But even that was not sufficient. There was still wanting a theological decision from the first academical authority of christendom, which should place Roussel in the same rank as the arch-heretic Luther. The Sorbonne, wishing to strike a decisive blow, published a certain number of the so-called pernicious and scandalous doctrines imputed to Roussel, and condemned them as being similar to the errors of Luther. The alarm and agitation were now at their height; the people fancied they could see the monk of Wittemberg breathing his impious doctrines over Paris. Rome fought boldly, and everything was in confusion.[304]
What became of Calvin during all this uproar? 'What is this madness,' he said on a later occasion, 'which impels the pope and his bishops, the priests and the friars, to resist the Gospel with such obstinate rebellion?... The servants of God must be furnished with invincible constancy in order to sustain without alarm the commotions of the people. We are sailing on a sea exposed to many tempests; but nothing ought to turn us aside from doing our duty conscientiously.[305] The Lord consoles and strengthens his servants when they are thus agitated.... He has in his hand the management of every whirlwind and of every storm, and appeases them whenever it seems good to him.... We shall be roughly handled, but he will not suffer us to be drowned.'[306]
[272] 'Bacchanalia factis multis regiis conviviis.'—Siderander Bedroto, Strasburg MSS. ed. Schmidt.
[273] 'Exigit invictum fidei robur.'—Roussel to Œcolampadius, Ep. Ref. Helvet. p. 20.
[274] 'Adversus totum inferorum regnum, a dexteris et a sinistris.'—Ibid.
[275] 'Nihil minus in me sentiam quam quod ad evangelicum dispensatorem et ministrum attinet.'—Ibid.
[276] 'Quisque erat clamosissimus et stolido furore præditus.'—Calvinus Danieli, Epp. p. 3. Genève, 1575.
[277] 'Vix enim locus inveniebatur qui satis capax esset.'—Letter dated Paris, May 28, 1533, by Peter Siderander. Strasburg MSS. Schmidt, G. Roussel, p. 201.
[278] 'Adeo ut ter mutare locum coactus sit.'—Ibid.
[279] 'Concionatus est autem quotidie per totam hanc quadragesimam.'—Ibid.