[807]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=A NEGATIVE REFORM.=</p> - -<p>The beginning of the Reformation at Geneva had a -negative character. Men everywhere in the sixteenth -century felt the need of thinking and judging.... -The Genevans, more than others, wished to reform -the abuses which successive usurpations had introduced -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">{518}</a></span> -into the State: how could they fail to demand -a reform of the abuses introduced into the Church? -Not only isolated grievances and local annoyances, -but popery itself, would be struck down by a reform. -This course, natural as it seemed, was not the best, -however. The external, that is to say, government, -rites, and ceremonies, are not essentials in christianity; -but the internal, namely, faith in the teaching of the -Word of God, change of heart, and a new life—these -are essential. When we wish to reform a vicious man, -it is not enough to take off his filthy clothes and -wash the dirt from his face: his will must be transformed. -At Wittemberg the Reformation began in -the person of Luther with the internal; at Geneva it -began in the huguenots with the external. This -would have been a great disadvantage, if religion at -Geneva had not become, under the influence of Calvin, -as internal as in Germany. The Genevese reform -would have perished if it had preserved the character -it assumed at first. But the tendency we have -pointed out was a useful preparation for that change -which realises the grand announcement of Christ: -'<i>The kingdom of God is within you</i>.'</p> - -<p>The bishop, who was still in Burgundy, desired -neither internal nor external reform. He was alarmed -at what was taking place at Geneva, and, finding -himself unable alone to check the torrent which -threatened to sweep away both mitre and principality, -he complained to the duke, the emperor, and -even the syndics. On the 8th of August, a messenger -from the prelate appeared before the council, and -ordered them, in his name, 'to desist from what they -had begun, and to send ambassadors to Charles V., who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">{519}</a></span> -would put everything to rights.' In October, the -bishop, annoyed that they paid no attention to his -complaints, made fresh demands, in a severe and -threatening tone. He gave them to understand that -he would destroy Geneva rather than permit any -abuses to be reformed. His letters were read in the -council, and their contents communicated to the -people. Threatened with the anger of the duke, the -pope, and the emperor, and reduced to the greatest -weakness, what would they do? 'Geneva,' they said, -'is in danger of being destroyed.... But God watches -over us.... Better have war and liberty than peace -and servitude. We do not put our trust in princes, -and to God alone be the honour and glory.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_808" id="Ref_808" href="#Foot_808">[808]</a></span> -With such confidence nations never perish.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE GENEVANS TRUST IN GOD.=</p> - -<p>Geneva required it much. Her enemies said that -violent revolutions were at the gate; that they had -begun in Saxony, where at least they had not touched -the political authority; while, on the contrary, in this -city of the Alps, civil revolution was advancing side by -side with religious revolution. The Swiss were beginning -to be tired of a city so weak and yet so obstinate, -which had not strength to defend itself and too much -pride to submit. Excited and influenced by the -Duke of Savoy, they determined to propose a revocation -of the alliance. This news spread consternation -through the city. 'Alas!' said the huguenots, 'if the -sheep give up the dogs, the wolves will soon scatter -them;' and, without waiting to receive notice of this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">{520}</a></span> -fatal determination, the patriots stretched out their -hands towards that Switzerland from which the duke -wished to separate them, and exclaimed: 'We will -die sooner!'... But, at the same time, the few -mamelukes who still remained in the city, thinking -that the end was at hand, made haste to join the ducal -army.</p> - -<p>The end seemed to be really approaching. On the -1st of May, an imposing embassy from the five cantons -of Zurich, Basle, Soleure, Berne, and Friburg, arrived -at Geneva, and was soon followed by delegates from -Savoy. The Genevans saw with astonishment the -Swiss and the Savoyards walking together in the -streets, lavishing marks of courtesy on each other, and -looking at the huguenots with a haughty air. What! -the descendants of William Tell shaking hands with -their oppressors! The thoughts of the citizens became -confused: they asked each other if there could be -any fellowship between liberty and despotism.... They -were forced to drain the cup to the dregs. On the -22nd of May the embassy appeared before the council. -Their spokesman was Sebastian de Diesbach, a haughty -Bernese, eminent magistrate, distinguished diplomatist, -and celebrated soldier. He refused to call the -Genevans his co-burghers, bluntly demanded the -revocation of the alliance, and proposed a peace which -would have sacrificed the independence of the citizens -to the duke. At the same time he gave them to know -that the Swiss were not singular in their opinion, -and that the great powers of Europe were making a -general arrangement. In truth, Francis I., changing -his policy, supported the demands of his uncle the -duke, and declared that, in case of refusal, he would -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">{521}</a></span> -unite the armies of France with those of Savoy. -Charles V. was quite ready to repay himself for his -inability to destroy the protestants of Germany, by -indulging in the pleasure of crushing this haughty -little city. Even the King of Hungary sent an ambassador -to Geneva in the Savoy interest. Would -this little corner of the world presume to remain -free when Europe was resolved to crush it under its -iron heel?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_809" id="Ref_809" href="#Foot_809">[809]</a></span></p> - -<p>While the powerful princes around Geneva were -oscillating between two opinions—so that at times it -was hard to say whether Charles was for the pope or -against him, and whether Francis was for the protestants -or against them—the Genevans, those men -of iron, had but one idea, liberty ... liberty both in -State and Church. The huguenots showed themselves -determined, and kept a bold front in the presence -of the ambassadors. 'Take care, gentlemen,' said De -Lussey, De Mezere, and others; 'we shall first exercise -strict justice against the city, and, if that is not sufficient, -strict war; while, if you restore to the duke his -old privileges, he will forgive everything, and guarantee -your liberties.'—'Yes,' added the Swiss, 'under -a penalty of ten thousand crowns if he does the -contrary.' ... But, 'marvellous sight,' says a contemporary, -'the more the ambassadors threatened and -frightened, the more the Genevans stood firm and -constant, and exclaimed: "We will die sooner!"'</p> - -<p class="side">=SWISS PROPOSE TO BREAK THE ALLIANCE.=</p> - -<p>On the 23rd of May the Sire de Diesbach proposed -the revocation of the alliance to the Council of Two -Hundred; and on the following day, the council-general -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">{522}</a></span> -having been summoned, the premier syndic, -without losing time in endless explanations, plainly -answered the deputies of the cantons: 'Most honoured -lords, as the alliance with the League was not concluded -hastily (<i>à la chaude</i>), we hope in God and in -the oath you made to us that it will never be broken. -As for us, we are determined to keep ours.' The -magistrate then turned towards the people and said: -'I propose that whosoever speaks of annulling the -alliance with the Swiss shall have his head cut off -without mercy, and that whosoever gets information -of any intrigue going on against the alliance, and does -not reveal it, shall receive the strappado thrice.' The -general council carried this resolution unanimously.</p> - -<p>Diesbach and his colleagues were confounded, and -looked at one another with astonishment. 'Did not -Monsieur of Savoy assure us,' they said, 'that, except -some twenty-five or thirty citizens, all the people were -favourable to him?'—'And I too know,' said a -stranger, whose name has not been handed down to -us, 'that if the alliance had been broken, the duke -would have entered Geneva and put thirty-two citizens -to death.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_810" id="Ref_810" href="#Foot_810">[810]</a></span> -'Come with us,' said the most respected -men in Geneva; and, laying their charters -before the ambassadors, they proved by these documents -that they were free to contract an alliance with -the cantons. The delegates from Berne, Friburg, -Zurich, Basle, and Soleure ordered their horses to be -got ready. Some huguenots assembled in the street, -and shouted out, just as the Bernese lords were getting -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">{523}</a></span> -into their saddles: 'We would sooner destroy the city, -sooner sacrifice our wives, our children, and ourselves, -than consent to revoke the alliance.' When Diesbach -made a report of his mission at Berne, he found means -to gloss over his defeat a little: 'There were a thousand -people at the general council,' he said with some -exaggeration; 'only <i>one</i> person [he meant the president] -protested against the rupture of the alliance; -upon which <i>all the rest joined in with him</i>!'... Did -he not know that it was quite regular for a proposition -to be made by <i>one</i> person, and to be carried by a -whole nation?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_811" id="Ref_811" href="#Foot_811">[811]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=FIRMNESS OF THE GENEVANS.=</p> - -<p>A new spirit, unknown to their ancestors, now -began to animate many of the Genevans. Ab Hofen's -mission had not been without effect. Besides a goodly -number of persons, who were called indeed 'by the -name of Luther,' but whose sole idea of reform was not -to fast in Lent and not to cross themselves during divine -worship, there were others who desired to receive the -Word of God and to follow it. The Romish clergy -understood this well. 'If these Genevans cling so -much to the Swiss,' said the priests at their meetings, -'it is in order that they may profess <i>heresy</i> freely. If -they succeed, we shall perhaps see Savoy, Aosta, and -other countries of Italy reforming themselves likewise.'</p> - -<p>The duke, being determined to extinguish these -threatening flames, resolved to claim the influence of -the pope, with his treasures and even his soldiers; for -the <i>vicar</i> of Him who forbade the sword to be drawn -possesses an army. Besides, Clement VII. was one of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">{524}</a></span> -the cleverest politicians of the age, and his advice -might be useful. As Pietro Gazzini, Bishop of Aosta, -was then at Rome, the court of Turin commissioned -that zealous ultramontanist to inform the pope of what -was going on at Geneva. Gazzini begged an audience -of Clement, and having been introduced by the master -of the ceremonies on the 11th of July, 1529, he -approached the pope, who was seated on the throne, -and, kneeling down, kissed his feet. When he arose, -he described all the acts committed by the Lutherans -at Geneva and in the <i>valleys of Savoy</i>. 'O holy -father,' said he, 'the dangers of the Church are imminent, -and we are filled with the liveliest fears. It is -from Upper Burgundy and the country of Neufchatel -that this accursed sect has come to Geneva. And -now, alas! what mischief it has done there!... -Already the bishop dares not remain in his diocese; -already Lent is abolished, and the heretics eat meat -every day; and, worse still, they read forbidden books -(the New Testament), and the Genevans set such -store by them that they refuse to give them up, even -for money. These miserable heretics are doing extreme -mischief, and not at Geneva only; Aosta and -Savoy would have been perverted long since, had not -his highness beheaded twelve gentlemen who were -propagating these dangerous doctrines. But this -wholesome severity is not enough to stop the evil. -Although his highness has forbidden, under pain of -death, any one to speak of this sect and its abominable -dogmas, there is no lack of <i>wicked babblers</i> who go -about circulating these accursed doctrines all over his -territories. They say that his highness is not their -king; and, making a pretence of the great expenses of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">{525}</a></span> -the war, they vehemently call upon us to sell the -little ecclesiastical property we possess.... The duke, -my lord and master, is everywhere destroying this -sect. <i>He is the barrier that closes Italy against it</i>, and -in this way he renders your holiness the most signal -service; but we need your help.' Gazzini closed his -address with a demand for a subsidy.</p> - -<p class="side">=BISHOP OF AOSTA AND THE POPE.=</p> - -<p>Clement had listened with great attention; he -understood the mischief and the danger which the -Bishop of Aosta had pointed out, and the dignitaries -and other priests around him seemed still more -affected. Thoroughly versed in philosophical and -theological questions, endowed with a perspicacity that -penetrated to the very heart of the most difficult -matters, the pope saw how great the danger would be -if <i>heresy</i> should find in the south, at Geneva, a centre -that might become far more <i>pernicious</i> than even -Wittemberg; he felt also the necessity of having a -prince, a zealous catholic, to guard the French and -Italian slopes of the Alps. This pontiff, perhaps the -most unlucky of all the popes, saw the Reformation -spreading under his eyes over Europe without having -the power to stop it, and whatever he did to oppose -it served but to propagate it more widely still. Now, -however, he met with a sympathising heart. He wished -to prevent Geneva from being reformed, and to save a -fortress from being delivered up to the enemy; while -a powerful prince offered to carry out the necessary -measures. Clement therefore received Gazzini's overtures -very graciously; and yet he was ill at ease. In -the Piedmontese ambassador's speech there was a -word, one word only, that embarrassed him—the subsidy: -in fact, he had not recovered from the sack of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">{526}</a></span> -Rome. Clement VII. replied: 'I look upon his -highness as my dearest son, and I thank him for his -zeal; but as for money, it is impossible for me to give -him any, considering the emptiness of the treasury.' -Then, appealing to the wants of the Church and the -duty of princes, who ought to be ready to sacrifice for -it their wealth, their subjects, and their lives, the pope -added: '<i>I pray the duke to keep his eye particularly -upon Geneva. That city is becoming far too Lutheran, -and it must be put down at any risk.</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_812" id="Ref_812" href="#Foot_812">[812]</a></span> -Gazzini, having -been attended to the gates of the palace by the -pontifical officers, regretted his failure in the matter -of the subsidy. His chief object, however, had been -attained: the papacy was warned; it would watch -Geneva as a general watches the enemy.</p> - -<p class="side">=INTERFERENCE OF THE EMPEROR.=</p> - -<p>As the pope was won, it next became necessary to -influence the emperor. That was an easier task for -the duke, as Charles V. was his brother-in-law, and -the empress and the Duchess of Savoy, who were -sisters, and strongly attached to Rome, could write -to each other on the subject. The protest drawn up -at Spires by the evangelical princes, in April 1529, -had irritated that monarch exceedingly; and he -therefore prepared, in accordance with the oath he -had sworn at Barcelona, to apply 'a suitable antidote -against the pestilent malady under which christendom -was suffering.' When Geneva was mentioned to him, -his first thought was that it was a long way off; yet, -as it was an imperial city, he determined to include -it in the plan of his campaign, and resolved immediately -to take a preliminary step to restore it to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">{527}</a></span> -papacy. On the 16th of July, 1529, the emperor -dictated to his secretary the following letter, addressed -to the syndics of Geneva:—</p> - -<div class="top"> -<div class="left1">'<span class="smc">Faithful Friends</span>,</div> -</div> - -<p style="text-indent:2em">'We have been informed that several preachers -hold private and public meetings in your city and in -the frontier countries, that they propagate the errors -of Luther, and that you tolerate these proceedings. -These practices cause the Church most serious damage, -and the pontifical majesty, as well as the imperial -dignity, is grievously insulted by your conduct. -Wherefore we order you to arrest the said preachers, -and punish them according to the tenor of the severest -edicts. By this means you will extirpate impiety -from your country, and will do an act agreeable to -God and conformable to our express will.</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right1">'<span class="smc">Carolus</span>, Imp.'<span - class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_813" id="Ref_813" - href="#Foot_813">[813]</a></span></div> -</div> - -<p>This letter, which savoured so strongly of the -absolute monarch, excited much astonishment in -Geneva. The citizens did not deny that the emperor -might claim a certain authority over them, since -theirs was an imperial city. They have resisted the -bishop-prince, they have resisted the duke: will they -also resist this powerful sovereign? His demand was -clear, and some of them said that to oppose so great a -prince would be the height of madness, in a little city -of merchants. But the Genevans did not hesitate, -and, without any bravado, returned the emperor this -simple message: 'Sire, we intend to live, as in past -times, according to God and the law of Jesus Christ.'</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">{528}</a></div> - -<p>Upon this, Charles promised to assist the duke with -an armed force. The pope, too, changed his mind, -in spite of his refusal to Gazzini, and found <i>in the -emptiness of his treasury</i> a subsidy of four thousand -Spanish livres. The two mightiest personages in -christendom united against this little city their influence, -their excommunications, their cunning, their -wealth, and their soldiers; and everything was got -ready for the meditated attack.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_801" id="Foot_801" href="#Ref_801">[801]</a> -'Et in domos et toros grassabantur.'—<i>Geneva Restituda</i>, p. 21.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_802" id="Foot_802" href="#Ref_802">[802]</a> -'Vix ac ne vix tot admissariorum prurentium ardores arceri -poterant.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_803" id="Foot_803" href="#Ref_803">[803]</a> -'Pro cerebro Petri pumex repertus.'—Ibid. See also Calvin's -<i>Inventaire des Reliques</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_804" id="Foot_804" href="#Ref_804">[804]</a> -'Reperti tubi, tanta arte inter se commissi, ut excitatum ab -adstantibus sonum statim exciperent.'—<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, p. 26. Registres -du Conseil du 8 décembre 1535. Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes merveilleux -de la Cité de Genève nouvellement convertie à l'Evangile</i>, publiés par M. G. -Revilliod, p. 49.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_805" id="Foot_805" href="#Ref_805">[805]</a> -'Sed his spectris, propius vestigatis, animæ crustosæ et testaceæ -deprehensæ ... ellychniis succensis dorsorum crustæ alligatis.'—<i>Geneva -Restituta</i>, p. 27. Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes de Genève</i>, p. 150.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_806" id="Foot_806" href="#Ref_806">[806]</a> -'In exactionibus harpias, ad superbiendum tauros, ad consumendum -minotauros.'—<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, p. 28.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_807" id="Foot_807" href="#Ref_807">[807]</a> -'Leur serait comptée pour deux.'—Registres du Conseil des 4 et 9 -janvier 1530.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_808" id="Foot_808" href="#Ref_808">[808]</a> -'Melius est bellum cum libertate quam pacifica servitus. Nolite -confidere in principibus; soli Deo honor et gloria!'—<i>Journal de Balard</i>, -pp. 226, 264, 267. Registres du Conseil des 17 avril, 8 août, 17 octobre, -14 novembre, &c.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_809" id="Foot_809" href="#Ref_809">[809]</a> -Registres du Conseil de Genève du 23 mai 1529. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, -p. 229.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_810" id="Foot_810" href="#Ref_810">[810]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 23 et 24 mai 1529. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. -331-336. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_811" id="Foot_811" href="#Ref_811">[811]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 23 et 24 mai 1529. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, -pp. 331-336. Gautier MS. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 535. Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, p. 364.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_812" id="Foot_812" href="#Ref_812">[812]</a> -Archives de Turin, Correspondance romaine; Dépêches du 12 juillet -1529 et du 23 décembre 1530. Gaberel, <i>Pièces Justificatives</i>, p. 31.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_813" id="Foot_813" href="#Ref_813">[813]</a> -Archives de Turin, première catégorie, p. 11, nᵒ 63. Gaberel, i. -p. 101.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">{529}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER X.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">VARIOUS MOVEMENTS IN GENEVA, AND BONIVARD CARRIED - PRISONER TO CHILLON.<br /> - (<span class="smc">March to May 1530.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=THE FISCAL'S COMPLAINTS.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE courage of the defenders of catholicism in -Geneva was revived by the news they received -from without; and the emperor, the pope, and the -duke declaring themselves ready to do their duty, the -episcopal officers prepared to do theirs also. But one -circumstance might paralyse all their efforts: 'God, -of his goodness, began at this time,' says a manuscript, -'to implant a knowledge of the truth, of his holy -Gospel, and of the Reformation in the hearts of some -individuals in Geneva, by the intercourse they had with -the people of Berne.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_814" id="Ref_814" href="#Foot_814">[814]</a></span> -These huguenots boldly professed -the protestant ideas they had imbibed, and, -though possessing no very enlightened faith, felt a -pleasure in attacking with sarcasm and ridicule the -priests and their followers. Curés and friars waited -every day upon the episcopal vicar, and complained -bitterly of these <i>Lutherans</i>, as they called them, who, -in their own houses, or in the public places, and even -in the churches, as they walked up and down the aisles, -spoke aloud of the necessity of a reformation.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_815" id="Ref_815" href="#Foot_815">[815]</a></span> -On -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">{530}</a></span> -the 22nd of March, the vicar, eager to do his duty -in the absence of the bishop, sent for the procurator-fiscal, -and consulted with him on the defence of the -faith. The procurator appeared before the council. -'Heresy is boldly raising its head,' he said; 'the -people eat meat in Lent, according to the practice of -the Lutheran sect. Instead of devoutly listening to -the mass, they promenade (<i>passagiare</i>) the church -during divine service.... If we do not put a stop to -this evil, the city will be ruined.... I command you, -in behalf of my lord the bishop, to punish these rebels -severely.' The Berne manuscript adds, 'He made -great complaints, accompanied with reproaches and -threats.' The Duke of Savoy supported him by advising -the council to take precautions against the -Lutheran errors that were making their way into -the city. The magistrates were fully inclined to -check religious innovation: 'We must compel everybody,' -they said, 'to listen to the mass with respect.' -The huguenots pointed out the danger of -attending in any degree to the duke's wishes, for in -that case he would fancy himself the sovereign of -Geneva. What was to be done? A man of some -wit proposed a singular and hitherto unheard-of -penalty for suppressing heresy, which was adopted -and published in spite of the opposition of the most -determined huguenots: 'Ordered, that whoever eats -meat in Lent, or walks about the churches, shall be -condemned to build <i>three toises of the wall</i> of St. -Gervais.' The city was building this wall as a means -of defence against the duke.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_816" id="Ref_816" href="#Foot_816">[816]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE HUGUENOTS SENTENCED.=</p> - -<p>This decree raised a storm against the Roman -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">{531}</a></span> -clergy. There have been at all times estimable men -among the catholic priests, and even christians who, -with great self-sacrifice, have dedicated themselves to -the alleviation of human misery. The party spirit -that represents a whole class of men as hypocrites, -fanatics, and debauchees, is opposed to justice as well -as to charity. It must be confessed, however, that -there were not at this time in Geneva many of those -pious and zealous priests who have been found in the -Roman-catholic Church since it was awakened by the -Reformation. 'What!' exclaimed the members of -council who inclined towards protestantism, and saw -their friends condemned, 'the Church forbids us to -eat food which God created for our use, and permits -priests to gratify an insatiable lewdness, against which -God has pronounced a severe condemnation!... Ha! -ha! Messieurs du clergé, you wish us to eat nothing -but fish, and you live in habitual intercourse with -harlots.... Hypocrites! you strain at the gnat and -swallow the camel.' At the same time these citizens -exposed the irregularities of the priests and monks, -pointed out their resorts for debauchery, and described -the scandals occasioned by their lusts. This description, -which every one knew to be true, made a deep -impression. The good catholics who were on the -council saw the injury done to religion by the immorality -of the clergy; while certain practical men -were inclined to consider the great movement then -going on in the Church as essentially a reform of -morals. 'The Lutheran sect increases and prospers,' -said a catholic councillor, 'because of the scandal of -the priests, who live openly with women of evil life.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_817" id="Ref_817" href="#Foot_817">[817]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">{532}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=PRIESTS SENTENCED.=</p> - -<p>The council sent for the vicar-general: 'We have a -great complaint to make,' they told him. 'No remedy -has been applied to the depravity and scandalous conduct -of the ecclesiastics, who are the cause of all kinds -of irregularity. Exert your authority without waiting -until the secular power is compelled to interfere.' -It would appear that, as the vicar held out no great -hopes of amendment, the council were of opinion that, -after condemning the laymen who walked about in the -churches, they ought also to condemn the priests who -were caught in disorderly houses. One councillor -imagined it would be but fair to yoke, so to say, these -two different kinds of delinquents to the same car. A -second resolution was therefore adopted by the council, -which, never losing sight of the necessity of protecting -the city against Savoy, ordered 'that the priests -should forthwith forsake their evil ways under penalty -of building three toises of the wall of St. Gervais, in -company with the others.