TO JOHN LASKI.
f22EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY UNDER HIS TRIALS — LOUD COMPLAINTS OF THE INTOLERANCE OF THE GERMAN
THEOLOGIANS.
GENEVA, May 1554. f23
I have not replied to you, very distinguished sir, and much honored brother, so early as you expected, because I thought my delay would occasion you no great inconvenience. For though a young Frieslander set out from this place, since I received your letter, I did not think fit to trust him with my answer, which I hardly thought would reach you sooner by the very circuitous route which he intends to take. Another person left this shortly after, but he too purposed to hold an indirect course.
Moreover M. de Sechelles, who had brought me your letter, quitted us abruptly, leaving with me Mr. Cheke and Mr. Morison who were
afterwards obliged to set out for Italy. This is the reason why I allowed a very suitable messenger, to go away empty-handed, one, at least, who would have taken care, that whatever I wrote should be safely and faithfully delivered to you. Now if you expect that I shall pay you with interest for my delay, you will be mistaken. Nor indeed do I suppose that you have any great wish for a favor of this kind, which would take up your time without. much profit. For I am not furnished with a subject like that of your letter, the perusal of which, though far from being gay, was yet both profitable and delightful. And if the account of your wanderings gave me the most poignant sorrow, the adventures themselves possessed that kind of interest which rendered them, I frankly avow, an admirable subject for a narrative. I doubt not but many others share my sentiments on that head. Your pains then were well bestowed in writing out these details, and perhaps it will be expedient to give them by and by a wider circulation. For my own part, I have already reaped from them no contemptible fruits, though it was with the saddest and bitterest feelings
that I learned the cruelty of the Danes. Good God! — so much inhumanity in a christian people, that the sea itself was merciful in comparison! When the report was spread about here, that a signal had been hoisted by the king to the unfortunate brethren, who, exiled from England, were in quest of a new retreat, there was so sudden a burst of joy, that one would have thought that this single act sufficed to procure him immortal honor. Now I fear he has called down on his head the terrible vengeance of God, no less than he has covered himself with infamy in the eyes of men. And the more I had celebrated his humanity, the bitterer is my disappointment to find, that his mild temper had been so much exasperated by these intermeddling busy bodies, whose perfidy is no less detestable than their cruelty, for it was their duty rather to have appeased him supposing he had been irritated. But a diabolical fury it would seem has seized upon all that maritime region; the contagion has spread into Saxony and the adjoining countries to such a degree, that they know neither bounds nor shame in venting their rage on us. A most delectable spectacle, you may be sure, to the Papists! The more reason why we should make an effort to devour these evils in silence, since we cannot publish them without bringing dishonor on the gospel. And yet as it was clear to me, that the
intemperance of that party was hateful to all learned and moderate men, I conceived that we ought not to maintain an absolute silence; and certainly it was not my fault that some expedient was not adopted by us, at the very first, for putting a check upon them. Our most excellent brother, Bullinger, took a different view of the matter, and thought that our victory would be best secured by our silence and forbearance. Lest my assiduity should give offense, or beget mistrust, I have abstained from busying myself too much about the affair. Of late, however, he has changed his mind, tired, I suppose, of giving his enemies so much advantage, and has of his own accord exhorted me to confute in a short tract their atrocious calumnies. This I have promised to do. But as I was busily engaged with Genesis up to the time of the fair, and as I required the general assent of those whose defense I had undertaken, I have done nothing to it as yet. As soon, however, as I shall have fairly set about it, I hope to produce a lucubration without much delay. But to return to yourself, reverend brother, I think you have set an example doubly praiseworthy; first, in having contended you and your companions with the savage ferocity and haughtiness of that wild monster, f24 not less mildly and modestly than
and land, you have not shrunk from affronting for its sake a fresh exile, you have by such steadfastness offered to God, a sweet-smelling sacrifice, as well as given to all pious men a useful example. I rejoice that the Lord has at length looked down upon you, so that you have found a tranquil haven, in which you may not only find rest, but also employ yourselves in profitable labor for the cause of God and of his church. May the Lord enrich with every blessing that very illustrious lady f25 who has so kindly and graciously extended to you her maternal hand.
John Calvin.
[Lat. orig. autogr. — Library of Geneva. Vol. 107 a.]