Disorders the precursors of the civil wars in France — Opposition of the Reformer to the Council of Trent,. Communications respecting the printing of a memorial — Wishes for the prompt return of the Admiral to the court,.
LAST DISCOURSES OF CALVIN
Homage rendered to the piety of this princess — Eulogy of her niece the Duchess of Savoy,. Sufferings of Calvin and the inefficacy of the healing art to relieve them — News of France and Germany, LETTER 668 — TO FAREL.
APPENDIX
Consultation on the subject of a new edition of the Bibles — Troubles in Geneva — Apology of Calvin for himself,. Congratulations on the zeal which he displays at Paris — Difficulties that stand in the way of sending off new ministers — Letter of the king of Navarre — Divers particulars, LETTER 15 — TO MACAR.
AN HISTORICAL CALUMNY REFUTED,
CALVIN’S LETTERS
LETTER 522
TO WILLIAM CECIL. F1
Now at last when by the recent and unlooked for blessing of God greater liberty has been restored to them, it behooves you to take heart;:, so that if hitherto you have been timid, you may now make up for your deficiency by the ardor of your zeal. Nevertheless as her most excellent majesty, the queen, has been raised to the throne in a wonderful manner by the hand of God, she cannot.
LETTER 523
In the meantime invoke him, as need calls for it, that he may endow you with perseverance to lead you to a full victory, and that he may fortify you with those arms which you have hitherto proved to be sufficient to defeat Satan and his agents. Now when we see these poor blinded mortals thus rushing into perils, we have wherewithal to contemplate ourselves in the mirror of their example, and not to lose courage, when we are called upon to march where the heavenly King summons us.
LETTER 524
TO THE FRENCH CHURCH OF FRANKFORT. F4
Wherefore my brethren, above all things I pray and exhort you in the name of God to shun like a pestilence all those who shall endeavor to infect you with such trash, I entreat those also who up to this moment have given heed to it, to be better advised and no longer to feed the evil which they shall be unable to remedy when they will. Beware of all contention which should break the bonds of peace and increase the dispersion of which the evil beginnings are already but too visible.
LETTER 525
LETTER 526
But as I have no means of sending copies of the books, I inform Philipperius of all the circumstances of the case and give him this commission — that having procured one copy he may offer it to the king. It is of great importance indeed that a goodly quantity of copies should be dispatched there, because in a nation so remote, the name of the king would prepare a favorable reception for the orthodox doctrine.
LETTER 527
LETTER 528
LETTER 529
TO MADAME DE COLIGNY. F16
Whereupon, Madame, having humbly commended me to your kind favor, I will supplicate our heavenly Father to have you in his keeping, to increase in you the gifts of his Spirit, to support you by his power, and grant you the grace to persevere in serving and honoring him to the end.
LETTER 530
PETER MARTYR
Another wound has been inflicted by one Sylvester, whose name probably is not unknown to you; for he lived in England, and is I believe a countryman of your own. Simon was acquitted in presence of the Italian congregation by our sentence and that of the elders, but only of what related to the infamous charge brought against him; for he was censured for not having maintained the dignity becoming a minister, and also because he had positively denied all the things laid to his charge, some of which were nevertheless true, though not involving a grave accusation.
LETTER 531
I am aware that you are, not at liberty to abandon your present position till you be relieved from the tie which binds you to it, but the whole deliberation turns on this point, if your labors, where you now are sterile, and if here an abundant harvest awaits them, which is the most forcible tie, the one by which God draws you hither, or the one that detains you there. When once you shall have yielded to this consideration, you will have no difficulty in obtaining your discharge, nor is the necessity of soliciting it imposed on you, for our senate will petition yours to grant you.
LETTER 532
TO FRANCIS BOISNORMAND, F22
And in that appointment both the authority of our academy and the expressed wishes of Chevallier were satisfied. Thus it will be better for you on that matter to deliberate with the brethren, and if you listen to me you will do well if above all you comply with the advice of our friend Henry,.
LETTER 533
Only let him perceive that he has been thought worthy of my testimony in his favor. If you do not conceive that it will be unbecoming, will you do me the favor of offering my most auspicious wishes to the prince, your pupil, and presenting him with my best respects.
LETTER 534
TO M. DE COLONGES
You will hear the same injunction from Des Gallars, whose arrival, if it give you pleasure, is disagreeable to our society, and his absence inconvenient for his brethren at the present moment. I thank you for having written back to me so distinct, so detailed, and yet at the same time so succinct an account.
LETTER 535
Having strictly questioned him about those mysteries of which you sent me an account, I could scarcely get a word out of him.