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_818" id="Ref_818" href="#Foot_818">[818]</a></span> -Thus the forerunners of -protestantism and the profligate priests were ordered -to labour together at the same task in the fosses of -St. Gervais. The latter were indignant at being placed -in the same rank with the former, and thought their -dignity compromised by the singular decree which -forced them to supply the heretics with mortar. It -would appear, however, that the two orders were not -very strictly observed, that wicked ecclesiastics continued -to gratify their appetites, and that the wall -advanced but slowly. 'The canons, priests, and friars -are incorrigible,' said the people; 'they are jovial -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">{533}</a></span> -fellows, fond of drinking, and rear their bastard children -openly. How can the Church be scandalised at -such a course of life, when even the popes set the -example?'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_819" id="Ref_819" href="#Foot_819">[819]</a></span></p> - -<p>Although this decree of the council showed great -impartiality and a certain amount of good sense, we -cannot put in the same rank the two classes whom it -affected. The huguenots, seeing that the Holy Scriptures -call that a <i>doctrine of devils</i> which commands men -'<i>to abstain from meats which God hath created to be -received with thanksgiving</i>,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_820" id="Ref_820" href="#Foot_820">[820]</a></span> -did what the Word of -God directs, while the evil priests indulged in the most -scandalous disorders. Negative protestantism, however, -is not true piety; and hence it was that the -evangelical christians of Zurich and Berne, taking -advantage of the frequent journeys the Genevans made -to these two cities on public or private business, were -constantly urging them to receive the true essence of -the Gospel. In the visits they made to each other, in -their friendly walks on the shore of the lake of Zurich -or on the hills which overlook the Aar, these pious -reformers of German Switzerland said to the huguenots: -'<i>The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but -righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.</i><span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_821" id="Ref_821" href="#Foot_821">[821]</a></span> -Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, but born as a -man, has become our Redeemer by his death and by -his resurrection. He alone satisfies completely the -religious wants of mankind. Unite yourselves to Him -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">{534}</a></span> -by faith, and you will experience in yourselves that -the pure religion of the Gospel is not only the first -among all religions professed by men, but, as coming -from God, is perfect.'</p> - -<p class="side">=PLAN FOR PREACHING AT ST. VICTOR.=</p> - -<p>The four Vandels, without entirely breaking with -Rome, had been for more than three years among the -most decided of the so-called Lutheran party. Hugues -Vandel was sent into Switzerland as ambassador (this -is the name usually given to the envoys in the official -documents of the period). At Zurich, 'the Zwinglians -gave him a hearty welcome;' the friends of Haller did -the same at Berne, where he happened to be in June -1530. All of the evangelicals in these two cities -were earnest in their wishes to see a vital christianity -displace the few negative reforms in Geneva. 'The -majority in the city of Geneva would like to be evangelical,' -answered Vandel; 'but they want to be shown -the way, and no one would dare preach the Gospel in -the churches for fear of Friburg.' What is to be done? -thought he. Day and night he tried to find the means -of having the Gospel preached to his fellow-citizens; -at last a bright idea suddenly occurred to him; he -spoke about it to the Zwinglians at Zurich, and to -Berthold Haller at Berne; he wrote about it to Farel, -to Christopher Fabry, and also to his brother Robert -at Geneva. His idea was this: It will be remembered -that St. Victor was a little independent principality at -the gates of the city. 'Suppose it were made over to -my lords of Berne,' said Vandel; 'they would like to -have a bailiff there and <i>a preacher who would be our -great comfort</i>.' It is true that the church of St. Victor -was old, and would probably 'tumble down' erelong, -but Berne would be able to rebuild it. All the evangelicals -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">{535}</a></span> -of Geneva, forsaking the mass in the city churches, -and crossing St. Antoine, would go in crowds to hear -Christ preached in the church of Bonivard.... Thus -that Renaissance of which the prior was the representative, -would be truly for Geneva the gate of the Reformation. -An event which had just taken place may -have suggested this idea to Vandel. It was a scheme -suggested by the pope, and carried out by the duke.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_822" id="Ref_822" href="#Foot_822">[822]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bonivard, deprived of his benefice at the time of -Berthelier's death, had recovered his priory but not his -revenue. Endowed, as he was, with resolution and -invention rather than perseverance, holding that the -detention of his property by the duke was an injustice, -desiring to be restored to full possession of his little -principality, and not a little ashamed of having to -tell his servant that he had nothing in his purse when -the latter came and asked for money to purchase the -necessaries of life—Bonivard had girded on his sword, -taken a musquetoon, mounted his horse, and, thus -equipped and accompanied by a few men-at-arms, had -made several raids into the duke's territory to levy his -rents. But he had to deal both with the duke and -the pope. He had been replaced in his priory by -the bishop and the council, but without the consent -of the courts of Rome and Turin, which had illegally despoiled -him of it. Consequently a pontifical proctor, -attended by an escort, made his appearance to prevent -the prior from recovering his property. Bonivard, who -was naturally impetuous, looked upon this man as a -robber come to plunder him; he therefore rushed forward, -caught up his arms, and discharged his musquetoon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">{536}</a></span> -at the Roman official. The latter, who was terrified, -rode off as fast as he could; for Bonivard with his firelock -had wounded the horse.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_823" id="Ref_823" href="#Foot_823">[823]</a></span> -Both pope and duke -were loud in their complaints, and Clement even issued -a brief against him. In consequence of this, the council -of Geneva forbade Bonivard to indulge in these military -freaks; and as he had no means of living, the -magistrates granted him four crowns and a half a -month, to pay his expenses and those of his servant, -until he was in a better position. 'Alas!' said the -prior, 'four crowns a month! ... it is so little, that I -can hardly keep myself and my page.' However, he -remained patient, but he was not left in peace.</p> - -<p>The Roman proctor, taking up the matter again, -claimed the priory, in the name of Clement, on behalf -of the priest who had been invested with it after the -death of the traitor Montheron. Bonivard, desiring -to place his benefice beyond the reach of fresh attacks, -annexed it to the hospital of Geneva, which was to receive -the revenues for him as prior. But the duke had -other views. More than four hundred persons, carrying -arms, and assembling by night before the hôtel-de-ville, -had demanded justice on certain monks of St. -Victor, who were accused of plotting to betray the -convent to the partisans of Savoy. Besançon Hugues -and Thomas Vandel, the procurator-fiscal, were the -bearers of this request, and Bonivard had the monks -shut up in prison. When the duke was informed of -the annexation of the priory to the hospital of Geneva, -his anger was increased, for he had a great desire to -possess St. Victor's, which would give him a footing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">{537}</a></span> -close to the gates of the city. His agents therefore -solicited the prior 'daily' to revoke this act, and promised -him 'seas and mountains' if he would consent; -but Bonivard shook his head, saying: 'I do not trust -him!' Charles now determined to get rid of a man -who was an obstacle in his path in all his enterprises -against Geneva.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_824" id="Ref_824" href="#Foot_824">[824]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD'S FILIAL AFFECTION.=</p> - -<p>The prior, usually so cheerful, had been for some -time dejected and thoughtful. It was not only his -priory, his poverty, and his enemies that threw a -shade over his countenance, formerly so animated: -his mother was seriously ill. To Bonivard filial piety -was the most natural of obligations, the first and -sweetest form of gratitude. He thought: 'How -correctly Plato writes that there are no Penates -more sacred, there is no worship more acceptable to -the gods, than that of a father or mother bending under -the weight of years.' His Genevese friends, who went -daily to St. Victor's, observed his sadness, and asked -him the reason. 'Alas!' he said, 'I should like to see -my aged mother once more before she dies. I have -not seen her these five years, and she is on the brink of -the grave.' To one of them who inquired where she -was, he replied: 'At Seyssel, in our ancestral house.' -Seyssel was in the states of Savoy, and Charles would -not fail to have the prior seized if he ventured to -appear there.</p> - -<p>Bonivard fancied, however, he could see the means -of gratifying his dearest wishes. He determined -to take advantage of the solicitations addressed to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">{538}</a></span> -him by Charles to ask for a safe-conduct. 'I will go -and see my mother and brother at Seyssel,' he said, -'and ask their advice. We will consult together -on this business.' The duke sent Bonivard the required -passport, stipulating, however, that it should -be available for the month of April only. Charles, -delighted at seeing Bonivard quit the neighbourhood -of Geneva and venture into the middle of his territories, -determined that if this journey did not give him -the priory, it should at least give him the prior.... Bonivard's -friends, whose judgment was not influenced -by filial affection, were justly alarmed when they -heard of his approaching departure, and tried to detain -him; he could think of nothing, however, but seeing -his mother before she died. He accordingly departed, -passed the Fort de l'Ecluse, the Perte du Rhone, and -reached the little town where the 'ancient dame,' as -he called her, resided. The mother, who loved the -name, the talents, the glory, and the person of her -son, clasped him in her arms with fond affection; but -her joy soon gave way to fear, for she knew Charles's -perfidy, she remembered Lévrier's story ... and trembled -for her child.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_825" id="Ref_825" href="#Foot_825">[825]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD'S VISIT TO HIS MOTHER.=</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Bonivard's enemies in Geneva had not -delayed to take advantage of his departure. Some of -them were mamelukes. To embroil him with the -huguenots seemed likely to be of service to their cause; -and they therefore began to report in the city that he -had gone to surrender St. Victor's to the duke, and that -he was betraying the people and revealing their secrets. -The intimate friends of the prior indignantly contradicted -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">{539}</a></span> -the calumny; but his enemies continued repeating -it, and, as the most ardent men are often -the most credulous, a few huguenots gave credit to -these assertions. Bonivard wrote to the council of -Geneva, complaining of the injury done him, and reminded -them that there was not a man in the city -more devoted to its independence than himself.</p> - -<p>What should he do? He was exceedingly embarrassed. -Should he return to Geneva? He feared the -anger of those among the huguenots in whose eyes it -was a crime to go to Savoy. Should he remain at -Seyssel? As soon as the month of April was ended, -he would be seized by the duke. His mother conjured -him to put himself out of the reach of his enemies, -both duke and Genevans....</p> - - <p class="center small">'Et qui refuserait une mère qui prie?...</p> - -<p>He determined to go to Friburg. The council of -Geneva had indeed told him not to disquiet himself -about the foolish stories of his enemies, and added: -'Let him come, if he pleases, and he will be treated -well.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_826" id="Ref_826" href="#Foot_826">[826]</a></span> -This was not a very pressing invitation, and -Besançon Hugues, the most influential man in the -city, was against him. Hugues, a catholic and episcopalian, -might very well have no great liking for the -prior of a monastery who was coming round entirely -to the new ideas. It seems, however, that these catholic -prejudices were mixed up with some human weaknesses. -'Bonivard,' says a manuscript, 'often had -disputes with Besançon Hugues, who hoped to obtain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">{540}</a></span> -for his son the investiture of the priory of St. Victor.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_827" id="Ref_827" href="#Foot_827">[827]</a></span> -The prior was not ignorant of this hostile disposition. -'Alas!' he said, 'a councillor, and he not one of the -least, is exciting the council and the people against -me.' On the other hand, he could not make up his -mind to turn thoroughly to the side of the Reformation; -he still remained in the neutral ground of -Erasmus, and indulged in jests against the huguenots, -which indisposed them towards him. He belonged -neither to one party nor to the other, and offended -both. He was not anxious, therefore, to return to -Geneva just now, fearing that his enemies would be -stronger than his friends. The month of April being -ended, he begged the duke to prolong his safe-conduct -during the month of May, and it was granted. Bonivard -now took leave of his aged mother, whom he left -full of anguish about the fate of her son. She never -saw him again.</p> - -<p>The Count of Chalans, president of the council of -Savoy, and friend of the Bishop of Aosta, was, though -a layman, as bigoted to Roman-catholicism as Gazzini -was, as a priest. At that time he was holding a -<i>journée</i> or diet at Romont, between Lausanne and -Friburg. The avoyer of Friburg, who was Bonivard's -friend, happening to be at Romont, Bonivard repaired -thither; and, related as he was to the nobility of Savoy, -he presented his homage to the count, who received -him kindly. Bonivard skilfully sounded De Chalans -on what he might have to fear; for once already, and -not far from that place, he had been seized and thrown -into a ducal prison. The count pledged his honour, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">{541}</a></span> -both verbally and in writing, that he would run no -danger in the duke's territories during the month of -May, and, he added, even during the month of June. -Bonivard, thus set at ease, began to reflect on his position. -It was a strange thing for a man, so enlightened -as he was on the abuses of popery and monasticism, -to be at the head of a monastic body. Moreover, -in addition to the pope and the duke, he had a new -adversary against him. 'I fear the duke on the one -hand,' he said, 'and on the other the madness of the -people of Geneva, to whom I dare not return without -the strongest pledges.'</p> - -<p class="side">=DETERMINES TO GIVE UP THE PRIORY.=</p> - -<p>Bonivard, having weighed everything, determined -upon a great sacrifice. He started for Lausanne, and -proposed to the Bishop of Montfaucon to resign to him -the priory of St. Victor, on condition of receiving a -pension of four hundred crowns. The bishop accepted -the proposal, provided Geneva and Savoy would -consent. Bonivard thought this an easy matter, and -as René de Chalans was then holding another <i>journée</i> -at Moudon, he determined to go thither to arrange the -great affair. He arrived on the 25th of May. The -count received him courteously, and appeared to enter -into his ideas; but at the same time this lord and certain -officers of Savoy held several private conferences, -the result of which was that they sent a messenger -to Lausanne. Bonivard was invited to sup with the -president, who gave him the seat of honour. There -was a large party, the repast was very animated, and -the prior, whose gaiety was easily revived, amused all -the company by his wit. There was, however, one -officer at his highness's table who annoyed him considerably: -it was the Sire de Bellegarde, Lévrier's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">{542}</a></span> -murderer. This wretch, as if he desired to efface that -disagreeable impression, was most obliging and attentive. -At last they left the table. There were so many -gentlemen assembled in the little town of Moudon, -that all the bed-rooms were occupied—so at least it -was stated. Upon this, Bellegarde, in a jovial tone, -said to Bonivard: 'Well, then, my friend, I will share -my room with you.' Bonivard accepted the offer, but -not without some uneasiness. The next morning he -prepared to set out for Lausanne in order to arrange -his business with the bishop. 'I am afraid that you -will lose your way, and that something may happen to -you,' said Bellegarde. 'I will send a servant on horseback -along with you.' The confiding Bonivard departed -with the sergeant of his highness's steward.</p> - -<p>Bellegarde varied his treachery. He had kidnapped -Lévrier as he was leaving the cathedral, and had conveyed -him in person to the castle where he was to meet -his death. This time he preferred to keep out of sight, -and for that reason a message had been despatched -to Lausanne. After watching over Bonivard during -the night, lest he should escape, as Hugues had escaped -from Châtelaine, Bellegarde took leave of him, giving -him a very courteous embrace, and strongly recommending -him to the care of the sergeant. The road -from Moudon to Lausanne runs for about five leagues -through the Jorat hills, which at that period were wild -and lonely. Gloomy thoughts sprang up from time -to time to disturb Bonivard. He remembered how -Lévrier had been seized by Bellegarde at the gates of -St. Pierre.... If a similar fate awaited him!... His -confidence soon revived, and he went on.</p> - -<p class="side">=BONIVARD TREACHEROUSLY KIDNAPPED.=</p> - -<p>It was a fine day in May, this Thursday, the 26th. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">{543}</a></span> -Early in the morning Messire de Beaufort, captain of -Chillon, and the Sire du Rosey, bailli of Thonon, -having received their instructions from Moudon, had -quitted Lausanne, followed by twelve to fifteen well-armed -horsemen. On reaching the heights of the -Jorat, near the convent of St. Catherine, they hid -themselves in a wood of black pines, which still remains;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_828" id="Ref_828" href="#Foot_828">[828]</a></span> -and there both leaders and soldiers waited -silently for the unfortunate Bonivard. He was provided, -indeed, with a safe-conduct from the duke; but -John Huss's had been violated, and why should they -observe that of the prior of St. Victor? 'No faith -ought to be kept with heretics,' had been said at Constance, -and was repeated now at Moudon. Erelong -De Beaufort and Du Rosey heard the tramp of two -horses; they gave a signal to their followers to be -ready, and peered out from among the trees where -they lay hid to see if their victim was really coming. -At last the guide on horseback appeared, then came -Bonivard on his mule; De Bellegarde's servant led -him straight to the appointed place. Just as the unlucky -prior, wavering between confidence and fear, was -passing the spot where Beaufort, Du Rosey, and their -fifteen companions were posted, the latter rushed from -the wood and sprang upon Bonivard. He put his hand -to his sword, and clapped spurs to his mule in order to -escape, calling out to his guide: 'Spur! spur!' But, -instead of galloping forwards, the sergeant turned -suddenly upon the man he should have protected, -caught hold of him, and 'with a knife which he had -ready' cut Bonivard's sword-belt. All this took -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">{544}</a></span> -place in the twinkling of an eye. 'Whereupon these -honest people fell upon me,' said the prior when he -told the story in after years, 'and made me prisoner -in the name of Monseigneur.' He made all the resistance -he could; produced his papers, and showed that -they were all in order; but his safe-conduct was of -no avail with the agents of Bellegarde and De -Chalans. Taking some cord from a bag they had -brought with them, they tied Bonivard's arms, and -bound him to his mule, as they had once bound Lévrier, -and in this way passing through Lausanne, near which -the outrage had been committed, they turned to the left. -The prior crossed Vaux, Vevey, Clarens, and Montreux; -but these districts, which are among the most beautiful -in Switzerland, could not for an instant rouse -him from his deep dejection. 'They took me, bound -and pinioned, to Chillon,' he says in his <i>Chronicles</i>, -'and there I remained six long years.... It was my -second passion.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_829" id="Ref_829" href="#Foot_829">[829]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=THE PRISONER OF CHILLON.=</p> - -<p>Nine years before, almost day for day (May 1521), -Luther had also been seized in a wood for the purpose -of being taken to a castle; but he had been carried off -by friends, while <i>the prisoner of Chillon</i> was perfidiously -taken by enemies. Bonivard, a reformer of a negative -and rather philosophical character, was much inferior -to Luther, the positive and evangelical reformer; -but Bonivard's imprisonment far exceeded in severity -that of the Saxon doctor. At first, indeed, the prior -of St. Victor was confined in a room and treated respectfully; -but Charles the Good, after visiting him -and holding some conversation with him, ordered, as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">{545}</a></span> -he left the castle, that the prisoner should be treated -harshly. He was transferred to one of those damp -and gloomy dungeons cut out of the rock, which lie -below the level of the lake. It is probable that the -duke gave this cruel order because the prisoner, true -to light and liberty, had refused to bend before him. -Bonivard's seizure was a severe blow to his mother, -to his friends, and even to the magistrates of Geneva, -who, on hearing of it, saw all the duke's perfidy and -the prior's innocence, and restored to him their affection -and esteem. For some time it was uncertain -whether Bonivard was alive or dead; all that people -knew was that he had been seized, in defiance of the -safe-conduct, on the hills above Lausanne. However, -John Lullin and the other envoys of Geneva present -at the <i>journée</i> held at Payerne at Christmas 1530, -being better informed, did all in their power to obtain -the liberation of a man who had done such good service -to liberty; but the agents of Savoy pretended -ignorance of the place of his imprisonment.</p> - -<p>A brilliant existence was thus suddenly interrupted. -What humour, what originality, what striking language, -what invention, what witty conversations were -abruptly cut short! Bonivard never recovered from -these six years of the strictest captivity. When he -came out of Chillon he was a different man from -what he was when he entered it. He was like a bird -which, while giving utterance to the sweetest song, -is caught by a gust of wind and beaten to the ground; -ever after it miserably drags its wings, and utters -none but harsh unpleasing sounds. St. Victor wanted -the <i>one thing needful</i>; he was not one of those of whom -it is said: <i>their youth is renewed like the eagle's</i>. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">{546}</a></span> -brightness of the Reformation eclipsed him. The latter -part of his life was as sad as his early part had been -brilliant. It would have been better for his fame had -he been put to death in the castle-yard of Chillon, as -Lévrier had been in that of Bonne.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_814" id="Foot_814" href="#Ref_814">[814]</a> -Berne MS. <i>Hist. Helvet.</i> v. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_815" id="Foot_815" href="#Ref_815">[815]</a> -Michel Roset, <i>Chroniq.</i> MS. liv. ii. ch. xiv.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_816" id="Foot_816" href="#Ref_816">[816]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 22 et 29 mars. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. -551. Berne MS. <i>Hist. Helvet.</i> v. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_817" id="Foot_817" href="#Ref_817">[817]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 551.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_818" id="Foot_818" href="#Ref_818">[818]</a> -'Quod presbyteri ab inde debeant relinquere eorum lupanaria, -lubricitates et meretrices, sub simili pœna (facere in muris Sancti -Gervasii tres teysias muri.)'—Registres du Conseil du 1ᵉʳ avril.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_819" id="Foot_819" href="#Ref_819">[819]</a> -Galiffe, <i>Matériaux pour l'Histoire de Genève</i>, ii. p. vii. The note -contains a long list of the illegitimate children of popes, archbishops, -inquisitors, and other churchmen.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_820" id="Foot_820" href="#Ref_820">[820]</a> -1 Timothy iv. 1-3.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_821" id="Foot_821" href="#Ref_821">[821]</a> -Romans xiv. 17.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_822" id="Foot_822" href="#Ref_822">[822]</a> -Lettre de Vandel du 23 juin 1530. Galiffe fils, <i>Besançon Hugues</i>, -note to page 395.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_823" id="Foot_823" href="#Ref_823">[823]</a> -'Procuratorem prosequentem scopettis invasisse, et equum super quo -fugiebat vulnerasse.'—Brief of Clement VII., dated January 24, 1528.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_824" id="Foot_824" href="#Ref_824">[824]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 485, 547, 572. <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, tom. -v. p. 162.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_825" id="Foot_825" href="#Ref_825">[825]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 572,573. <i>Mém. d'Archéologie</i>, iv. p. 171.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_826" id="Foot_826" href="#Ref_826">[826]</a> -'Fuit lecta missiva Domini Sancti Victoris. Rescribatur ei ut -veniat, si velit, et illum bene tractabimus.'—Council Register, May 2, -1530.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_827" id="Foot_827" href="#Ref_827">[827]</a> -Gautier MS. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 573.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_828" id="Foot_828" href="#Ref_828">[828]</a> -The convent of St. Catherine occupied the site of the <i>Chalet à -Gobet</i>, an inn situated on the road from Lausanne to Berne.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_829" id="Foot_829" href="#Ref_829">[829]</a> -'Ce fut ma seconde passion.'—Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">{547}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XI.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE ATTACK OF 1530.<br /> - (<span class="smc">August, September, and October.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=ARREST OF THE FISCAL MANDOLLA.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">BONIVARD'S arrest was not an isolated act, but -the first skirmish of a general engagement. The -duke and the bishop were reconciled, and their only -thought was how they could reduce Geneva by force of -arms. A singular resolution for a pastor! Fortunately -for him, the Genevans gave him a pretext calculated -in some measure to justify his warlike cure of souls.