[368] Despite Calvin's disagreements with the magistrates of Berne
and the Helvetic Churches, he did not hesitate to undertake a
journey to them in the month of March 1552, which the seriousness
of the circumstances demanded, in order to plead the cause, among
the Cantons, of the French Protestants, who were then in a most
deplorable condition. "This year," says Ruchat, "the King of France
carried his persecution of the Reformers, even to the death, so to
speak: and those faithful subjects, who wished only to be allowed to
serve God in liberty of conscience, were subjected to the violence
of his officers, who acted like so many unchained furies. The
flames were kindled, the wheel and the gallows were erected at all
the tribunals. The Protestant States of the empire, and the four
Reformed Cantons, wore active in their intercessions with the King,
by means of special ambassadors, in behalf of these poor persecuted
ones; but all their prayers were useless." (_Hist. de la Réf._, tom.
v. p. 479.) The King, on advising the Cantons to abstain from any
further approaches to him, declared that he wished to be allowed
to remain his own master, and to act as he pleased, and for them
to refrain in future, lest those cities continued this business at
their own peril; ... that they were at liberty to govern their own
cities as they thought proper; that, for his own part, he wished,
without let or hindrance, to do the same in his own kingdom,
because he intended by all means to purge it of those _seditious_
men.--(Bullinger to Calvin, tom. ix. p. 68.) This last epithet was a
_calumny_. Yet he continued, nevertheless, to persecute the faithful
of France as seditious and as rebels, because they desired to serve
and to worship God according to his word.
Journey of Calvin and Farel in Switzerland--steps in favour of
the Reformed in France--return to the affairs of Bolsec.
FROM AN INN AT BASLE, _13th March 1552_.
When Farel and I left home, we had resolved to visit you. At Berne
we altered our plan, for the following reason:--We stated in the
senate that there appeared some hope of relief for our unhappy
brethren; because the king lately published an edict, in which he
makes unusual concessions to the Germans; for in the first place
he puts them on an equality with the natives; and further, by an
extraordinary indulgence, he grants them the liberty of living
according to their own religion. Besides, the attempts of the
Sorbonne to excite cruelty, have less success and favour than
hitherto. The death of Chatelain[369] also, who was cut off by an
attack of colic, happened seasonably for us. The king seems so
bent upon war, that he does not hesitate to prefer his present
convenience to the senseless rage with which he formerly burned.
There are many things, we think, which at present you may safely
concede to them. It is certain, that in a war so changeable and so
complicated as this, though there may be no formal compact, they
have many common interests involved. Now the miserable condition
of our holy brethren admonishes us of the necessity of watching
over them, and urgently demands that we assist them to the best of
our power. For the king, as if he had exhausted his kindness upon
the Germans, ceases not severely to oppress his own. Moreover, as
many opportunities might escape us, from our ignorance of passing
events, it had already seemed to us advisable to turn and warn the
Bernese to seize a favourable opportunity. But now, being taught by
much experience that letters are of little avail, we have besought
the Bernese senate to despatch an embassy, to assure the king
that the cause was sincerely advocated; and that not only from
the entreaties of others, but of your own inclination, and from
the deepest feeling of your heart, you are inclined and earnestly
desirous to plead it. The senate replied, that the occasion seemed
not yet ripe, for that lately letters had been brought from the
king, wherein he not only haughtily refused what the four states had
sought, but fiercely chid them for not considering him a clement
Christian king. It was stated, also, that letters would presently
arrive, from which it would appear whether the King's mind were
changed. The consul promised, however, that should a convenient
opportunity occur, the Senate would by no means neglect this cause.
