[178] Disarmed for a moment by the heroic attitude of Calvin in
the rising of the 13th December, the parties that divided Geneva
were not slow to renew their lamentable strife. The voice of the
Reformer was disregarded, and he wrote with deep sadness on the
23d December,--"Our affairs are in no better condition. I do not
cease to press upon them, but I cause them to make little or no
advancement. I am now returning from the Senate; I said a great
deal, but it is like telling a story to the deaf. May the Lord
restore them to their right mind."--Calvin to Viret, MSS. of Geneva,
Vol. 106.
Invitation to come to Geneva.
GENEVA, _26th December 1547_.
Amid the great swellings of our commotions, I ought not,
nevertheless, to have gone so far as to ask you to come hither,
because I knew that you were detained in your own locality by
necessary occupations; and another obstacle stood in the way of it,
as it was possible some rumour of your coming might thereupon reach
the Arctei. Now, as I hope you have more leisure, you would do a
valuable service were you to make yourself ready for the journey
on the earliest possible day. I have not yet made up my mind as to
what I am finally to do, beyond this, that I can no longer tolerate
the manners of this people, even although they should bear with
mine: and withal I do not understand why they object to my severity.
I should not, however, take it so ill, did I give them offence
without even any fault on my part, were I not becomingly impressed
with a sense of their wretchedness. For how little of life remains
to me, that I should be solicitous about myself? But I am foolish
in handling these matters in a letter, when I am confident you
will be here presently. Adieu, brother, and dearest friend. May
the Lord Jesus protect you along with your wife and whole family.
You will salute in my name, and in that of the brethren, your
fellow-ministers.--Yours,