</p> - -<p>The iniquitous conduct of the Duke of Savoy towards -Bonivard refuted the unjust accusations brought -against him, and the Genevans at once manifested their -sympathy with the unhappy prisoner of Chillon. They -were indignant at the duke's violation of the safe-conduct -that he himself had given. 'You see his bad -faith,' they said. Thinking that when the innocent -were put in prison, it was time to punish the guilty, -they determined to have their revenge.</p> - -<p>There was at Geneva a man named Mandolla, a -procurator-fiscal and thorough-going partisan of the -duke and the bishop. 'He was a bastard priest of -evil name and fame,' say the chronicles of the times, -'who indulged in exactions, and in plundering and -arbitrarily imprisoning those who displeased him.' The -vicar-general, Messire de Gingins, abbot of Bonmont, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">{548}</a></span> -an upright and benevolent man, often remonstrated -with him, but Mandolla answered him with insolence. -Nor was this all; for, having the temporal authority -under his jurisdiction, he was continually intriguing -to deliver up Geneva to the duke. The citizens, -irritated at these encroachments on their rights, addressed -several strong remonstrances to the abbot of -Bonmont against the foreign priest who was trying to -rob them of their independence. It was a serious accusation: -Mandolla's conscience told him it was just; he -took the alarm, and, wishing to escape justice, hastily -quitted Geneva, and fled for refuge to the castle of -Peney.</p> - -<p>The Genevans now complained louder than ever. -'Remove this thorn from the city,' said they to the -vicar-general. The abbot acknowledged the justice -of their demand, and the council, the guardians of -the rights of the city, came to his assistance; for -they recollected how, at the election of the syndics in -1526, that man had intrigued to carry the list which -contained the name of the infamous Cartelier. Some -armed men were sent to the castle of Peney, where -they seized Mandolla, bound him to a horse, as Lévrier -and Bonivard had been bound, and on the 24th of -June he was brought back to Geneva, surrounded by -guards who led him to prison. A procurator-fiscal -treated like a criminal! it was a thing unprecedented. -The people stopped in the streets as he passed, and -looked at him with astonishment. The unhappy Mandolla's -mind was in a state of great confusion. He -wondered if they would avenge on him the deaths of -Lévrier and Berthelier and the captivity of Bonivard. -He felt that he was guilty, but trusted in his powerful -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">{549}</a></span> -protectors. His friends did not, indeed, lose a moment, -but wrote to the bishop, who was at Arbois.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP PLOTS AGAINST GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>Mandolla had hardly been three days in prison, -when 'a severe and threatening letter' from the -bishop arrived at Geneva. The prelate was indignant -that the citizens should dare lay hands upon a clerk, -who was one of his officers, and especially on that -fiscal who, as Bonivard says, <i>brought the water to his -mill</i>. 'Not content with the unseasonable innovations -you have made in our jurisdiction,' he wrote to the -syndics on the 27th of June, 'you have caused our -procurator to be arrested in the discharge of his functions.... -And you do not like to be called traitors!... -We condemn the outrage as much as if you had done -it to our own person. Set our fiscal at liberty, without -any damage to his person; make amends for the -outrage you have committed; otherwise we shall employ -all the means God has placed in our hands to -obtain vengeance.' The council were greatly astonished -on reading this letter: 'The bishop forgets,' they said, -'that this is a case simply of robbery and treason. -How long has it been the custom to threaten with the -vengeance of God and man the magistrates who prosecute -a thief?'—'My lord,' answered the magistrates, -'Mandolla you well know to be a traitor and a robber.' -And, giving no heed to the episcopal summons, they -drew up an indictment against the fiscal. When this -was told to La Baume, he could not contain himself. -His twofold title of prince and bishop filled him with -pride, and he could not bear the thought that these -citizens of Geneva disregarded his orders.</p> - -<p>This affair only served to hasten the execution of -his plans. His mind was full of bitterness on account -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">{550}</a></span> -of the heresy he had discovered in the city, and he -thought but of punishing those whom he looked upon -as traitors. It did not occur to the bishop that Geneva, -after undergoing a great transformation, was one day -to become the most active focus of the Reform. But, -without foreseeing such a future, he thought that if -the Reformation were established there, as at Zurich -and Berne, the provinces of Savoy, and others besides, -would erelong fall a prey to the contagion. He made -up his mind to oppose it in every way, and it must be -confessed that he had a right to do so; but two things -are to be regretted: the unholy mixing up of the -catholic cause with that of a traitor and thief, and the -means that the prelate employed.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE BISHOP APPEALS TO THE KNIGHTS.=</p> - -<p>These means he sought in violence. In order to -punish the huguenots he must have allies. Where -could he look for them except among the knights -of the Spoon? As prince and bishop of Geneva, he -would give a shape to this fraternity, and organise it -against his own episcopal city. He forthwith entered -into communication with its principal leaders: John -de Viry, sire of Alamogne; John Mestral, sire of -Aruffens; John de Beaufort, baron of Rolle; Francis, -sire of St. Saphorin; the sire of Genthod, a village -situated between Geneva and Versoix; and especially -Michael, baron of La Sarraz, whom the bishop called -'his dearly beloved cousin.' Without waiting for -these powerful lords to attack the city, he began to -carry on a little war himself. He put into prison -two Genevan cattle-dealers, who chanced to be in -the territory of St. Claude; ordered the Genevan -<i>goats and cows</i> to be seized, which were grazing on -the hills of Gex; and posted armed men on all the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">{551}</a></span> -roads leading from Geneva to Lyons, with instructions -to stop his <i>subjects</i> and their friends, and to seize their -goods.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_830" id="Ref_830" href="#Foot_830">[830]</a></span></p> - -<p>After this little war, the bishop turned his thoughts -to the great one. At first he wished to set in -motion his own vassals, friends, and allies on the -western slopes of the Jura. 'Brother,' said he to the -Baron of St. Sorlin, 'call out our Burgundians.' His -negotiations with La Sarraz, Viry, and others having -succeeded, he issued a general appeal to the knights -of the Spoon. 'Gentlemen and neighbours of my -episcopal city,' he said, 'I have been informed of your -friendly disposition to aid me in punishing my rebellious -subjects of Geneva. And now, knowing that it -will be a meritorious work before God and the world -to do justice upon such evil-doers, I pray and require -you to be pleased to help me in this matter.' Many -of these gentlemen crossed the Jura to come to an -arrangement with him, and filled Arbois with their -indignation.</p> - -<p>The 20th of August was an important day at the -residence of the prince-bishop; he had determined to -make war upon his flock, and this moment had been -chosen for the declaration. Pierre de la Baume was -not so cruel as his predecessor, the bastard of Savoy; -but his irritation was now at its height. If he chanced -to meet any Genevans who addressed him in respectful -language, he would smile graciously upon them, but 'it -was all grimace,' says the pseudo-Bonivard.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_831" id="Ref_831" href="#Foot_831">[831]</a></span> -When -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">{552}</a></span> -they had quitted him, La Baume once more indulged -in angry and threatening words. The convents, the -commandery of Malta, and the college of the canons -of Arbois were still more violent in their complaints. -On the 20th of August a meeting took place at the -priory. The knights of the Spoon, who had found -the wine of Arbois excellent, arrived with their -swords, their coats of mail, and their cloaks. The -bishop, proud of having such defenders, invited them -near the chair where he was seated, and graciously -handed them their commissions to make war upon his -subjects. 'We, Pierre de la Baume,' they ran, 'bishop -and prince of Geneva, having regard to the insolence, -rebellion, treason, and conspiracies that some of our -subjects of Geneva are daily committing against us -and our authority ... imprisoning our subjects and -our officers without orders, assuming our rights of -principality, and threatening to do worse; ... being -resolved <i>to maintain our Church in her authority and -to uphold our holy faith</i>, have commissioned and -required our friends and relatives to aid us in punishing -the rebels, and, if need be, to proceed by force of -arms.' (Here follow the names of these friends, the -Baron of La Sarraz, and the other lords mentioned -above.) The prelate ended the document by a declaration -that these gentlemen 'had full authority from -him, and that, in confirmation, he had written these -letters with his own hand at Arbois, on this 20th of -August in the year 1530.' He had signed the -papers: <i>Bishop of Geneva</i>. The gentlemen thanked -the prelate, promised to do all in their power, and, -quitting Franche-Comté, returned to their castles to -make ready for the campaign, repeating to one another, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">{553}</a></span> -as they rode along, that it was very necessary to -maintain <i>the authority of the Roman Church</i> in Geneva, -and to uphold <i>the holy faith</i>, and seeming very proud -that such was the object of the crusade they were -about to undertake.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_832" id="Ref_832" href="#Foot_832">[832]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=LUTHERANS IMPRISONED.=</p> - -<p>The bishop's alarm was not without foundation. -The huguenots, even those most inclined to protestantism, -did not possess much evangelical light; they were -struck rather with the superstitions of Rome than with -their own sins and the grace of God. There were -nevertheless some Genevans and a few foreigners -living in Geneva, who displayed great zeal, and -replied to the bishop's violence by going about from -place to place seeking to enlighten souls. The gentlemen -of Savoy, who had just made an alliance with -the bishop, had seen this with their own eyes. 'They -enter the cottages, and even venture into our castles,' -said the knights, 'everywhere preaching what they -call the Word of God.' The peasants listened rather -favourably to the addresses of these evangelists; but, -says Balard, 'the gentlemen could not be prevented -from taking vengeance on such excesses.' When any -of these daring pioneers of the Reformation arrived at a -castle, or even at the village or town which depended -on it, the lord, exasperated that the heretics should -dare come and preach their doctrines to his servants -and vassals, seized them and threw them into his -dungeons.</p> - -<p>Some envoys from Friburg who were going to Chambéry, -having halted on the road at the castle of one of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">{554}</a></span> -their friends, heard of these doings; it happened, too, -that some of these huguenot prisoners (they may have -come from Berne) were confined in the place at which -they were stopping. As the Friburgers, although good -catholics, were not in favour of employing brute force -in matters of religion, they found means to touch the -hearts of their persecutors, and succeeded in having -these fervent evangelists set at liberty. They then -continued their journey to Chambéry. But the duke -had hardly given them audience before he said to -them with bitterness: 'I have to complain, gentlemen, -that you go about in search of prisoners in my -country, and that the people of Geneva are trying to -make my people as bad as themselves.... I will not -put up with such disorders.... I cannot prevent my -nobles from taking vengeance.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_833" id="Ref_833" href="#Foot_833">[833]</a></span> -But the Genevans -were equally unwilling to submit to the ill-treatment -to which some of their number had been exposed, and -accordingly Robert Vandel and John Lullin were despatched -in all haste to Berne and Friburg to urge on -the arrival of these noble auxiliaries. It is probable, -however, that certain serious rumours which were -beginning to circulate in Geneva were the principal -cause of their mission.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_834" id="Ref_834" href="#Foot_834">[834]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was the autumn of 1530, and as the chiefs of -German catholicism had assembled at Augsburg to -deliberate upon the means of destroying protestantism -in the empire, the duke and the bishop, the two great -enemies of Geneva, appointed a meeting at Gex, at the -foot of the Jura, to deliberate on the means of expelling -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">{555}</a></span> -both liberty and the Gospel from the city of the Leman. -'Lutheranism is making considerable progress -in Geneva,' said the bishop to the duke; 'attack the -city; for my part I will employ in this work the -revenues of my see and of my abbeys, and even all my -patrimony.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_835" id="Ref_835" href="#Foot_835">[835]</a></span> -The duke might have had reasons for -delaying the war. His brother-in-law the emperor, -and the other catholic princes assembled at Augsburg, -thought they could not be ready before the spring, -and desired that protestantism should then be attacked -on all points at once. But passion prevailed with -Charles III. Aspiring to the sovereignty of Geneva, it -was important for him to play the principal part in the -attack against that city; and when once Geneva was -taken, he would prove to all the world that, in accordance -with the system of the cardinals, it would be -necessary to establish there some ruler more powerful -than a bishop, in order to prevent future revolts.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_836" id="Ref_836" href="#Foot_836">[836]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=LA SARRAZ HEADS THE KNIGHTS.=</p> - -<p>The Baron of La Sarraz was already at work; he -was a man fitted to succeed Pontverre. Prejudiced -like him against Geneva, liberty, and the Reformation, -he was less noble, less virtuous, and less headstrong -than that unhappy gentleman, but surpassed him in -genius and in ability. He had sworn that either he or -Geneva should give way and perish.... The oath was -accomplished, but not in the manner he had anticipated. -The knights of the Spoon, summoned by the bishop, -excited by La Sarraz, supported by the fugitive mamelukes, -and approved of by the duke, took the field immediately. -They intercepted the provisions intended -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">{556}</a></span> -for Geneva, and sharp skirmishes occurred every day. -If any citizen went beyond the walls to look after his -farm or attend to his business, the knights would fall -upon him and beat him, shut him up in one of their -castle dungeons, and sometimes kill him. But all this -was a mere prelude. The bishop came to an understanding -with the Baron of La Sarraz, through his -cousin, M. de Ranzonière. Another conference took -place at Arbois towards the middle of September 1530. -After a long conversation about the heresy and independence -of Geneva, and the strange changes and singular -perils to which that city and the surrounding -provinces were exposed, they decided upon a general -attack.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_837" id="Ref_837" href="#Foot_837">[837]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 20th of September, the men-at-arms of the -knights of the Spoon, the Burgundians of the bishop, -and the ducal troops, made arrangements to surprise -Geneva. On the 24th of September, some well-disposed -people came and told the citizens that the Duke -of Nemours was at Montluel in Bresse, three leagues -from Lyons, with a large army. It was the Count of -Genevois, younger brother of the Duke of Savoy, whom -his sister, the mother of Francis I., had created Duke -of Nemours in 1515. He was, as we have already -remarked, an able man, and, even while courting the -Genevans, desired nothing better than to destroy their -city. His sister, Louisa of Savoy, whose hostile disposition -towards the Gospel we have seen, thought it a -very laudable thing to crush a place in which the protestants, -persecuted by her in France, might find an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">{557}</a></span> -asylum. The six captains of Geneva, on hearing this -alarming intelligence, assembled their troops and addressed -them in a touching proclamation. This was -on Sunday, the 25th of September. 'We have been -informed,' they said, 'that our enemies will attack us -very shortly. We pray you therefore to forgive one -another, and be ready to die in the defence of your -rights.' The citizens unanimously replied to these -noble words: 'We are willing to do so.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_838" id="Ref_838" href="#Foot_838">[838]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=TROOPS MARCH AGAINST GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>The next day, Monday, the 26th of September, a -man of Granson, coming from Burgundy, confirmed the -news of the danger impending over the city. 'Everything -is in motion on our side,' he told them. 'M. de -St. Sorlin has declared that <i>God and the world</i> are enraged -against Geneva (it was the favourite expression -of his family); companies of arquebusiers are about -to cross the Jura; the gentlemen of the Spoon are -approaching with a large number of armed men, and -the day after the feast of St. Michael they will enter -Geneva by force, to kill the men, women, and children, -and plunder the city.' The man of Granson, at the -request of the syndics, hurried off to carry the news -to Berne and Friburg.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_839" id="Ref_839" href="#Foot_839">[839]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was a singular thing, this expedition against -Geneva in behalf of the <i>holy faith</i>, for there was not a -church in the city where mass was not sung, and not -one where the Gospel was preached. It was still a -catholic city; but, we must confess, it contained little -really worthy of the name, except old walls, old ceremonies, -and old priests. Mass was performed, but the -huguenots, instead of listening to it, walked up and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">{558}</a></span> -down the aisles. The Reformation was everywhere -in Geneva, and yet it was nowhere. The bishop, the -duke, and even the emperor, who were not very acute -judges, confounded liberty with the Gospel; and seeing -that liberty was in Geneva, they doubted not that the -Gospel was there also.</p> - -<p class="side">=GENEVA BLOCKADED.=</p> - -<p>On Friday, the 30th of September, the enemy's -army debouched on all sides of Geneva. The six -captains of Geneva and their six hundred men got -their arms ready. At this moment envoys arrived -from Friburg, wishing to see, hear, and advise the -councils. They had hardly entered the city, when -the troops of Savoy, Burgundy, and Vaud were seen -preparing to blockade it. A Friburg herald left immediately, -to carry the news to his lords; but at -Versoix the ducal soldiers were on their guard; the -messenger was seized and conducted to the knight of -the Spoon who commanded in the castle. It was to -no purpose that he declared himself to be a Friburger: -'You wear neither the arms nor the colours -of Friburg,' was the reply; 'go back to Geneva.' And -as the herald insisted upon passing (he had had good -reasons for not putting on his uniform), the knights -maltreated him and drove him before them close up to -the drawbridge of Geneva, insulting him from time to -time in a very offensive manner. The night was -then approaching; the steps of the horses and the -shouts of the horsemen could be heard in the city; it -was believed that the assault was about to be made, -and some citizens ran off to ring the tocsin. The -alarm continued through the night.</p> - -<p>The enemy had pitched their camp at Saconnex, on -the right bank of the Rhone and the lake, about half -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">{559}</a></span> -a league from Geneva, in the direction of Gex and the -Jura. On Saturday, the 1st of October, they sallied -forth early in the morning, pillaged the houses round -the city, set fire to several farms, and returned to -their camp: this was a petty prelude to the meditated -attack. At this moment a second herald, coming from -Friburg, was brought in. He had been stopped at -Versoix, for nobody could pass that post in either -direction. The Friburgers, uneasy at receiving no news -from Geneva, had sent this man to learn whether their -friends were really in danger or not. 'What is your -business?' asked the officers. The herald, who had -learnt the story of his colleague, had recourse to a -stratagem which the usages of war justify, but -christian truth condemns. 'I am ordered,' he said, -'to go and tell our ambassadors that they must return -immediately; and that if Monsieur of Savoy needs the -help of my lords of Friburg, they will assist him.' -The Savoyards, delighted at the mission of the -Friburger, hastened to set him at liberty; he went on -to Geneva, and told the whole affair to the ambassadors -of his canton. The latter, extremely pleased -at his dexterity, asked him if he could once more make -his way through the triple barrier that the cavaliers -had raised between Geneva and Friburg. He was to -report that the state of affairs was as bad as could -be; and that Geneva, attacked by superior forces, -was on the point of falling. 'We have no time to -write,' they added, for they feared their letters -would be intercepted; 'but we give you our rings as -a token. Go speedily, and tell the lords of the two -cities (Berne and Friburg), that if they wish to -succour the city of Geneva, <i>they must do so now or</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">{560}</a></span> -<i>never</i>.' Prompt help from the Swiss could alone -preserve the liberties of Geneva. The cunning -Friburger departed; but even should he succeed in -making his way through the Savoyard troops lying -between Friburg and Geneva, what might not happen -before a Swiss army could arrive?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_840" id="Ref_840" href="#Foot_840">[840]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next day, Sunday, the 2nd of October, the -episcopal army was put in motion; it surrounded the -city; a part of the Savoyard troops occupied the -suburb of St. Leger and the monasteries of St. Victor -and Our Lady of Grace; another part was drawn up -opposite the Corraterie. The Genevans could no -longer restrain themselves: the gates of the Corraterie -were thrown open, and a number of the more intrepid -sallied out upon the Savoyards, who received them -with their arquebuses: one citizen was shot dead, and -the others returned into the city. Erelong similar -skirmishes took place on every side, and the trainbands -of Geneva, firing upon the enemy from the -wall, killed several of them. Masters of the suburbs, -the Savoyard army waited until night to make the -assault. <i>Death and plunder</i> was the pass-word given -by the leaders.</p> - -<p>The situation of Geneva became more critical every -hour. In the evening, just as the bell was ringing -for vespers, there was a gleam of light in the stormy -sky. Ambassadors arrived from Berne; they had passed -through the enemy's lines, doubtless in consequence -of their diplomatic character. They immediately -visited their Friburg colleagues, who made known to -them all their fears: 'Yet a few hours more,' they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">{561}</a></span> -said, 'and Romish despotism will perhaps triumph -over the Genevese liberties.' The Swiss did not lose -a moment, but despatched a herald, post-haste, to -demand immediate support. A part of the defenders -of Geneva went to their homes to take some slight -repose.</p> - -<p class="side">=NIGHT ASSAULT.=</p> - -<p>The night closed in, but a bright moon permitted -every movement to be observed which took place -without the city. At midnight the moon set: darkness -and silence for some time reigned upon the walls. -This was the hour fixed for the assault. The bands -of Savoy and Burgundy and the knights of the Spoon -moved forward without noise, and soon reached the -ditch, in readiness to attack the city. It was easy for -them to break in the gates and to scale the walls. The -sentries on the ramparts listened, and tried to make out -the movements of the enemy. The Genevans were all -determined to sacrifice their lives, but they were too -few to defend their homes against such an army. -They had to fear enemies still more formidable. It -was asserted that the governor of the Low Countries, -the pope, the Dukes of Lorraine and Gueldres, -and the King of France were all pushing forward -troops against the city. The alarm had been given -in the courts of Europe by a recent act of the -Landgrave of Hesse. He was negotiating a treaty -with the cantons of Zurich and Basle, by the terms of -which each of the contracting parties was bound to -support the others in case of violence against the cause -of the Gospel. 'Might not Philip do the same with -Berne and Geneva?' said some. 'Might not the latter -city become an asylum of the Reformation in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">{562}</a></span> -south, for the populations of the Latin tongue?... -No time must be lost in destroying it.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_841" id="Ref_841" href="#Foot_841">[841]</a></span></p> - -<p>People were talking of these things at Augsburg. -The protestant princes and doctors had quitted that -city, where the famous diet had just ended: a month -had been given them to become reconciled with Rome. -But Charles V., who did not reckon much upon this -<i>entente cordiale</i> between the pope and Luther, had -declared that he would terminate the controversy -with the sword, and had given orders to raise a -powerful army to crush both protestants and protestantism: -that, however, was not to be done before -the spring of next year. One day, when the emperor -was conversing about Geneva with Duke Frederick and -other catholic princes,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_842" id="Ref_842" href="#Foot_842">[842]</a></span> -despatches were brought him -announcing the march of different armed bodies -against Geneva. Charles always displayed a prudence -and reserve in his plans, which proceeded as much from -nature as from habit. As his faculties had been -developed slowly, he had accustomed himself to -ponder upon everything with close attention; he had -decided in particular that not a shot ought to be fired -in Europe against the protestants before the spring of -1531, and had instructed his brother-in-law of Savoy -to that effect. Accordingly, when he learnt, in October, -that an attack was preparing against Geneva, he -gave utterance to his vexation. 'Ha!' he exclaimed, -'the Duke of Savoy is beginning this business too -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">{563}</a></span> -soon!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_843" id="Ref_843" href="#Foot_843">[843]</a></span> -'These words give cause for reflection,' -said the deputies of Nuremberg, who reported them -to their senate. After Geneva, their own turn would -come, no doubt.</p> - -<p class="side">=MYSTERIOUS RETREAT OF THE SAVOYARDS.=</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, about one o'clock on a pitch-dark night, -the troops of the duke, the bishop, and the knights of -the Spoon had come up close to the ditch. But, -strange to say, they remained inactive. They neither -broke down the gates nor mounted the walls: on the -contrary, 'the nearer they approached,' says Balard, -who was in the city, '<i>the more their hearts failed them.