This discourse was severe; but the evil was great. It is useless to deny it; the evidence is too positive. All the people, indeed, were not guilty of these disorders and mockeries; but it happened then, as it too often happens, that the agitators took the upper hand and good men held their peace. We must also observe what Calvin said, that he feared a profanation of the mystery of the supper, _unless the people were better disposed_. He allows, therefore, a better disposition of the people; he desires it; and then, he is certainly ready to celebrate the sacred feast. As to his assertion that his colleagues and he _had done all that in them lay_ to obey the magistrates, he indicates clearly thereby that something _did not lie in their power_; to wit, to act against their conscience and the command of God. Many in their own time blamed them for this; but who now will make it a matter of reproach? The most strenuous upholders of the union of church and state say themselves, ‘That no state authority ought to interfere with any man’s religious belief. If such a principle were really involved in the maintenance of an established church, I should probably have been found on the other side.’[666] No man, in our days, will censure the reformers. In maintaining the independence of the faith, they did what they were bound to do. The council of Berne, which was not swayed by passion, like that of Geneva, saw clearly into these matters, and was impressed with a sense of the danger which was impending over their allies. Without loss of time, they wrote the same day to their ‘singular good friends and loyal fellow-citizens’: ‘Masters G. Farel and Calvin have this day appeared before us and made the complaints comprised in the enclosed schedule. We heard them with much sorrow of heart, for if these things have actually taken place, they cause great offence and will turn _to the dishonor of the Christian religion_. For this cause we earnestly beg you, and in brotherly affection admonish and require you, to abate the severity with which you deal with Farel and Calvin, for the love of us and to avoid scandal. What we wrote touching conformity in matters of ceremonial, we wrote from affection and not by any means to constrain you. But you must know _that the troubles which exist at the present time in your town, and the rigorous treatment which you adopt towards your preachers, have been very offensive to us, and that our enemies are greatly rejoiced at it_. Herein you will do us a most welcome favor.’[667] This was the view of the lords of Berne, themselves opponents of Calvin; and they might have a grudge against him, particularly in this business, on the subject of unleavened bread. But their views were loftier, wiser, and more profoundly religious and politic than those of Richardet and his friends. [Sidenote: REPLY OF THE GENEVESE COUNCIL.]