Statement of the expense of a visit to Lausanne, on the occasion
of Viret's marriage--ecclesiastical difficulties at Berne.
GENEVA, _3d Dec. 1546_.
Two letters of Bucer were delivered to me after a short interval. I
send both of them to you, although they may contain almost nothing
which you have not learned from other sources. With regard to
the King of France, I think that he will shortly be brought to
give some assistance with money to our party--the only thing that
is sought from him. It is, moreover, in the highest degree, his
interest to distract the attention of Charles by another war.[92]
I have enjoined Peter Textor to pay to you sixteen crowns; for
although I had ten with me when I came to the marriage, it escaped
my memory. But here is a greater lapse of memory; when I had found
them laid aside in my desk, I stood still for some time, not knowing
whether I had ever seen them before. Raymond came upon me, who
reminded me of the fact, that he had given them to me by order of
Antony Maillet. You will therefore add this sum to the former. In
the other six [crowns,] I am afraid that I have made a mistake; for
they may possibly belong to my brother. For as a teacher of Orleans
was in his debt, he arranged that payment should be made by the son
of Bruno. He had lately received five [crowns.] You will therefore
retain these until I shall have learned with certainty from Saint
André, whether they ought to be given to you or to my brother.
[92] This diversion, dictated to the King of France by sound
politics, was not effected, and Francis I. remained a peaceable
spectator of events, whose necessary tendency was to secure, by the
defeat of the Protestant party in Germany, the ascendency of Charles
V. in Europe.
Sulzer lately wrote to me that matters had reached an extremity.[93]
He implores our aid. I consulted with the brethren. As we could
discover no plan of procedure in circumstances so perplexed, and
almost desperate, I repaired to Nyon. I became aware that they
had committed much more grievous errors than the letters contain
any mention of. They are not, in my opinion, fighting for a cause
that is good in every respect. All see that their proceedings are
preposterous; and yet when we also see that everything is going to
ruin, with what conscience shall we be silent? I asked Nicolas,[94]
whether he thought that a letter from us would be of any service? He
gave a trembling and hesitating consent to our writing. Should a
messenger present himself in good time, I wish that you also would
intimate your opinion; thereafter consider whether it be not time to
press for obtaining a Synod.
[93] The ministers of Berne were divided by incessant disputes on
the subject of the Supper. Sulzer and certain of his colleagues
inclined to the Lutheran view, which Erasme Ritter combated; and
by an abuse of power, that was not uncommon at that period, the
Seigneury of Berne claimed to determine by itself the sense of the
controverted dogma, the settlement of which ought to have been
remitted to a Synod.--Ruchat, tom. v. pp. 225, 226.
[94] The senator, Nicolas de Zerkinden, friend of Calvin and prefect
of Nyon.
Adieu, brother, and most sincere friend, along with your wife, whom
you will respectfully salute in the name of all ours, as well as
James and the rest.--Yours,