</i>' -Besides the knights of Vaud and the leaders of -the Burgundian bands, there were in the besieging -army a certain number of officers holding their commissions -immediately from his highness the duke. -On a sudden these Savoyard captains drew back; they -moved away, and left the others at the edge of the -ditch. This unexpected defection surprised every -one: the soldiers asked what it meant.... The troops -fell into disorder, a panic soon ran through their -ranks, and in a moment there was a general flight, -their only exploit being the plundering of the suburbs.</p> - -<p>The officers of Savoy, as they retired, said that -the duke 'had commanded them to withdraw under -pain of death.' He had indeed received the emperor's -orders not to begin the war before the spring; but he -could not resolve to arrange his plans in harmony -with those of his illustrious ally. Always anxious -to make himself master of Geneva, he had let things -take their course. A more pressing message from the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">{564}</a></span> -emperor had arrived. The duke, much vexed, had -communicated it with a bad grace to his captains. -Had it only reached them at the moment they were -making the attack? or did they hesitate at the very -time when, blinded by hatred, they were about to -escalade the walls in defiance of the orders of the puissant -emperor? Had their courage failed them at the -last step? This seems the most probable conclusion. -There is, however, a certain mystery in the whole -incident which it is difficult to penetrate. Geneva, -alone in the presence of a gallant and numerous army, -was defended during this memorable night by an unknown -and invisible power. The Genevans believed -it to be the hand of the Almighty. Did they not -read in Scripture that a city, inhabited by the people -of God, having been compassed by horses, and chariots, -and a great host, the mountain round about was -miraculously filled with horses and chariots of fire in -far greater numbers?<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_844" id="Ref_844" href="#Foot_844">[844]</a></span> -None of these indeed had been -seen upon the Alps, but the arm of the Lord had -put the enemy to the rout. 'The bark of God's miracles' -had been once more saved in the midst of the breakers. -The citizens reiterated in their homes, in the streets, -and in the council, the expression of their gratitude. -'Ah!' said syndic Balard, 'the faint heart, the sudden -discouragement of those who had conspired against -the city, came from the grace and pity of God!'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_845" id="Ref_845" href="#Foot_845">[845]</a></span></p> - -<p>The citizens wished to open the gates and follow in -pursuit of the enemy; but the ambassadors of Berne -and Friburg restrained them. The flight was so extraordinary -that these warlike diplomatists feared that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">{565}</a></span> -it was a stratagem. 'You do not know,' they said, -'how great is the cunning of the enemy. Wait until -you receive help from our masters, which we hope -will soon arrive.'</p> - -<p class="side">=FIFTEEN THOUSAND SWISS ARRIVE.=</p> - -<p>In fact, fifteen thousand of those soldiers who were -the terror of Europe were then entering the Pays de -Vaud with ten pieces of cannon and colours flying, -and were marching to Geneva. Some of the citizens -regretted the arrival of these troops, who came (they -said) when they were not wanted, and who would be -an expense to the city; but the more far-sighted -thought their presence still necessary. The enemies -of the new order of things still threatened Geneva on -every side, and were even in Geneva, always ready to -renew the attack. It was necessary to put a stop to the -violence of these feudal lords and the intrigues of -the monks; it was necessary to free the country once -for all from the robbers who spread desolation all -around; and the Swiss army was looked upon as -called to accomplish this work. This was also what -the Bernese and Friburgers said, and they spared no -pains to deliver the inhabitants of the shores of the -Leman from their continual alarms. They did no -harm to the peasants, except that they 'lived upon -the good man;'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_846" id="Ref_846" href="#Foot_846">[846]</a></span> -but they captured, plundered, and -burnt the castles of the knights of the Spoon. The -garrisons fled at their approach, carrying away baggage, -treasures, and artillery across the lake to Thonon: -boats were continually passing from one shore to the -other. The priests and friars were not looked upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">{566}</a></span> -with very friendly eyes by the <i>Lutherans</i>, and here -and there they had their gowns torn; but not one of -them was wounded. One hundred and twenty Genevans, -encouraged by this news, put to flight at Meyrin -eight hundred soldiers of Savoy and Gex.</p> - -<p>At noon on Monday, the 10th of October, the Swiss -army, with the avoyer D'Erlach at its head, marched -into Geneva. But where could they put fifteen -thousand soldiers in that little city? The citizens -received a great number; a part were quartered in -the convents. 'Come, fathers, make room,' said the -quartermasters to the Dominicans. The monks gave -up their dormitories very unwillingly; but that did not -matter: six companies, '<i>all Lutherans</i>,' were lodged -in the convent, and two hundred horses were turned -loose in their burial-ground to feed upon the grass. -The Augustine and Franciscan monasteries, as well as -the houses of the canons and other churchmen, were -also filled with troops. These men carried on the -controversy in their own fashion—that is, in a military -and not an evangelical manner. A great number -of them had to bivouac in the open air. The -Bernese artillerymen, who were posted round the -Oratory, situated between the city and Plainpalais, -felt cold during the night. They first began to examine -the chapel, and then entered it, and took away -the altar and the wooden images, with which they -made a good fire. They were not, however, yet at -their ease: these rough Helvetians, having no desire to -lie down or to remain standing all night, broke up a -large cross, and with the fragments made seats on which -they sat round the fire. Some Friburgers, observing -what they considered to be a sacrilege, went up to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">{567}</a></span> -Bernese and reprimanded them sharply, asking them -why they did not go and look for wood somewhere else. -'The wood from the churches is usually very dry,' -coolly answered the artillerymen. These catholic -Friburgers were no doubt superstitious; but perhaps -the Bernese were not very pious, and most of them, -while destroying the <i>idols</i> without, left those standing -that were within.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE NUNS OF ST. CLAIRE.=</p> - -<p>The Genevans anxiously looked about for quarters -for their guests, being unwilling to leave these confederates -without shelter, who had quitted everything -for them. As the city was not large enough, the -country was laid under contribution. At the extremity -of a fine promontory which stretches from the -southern shore into the lake, at Belle Rive, about a -league from the city, stood a convent of Cistercian -nuns, staunch partisans of the duke, and who were suspected -of intriguing in his favour, and of having been -greatly delighted when the Savoyard army had beleaguered -the city not long before. 'Come with us,' said -certain young huguenots to a Swiss company bivouacking -in the open air; 'we will provide you comfortable -quarters, situated in a beautiful locality.' They marched -off immediately. The nuns, whose hearts palpitated -with fear, were on the watch, and, looking from their -windows, they saw a body of soldiers advancing by the -lake. Hastily throwing off their conventual dress, -they disguised themselves and took refuge in the neighbouring -cottages. At last the troop arrived. Were -the Genevans and Bernese irritated by this flight, or -did they intend to follow the custom of burning the -houses of those who plotted against the State? We -cannot tell; but, be that as it may, they set fire to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">{568}</a></span> -convent, not, however, to the church, and the house -itself suffered but little, for the nuns returned to it -soon after. When the flames were seen from Geneva, -they occasioned much excitement; but nothing could -equal that of the sisters of St. Claire.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_847" id="Ref_847" href="#Foot_847">[847]</a></span> -The poor -nuns, huddling together in their garden, looked at the -fire with terror, and exclaimed: 'It is a sword of -sorrow to us, like that which pierced the Virgin.' -They ran backwards and forwards, they entered the -church, they returned to the garden, and fell down at -the foot of the altar, and then, looking again at the -flames, devoutly crossed themselves. 'We must depart,' -they said, and immediately the best scholars -among them drew up, as well as their emotion permitted, -a humble petition addressed to the syndics. -'Fathers and dear protectors,' said they, 'on our -bended knees and with uplifted hands, we, being -greatly alarmed, entreat you by the honour of our -Redeemer, of his virgin mother, of Monsieur St. Pierre, -and Madame St. Claire, and all the saints of paradise, -to be pleased to allow us to go out from your city in -safety.' Three of the most devout members of the -council went to the convent to comfort them. 'Fear -nothing,' they said, 'for the city has not the least -intention of becoming Lutheran.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_848" id="Ref_848" href="#Foot_848">[848]</a></span></p> - -<p>A certain consideration was shown towards the -sisters, by requiring them to find quarters for only -twenty-five soldiers, all Friburgers, 'good catholics,' -says one of the nuns, 'and hearing mass willingly.' -But alas! the mass did not make them more merciful. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">{569}</a></span> -'They were as thievish as the others,' says the same -nun. Shortly after their arrival they threatened to -break down the doors and the walls, if the nuns did -not supply them with as much to eat and drink as -they wanted. It is true that the sisters put the soldiers -upon spare diet, giving them only a few peas.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_849" id="Ref_849" href="#Foot_849">[849]</a></span> -This little garrison, however, was of advantage to the church -of St. Claire: it was the only place in Geneva where -the Roman worship was performed. The Friburgers, -at the request of the sisters, took post at the door, and -prevented the <i>heretics</i> from entering, but gave admission -<i>by order</i> to all the priests and monks of Geneva -who showed themselves. The latter came dressed as -laymen, carrying their robes under their arms; they -went into the vestry, put on their clerical costume, -entered the chapel, drew up round the altar, and -chanted mass <i>in pontificalibus</i>. When the service was -over, the nuns congratulated each other: 'What glory -Madame St. Claire has over Madame Magdalen, Monsieur -St. Gervais, and even M. St. Pierre!' It was a -great consolation and indescribable honour to them.</p> - -<p>The mass, however, was not to have all its own -way in Geneva. The Bernese desired to have the -Word of God preached; consequently, on Tuesday, the -11th of October, they proceeded to the cathedral with -their evangelical almoner, and ordered the doors to -be opened. Some of them went into the tower and -rang the episcopal bells, after which the almoner went -up into the pulpit, read a portion of Scripture, and -preached a sermon. A great number of Genevans had -gone to the church and watched this new worship -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">{570}</a></span> -from a distance. They did not fully understand it; -but they saw that the reading of God's Word, its explanation, -and prayer were the essential parts, and they -liked that better than the Roman form. From that -time, the evangelical service was repeated daily, and -'no other bell, little or big, rang in Geneva.' The -priests consoled themselves by thinking that 'the -accursed minister preached in German.' The <i>German</i>, -however, went further: he had brought with him some -copies of the Holy Scriptures in French, and French -translations of several of the writings of Zwingle, -Luther, and other reformers; and when the Genevans -who had heard him without understanding him went -to pay him a visit, he gave them these books, after -shaking hands with them, and in this way prepared -their minds for the work of the Reformation.</p> - -<p class="side">=CASTLES TAKEN AND BURNT.=</p> - -<p>While these books might be producing some internal -good, the Genevans were anxious for another reform. -They wished to purge the country of the outrages, robberies, -and murders which the nobility in the neighbourhood -of Geneva, still more than those in the Pays de -Vaud, had made the peaceful burghers endure so long. -This also was a reform, though different from that of -Luther and Farel. 'Come along with us,' they said to -the terrible bands of Friburg and Berne, 'and we will -lead you to these brigands' nests.' The Swiss troops, -guided by the Genevans, appeared successively before -the castles of Gaillard, Vilette, Confignon, Sacconex, -and others. They captured and set fire to many of -these haunts, where the noble robbers had so often -hidden their plunder and their prey. The terror of -the partisans of the old order of things now became -extreme. The sisters of St. Claire thought that everything -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">{571}</a></span> -was on fire round Geneva. 'Look!' said they, -standing on the highest part of their garden, 'look! -although the weather is fair, the sky is darkened by -the smoke.' They fancied it was the last day. 'Of a -surety,' they added, 'the elements are about to be dissolved.' -The desolation was still greater in the country. -The captain-general had issued an order forbidding all -marauding, but the soldiers rarely attended to it. The -peasantry were seen running away like sheep before -the wolf; the gentlemen hid themselves in the woods -or the mountains; and several noble dames, who had -taken refuge in miserable huts, 'were brought to bed -there very wretchedly.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_850" id="Ref_850" href="#Foot_850">[850]</a></span></p> - -<p>Although certain accusations have been brought -against them, the nuns of St. Claire were sincere in -their devotion, and moral in their conduct; and while -the dissolute friars kept silence, these superstitious -but virtuous women appeared to stand alone by the -side of popery in its agony. Desiring to appease the -wrath of heaven, they made daily processions in their -garden, barefooted in the white frost, chanting low -the litanies of the Virgin and the saints 'to obtain -mercy.' They passed all the night in vigils, 'praying -to God in behalf of his holy faith and the poor world.' -After matins they lighted the tapers, and scourged -themselves; then bending to the earth, they exclaimed: -<i>Ave, benigne Jesu!</i> 'hail, gentle Jesus!' -Sister Jeanne affirms that by these means they worked -miracles. Indeed, one of the <i>mahometists</i> (huguenots), -having flung a consecrated wafer into a cemetery, it -could not be found again: 'the angels had carried it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">{572}</a></span> -away and put it in some unknown place.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_851" id="Ref_851" href="#Foot_851">[851]</a></span> -It was not very miraculous that so small an object could not -be found among the grass and between the graves of -a cemetery. A miracle more real was worked.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Nemours, brother of the Duke of -Savoy, who, as we have seen, had come from France -with his men-at-arms to attack Geneva, laid aside his -warlike humour when he found the Swiss in the city, -and, wishing to conciliate the Genevans, repeated to all -who came near him that he had never intended to do -them any harm, and would punish severely everybody -who was guilty of violence towards them. A -truce was concluded at St. Julien. The definitive -treaty of peace was referred to a Swiss diet to be held -at Payerne. The bishop released the merchants, the -cows, and the goats he had seized, and the Genevans -set Mandolla at liberty; 'but,' adds Bonivard, 'I -was not taken out of Chillon.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_852" id="Ref_852" href="#Foot_852">[852]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_830" id="Foot_830" href="#Ref_830">[830]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 274-280. Registres du Conseil des 23 juin; -5, 8, 19 juillet; 9 août. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 576. Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, pp. 398, 399. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_831" id="Foot_831" href="#Ref_831">[831]</a> -MS. <i>Hist. of Geneva</i> in the Berne library, erroneously ascribed to -Bonivard.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_832" id="Foot_832" href="#Ref_832">[832]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 274-280. Registres du Conseil des 23 juin; -5, 8, 19 juillet; 9 août. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 576. Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, pp. 398, 399. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_833" id="Foot_833" href="#Ref_833">[833]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 280.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_834" id="Foot_834" href="#Ref_834">[834]</a> -Roset MS. <i>Chroniq.</i> liv. ii. ch. xlix. Registres du Conseil du 4 -juillet et du 12 août.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_835" id="Foot_835" href="#Ref_835">[835]</a> -Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 577, 578. Besson, <i>Mémoires du Diocèse -de Genève</i>, p. 62. Gautier MS.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_836" id="Foot_836" href="#Ref_836">[836]</a> -See vol. i. p. 69.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_837" id="Foot_837" href="#Ref_837">[837]</a> -Gautier MS. Besson, <i>Mémoires du Diocèse de Genève</i>. Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, p. 400. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 577, 578.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_838" id="Foot_838" href="#Ref_838">[838]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 286.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_839" id="Foot_839" href="#Ref_839">[839]</a> -Ibid. p. 287.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_840" id="Foot_840" href="#Ref_840">[840]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. 289.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_841" id="Foot_841" href="#Ref_841">[841]</a> -Sleidan, <i>Hist. de la Réformation</i>, liv. vii. <i>Journal de Balard</i>, p. -289.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_842" id="Foot_842" href="#Ref_842">[842]</a> -'Als der Kayser mit Herzog Friedrichen und andern Fürsten des -Krieges vor Genf zu reden worden.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 421.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_843" id="Foot_843" href="#Ref_843">[843]</a> -'Hat der Kayser unter andern in Französisch geredet: Ey, der -Herzog hat die Sache zu früh angefangen.'—<i>Corp. Ref.</i> ii. p. 421.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_844" id="Foot_844" href="#Ref_844">[844]</a> -2 Kings vi. 17.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_845" id="Foot_845" href="#Ref_845">[845]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 289, 290.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_846" id="Foot_846" href="#Ref_846">[846]</a> -'Ils vivaient sur le bon homme.' <i>Bon homme</i> was a term applied -by the nobles to the peasantry. Hence the war of <i>Jacques Bon-homme</i> -in France.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_847" id="Foot_847" href="#Ref_847">[847]</a> -Their convent was in the upper part of the city where the palace of -justice now stands, in the Bourg de Four.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_848" id="Foot_848" href="#Ref_848">[848]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, pp. 11-14.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_849" id="Foot_849" href="#Ref_849">[849]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 18.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_850" id="Foot_850" href="#Ref_850">[850]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 21.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_851" id="Foot_851" href="#Ref_851">[851]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, pp. 23-25.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_852" id="Foot_852" href="#Ref_852">[852]</a> -Ibid. pp. 20-25. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. p. 586. Gautier MS.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_573" id="Page_573">{573}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">GENEVA RECLAIMED BY THE BISHOP AND AWAKENED BY THE - GOSPEL.<br /> - (<span class="smc">November 1530 to October 1531.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=IMPERIAL LETTER TO GENEVA=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THUS had failed the attack of the bishop-prince -against his city; and it was much to be feared -that such an act, instead of restoring his power, would -only accelerate his fall. Pierre de la Baume saw this, -and resolved to employ other means to regain in -Geneva the authority he had lost.</p> - -<p>The thought that the Helvetic league was to be -the arbiter between Geneva and her bishop-prince -oppressed him like a nightmare: he did not doubt -that the diet would pronounce against him. A clever -idea occurred to him. 'If,' said he, 'I could but -have the emperor as arbiter, instead of the Swiss.... -Surely the monarch, who is preserving the papacy in -Germany, will preserve it also at Geneva.' Charles V. -and the catholic party were still at Augsburg; and -the bishop would have desired to substitute a congress -of princes for a diet of republicans. 'In truth,' said -the emperor, when this petition was laid before him, -'we should not like the rights of the most reverend -father in God, the Bishop of Geneva, to be prejudiced.... -They are of imperial foundation; and it is our duty, -therefore, to maintain them.' Charles had never been -more irritated against the protestants than he was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">{574}</a></span> -now. It was the middle of November: the imperial -<i>recess</i> had just been rejected by the evangelicals, -because the emperor (they said) had not authority -to command in matters of faith.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_853" id="Ref_853" href="#Foot_853">[853]</a></span> -The deputies of -Saxony and Hesse had left without waiting for the -close of the diet. The imperialists assured the friends -of the Bishop of Geneva that he could not have chosen -a better time, and that his cause was gained. On the -19th of November proclamation was to be made in -Augsburg of the re-establishment 'of one and the -same faith throughout the empire.' On the evening -before, while this was being drawn up, the emperor -called his secretary, and dictated to him the following -letter, addressed to the people of Geneva:—</p> - -<div class="top"> -<div class="left1">'<span class="smc">Dear Liegemen</span>,</div> -</div> - -<p style="text-indent:2em">'We have been informed that there is a question -between you and our cousin, the Duke of Savoy, -about matters touching the rights of our well-beloved -cousin and counsellor, the Bishop of Geneva. We -have desired to write to you about that, enjoining -you very expressly to send to our imperial authority -persons well informed on all points in dispute -between the bishop and yourselves. We shall demand -the same of the said lords, the duke and the bishop, -our cousins, for the settlement of your differences, -which will be for the welfare and tranquillity of both -parties. You will thus learn the desire we have that -<i>our subjects</i> should live in peace, friendship, and concord.</p> - -<p>'Dear liegemen, may God watch over you!</p> - -<p>'At Augsburg, 18th of November, 1530.</p> - -<div class="foot"> -<div class="right1">'<span class="smc">Charles</span>.'</div> -</div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">{575}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=ANSWER OF THE GENEVESE.=</p> - -<p>This letter from his imperial majesty created a great -sensation in Geneva. It was known that Charles V. -was preparing to reduce mighty princes, and every -one perceived the danger that threatened the city. -'What!' said the people, 'we are to send deputies to -Augsburg, and perhaps to Austria, where they will -meet those of the bishop and the duke ... and the -emperor will be our judge!' The councils assembled -frequently without coming to any decision as to the -answer to be returned. First one and then another -was commissioned to draw it up. Councillor -Genoux produced a draft signed 'Your very humble -subjects.'—'We are not subjects,' exclaimed the -huguenots. At length they decided on writing as -follows:—</p> - -<p>'Most serene, most invincible, very high and -mighty Prince Charles, always august. For this -long time past, we, in defence of the authority and -franchises of our prince-bishop and city of Geneva, -have suffered many vexations, great charges, expenses, -and dangers, proceeding from the most illustrious -duke. Quite recently we were surrounded by -armed men, his subjects, and outrageously attacked. -Nevertheless, by God's will and the kind succour of -the magnificent lords of Berne and Friburg, we have -been preserved from this assault—to relate which -would be wearisome to your majesty.' The council -added that, as the settlement which the emperor -desired to undertake would be arranged at Payerne -before the Swiss diet, they could not profit by his -good intentions, and concluded by commending to him -the city of Geneva, 'which, from desiring to observe -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">{576}</a></span> -its strict duty, would have been almost destroyed -but for the grace of God.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_854" id="Ref_854" href="#Foot_854">[854]</a></span></p> - -<p>Thus did the little city boldly decline the intervention -of the great emperor. The duke and the bishop -had hoped that Charles V., who was in their opinion -called to destroy the Reformation in Germany, would -begin by crushing it in Geneva. Accordingly, when -the news of the Genevese refusal reached the ears of -the duke and the bishop, their indignation knew no -bounds. 'Since these rebels reject the peaceful -mediation of the emperor,' they said, 'we must bring -the matter to an end with the sword.' They once more -resolved to take the necessary steps, but with as much -secresy as possible, so that the Swiss should not be -informed of them. The Duke of Nemours, who had -not made use of his army, instructed ten thousand -lansquenets who were at Montbéliard to move as -quietly as they could behind the Jura, arrive at St. -Claude, descend as far as Gex, and, two days before -the opening of the diet of Payerne which the bishop -so much dreaded, <i>suddenly take Geneva by storm, set -it on fire</i>, and, leaving a heap of ashes behind them, -retire rapidly into Burgundy before the Swiss could -have time to arrive. At the same time messengers -were sent to all the castles of the Pays de Vaud, -inviting the gentlemen to hold themselves in readiness. -On his side, the Duke of Savoy, who was then -at Chambéry, made 'great preparation' of armed men -and adventurers, both Italian and French. Everything, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">{577}</a></span> -he said, was to be completed with the greatest -secresy.</p> - -<p class="side">=DECISION OF THE DIET OF PAYERNE.