Common Places, Letters · Letter 54 – Letter 59
To Maiſter Henrie Bullinger. 56.
I Write but fewe wordes (my reuerend and moſt louing Goſſip), becauſe I finde fewe things woorthie writing hauehave happened ſince the time that I ſent the laſt letters vntounto you. You heard of mée before, that fiue of the Coloquutors of our aduerſaries were not onelie ſuſpected vntounto the Cardinals and Biſhops, but that they were accounted for Heretickes, becauſe they ſéemed ſomewhat to conſent vntounto vsus in the matter of the ſacrament. Wherefore they woulde not hauehave them for their partie to conferre with vsus anie more. For which cauſe the conference hath nowe bin ſuſpended theſe 15. dayes, and I feare verie much leſt it be altogether broken off. You will not beléeue howe manie waies and by how manie ſubtilties the Papiſtes hauehave moſt craftilie procured this thing, namelie, that the diſputation begun might not goe forwarde. Which drift of theirs, the authoritie and will of the legate, I meane the Cardinall of Ferrara, hath much furthered: This moreouer with all, that they miſtruſt themſelues to be able ſufficiently to defende their ill cauſe by teſtimonies of the ſcriptures and by good and approoued reaſons. Howbeit it happened afterwarde not without the maruelous worke of Gods prouidence, that the Biſhops and Cardinals themſelues, which helde their méeting at Poyſsi the x. day of this monethmonth, ſo diſagréed among themſelues, as it wanted not much but that they had come to handie ſtrokes. For ſome were readie to ſubſcribe to the Actes, but the greateſt part were againſt it. But nowe they are wholie occupied in making of Canons of which I ſawe ſome foure dayes agoe, which be ſo rude and groſſe as you may thereby eaſilie perceiue, yt the bondſlaues of the Pope would not hauehave any reformation of the Church. Onelie they make a ſhew that they would hauehave certaine things corrected, which in verie déede are of no moment, but the verie pumpe of the ſhip, they ſuffer to be filled with moſt ſhamefull filthineſſe. They retaine the Maſſe, the ſacramentall confeſſion, they acknowledge the authoritie of the Pope, they will hauehave Images, they allowe Pilgrimages: ſo farre is it off, that they will condemne them. I doubt not but I ſhall heare of farre more groſſe things. This day they are to returne vntounto the Court, whither vndoubtedly they will bring ſtraunge monſters. If the hope of conference bee this wéeke cut off, as I thinke it will, I will deſire leaue to depart in the next wéeke. For it is not méete that I ſhould ſo idelie ſpend ſo good a time. Howbeit the time of this delaie is not altogether loſt. For from the time that this conference was appointed, vntounto this day, it is vnſpeakable how much the Churches of the faithfull are increaſed in number, but yet not without hurlie burlie. For the 12. day of this preſent monethmonth our ſort went out of Paris to heare a Sermon in the fielde, ſince that in the Citie they hauehave no temple, they were in number viij. thouſand. When the Papiſtes vnderſtoode of this, they at the returne of theſe home to the Citie, ſhutte them without the walles: howbeit all in vaine. For they by force entered in: and when as the aduerſaries ſetting vppon our men, the fight began on both ſides, there many were wounded on either partie and ſome ſlaine. Neither doeth it otherwiſe happen in other places of the kingdome. Wherefore neceſſitie (as it is thought) will driue the Quéene, the noble men and the kings Counſell to giuegive leaue vntounto our ſort that they may hauehave publike aſſemblies and ſome Churches: otherwiſe there will bee no ende of offences and conflictes. Vndoubtedlie we are at this day