Among other things, also, the Senate dissuaded us from going to
Zurich, lest unnecessary expense should be incurred. We were vexed
at this, because we would freely confer with you upon other matters,
nor would you have been displeased at our arrival; however, that
we might not seem too rash, we chose rather to be deprived of the
pleasure of seeing you, and the benefit of your conversation, than
to attempt anything which might injure the cause. Now both of us
beseech you; nay rather all the godly who are suffering in France
for the testimony of Christ, humbly beseech you by our mouth to be
diligently watchful for all opportunities. Although it is enough
to advise you, yet the anxiety under which we know them to groan,
compels us to add some vehemence to our entreaties. But as we shall
certainly not obtain what we wish, we must exercise moderation,
so as not to give offence to the King. The edict has forty-seven
heads. If in regard to four or five of the heads some reasonable
relief were obtained, the brethren will think themselves not hardly
dealt with. One for instance requires, that on holidays each with
his family be present at the mass, and not only that he approve
that idolatry by his gesture, and defile himself by impious and
faithless hypocrisy, but that the articles of the Sorbonne be read
aloud at the sacrifice; and thus all will subscribe to abominable
blasphemies. But it is demanded that there be a rigorous examination
of this matter. We must beg of the King, therefore, that men
who pass their lives quietly, giving offence to none, shall not
be eagerly watched, nor be subjected to the captious demands of
the priests. The King confiscates the goods of those who betake
themselves to us,--to places, as he says, obviously removed from
obedience to the Holy See: nay, should their property be sold, he
orders the purchasers to be dispossessed. As to this, we must beg
that no man shall be considered a criminal, if, having nothing else
laid to his charge, he willingly and peacefully migrate elsewhere,
because he cannot for conscience sake remain in the kingdom;
provided only that they do not betake themselves to an unfriendly
country. But the first thing to be secured is, that an embassy be
resolved upon. It will appear afterwards what is to be demanded.
[369] See note 1, Vol. i. p. 439.
"This good bishop," says Beza, "agreeing to persecute those whom he
formerly defended as far as he could, was made Bishop of Orleans,
whither God attended him on his journey. For on the eve of his
_entrée_, he went, as the custom was, to the Monastery called
Saint Iverte, and entered a pulpit to preach; there was a very
great number of people present, and whilst uttering harsh threats
against those termed heretics, he was seized with a colic so sudden
and severe, that being carried away he died a miserable death
on the following night, and made his _entrée_ elsewhere than at
Orleans."--_Hist. Eccl._, tom. i. p. 81.
To the letters which I received when already on horseback, I only
reply that I had good reason to expostulate, especially to a
brother, in a brotherly way. Consider what we expected from you in
the troubled state of our affairs. Consider, also, how contrary to
our hopes was the answer you gave us; you may see that we had some
cause to grieve. You wonder, because I utter a moderate and gentle
complaint, that we were assisted less liberally than we had promised
ourselves. However, I make no objection to my letters remaining
buried, if they contained anything offensive.
The little book which I send you, will satisfy you, I hope,
concerning the whole matter.[370] You may, however, if you choose,
convey through me your free judgment. My brother's father-in-law
was to have travelled thither with me; but since God has thrown
an obstacle in our way, he writes to his son's master to keep him
till the end of the year, for but a short time now remains. In the
meanwhile, it will be the master's duty to treat him as a boy who
requires a tighter rein and a severer discipline. Farewell, most
accomplished sir, and most esteemed brother. Salute warmly, in my
name, your brethren and fellow-ministers. The Lord guide you by his
Spirit, and keep you under his protection! Amen. The Marquis de
Vico,[371] and Normandie, and our other companions, desire me to
greet you heartily.
[370] Doubtless the writing published by Calvin and his colleagues,
entitled, "_Congrégation faite en l'Eglise de Genève sur la Matière
de l'élection éternelle_." Geneva, 1552, 8vo.
[371] The Marquis de Vico, a Neapolitan nobleman, retired to Geneva.
He was admitted an inhabitant of the city, "after having promised to
submit to the laws of the magistrates, and to live in the profession
of the Reformed religion."--_Registers of Council_, 15th June 1551.
Excuse my employing an amanuensis, for I dictate from my bed.
In the name of Farel and myself,