=</p> - -<p>But Charles was less discreet than his brother; he -could not keep silence, but boasted of the clever <i>coup -de main</i> that he was preparing. On the other hand, -a man coming from Montbéliard to Berne reported -that he had seen ten thousand soldiers reviewed in -that town. At this intelligence, the energetic lords -of Berne desired all the cantons to hold themselves -in readiness to succour Geneva, and threatened the -gentry of the Pays de Vaud to waste their country -with fire and sword if they moved. Meanwhile the -council called out all the citizens. Thus the mine -was discovered, the blow failed, and the duke, once -more disappointed in his expectations, left Chambéry -for Turin.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_855" id="Ref_855" href="#Foot_855">[855]</a></span> -The diet which met at Payerne, even -while conceding the vidamy to the duke (which he -was not in a condition to reclaim), maintained the -alliance of Geneva, Berne, and Friburg, and condemned -Charles III. to pay these three cities 21,000 -crowns. Geneva and Berne desired more than this: -they demanded that Bonivard should be set at liberty—'if -perchance he be not dead,' they added. The -Count of Chalans replied that M. St. Victor was 'a -lawful prisoner.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_856" id="Ref_856" href="#Foot_856">[856]</a></span></p> - -<p>As neither war nor diplomacy had succeeded in -restoring the prince-bishop to his see, he had recourse -to less secular means: he turned to the pope, -who determined to grant the city a marvellous favour -by which he hoped to attach once more the bark of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">{578}</a></span> -Geneva to the ship of St. Peter. The heroism which -the sisters of St. Claire had shown when the Swiss -had come to the help of the city in October 1530, had -touched the pontiff: among the conventuals of Geneva -the only men were the women. The pope therefore -granted a general pardon to all who should perform -certain devotions in the church of that convent. On -Annunciation Day (March 25) this remarkable grace -was published throughout the country.</p> - -<p class="side">=PILGRIMAGE TO ST. CLAIRE.=</p> - -<p>An immense crowd from all the Savoyard villages -flocked to the city, 'in great devotion,' on the first -day. Chablais, Faucigny, Genevois, and Gex were -full of devotees strongly opposed to the Reformation; -they were delighted at going to pay homage in Geneva -itself to the principles for which they had so often -taken up arms. As they saw these long lines approach -their walls, the citizens felt a certain fear. 'Let us -be on our guard,' they said, 'lest under the dress of -pilgrims the knights and men-at-arms of the Spoon -should be concealed.' They suddenly closed the city -gates. The pilgrims continuing to arrive soon made -a crowd, and, being fatigued with their long march, -exclaimed in a pitiful voice: 'Pray open the gates, for -we have come from a distance.' But the Genevans -were deaf. Then appeared the pilgrims from Faucigny, -energetic and vigorous men, who got angry, -and finding words of no avail, they forced the gates, -and proceeded to the church of St. Claire, where they -began unceremoniously to say their <i>Paters</i> and <i>Aves</i>. -According to a bull of Adrian VI., it was sufficient to -repeat five of these to obtain seventy thousand years of -pardon.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_857" id="Ref_857" href="#Foot_857">[857]</a></span> -The colour mounted to the cheeks of some -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">{579}</a></span> -of the huguenots, who would have resisted the unlawful -intrusion; but the Faucignerans continued their -devotions as calmly as if they had been in their own -villages. Then the syndics went to St. Claire (it was -the hour of vespers), accompanied by their sergeants -'with drawn swords and stout staves,' and made the -usual summons for these strangers to leave the city. -Upon the refusal of the Savoyards, the public force -interfered; the Faucignerans resisted, blows were -exchanged, and finally these extraordinary pilgrims -were compelled to retire without having gained their -pardon. This scene increased the dislike of the -Genevans to the Romish ceremonies. To publish -indulgences was a curious means of strengthening -catholicism in Geneva. Pope Clement VII. forgot -that Leo X. had thus given the signal for the -Reformation.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_858" id="Ref_858" href="#Foot_858">[858]</a></span></p> - -<p>When these scenes were described at Rome, they -excited great irritation. The sacred college determined -to try again, and to exhibit in the very midst -of this heretic population a still more striking act of -Roman devotion. Clement VII. called his secretary -and dictated to him, 'of divine inspiration,' a new -pardon, to which the Bishop of Geneva affixed his -<i>placet</i>, and which inflicted the penalty of excommunication -on any who should oppose it. This bull was -published in the Savoyard country adjacent to Geneva. -The parish priests had scarcely announced the pardon -from their pulpits, ere the villages were astir, and -men and women, old and young, made their arrangements -to go and seek the glorious grace offered them -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">{580}</a></span> -in the city of the huguenots. The Genevans, friends -of religious liberty and legality, determined to offer no -hindrance to these devotions. But they took their -precautions, and the captain-general called out a -strong guard. The pilgrims approached, staff in -hand, some carrying a cross on their shoulders; and -erelong a great crowd of Savoyards appeared before -the walls. Here they were compelled to halt. At -each gate were arquebusiers, a great many of them -huguenots, who searched the pilgrims lest they -should carry swords beneath their clothes, in addition -to their staves. The examination was made, -not without much grumbling, but no arms were -found.</p> - -<p>Then the devoted multitude rushed into the city, -and crowded into the church of St. Claire as if it had -been that of Our Lady of Loretto. The Genevans -suffered the pilgrims to go through all their forms -without obstruction. If the Savoyards wished to perform -their devotions, they reckoned also, as is usual -in affairs of this kind, upon eating and drinking, and -that abundantly. The crowd for this part of the pilgrimage -was so great, that the tavern-keepers, for -want of room, were forced to set tables in the open -air. This mixture of praying and drinking made the -spectators smile, and some of the huguenots gave vent -to their sarcastic humour: 'Really,' said one, 'this -pardon is quite an ecclesiastical fair' (<i>nundinæ ecclesiasticæ</i>)! -'The fair,' said another, 'is more useful -than people imagine. By these pilgrimages the priests -revive the flagging zeal of their flocks. They are -nets in which the simple birds come and are caught.' -'I very much fear,' added a third, 'that in order to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_581" id="Page_581">{581}</a></span> -sell her indulgences, the Church makes many promises -which God certainly will not fulfil.... It is a pious -fraud, as Thomas Aquinas says.'—'Let them alone,' -said others, 'let them bring their money ... and -then, when the plate is well filled, we will empty it.' -They did not proceed to such extremities: the syndics -merely forbade the money to be spent out of the -city.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_859" id="Ref_859" href="#Foot_859">[859]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=PRIDE OF THE NUNS OF ST. CLAIRE.=</p> - -<p>The sisters of St. Claire rejoiced. The pope had -honoured them in the sight of all christendom; their -monastery was on the way to become a celebrated -place. They believed themselves to be the favourites -of God and of the heavenly intelligences, and imagined -that angels would come to their assistance. As the -plague was then raging in Geneva, they saw—surprising -miracle!—the hosts of heaven leaving their -glorious abodes to preserve the convent: the plague -did not visit it. All the nuns were convinced that -this was due to a miraculous intervention. And when -the sisters, in church or in refectory, at vespers or at -matins, conversed about this great grace, they whispered -to one another: 'Three wondrously handsome -and formidable knights, each having a beautiful -shining cross on his forehead, keep watch before the -gate.... And when the wicked plague appears, she -sees them straight in front of her, and flees away, -fearing the brightness of their faces.' Sister Jeanne -de Jussie informs us of this miraculous fact, and concludes -her narrative with this pious exclamation: 'To -God be the honour and praise!' Some sensible men -afterwards asked why these knights, 'with the shining -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_582" id="Page_582">{582}</a></span> -cross on their foreheads,' had not stationed themselves -at the gates of Geneva to prevent the entrance -of that other plague (as Rome called it), the Reformation?</p> - -<p>The means which the pope had selected for reannexing -Geneva to Rome, had quite a different effect: they -produced a revival of religion. The Roman indulgence -aroused the Genevans, and made them seek for a real -pardon. Had not Luther, fourteen years before, proclaimed -at Wittemberg that '<i>every true christian -participates in all the blessings of Christ, by God's -gift, and without a letter of indulgence</i>?'—'This doctrine,' -said certain huguenots who had returned from -a journey through the cantons, 'is received in Switzerland, -and not at Zurich and Berne alone. There are -many people of Lucerne and Schwytz even, who prefer -God's pardon to the pardons of the pope.'</p> - -<p>An invisible hand was at that time stretched over -the city, and holding a blessing in reserve for it. -Farel, who was on the shores of the lake of Neufchatel, -was informed of the evangelical movement -which followed the noisy devotions of the Faucignerans, -and wrote about it immediately to Zwingle, -his friend and counsellor. This was in October -1531: yet a few more days, and the reformer of -Zurich was to meet his death on the battle-field of -Cappel. This awakening of Geneva was the last news -which came to rejoice his oppressed soul. 'Many in -that city,' wrote Farel, 'feel in their hearts holy -aspirations after true piety.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_860" id="Ref_860" href="#Foot_860">[860]</a></span> -And, according to this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_583" id="Page_583">{583}</a></span> -energetic reformer, it was something more than vague -movements of the soul that they felt. 'Several Genevans,' -he wrote another day to Zwingle, 'are meditating -on the work of Christ.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_861" id="Ref_861" href="#Foot_861">[861]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">='DE CHRISTO MEDITARI.'=</p> - -<p>Thus, then, did that city of Geneva, which had been -so engrossed with political independence, begin to -reflect on Jesus Christ. It was the new topic which the -Reformation presented everywhere to the consideration -of earnest men. In Germany, Switzerland, France, -and England, still more than at Geneva, serious minds -were beginning to meditate on Christ—<i>de Christo -meditari</i>. Some did so in a superficial manner; others -devoted themselves to it in the depths of their soul; -and holy thoughts found a home in the houses of the -citizens, in the colleges, in obscure cells, and even on -the throne. 'Christ is the Redeemer of the world,' -thought these meditative minds, 'the restorer of the -union with God, which sin destroyed.... Christ came -to establish the kingdom of God upon earth.... But -no one can enter that kingdom unless God pardons -his sins.... In order that we may find peace, not only -must our souls be relieved from the penalty, but our -consciences must be delivered from the feeling of the -sin that keeps it apart from its God.... An atonement -is necessary.... Christ, like those whom he came to -save, a man like them, is at the same time of an eternal -and divine nature, which has given him power to ransom -the entire people of God, and to be the principle -of a new life.... He took upon himself the terrible -penalty which we deserved.... His whole life was one -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_584" id="Page_584">{584}</a></span> -continuous expiatory suffering.... But the crowning -of his sorrows, and what gave them truly the character -of expiation, was his death.... Christ, uniting himself -to humanity through love for us, suffered death under -a form which bears in the most striking manner the -character of a punishment, that is to say, the pain -of a malefactor condemned by a human tribunal.... -He, the Holy One, wishing to save his people, was -made sin upon the cross.... He was treated as the -representative of sinful humanity.... He, the beloved -of the Father, endured for rebellious men the most -deadly anguish, the entire abandonment by God.... -From that hour the people of God enjoy the remission -of their sins, they are reconciled with God, they -have free access to the Father.... That sacrifice is -of universal comprehensiveness; no one is excluded -from it ... and yet no one receives the benefit of it, -except by a personal appropriation, by being united -to Jesus Christ, by participating, through faith, in his -holy and imperishable life.'</p> - -<p>Such, in the sixteenth century, were the meditations -of elect souls in many a secret chamber, and it is -in this way that the Reformation was accomplished. -Perhaps one or two Genevans had similar thoughts; -but, generally, their knowledge was not very advanced, -and most of the huguenots desired rather to be delivered -from the bishop and the duke than from sin and condemnation. -Farel did not conceal from Zwingle his -anxieties in this respect, and said, in his letter from -Granson: 'As for the degree of fervour with which -the Genevans seek after piety—it is known only to -the Lord.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_862" id="Ref_862" href="#Foot_862">[862]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_585" id="Page_585">{585}</a></div> - -<p class="side">=FAREL FEELS THE WANTS OF GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>No one interested himself more than Farel in the -reformation of Geneva. That year he was at Avenche, -Payerne, Orbe, Granson, and other places; and everywhere -he ran the risk of losing his life. In one place -a sacristan threatened him with a pistol; in another, -a friar tried to kill him with a knife concealed under -his frock; but Farel never thought of himself. Of -intrepid heart and indomitable will, always burning -with desire to promote the triumph of the Gospel, and -prepared to confront the most violent opposition, he -felt himself strongly drawn to Geneva as soon as he -heard that the Reformation had to contend with powerful -adversaries there. He then fixed his eyes on that -city, and during his long career never turned them -away from it. In the midst of his labours at Granson, -by the side of the lake, near the old castle, on the -famous battle-field, Geneva occupied his thoughts. -He reflected that although it already had a reputation -for heresy, there was in reality no true reform. What! -shall the Reformation die there before it is born? He -desired to see the Word of God preached there publicly, -in an appropriate, vivifying, effective manner, and, as -Calvin said, 'by pressing the people importunately.' -He desired to see the pulpit become the seat of the -prophets and apostles, the throne of Christ in his -Church. No time must be lost. The Reformation -would be ruined in Geneva, and the new times would -perish with it, if the huguenots, who had ceased to -listen to the mass, were contented, as their only -worship, with walking up and down the church while -the priests were chanting. The ardent passions and -warlike humour of the Genevese alarmed him. 'Alas!' -he said, 'there is no other law at Geneva than the law -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_586" id="Page_586">{586}</a></span> -of arms.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_863" id="Ref_863" href="#Foot_863">[863]</a></span> -He desired to establish the law of God -there. He would have liked to go there himself, and -perhaps he would have carried away some by his lively -eloquence, and alarmed others by the thunders of his -voice; but he owed himself at this time to the places -he was evangelising at the peril of his life. If he -quitted the work, Rome would regain her lost ground. -He therefore looked about him for a man fitted to -scatter through the city the seeds of the Word of -God.</p> - -<p class="side">=CALLS TOUSSAINT TO GO THERE.=</p> - -<p>Pierre Toussaint, the young canon of Metz, had -quitted France, at the invitation of Œcolampadius, -after his sojourn at the court of the Queen of Navarre, -and had joined Zwingle at Zurich.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_864" id="Ref_864" href="#Foot_864">[864]</a></span> -Farel came to -the determination of sending Toussaint to Geneva: -they had occasionally preached the Gospel together -since 1525. 'Make haste to send him into the Lord's -vineyard,' he wrote to Zwingle, 'for you know how well -fitted he is for this work. I entreat you to extend a -helping hand.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_865" id="Ref_865" href="#Foot_865">[865]</a></span> -And, as if he foresaw the importance -of the reformation of Geneva, he added: 'It is no -small matter: see that you do not neglect it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_866" id="Ref_866" href="#Foot_866">[866]</a></span> -Urge Toussaint to labour strenuously, so as to redeem by -his zeal all the time he has lost.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_867" id="Ref_867" href="#Foot_867">[867]</a></span> -Zwingle executed -the commission. Toussaint, one of the most amiable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_587" id="Page_587">{587}</a></span> -among the secondary personages of the Reform, listened -attentively to the great doctor, and at first -showed himself inclined to accept the call.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_868" id="Ref_868" href="#Foot_868">[868]</a></span> -Zwingle spared no pains to bring him to a decision: he set -before him what the Gospel had already done in Geneva, -and what remained to be done. 'Enter into this -house of the Lord,' he said. 'Rend the hoods in -pieces, and triumph over the shavelings.... You will -not have much trouble, for the Word of God has -already put them to flight.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_869" id="Ref_869" href="#Foot_869">[869]</a></span> -He did not mean that -Toussaint should literally tear the friars to pieces, for -the expression is figurative; but the energy of Farel -and Zwingle, and what he heard of the Genevan persecutions, -alarmed the poor young man. He had -quitted the court of Francis I. because of the worldliness -and cowardice he had encountered there; and -now, seeing in Geneva monks and priests, <i>bishopers</i> -and <i>commoners</i>, huguenots and mamelukes, he shrank -back in terror, as if from a den of wild beasts. He -had said 'No' to the court, he said 'No' to the energetic -and impetuous city. Geneva wanted heroes—men -like Farel and Calvin. The project failed.</p> - -<p>Farel was vexed. He who had never shrunk from -any summons could not succeed in sending an evangelist -into this city!... He called to mind that all -help comes from a God of mercy, and in his anguish -turned to the Lord: 'O Christ,' he said, 'draw up thy -army according to thy good pleasure; pluck out all -apathy from the hearts of those who are to give thee -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_588" id="Page_588">{588}</a></span> -glory, and arouse them mightily from their slumber.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_870" id="Ref_870" href="#Foot_870">[870]</a></span> -The moment was soon to arrive when he would go -himself to Geneva; but before he appeared there, his -prayer would be answered. God, whom he had invoked, -was to send there within a few months a strong -and modest man, who would prepare the way for -Farel, Calvin, and the Reformation.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile several Genevans, who did not understand -that a conversion of the heart is necessary, -wished to effect at least a negative reform, which -would have consisted in doing away with the mass, -images, and priests. The more daring asked why -Geneva should not do like Zurich, Berne, and Neufchatel. -'Yes,' answered the more prudent, 'if the -Friburgers would permit.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_871" id="Ref_871" href="#Foot_871">[871]</a></span></p> - -<p>These desires for reform, weak as they were, alarmed -the Romish party. Friars, priests, and bigots got up -an agitation, and, going in great numbers before the -procurator-fiscal, conjured him to lay aside his apathy, -seeing that this new religion would change everything -in Geneva, and deprive the bishop not only of his -spiritual jurisdiction, but of his secular authority also. -The fiscal, who was empowered to watch over the -rights of the prince, called for a severe inquiry upon -all suspected persons.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_872" id="Ref_872" href="#Foot_872">[872]</a></span> -At these words there was -silence in the assembly: some of the members of the -council looked at one another, and felt ill at ease, for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_589" id="Page_589">{589}</a></span> -they were among the number of the suspected. The -fiscal spoke out more plainly, and filled the hall with -complaints and clamour. 'Let us destroy heresy!' -he repeated.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_873" id="Ref_873" href="#Foot_873">[873]</a></span> -The council, perplexed to the highest -degree, evaded the matter by doing nothing either -for or against it.</p> - -<p class="side">=BERNE AND FRIBURG AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>The fervent catholics next proceeded to the hotel -where the Friburg ambassadors were staying. 'If -Geneva is reformed,' said the latter, 'there is an end -to the alliance.' The Friburgers did more than this: -leaving their lodgings, they accosted the more decided -liberals, and repeated to them in a firm tone: 'If -Geneva is reformed, there is an end to the alliance!' -The huguenots hurried off to the Bernese ambassadors; -but the battle of Cappel was not far off, and it -was a matter of doubt whether the Reformation could -be preserved even in Berne and Zurich. The Bernese -received the Genevans coldly, and the latter returned -astonished and incensed. 'Alas!' said Farel, 'the -Bernese show less zeal for the glory of Christ than the -Friburgers for the decrees of the pope.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_874" id="Ref_874" href="#Foot_874">[874]</a></span></p> - -<p>A new difficulty arose. The huguenots would -have desired to march to the deliverance of Zurich -and the reformed, while the catholics wished to support -Lucerne and the smaller cantons. On the 11th -of October—the very day of the battle of Cappel, but -it was not yet known—Berne demanded a hundred -arquebusiers of Geneva; and the next day Friburg -wrote desiring them to send all the help they could -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_590" id="Page_590">{590}</a></span> -against the heretical cantons. Which side should -Geneva take? 'Let us refuse Friburg,' said some. -'Let us refuse Berne,' said others. The former called -to mind the assistance which the most powerful republic -in Switzerland had sent them; the latter remembered -that Friburg had espoused the cause of -Geneva when Berne was against them. The council, -impelled in contrary directions, resolved to preserve a -just balance, and extricated themselves from their -embarrassment by the strangest middle course. They -resolved that a hundred Genevans should go and fight -in favour of the Reformation, and appointed Jean -Philippe, one of the most zealous huguenots, to command -them; after which they also gave Friburg a -favourable answer, and elected syndic Girardet chief -of the auxiliaries intended for the catholics.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_875" id="Ref_875" href="#Foot_875">[875]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_853" id="Foot_853" href="#Ref_853">[853]</a> -<i>Hist. of the Ref. of the Sixteenth Century</i>, vol. iv. bk. xiv. ch. xii.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_854" id="Foot_854" href="#Ref_854">[854]</a> -See the emperor's letter of Nov. 18, 1530, and the answer of the -Council, Dec. 10. Registers, December 9, 1530. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. -pp. 591-594.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_855" id="Foot_855" href="#Ref_855">[855]</a> -<i>Journal de Balard</i>, pp. 306-309.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_856" id="Foot_856" href="#Ref_856">[856]</a> -Ibid. pp. 312, 313. Bonivard, <i>Chroniq.</i> ii. pp. 595, 607. Galiffe fils, -<i>Besançon Hugues</i>, p. 407. Ruchat, ii. p. 305.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_857" id="Foot_857" href="#Ref_857">[857]</a> -Chais, <i>Lettres sur les Jubilés</i>, ii. p. 583.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_858" id="Foot_858" href="#Ref_858">[858]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 25.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_859" id="Foot_859" href="#Ref_859">[859]</a> -La Sœur J. de Jussie, p. 28.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_860" id="Foot_860" href="#Ref_860">[860]</a> -'Sunt qui ad pietatem aspirant.'—Farel to Zwingle, October 1, -1531, <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 647. This letter, written from Granson eleven days -before Zwingle's death, was the last the Zurich reformer ever received. -That which comes after, dated simply from Orbe, 1531, is evidently -anterior to that from Granson.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_861" id="Foot_861" href="#Ref_861">[861]</a> -'Apud Gebennenses non nihil audio de Christo meditari.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_862" id="Foot_862" href="#Ref_862">[862]</a> -'Sed quanto fervore novit Dominus.'—Zwingl. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 647.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_863" id="Foot_863" href="#Ref_863">[863]</a> -'Jus est in armis.'—Zwingl. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 647.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_864" id="Foot_864" href="#Ref_864">[864]</a> -'Petrus Tossanus per Œcolampadium sæpe suis vocatus literis, -quibus nostras frequentes addidimus. E Gallis pulsus ad te se contulit.'—Farel -to Zwingle, Orbe, <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_865" id="Foot_865" href="#Ref_865">[865]</a> -'Quantum agnoscis idoneum, tantum adige in vineam Domini -properare.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_866" id="Foot_866" href="#Ref_866">[866]</a> -'Res non parva est, neque contemnenda.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_867" id="Foot_867" href="#Ref_867">[867]</a> -'Strenue laborare, id studio et diligentia compenset, quod diu -cessans omisit.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_868" id="Foot_868" href="#Ref_868">[868]</a> -'Petrum sperabam in messem Domini venturum.'—Farel to Zwingle, -<i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_869" id="Foot_869" href="#Ref_869">[869]</a> -'Fractis cuculatis aliisque rasis, quos pridem Verbum fugasset.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_870" id="Foot_870" href="#Ref_870">[870]</a> -'Christus pro sua bona voluntate disponat omnia! Socordiam -omnem et veternum excutias a pectoribus eorum, per quos Christi honor -procurandus venit.'—Farel to Zwingle, Orbe, <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_871" id="Foot_871" href="#Ref_871">[871]</a> -'Et si per Friburgenses liceret, asserit excipiendum prompte -Evangelium.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_872" id="Foot_872" href="#Ref_872">[872]</a> -'In hæreticæ pravitatis suspectos severa diligentia inquireretur.'—Spanheim, -<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, p. 37.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_873" id="Foot_873" href="#Ref_873">[873]</a> -'Clamosa quiritatione et crebro convitio.'—Spanheim, <i>Geneva Restituta</i>, -p. 37.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_874" id="Foot_874" href="#Ref_874">[874]</a> -'Bernenses non ea diligentia laborant pro Christi gloria, qua -Friburgenses pro pontificiis placitis.'—Zwingl. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_875" id="Foot_875" href="#Ref_875">[875]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 11, 13, 14 octobre 1531.