[323] The agreement concluded two years before, between the Churches
of Geneva and of Zurich, on the question of the Sacraments, had
been a source of joy to all the sober-minded in Switzerland and in
Germany, who had deplored the excesses of the sacramental quarrel.
But it displeased the intemperate Lutheran party, who accused
Calvin of fickleness, and went so far as to charge him with having
changed his opinions, and with squaring his doctrine to that of
Zuingle, since the defeat of the Protestant party in Germany. This
was nothing but a calumny, which is removed by a comparison of the
previous writings of Calvin upon the Supper, with the formula drawn
up under his care and which he was desirous should be published at
Zurich.--Ruchat, tom. v. p. 379.
He excuses the infrequency of his letters, and urges the
publication of the _Consensus_.
GENEVA, _17th February 1551_.
Although you readily excuse the fewness of my letters, and even,
with your usual courtesy, voluntarily relieve me of that duty, I
nevertheless feel ashamed of my exceeding indolence and negligence,
in having been less attentive to you than to some of my every-day
friends. But indeed the reason of this is, that others, by their
violent importunity, shake me free of my listlessness. You, with a
more generous indulgence, allow me to be silent; and indeed I am
so much exhausted by constant writing, and so greatly broken down
by fatigue, that I frequently feel an almost positive aversion to
writing a letter. Would that others had as much of your moderation
as would enable them to cultivate a sincere friendship at the
expense of less writing. Our French friends oppress me in this
way beyond all consideration. It so happens, that by continually
apologizing, I am getting myself suspected of indolence by my
particular friends. Add to this, that unless I have a definite
subject before me, I seem to act absurdly enough when I drag in
matters known to everybody, as if they were possessed of novelty.
But as to what you say you wrote me about some time ago, without
receiving any answer, I cannot make out what you refer to, unless,
as I conjecture, you had sent me some communication which did not
reach me. If such be the case, I shall not neglect to look after
it, now that you have given me the hint. As certain individuals of
a malignant, morose, and ill-natured disposition, are making an
ado about our union, I should, if agreeable to you, wish it to be
published.[324] I have calmly endured, overlooked, and swallowed
many things, but, believe me, I have failed to observe that it was
greatly displeasing to Satan. If the form of the union is published,
I trust it will be useful to the Churches of Saxony. However, you
will, with your accustomed sagacity, determine upon what is best.
When numbers were asking for copies of it, I would on no account
allow it to be printed, until I should obtain your permission. I
wrote you about the matter on a previous occasion, but inferred from
your silence that you considered it as yet premature. I should wish,
however, that you would give me your judgment on it. You did me a
favour concerning the Bull. Had I received it two days earlier, it
would have been of more use to me. For I had already entered upon
the composition of the preface, in which that subject is discussed.
I send you a copy of it, if you can find time to read it. I wish,
however, that you would send it to Vergerio, together with the
letter, at your earliest opportunity. The Bull is possessed of one
merit, viz., that the Pope breathes out downright tyranny without
any show of deceit. We must, therefore, as you say, find refuge
in prayer. It is said that Germany will have rest this year from
internal war, as the Turk is annoying Ferdinand. But as it is the
Lord who quiets all tumults of arms, we should pray him to put a
check in all other respects, upon the savage madness of our enemies.
[324] Some have erroneously fixed on 1549 as the date of this
publication. Delayed by the theologians of Zurich it was only
finished in 1551, under the title--_Consensio mutua in re
Sacramentaria ministrorum Tigurinæ Ecclesiæ et D. Joannis Calvini
Ministri Genevensis Ecclesiæ_. Zurich, 8vo. Caused by Calvin to be
translated into French the following year, this important document
figures in the _Recueil des Opuscules_, p. 1137, with a preface by
Calvin to the Ministers and Doctors of the Church of Zurich.
Adieu, distinguished sir, and specially revered brother. Salute your
family and your colleagues in my name, and in that of my brethren.
May the Lord watch over you, be present with you, and continue to
guide you.--Yours,
_John Calvin_.
[_Lat. orig. autogr._--_Coll. of M. Moudin at Geneva_.]