[68] Certain persons having obtained from the magistrate permission
to act in public a _Morality_, entitled, _The Acts of the Apostles_,
which had received the approbation of the ministers; one of them,
named Michael Cop, less conciliatory than his colleagues, preached
a very violent discourse in the church of St. Peter, and said that
the women who should mount the theatre to act that farce, would be
_shameless creatures_. These words stirred up a great tumult in the
city, and Calvin required to put forth all his influence to quiet
the agitation, and to preserve the life of his imprudent colleague.
The plays were celebrated in presence of Viret. "It is ordained,"
say the Registers of Council, "that booths be erected for our
seigneurs, that they may comfortably witness the representation of
the _Acts of the Apostles_."--1st July 1546. It does not appear,
however, that these representations were frequently repeated. "Upon
the remonstrances of the ministers," we read in the Registers,
"resolved to delay the representations of the theatre to a less
calamitous time."--July 1546. Ruchat, vol. v. p. 313. The minister
inculpated was not Abel Poupin, as Ruchat relates, but Michael Cop,
as the Registers attest.
Excitement caused at Geneva by the Representation of a Play.
GENEVA, _4th July 1546_.
Our plays narrowly escaped being converted into tragedy. When the
senate had asked my opinion, I said that I would make no reply
unless concerning the common resolution of the brethren. The
brethren having been heard, I replied, that for many reasons it did
not seem to us expedient that the games should be proceeded with,
and at the same time I explained the grounds of our opinion. I said,
however, that we did not wish to oppose them, if the senate held out
for them. When the day was coming on, Michael, (who had done so once
before,) instead of preaching, inveighed against the actors; but
so vehement was this second invective, that a concourse of people
straightway made towards me with loud shouts, threats, and what
not. And had I not by a strong effort restrained the fury of some
of them, they would have come to blows. I endeavoured in the second
discourse to appease their exasperation, observing moderation, for
I judged that he had acted imprudently in having at an unseasonable
time chosen such a theme for declamation. But his extravagance was
the more displeasing, since I could by no means approve of what he
had said. He maintained it to be true; I firmly denied it. There
were some of the brethren who encouraged the man in his obstinacy.
About nine in the evening, I was told that a hundred or thereabouts
would meet on the following day in the council-room. I immediately
called the brethren together: we came to the resolution that we
ought to accompany Michael. He was hardly suffered to go out along
with me. I bring him to the place of meeting; meanwhile I order
the others to be sent for. His accusers indicate their refusal
to speak while we are present; for they said they had no concern
with me, beyond that they regarded me with reverence, and were
therefore unwilling to enter into any dispute with me. I strenuously
insist that the cause is common, until it appear that Michael has
erred in his duty. We are ordered to withdraw to separate sides of
the house; from the opposite party arise seditious shouts; they
threateningly assert that they would have killed Michael were it
not that they revered me. To restrain the tumult, he was detained
in the council-room, but in a respectful manner. On the following
day, by the favour of the Lord, we quieted all disturbances; for
Abel,[69] by the esteem in which he is held, and I by my authority,
prevailed with the actors. The senate, however, was on our side. I
was so far displeased with it, that it was not more courageous and
spirited, for as usual it behaved too timidly; the result is, that
the games are now going on. Viret is present as a spectator, who has
again returned, according to arrangement, with a view to restore our
furious friend to sanity.[70]
[69] The minister, Abel Poupin, exerted his interest with the actors
to appease the tumult excited by his colleague.
[70] It is seen by this instance, that Calvin was not so stern as to
proscribe public games and amusements that harmonized with decency.
"He himself made no scruple in engaging in play with the seigneurs
of Geneva; but that was the innocent game of the _key_, which
consists in being able to push the keys the nearest possible to the
edge of a table."--Morus, quoted _Hist. de la Suisse_, vol. xi. p.
356.
Of your brothers I hear absolutely nothing. There is with you one
Elie Limousin by name, a native of Rochelle, who has now in a
third letter asked me to certify to you what I have known of his
former life. Pious people who come from that district declare that
he was an upright man, and of honourable life, and also that he
was unmarried when he removed thence to us. There is no reason,
therefore, why any suspicion of this nature should be a hindrance
to his marriage. You will apologize for my not having replied to
him, and also for having so cursorily gone over to you what perhaps
demanded a longer discourse. Adieu, dearest brother in the Lord, and
most sincere friend. Salute respectfully all the brethren; there is
no salutation from any one here to you or them, as no one knew I
was going to write except Nicolas, the father-in-law of a brother,
who came in. May the Lord be ever present with you, and bless your
sacred labours.
[_Calvin's Lat. Corresp._ Opera, tom. ix. p. 43.]