J. H. Merle D'Aubigné - History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin (Vol. 1-8)

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, 437and 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, 438a 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. 439They 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? 440Do not mix yourselves up in a matter so full of danger, or ... beware of the terrible anger of the king.' 441

=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.' 442The 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? 443Who can describe with what unshaken fidelity this great prince has on all occasions shown himself the valiant defender of the faith? 444I know that misguided men 445are 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. 446And 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, 447as 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

=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. 449I 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.' 450The 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; 452students, 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. 453The Sire de Langey (William du Bellay) is ready to suffer everything for Jesus Christ.' 454

=REFORM MOVEMENT IN FRANCE.=