[_Calvin's Lat. Corresp._ Opera, tom. ix. p. 70.]
[438] Nicolas de la Fontaine, a servant of Calvin's, was made,
conformably to the judicial usages then in operation at Geneva,
criminal prosecutor against Servetus.--_Registers of the Council_,
14th August 1553.
[439] It is curious to read on this point the reply of Farel to
Calvin:--"In desiring to mitigate the severity of his punishment,
you act the part of a friend to a man who is most hostile to you.
But I beseech you so to manage the matter that no one whatever
may rashly dare to publish new dogmas, and throw all things into
confusion with impunity for such a length of time as he has done."
In his relentless rigour against heresy, Farel did not hesitate to
pronounce himself even to be worthy of death if he should teach any
dogma opposed to the faith. His words deserve to be recorded:--"When
I read Paul's statement that he did not refuse to suffer death if he
had in any way deserved it, I saw clearly that I must be prepared to
suffer death if I should teach anything contrary to the doctrine of
piety. And I added, that I should be most worthy of any punishment
whatever, if I should seduce any one from the faith and doctrine of
Christ."--8th Sept. 1553. Calv. _Opera_, tom. ix. p. 71.