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_591" id="Page_591">{591}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">DANGER TO WHICH GENEVA IS EXPOSED BY THE DEFEAT OF - CAPPEL.<br /> - (<span class="smc">October 1531 to January 1532.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=GENEVA AGAIN IN DANGER.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE news of the war between the catholics and the -reformed having reached Turin, the duke thought -it a favourable opportunity for attacking Geneva. It -was reported that five thousand lansquenets were -approaching on the side of Burgundy, ten thousand -Italians on the side of the Alps, and that all the -states of his highness beyond the mountains were in -motion to fall upon the city. 'There are certain -heads in Geneva,' said the duke, 'that I purpose -to set flying.' The Genevans lost not a moment. -'Let everything be destroyed that may obstruct the -defence of the city,' said the council. 'Let all the -suburbs be levelled—Eaux Vives on the left shore of -the lake; St. Victor, at the other side of St. Antoine; -St. Leger, up to the Arve; and the Corraterie as far as -the Rhone. Let every man keep a good look-out; let -no one be absent without leave; let those who are away -return to defend the city; and let solemn prayers and -processions be made for three days.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_876" id="Ref_876" href="#Foot_876">[876]</a></span></p> - -<p>Thus, while Lucerne and the smaller cantons were -attacking Zurich, the Duke of Savoy and the gentlemen -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_592" id="Page_592">{592}</a></span> -of the Leman were preparing to attack Geneva. -These two cities were in the sixteenth century the -capitals of protestantism in Switzerland. Geneva, -however, was still filled with priests and monks, while -the choirs of all the churches reechoed with the -matins and other chants of the Romish ritual,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">De pieux fainéants y laissant en leur lieu,</div> -<div class="verse">A des chantres gagés, le soin de louer Dieu.</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p>How did it happen that Geneva was at this time -coupled with Zurich? It is because that city, though -not yet won over to the Reformation, was predestined -to be so: a solitary example, probably, of a state -exposed to great dangers, not so much on account of -what it is, as on account of what it will be. The -beginnings of the evangelical faith to be found there -were so very small, that they would not have sufficed -to draw upon it the anathemas of the bishop and the -armies of the duke; but the election of God was -brooding over it; God prepared it, tried it, and delivered -it, because of the great things for which he -destined it. The adversaries of the Gospel seemed -to have a secret presentiment of this; and they desired -therefore to destroy by the same blow the -city of Zwingle and that which was to be the city of -Calvin.</p> - -<p class="side">=DEFEAT AT CAPPEL: TRIUMPH OF ROME.=</p> - -<p>All the citizens were afoot. Some armed with -arquebuses mounted guard; others marched out -with their mattocks to level the suburbs. At this -moment a messenger arrived from Switzerland announcing -the defeat at Cappel: Zurich had succumbed.... -At first the huguenots could not believe the -mournful news; they made the messenger repeat it; -but it was soon confirmed from various quarters, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_593" id="Page_593">{593}</a></span> -the friends of independence and of the Reformation -bent their heads in sorrow. The arm in which they -had trusted was rudely broken. The protestant party -throughout Switzerland was disheartened, while the -Roman party rejoiced. It was told at Geneva that -the mass had been restored at Bremgarten, Rapperschwyl, -and Soleure, and in all the free bailiwicks, -and that the monks were returning in triumph to -their deserted cells. Was it possible for the Reformation -to plant its banners on the shores of Lake Leman, -at the very moment when it was expelled from those -places where it seemed to have been so firmly established?</p> - -<p>The Genevan catholics anticipated their triumph. -The death of the Swiss reformer was (they thought) -the end of the Reformation; they had only to strike -the final blow. Their secret meetings became more -numerous; detestable plots were concocted. The -heroes of the old episcopal party, resuming their arrogant -look, walked boldly in the streets of Geneva, -some rattling their swords, others sweeping the ground -with their long robes. If they chanced to meet any -<i>suspected</i> persons, they made contemptuous gestures -at them, picked quarrels with them, insulted, and -even struck them, and the outrages remained unpunished.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_877" id="Ref_877" href="#Foot_877">[877]</a></span> -The Friburgers, in particular, thought -everything was lawful against the evangelicals,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_878" id="Ref_878" href="#Foot_878">[878]</a></span> and -desiring to subdue Geneva, emulous of the Waldstettes -at the Albis, they marched through the streets in small -bands, and whenever they discovered any huguenot, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_594" id="Page_594">{594}</a></span> -they surrounded him, carried him off, and threw him -into prison without trial.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_879" id="Ref_879" href="#Foot_879">[879]</a></span> -In this way the partisans -of the bishop expected to restore him to his episcopal -throne. Pierre de la Baume was getting ready to -ascend it again.</p> - -<p>The huguenots, astonished at the perpetration of -such outrages in the presence of the Swiss, and even by -the Swiss, applied once more to the Bernese, but in -vain. The latter were unwilling to countenance a -struggle in Geneva which they were checking in other -quarters. 'Let there be no petulance, no violence,' -they said; 'we have the orders of the senate.' But, -as the Genevans were not disposed to remain quiet, -the envoys of Berne assumed a grave countenance, and, -putting on a magisterial haughtiness, dismissed their -unseasonable visitors. The Genevans withdrew murmuring: -'What scandalous neglect and cowardice!' -they said; 'Messieurs of Berne think a great deal -more of this world than of the world to come.'—'The -senate of Berne,' repeated Farel, 'would not put up -with the slightest insult to one of their ambassadors, -and yet they make light of serious insults offered to -the Gospel of Christ.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_880" id="Ref_880" href="#Foot_880">[880]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=APPROACH OF THE DUKE AND HIS ARMY.=</p> - -<p>The defeat of Zurich redoubled the energy of Duke -Charles. Desirous of adorning his brows with laurels -similar to those of the victors at Cappel, he gave orders -for a general attack. The troops of Vaud and Savoy -surrounded Geneva, and cut off the supplies; the -boats were seized on both shores of the lake, and the -duke arrived at Gex, three leagues from the city, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_595" id="Page_595">{595}</a></span> -with a strong force of cavalry to superintend the -assault. Under these gloomy auspices the year 1532 -began in Geneva. The danger appeared such that, -at seven in the evening of the 2nd of January, all the -heads of families assembled and resolved to keep night -and day under arms, to wall up the gates, and to -die rather than renounce the Swiss alliance and their -dearest liberties. A greater misfortune was about to -befall them.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_881" id="Ref_881" href="#Foot_881">[881]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 7th of January, five days after this courageous -resolution, three Bernese deputies, De Diesbach, -De Watteville, and Nägueli, appeared before the -council. Sadness was depicted on their faces, and -everything betokened that they were the bearers of a -distressful message. 'We are come from Gex, where -the duke is lying,' they said. 'He consents to treat -with you, if you will first renounce the alliance with -the cantons. Remember, he is a mighty prince, and -able to do you much harm. You have not yet paid -for the last army we sent you; we cannot set another -on foot. We conjure you to come to some arrangement -with his highness.'</p> - -<p>During this speech the Genevans flushed with -anger and indignation. They could not understand -how the proud canton of Berne could ask them to -renounce the cause of independence and the Swiss -alliance. The deputy having ended his address—the -general council of the people had been convened to -hear it—the premier syndic replied: 'We will listen -to no arrangement except how to preserve the alliance. -The more we are threatened, the firmer we shall be. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_596" id="Page_596">{596}</a></span> -We will maintain our rights even till death. We -trust in God and in Messieurs of the two cities. And -if, to pay you what we owe, we must pawn our property, -our wives, and our children, we will do so. As -for the alliance, we are resolved to live and die for it.' -The syndic had scarcely done speaking, when all the -people cried out: 'So be it! We will do nothing -else—we will die first!' The arquebusiers of Jean -Philippe and of Richardet were of the same mind. -The ambassadors thought it strange that they should -dare to resist Berne. 'We will carry your answer -back to our lords,' they said, 'and they will do what -pleases them.' They then retired. The people held -up their hands, and all swore to be faithful to the -alliance.</p> - -<p>The Bernese envoys had left. The people were in -great agitation. The cause of liberty had just been -vanquished at Cappel; the armies of the duke surrounded -the city, and the Swiss desired to cancel the -alliance. Geneva was not exempt from secret terrors: -the women shed tears, and even the men felt an -oppression like that of the nightmare; but enthusiasm -for liberty prevailed over every fear. Deprived of -the help of men, the Genevans raised their eyes to -heaven. Many of them experienced extraordinary -emotions, and were the victims of strange spectral -hallucinations. One night, the sentries posted on -the walls saw seven headless horsemen, dressed in -black, keeping guard around the city. They were -dressed in black, for all Geneva was in mourning; -they were without heads, for no one could reckon -upon preserving his own; and then these Genevans -fancied, in their enthusiasm, that they could defend -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_597" id="Page_597">{597}</a></span> -Geneva, even when their heads were off. The duke, -having learnt that some mysterious allies had come to -the help of the city, quitted Gex, and hurried off to -Chambéry. It is probable, however, that his conference -with the three lords of Berne had more influence -in arresting the execution of his designs, than the -apparition of the seven black horsemen.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_882" id="Ref_882" href="#Foot_882">[882]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=GOD PREPARES GENEVA BY TRIAL.=</p> - -<p>The trials, the terrors, the repeated attacks that -Geneva was forced to undergo at the hands of her -enemies, are the characteristics of her history at the -epoch of the Reformation. Her citizens, plundered, -hunted down, captured, thrown into the dungeons of -the castles, always between life and death, lived continually -in the apprehension of an assault, and almost -every year their fears were changed into terrible realities; -of this we have seen several instances, and we -shall see more. There is probably no city of the -sixteenth century which arrived at the possession of -truth and liberty through such great perils. When -their supplies failed, when their communications, with -Switzerland were interrupted, when no one could leave -the city, when all around the arms of the Savoyards -were seen flashing in the rays of the sun, the citizens -no doubt displayed an heroic courage; but yet the -women and the aged men, and even men in the vigour -of life, felt a mortal fear and anguish. 'Christians are -not logs of wood,' it was said subsequently in this city, -and we may well apply the words to the Genevans of -this epoch; 'they are not so devoid of human feeling, -that they are not touched by sorrow, that they do not -fear danger, that poverty is not a burden to them, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_598" id="Page_598">{598}</a></span> -persecution sharp and difficult to bear. This is why -they feel sad when they are tried.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_883" id="Ref_883" href="#Foot_883">[883]</a></span> -Long ago in the -early days of Christianity, famines, earthquakes, plagues, -persecution, and afterwards, at the period of the invasion -of the barbarians, the devastations with which -that calamity was attended, made serious souls feel the -presence of God, and led them to the cross. An earthquake -which threw down part of the city of Philippi, -terrified a gaoler, until then hardened in superstition, -humbled him, and made him listen to the teaching of -the disciples which he had previously despised;<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_884" id="Ref_884" href="#Foot_884">[884]</a></span> -and, later still, a similar calamity in Africa brought a -great number of pagans to confess the Gospel and be -baptised.</p> - -<p>It was by such trials as these that Geneva was now -prepared. God was ploughing the field which he wished -to sow. Distresses and deliverances continually repeated -revealed to thoughtful men the power of God: -to this even the Registers of the Council bear witness. -Did this rough school lead any souls further? Were -there any who sought beyond the world for life incorruptible?... -The inward travail of men's minds is -generally concealed, and the chroniclers give us no -information on this point (it is not their department); -but we cannot doubt that the end for which God sent -the trial was attained. Perhaps at that time there -were souls which, in the midst of the evils they saw -around them, were led to discover in themselves the -supreme evil—sin; perhaps in some private chamber -humble voices were then raised to heaven; perhaps -the judgments of God, which were suspended over -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_599" id="Page_599">{599}</a></span> -their heads and those of their wives and children, induced -some to dread the last judgment; and perhaps -there were many who embraced the eternal love, that -inexhaustible source of salvation, who believed in the -Gospel of the Son of God and found peace therein. -We know not what took place in the secret depths of -men's hearts; but certainly the times which we are -describing were times of trial which contributed to -make Geneva what it subsequently became: it was a -'burning furnace from which came forth fine brass.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_885" id="Ref_885" href="#Foot_885">[885]</a></span> -If Geneva shone out in the sixteenth and seventeenth -centuries, it was partly because at the epoch of the -Reformation it had been sorely tried, and, if the expression -be allowable, 'brightly burnished.'—'We -are as it were annealed in the furnace of God,' may be -said of this city, 'and the scum of our faith has been -thus purged away.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_886" id="Ref_886" href="#Foot_886">[886]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=SWISS PATRICIANS CANCEL THE ALLIANCE.=</p> - -<p>On the 7th of February, 1532, five ambassadors—two -from Berne, and three from Friburg—with -Sebastian de Diesbach at their head, appeared at -Geneva before the Council of Two Hundred; they -were the representatives of the Swiss aristocracy, of -those proud captains who figured in battles and -appeared in the courts of kings. They discharged -their mission with as little ceremony as they observed -in taking cities, and demanded that Geneva -should renounce its alliance with the Swiss and put the -Duke of Savoy again in possession of his supremacy.... -What will the Genevans do? Even Friburg, -which had at first appeared favourable to them, failed -them now.... Two hundred voices exclaimed: 'We -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_600" id="Page_600">{600}</a></span> -will die sooner!' The next day, when the general -council was assembled, the greatest excitement prevailed -among them; everybody seemed eager to speak -at once; loud clamours arose on every side: 'All the -people began to shout,' say the minutes of this assembly. -The language of Diesbach was urgent, imperative, and -threatening.... A hurricane was blowing over Geneva; -the tree must bend or break. But it neither bent nor -broke. The ambassadors, amazed and indignant, returned -to their own country.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_887" id="Ref_887" href="#Foot_887">[887]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Genevans, left alone, asked what was to be done.... -The cup was overflowing. Suddenly a happy idea -crossed the minds of certain patriots. Although the -patricians and pensioners are opposed to the rights of -Geneva, will not the people, and the grand council -which represents them, be in favour of liberty? When -the Reformation was established at Berne, in 1528, the -noblest resolutions were formed. The indigent had -been clothed with the church ornaments, the pensions -of the princes renounced, and the military capitulations -which bound the Swiss to the service of foreign -powers abolished. Then the enthusiasm had cooled -down; the pensioners regretted the old times; they -tampered with the more influential people of the city, -and exasperated them against the alliance with Geneva -which displeased their old master the duke. 'Let -us make an attempt,' exclaimed some of the Genevese, -'to revive in Berne the noble aspirations for Reform -and liberty.' Robert Vandel and two other deputies -departed for the banks of the Aar.</p> - -<p>Vandel was well suited for this mission. Ever since -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_601" id="Page_601">{601}</a></span> -the day when he saw his aged father illegally seized -by the bishop and thrown into prison, he had given -his heart to independence, as he subsequently gave it -to the Gospel. He knew that the people had retained -their sympathy for Geneva, and that if the patricians -prevailed in the little council, the citizens prevailed -in the great council: he therefore appeared before -this body. He explained to them the dangers of the -Genevans, their love of independence, and their resolution -to risk everything rather than separate from the -Swiss. His language moved the hearts of the Bernese, -and the good cause prevailed. 'We will maintain the -alliance,' they said; 'and, if necessary, we will march -to defend your rights.' Friburg adopted the resolutions -of Berne.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_888" id="Ref_888" href="#Foot_888">[888]</a></span> -Thus after the trial came the -deliverance; Geneva began to breathe freely. Yet -another sorrow was in store for it.</p> - -<p class="side">=RESIGNATION AND DEATH OF HUGUES.=</p> - -<p>On the 20th of February, Besançon Hugues appeared -before the council and resigned all his functions. -'I am growing old,' he said (he was only forty-five); -'I have many children, and I desire to devote myself -to my own affairs.' There is no doubt that the motives -assigned by Hugues had some part in his determination; -we may, however, ask if they were the only ones. -He watched attentively the movement of men's minds -in Geneva, and, being devoted to Roman-catholicism -and the bishop, he could not help seeing that the -opposite party was gaining more followers every day. -He had spared neither time, trouble, fortune, nor health -to bring about the alliance with the Swiss. Seeing -that it existed no longer solely in the parchments of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_602" id="Page_602">{602}</a></span> -the archives, but in the hearts of the people, he thought -that he had fulfilled his task, and that for the new work -Geneva ought to have new leaders. If Hugues was -not old, he was ailing; he already felt the approaches -of that disease which carried him off a few months -later. He declined rapidly, and breathed his last towards -the end of the year.</p> - -<p>The death of Besançon Hugues did not proceed -from an ordinary sickness: he died of a broken heart. -Although still a catholic, at the moment when the -Reform was about to enter his country, a crown ought -to be laid upon his grave. The continual anxiety -which the perils of Geneva had caused him; more than -forty official missions; his incessant labours in the -Genevan cause; the new burdens continually imposed -upon him; the reverses which rent his heart; his precipitate -flight, his dangers on the roads and in the -cities, cold, watchings, and the cares of a family—('I -commend to you my poor household,' he said sometimes -in his letters to the council); his disappointments; -the reproaches he had to endure from both -parties; his struggles with the pensioners, the agents -of Savoy, the knights of the Spoon, and some of his -fellow-citizens—all these vexations contributed to his -disease and death. The head of Besançon Hugues did -not fall under the sword of the executioner, like those -of Berthelier and Lévrier; but the pacific hero sank -under the weight of fatigue and sorrow. An invisible -sword struck him; and it may be said that the deaths -of the three great men of Genevan emancipation were -the deaths of martyrs.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_876" id="Foot_876" href="#Ref_876">[876]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 11 octobre 1531.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_877" id="Foot_877" href="#Ref_877">[877]</a> -'Alii impune injuria afficiuntur.'—Zwingl. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_878" id="Foot_878" href="#Ref_878">[878]</a> -'Nihil pene non licet Friburgensibus in pios.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_879" id="Foot_879" href="#Ref_879">[879]</a> -'Indicta causa, rapiuntur in carceres.'—Zwingl. <i>Epp.</i> ii. p. 648.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_880" id="Foot_880" href="#Ref_880">[880]</a> -'Non putarim senatum Bernensem olim ita laturum levem injuriam -in nuntium sicut gravem in Evangelium perfert.'—Ibid.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_881" id="Foot_881" href="#Ref_881">[881]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 2 janvier 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_882" id="Foot_882" href="#Ref_882">[882]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 7, 8, 9 janvier 1532. Savyon, <i>Annales</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_883" id="Foot_883" href="#Ref_883">[883]</a> -Calvin on 1 Peter i. 7.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_884" id="Foot_884" href="#Ref_884">[884]</a> -Acts xvi. 23, 24.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_885" id="Foot_885" href="#Ref_885">[885]</a> -Revelation i. 15.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_886" id="Foot_886" href="#Ref_886">[886]</a> -Calvin.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_887" id="Foot_887" href="#Ref_887">[887]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 4, 7, 8 février 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_888" id="Foot_888" href="#Ref_888">[888]</a> -<i>History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century</i>, bk. xv. ch. iii. -Ruchat, ii. p. 83. Galiffe fils, <i>B. Hugues</i>, p. 442.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_603" id="Page_603">{603}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">AN EMPEROR AND A SCHOOLMASTER. - (<span class="smc">Spring 1532.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="side">=THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHEME.=</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">JUST as the noble citizen, who had defended with -such devotedness the independence of his country, -had retired from the stage of the world, new plots -were got up against Geneva; but new strength came -also to her help. An emperor was rising against -the city, and a schoolmaster was bringing it the everlasting -Word.</p> - -<p>The imperial court was then at Ratisbon, where -the Germanic diet was to assemble. The Duke and -Duchess of Savoy, who could not make up their minds -to resign Geneva, had ordered their ambassador accredited -to Charles V. to solicit the influence of that -prince in order to induce the bishop, his partisan, to -cede his temporal principality to the duke's second -son. The duchess, who appears to have been anxious -to bring about this cession, made every possible exertion -to attain her object. The emperor, who was very -fond of Beatrice, answered: 'I desire this arrangement, -because of the singular love, goodwill, and -affection I feel towards my dearly beloved cousin and -sister-in-law.' He added, moreover, that he desired -it also 'in the interest of the holy faith and for the -preservation of mother Church.' He undertook to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_604" id="Page_604">{604}</a></span> -persuade Pierre de la Baume to transfer his temporality -to the young prince; and, that he might bring -the negotiation to a favourable issue, he applied to -the Count of Montrevel, the head of the bishop's -family. On the 14th of April, 1532, he dictated and -forwarded the following letter to that nobleman: -'The emperor, king, duke, and count of Burgundy, -to his very dear liegeman: We require and order you -very expressly, that as soon as possible, and at the -earliest opportunity and convenience, you proceed to -the Bishop of Geneva, and tell him, as you may see -most fitting, the desire we have that he should <i>please -our said cousins</i>, the duke and duchess; employing -with him soft words of persuasion, according to your -accustomed prudence. He can all the easier yield to -our prayer, because, as the successor-designate of the -Archbishop of Besançon, he must necessarily leave -Geneva to reside in that city.' The emperor, moreover, -used his influence with the Marshal of Burgundy, -the Baron of St. Sorlin, Pierre de la Baume's brother. -The prelate was to be attacked on every side. -Charles's recommendations could hardly have been -more urgent if the safety of the German empire had -been at stake.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_889" id="Ref_889" href="#Foot_889">[889]</a></span></p> - -<p>The duke, who was delighted at these letters of the -emperor, began to take such measures as would enable -him to profit by them. Since the puissant Charles V. -gives Geneva to his son, he will go in quest of the -young prince's new states. In the following month -(May 1532) everything foreboded that some new -attack was preparing against Geneva. There was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_605" id="Page_605">{605}</a></span> -great commotion in the castles; trumpets were sounding, -banners flying, and priests raising loud their -voices. It might have been imagined that they -were preparing for a crusade like those which had -taken place of yore against the Albigenses or the -Saracens. The Genevans, who had not a moment's -repose, mournfully told one another the news. 'In -the states of Savoy there are loud rumours of war,' -they said; 'the nobles are enraged against the evangelicals, -whom they call <i>Lutherans</i>; and some of the -gentry are assembled already, and going to and fro -under arms.' The citizens did not give way to dejection; -on the contrary, the knowledge of these intrigues -and preparations made them long the more earnestly -for the emancipation of Geneva. They said that from -the day when the pope had deprived the citizens of -the choice of their ruler, and had nominated creatures -or members of the house of Savoy as bishops at Geneva, -there had been in the city nothing but disorders, violence, -extortion, imprisonment, confiscations, tortures, -and cruel punishments. They asked if it was not time -to return to the primitive form of Christianity, to the -popular organisation of the Church; they repeated -that Geneva would never secure her independence -and her liberty, except by trusting to the great principles -of the Reformation. 'Zurich,' they said, 'has -resumed the rights which Rome had taken away: it -is time that Geneva followed her example.