[449] The Lesser Council of Geneva, acting upon the proposition made
a few days previously, (note 1,) prepared to write to the Churches
of Berne, Zurich, Sebaffhausen, and Basle, to ask their advice
regarding the culpability of Servetus. It was not, however, till
the 21st of September, that the messenger, charged with the various
papers relative to the trial, had put into his hands the circular
letter addressed to the magistrates or pastors of the four towns.
These letters were accompanied by a copy of the _Christianismi
Restitutio_, a copy of the works of Tertullian, and one of those of
Irenæns, as well as the questions put to Servetus, together with his
replies, and the refutation of the ministers. In those circulars,
the council gave expression to its entire confidence in the
intelligence of the pastors of Geneva, but desired, before coming to
a decision, to have fuller information on the point, by consulting
the other Churches. The fate of the prisoner evidently depended on
the result of this supreme measure. Calvin, addressing Bullinger and
Sulzer alternately, insisted strongly on the alleged culpability of
Servetus, and on the necessity of a punishment, which should be,
as it appeared to him, a solemn consecration of those truths which
had been shaken by the attacks of the audacious Spanish doctor. The
messenger charged with the letter to Sulzer was the Treasurer Du
Pan, one of the most devoted disciples of the Reformer.
Statement of the errors of Servetus, and of the duty of the
Christian magistrate to repress them.
GENEVA, _8th September 1553_.
As Michael Servetus, twenty years ago, infected the Christian world
with his virulent and pestilential opinions, I should suppose his
name is not unknown to you. While you may not have read his book,
yet you must have heard something of the sort of doctrines contained
in it. It was he whom that faithful minister of Christ, Master Bucer
of holy memory, in other respects of a mild disposition, declared
from the pulpit to be worthy of having his bowels pulled out, and
torn to pieces. While he has not permitted any of his poison to go
abroad since that time, he has lately, however, brought out a larger
volume, printed secretly at Vienne, but patched up from the same
errors. To be sure, as soon as the thing became known, he was cast
into prison. He escaped from it some way or other, and wandered in
Italy for nearly four months. He at length, in an evil hour, came
to this place, when, at my instigation, one of the Syndics ordered
him to be conducted to prison. For I do not disguise it, that I
considered it my duty to put a check, so far as I could, upon this
most obstinate and ungovernable man, that his contagion might not
spread farther. We see with what wantonness impiety is making
progress everywhere, so that new errors are ever and anon breaking
forth: we see how very inactive those are whom God has armed with
the sword, for the vindication of the glory of his name. Seeing
that the defenders of the Papacy are so bitter and bold in behalf
of their superstitions, that in their atrocious fury they shed the
blood of the innocent, it should shame Christian magistrates, that
in the protection of certain truth, they are entirely destitute of
spirit. I certainly confess that nothing would be less becoming,
than for us to imitate their furious intemperance. But there is
some ground for restraining the impious from uttering whatever
blasphemies they please with impunity, when there is an opportunity
of checking it. As respects this man, three things require to be
considered. With what prodigious errors he has corrupted the whole
of religion; yea, with what detestable mockeries he has endeavoured
to destroy all piety; with what abominable ravings he has obscured
Christianity, and razed to the very foundation all the principles of
our religion. Secondly, how obstinately he has behaved; with what
diabolical pride he has despised all advice; with what desperate
stubbornness he has driven headlong in scattering his poison.
Thirdly, with what proud scorn he at present avows and defends his
abominations. For so far is he from any hope of repentance, that he
does not hesitate to fling this blot upon those holy men, Capito and
Œcolampadius, as if they were his companions. When the letters
of Œcolampadius were shown him, he said that he wondered by what
spirit they had been led away from their former opinion. But as I
hope you will see to it that the impiety of the man be represented
in the character it merits, I shall not add more. Only there is one
thing I wish to say to you, viz., that the treasurer of this city,
who will deliver to you this letter, takes a correct view of this
case, so that he at least does not avoid the issue which we desire.
Would that your old disciples were animated by the same spirit![450]
[450] These last words betray Calvin's want of confidence in the
Pastors of the Church of Berne, with certain of whom he was found
to disagree upon certain points of doctrine, and who had given
expression to principles of great toleration in the reply relative
to Bolsec.
I write you nothing regarding French matters, as I do not think
there is anything new here, which is not equally known among
yourselves, except that there were three pious brethren burnt at
Lyons on Sabbath last; a fourth was sent to a neighbouring town to
suffer a similar fate.[451] It is scarcely credible, seeing that
they were illiterate men, how they were, as far as it appeared,
enlightened by the Spirit of God to the highest perfection of
doctrine, and with what courage they were supported to maintain an
inflexible firmness. One at first, overcome by fear, had swerved
from a genuine confession. When the judges resolved upon releasing
him, he, having asked forgiveness for his insincerity, eagerly
offered himself to the flames. Similar fires are kindled, also, in
other parts of France; nor is there any hope of relief.--Adieu.