[491] At the approach of the Imperial army, M. de Falais had
withdrawn from Cologne to Strasbourg. When there, he received a
visit from the Reformer in May 1545, when on a tour to Berne,
Zurich, and Basle, which he had undertaken in order to rouse the
Protestant cantons in favour of the unhappy victims of Cabrières and
Merindol.
Directions for his conduct towards the Emperor Charles V.
GENEVA, _31st May 1545_.
MONSEIGNEUR,--Although I cannot sufficiently thank God for having
withdrawn you so opportunely from a place in which you were exposed
to a surprise of all others the most painful, and in having
conducted you, in a manner exceeding all human anticipation, to
a spot where your mind can find some temporary repose from its
anxieties; yet even now you have as much need as ever of the Divine
assistance, as well to enlighten you as to the course which it will
be good and expedient for you to follow, as to strengthen your
fortitude, so that you be not shaken, whatever attacks may be made
upon you. For, being so near the place where the principal agent
in the hands of Satan for your affliction[492] now happens to be,
I do not doubt that you will have to resist many more temptations
than you have yet experienced. I see no means of further prolonging
matters by apologetic pleadings, since there is nothing which you
will put forward which will serve for a pretext; at least such is
my opinion. I speak with reference to those to whom you have to
give satisfaction; for however ill you may appear, their minds are
already so much pre-occupied by a contrary opinion, that it will
have no weight with them, while the place which you have chosen for
your retreat will dispel any doubt which they may still entertain.
Besides, I am persuaded that they have kept too watchful an eye upon
your movements not to be able to interpret them correctly.
[492] Allusion is made to the Emperor Charles V., who was then at
Worms, with the intention of presiding at the Diet which was opened
in that town in the following year.
The best thing, then, in my opinion, in such an extremity, will be
to say nothing, and to remain passive, commending your cause to
God, that he may conduct it without either advocate or attorney.
Forasmuch, then, as among other points treated of in your letters,
you express a doubt about the necessity of going to Worms, I beseech
you before undertaking the journey to ponder it well, for above all,
it becomes you to have in your heart a firm resolution unreservedly
to confess our Lord unflinchingly. It will not avail there, as you
well know, to use courteous phrases and fine words in place of more
solid coin. What is worse, I fear that you may not have an audience
to make the confession which you would desire. As to a safe-conduct,
you will remember our plan in regard to that. Nevertheless, I expect
there will be no great harm in asking it, for I am persuaded that
you will meet with a refusal. One advantage will flow from it, that
you will have declared yourself more fully. On this point, however,
I believe there will be no need of long deliberation, since
God will open up the way before you, if I am not much deceived.
Wherefore, the chief thing is to arm yourself with patience, praying
God that it may please him to glorify himself in you more and more,
as he has already begun to do.
It matters little what we have to endure in this world, considering
the shortness of our life. And if length of days should be granted
us, it is well that the Son of God be glorified by our sufferings,
and we be participators in his glory. Since, for the love of him,
you have begun to die to the world, it will be necessary to learn
henceforth what it is to be buried. For death is nothing without
burial. This is the consolation which it becomes you to take, that
you may not deceive yourself, but prepare to endure even unto the
end. And yet the cross you bear is very easy compared with that of
our Master. When it shall please him to impose a heavier burden on
you, he will give you, at the same time, shoulders to bear it.
On my return I found the good Seigneur David in a very poor state of
health, as the bearers will inform you; and I fear very much that,
after lingering long, he will find his last home here. We must pray
God, nevertheless, to have compassion on him and on us; for it would
be a great comfort to us all were it to please the Lord to spare
him.[493] In conclusion, Monseigneur, commending myself to your good
favour and to that of Madame, I implore our kind God to support you
by his right hand, so that you may not falter or stumble on account
of any obstacle which Satan may throw in your way.
Your humble brother, servant, and sincere friend,