On receiving this letter the council of Geneva was still more excited than that of Berne had been. The angry feelings which actuated its members and which had led them to banish the reformers were not yet soothed; and, as it has been remarked, their reply was of such a nature as was to be expected from men dominated by passion.[668] They wrote to Berne that they considered ‘very strange’ the complaints which were sent to them; that they ‘could not imagine how Farel and Calvin were so bold as to make untrue statements to their Excellencies; that there was no great discord in their town, for on the previous Sunday the supper had been observed, according to their own ceremonial, by a great number of people, all of one mind.’ Which amounted to this--that the pastors having been driven away without a hearing, their hearers being intimidated, and the party opposed to the Gospel triumphant, uniformity prevailed by means of violence and of fear. This is, indeed, the usual result of a _coup d’état_. CHAPTER XIII. SYNOD OF ZURICH.--THE BERNESE AMBASSADORS CONDUCT CALVIN BACK TO GENEVA.--HE CANNOT ENTER THE TOWN. (END OF APRIL TO END OF MAY, 1538.) [Sidenote: FAREL AND CALVIN AT ZURICH.] Farel and Calvin did not allow themselves to hesitate by reason of the obduracy of their enemies. They were determined to do all they could to save the Church and likewise the town of Geneva from the calamities which, in the opinion of good men in Switzerland, must certainly fall upon them. The synod of the reformed Churches of this country, to the decision of which they had appealed, was now sitting at Zurich. They went thither without delay, to inform the assembly of the important events which had taken place at Geneva, and to claim its mediation. The deputies of Basel, Berne, Schaffhausen, St. Gall, Glaris, Mulhausen, and Bienne, in conjunction with the doctors of Zurich, constituted the assembly, which sat from April 29 to May 3. Bucer and Capito had also come from Strasburg to be present at it. The principal business of the synod was the union with Luther, who at that time showed a conciliatory disposition. All the members, except Kunz, the Bernese deputy, received the two exiles with true Christian cordiality. It appears that Farel and Calvin found relief and relaxation in this meeting of brethren. From their life at Geneva, constantly in the presence of violent adversaries, they had probably experienced a kind of moral tension. But the loyal affection of the Swiss allowed their minds to unbend, and their souls expanded in the sunshine of charity. After being engaged on matters relating to the _Concordia_ of Wittenberg, the synod passed on to the subject of rites, and decided that with respect to them the Churches ought to retain full liberty--a resolution favorable to Calvin and Farel. After settling this point, the synod took into consideration the state of Geneva.