[186] The Apology of M. de Falais.
[187] Renée of France, Duchess of Ferrara. See, in this collection, the letters of Calvin to that princess.
[188] In the journey which he had recently made to Bâle, Calvin had decided M. de Falais to come and fix himself definitively at Geneva.
[189] Veigy, near Geneva. M. de Falais made there the purchase of a domain which he occupied during several years.
[190] See letter to Bullinger of 19th September 1547, p. 143. The observations of Calvin on the treatise on the Sacraments being badly received, as it appears, by the minister of the Church of Zurich, had led, on the part of the latter, to a temporary coldness, of which Calvin complained in a letter, characterized alike by the noblest independence and the most Christian affection.
[191] On the back, in the handwriting of M. de Falais:—Received the 12th April 1548.
[192] M. de Falais could not establish himself at Geneva, without losing the right of a burgess, which he had acquired at Bâle.
[193] The Emperor, and the new king of France, Henry II. Faithful to the policy of Francis I., a persecutor of the Reformation in his own States, the latter was about to conclude a secret treaty with the Protestant princes of Germany.
[194] While persecution decimated the Reformed Churches of France, and the proclamation of the Interim dispersed those of Germany, the Swiss Churches were a prey to the most grievous dissensions, and appeared further removed than ever from that era of unity and peace which Calvin never ceased to invoke for them.
[195] "Calvin informs the Council of certain disputes between the Seigneury and the ministers of Berne, which have gone so far that three of the ministers of said city have been deposed, besides Peter Viret of Lausanne; requests that leave may be given him to go to Berne to defend Viret, which was granted him; the Seigneury, besides, undertaking to defray the expenses of the journey."—Registers of Council, May 7, 1548.