[49] Such is the address: To my very dear brother, Viret, Minister
of the Church of Lausanne.--The minister, Peter Viret, one of the
three great Reformers of French Switzerland. Born at Orbe in 1511,
he completed his education at the University of Paris, and from
the time of his return to his own country, devoted himself to the
preaching of the reformed doctrine, which he spread at Orbe, at
Payerne, and at Granson. Gifted naturally with persuasive genius and
eloquence, he was sent by Farel to Geneva in 1534, and there held
a public disputation against the Dominican Furbiti. He contributed
powerfully to the establishment of the Reformation in that city.
Named two years after (1537) Pastor of the Church of Lausanne, he
served that charge until 1538, the period of his destitution by
the Senate of Berne, and of his retirement to Geneva with the more
illustrious members of the Vaudois clergy. Compelled by his weak
state of health to leave Switzerland, he removed in 1561 to the
South of France, wrought in the work of the ministry in the churches
of Nîmes, of Lyons, of Orange, and died in 1571, either at Orthes or
Pau. The numerous writings of Viret mentioned by Senebier, _Hist.
Litt. de Genève_, tom. i. pp. 156-159, prove him to have been an
original writer, though rather diffuse, and ingenious and eloquent
as a moralist.
Preaching of the Gospel at Besançon--ecclesiastical
intelligence--discouragement of Farel--necessity for the return
of Viret to Geneva.
GENEVA, _23d April 1537_.
As I had no particular matter which occasioned my writing to you at
present, so I had not intended to write if Farel had not thought
otherwise. I have, therefore, taken up the pen rather in compliance
with his request, than because I considered it to be necessary. For
I have no doubt whatever of his having embraced everything in his
letter which was likely to suggest itself to my recollection. When
a certain person of our acquaintance had brought us word, that he
had lately been informed by letter that the brother who was detained
in prison at Besançon had been let out with the general consent of
the people, and set entirely at liberty, when not long ago he would
have been retained a prisoner in that dungeon, from whence no one
was ever brought forth, unless to undergo the sentence of death, and
besides, that the bishop, having packed up his furniture in a great
rage, had retired into the neighbouring castle, the opportunity
seemed to us to be most particularly well suited for our getting a
footing in that quarter. We have, therefore, requested a certain
native of Langres, who was then close at hand, a man richly endowed
in the best kind of learning and of mild deportment, that he would
undertake the management of that province. But as he could not
be induced to do so by any entreaties, we have thought of him of
Tournay, if anyhow he could be dragged away from Aigle, which we
suppose might not be altogether impracticable, if Froment[50] would
so far acquiesce as to take upon him that charge of his. He may very
well give them to understand, that he has been called by his friends
in France for a few days to Geneva, in which interval he will be
able to ascertain whether there is any chink or inlet by which to
gain an entrance; and should he have any success at all, then all is
well--the point is gained; but if he shall see that the corn is not
yet ripe, he will retire without delay.
[50] Antony Froment, originally from Dauphiny, one of the earlier
missionaries of the Reformation at Geneva. He was nominated pastor
of the Parish of Saint Gervais in 1537; at a later period he
resigned the ministry, was attached as secretary to Bonnivard in the
work of drawing up the Chronicles of that town and city, and died,
leaving behind some curious memoirs on the history of the religious
revolution of which he had been one of the instruments at Geneva.
Senebier, _Hist. Litt. de Genève_, tom. i. pp. 93 and 150. These
memoirs were published in 1855 at Geneva. 1 vol. 4to., by M. Gustave
Revilliod.
Do urge forward matters as much as possible, that we may be ready
beforehand on the day of assembly, and do so arrange in the meantime
that all our friends attend on the day of meeting thoroughly well
prepared. For we shall never be able to stand our ground against so
much wickedness, unless we hold closely together in the most perfect
agreement with each other. Wherefore, both in setting forth the
confession and in all our deliberation, it will be desirable to have
one voice for all--to be unanimous.
Michel, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the whole Presbytery,
being self-elected Bishop of Aubonne, has gone away from hence,
noways delayed or hindered by the very many solemn entreaties of the
brethren, by which they endeavoured to withdraw him from so bold an
undertaking. If such a precedent were once allowed, what will our
ministry be but plain robbery? I therefore say nothing about the
man, because at first sight you will easily scent out what he would
be at. I consider your being restored to us to be indispensable,
unless we are willing to lose Farel, who is more exhausted with the
great anxiety than I ever thought would be the case with one of such
an iron constitution. I wished you to be aware of this, that at your
leisure you might think of a successor. I am afraid, also, lest that
church may be entirely dispersed by schism rending it in pieces, if
we leave any gap or vacancy in it.
May the Lord continually enrich you with the daily increase of
his Spirit, my most friendly brother. Mr. de Hautmont[51] intends
returning to France. If, therefore, you can procure a trustworthy
and suitable conveyance, will you send back the cloak and such of
the books as had been brought thither? Saunier[52] himself and his
relative salute you.
[_Lat. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 106.]
[51] Louis du Tillet, senior curate of Claix in Poitou, and
fellow-student of Calvin, then in retirement at Geneva, under the
name of Mr. de Hautmont. In the year following he returned to
France. See, in this Collection, three Letters of Calvin to Louis du
Tillet, (1538.)
[52] Antoine Saunier, regent of the College of Geneva.