THANKS TO FRANCIS DANIEL — SALUTATIONS TO MELCHIOR WOLMAR — VARIOUS MESSAGES.
MEAUX, 6th September 1529.
I owe you thanks for having omitted no diligence in the care of our affairs, which I will not allow to pass unrequited when occasion shall offer. For I think it will so happen that at least I may be able to return a favor of the like kind, nor even then shall my name be expunged from your day-book;
what is more, there is scarcely a single page that does not state me as your debtor. But if you think me worth the money, I make myself over to you in payment, with the usual legal proviso, that whatever is mine may also go along with the purchase. You must understand, moreover, that was the loophole opened to our barefaced solicitation, while you gave ready and seasonable aid, so that we can scarcely be in future anything but shameless suitors, unmindful whether we are solvent or no, for you do not confer benefits that you may make gain of them, but bestow your favors freely.
In the meantime, however, I will take care that the inner chamber be well supplied with wine, if I see that it will be to our advantage, that you may not suppose anything to be rashly undertaken. Perhaps, in an indirect way, I appear to ask money, but do not you interpret me unkindly or twit me indirectly, unless, as you are wont, it is good humouredly in jest. You have done manfully in behaving with so much firmness towards that indolent Maecenas; since he cannot now-a-days suit his manners to us, let him be your claw-back, and, puffed up and pompous, leave him to nurse his ambition. I envy Fusius the astrologer. Your road-book I return, which, with Lampridius, we may call the itinerary, and in the Greek
oJdoiporikh<n I do not add thanks, because words cannot do justice to its merit. Will you remember me to Melchior f21 if he is yet with you, to Sucquet and Pigney, also to our friend Curterius? Will you say to Sucquet, that I have occasion to use the Homer’s Odyssey which I had lent him?
and when you have got it, keep possession, unless indeed Ronsart who used to bring you my letters, to whom I had entrusted the business, has been beforehand. — Adieu, dear friend, my nonesuch.
[Lat. copy — Library of Berne. Volume 450.]
LETTER 4
TO FRANCIS DANIEL
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE — DEPARTURE TO ITALY OF THE BROTHER OF FRANCIS DANIEL.
FROM THE ACROPOLIS, f22 15th January 1530.
It was not in my power to reply sooner to your brother Robert’s letter, because it was only delivered to me about the middle of November, and shortly after I had to undertake a journey of a fortnight. The illness of the messenger, who had been laid up for about twelve days with a dangerous complaint at Lyons, hindered the letter from reaching me sooner.
Meanwhile the fair-time had gone by; which season having past, I had no opportunity of despatching a letter. With reference to your brother, the matter stands thus: — I have endeavored, in every manner of way, to induce him to remain with us. When I ascertained that he had rashly and without any sufficient reason given up this, or resolved against it, I thought I ought to persuade him to betake himself homewards; and as he had sometimes said that any attempt of this sort would be in vain, I thought it better, for the time, to give way, until that warmth had in some degree subsided. As seemed to me, he had come somewhat to himself, when all of a sudden, while such a step never entered my thoughts, he decamped into Italy. I was expecting him and his companion at dinner, because that time had been appointed for touching on the subject. They did not make their appearance. When during the whole day they were not forthcoming, I began to suspect I know not what. On sending to the inn, word was brought back that he had already gone away. Peter, f23 whom you have known, who had accompanied them a mile or rather more, returned home about four o’clock. Wherefore, if anything has happened contrary to your wish and that of your relatives, you must not blame me, who have done my utmost that he might not withdraw to a greater
distance from you, contrary to your wishes. Adieu; remember me to all.
May the Lord preserve you all, especially your family.
Will you take charge of the delivery of the letter to my sister Mary Du Marais?
[Lat. copy — Library of Berne. Volume 450.]
LETTER 5
TO FRANCIS DANIEL
CALVIN’S FIRST WORK — COMMENTARY ON SENECA’S TREATISE, “DE CLEMENTIA.”
PARIS, 23d. May 1532.
Well, at length the die is cast. My Commentaries on the Books of Seneca,
“De Clementia,” f24 have been printed, but at my own expense, and have drawn from me more money than you can well suppose. At present, I am using every endeavor to collect some of it back. I have stirred up some of the professors of this city to make use of them in lecturing. In the
University of Bourges I have induced a friend to do this from the pulpit by a public lecture. You can also help me not a little, if you will not take it amiss; you will do so on the score of our old friendship; especially as, without any damage to your reputation, you may do me this service, which will also tend perhaps to the public good. Should you determine to oblige me by this benefit, I will send you a hundred copies, or as many as you please. Meanwhile, accept this copy for yourself, while you are not to suppose that by your acceptance of it, I hold you engaged to do what I ask. It is my wish that all may be free and unconstrained between us.
