On the side of the Reformation there was no other preparation but some simple evangelical theses drawn up by Farel, and affixed to the doors of all the churches. They were entitled, ‘Conclusions which are to be discussed at Lausanne, a new province of Berne.’ In the form of ten articles it was declared,--that Holy Scripture teaches no other justification than that which is by faith in Jesus Christ, once for all offered in sacrifice--that it acknowledges no other head, priest, saviour, or mediator of the Church than Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of God;--that it gives the name ‘Church of God’ only to the assembly of those who believe in their redemption by Jesus Christ alone. The other seven articles established the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper--the ministry of the Word of God--confession made to God--absolution coming from God--spiritual service rendered to God, such as is ordained by the Word, and without the infinite mockeries which pervert religion--the civil magistrate ordained of God to maintain the peace of the Republic--marriage a divine institution for any class whatsoever--and the free use, so it be with charity, of things indifferent.[394] On Sunday, October 1, all the bells were set a-going, and a great crowd filled the cathedral. But the lords of Berne, in whose presence the disputation was to take place, had not yet arrived. It was a great disappointment. However, the opening took place on Sunday, although the discussion only began on Monday. It was Farel, the senior of the French reformers, the great champion of the Gospel in the district of Geneva, Vaud, and Neuchâtel, that Christian man, at once so learned and so pious, so devout and so active, who made the first speech, in which his design was to prepare the minds of those present for a becoming and Christian conference.[395] He said,--‘While Satan leads the sheep astray in order to destroy them, our Lord seeks to bring them back to his holy flock in order to save them. We shall never attain real unity except by means of the truth. A safe-conduct has therefore been given to all, to go and come, to speak and to hear, as shall seem good to them, for the truth must not be hidden. May it be the truth that wins the day! If I myself were wholly vanquished and put to confusion, while the truth had its triumph, I should count that the greatest gain and the best possible victory. Let all therefore, whether priests or preachers, have respect to the great shepherd Jesus Christ, who gave his body and his blood for the poor people. Let us prefer to be nothing, if only the poor sheep, gone so far astray, may find the right way, may come to Jesus and give themselves to God. That will be better than if we should gain all the world and lose those for whom Jesus died. If any man will exalt himself against Jesus, if any man will light against the faith, it would be better for him if he had never been born. Let us not despise our neighbor. Let us not mock him. Let