in great feare, becauſe in ſundrie Countries of Fraunce, the faithful poſſeſſe the Temples to the intent that they may there méete publikelie, hauing not obtained the Kings licence. And this hath grieuouſlie diſpleaſed the Quéene and the great noble men. The Cardinals and the Biſhops craue reſtitution. While I write theſe things, the Princes are nowe in Counſell to decrée of this matter what ſhall be thought méete. But becauſe in the number of the Counſellors there be certaine Cardinals alſo, and ſome Biſhops, our ſort hauehave put vp a ſupplication to the Quéene beſéeching that in this deliberation, they may be ſuffered to hauehave no voice (againſt equitie and right) which are profeſſed our ſworne enemies. But howe much wee ſhall obtaine I knowe not. If by a decrée the people bee commaunded to reſtore the Temples, both ſeditions and ſlaughters are to bee feared. A day or two ſince at Paris ſome houſes of the faithfull being merchant men were robbed. Wee hauehave not yet ſéene all the Canons which the byſhops hauehave framed: and neuertheleſſe either after dinner or to morrow iudgement ſhalbe giuen of them by the kings counſell. Vndoubtedly the Cardinall of Ferrara being the legate hath put all out of quiet: but yet (as we truſt) he is not more mighty than Chriſt. They ſay that the Quéene mother and the king of Nauarre are marueilouſlie terrefied by king Philip from all chaunge of Eccleſiaſticall matters. Wherefore we put all our truſt in God, but in mightie men either little or nothing. You will ſay: whie doe you not crie out againſt it, whie doe you not ſpeake to the Quéene? We hauehave no acceſſe to her, but when ſhe calleth. But now ſhée doth not ſende for vsus. It remaineth that wée deale by ſupplications. But ſhe promiſed that ſhee would in any wiſe prouide that in time conuenient I ſhould be brought home ſafe and ſounde. As touching the confeſſion of Auguſta, I pray you diſquiet not your ſelfe, for the Eccleſiaſticall men will not receiue it, ſéeing they will hauehave nothing at all changed of their matters. Alſo our Churches will not admit the ſame, ſince they are minded to follow their french confeſſion. In like manner our Colloquutors will none of it. Caluin likewiſe doth ſpecially diſſwade that it ſhould not be doone. Wherefore I ſée no daunger to come thereof. Onelie we are to feare ſharpe and gréeuous edictes againſt our men, leaſt the ſame ſhoulde hinder the procéeding of the Goſpel, and leaſt for that cauſe there ſhoulde happen ſeditions and ſlaughters. Nowe hauehave you vnderſtoode how the ſtate of things are, the which cannot bée driuē off any long time: ſhortly they wil hauehave an ende. The Erle of Bedford wrote verie louingly vntounto me out of England, & requeſted me that ſince I am néere hand I woulde returne home by England. Which I would not promiſe him, becauſe I deſire to be at home ſo ſoone as I can. Yeſterday we changed our lodging, for the Cardinall Chatillian returned vntounto the court, & ſince he is not to tarrie any longer at Poſsi (for the aſſemblie of the Prelats is diſſolued) he went againe to his owne houſe wherein we abode. Wherefore by the commaundement of the Quéene we were ſent to the lodging of the Dutcheſſe of Ferrara, becauſe ſhe knewe as ſhe teſtified that ſuch gueſts ſhoulde not be vnwelcome to that princeſſe. Farewell my great friende and moſt louing brother in Chriſt. I pray you for our mutual louelove ſake, that you will diligentlie excuſe me to our fellow miniſters, if I do not write particularlie to euerie one of them. For thoſe letters that I ſend vntounto you I account as common vntounto them. From the court at S. Germans the 17. of October, 1561.
To Lodouick Lauater. 57.
