constrained
to express their displeasure at this outburst of passion on the part of
the prelates, and their desire that the conference should proceed.[1125]

[Sidenote: Beza's peroration.]

When the storm had somewhat spent its violence, and comparative silence
had been restored, Beza, in no wise discomposed by the uproar, resumed
his interrupted discourse. He deemed it unnecessary to dwell upon the
matter of the administration of holy baptism, he said, for none could
confound the reformers with the Anabaptists, who found no more
determined enemies than they were. With respect to the other five
sacraments of the Romish Church, while the reformed refused to designate
them by that name, they believed that among themselves true confirmation
was established, penitence enjoined, marriage celebrated, ordination
conferred, and the visitation of the sick and dying practised,
conformably to God's Word. The last point--the government of the
Church--Beza despatched with a few words; for, appealing to the prelates
themselves to testify to the results of their recent deliberations, he
described the structure ecclesiastic as one in which everything was so
perverted, everything in such confusion and ruin, that scarce could the
best architects in the world, whether they considered the present order
or had regard to life and morals, recognize the remains, or detect the
traces of that ancient edifice so symmetrically laid out and reared by
the apostles. He closed by declaring the fervent desire of those whose
spokesman he was for the restoration of the Church to its pristine
purity, and by making on their behalf a warm profession of loyalty and
devotion to their earthly king. As he concluded, Beza and his associates
again kneeled in prayer. Then rising, he presented anew to Charles the
confession of faith of the reformed churches, begging him to receive it
as the basis of the present conference between their delegates and the
Romish prelates.[1126]

[Sidenote: Cardinal Tournon tries to cut short the conference.]

As soon as Beza had ended his speech, Cardinal Tournon, the oldest
member of the Papal consistory in France, and presiding officer in the
convocation of the prelates, rose, trembling with anger, and addressed
the king. It was only by express command of Charles, he said, that the
prelates had consented to hear "these new evangelists." They had
hesitated from conscientious scruples, fearing, with good reason, as the
event had