Comments by Calvin on a work by Bullinger--state of Germany and
Italy--policy of the Cantons.
[GENEVA, _19th September 1547_.]
It is now six months since I returned your book, with annotations,
such as you had requested me to make.[171] I am surprised that I
have received no reply from you since that time. When I was in your
quarter, you reminded me that there was to be frequent interchange
of letters between us. In the meantime, I have heard of some of your
townsmen having at different times passed through this place; I have
had no one going to you, so far as I remember. Should an opportunity
of writing be at any time afforded you, I earnestly request you will
not allow it to pass without availing yourself of it.
[171] Bullinger had submitted his book on the Sacraments to Calvin,
(_Absoluta de Christi et ejus Ecclesiæ Sacramentis Tractatio_,)
in which he departed slightly from the doctrine of Zwingle, with
the view of approximating to that of the French Reformer. Still,
however, the mystery of the spiritual presence of Christ, under
external and material symbols, was not expressed in it with
sufficient clearness. Calvin had fully criticised this book in a
letter, or rather in an extended memoir, the original of which is
preserved at Zurich, under the title, _Censura Libri Bullingeri
de Sacramentis_, Geneva, 27th February 1547. This memoir, written
with a brotherly freedom, concludes with these words:--"You thus
have what in your book I desire to see corrected, that it may meet
with absolute approval. I make no note of the parts that merit
commendation. I have discharged the office of a friend, by complying
with your wishes, and freely admonishing you; it now remains for
you to take my liberty in good part. This I am confident you will
do."--_Library of Zurich. Coll. Hottinger_, M. F. 80, p. 338.
I am compelled to hear more about the disaster of Germany than I
could wish; and yet nothing is said of the condition of Constance,
which remains deeply fixed in my mind. There was great trepidation
at Strasbourg when it was supposed that the Emperor would winter
there. Moreover, even to this day, they assert that the gates
will not be opened to him, if they receive support from any other
quarter. I do not know what the Helvetic cities may think. For a
short time, indeed, all rumours of a war to be waged against them
have ceased, on account of the Italian commotions. But what if
all these cities, struck with terror of him, do not venture upon
any movement? He already occupies Placentia and Parma,--Peter
Farnese[172] having been put to death as some suppose, or at least,
quite prostrated; and so great a success may possibly be the means
of bringing Italy into a state of peaceful subjugation in the course
of this year. Were he to enter Strasbourg, he would, you perceive,
occupy an encampment whence he could invade us. Would there then be
time, my Bullinger, for you to deliberate? For by keeping silence,
do you not, as it were, present your throat to be cut? On this
point, however, I have no good reason for making an appeal to you,
for I know that your fellow-citizens will be so wise as to desire
to apply a remedy. The neighbours [Bernese] are manifestly acting
the part of fools, in withstanding the adoption of any measures for
curbing this wild beast.[173] Nevertheless, as they are of their own
accord bent on destruction, may the Lord direct his own elect by the
spirit of wisdom, to make a seasonable stand against the dangers.
There are many things which ought to deter you from the French
alliance. But just as, on the one hand, it is by no means expedient
that you should be wholly bound up with him [the French king], so,
on the other, I do not see that you are to shun all connection with
him.
[172] Peter Farnese, son of Pope Paul III., had in truth been
recently assassinated at Placentia, and that city had opened
its gates to Charles V. But Parma remained under the power of
the Pope, who in vain sued for justice from the Emperor on
account of the murder of Farnese, and the dispossession of his
children.--Robertson, _History of Charles V._, B. ix.
[173] The Catholic cantons having engaged to take no step that
should have the effect of connecting them with the Emperor, the
Reformed cantons, with Berne at their head, bound themselves to the
strictest neutrality, and informed the German princes, that they
could give them no aid without throwing the half of the confederate
states into the hands of their enemy.--_Hist. de la Suisse._ Tom.
xi. p. 291.
As to the rest, the boy who has delivered my letter to you, is the
son of a senator with whom I am on terms of the greatest intimacy.
He has, in virtue of our friendship, requested me to give his son
a letter of introduction to you. He lives with your treasurer, as
far as I understand. But it is his father's design that he should
prosecute the study of letters, of which he has acquired the
rudiments. He is of a teachable disposition and fond of study. I
therefore beg of you to recommend him to the masters of your school,
in your own as well as my name, not simply in the ordinary fashion,
that greater attention may be paid to him than if he were unknown.
This service will be highly gratifying to me.
Adieu, illustrious sir, and highly revered friend in the Lord, along
with your fellow-ministers and brethren, all of whom you will salute
in my name and in that of my brethren. May the Lord be continually
present with you, and bless your labours, I also wish well to your
wife and children.--Yours,