LETTER 536
TO THE MARQUISE DE ROTHELIN. F33
Though in truth unbelievers have no idea what true joy is, since they do not possess a peaceable conscience towards God, nor can truly enjoy the goods ‘which he has showered down upon them, however abundantly. For this very reason we have better motives for supporting with patience the vexations which may annoy us, inasmuch as they cannot prevent us from continually savoring the goodness of our God and Father and the love he bears towards us, till we be fully satisfied with them in the place of our everlasting rest.
LETTER 537
I durst not venture, Monseigneur, to exhort you with so much frankness, were you of the number of those who are ashamed of submitting to God, on account of their earthly rank and dignity, and who wish to be. But as I fear to fatigue you by too long letters, I will content myself with entreating you to read daily the holy instructions which will edify you in all good and virtue, in order that the example of your life may touch and persuade many of those poor ignorant creatures that are not incorrigible, and stop the mouth of the obstinate enemies of the truth of God.
LETTER 538
Of the book I had not the slightest suspicion, and it had been published a whole year before I was aware of its existence. Informed of the fact by some persons, I testified in the most unequivocal manner that the public was not to be familiarized with paradoxes of that kind.
LETTER 539
It was well said of the death of Peter, that he should be led by a way which he did not choose. Now since Jesus Christ did not spare his own blood in order to confirm the truth of the gospel wherein lies our salvation, it is but just that we should not refuse to make him our example, especially as we are.
LETTER 540
For this purpose you must raise your eyes to heaven, for otherwise it would be too difficult to quit the world, and there is nothing that can fortify us in all combats but the firm persuasion that we cannot be frustrated of this inheritance. Place before your eyes then our Chief’, the Son of God, who has risen from the dead that we should feel no evil in dying with him in order to be partakers of his heavenly glory.
LETTER 541
That despising the spite and murmurings of the ill-affected, you should ply courageously and strenuously this holy and pious task, as I deem it unnecessary to exhort you, most noble seigneur, I shall confine myself to vows and prayers that the Spirit of God would animate you to invincible constancy, that by virtue of the same, all obstacles being happily. How rooted a hatred of all sincere piety exists in the heart of the French king, and how implacable is his cruelty towards the servants of Christ, was lately made very manifest by one example.
LETTER 542
It is not as if he had quitted you in the manner of debauched lads — but since he has been zealous to follow God, you have much reason to be satisfied with him, and to that end I most affectionately implore you. I hope, after having had some answer from you, to write to you more fully; in the meantime, having cordially commended me to you, to your mother, and your wife, I will supplicate our heavenly Father to have you continually in his holy keeping, to govern you by his Spirit and increase you in all prosperity.
LETTER 543
If any news shall be brought which may concern your affairs, I shall spare no expense. Among the followers of Guise there is much audacity, but of that kind which is to be found among men of desperate fortunes.
LETTER 544
You know from experience, Monseigneur, that I do not say this without cause, inasmuch as you are constrained to bear many contradictions to which it is not lawful for you to give ear, without being disloyal to Him who has purchased you at so great a price, to the end that you should be dedicated to him. And in order that God may work in you, and support you by the power of his Spirit, I pray you also, Monseigneur, to beware of the allurements and delights of the world, with which it is impossible that you should not be surrounded, that you may be the more on your guard against.
LETTER 545
TO THE MARQUISE DE ROTHELIN. F47
LETTER 546
TO PETER MARTYR
LETTER 547
TO BULLINGER
They strictly enjoin all neighbors to keep a careful watch on each other, under severe penalties for their negligence, if they are slack in the performance of this duty. In the meantime, I pray him that he would protect, govern, and bless you, your family and co]leagues.
LETTER 548
I know what a hard task that will be for you, because you have been already several times deceived, and it is not difficult to perceive by different signs that he has sat but too long in the seat of the scorner. As to your intention of quitting him, though I confess it is but what he deserves, yet I beg and exhort you, Madame, in the name of God to.
LETTER 549
For we must look to its origin, and the very reason and nature of baptism is to be esteemed as arising from the promise of God. Though in the mean time we do not deny, that idolaters, as often as children are born unto them, should be sharply admonished and stirred up to devote themselves truly to God, as also excommunicated persons to be reconciled to the church.
LETTER 550
TO FRANCIS DANIEL. F58
Would to God that in your turn you too could extricate yourself from the snares in which you are held entangled. He shall receive monthly the allowance about which you have given me directions in your letter.
LETTER 551
TO MONSIEUR DE CLERVANT. F60
You know what cause it is which you defend, and that even should things take the worst turn, the fruits of our victory are reserved for us in heaven, and cannot fail us. I trust also that you will derive much comfort from our brother who has followed you, as well as from M.
LETTER 552
TO THE BRETHREN OF FRANCE. F61
And since God supports our infirmity, it is but reasonable that we should do the like. So it is but just that he come not to our aid since we do not seek for him.
