§ 107. THE EXERCISE OF DISCIPLINE IN GENEVA. 489
neglected in the Roman Church of his day, against hunting, gambling, feasting, usury, commerce, and secular amusements. He recommends annual visitations and synods for the correction and examination of delinquent clergymen.
But he rejects the prohibition of clerical marriage as an "act of impious tyranny contrary to the Word of God and to every principle of justice. With what impunity fornication rages among them [the papal clergy] it is unnecessary to remark ; emboldened by their polluted celibacy, they have become hardened to every crime. . . . Paul places marriage among the virtues of a bishop : these men teach that it is a vice not to be tolerated in the clergy. . . . Christ has been pleased to put such honor upon marriage as to make it an image of his sacred union ^ath the Church. What could be said more in commendation of the dignity of marriage? With what face can that be called impure and polluted, which exhibits a similitude of the spiritual grace of Christ? . . . Marriage is honorable in all ; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Heb. 13:4). The Apostles themselves have proved by their own example that marriage is not unbecoming the sanctity of anj^ office, however excellent : for Paul testifies that they not only retained their wives, but took them about with them (1 Cor. 9: 5).'"
§ 107. Tlie 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 tav-
490 THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
erns, 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 lined three sols for eacli 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 irreli^ion 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.^ 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.
^ " Les ministres out pri€ que Ion advise de fere venyr les gens ant sermon et specialement les dimanches et le iour des prieres affin de prier D'leu qui nous assiste, voyeant le trouble quest en leglise de Dieu et la machination dresse contre les fidelles.