[214] Without date. This letter appears to have been written at the
moment when Strasbourg, menaced by the victorious army of Charles
V., was disposed, in spite of the counsel of Bucer, to accept the
_Interim_, and avoid by a voluntary submission the punishment
inflicted on the leagued cities of Germany.--(December 1548.)
John Sturm, a learned humanist and able politician, born at
Sleida in 1507, passed through a brilliant course of study at the
University of Louvain. Famous from his youth for learning and
eloquence, he was nominated in 1529 Professor of Belles Lettres
in the College of France, founded by Francis I., and became in
1537 Rector of the celebrated Academy of Strasbourg. Connected
thenceforward with the German and Swiss Reformers, he occupied an
important place in the religious negotiations of the age, maintained
a correspondence with the principal European sovereigns, and died in
1583.
Calvin and Sturm were known to each other, and associated together
during the sojourn of the French Reformer at Strasbourg. From
this period date the relations they maintained during many years,
numerous precious memorials of which are to be found in the
correspondence of Calvin. See on the subject of Sturm the curious
and learned work entitled:--_La vie et les travaux de Jean Sturm,
Premier Recteur de l'Académie de Strasbourg, par C. Schmidt_. 1 vol.
in 8vo, 1855.
Evidences of faith and Christian steadfastness, amid the dangers
that threaten the Church.
[GENEVA, _December 1548_.]
If the rumour that has suddenly been spread among us be true, it
behoves us to hold ourselves ready for the clash of arms. Would
that the world were wise, for in that case it would long ago have
been accustomed to cultivate peace under the favour of God. But
since a good part of it takes too much pleasure in a war with
God, it is but just that all those who refuse peaceably to submit
themselves to the Author of Peace, should perish wretchedly in their
mutual tumults. We ought at least to take this consolation in the
midst of evils, that those stormy troubles bring some cessation of
hostilities to the Church of God. The power of Antiochus will be
ruined; our Pharaoh, being conquered, will turn his violent assaults
elsewhere, and relax perchance somewhat of his severity at home.
New friends also will be able to effect some mitigation. I refrain
from exhorting you to use your efforts in the particular quarter
to which I refer, because I am persuaded that there is already
sufficient willingness. As to the rest, whether a final dispersion
be imminent, or, what is more pleasing to forecast, whether the Lord
has resolved to gather together, by means of earthly commotions,
into his heavenly kingdom, all those who are now scattered and
wandering wretchedly abroad, we shall have cherished a friendship in
good faith, the bond of which is inviolable....[215]
[_Lat. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 107a.]
[215] Conclusion wanting in the original manuscript.