LETTER 553
It was not agreeable to the plan adopted by us that I should write to your senate. Instructions have consequently been given to our friend Prevot to be communicated to private friends which will serve the same purpose as far as the nature of the question will permit.
LETTER 554
TO FRANCIS DANIEL. F63
LETTER 555
LETTER 556
She claims you to aid her in the management of her household — that the sorrow she has conceived from the death of your father, may by your presence be alleviated; in a word that she may transfer to you the direction of all her domestic affairs, and that you may contribute, in part at least, by your forensic gains to the support of the family. If in so embarrassing a matter you are held in too great suspense, and as it is difficult to comprise in a letter addressed to you where you are now resident all the considerations which would require to be examined on both sides, I think you would do well to come here forthwith, and before your views suffer any change — just as you have already signified that you wished to do.
LETTER 557
TO THE CHURCH OF VALENCE. F68
LETTER 558
TO THE CHURCH OF MONTELIMART. F70
But as we are convinced that you will be disposed of your own accord to act with perfect humanity in this respect, it is sufficient for us to have reminded you. Now, if you show such reverence as you ought for the word of God, which he will announce to you, we trust that you will not fail in any thing else.
LETTER 559
TO THE BISHOP OF LONDON. F73
Certainly nothing but necessity could have wrung from us our consent to be separated from him, but we feared that it was not possible otherwise than by his arrival among you to provide for the wants of a rising, and as yet but imperfectly organized church. For this place will incur no slight loss by his departure, where he was held in high esteem, and where he bore himself in a manner worthy of a servant of Christ.
LETTER 560
It is my wish, indeed, to be serviceable to others, but only indeed according to the measure of my ability. It would be absurd to prolong my letter any further, since a common friend and brother is to be the bearer of it, who, though he should be charged with no commissions by me, will nevertheless carry along with him the mind of the writer.
LETTER 561
I entreat you then that, with your wonted kindness and for the sake of our mutual friendship, you will go on without any misgivings in vindicating our character. For the same reason I shall be obliged to claim the indulgence of our excellent brother, M.
LETTER 562
Had not the measure been opposed, our people would have taken forcible possession of the. May the Lord always stand by you, govern, protect, and bless you along with your wife whom as well as our brethren, M.
LETTER 563
If the most illustrious princes then have ever taken an interest in the welfare of the French, who profess a zeal for true piety, now an opportunity is offered them by Divine providence, of making use of their authority for the succor of these afflicted men. Now the following summary of our petition, if it meet with the approbation of the most illustrious princes, will be highly useful.
LETTER 564
We have not had leisure to write to the illustrious Bishop of C___, f89 because we have had all our time absorbed by continual writings, and it is incredible what a pressure of business overwhelms us from the state of affairs in France. Would to God that half the liberty, at least, were allowed to them which you state to be enjoyed by those of Poland, though the Saxons, without employing the sword or other weapons, yet by practicing one species of tyranny, are almost a match for Antichrist and his satellites in cruelty.
LETTER 565
He is not yet quite recovered, but the pains being abated he is out of danger.
LETTER 566
In the meantime, most illustrious seigneur, I rejoice that you are unwearied in your holy zeal for piety, and advancing the progress of the church, and I pray God from the heart, to preserve you more and more, enrich you with his gifts, and shield you with his protection.
LETTER 567
Do you yourselves in your wisdom maturely reflect, even if we said nothing on the vast importance of your holding out a hand to the Poles, in order that the pure doctrine of the gospel may make progress among them. If I, indeed, inveigh rather too sharply against some unprincipled miscreants, the manner of your apology is altogether dissimilar, for it confounds without discrimination or distinction many pious and learned men with the enemies of the truth.
LETTER 568
TO THE DUCHESS OF FERRARA. F96
I do not mean, however, Madame, to advise you to continue in your present state of bondage, nor to go .to sleep in it, for there has been something too much of that in times past. Besides what God has so long taught you by his word, age admonishes you to reflect that our heritage and eternal rest is not here below, and Jesus Christ certainly deserves that you should forget for him both France and Ferrara.
LETTER 569
It has resolved to bring up at the public charge; in your city four young lads, to be instructed in the branches of a liberal education, and to learn your language. The youths of whom in the judgment of their schoolmasters the fairest hopes are entertained, have been pitched upon.
LETTER 570
And it is to no purpose that he deliberates while his adversary executes, and is bringing forward with all zeal, machines to crush him. But if our chief should prove credulous beyond what is conceivable, how much I fear that he will soon discover, and yet too late, that these caresses are.
LETTER 571
TO SULCER
In what concerns a regent for the kingdom they came to this decision, that the king should appoint a general assembly of the orders for the month of December. The Bishop of Vienne f112 spoke with exceeding good sense on the manner of healing the evils of the church.
