[462] See the letter to Viret, p. 423. After having solemnly refused
the Supper to Philibert Berthelier, Calvin presented himself before
the Council, and demanded a general assembly of the people. The
Council could not, he said, annul a discipline which the entire
people had sanctioned. Intimidated by this step, the Council
adopted the course which it had already followed in the case of
Servetus, and expressed the intention of consulting the other
Reformed Cantons. Charged with a secret mission by the Reformer, his
friend John de Budé set out for Zurich, to solicit in that place, a
decision favourable to the views of Calvin. Bullinger was active in
his exertions to gain over the magistrates of his country, as well
as in giving Calvin wise counsels of moderation:--"We have laboured
with all our might," he wrote to him, "to prevent our Seigneurs from
acting in any way derogatory to the excellent laws of your Church;
we have besides exhorted you to continue faithful, using moderation
in all things, lest you lose those whose salvation is desired by the
Lord, who does not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking
flax."--_Bullinger to Calvin._ 12th December 1553.
Appeal to the Magistrates of Zurich in reference to
ecclesiastical discipline--thanks for the aid afforded by the
ministers of that Church in the affair of Servetus.
GENEVA, _26th November 1553_.
Here is another new labour for you. Those desirous of living a
life of licentiousness, have not ceased for the past seven years
to oppose the discipline of the Church, which is in a tolerable
state of efficiency here. We would not, however, have been so much
annoyed by loose-living men among the common people, if there had
not been leaders who wished to convert this license into a means
of power. It has now come to this, that whatever church order has
hitherto flourished will be rooted up if you cannot afford us a
remedy. And it is on this account that our very excellent brother,
M. de Budé, has not scrupled to undertake a journey to you, at this
trying season of the year, in order to acquaint you with the whole
business. However, the main point is in brief this: that your most
illustrious Senate give as their reply, that the form which we have
hitherto employed is agreeable to the word of God; in the next
place, that it discountenance innovation. You will learn the rest
from the circular letter which I have written; on this condition,
however, that should you not deem it expedient to circulate it more
widely, you communicate it expressly to M. Gualter. I leave it
entirely to your judgment. Should I obtain through you those two
chief points, viz., unambiguous confirmation of our regulations by
the suffrages of your Senate, and a discountenancing in our men of
their desire for innovation, it will bring peace to this Church for
a long time to come. I hope you have received the letter which I
sent you lately, in which I thanked you all in my own name and that
of my brethren, for the faithful and pious response which you gave
in the case of Servetus. The very brilliant commendation with which
you honoured us, had its own weight with good men.[463] It has not
as yet, as you may perceive, put a check upon the lawless and the
abandoned. However, things will be better in a short time, I trust,
if you will come to our assistance. A citizen of yours has conveyed
to you the book of Servetus and that farrago which you asked for.
Of the sad desolation of England you know too much; I shall stop
therefore. Adieu, most distinguished sir, and venerable brother.
Salute earnestly M. Gualter, your wife, your relatives, and the
faithful. May the Lord shield you all by his protection, and guide
you by his Spirit.