Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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of any office, however excellent: for Paul testifies that they not only
retained their wives, but took them about with them (1 Cor. 9:5).”
§ 107. THE EXERCISE OF DISCIPLINE IN GENEVA.
Calvin succeeded after a fierce struggle in infusing the Church of Geneva
with his views on discipline. The Consistory and the Council rivalled with
each other, under his inspiration, in puritanic zeal for the correction of
immorality; but their zeal sometimes transgressed the dictates of wisdom
and moderation. The union of Church and State rests on the false
assumption that all citizens are members of the Church and subject to
discipline.
Dancing, gambling, drunkenness, the frequentation of taverns, profanity,
luxury, excesses at public entertainments, extravagance and immodesty in
dress, licentious or irreligious songs were forbidden, and punished by
censure or fine or imprisonment. Even the number of dishes at meals was
regulated. Drunkards were fined three sols for each offence. Habitual
gamblers were exposed in the pillory with cords around their neck.
Reading of bad books and immoral novels was also prohibited, and the
popular “Amadis de Gaul “was ordered to be destroyed (1559). A morality
play on “the Acts of the Apostles,” after it had been performed several
times, and been attended even by the Council, was forbidden. Parents were
warned against naming their children after Roman Catholic saints who
nourished certain superstitions; instead of them the names of Abraham,
Moses, David, Daniel, Zechariah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah became common.
(This preference for Old Testament names was carried even further by the
Puritans of England and New England.) The death penalty against heresy,
idolatry, and blasphemy, and the barbarous custom of the torture were
retained. Adultery, after a second offence, was likewise punished by death.
These were prohibitive and protective laws intended to prevent and punish
irreligion and immorality.
But the Council introduced also coercive laws, which are contrary to the
nature of religion, and apt to breed hypocrisy or infidelity. Attendance on
public worship was commanded on penalty of three sols. f717 When a
refugee from Lyons once gratefully exclaimed, “How glorious is the liberty
we enjoy here,” a woman bitterly replied: “Free indeed we formerly were
to attend mass, but now we are compelled to hear a sermon.” Watchmen
were appointed to see that people went to church. The members of the