LETTER 572
For they have tacked a clause to the decree by which it is provided, first, that each of the provinces should examine, in the. Thus, when garrisons were lately placed in ten places of the kingdom, the most effective for the purposes of the French war was stationed by the Guises in the territory of Gascony.
LETTER 573
That she might be emboldened to ask, I have let her know that she shall want for nothing. But whatever shall take place, we will take care that she be not obliged to remove before the winter.
LETTER 574
But those whom they style rebels, Guise himself aptly designated, in the assembly of the nobles, as those who desire to have a different religion. He has determined to recover his rights in the council, but without having recourse to arms.
LETTER 575
I will write to you on the first opportunity what is most advisable to be done. I write these words, though I have not yet seen the brother who is to be the bearer of them.
LETTER 576
TO STURM
But what will become of the unfortunate churches which they have ruined by their inconstancy. I forbear to mention how much the rasher spirits have injured our cause by their silly attempts.
LETTER 577
They are not numerous, and are written in such a spirit that you yourself will perceive that they contain things which he poured confidentially into my bosom, but which would afford matter of ridicule to certain, that is, to unfriendly persons; to others, again, who were less intimately acquainted with him, they would hardly be. Some consideration for the memory of the dead should also have weight with us, which would certainly suffer by the revelation of some things which he wrote to me.
LETTER 578
For the death of the young king, f131 of which the report is no doubt spread about among you, also must necessarily produce a notable change in every thing. May the Lord always stand by you, govern and protect you, and enrich you daily with his gifts.
LETTER 579
Therefore in so perplexed a state of affairs, it is desirable that people in the beginning should content themselves with obtaining for those who have been exiled from their homes and stripped of their property, a restoration to their primitive condition; their next object should be to secure liberty to the pious worshippers of God to abstain from all pollution’s and to hold private assemblies to adore God.
LETTER 580
Were it possible, it would be a good thing to make them keep watch by the body of the defunct, as they themselves made others perform the same ceremony. But because this change was brought about by violence, and was contrary to the honor of the king, it seems highly probable that such a liberty will be permitted without any difficulty.
LETTER 581
Under that head are comprised vows, professions of celibacy, confession, and things of the same kind. Connected with this question are those of free-will, penances, purgatory, and others of the sort.
LETTER 582
LETTER 583
But since I see how the Spirit of God governs you, I have more reason to render him thanks than to exhort you as if you had need to be goaded forward. But you will see once more, Madame, by the copy of the letter which we have sent to him, what effects your admonition has produced.
LETTER 584
Whereupon, in conclusion, Monseigneur, after humbly commending myself to your indulgent favor, I will supplicate our heavenly Father to keep you under his protection, and increase in you the gifts of his Spirit, that his name may be more and more glorified in you.
LETTER 585
They have replied, then, that they do not deny that some persons have made application to them, and that on their part, when they have found that those who had recourse to them were persons possessing instruction and piety, they have exhorted them to exercise their gifts wherever they should go for the advancement of the gospel. And in that, sire, they make this excuse, that they by no means imagined that they were offending your majesty, f148 seeing that it is the sovereign good of all kings and princes to do homage to Him who has appointed them to reign, and that they are especially commanded to kiss our Lord Jesus Christ in token of obedience.
LETTER 586
Moreover, you ought to let the danger pass by, because there will be abundance of other opponents, and it is possible they will be asking for a great deal more than they are authorized to do. Of the other things which you shall have to demand, your deliberation will depend upon the state in which you will find matters at the time.
LETTER 587
Summoning up courage then, they fought a second and even a third time so successfully, that the forces of the Duke were all cut to pieces. For the Turkish fleet is just coming up, and cannot be driven back from the port of Nice which is situated in his dominions, and where he himself very narrowly escaped being captured last summer.
LETTER 588
For, said he, nothing was to be attempted against the king nor against his authority, but all they aimed at was only to exact a government according to the laws of the country during the minority of the king. I admitted, it is true, that if the princes of the blood demanded to be maintained in their rights for the common good, and if the Parliament joined them in their quarrel, that it would then be lawful for all good subjects to lend them armed assistance.
LETTER 590
I rejoice exceedingly, as you may easily suppose, that the gospel has made such rapid and happy progress among you. For it behooves us to strive sedulously that the mysteries of God be not polluted by the admixture of ludicrous or disgusting rites.
LETTER 591
LETTER 592
For though we have been so often taught that he will build up his church in a miraculous manner, we cannot suffer him to employ either stone or morter without gnashing our teeth if he does not proceed according to our likings. We call it laboring to bear ourselves manfully and overlook all obstacles when the question is to do our duty.
LETTER 593
This story has got wind, and is the theme of the conversation of all the young gallants. In the mean time, it behooves us to be prepared for enduring even worse extremities.