MOſt deare friend Lauater I receiued your letter together alſo with the letters of Maſter Bullinger, which vndoubtedly were verie acceptable. As touching our affaires, I wrote at large the other day vntounto maſter Bullinger. Wherefore to repeate them now againe vntounto you I thinke it not néedefull. For I know that he doeth familiarlie and fréelie communicate vntounto you thoſe things which be written of mée. But theſe things were doone after I had ſent my letters vntounto him. The xvii. day of this monethmonth in the euening, there was a decrée made by the kings counſell that the faithful ſhould ſurrender vp the temples which they helde becauſe they durſt attempt it without expecting leaue from the king. In the meane time our men are put in hope that they ſhall hauehave leaue graunted to aſſemble publikely, and alſo that certaine places ſhalbe aſſigned vntounto them. But whether it ſhall be ſo I knowe not. For the power of the Church men is incredible. This day the Cardinall of Loraine and the Duke of Guyſe departed from the Court, and the aſſemblie of the Prelates which was helde at Poyſsi is diſſolued: Wherefore the Cardinals and Biſhops doe alſo depart from hence. But before they would goe their way, they condemned the confeſſion of the Churches of Fraunce. As for the conference which was begun, is vtterlie broken off. For that ye Prelats would not hauehave the ſame continued, auoiding the companie and ſight of vsus. And for our part ſince we hauehave nothing to doe héere, we deſire leaue to depart, which as yet we hauehave not obtained. As touching my ſelfe, I long verie much to be with you. Tydings is nowe brought, that they of Orleans hauehave rendered vp their Churches. But they of Bleaſe hauehave not yet obayed. Our Iulius together with Stukius doe heartilie ſalute you. And I beſéech you that you will in my name moſt diligentlie ſalute all my fellowe miniſters. From the Court at S. Germans the 19. of October.
To M. Henry Bullinger. 58.
FOure dayes ſince moſt louing Goſſip and right reuerend ſyr, I wrote largelie ynough as concerning our affaires. After that making anſwere vntounto the letters of Lauater, I added thoſe things that happened two or thrée dayes after, which I doubt not but that he woulde reade them vntounto you. Wherefore I will nowe write thoſe things which followed afterwarde. Firſt at Paris, there is publiſhed an edict whereby is prohibited armour and hurling of ſtones. And theſe names Papiſts and Hugonites (for ſo they terme the Goſpellers) are forbidden. It is alſo forbidden, that one ſhould not raile of another for Religion: and that none ſhoulde be ſo hardie to breake into houſes as they were woont to doe, when our men made any aſſemblies. The Churches of Aquitane hauehave reſtored their temples, and places are appointed for them vntounto which it is lawfull for the faithfull to aſſemble. The Cardinals and Biſhops hauehave diſſolued their Synode. Wée hauehave not as yet ſéene their Canons. They hauehave bound themſelues to paie to ye king for the ſpace of tenne yeare ſixtéene hundreth thouſand Francks, as the report goeth, to eaſe the kingdome of debt. The conference being broken off & nothing to be doone heere, we ſue for leaue to depart. It is not yet obtained, but within a while it wilbe graunted. The counſellours ſéeme that they will appoint certaine lawes vntounto our Churches. Firſt that in euerie one ſermon there ſhall not aſſemble aboue the number of thrée hundreth or fiue hundreth perſons. Moreouer they require that the miniſters ſhoulde not inueigh bitterlie againſt the Pope and the Maſſe. They let not but that they may reprooue theſe things by deſcriptions in ſuch ſort as the ſtanders by may vnderſtande, but they will hauehave the names to be forborne for common quietneſſe ſake, leaſt mens minds ſhould be the more bitterlie ſtirred vp. Howbeit theſe things will not be raſhlie admitted by our ſort: they be as yet deſired, not finiſhed. There ſhall be alſo giuen in the kings name vntounto churches, Letters patents wherein they ſhalbe commended vntounto the Magiſtrates and preſidents both of the Cities and of the prouinces. Armour and weapons ſhalbe taken away from our ſort and from our aduerſaries, for the hindering of conflicts and ſlaughters. While I was writing theſe things, three of our aſſociates went their wayes. The Quéene mindeth to ſend me backe into the companie and protection of the Ladie Roetelin the mother of the prince of Longauill, to whom belongeth the towne of Nuburge. She is a verie Godlie woman and within theſe fewe dayes ſhée minds to goe thither, ſhe will alſo ſende with me ſome man in her owne name, whereby I may the more ſafelie come home. I thinke I hauehave prouided well for Stukius. He ſhalbée with a certaine noble man of Paris, who is both Godlie and rich. Hee ſhall inſtruct a young brother of his. And betwéene whiles it ſhalbe lawfull for him to follow his owne ſtudies, and he ſhall want nothing. Farewell my moſt déere Goſſip and moſt louing brother in the Lord. In the Court at Saint Germans the 2. of October.
To Theodore Beza. 59.
