Bucer.
'The Church must have a constitution in which everything will be decided by Scripture; and a conference of learned and pious men is wanted to draw it up.'
Hedio.
'That assembly must not be composed of divines only, but of laymen also; and, above all things, no forward step should be taken so long as the pope and the bishops persist in their errors, and even defend them by force.'[646]
When the reformers drew up these articles, they had gradually begun to feel some hope. It is possible, perhaps probable, that unity will be restored.... Moved at the thought, they lifted their eyes towards the mighty arm from which they expected help.
Melanchthon.
'O that the Lord Jesus Christ would look down from heaven and restore the Church for which he suffered to a pious and perpetual union, which may cause his glory to shine afar!'[647]
Francis and his councillors were satisfied upon the whole;[648] but the doctors of Rome looked with an uneasy eye upon these (to them) detestable negotiations. There was agitation at the Sorbonne and even at the Louvre. All the leaders of the Roman party who had a voice at court made respectful representations. Cardinal de Tournon added remonstrances. Du Bellay held firm; but it was not so with Francis. He hesitated and staggered. An event occurred to give him a fresh impulse, and to legitimatise in his eyes the reforms demanded by his minister.
[612] 'Mores modestissimi.'—Melanchthon to the Queen of Navarre, Corp. Ref. ii. p. 733.
[613] 'Non solum mundities et elegantia singularis, sed etiam quædam non insuavis copia.'—Ibid.