CHAPTER VI.

Conference at Poissy-Massacre at Vassy-First religious war-Battle of Dreux-Calvin's political opinions.

IN 1561 took place the celebrated conference between the French Protestants and the Romanists at Poissy. This colloquy held the same relation to the French Reformed church as the diet of Augsburg did to the German; and Beza occupied a similar position in the former to that occupied by Melancthon in the latter. Beza was sent thither by Calvin because he could "tread lighter than he could himself." Catherine, after paying much spurious court to the Protestants, at length threw off the mask, and issued the edict of St. Germain, which authorized the renewal of persecution. This act at once aroused the indignation of the admiral Coligny, who insisted that the king of Navarre should assume the office of regent in

the place of Catherine, who had been appointed to that office upon the death of Henry II.

The queen, with her customary art, sought to avert this evil, and that she might the better secure to herself the support of both parties, endeavoured to effect a reconciliation between them. Accordingly, the prelates of the Romish church and the ministers of the Reformed

were summoned to a conference at Poissy. Calvin was invited to attend, but the council would not permit him to go unless hostages of the highest rank were given for his security. Peter Martyr and Beza appeared at the important assembly, and Calvin undertook to perform all the duties of the latter in addition to his own during Beza's absence at the colloquy.

The opening of the celebrated assembly had been fixed for August 10th, 1561, but it was not inaugurated till the 9th of September. The ministers of the Reformed churches were conveyed for their security to St. Germain-en-Laye, in the neighbourhood of the castle. Those who arrived first presented an address to the young king, Charles IX., in which they besought him. to make their confession of faith known to the bishops, in order that they might learn their objections thereto; but they protested against

the bishops being made their judges; they desired that Charles himself, Catherine, the king of Navarre, and God's own word, should alone decide the cause.

The Reformers had now the opportunity of preaching in the castle of St. Germain, and in the neighbourhood, the "glorious gospel of the blessed God;" and before large assemblies of nobility they proclaimed with unswerving faithfulness the "unsearchable riches of Christ." When the queen of Navarre arrived, they fourd themselves much encouraged by her presence to proceed in the course which they were so nobly pursuing.

When, on the 8th of September, the ministers had received no answer to their address, they again besought the king to assure them in writing that the bishops should not be their judges. On the petition being read in the presence of the whole court, the queen declared that they must be content with her verbal assurance that their wishes should be granted. This concession to the Reformers so exasperated some of the Romish clergy, that twelve Parisian priests of the Sorbonne intreated the queen not to allow heretics, who refused to recognise the bishops as judges, to dispute with them, which

they said would occasion great scandal. It was briefly answered that the Reformed should be heard; but this did not remove the opposition of the priests, for when a royal secretary was directed to prepare the protocol, the Sorbonne protested against it.

old;

On the 9th of September the assembly met about noon in the great refectory of the nunnery at Poissy. Upon a throne sat the youthful king, now just twelve years at his right hand were his brother the duke of Orléans, and the king of Navarre; on his left the queenmother, and the queen of Navarre; and behind him numerous princes and nobles. "On each side of the hall were three cardinals. Before them sat thirty-six bishops and archbishops; and behind them a crowd of doctors and clergymen of all ranks." After the king had delivered a short address on the subject of the assembly, and the means to be employed in restoring peace, the chancellor stated that the prevalence of religious discord threatened the very existence of the nation, and exhorting the conference to oppose all corruptions which might have been introduced into the church; he reminded the Reformers that it could no longer be asserted that they were condemned

without a hearing. It was now time for the ministers of the Reformed churches to declare their sentiments. Twelve in number, and habited in their usual simple style, they were conducted by Francis Guise. They were attended by two-and-twenty deputies of the various congregations. Bareheaded they stood before the brilliant assembly, Beza being the spokesman. Before commencing his address, he knelt down and prayed, saying that the "help of God was necessary to success, whatever be the undertaking." He was listened to with profound attention as he endeavoured to confute the accusation brought against the Reformed, and showed that in the main doctrines the Protestant and the Romish churches agreed. But when, touching upon the sacrament of the Lord's supper, he said, "that the body of Christ is truly given us, but as for place, it is as far from the bread as heaven is from earth," there was a sudden clamour and outcry from the cardinals and bishops. Some, regardless of the king's presence, rose to depart; others exclaimed, "He has blasphemed;" cardinal Tournon intreated Charles to silence Beza, or to allow him and his party to retire. Both requests were refused; and Beza having