[60] Letter without date, of which the original French is lost.
It is here reproduced from the Latin translation inserted in
the collection of the published Latin letters of Calvin, with
restoration of date, April 1546.
Amy Perrin, one of the earliest hearers of Farel and Froment at
Geneva, contributed powerfully to the disenthralment and reformation
of his native country. At one with the Reformers in the abolition
of the ancient worship and in the proclamation of the new, which
he regarded as the security for the independence of Geneva, he
broke with them the moment they undertook to correct manners, after
having reformed beliefs. He then became the head of that party of
undisciplined children of Geneva, "who wished to live according
to their own inclination, without suffering themselves to be
restrained by the words of the preachers," and whose triumph led to
the banishment of the ministers, (1538.) Commissioned, two years
afterwards, to negotiate their recall, he appeared to be reconciled
to Calvin, and to submit to the institutions of the Calvinistic
discipline; but the submission could not be lasting, and we again
find him, in 1545, along with Pierre Vandel and the two Bertheliers,
at the head of the party that must needs continue to strive with the
ministers, until their total defeat, (May 1555.) Of an irascible
temperament, of easy and frivolous manners, Amy took pleasure in
fêtes, and in appearing in public magnificently dressed. Being
accused (see the preceding letter) of having taken part in unlawful
dances, he refused to compear before the Consistory, incurred,
with his wife, the just rigours of the Seigneury, and became the
implacable enemy of Calvin, who, in a letter at once moderate and
powerful, essayed in vain to bring him back to the path of obedience
and duty.
Complaints regarding the conduct of Perrin--firm and courageous
declaration by the Reformer of his resolution to persevere in
his duty unto death.
[_April 1546._]
I should willingly have met you, Lord Captain, had it not appeared
to me that a different course was expedient. You will have an
opportunity of hearing the reason from me at a proper place and
time. I could have wished, however, that you had appeared at the
Consistory, by way of example to others. As in that respect you did
not do your duty, because you had perhaps not been warned, I desired
you at least to be present at the close of the meeting to-day, that
the Syndic Corna and I might there discuss the matter with you.
What there was to prevent you I do not see. But this I wish you to
consider, that we can not enjoy weight for weight with an unequal
balance; and if impartiality must be observed in the administration
of human law, any departure from it cannot be tolerated in the
Church of God. You yourself either know, or at least ought to
know, what I am; that, at all events, I am one to whom the law of
my heavenly Master is so dear, that the cause of no man on earth
will induce me to flinch from maintaining it with a pure conscience.
I cannot believe that you yourself have any other end in view,
but I observe that no one has his eyes wide enough open when the
case is his own. As far as I am concerned, I desire, in this very
matter, to consult not only the edification of the Church and your
salvation, but also your convenience, name, and leisure; for how
odious would be the imputation which is likely to fall upon you,
that you were apparently free from and unrestrained by the common
law, to which every one is subject? It is certainly better, and in
accordance with my zeal for your welfare, to anticipate the danger
than that you should be so branded. I have heard, indeed, what has
proceeded from your house, viz., that I should take care lest I
stir up a slumbering fire, lest what occurred before should again
take place, in the course of the seventh year. But these speeches
have no weight with me; for I did not return to Geneva either for
the sake of leisure or of gain, nor will it again grieve me to be
constrained to leave it. The convenience and safety of Church and
State made me willing to return; and if measures are now being taken
against me alone, I should wish it to be said, once for all, to all
who think me troublesome, "What you do, do quickly." But yet, the
unworthy treatment and ingratitude of some parties will not cause
me to fail in my duty, and I will lay aside that devoted attachment
to this place only with my last breath, of which I take God as my
voucher. Nor will I ever so far yield to the humours of any other
individual, as hereafter to dispense with his personal attendance.
These observations do not refer to you, but to that member of your
family that is nearest to you. Nor do I write them with the view of
spreading quarrels, but that it may be manifest with what firmness I
am about to proceed, whatever may happen. I am especially desirous
to impress upon you the necessity of earnestly seeking to acquire
the primary virtue of obedience to God, and respect for the common
order and polity of the Church. May the Lord protect you by his own
defence, and discover to you how greatly even the stripes of a
sincere friend are to be preferred to the treacherous blandishments
of others!--Adieu.
Your attached and sincere brother,
JOHN CALVIN.
[_Calvin's Lat. Corresp._ Opera, tom. ix. p. 80.]