Chapter II

Consequences of the execution of Jean Calas.

If the White Penitents caused the execution of an innocent man, the utter ruin and dispersal of a family, and the disgrace that ought to attach only to injustice but instead attaches to punishment; if the White Penitents' haste to celebrate as a saint a man whose body should have been dragged on a hurdle sent a virtuous father to the wheel—then surely this misfortune should make them true penitents for the rest of their lives. They and the judges must weep, but not in a long white robe and a mask that would conceal their tears.

We respect all confraternities; they are edifying. But however much good they may do the state, does it equal the terrible evil they have caused? They seem to have been established by the zeal that animates the Catholics of Languedoc against those we call Huguenots. One would think they had taken a vow to hate their brothers; for we have enough religion to hate and persecute, but not enough to love and help. And what if these confraternities were governed by fanatics, as some congregations of Artisans and Gentlemen once were, among whom the habit of seeing visions was reduced to an art and a system, as one of our most eloquent and learned magistrates has said? What if these confraternities established those dark rooms called meditation chambers, where they had devils painted with horns and claws, pits of flame, crosses and daggers, with the holy name of Jesus above the picture? What a spectacle for eyes already spellbound, and imaginations as inflamed as they were submissive to their spiritual directors!

There have been times, as we know only too well, when confraternities were dangerous. The Fraticelli and the Flagellants caused disturbances. The League began with such associations. Why set oneself apart from other citizens in this way? Did they believe themselves more perfect? That in itself insults the rest of the nation. Did they want all Christians to join the confraternity? What a fine spectacle Europe would make in hoods and masks, with two little round holes in front of the eyes! Does anyone honestly think that God prefers this costume to a coat? More than that: this dress is a uniform for religious disputants, warning their adversaries to take up arms. It can kindle a kind of civil war in people's minds, which might end in disastrous excesses if the king and his ministers were not as wise as the fanatics are senseless.

We know well enough what it has cost us since Christians began disputing points of doctrine: blood has flowed on scaffolds and battlefields from the fourth century to our own day. Let us confine ourselves here to the wars and horrors stirred up by the quarrels of the Reformation, and see where they began in France. Perhaps a brief and faithful picture of so many calamities will open the eyes of some who are poorly informed, and move hearts that are well disposed.

Consequences of Jean Calas's execution.

If the white penitents caused an innocent man's execution, a family's complete ruin and dispersal, and the disgrace that should attach only to injustice but in fact attaches to punishment; if their rush to celebrate as a saint a man whose body should have been dragged on a hurdle led to a good father being broken on the wheel, then this disaster should surely make them truly penitent for the rest of their lives. They and the judges must weep, but not in a long white robe with a mask over their faces that would hide their tears.

All the brotherhoods are respected. They set an example of piety. But however much good they may do the state, does it equal the terrible harm they have caused? They seem to have been established by the zeal that drives Catholics in Languedoc against those we call Huguenots. You would think people had vowed to hate their fellow human beings. We have enough religion to hate and persecute, but not enough to love and help. And what if these brotherhoods were run by religious fanatics, as some congregations of Artisans and Gentlemen once were? Among them, the habit of having visions was turned into an art and a system, as one of our most eloquent and learned magistrates puts it. What if the brotherhoods set up those dark rooms called meditation rooms? In them, devils with horns and claws were painted, along with pits of flame, crosses, and daggers, with the holy name of Jesus above the picture. What a sight for eyes already under a spell, and for imaginations as inflamed as they were obedient to their spiritual directors!

There have been times, as we know only too well, when brotherhoods were dangerous. The Fraticelli and the Flagellants caused unrest. The League began with associations like these. Why set yourselves apart from other citizens in this way? Did you think it made you more perfect? That in itself insults the rest of the nation. Did you want all Christians to join the brotherhood? What a fine sight Europe would be in hoods and masks, with two little round holes in front of the eyes! Does anyone honestly think God prefers this outfit to an ordinary coat? There is more: this clothing is a uniform for religious disputants, warning their opponents to take up arms. It can stir up a kind of civil war in people's minds. That might end in terrible violence if the king and his ministers were not as wise as the fanatics are senseless.

We know well enough what Christian disputes about doctrine have cost. Blood has flowed on scaffolds and battlefields from the fourth century to our own day. Let us consider here only the wars and horrors stirred up by the quarrels over the Reformation, and see where they began in France. Perhaps a brief and accurate picture of so many disasters will open the eyes of some poorly informed people and move hearts capable of feeling.