208 THE MIDDLE AGES. A.D. 1294-1517.
to Paris, entering the College of Navaije. This college was founded by Johanna, queen of "Navarre, 1304, who provided for 3 departments, the arts with 20 students, philosophy with 30 and theology with 20 students. Provision was made also for their support, 4 Paris sous weekly for the artists, 6 for the logicians and 8 for the theologians. These allowances were to continue until the graduates held benefices of the value respectively of 30, 40 and 60 pounds. The regulations allowed the theological students a fire, daily, from November to March after dinner and supper for one half-hour. The luxury of benches was forbidden by a commission appointed by Urban V. in 1366. On the festival days, the theologians were expected to deliver a collation to their fellow-students of the three classes. The rector at the head of the college, originally appointed by the faculty of the university, was now appointed by the king's confessor. The students wore a special dress and the tonsure, spoke Latin amongst themselves and ate in common.
Gerson, perhaps the most distinguished name the University of Paris has on its list of students, was a faithful and enthusiastic son of his alma mater, calling her " his mother," " the mother of the light of the holy Church," " the nurse of all that is wise and good in Christendom," " a prototype of the heavenly Jerusalem," " the fountain of knowledge, the lamp of our faith, the beauty and ornament of France, yea, of the whole world." ^
In 1382, at the age of nineteen, he passed into the theological department, and a year later came under the guidance of D'Ailly, the newly appointed rector, remaining under him for seven years. Gerson was already a marked man, and was chosen in 1383 procurator of the French " nation," and in 1387 one of the delegation to appear before Clement VII. and argue the case against John of Montson. This Dominican, who had been condemned for denying the immaculate conception of Mary, refused to recant on the plea that in being condemned Thomas Aquinas was condemned, and he appealed to the pope. The University of Paris took up the case, and
1 Schwab, p. 59.
§ 23. JOHN GERSON. 209
D'Ailly in two addresses before the papal consistory took the ground that Thomas, though a saint, was not infallible. The case went against De Montson ; and the Dominicans, who refused to bow to the decision, left the university and did not return till 1403.
Gerson advocated Mary's exemption from original as well as actual sin, and made a distinction between her and Christ, Christ being exempt by nature, and Mary — domiria nostra — by an act of divine grace. This doctrine, he said, cannot be immediately derived from the Scriptures,^ but, as the Apostles knew more than the prophets, so the Church teachers know some things the Apostles did not know.
AtD^illy's promotionJ;0_the episcopate, 1395, his pupil fell heir to both his offices, the offices ^fjgrofessor of theology and chancellor of the university^ In the discussion over the Healing of the schism in which the university took the leading part, he occupied a place of first prominence, and by tracts, sermons and public memorials directed the opinion of the Church in this pressing matter. The premise from which he started out was that the peace of the Church is an essential condition to the fulfilment of its mission. This view he set forth in a famous sermon, preached in 1404 at Tarascon before Benedict XIII. and the duke of Orleans. Princes and prelates, he declared, both owe obedience to law. The end for which the Church was constituted is the peace and wellbeing of men. All Church authority is established to subserve the interests of peace. Peace is so great a boon that all should be ready to renounce dignities and position for it. Did not Christ suffer shame ? Better for a while to be without a pope than that the Church should observe the canons and not have peace, for there can be salvation where there is no pope.^ A general council should be convened, and it was pious to believe that in the treatment of the schism it
^ In scriptura sacra neque continetur explicite neque in contentis eadem educitur evidenter, Du Pin's eel. III. 1350. For sermons on the conception, nativity and annunciation of the Virgin, vol. III. 1317-1377. Also III. 941, and Du Pin's Gersoniana, I. cviii. sq.
- Potest absque papa mortali stare sahis, Du Pin, II. 72. The Tarascon sermon is given by Du Pin, II. 54-72. Schvrab's analysis, pp. 171-178. p