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_890" id="Ref_890" href="#Foot_890">[890]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=NEGATIVE PROTESTANTISM INSUFFICIENT.=</p> - -<p>The Reformation was neither a movement of liberty -nor a philosophical development, but a christian, a -heavenly renewal. It sought after God, and, having -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_606" id="Page_606">{606}</a></span> -found him, restored him to man: that was its work. -But, at the same time, wherever it was established, at -least under the Calvinistic form, civil liberty followed it. -We must acknowledge, however, that the reformers, -with the exception of Zwingle, did not trouble themselves -much about this. It was grace that filled them -with enthusiasm. It was the great idea of a free -pardon, and not artillery, which shattered the power -of the pope. Every man was then invited to the foot -of the cross, to receive immediately from Christ, and -through no sacerdotal channel, an inestimable gift. -But Christianity, which the priesthood had monopolised, -vitiated, and made a trade of during the middle -ages, became common property in the sixteenth -century. It passed from the pomps of the altar to -men of humble and contrite heart, from the gloomy -and solitary cloisters to the domestic hearth, from -isolated Rome to universal society. Once more -launched into the midst of the nations, it everywhere -restored to man faith, hope, and morality, light, liberty, -and life.</p> - -<p class="side">=OLIVÉTAN ARRIVES AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>At the very time when a beautiful princess was -coveting Geneva, an ambitious duke intriguing, and -courtiers agitating, and when a puissant monarch was -granting his imperial favours, a humble schoolmaster -arrived in the city. And while all those pomps and -ceremonies were among the number of things worn -out and passing away, this teacher brought with him -the principles of a new life. Farel, as we have seen, -ardently desired that the Word of God should be -circulated and even publicly preached at Geneva. -He thought that then only would the Reformation be -truly established and independence secured. It is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_607" id="Page_607">{607}</a></span> -probable that the person who arrived in this city, and -whom he had long known, was sent by him; but we -have no proof that such was the case. However, this -man was not, properly speaking, a preacher; he was -merely a schoolmaster, and yet he was to perform a -work greater than that of the emperor. At that time -Geneva passed for protestant; but her protestantism -was limited to throwing off despotism and superstition. -But it is not sufficient to reject what is false; the truth -preached by Christ and the apostles must be believed. -<i>Faith</i> is the principle of the Reformation. There was -at Geneva, to some extent, that negative protestantism -which rejects not only the abuses of popery, but also -evangelical truth itself; which can create nothing, -and which is little else than a form—and certainly -one of the least interesting forms—of philosophy. If -Geneva was to be reformed, to become a centre of light -and morality, and to maintain her political independence, -she must have a positive and living christianity; -and it was this that Olivétan, Farel, and Calvin were -about to bring her.</p> - -<p class="side">=CHARACTER OF CHAUTEMPS.=</p> - -<p>In the street of the Croix d'Or, not far from the -Place du Molard, lived an enlightened, wealthy, and -influential citizen, Jean Chautemps, a member of council. -He was a quiet and conscientious man, yielding -unhesitatingly to his convictions. Chautemps valued -learning highly, and having sons desired to see them -well educated. People spoke to him of a Frenchman, -born at Noyon, in Picardy, who, after a long residence -at Paris, had been compelled to leave France in consequence -of one of the attacks so frequently made -upon the <i>Lutherans</i> at that time. 'Besides,' added his -informant, 'he is a very learned man.' Indeed, without -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_608" id="Page_608">{608}</a></span> -being either a Reuchlin in Hebrew or a Melanchthon -in Greek, he had a sound knowledge of both -languages; it was his practice to read the Holy Scriptures -in the original text, and he was fond of inserting -in his writings passages from the Old Testament, where -they still appear in beautiful Hebrew characters, in the -midst of his antiquated French. His name was Peter -Robert Olivétan—the same who, during his residence -in Paris, had had the happiness of bringing to a knowledge -of evangelical truth one of his cousins and fellow-townsmen, -John Calvin. Chautemps, considering it -fortunate to have such a master for his children, received -him into his house.</p> - -<p>Calvin's cousin boldly set to work. He taught his -patron's children, and, as it would appear, some -others that had been placed with them. He taught -with love and clearness, according to 'the right mode' -of Mathurin Cordier, whom he had known at Paris. -He believed, as Calvin says, that 'roughness and servile -austerity excite children to rebellion, and extinguish -in them the holy affections of love and reverence,' -and he strove 'by moderate and kind treatment -to increase in them the will and readiness to -obey.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_891" id="Ref_891" href="#Foot_891">[891]</a></span></p> - -<p>The schoolmaster, as he is termed in the Registers -of the Council of Geneva, did not restrict himself to -teaching Latin and Greek. He was simple and -modest, and calls himself, in the preface to the book -which has immortalised him (the translation of the -Bible), '<i>the humble and lowly translator</i>.' But God -had kindled a divine fire in his heart. He believed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_609" id="Page_609">{609}</a></span> -that the christian ought to carry a lighted lamp in -his hand to show others the way of life, and he never -failed to do so. He sometimes accompanied Chautemps -to the churches, and was observed to be deeply -moved by the errors which he heard there; he would -leave the temple in agitation, return home, and, seated -with his patron, refute by Holy Scripture the opinions -of the priests, and faithfully explain the true Christian -doctrine. The councillor, who had early sided with -those who inclined towards the Reformation, was -struck with these conversations, and, far from resisting -the truth that was set before him, joyfully yielded -himself to it. He presently displayed, according to -Froment's testimony, 'if not a perfect knowledge, at -least a great desire for learning, with much love and -zeal to show himself as a friend of the Reformation.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_892" id="Ref_892" href="#Foot_892">[892]</a></span> -From that hour the pious councillor always came forward -whenever there was a question of upholding the -evangelical cause in Geneva. When that great missionary, -Farel, arrived, Chautemps was among the first -to welcome him. When a dispute occurred with the -curate of St. Magdalen's, he was one of those who defended -the teaching of the Scriptures.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_893" id="Ref_893" href="#Foot_893">[893]</a></span> -And subsequently -he boldly declared, in full council, that he -desired to live according to the Gospel and the Word -of God.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_894" id="Ref_894" href="#Foot_894">[894]</a></span></p> - -<p>Olivétan's zeal was not confined to the house in -which he lived; he laboured to make the Gospel -known to the councillor's friends, and even to everybody -whom he found accessible to the Divine Word. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_610" id="Page_610">{610}</a></span> -He exerted himself, and overcame obstacles; by means -of the Scriptures he endeavoured to 'point out <i>with -gentleness</i>' to the priests the errors which they taught, -and would not allow himself to be hindered by any fear. -Such zeal was not without danger, for the priests -had still much power in Geneva. Chautemps and his -friends accordingly advised Olivétan to be prudent, -lest he should come to harm; but the schoolmaster -said like his cousin: 'It is God's will that his truth -should be proclaimed, happen what may; it must be -published, even should the depths of hell pour forth -their rage against it.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_895" id="Ref_895" href="#Foot_895">[895]</a></span> -Olivétan once reproved a priest -with so much boldness that the latter stirred up all -the clergy against him, and he was ordered (without -being brought to trial) to leave the city; but this -belongs to a later time.</p> - -<p>Conversation did not suffice, and if any persons -showed a desire to learn the new doctrine, Olivétan -explained it to them. He did not do so before large -audiences; it was generally to small parties. Yet a -document speaks of assemblies held not only in private -houses, but in public, in the open places, and in front -of the churches.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_896" id="Ref_896" href="#Foot_896">[896]</a></span> -Olivétan, therefore, like his illustrious -relative, called to mind that in the beginning of -christianity the doctrine of the Lord did not remain -'hidden as it were in little comers, and that never was -thunder heard so loud and so piercing as the sound of -the preaching of the Gospel, reverberating from one -end of the world to the other.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_897" id="Ref_897" href="#Foot_897">[897]</a></span> -He sometimes quitted -the humble conventicle and preached the Word of truth -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_611" id="Page_611">{611}</a></span> -under the vault of heaven. Alarmed at the great disorders -in which those men indulged who were one -day to bear the name of 'libertines,' he attacked the -conscience with holy intrepidity.</p> - -<p class="side">=OLIVÉTAN'S MISSION.=</p> - -<p>One day, one of those 'private assemblies' was -held, of which the emperor had complained to the -syndics. It was, we may suppose, in the house of -Chautemps or some other huguenot (public meetings -were, I think, rare exceptions) in the street of the Croix -d'Or or of the <i>Allemands</i>, so called because some German -Switzers, friends of the Reformation, lived in it. -A few men and women, most of them known to the -master of the house, came and took their seats on the -benches in front of the evangelist. Olivétan, who saw -before him souls slumbering in false security and heedless -of the Supreme Judge, 'magnificently discharged -the embassy intrusted to him' (according to Calvin's -expression). 'One day,' he said, 'when thou shalt -hear the Lord calling thee to judgment, will there be -found anything in thee but fear and trembling, flight -and concealment? Look! Access to the Lord is -cut off, because of sin. With whom wilt thou take -refuge? In what place wilt thou find relief? God, the -avenger of sin, from whom nothing can be hid, is -everywhere present ... and everywhere terrifies the -guilty conscience.'</p> - -<p>Then, imagining that he saw some of those Genevans, -whose morals, as depraved as those of the monks, -alienated them from the Gospel, he exclaimed: 'The -flesh excludes the Spirit, and stops the way, so that -the entrance of the heart is not opened to it. The flesh -desires present pleasures, it follows vanity, it carefully -seeks after the delights of the body, by eating -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_612" id="Page_612">{612}</a></span> -and drinking, by idleness, licentious pursuits, and -other such things, in which it is entirely absorbed. -Reason, illumined by the Spirit, strives after good -things, and fights against the flesh; but the sensual -man is nothing more than a brute, and gives himself -up entirely to things that belong to brutes.'</p> - -<p>Among those who sat on the humble benches and -listened to the preacher, were also some of those intellectual -men, numerous in Geneva, who would have -liked to come to the faith, but whom the doctrine of -Christ astonished and even alarmed. 'You believe,' -said the evangelist, 'and yet you do not believe. You -willingly hear the words of salvation, and yet you are -terrified at them. There is nothing that we hear from -the mouth of the Saviour which, without a mediator, -should not be terrifying to us, and the flesh is quite -dismayed that it should be necessary to possess such -faith.'</p> - -<p>Then the schoolmaster raised the trumpet of the -Gospel to his lips and announced the great mystery -of Redemption, without concealing what the Greeks -would have called its <i>foolishness</i>. 'Let us turn then,' -he exclaimed, 'to the Mediator, who has consummated -the alliance and purified us by his own blood, with -which our consciences are sprinkled and watered. The -Old Covenant always depended on the blood of beasts; -the New Covenant depends on new blood. Eternal -Redemption was effected by an eternal sacrifice. The -alliance is indissoluble, perpetual, and perfect through -the eternal blood which was of God.... The kingdom -of the Messiah has no end; its king must therefore be -immortal; and the new men, also immortal, are citizens -of an everlasting kingdom.'</p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_613" id="Page_613">{613}</a></div> - -<p>The huguenots were fond of debating, even unseasonably. -Some of those seated in front of Olivétan -were astonished at hearing this doctrine of Christ's -sacrifice set forth, and maintained that, if they were to -judge from facts, it did not do much to free man from -sin. 'No doubt,' said Olivétan, 'if the Holy Ghost -does not teach us. We cannot attain true holiness -if the Holy Ghost, who is the reformer of hearts, is -absent. By the Spirit of Jesus Christ the remains -of sin in us diminish little by little. The Spirit of -Christ burns gently and cleanses away the stains of -the heart.... What a profound mystery! He who -was hung upon the cross, who even ascended into -heaven to finish everything, comes and dwells in us, -and there accomplishes the perfect work of eternal -Redemption.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_898" id="Ref_898" href="#Foot_898">[898]</a></span></p> - -<p>Thus spoke the tutor of Councillor Chautemps' -children.</p> - -<p>Olivétan was a mysterious personage, a singular reformer. -At Paris he called Calvin to the Gospel, and -gave him to Christianity as the apostle of the new -times. At Geneva, he was the forerunner of his illustrious -relative; like a pioneer in the forest, he cut -down the secular trees, and prepared the soil into -which his pious and mighty successor so copiously -scattered the seed. Later, as we shall see, he -gave to the reformed French Church its first Bible, -a translation which, revised by Calvin, so greatly -advanced the kingdom of God. Perhaps Olivétan, -during his residence in Geneva, may have thought -that his cousin would hereafter occupy this post. He -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_614" id="Page_614">{614}</a></span> -appears in history only as the precursor of the -reformer, and Calvin had hardly set foot in this city -when Olivétan crossed the Alps, went to Italy, even -to the city of the pontiffs, as if he desired now to -accomplish a new work, to come to close quarters with -the papacy, and prepare Rome for the Reformation as -he had prepared Geneva. But there he suddenly disappeared—poisoned, -as some say. There is a veil -over his death as over his life. He is spoken of no -more, and scarcely any one appears to know either his -work or his name. But we must not anticipate: we -shall meet him again erelong.</p> - -<p>Olivétan certainly played an important part in the -great change which has renewed modern society, and -his name deserves to be enrolled among those which -are carved on the foundation-stones of the vast temple -of the Reformation.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_889" id="Foot_889" href="#Ref_889">[889]</a> -The emperor's letter to the Count of Montrevel. Galiffe fils, -<i>B. Hugues, Pièces Justificatives</i>, p. 494.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_890" id="Foot_890" href="#Ref_890">[890]</a> -Zwinglii <i>Opp.</i> iii. p. 439. <i>Archives de Genève.</i> James Fazy, <i>Précis -de l'Histoire de la République de Genève</i>, pp. 183-191.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_891" id="Foot_891" href="#Ref_891">[891]</a> -Calvini <i>Opera</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_892" id="Foot_892" href="#Ref_892">[892]</a> -Froment, <i>Actes et Gestes de Genève</i>, p. 4.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_893" id="Foot_893" href="#Ref_893">[893]</a> -Registres du Conseil du 31 décembre 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_894" id="Foot_894" href="#Ref_894">[894]</a> -Ibid. du 8 janvier 1534.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_895" id="Foot_895" href="#Ref_895">[895]</a> -Calvin, <i>Comm. sur les Actes</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_896" id="Foot_896" href="#Ref_896">[896]</a> -<i>Archives de Genève, Pièces Historiques</i>, nᵒ 7069, 8 juillet 1532.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_897" id="Foot_897" href="#Ref_897">[897]</a> -Calvin, on Matthew x. 36.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_898" id="Foot_898" href="#Ref_898">[898]</a> -Olivétan. Introduction to his French translation of the Bible. Fol. -Neuchatel, 1535.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_615" id="Page_615">{615}</a></div> - - <h3>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - <span style="font-size:80%">THE PARDON OF ROME AND THE PARDON OF HEAVEN.<br /> - (<span class="smc">June and July 1532.</span>)</span></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">OLIVÉTAN'S teaching had not been fruitless. There -occurred erelong an evangelical manifestation in Geneva, -which was an important step, and the first -public act of Reform. Calvin's cousin may have been -the instrument, though Clement VII. was the proximate -cause.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE JUBILEE.=</p> - -<p>The pope was preparing at that time to publish, not -a local pardon like that of St. Claire, but a universal -jubilee. It was the general topic of conversation in -many places, and some told how it had originated. -'On the eve of the new year, 1300,' said a scholar, -jeeringly, 'a report spread suddenly through Rome -(no one knew from whence it came) that a plenary -indulgence would be granted to all who should go -next morning to St. Peter's. A great crowd of Romans -and foreigners hurried there, and in the midst -of the multitude was an aged man who, stooping -and leaning on his staff, wished also to take part in -the festival. He was a hundred and seven years old, -people said. He was conducted to the pope, the -proud and daring Boniface VIII. The old man told -him how, a century before, an indulgence of a hundred -years had been granted on account of the jubilee; he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_616" id="Page_616">{616}</a></span> -remembered it well, he said. Boniface, taking advantage -of the declaration of this man, whose mind was -weakened by age, decreed that there should be a -plenary indulgence every hundred years.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_899" id="Ref_899" href="#Foot_899">[899]</a></span> -The great -gains which were made out of it, led to the jubilee -being appointed to be held successively every fifty -years, thirty-three years, and twenty-five years. But -the jubilee of the twenty-fifth year did not always -hinder that of the thirty-third.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_900" id="Ref_900" href="#Foot_900">[900]</a></span></p> - -<p>At Geneva people were already beginning to talk -much about the coming jubilee. Olivétan and his -friends were scandalised at it. The heart of this just -and upright man was distressed at seeing the pardon -of God set aside in favour of a festival of human invention, -in which, in order to obtain remission of sins, -it was necessary to frequent the churches during -a fixed number of days, and perform certain works, -and whose surest effect was a large increase to the -revenues of the pope. The schoolmaster maintained -that if any one sought to find repose of conscience in -such inventions, he would waste his time; his heart -would be lulled to sleep in forgetfulness of God, or be -full of fear and trembling until it had found repose in -Jesus Christ. 'Christ alone is our peace,' he said, -'and alone gives our conscience the assurance that -God is appeased and reconciled with it.'</p> - -<p>Men's minds were soon in a great ferment in Geneva. -People met and talked about it in the streets, and everywhere -began to murmur. 'A fine tariff is the pope's!' -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_617" id="Page_617">{617}</a></span> -said the more decided of the huguenots. 'Do you want -an indulgence for a false oath? Pay 29 livres 5 sols. -Do you want an indulgence for murder? A man's life -is cheaper; a murder will only cost you 15 livres 2 sols -6 deniers.' They added, 'that the pretended treasury -of indulgences, from which the pope took the wares -he sold to every comer, was an invention of the -devil.'</p> - -<p class="side">=ENCROACHMENTS OF THE CLERGY.=</p> - -<p>It was thus that the christians, whom preceding -ages had kept down, began to reappear in the -Church. The lay spirit was manifested in Geneva. -Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve, one of the most determined -huguenots, had frequent conversations with -other good <i>Lutherans</i>, all of whom complained of the -domineering spirit of the clergy, who had monopolised -everything. Such complaints were, however, universal -throughout christendom. In the earliest times, -said the people, the <i>priests</i> began by confiscating the -rights of the laity; and erelong these shepherds had -nothing but silly <i>sheep</i> under their crooks.... But while -the priests were engrossed in this work, another was -going on behind their backs which they did not observe. -The <i>bishops</i> did to the priests what the priests had -done to the laity; and when the inferior functionaries -of the Church had succeeded in catching the flocks in -their trap, they found in their turn that they had fallen -into the bishops' pitfall. At the Council of Cologne -(<small>A.D.</small> 346) there were ten priests, presbyters, or elders, -in addition to the fourteen bishops; but that was the -last time. At the Councils of Poitiers, Vaison, Paris, -and Valence (all held in the latter half of the fourth -century), none but bishops were present. Subsequently, -indeed, a <i>delegated</i> priest was found in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_618" id="Page_618">{618}</a></span> -three councils; but at last this single priest was -politely dismissed. While the bishops were busied -with this conquest, another was going on; and they -had no sooner confiscated the rights of the priests (as -the priests had confiscated those of the laity), than -they found their own confiscated by the <i>pope</i>. All -rights had come to an end. Flocks, priests, bishops—all -had lost their liberty. The pope was the Church. -One monster had swallowed the other, to be swallowed -in its turn. Nothing is more sad, nothing more disastrous, -than this tragic history. <i>Quod des devorat.</i><span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_901" id="Ref_901" href="#Foot_901">[901]</a></span> -The Romish hierarchy devours everything that is -given to it. The Reformation was to restore that -christian society which the clerical society had put -out of sight.</p> - -<p class="side">=GOD'S PARDON.=</p> - -<p>And so it happened at Geneva. Their rights as -christians were among the first claimed by these -Genevans, who were so enamoured of their rights as -citizens. 'If the pope <i>sells</i> indulgences,' said they, -'the Gospel <i>gives</i> a free pardon. Since Rome advertises -her pardon, let us advertise that of the Lord.' -These reformers, who were probably among the -number of Olivétan's hearers, drew up, conjointly, -a 'heavenly proclamation,' in simple and evangelical -terms: it is possible that Olivétan himself was the -author. Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve took the draft, -hurried off with it to a printer, and ordered him to -print it in bold characters. After that, certain huguenots, -the most zealous of whom were Maison-Neuve -and Goulaz, arranged their plans; and early in the -morning of the 9th of June they posted on the walls, -in different parts of the city, the <i>great general pardon</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_619" id="Page_619">{619}</a></span> -<i>of Jesus Christ</i>,<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_902" id="Ref_902" href="#Foot_902">[902]</a></span> -at such a height that every one could -read it. At that time there was in front of St. Pierre's -a pillar on which the clerical notices were displayed; -Goulaz went to it, and over one of the announcements -of the Roman jubilee he fastened the proclamation of -Gospel pardon.</p> - -<p>The sun had risen above the Alps: it was already -broad daylight; the city woke from its slumbers; -windows and doors were opened, and the people began -to pass through the streets. They stared and stood -still in surprise before these proclamations.... Men -and women, priests and friars, crowded in front of the -placards, and read with amazement the following words, -which sounded strange to them:—</p> - - <p class="gap-above2 - center"><span class="small">GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER</span><br /> - <span class="x-small">PROMISES</span><br /> - <span class="spaced">A GENERAL PARDON OF ALL HIS SINS</span><br /> - <span class="small">TO EVERY ONE WHO FEELS SINCERE REPENTANCE,</span><br /> - <span class="x-small">AND POSSESSES</span><br /> - <span class="small">A LIVELY FAITH IN THE DEATH AND PROMISES</span><br /> - <span class="x-small">OF</span><br /> - <span class="small">JESUS CHRIST.</span></p> - -<p>'This cannot surely be a papal indulgence,' said -certain huguenots, 'for money is not mentioned in it. -Salvation given gratuitously must certainly come from -heaven.' But the priests thought differently; they -looked upon the placard as a defiance of the pope's -pardon, and their wrath grew fiercer than ever. They -insulted those whom they believed to be the authors -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_620" id="Page_620">{620}</a></span> -of the proclamation, overwhelmed them with abuse, -and attacked them not only with their fists, but with -the weapons which they had provided.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_903" id="Ref_903" href="#Foot_903">[903]</a></span> -'The clergy -made a great uproar,' says the pseudo-Bonivard; -'and when the priests tried to tear down the said -placards, the believers, whom they called <i>Lutherans</i>, -showed themselves and prevented them, which caused -a great commotion among the people.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_904" id="Ref_904" href="#Foot_904">[904]</a></span> -In a short time the parties were organised: the burghers -gathered together in groups. On one side were the -citizens, who defended the placards; on the other, the -priests and their followers, who wanted to pull them -down.</p> - -<p>A canon, named Wernly, a native of Friburg, had -remained in Geneva; he was a stout active man, of -hasty temper, a fanatical papist, who could handle the -sword as skilfully as the censer, and give a blow as -readily as he gave holy water. Having heard the -tumult, he ran out of his house, went towards the -cathedral, and just as he was about to enter he caught -sight of the placard which Goulaz had fastened to the -pillar. He flew into a rage, rushed up to the paper, -and tore it down with a coarse oath. Goulaz, one of -those bold spirits who brave those whom they despise, -was standing close by, watching all that took place. -Seeing what the canon had done, he went up to the -pillar, and calmly put another paper in the place of -that which Wernly had pulled down. Immediately -the Friburger lost all self-control: the heretic and not -the paper was the object of his rage. He rushed at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_621" id="Page_621">{621}</a></span> -Goulaz, dealt him a violent blow; and then, not content -with this chastisement, drew his sword (for the -canons wore swords at that time), and would have -struck him. Goulaz was by no means a man of -patient temper, and, seeing the canon's sword, immediately -drew his own, put himself on the defensive, and -in the struggle wounded Wernly in the arm. There -was a great uproar immediately; the partisans of the -priests fell upon the audacious man who had dared -defend himself against that holy personage; the huguenots, -on their part, rallied round Goulaz, and defended -him.