Peace in Christ

The divisions that marked the political and religious landscapes of the period were clearly a concern for Georges de Selve. Thoughout his writings clearly informed by the spirit of Evangelicism emanating from the circle of Lefèvre d'Etaples, de Selve is an advocate for a spiritual peace in Jesus Christ. In an oration apparently prepared for the Diet of Speyer in 1529,* de Selve fervently calls for the resolution of the doctrinal debates between the Reformers and the Catholic Church. The opposing factions should not attempt to vanquish each other by disputes and arguments, but they should vanquish themselves by looking at themselves in the "mirror of Jesus Christ."* In accepting Christ and His Sacraments, we are unified with Him, and we are unified amongst ourselves. We become a part of the mystical body of Christ.*

Similarly in a discourse addressed to the Emperor and the French king, de Selve urges the two rulers to avoid disputes over temporal issues that involve self-interest, and he observes that the resolution of temporal conflicts can only be found in a spiritual peace, where all are rejoined and reunited by the means of the body of Christ.* When the spirit of heaven has descended, we will have a temporal peace full of life, of sense, of movement, and of understanding, and full of the spirit of God.*

In a world in which serving a master played a central role, de Selve cautions anyone working in the service of a temporal lord not to attempt to gain his good graces by simply serving the master's appetites. This he warns is the "vraye voye de perdition" and will not give a single day of peace and security. True peace and security can only be gained by serving continually the true master, Jesus Christ.*

de Selve's ideas of a spiritual peace in Christ echo the verse from the hymn Veni sancte Spiritus appearing on the hymnbook on the lower shelf of the table: ...O herr durch deines liechtes glast/zu dem glauben versamlet hast/ das volck aller welt zungen/des sey dir Her zu lob gesungen. (O lord through your shining light/ to them who belief has gathered/ the tongues of the people of all the world/ that is to sing praise to you Lord.)