object of his terror was the Reformation; the great desire of his heart was the triumph of the papacy. 'Have the fear of God before your eyes,' he said, 'and keep the commandments of holy Church.' He knew full well that 'holy Church' would recommend the people to recognise his power without any restriction. He pronounced these words 'in so devout and humble a manner that everybody wept, and the general council broke up without dispute or tumult, for which God be praised.'[753] [Sidenote: THE CHARTERS CONSULTED.] The Genevans were not, however, ready to bend their necks to receive the yoke the bishop presented to them. The various members of the assembly had hardly dispersed before the agitation broke out. Huguenots and independent catholics declared boldly and with one accord that they would maintain the constitution; the courtiers and mamelukes alone supported the absolute privileges of the prelate. 'No despotic power,' said one party. 'No resistance to the orders of our prince,' said the other. Offended at the new pretensions of the bishop, the citizens resolved to oppose him with the antique monuments of their liberty. There was a vaulted chamber in the hôtel de ville called the _Grotto_, in which the venerable charters of the Genevan people were enclosed under many bolts and bars. Not suffering themselves to be disturbed by the arbitrariness of the bishop, by the eloquence of his orators, or the terrible bands of Friburg and Turin, the citizens determined to consult the sacred documents of their franchises. The syndics proceeded to the Grotto; the rusty bolts yielded to the stout arms of their officers; they took out the noble parchments of their ancestors, and all eyes were eagerly turned upon the title-deeds in which were inscribed the duties, rights, and liberties of the people. The roll was placed upon the table; it was unfolded, and, while the others listened, one of the magistrates read the words written therein. 'In the name of the holy, perfect, and undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.' Could the bishop trample under foot a charter which reposed on so sacred a foundation? The magistrate continued his examination. This document, drawn up by Bishop Adhemar in 1387, contained (to use its own words) 'the liberties, franchises, and immunities which the citizens of Geneva have enjoyed so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.' The Genevans were moved, and passing the parchment from hand to hand, read certain portions of it, and swore to defend their rights.[754]