When this matter was settled, the council undertook another campaign. Among the partisans of Calvin and of the Reformation were several eminent men whose submission was much desired. The severity which had just been displayed towards the learned might induce these citizens to yield to the conquerors. Two former syndics especially, Porral and Pertemps, looking more at the lamentable occurrences which had attended the government appointment of the supper than at the supper itself, had not yet been able to bring themselves to sanction blameworthy proceedings (the banishment of their well-beloved pastors) by taking part in the ceremonies condemned by their friends. They had, it is true, received the letter from Calvin which urged them ‘to have only a zeal for God moderated by his Spirit and ruled by his Word.’ But when Christmas drew near, and the supper was to be given with unleavened bread, they had hesitated as to what they should do; and as they doubted, they had abstained. The council was not inclined to decide this case of conscience in an accommodating way. On January 9, 1539, Porral having appeared and being asked by the council whether he would conform to the ordinances respecting the supper, made answer at first in a rather vague way; and on being requested to answer more distinctly, he said, without entering into the question of the ordinances, ‘If it please God, I am ready to take the supper, _after having examined myself_.’ Pertemps spoke to the same effect.[768] The friends of Calvin knew that the reformer was distressed at the disorders which prevailed in Geneva, and which reduced the town to the saddest state. ‘Nothing causes me more sorrow,’ he wrote to his friends, ‘than the quarrels and the debates which you have with the ministers who have succeeded us. There is hardly a hope of amelioration while altercation and discord exist. Turn away, then, your minds and your hearts from men, and cling solely to the Redeemer.’ Calvin did not approve the renunciation of the communion by his friends on the ground of its celebration with unleavened bread, and he gave them a serious admonition not to disturb the peace on this immaterial question.[769]