Adieu, and let me soon hear from you. I wrote lately to Pigney, but he has not answered. To Brosse I wrote long ago, but to this time have no reply.
He who will give Le Roy his copy will dutifully salute him.
[Lat. copy — Library of Berne. Volume 450.]
LETTER 6
TO FRANCIS DANIEL
CALVIN DESPATCHES COPIES OF THE TREATISE “DE CLEMENTIA” TO SEVERAL PERSONS — LOOKS FOR
LODGINGS IN PARIS.
PARIS, [1532.]
Both of your letters have reached me almost on the same subject, and nearly in the same words. I have attended to your commission about the Bibles, in procuring which there was more need of taking some trouble than of money. When I pack up my things I will put them along with my baggage. The affair is of that kind which I suppose may be deferred until that time. As for the rest, you must help me in your turn.
The Books of Seneca on Clemency are at last printed: they are at my own cost and labor. The money which has been expended must now be
collected on all hands. Besides, I must look to it, that my credit stands secure. Do write as soon as you can, and let me know with what favor or coldness they have been received, and try also to induce Landrin to lecture.
I send one copy for yourself; will you take charge of the other five, to be forwarded to Bourges for Le Roy, Pigney, Sucquet, Brosse, Baratier? If Sucquet can accept of it for the purpose of lecturing, his help will be of no small service to me. Adieu.
I have nothing to write to Duchemin, seeing that often as I have asked he returns no answer, nor shall I set out upon my journey until he write.
What will it matter, if for some days I shiver in the cold while in search of a lodging for the body! Concerning Coiffart what else can I say, except that he is a selfish fellow? — Again, adieu.
Remember me to your mother and your aunt.
[Lat. copy. — Library of Berne. Volume 450.]
LETTER 7
TO DR MARTIN BUCER
f25RECOMMENDATION OF A FRENCH REFUGEE IN STRASBOURG, WHO HAD BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF
HOLDING THE DOCTRINES OF THE ANABAPTISTS.
NOYON, 4th September 1532.
The grace and peace of the Lord be with you by the mercy of God and the victory of Christ.
Leisure to write would not have weighed as an argument to persuade me, any more than good advice, unless it had seemed right to deplore in a few words the unhappy lot of this excellent brother, which some friends of undoubted faith and credit have represented to me by letter. For whether you bear with me in my grief and sympathy, or whether I further him in his suit, I could not refrain from writing. The disposition and manners of the man I had known while he lived with us in France. He so conducted himself as to be beloved among the men of our profession, if any one was.
Esteemed as such among men who were endowed with some degree of authority, and so as to be neither a shame nor a disgrace to them. At length, when he could no longer bow the neck to that voluntary bondage which even yet we bear, he departed to take up his residence with you, having no prospect of return. But, as the matter stands, it fell out,
contrary to his expectation, like the shifting scene of a play, and he could find no settled abode whither he might betake himself. Thither, also, as I hear, he had hastened on account of his straitened means and household matters, that he might have the benefit of the assistance of friends whom himself had formerly assisted, until better times should come. Now, observe how far more powerful is calumny than truth. Some inconsiderate person, I know not who, among your people, whom I certainly do not presume to suspect of malevolence, had so prepossessed the ears of every one with his invectives, that they were shut to all explanation. There was,
therefore, not a single person from whom he could extract a penny.
Probably it was not intended by the person, whoever he was, who kindled the sparks of this tragedy, to destroy the character of a harmless
individual. Nevertheless, however that may be, I can neither excuse him nor apologize to him, and do not hesitate to assert that he has been in error, to the great hardship and calamity of this individual. They cast upon him these reproaches, as is said, because he had fallen under suspicion of Anabaptism. Strange, indeed, unless the person was outrageously
suspicious who spun out this conjecture from so slender evidence. In conversation I drew him intentionally to speak of this sacrament. He agreed in express terms so entirely with myself, that never have I met with any one who professed the truth upon this point more frankly.
Meanwhile he suffers notwithstanding, nor does there appear any probability that these sinister rumors, which have already obtained a certain degree of credit, will soon be suppressed. I intreat of you, Master Bucer, if my prayers — if my tears, are of any avail, that you would compassionate and help him in his wretchedness. The poor are left in a special manner to your care — you are the helper of the orphan. Suffer him not to be reduced to such necessity as to be driven to extremity. You can help him, if you choose, in some one way or other, but rather do so yourself, according to your own discretion. I could not, however, hold my hand from going even beyond the bounds of ordinary restraint in
supporting the cause of this individual. These for the present. — Most learned sir, farewell. Thine from my heart, CALVIN.
[Lat. orig. autogr. — Protestant Seminary of Strasbourg.]