Thus did the magistrates give a flat refusal to the ministers. It was a lesson for Calvin and his friends. This decision was contrary to their convictions; but as they knew that the council was at heart friendly to the Reformation, they did not feel bound to oppose its will. They gave proof of moderation, conciliation, and patience. Some will perhaps say that they pushed these virtues too far. They yielded. That is not the crime of which they are commonly accused. The supper was celebrated, and there was no disturbance. [Sidenote: DISORDERS.] But although the communion passed off in an orderly manner, troubles arose afterwards. The opposition party looked on this general admission as a triumph for them; and as they saw that the representations of the ministers were no longer listened to by the councils, their audacity increased. Again were seen bands of men, consisting of the least respectable classes of the people, parading the city with green flowers in their hats. They indulged in acts of violence; they annoyed those who had sworn to the Reformation; ‘they drew their swords and terrified others into flight.’ The taverns were thronged with these people, who ate and drank to excess. Puns and sarcasms were showered on all sides. Even holy things were turned into ridicule. Just as St. Paul addressed his Epistles to his _brethren in Christ_, so the evangelical Christians of the Reformation gave each other that title. The wags had noticed it, and did not fail to laugh at it. ‘A party of drunken men,’ say the Registers of January 16, ‘went in the night through the town and to the wine-shops, mocking the preachers and saying to each other, ‘_Thou art one of the brethren in Christ_,’ and other things of the like kind. These mockers having come to the Lord’s supper, to which all were admitted by order of the Council, gave themselves in jest the name of _brethren_. Jean d’Orbe said to Claude Jaccard, ‘Art thou of the _brethren in Christ_?’ and swearing a great oath, he added, ‘Thou wilt repent of it.’ Many persons, alarmed at these disorderly proceedings, trembled for the general council which was to be held fifteen days later. ‘Many a sword-thrust will be given there,’ they said, ‘so that we shall not wish to go.’ The discord which prevailed in Geneva agitated also the neighboring country districts. The Council of the Two Hundred was deeply affected by all these reports, and determined to have inquiry made and to punish the guilty. The measure which the council adopted in order to prevent disturbances was precisely that which actually gave rise to them.[564]