Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/396

412 Luther, of Martin Bucer, and Œcolampadius. And full of joy they sent to the latter, as being the nearest to them this greeting:—

“The Christians of Provence to Œcolampadius, health!

“As we have understood that the Almighty God has filled you with His Holy Spirit, therefore, we turn to you, assured that God's spirit will enlighten us through your council in many things, which are concealed from us by our ignorance and weakness. You may know that we, poor shepherds of this little flock, have during more than four hundred years suffered the cruelest persecutions, neither at the same time without evident signs of Christ's mercy. In all important points we hold with you, and ever since the time of the Apostles, has our faith been the same. But through our fault, or through the weakness of our souls, we do not understand the Scriptures so well as you, and therefore, we come to you for guidance and edification.” The reformers replied with encouraging and strengthening words. The Barbes of the Waldenses convened a synod in the valleys, on the 12th of September, and beheld with joy various representatives of the Reformation present there.