Thanks for a document--dedication of two commentaries to the
King of England--captivity of Bishop Hooper--movements of the
Emperor in Germany.
GENEVA, _12th March 1551_.
I was met by a messenger bearing your letter, when lately on my
way to Neuchatel. After my return home, I received another from a
certain Italian, together with the fifth _Decade_.[325] You say
by way of apology for sending your books, that you do not do so
in order that I may learn from you; for my part, as I am desirous
to make my labours beneficial to all good men, so on the other
hand, I am glad to profit by the writings of others. And indeed
intercourse like this is brotherly, when we know that the gifts of
the Spirit are so distributed among us, that no one individual is
sufficient for himself. Your gift was, therefore, acceptable to me.
The publication of our agreement was the occasion of very much joy,
not only to myself, but also to Farel and the rest of the brethren.
Would that your letter had reached me fifteen days earlier; for
it might have been issued during these days of the Frankfort fair.
How seasonable will the publication be for our beloved France;
exceedingly useful too, I hope. I finished lately my Commentaries
on Isaiah and the Canonical Epistles. I thought proper to dedicate
both of them to the King of England.[326] You may have a reading of
a copy of one of the prefaces which I sent to Vergerio. I have added
a private letter also, in which I have endeavoured to kindle the
generous nature of the young man. Meanwhile, we have heard the sad
news of Hooper's imprisonment.[327] I was somewhat apprehensive of
this long ago. I am now afraid that the bishops, as if victorious,
will become much more ferociously insolent. While, therefore, I
admire his firmness in refusing the anointing, I had rather he had
not carried his opposition so far with respect to the cap and the
linen vestment, even although I do not approve of these: I recently
recommended this. He has many and powerful adversaries, and I
doubt not but they will set themselves violently to crush him. But
I trust that the Lord will be with him, especially because, as I
am informed, some treacherously oppose him, who in other respects
pretend to be favourable to the Gospel. I congratulate you on the
tranquil condition of your Church. There are very vile wretches
here who cause us no small amount of annoyance and disquiet, who
will meet, however, I confidently trust, with the end which they
have merited. The plans of the Emperor are a source of concern to
many. It is justly calculated to excite suspicion that some of his
troops are being transported across the Alps.[328] Should he invade
this country, my only comfort is the hope that the Lord will take
me away from this miserable life. He will not, meanwhile, neglect
his own flock, about which I am especially harassed. Adieu, very
distinguished sir, and most esteemed fellow-minister, together with
the brethren; all of whom you will affectionately salute in my name.
Des Gallars also particularly salutes you. May the Lord continue to
guide you by his Spirit, to protect you with his own hand, and to
bless your sacred labours. Amen.
[_Calvin's Lat. Corresp._ Opera, tom. ix. p. 59.]
[325] Under this title, Bullinger had commenced publishing a series
of discourses concerning the principal points of the Christian
religion.
[326] See the letter to the king, p. 299.
[327] Having returned to England the previous year, and having
been appointed Bishop of Gloucester through the patronage of
Cranmer, Hooper was imprisoned and suffered a few days of captivity
for having refused to wear, at the time of his consecration,
the sacerdotal dress then in use in the English Church. See his
correspondence with Bullinger, _Zurich Letters_, 1537-1558, tom. i.
p. 9; Burnet, vol. i.
[328] After having proscribed the Reformed worship in the town of
Augsburg, the Emperor took up his quarters at Inspruck, among the
valleys of the Tyrol, from which he could keep an eye at once upon
the Council of Trent, Germany, and Italy.--Robertson, book x.