Francis listened. To be king both in Church and State, to imitate his dear brother of England, who at heart was more catholic than himself,—this was his desire. Du Bellay, noticing this disposition, laboured vehemently (to use his own expression)[588] to introduce the Melanchthonian ideas into France. He spoke of them at court and in the city, sometimes even to the clergy, and met everywhere with almost universal approbation.[589] 'Only make a forward movement,' he was told. The king resumed the reading of the Bible, which he had laid aside after the first days of the Reformation. It was not that he relished the Word of God, but the Bible was a weapon that would help him to gain the victory over the emperor. When conversing with the persons around him, he would quote some phrase of Scripture. He particularly liked the passages where St. Paul speaks of _breastplates_, _shields_, _helmets_, and _swords_. He found the apostle, indeed, a little too spiritual and mystical; and in his heart he preferred the helmet of a soldier to the _helmet of salvation_; but he appeared every day better disposed towards the Holy Scriptures.[590] Margaret was transported with joy. 'I agree with the German protestants,' said the king to Du Bellay. 'Yes, I agree with them in _all_ points ... except _one_!' Du Bellay wrote immediately to Bucer, and added: 'You know what that means.'[591] Francis desired to remain in union with Rome for form's sake, if it were only by a thread. But Rome is not contented with a thread. [Sidenote: FRANCIS COOPERATES WITH THEM.] An approaching event seemed destined to decide whether or not a semi-reformation would be established in France. The king and his minister kept their eyes fixed on Germany, and waited impatiently to learn if the enterprise decided upon at Bar-le-Duc for the restoration of the protestant princes to the throne of Wurtemberg would be crowned with success. In their eyes Wurtemberg was the field of battle where the cause of the papacy would triumph or be crushed. Francis hoped that, if the protestants were victorious, they would enter upon a war that would become general. If the empire and the papacy fell beneath the blows of their enemies, new times would begin. Europe would be emancipated from both pope and emperor, and Francis would profit largely, both for himself and France, by this glorious emancipation. The landgrave prepared everything for the great blow he was about to strike. At once prudent and active, he did not write a word that could compromise him, but sent his confidential counsellors in every direction. He went in person to the Elector of Trèves and the elector-palatine, and promised them that if Wurtemberg was restored to its lawful princes, Charles's brother should be compensated by being recognised King of the Romans. These measures succeeded with Philip, who immediately made known this happy commencement to Francis I.