[650] Froment, Gestes, p. 50.—Roset MS., Chron. liv. ii. ch. x.—Gautier MS.
[651] The register has the word ovaille (ovallium), Council Registers, 28th March, 1533.
[652] Roset MS. Chron. liv. ii. ch. x.—Gautier MS. Council Register ad diem. La Sœur de Jussie, Le Levain du Calvinisme, p. 51.
[653] Le Levain du Calvinisme, p. 51.
[654] Galiffe, Notices généalogiques de Genève, I. p. 80.
[655] La Sœur de Jussie, Le Levain du Calvinisme, p. 52.—Froment, Gestes de Genève, pp. 50-51.
CHAPTER XV.
FIRST ARMED ATTACK OF THE CATHOLICS UPON THE REFORMATION.
(March 28, 1533).
THIS effusion of blood, far from calming men's minds, served but to inflame them. 'All good christians were more excited than before,' says Sister Jeanne. The skirmish in which, being seven hundred against two, they had gained the advantage, was an omen of victory! They looked at each other and counted their numbers. 'We are the majority and well armed,' they said; 'we must sally out boldly and fight these rascals.' The principal leaders, lay and ecclesiastic, withdrawing into a private part of the cathedral, held a final council. The most influential represented that the huguenots had celebrated the sacrament, that they persevered in holding their meetings 'here and there,' that the sacerdotal authority was decreasing and the number of heretics increasing, and that there was only one means left of saving the Romish faith—putting every heretic to death.[656] The syndics stretched out their wands in vain, and ordered them to keep the peace. All was useless. 'Now is the time,' cried the priests; 'let us run to the great bell and give the signal.' At the word many hastened to the tower of the church and began to ring the tocsin. At the same time those who were in the church prepared to march.
=CATHOLICS PREPARE TO FIGHT.=