Ratio ineundae Concordiae inter Ecclesias reformatas, sive, quibus modis occurri possit mirificis artibus, quibus pontificii per quosdam imprudentes theologos universas Christi ecclesias potissimum autem et primum Germanicas pessundare conantur

those virulent insults, injuries, detractions, calumnies, and refutations of calumnies have flowed, and new and unheard-of words of cursing have been devised.

Since these things are manifest, who wonders if the Papists constantly retain the religion handed down to them inviolate by their ancestors for so many centuries, and seriously think about the means by which, having oppressed their adversaries, their religion alone might be preached. You Kings and Princes, who glory so much in the light of the Gospel and idly gaze upon and bear these most pernicious contentions, do you think that God will not someday seek from you and yours the innocent blood of Christians which is shed through your fault? Nor that He will severely punish such a manifest contempt for His word? But let us propose means by which the Republic may be served. But before we explain them, it must be noted that among the parties in this chapter there is no controversy concerning the true and salutary eating of the body of Christ in the Holy Supper, but only concerning the mode of the Sacramental presence and the eating of the body of Christ: which in this manner seems to many to be able to be finished without inconvenience.

FIRST. That by the common consent of the Evangelical Princes of Germany, a general Synod (as some Princes of Germany and many most learned theologians have often proposed to other Princes, and have urged with great contention as being most necessary) be instituted: in which they themselves preside, or in their name, political and wise men who understand the magnitude of the matter, and who by their authority protect and preserve pious and moderate theologians, but keep the ambitious, contentious, and proud ones in check: for if these controversies are committed to be considered and transacted by theologians alone, it is certain that the hatred is so bitter and inveterate that they will entangle and disturb these matters rather than compose them piously and in a Christian manner. The most serene Queen of England has lovingly signified to the Protestant Princes of Germany that she would willingly send her commissioners to that Synod, if she is advised of the time and place in a timely manner.