First mention of Theodore Beza--poverty of Calvin's colleagues.
_5th September 1549._
I understand that Eustace, on his return, had some conversation
with you regarding two professors whom he knew about. While some
deference is due to the judgment of a pious and learned man, yet I
dare not trust it absolutely. Consider the matter calmly, therefore,
along with the brethren. For I have promised that I will write
to you in no other way than to give you a faithful advice. The
Piedmontese author of the long epistle is no better known to me than
to you; so we may wish him well when he asks nothing more from us. I
have written to Farel my opinion of his book.[261] But it happened,
through the negligence of his brother Claudius, that the letter was
not delivered; for after he had breakfasted with us, I retired to my
library, and he went away without saluting me. I have a messenger
here, however, who will, I hope, set out to-morrow. Normandie can
tell you how faithfully I endeavoured to send Beza[262] to you. I do
not care for mentioning others. Yea, and the individual in question
knows that I have entreated him almost importunately. Should he
return I will not cease to urge him. The monks are wrong, however,
in asserting that my associates are wealthy. For the only one who
may be thought rich is involved in debt with three or four:--I mean
Cop. Abel and Des Gallars are rich in books; Bourgouin and Raymond
have excellent daughters, but nothing more. But even if they do not
speak to him, we will consult the good of the Church rather than our
regard for him. I think you know of Renier's wishes; and I know that
he is so beloved by you and by the right-minded, that you will be
especially anxious to find work for him adapted to his capacity.
[261] See the preceding letter.
[262] This is the first time the name of Beza is found mentioned
in the correspondence of Calvin. Born on the 24th of June 1519,
at Vezelay, in Burgundy, he had left Paris after a brilliant and
dissipated youth, to retire to Geneva.--_Registers of the Council_,
3d May 1549. "Eight French gentlemen, among whom is Theodore Beza,
arrive here and obtain permission to remain." Beza was a short time
afterwards, made Professor of Greek in the Academy of Lausanne,
from which place he wrote to Bullinger:--"The Lord has shewn me
this, in the first place, for which may I be able to make my boast
in him continually,--that I must prefer the cross to my country,
and to all changes of fortune. In the next place, I have received
the friendship of Calvin, Viret, Musculus, and Haller; kind Heaven,
the friendship of such men! When I think that these are my friends,
so far from feeling any inconvenience from exile, I may adopt the
saying of Themistocles,--'Perieram nisi periissem.'"--_MSS. of
Archives of Zurich_, Gest. vi. p. 139.
Adieu, most upright brother and friend, together with your wife,
your little daughter, and your whole family. May the Lord keep you
and guide you by his Spirit! Salute the brethren earnestly in my
name.--Yours,