[219] The year 1549 is remarkable for the tendencies to union
manifested by many of the Swiss Churches, and for their happy issue!
Several persons, says Ruchat, zealous for religion, imagined that
the clergy of Zurich and Geneva did not hold the same doctrine
on the Supper, on the ground of some slight difference in the
expressions they made use of; and this divergence caused them pain.
Accordingly, as they held Bullinger and Calvin in great esteem,
and desired to be able to profit equally by writings published by
theologians of both churches, they deemed it necessary to institute
conferences with a view to union; and Calvin, ever full of zeal for
the interests of the Church, did not hesitate to subscribe to this
petition.--_Hospinien_, tom. ii. p. 367; Ruchat, tom. v. p. 369.
Hope of union with the theologians of Zurich--dedication of
several writings.
GENEVA, _21st January 1549_.
I at length received your former letter, which I thought had
been destroyed, three days before the latter of the two reached
me. For when the person who married the other sister[220] sought
Hooper's[221] letter from his companion, observing another small
packet, he immediately laid hands on it. His companion, either
from modesty, or from some cause I know not what, did not dare to
take it from him. I have read your annotations, from which I have
discovered what you regard as wanting in my method of treating the
subject. I have endeavoured briefly to satisfy you, because the
matter itself did not demand a long discourse. I shall know how far
I have succeeded in this, when I have received your reply. I may at
least on good grounds wish to obtain this of you, viz., that you
will not allow yourself to become entangled in baseless suspicions.
For I observe that, owing to this cause, you are perplexed in
regard to many points which present difficulty, simply because you
put upon the majority of my statements a different construction
from what you have any ground for doing. A pre-conceived opinion
regarding me leads you to imagine and attribute to me what never
occurred to my mind. Besides, while you are concerned to maintain
your own opinions, whatever they may be, to the very last, you
sometimes consider more what is in harmony with them, than what is
the truth on the subject. If simplicity pleases you, I certainly
take no delight in disguise and circumlocution. If you love a free
declaration of the truth, I never had any mind to bend what I wrote,
so as to receive its acceptance with men. If there be any who have
flattered Luther and others, I am not of that number. Our most
excellent Musculus knows, that even when wise men were in fear, I
was always free [from apprehensions]. But had it not been for the
obstacle of an unprofitable distrust, there would by this time have
been no controversy between us, or none to speak of. Although,
however, I differ from you in opinion, that does not imply the
least severance of affection; just as I cultivate the friendship
of Bucer, and yet am free to dissent occasionally from his views.
You are accordingly too severe in saying in your letter that the
matter can only go well, provided you understand that you are not
regarded as our enemies. On what grounds you form that surmise, I
know not. This indeed I know, that I both think and speak of you in
a friendly spirit. This, moreover, is known to very many who have
heard me speak. It may indeed be that I have found fault with you
in private letters to my friends, or that I have not concealed my
conviction, that what they censured was deserving of reprehension.
There was always, however, such an admixture of praise, as qualified
any bitterness, and afforded proof of good intentions. Others may
form what opinion they choose, but I shall never have to repent
of lack of integrity on my part. If Master Blaurer[222] shall
undertake Provence, which is offered to him, and Musculus accept
the Professorship of Theology, I shall not only congratulate the
Church of Berne, but hope that this will prove a bond of closer
relationship between us. I beg you will inform me of your affairs,
whenever an opportunity occurs. You would have had my Commentaries
on the Five Epistles of Paul before this time, had I not thought
that they were for sale with you. As messengers rarely go and come
between this and your quarter, I was afraid that the carriage would
cost more than the purchase of them. I now send you the Commentaries
on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, and the four [Epistles]
immediately following. I have yet published nothing on the Epistle
to Titus, and the two Epistles to the Thessalonians. I also send
my reply, which is highly approved of by Brentius, whose opinion
I do not mention to you in the way of boasting, but that you may
therefrom form a conjecture as to how much more moderate he is in
his doctrine of the Sacraments than he formerly was. Adieu, most
illustrious sir, and dearest brother in the Lord. May the Lord Jesus
always guide you and your colleagues, all of whom you will salute
respectfully in my name. Ours in turn desire best greetings to you,
of whom Des Gallars presents for your acceptance a small treatise he
has composed. The best greeting to Master Musculus, and other pious
brethren.--Yours,