Solemn lessons afforded by the sad occurrences in
Germany--troubles in Geneva--energetic attitude of Calvin.
_This 14th of July 1547._
MONSEIGNEUR,--From what you have written me, I am certainly of
opinion that our brother, Master Francis de la Rivière,[146] should
withdraw at least for a season. For should it so be that it suited
him to return hither, he would not have to make a long journey:
and bringing with him some recommendation from Bâle, he might make
application at Berne to be sent to Lausanne, with some provision in
the meantime. I should not however have come to this resolution,
unless your letter had helped me to it. I have merely told him
that you would be glad of his coming, in order that your family
might receive instruction from him several times in the week. For I
desired to avoid any more definite engagement, that you might remain
at perfect liberty in that matter.
[146] The minister Francis Perucel, called La Rivière.
With regard to the house, I beg you will inform me what you wish me
to do about it. But let me have your letter by the middle of August.
For according to the use and wont of the town, I have leave to
renounce the bargain for the following half year, giving intimation
to that effect six weeks before the term. By doing this, you will
not be burdened with needless expense; while I fear that by holding
it for a longer period, you may incur outlay without return.
I believe Saint André has told you what we have done with _the
Apology_. The printing shall not be delayed for want of copy. As
for the money, I am not of opinion that you ought to withdraw any
of it merely to avoid the murmurs which might thence arise, but
rather, that enjoining those who have the charge thereof, to apply
it as they ought--correcting abuses, if there be any, you should
depute some one to act for you in the matter. However, you will
determine that according to your own discretion. But I did not like
to withhold what occurred to me, seeing that you have been pleased
to consult me on the subject.
We have had no news from Germany since the capture of the
Landgrave,[147] who has been suitably rewarded for his baseness. In
the present position of affairs, I recognize our God's intention
utterly to deprive us of a triumphant Gospel, that he may constrain
us to fight under the cross of our Lord Jesus. But let us be
content that he return to the early method of his dealings, in the
miraculous preservation of his Church by his own power, without
the help of an arm of flesh. The trial is hard, I confess; but our
fathers have had the like, quite as depressing, and have never been
shaken in their stability. Now is the time to put in practice the
proverb, "Let us hope and we shall see." Besides, we need not be
astonished that God has corrected us thus roughly, considering the
life we have led. But as you say, may those who have not hitherto
been touched, take note of such examples, that they may humble
themselves, and by that means prevent the hand of the Judge.
[147] Intimidated by the defeat of the Elector of Saxony, the
Landgrave of Hesse had submitted himself to the Emperor, and only
obtained his pardon by imploring it upon his knees, and surrendering
his person and states into the power of this prince.
There has been some want of consideration on the part of the
commissioners from this town, in not informing me of their
departure. However, I do not give up the expectation of tidings
from you by them. I do not know whether any report of our troubles
has yet reached you, but they talk of them so loudly throughout the
neighbouring country, that it would appear all is over with us.
More than that, they have often had me dead, or at least sorely
wounded. Be that as it may, I feel nothing of it myself. And in
the town we are not aware of the hundredth part of what is said.
There have, indeed, been some murmuring and threats on the part of
loose-living persons, who cannot endure discipline. Even the wife of
him who was to go to see you,[148] and who wrote to you from Berne,
rebelled very proudly. But it has been necessary that she should
betake herself to the country, feeling herself but ill at ease in
town. The others, indeed, lower the head, in place of lifting up the
horn; and there is one of them who is in danger of paying a very
heavy reckoning; I know not even whether it may not cost him his
life.[149] The young people think that I press them too hard. But if
the bridle were not held with a firm hand, that would be the pity.
Yea, we must look to their wellbeing, however distasteful to them it
may be.
[148] Amy Perrin. His wife, daughter of a rich burgess, François
Favre d'Echallens, and reprimanded incessantly by the Consistory,
was the implacable enemy of the ministers and of Calvin.
[149] Jacques Gruet, formerly a Canon, and a man of licentious
and irregular morals, impatient of all restraint either of Church
or State. Severely censured by the ministers on account of his
debaucheries, he had uttered threats of death against them, which
he even ventured to affix to the pulpit of St. Peter's Church. His
trial, conducted with all the rigour of that period, terminated by a
sentence of capital punishment. Condemned for sedition, blasphemy,
and atheism, he perished on the scaffold the 26th July 1547.
Monsieur, having humbly commended me to your kind favour and that
of Madame, I pray our good Lord that he may have you always in
his keeping, strengthening you by his Holy Spirit to resist all
temptations, and making you abound in all well-doing to his honour.
And seeing that the time of the trial of Madame draws near, we
shall remember her in prayer for her happy delivery. My wife also
presents her humble remembrance to both of you.
Your servant and humble brother,
JOHN CALVIN.
[_Fr. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 194.]