Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

simply attired. They wore the usual habits of the
Geneva Church, which offered a striking contrast
to the State robes and clerical vestments in which
courtier and cardinal sat arrayed. Unawed by the
blaze of stars, crosses, and various insignia of rank
and office which met their gaze, the deputies bore
themselves with a calm dignity, as men who had
come to plead a great cause before a great
assembly. They essayed to pass the barrier, and
mingle on equal terms with those with whom they
were to confer. But, no; their place was outside.
The Huguenot pastor could not sit side by side with
the Roman bishop. The Reformation must not
come nigh the throne of Charles IX and the
hierarchy of the Church. It must be made appear as
if it stood at the bar to be judged. The pastors,
though they saw, were too magnanimous to
complain of this studied affront; nor did they refuse
on that account to plead a cause which did not rest
on such supports as lofty looks and gorgeous robes.
The moral majesty of Beza asserted its
supremacy, and carried it over all the mock
magnificence of the men who said to him, "Stand
143