</p> - -<p class="side">=STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE TWO POWERS.=</p> - -<p>A battle between the priest and the layman, a -struggle between clerical and secular society, then -occurred in Geneva. The priests had determined -that the placards should be torn down everywhere; -and, accordingly, there was a loud noise of discord and -battle, not only in front of the porch of St. Pierre's, -but through great part of the city. 'Nothing could be -seen,' says a writer, 'but strife, conflicts, and drawn -swords.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_905" id="Ref_905" href="#Foot_905">[905]</a></span> -Two men of the priests' party were wounded -in the Bourg de Four. The magistrates, being informed -of what was going on, hurried to the spot, and -separated the combatants.</p> - -<p>Goulaz certainly did not represent the Reform; he -was merely a Genevese patriot, and somewhat hasty; -but the Romish Church could not disown a canon; -he was truly its representative, and men asked whether -the Church intended to combat the Gospel with sword -and fist. During this sharp skirmish between the -ultramontanes and the huguenots, one party held -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_622" id="Page_622">{622}</a></span> -aloof and rejoiced in secret: they were the partisans -of Savoy. They imagined that since the two great -Genevan parties were quarrelling, they would be found -erelong, wearied with civil discord, bending the knee -to the absolute government of his most serene highness. -Division would be their strength.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_906" id="Ref_906" href="#Foot_906">[906]</a></span></p> - -<p>The news of this battle soon reached Friburg. -People there had already begun to talk of a certain -schoolmaster who was preaching the Gospel at Geneva, -and the placard which had set all the city in commotion -was (they thought) the result of his sermons. -Friburg was excited, for in this matter there was -something far more alarming than a blow dealt at a -Friburger—it was a blow aimed against the papacy.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE INTERDICT OF THE COUNCIL.=</p> - -<p>On the 24th of June, Councillor Laurent Brandebourg -arrived at Geneva, and having been introduced -to the council, he complained, in the name of the -catholic canton, of what had taken place, and particularly -of the books and placards which led men to 'the -new law,' and threw contempt on the authority of the -bishop and the pope. 'Everybody assures us,' he -said, 'that you belong to the Lutheran party. If it -be so, gentlemen, we shall tear up the act of alliance -and throw the pieces at your feet.' These words, -accompanied by a corresponding gesture, alarmed the -council. 'The Friburg alliance has never been more -necessary than now,' they whispered to one another. -There were still among the Genevans many zealous -Roman-catholics; the evangelicals were the rare exceptions; -a great number, as we have said, held -to a certain negative middle way. The threats of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_623" id="Page_623">{623}</a></span> -Friburg disturbed the magistrates. 'We are not -Lutherans,' answered the premier syndic. 'Well, -then,' resumed the catholic Brandebourg, 'summon -Goulaz before the ecclesiastical court.' The council -replied that the <i>general pardons</i> had been stuck up -without their knowledge, that they disapproved of -such excesses, that Goulaz had only struck the canon -in self-defence, after having received a blow and seen -him draw his sword, and that, nevertheless, he had -been fined. The council added that they would go -further to satisfy Friburg. Immediately they forbade, -by sound of trumpet, any papers to be posted up -without their permission; and then, as the priests -cried out louder against Olivétan than against Goulaz, -the syndics ordered that, 'for the present, <i>the schoolmaster</i> -should discontinue preaching the Gospel.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_907" id="Ref_907" href="#Foot_907">[907]</a></span> -They fancied they had thus completely rooted out the -evil. The ultramontane party, delighted at this -triumph, thought the moment had arrived for effecting -a thorough reaction. The priests began to search -after the Holy Scriptures, visiting every family, and -demanding the surrender of their New Testaments.</p> - -<p>The people began to murmur. 'The priests want -to rob us of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,' said the huguenots, -'and in its place they will give us ... what?... -Romish fables.... We must begin again to read -the stories in the Golden Legend. Really it is quite -enough to hear them at church.' Baudichon de la -Maison-Neuve and his friends urged the council to -show themselves christians. They represented that it -was shameful to see priests and monks set so little store -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_624" id="Page_624">{624}</a></span> -by the gospels and epistles, and fill the ears of their -congregations with human inventions. Olivétan had -often told them that there was no intention of introducing -a new religion, but of reestablishing an old -one—that of the apostles. This idea, so simple and -so true, was easily understood. The triumph of which -the priests had dreamt was changed into a triumph for -the Gospel. 'The party of the <i>Lutherans</i>,' says an -ancient manuscript, 'or, as they called themselves, of -the <i>evangelicals</i>, became more numerous and stronger -every day among the magistrates and people.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_908" id="Ref_908" href="#Foot_908">[908]</a></span> -The friends of the Reformation who were on the council -began to speak out boldly of the rights of the Word of -God. Others who were not Lutherans were generally -honest men, and they thought it very christian-like, -and even quite catholic, to preach the Gospel, and -not mere fables. They were unwilling that it should -be said of the Church to which they belonged, that it -was supported by visions and sham miracles. The -council therefore ordered (unanimously, as it would -appear) the grand vicar, De Gingins of Bonmont, 'to -take measures that in every parish and convent -the Gospel should be preached <i>according to the truth, -without any mixture of fables</i> or other human inventions.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_909" id="Ref_909" href="#Foot_909">[909]</a></span> -The evangelicals, in their turn, were delighted -at this order. They knew that the magistrates -did not intend abolishing the Roman worship; yet it -was the first official act in Geneva in a direction -favourable to the Reformation. They accordingly -showed great respect for the syndics under whom this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_625" id="Page_625">{625}</a></span> -decree was passed: they were Guillaume Hugues, -Besançon's brother; Claude Savoie, a man of great -energy; Claude du Molard, and Ami Porral, a clever, -intelligent man, already gained to the Gospel.</p> - -<p class="side">=NUNCIO AND ARCHBISHOP AT CHAMBÉRY.=</p> - -<p>Without the city, men's opinions were very different. -The preachings 'in the houses of Geneva, the <i>abominable -Lutheran heresy</i> that was taught even in the -schools,'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_910" id="Ref_910" href="#Foot_910">[910]</a></span> -had caused a lively emotion in the catholic -provinces adjoining the city, which was increased by -the <i>general pardon of Jesus Christ</i>. At Chambéry -people's minds were greatly agitated. Some, losing -all self-control, would have liked to see the thunderbolts -of heaven hurled against Geneva; others, more -merciful and perhaps more prudent, would have entreated -the Genevese, even with tears, to remain faithful -to the papacy. There happened at this time to be -a great crowd of priests at the palace of the Bishop of -Chambéry; a papal nuncio was passing through that -city, and the archbishop, the nuncio, and his attendants -had some conversation about Geneva, loudly deploring -its apostasy. The nuncio, a violent Romanist, -would immediately have brought the facts to the knowledge -of the pope, in order that the court of Rome -should take proceedings in conformity with the severity -of the ecclesiastical laws. The archbishop checked him; -he preferred making a prior application to the council. -Accordingly he wrote a letter to the syndics, in which, -after mentioning the various charges against the Genevese, -he added: 'Can it be true that such things -are taking place in a city so long renowned for its -faith?... This would be so serious a matter that we -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_626" id="Page_626">{626}</a></span> -should be compelled to report it immediately to Rome.... -Put it in our power to tell the holy father that you -will preserve a perpetual confidence in the holy apostolic -see.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_911" id="Ref_911" href="#Foot_911">[911]</a></span></p> - -<p>The syndics, who had no desire to declare either in -favour of Rome or of Wittemberg, were greatly embarrassed. -One of them, however, found a way of -getting out of the difficulty. 'Let us make no reply,' -he said. When the archbishop's messenger came for -their answer, the syndics called him before them, and -gave him this verbal message: 'Tell Monseigneur -that we desire to live in a christian manner, and in -accordance with the law of Christ.' The archbishop, -the nuncio, and the pope might understand that as -they pleased. It was soon seen that Rome and Savoy -had no intention of permitting Geneva to live according -to that <i>law of Christ</i> which the city had invoked.</p> - -<p>But if the papacy was uneasy, evangelical christians -rejoiced. They believed that an important position -had been gained by the Reformation, and, supposing -the Genevese to be more advanced in the faith than -they really were, rejoiced in anticipation over the -victories which these new members of the evangelical -body would win for their common standard. 'The -Genevans,' said one of them, 'are true <i>christian knights</i>, -who, having no respect for men who will soon pass -away, do not fear to offend their superiors, the enemies -of truth.'—'The Genevans,' said another, 'are energetic -men: if they embrace the Gospel, they will know -how to propagate it elsewhere.'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_912" id="Ref_912" href="#Foot_912">[912]</a></span></p> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_627" id="Page_627">{627}</a></div> - -<p>The old evangelicals went further than this: they -felt full of love for the new brethren. They desired -to give them a welcome, to stretch out the hand of -brotherhood to them, to receive them, with the charity -of Christ, into that small and humble Church which -was to increase from year to year and from age to age. -They were not too sanguine, however: they knew the -moral state of the Genevans; they knew that the -little flock was still weak, and but just beginning to -pronounce the name of Christ and to walk in his way. -These old christians desired, therefore, to approach it -as a father approaches his child, to take it by the hand, -to point out the dangers by which it was surrounded, -and to conjure it to remain firm, and to increase in -that faith which it was beginning to confess boldly.</p> - -<p class="side">=LETTER FROM THE BRETHREN AT PAYERNE.=</p> - -<p>Between the Alps and the Jura, on the road leading -from Lausanne to Berne, is situated a small town, clustered -ages ago round an abbey which the famous Queen -Bertha had declared exempt from all suzerainty, even -from that of the pope, and which, in 1208, had resisted -the Emperor Rodolph of Hapsburg. In one of the -houses of this town of Payerne, some pious christians -assembled in June 1532, under their pastor Anthony -Saunier of Moirans, in Dauphiny, a friend of Farel. -They conversed about <i>the destruction of the papistical -realm</i>, and the news they had received from Geneva, and -were full of hope that that city would contribute erelong -towards the so much desired destruction. One -of them proposed to send a letter to the Genevese. -They began to write it immediately, and here are the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_628" id="Page_628">{628}</a></span> -words which these simple-minded christians addressed -to the episcopal city:—</p> - -<p>'We have heard that the glory of God has visited -you, of his grace, as his elect children, and that he is -now calling you with his everlastingly saving voice. -Beloved in Jesus Christ, receive the word of the -Great Shepherd, who gave himself once and was -offered up a living host (sacrifice) for the salvation -of all believers. God is manifesting to you the great -riches of his glory; he invites us to forsake the doctrine -of men, and to follow that of our only Saviour Jesus -Christ, which makes us new creatures and heirs of the -kingdom of God. Believe in this doctrine with all -your heart, without shame or fear of men; having the -assurance that it is good, holy, and alone able to save, -and that all others which are opposed to it are wicked -and damnable. Fear not the great number and -power of your enemies; but, for the love of Jesus -Christ, who has perfected your redemption, and who -has granted us remission of all our sins, be ready not -only to abandon your honour, your goods, and your -families, but even to renounce yourselves, declaring -with St. Paul, that neither glory, nor tribulation, nor -death, nor life, shall separate you from the Gospel of -salvation....</p> - -<p>'Now we, your brethren in the second and spiritual -birth, pray the Father of lights to complete what he has -begun in you, and to illumine the eyes of your heart -by the true Gospel light, to the end that you may -know the great and inexpressible riches prepared for -those who are sanctified by the blood of Christ. -Renounce, therefore, the king of this world, and all -his followers, under whose banner you and we once -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629">{629}</a></span> -walked, and acknowledge our Lord as your only -master, your only God and Saviour, who gives us the -kingdom of heaven without money and without price. -Follow not what appears good and pleasant to you, -but the commandment of God our Father, adding -nothing, and taking nothing away. May his grace be -written in your hearts, and may you impart it to those -who are still ignorant and weak, by means of a meek -and tender teaching, so that the flock of Jesus Christ -may be increased by you daily. Our Lord God is -for you, and the whole world cannot prevail against -him. Be the standard-bearers upon earth of the -colours of our Saviour, so that by your means the -Holy Gospel may be borne into many countries.'</p> - -<p>The council deposited the letter among the city -archives, where it may still be seen.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_913" id="Ref_913" href="#Foot_913">[913]</a></span></p> - -<p class="side">=STANDARD RAISED AT GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>Geneva was still far from the pure and living -Christianity which breathes in this letter. The fight -between Goulaz and Wernly, the tumult occasioned -in the city by the placards of Baudichon de la Maison-Neuve -and his friends, had little resemblance (impartiality -compels us to acknowledge) to that picture, -so full of gentleness, which Jesus Christ himself drew -for us, when he described the servant of God: '<i>He -shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his -voice in the streets.</i>'<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_914" id="Ref_914" href="#Foot_914">[914]</a></span> -But it is only by degrees that -the old man disappears and the new man takes his -place. It would have been too much, perhaps, to -expect that these energetic huguenots, who defended -their liberty with the courage of lions, should suddenly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_630" id="Page_630">{630}</a></span> -become meek as lambs. But already there were to -be found in that city souls who prized above everything -the <i>great pardon of Jesus Christ</i>. The proclamation -of salvation by grace, which we have described, -marks an important epoch in the history of -the Reformation of Geneva. All human religions represent -salvation as to be gained by the works and -ceremonies of man; the only divine religion, the -Gospel, declares that God gives it, that he gives it -through Jesus Christ, and that whosoever receives -this assurance into his heart becomes a new creature. -Such was the standard raised in Geneva in 1532. The -servants of God, whether natives of that city or refugees, -were to be, according to the beautiful language -of the letter from Payerne, 'standard-bearers upon -earth;' and, grasping the banner of the Gospel with a -firm hand, they were to be called, perhaps more than -others, in the sixteenth century 'to bear it into many -countries.'</p> - -<p class="gap-above2">Everything gave token that the renovation of -Geneva was advancing; but it had still numerous -obstacles to overcome, and great works to achieve. -Powerful instruments were about to appear to accomplish -them.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the breath of the Reformation has blown -to Geneva from the plains of France and the mountains -of Switzerland. The men of God who were to -labour most at the transformation of this city, Farel -especially, have acted upon it from without only. -But yet two months more, and that great-hearted -evangelist will enter the city of the huguenots; others -will follow him; they will be expelled from it by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_631" id="Page_631">{631}</a></span> -friends of Rome; but they will return with fresh -determination, and labour with indefatigable zeal, -until, after long darkness, we shall at last see the light -of Jesus Christ shining in it.</p> - -<p class="side">=GENEVA ATTACKED BY TWO PARTIES.=</p> - -<p>The ancient city had not at this time to contend -with a single party: it was attacked by two antagonistic -bands at once, by the bishop on the one hand, -and by the reformers on the other. Which of these -two armies will conquer it?—Geneva, strange to say, -rejects both. Will that city be destined to belong -neither to the Gospel nor to Rome? It could not -be so, and various symptoms appeared at this time to -indicate an approaching solution.</p> - -<p>The fanaticism of the Genevese clergy, the respect -felt by the magistrates for existing institutions, the -energy with which one portion of the people rejected -the Reformation, seemed to show that the movement -by which Geneva was then agitated would end simply -in the abolition of the temporal authority of the -bishop.</p> - -<p>But other signs appeared to point to another conclusion. -In proportion as the love of God's Word -increased in men's hearts, respect for the Romish -religion diminished. The evangelical christians said -that salvation was a thing for eternity, while a government, -even if ecclesiastical, was only a temporal thing; -that the rights of truth took precedence of all clerical -pretensions, and that the authority of Scripture was -superior to that of the pontiff.</p> - -<p>Moreover, a new element appeared. Ecclesiastical -society had sunk into slumber and death; in the -sixteenth century the Reformation aroused it and -restored it to activity and life. Farel is one of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_632" id="Page_632">{632}</a></span> -most remarkable types of this christian animation; his -unbounded ardour, his indefatigable labours were, -with God's help, to secure the victory.</p> - -<p>It is true that this new force soon turned against -the Reform. The Romish Church woke up also, and -put itself in motion, particularly after the foundation -of the order of the Jesuits; but its activity differed -widely from that of the reformers. The latter -descended from on high; that of the Roman clergy -came from below. At all events, popery soon became -as energetic as protestantism. There was danger in -this, but there was probably a benefit also. If its -adversaries had continued to slumber, the Reformation -might have ended by falling asleep likewise. Activity -is far better than inactivity without hope. Let us not -be afraid then. By struggles the Church is purified, -the christian grows stronger, and the cause of truth -and of humanity triumphs.</p> - -<p class="side">=THE STRUGGLE IN GENEVA.=</p> - -<p>Geneva was about to have greater experience of such -contests, and the agitation within her walls was to become -fiercer from day to day. Combats without and -combats within. The dawning Reformation and the -ancient (yet new) liberty will see arrayed against -them the bishop, the duke, the emperor, the gentry -and their vassals, and the Savoyard troops, besides -veteran Italian bands, commanded by some of the -ablest captains of the age.... At the same time the -battle will rage furiously within. Popery, alarmed -at seeing one of its oldest fortresses threatened, will -utter a cry of rage; all the friends of the Romish -priesthood will be aroused, will agitate, and fight; a -furious opposition will raise its angry head. There -will be not only secret councils, traitorous conspiracies, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">{633}</a></span> -fanatical preachings, and fierce discussions; but -also riots in the streets, armed men endeavouring to -stop the preaching of the Word, cannons planted in -the public squares, assaults with the sword, the -arquebuse, and the dagger, imprisonment, exile, and -poisoning.... At the sight of these violent combats -and repeated calamities, the thoughts of the historian -become troubled and confused. It appears to him -that the powers of darkness are marshalling their -forces in the ancient city. He fancies he can see that -mysterious being, whom a great poet describes in his -immortal verse as plotting the ruin of the world, at -the very moment when, smiling with innocence and -glory, it left the hands of the Creator—he can see -Satan descending, as he once did into Eden, and -casting the immense shade of his 'sail-broad vans' -over the gigantic Alps, over their white tops, their -calm clear lakes and smiling hills, and swooping down -upon the towers of the old cathedral to fight against -the counsels of the King of Heaven, and, by scattering -his wiles and fury all around, oppose the new creation -of a new world.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_915" id="Ref_915" href="#Foot_915">[915]</a></span></p> - -<p>But to all these efforts of the powers of darkness -the men of the Gospel will oppose the resplendent -army of light. They will proclaim the love of God, -they will announce the work of Christ, they will publish -grace. They will repeat with Jesus Christ that <i>the -flesh profiteth nothing</i>; that is to say, that the grandeur -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">{634}</a></span> -of the proud hierarchy of Rome, the power of its -temporal kingdom, the multitude of its servants in -so many countries and under such various uniforms, -the pomps by which its worship strives to captivate -the senses, the oracles of its traditions, sometimes -adorned with the seductions of human philosophy—that -all is profitless; but that power belongs to -God, that salvation is in the foolishness of the cross, -and that it is <i>the Spirit that quickeneth</i>. And, thanks -to the spiritual weapons they employ, two or three -humble instruments of the Word of God will scatter -the councils of their terrible adversary, destroy his -fortresses, and humble even to the dust the barriers -he had raised against the knowledge of God. The -rough Farel, the gentle Viret, the weak Froment, will -overcome the powers of Rome in Geneva, even before -Calvin, the great captain, appears. God chooses the -weak things of the world to confound the things which -are mighty, and the things which are not to bring to -nought things that are.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_916" id="Ref_916" href="#Foot_916">[916]</a></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_899" id="Foot_899" href="#Ref_899">[899]</a> -See the Bull <i>Antiquorum habet</i> in the <i>Extravagant. Commun.</i> lib. v. -tit. ix. cap. 1.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_900" id="Foot_900" href="#Ref_900">[900]</a> -In our time Leo XII. celebrated a jubilee in 1825, and Gregory -XVI. in 1833.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_901" id="Foot_901" href="#Ref_901">[901]</a> -Plautus.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_902" id="Foot_902" href="#Ref_902">[902]</a> -Roset says positively (liv. ii. chap, lxvi.) that these placards were -printed. See also Berne MSS., <i>Hist. Helvet.</i> v. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_903" id="Foot_903" href="#Ref_903">[903]</a> -'Exarsit hic statim furor, nec verbis tantum erupit, sed et armis.—<i>Geneva -Restituta</i>, p. 37.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_904" id="Foot_904" href="#Ref_904">[904]</a> -History under the name of Bonivard, Berne MSS. <i>Hist. Helvet.</i> v. -p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_905" id="Foot_905" href="#Ref_905">[905]</a> -'Hinc rixæ, conflictus, et enses utrinque expediti.'—<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, -p. 37.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_906" id="Foot_906" href="#Ref_906">[906]</a> -'Dissidiis civilibus fessa imperium acciperet.'—<i>Geneva Restituta</i>, -p. 38.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_907" id="Foot_907" href="#Ref_907">[907]</a> -'De prædicante Evangelii.'—Registres du Conseil des 24, 27, 30 -juin, et du 25 juillet. Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, ii. p. 463.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_908" id="Foot_908" href="#Ref_908">[908]</a> -Berne MSS. <i>Hist. Helvet.</i> v. p. 12.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_909" id="Foot_909" href="#Ref_909">[909]</a> -Registres du Conseil des 30 juin, 12 juillet, 20 août. Spon, <i>Hist. de -Genève</i>, ii. pp. 464-466.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_910" id="Foot_910" href="#Ref_910">[910]</a> -Archives de Genève, No. 1069.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_911" id="Foot_911" href="#Ref_911">[911]</a> -Archives de Genève, No. 1069. Spon, <i>Hist. de Genève</i>, i. p. 466. -Gaberel, i. p. 110.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_912" id="Foot_912" href="#Ref_912">[912]</a> -Ruchat, iii. pp. 136-140. 'Epître des amateurs de la sainte Evangile -de Payerne à ceux de Genève.' Archives de Genève, No. 1070. <i>France -Protestante</i>, art. <i>Saunier</i>.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_913" id="Foot_913" href="#Ref_913">[913]</a> -Archives, No. 1070. 'Epître des amateurs de la sainte Evangile de -Payerne.'</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_914" id="Foot_914" href="#Ref_914">[914]</a> -Matthew xii. 19.</p> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_915" id="Foot_915" href="#Ref_915">[915]</a> </p> - -<div class="poetry-fn"> -<div class="poetry"> - -<div class="verse indent10">'He wings his way</div> -<div class="verse">Directly towards the new-created world,</div> -<div class="verse">And man there placed, with purpose to assay</div> -<div class="verse">If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,</div> -<div class="verse">By some false guile pervert.'</div> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent20"><i>Paradise Lost</i>, bk. iii.</div> -</div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_916" id="Foot_916" href="#Ref_916">[916]</a> -1 Corinthians i. 27, 28.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="gap-above2 center small">END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</p> - -<p class="gap-above2 center x-small">LONDON<br /> -PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.<br /> -NEW-STREET SQUARE</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Reformation in Europe -in the time of Calvin. 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