Persecution in France--request addressed to the Seigneury of
Basle in favour of the faithful of the Church at Nismes.
GENEVA, _13th November 1537_.
The urgent business on account of which we have thought it right
to send this person by express to you may be stated in few words.
A new outbreak of the cruel rage of the ungodly has burst forth
at Nismes, as the place is now called, no mean city, a town of
Languedoc, against the unhappy brethren who reside there, scattered
up and down, and that at a time when we might have suspected nothing
of the kind. Not very long ago we had obtained letters from the
town councils of Strasbourg and Basle, by which the safety and
personal security of all those, who were then imprisoned throughout
France on account of religion, was commended to the care of Count
William.[61] That eminent person, as was reported, had obtained of
the king that they should all be set at liberty. We rested secure
in this expectation, until word was brought to us, that the fire of
persecution was again raging in that quarter. Two persons have been
burnt, concerning the manner of whose death you will hear from the
eye-witness himself, for he can relate to you in Latin what he has
narrated in detail to us. Many have been thrown into prison, who
are in jeopardy of their lives, unless timely opposition is made to
the fury of those who, already drunk with the blood of these two
victims, are not otherwise at all likely to set any bounds to their
persecuting spirit. The two who suffered have shown a remarkable
spirit of constancy to the very last, although their patient
endurance of suffering was tried with the most exquisite cruelty. Of
a truth, we may question whether the same strength of mind will be
found in the others. Relief, therefore, ought to be brought to them
in their present exigency, if anyhow it can be supplied, lest those
may break down who are weaker in the faith. Besides, the utmost care
must be taken that the blood of the godly, which is so precious in
the sight of God, may not be lightly esteemed by us.
[61] William du Bellay, Seigneur of Langey, one of the cleverest
diplomatists under the reign of Francis the First. Born in 1491,
he died the 9th January 1543. William du Bellay and his brother
John, the Bishop of Paris, had shown themselves favourable to the
first ideas of Reformation, and had consulted with the King for the
purpose of calling Melanchthon into France, there to put in train
the work of religious pacification.--Bèze, _Hist. Eccl._ tom. i. p.
10; Florimond de Remond, _Histoire de la Naissance et du Progrès de
l' Hérésie_, liv. vii. p. 817. The last mentioned author has given
the letters which passed on this occasion between Melanchthon and
Francis I. The French Protestants formed great expectations from Du
Bellay. In these terms Bucer wrote to the physician Ulrich Chelius,
17th Aug. 1534: "Dominus excitet multos isti heroi similes, et spes
erit forte ut emergat aliquando regnum Christi."--Sturm, on his
part, wrote to Bucer, 17th Nov. 1535; "Si Langæus isthuc veniat,
obsecro, habe eum in numero eorum qui quidvis pati volunt pro
Christo."--_MSS. de Strasbourg._
We hear that a treaty was lately agreed upon by your Rulers with our
King, in which some mention was made of religion, to the effect that
henceforth those who agree with yourselves in their sentiments of
religion, should not be punished with the wonted severity. If that
is true, we must not allow so favourable an opportunity of helping
the brethren to escape unimproved, unto whose assistance Christ is
not only calling us with a loud voice, but complains that he is
deserted and forsaken by us when they are deserted.
Wherefore, most excellent and pious brethren, devote yourselves
entirely to this cause, according to the Christian sincerity of your
heart; because we are confident you will do this of your own accord,
we do not press you more urgently upon the matter. Take measures,
therefore, with your council, that the subject may be brought under
their consideration effectually and in earnest, and with as much
brevity as possible, so that these furious men may not be able to
counterwork you. You know how watchful is their enmity. Most learned
and beloved brethren, may the Lord Jesus daily enrich you more and
more with the increase of his Spirit.--Yours,