selves, not
without a severe struggle, to purchase exemption from these perils by a
pecuniary concession which delighted the perplexed financiers of France.
They pledged themselves to pay, by semi-annual instalments, the entire
sum needed for the redemption of the royal domain which had been
alienated to satisfy the public creditors.[1174] But in return they
demanded important equivalents. The first item was that the severe
"Edict of July" should be made perpetual and irrevocable. This request
Catharine and the council denied. To declare that odious law, which it
had never been possible to carry into execution in several provinces of
France, a part of the fundamental constitution, would be a gratuitous
insult to the Huguenots, and would precipitate the country instantly
into the abyss upon the verge of which it was already hanging.

[Sidenote: Order for the restitution of the churches.]

The other demands of the bishops it seemed more practicable to grant.
They required that Charles should by solemn edict order the
instantaneous restitution of the churches seized by the Huguenots. In
spite of the earnest protest of Beza,[1175] the government (on the
eighteenth of October) complied with the request.[1176] Within
twenty-four hours after the receipt of this edict, all persons who had
taken possession of churches were commanded, on penalty of death as
rebels and felons, to vacate them, restoring whatever valuables they had
removed, and replacing the images and crosses they had destroyed. At the
same time the prohibition of the use of insulting language and acts was
renewed, and both parties were bidden to place their arms in the hands
of the local magistrates.[1177] Thus, to use Beza's language, was Christ
betrayed, but at a much dearer price than that for which he was,
centuries ago, sold by Judas--for sixteen millions of francs instead of
the thirty pieces of silver.[1178] Having, by extorting the Edict of
Restitution, succeeded in paving the way for renewed commotions, soon to
culminate in open and widespread war, the prelates adjourned, with
mingled satisfaction and disgust, toward the end of October, 1561.[1179]

[Sidenote: Arrival of five German delegates.]

The conference of Poissy had scarcely been definitely abandoned when
five German Protestants appeared upon the scene. Three of these--Andreae,
Beuerlin, and Balthasar Bidembach--had been sent by the Duke of
Wuertemberg; the others--Bouquin and Dilher--by the El