RIght woorthie man, and moſt deare brother in Chriſt, we being aſſiſted by the bountifull fauour of God, came ſafely and in health the 5. of this monethmonth vntounto Trois, where the brethren aſſemble together for the pure worſhipping of God, and that peaceablie and quietlie without any moleſtation doone of the aduerſaries. The Church is verie populous and is euerie day increaſed. The Biſhop intertained vsus verie curteouſlie, who do the more earneſtlie further the kingdome of Chriſt: And he not onelie teacheth his flocke purely, but becauſe there is a great doubt in his conſcience as touching his calling, inſomuch as therein he had not the election or confirmation of the people: he therefore called the Elders of the reformed Church, and prayed them that they would godlie and prudentlie conſider, whether they would chooſe him, confirme him, and account him for their Biſhop, which if they ſhould thinke fit to be doone, he woulde indeuour himſelfe to procéede as he hath begun to edifie and as much as in him lieth to increaſe by teaching & exhorting, the Church committed vntounto him: but and if they ſhoulde not thinke him to be fit for ſo great a function, they ſhoulde declare it fréelie and openlie, and that hee is readie to giuegive place, ſo he may liue in a Church reformed according to the diſcipline of the Goſpel: And he deſired that they would ſpéedilie deliberate with the Church as touching that matter. Which thing being doone of them all with one aſſent, hee was acknowledged and receiued as true Biſhop. Wherefore his authoritie and godlineſſe greatlie profiteth the Church of Chriſt. God bee praiſed which after this manner gouerneth and directeth the kingdome of Chriſt. At Dion there is raiſed a tumult, doubtleſſe not by the offence of the faithfull, but by the wilfulneſſe and furie of the aduerſaries. For while our brethren were in their holie aſſemblie they inuaded them, and hauing gathered a bande of men they ſtrooke vp the drummes as though they were to fight a maine battaile. Seuen horſes were ſpoyled: Howbeit our ſort got the better hande. There be certaine men ſent to the court which carie with them the cauſe plainelie ſet foorth and as they terme it informed. They would hauehave had me by my letters to commend their cauſe to the Admyrall and the Prince of Condie, but ſéeing the two principall guides of my iourney ſent letters vntounto them, I thought it ſufficient to deſire you that you woulde in your owne name and mine, doe this vntounto them, whom I pray you to ſalute heartilie from me. Which thing alſo I would to be doone vntounto my verie louing brother Maſter Galaſius and to the vicount, and eſpeciallie to your brother if hée be there preſent. Alſo my Iulius ſaluteth you. Farewell my verie good brother. God mercifullie aſſiſt your labours. Both the Captains my guides doe verie much ſalute you. From Trois the 6. of Nouember, 1561.
To Theodore Beza. 60.
THe 21. day of this monethmonth right worthie man, and welbeloued brother in Chriſt, I came ſafe and in health vntounto Tigure, and am all manner of wayes, ioyfullie receiued of all ſorts of people in the citie. And the two captaines of ſouldiers that brought me home were ſo honoured by the Conſuls, Senate, and officers, and were ſo bountifullie and noblie intreated, as they might eaſilie vnderſtand what account this commonweale maketh of their maſters. Laſtlie there be appointed for honour ſake to bring them to Berna. But I had rather you ſhould heare theſe things of them when they come to the Court, than to write any more of that matter. Further you will not beléeue how much our fellowe miniſters reioyſed to heare that concorde continued ſure and inuiolate betwéene vsus all the while that wée were together: and not without cauſe. For what can be more ioyful in the Church, than brotherlie agréement? But of you and other of the brethren there is mention made, and ye verie honourablie. Theſe things be comfortable and as I perſwade my ſelfe will not a little recreate you in your great labours. But with this ioy were ſprinkled certaine heauy newes. For it is writtē out of France, that from king Philip there bee ſent verie threatning letters vntounto the Kings gouernours, whereby he ſéemed not to deſire but to commaund, that the authoritie of the Romane Biſhoppe ſhoulde remaine in Fraunce without impeachment, & that otherwiſe he would profeſſe himſelfe to bee an open enimie of them who otherwiſe would than they had decréed. Further it was added that the king commaunded that the Biſhops which were departed, ſhoulde returne againe to Poyſsi and ſhould there confute the confeſſion of the French Churches. Theſe thinges ſéeme vntounto vsus both newe and hard. Howbeit we will giuegive no full credite vntounto them, vnleſſe we be certified by you: which I beſéech you my welbeloued brother in Chriſt, that either yée will not differre or neglect to doe. Fare you well moſt woorthie man. GOD through Ieſus Chriſt make your labours fruitfull. In like manner aide vsus with your prayers, and earneſtlie ſalute in my name our brethren and friends. My Iulius ſaluteth you and alſo Thomas Blaurerus, who as his letters teſtifie, moſt hartily loueth you. From Tigure the 25. day of Nouember, 1561.
