[111] _On the back_--To Monseigneur, Monsieur de Fallez, at Basle,
near to the Cauf-Hauss.--M. de Falais was in fact about to quit
Strasbourg, then threatened by the imperial army, to fix his
residence in Switzerland.
Instructions regarding the _Apology_--alarming rumours current
at Geneva--Calvin's confidence.
FROM GENEVA, _this 7th of March 1547_.
MONSEIGNEUR,--I forgot in my last letter to mention the subject of
the _Apology_, and I know not how it had escaped me. Saint André
had the copy; and in so far I was not deceived in my opinion. But
as matters stand at present, if you should think of printing it,
I do not see anything there will be to change. To soften it down,
that is not possible; and the times will not warrant its being
kindled into greater vehemence, at least with any effect. And if you
determine to have it printed at Strasbourg, I am not very sure that
they will venture to admit it as it is. "_For what can he dare to
do who hath once involved himself with a tyrant?_"[112] Here there
would be more liberty. I recollect that you spoke to me, immediately
after having seen it, about correcting some points, but without
signifying to me what these were, nor how to be corrected. Will you
therefore please to let me know your wish by the first opportunity,
and what you desire that I should do? As for some one to translate
it into Latin, you have one at hand sufficiently elegant, should
you think proper to make use of him.[113] Here, also, we might
doubtless find one; for want of a better, I shall undertake it
myself,--and that I hope I may do, without boasting; for provided
that it is perspicuous, that will be sufficient; and besides, the
barbarism of _Majestas vestra_, which one must employ, forbids a
too exquisitely ornate style. In any event, however, we shall have
need of your advice, in case we undertake it here. Moreover, our
people are in some alarm. But I do not think they have any cause.
You know very well that frontier towns are very apt to take fright;
and forasmuch as we have Granvelle for a neighbour,[114] and we
hear talk of a levy of men, one is somewhat in doubt. As for me, I
think differently, for it is not the proper season for attempting
anything here. But we must let many rumours glide past, even as we
cannot hinder water from going downwards. However matters turn out,
I am very glad that our Lord arouses us, in order to make us turn to
himself; and that is the greatest mercy that can happen to us, that
we may be led to commit ourselves in real earnest to his protection.
[112] "Quid enim audeat, qui tyranno se implicuit?" The town of
Strasbourg had submitted itself to the emperor. The terms of that
submission bore, that it shall renounce the League of Smalkald, and
shall contribute, with the other states, to the execution of the
sentence pronounced against the Landgrave and the Elector.
[113] Sebastian Castellio, who had then retired to Bâle.
[114] Antoine Perrenot, Bishop of Arras, Cardinal de Granvelle, the
celebrated minister of Charles V. and of Philip II. He was born at
Ornans, near Besançon in 1517, and died in 1586 at Madrid.
Making an end for the present, Monsieur, after having humbly
commended myself to the kind favour both of yourself and Madame,
and having presented the respects of our neighbours, I pray our
good Lord to have you in his holy keeping, to guide you in all your
paths, to show you what is right and fit for you to do, and to give
eventually a good and prosperous result.
You will perceive by the letter of Sire Nicolas how it goes with
your money. He has also informed me of the choice which he sets
before you; you will make your election as opportunity presents
itself.
Your servant and humble brother for ever,
JOHN CALVIN.
[_Fr. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 194.]