[_Lat. orig. autogr._--_Imp. Library, Coll. Dupuy._ Vol. 102.]
[26] One of the most violent members of the party that combated the
influence and institutions of the Reformer at Geneva.
[27] Calvin shewed himself, on more than one occasion, disposed to
forgive personal injuries, as the Registers of Council testify:--"A
woman having abused M. Calvin, it is directed that she be consigned
to prison. Liberated at the request of the said M. Calvin, and
discharged with a reproof."--12th December 1545.
CLV.--To Farel.
Pacification of the Church at Neuchatel--report of the speedy
arrival of the Emperor in Savoy--dangers at Geneva--withering
mention of Francis I.
GENEVA, _20th February 1546_.
I specially congratulate you and all your friends, yea, ourselves
also, and the whole Church of Christ, that the Lord has unexpectedly
stilled all tumults, by restraining the ungodly. Viret had already
requested me to be prepared at all points in case there should be
need of my presence, and assuredly I should not have been behind;
but God is twice to be praised, who by his own counsel has adjusted
matters that were in so great confusion. We acknowledge that he was
present with you when he opened up to you that plan of admonishing
the heads of the citizens. We again acknowledge a memorable work
of his, in having given to you those who of their own accord were
disposed to act well towards you. I feel confident that the matter
has been brought to a conclusion in harmony with the desire of all
good men. If our service be desired, you know that we are all yours.
I now hourly expect your brothers. May the Lord restore them to us
safe and with good fortune.[28] A confident report is spread abroad
here of the arrival of the Emperor. I hold it for certain that a
passage across will by no means be opened up to him without a bloody
conflict. It cannot be doubted, that even though our neighbours were
willing that we should be left exposed to the danger of becoming the
prey of the conqueror, they would nevertheless find it necessary
to guard their own territories; although I do not know why our
party have so soon become careless, unless they wished to subject
themselves to their sway, and thus save themselves from other
masters. It is a hard condition that you must give up your liberty
in order to secure allies as defenders.[29] Our party erred in one
particular, that they made too violent a reply. But what could I
do? On me, nevertheless, the odium redounds, though I strove with
great vehemence to prevent the ground of it; but I have bid adieu
to the perverted judgments of men. I pass on to another subject.
Matters will go more severely with Cartelier, because he mixed
up with myself part of the Senate. After that I have respectably
enough discharged the duty of clemency, I have resolved to halt. The
malevolent will heap obloquy upon me, but if there be an opportunity
of replying, I have the means of stopping their mouths. No one
certainly will allege that any word less than fair fell from me, for
among good and bad I have endeavoured to extenuate his offence. The
Parliament of Paris, as I hear, now wages war with fire and faggot
against Christ.[30] It is indeed certain that a great multitude of
the godly are everywhere held in bonds. Sardanapalus,[31] meanwhile,
in the midst of his courtezans, feeds his fancy with victories. May
the Lord have respect to his Church!
[28] See p. 22, note 2.
[29] Allusion to the Bernese and to their pretensions of ruling
Geneva under cover of the Alliance.--See p. 28, note 2.
[30] The year 1546 was especially remarkable for the great
persecutions that arose within the bounds of the jurisdiction of
the Parliament of Paris. Meaux, Seulis, Orleans, reckoned numerous
martyrs. One named Jean Chapot of Dauphiné, colporteur of Geneva,
arrested at Paris, was condemned to death, after having undergone
the most cruel tortures. He had his tongue cut out before he was
cast into the flames. "The dispersion," says Beza, "was widespread,
but it led to the great advancement of many churches which were
built up of the stones of that ruin."--_Hist. Eccl._ tom. i. p. 82.
_Histoire des Martyrs_, pp. 170, 177.
[31] Francis I., King of France.
Adieu, most upright brother in the Lord, together with all your
fellow-ministers, whom you will respectfully salute in my name, and
in that of the brethren. May Christ ever direct you all by right
counsel, and bless your auspicious endeavours.--Yours,