To Maiſter Caluin. 61.
I Departed (right worthie Sir) from Paris the day before the Calendes of Nouember, and in 22. daies I came ſafe and ſounde to Zuricke, being verie ſurelie and faithfullie conducted by two leaders of ſouldiers whom they commonlie call captaines, who are godlie and valiant men. VntoUnto whom was no ſmal honour doone by the Conſuls, Senate, and miniſters of the Church, and certaine men were appointed to attende vppon them on the way as farre as Berna. Wherefore they maie ſhewe vntounto their Princes (as I doubt not but they wil) how honourably they hauehave bin intertained of vsus. Moreouer the Quéene mother and the king of Nauarre hauehave written hither moſt courteous letters: and ſo hauehave the princes, the Admirall and the Condie, which letters were verie well accepted. The Lorde perhappes will vouchſafe that the mindes of the men of this Citie ſhall well and firmelie be knit to the kingdome of France, eſpeciallie if there happen to come a iuſt conſent in religion. We when wee were all for ſundrie cauſes gladde, beholde heauie newes are brought out of France. Firſt that King Philip hath written thither verie threatening letters, wherein hee not required but in a manner commaunded that the authoritie of the Pope might be kept ſafe and ſounde in France, and (as they ſay) he proteſted in expreſſe wordes that hee woulde bee an open enemie vntounto all thoſe which would otherwiſe will and decrée. And it is added moreouer, that a commandement is giuen out to the Biſhoppes in the kings name, that they ſhoulde returne againe to Poyſſi, and there confute the confeſſion of the French Churches. But this doe we not eaſilie beléeue, vnleſſe we be certified thereof by Beza that famous and learned man. God defende his owne worke, and eſtabliſh thoſe foundations, which ſéeme not to bee vnfortunatelie laide. Certeinlie it woulde be a deceite, yea and that a verie manifeſt deceite, one ſide being diſmiſſed, to call our aduerſaries againe, and to condemne them that be abſent. But God wil ſée theſe things, I was deſirous in my returne to hauehave ſéene you: But ſince the winter was nowe come, I feared leaſt if I returned home by a greater iourney, I ſhoulde bee ouertaken with raine or foule wether: & that alſo was the cauſe why I did not fall into the traine of the Marqueſſe of Retheling, & the prince Longauil, when I was earneſtlie deſired being at Blandine. I woulde not agrée therevnto, becauſe I perceiued that the iourney was to be differred certain daies. Herewithall I conſidered, that it ſhoulde make but ſmall if wee were aſunder in bodie ſith we hauehave our minds and iudgements moſt néerelie ioyned together: and this doeth the moſt ſtedfaſt concorde declare, which wee ſo many of vsus as were appointed in Fraunce, kept while we liued together in one houſe and at one table; whoſe peaceable and perfect fellowſhip I ſhall neuer forget. Wherefore holde me excuſed I beſéech you if I returned home by a more readie way. I would pray you neuertheleſſe in the meane time to ſalute in my name euerie one of your Collegues, eſpeciallie that learned man Merlin, our welbeloued brother Profeſſor of the Hebrewe tongue. Fare well moſt excellent man and deere brother in the Lorde. GOD moſt mercifully bleſſe your Godlie labours. Alſo, ſalute I beſéech you the Italian Paſtor, and my Lorde Marques. From Zuricke the 25. of Nouember, 1561.