[69] Henry Bullinger, born July 18, 1504, at Bremgarten, minister
of that parish in 1529, was a friend of the Reformer Zuingli and
his successor at Zurich, after the fatal battle of Cappel, 1531. He
discharged the ministry of that church with wisdom and prudence for
more than forty years, kept up a regular correspondence with the
Reformers abroad, was on friendly terms with Melanchthon, Cranmer,
Calvin, Théodor de Bèze. In 1566 he drew up the Swiss Confession
of Faith, and in the way of advice, exercised a decisive influence
over the progress of the Reformation in the different countries
of Europe. He died at Zurich, September 17, 1575. His decease was
deplored by the churches of Switzerland as that of a father, and
Théodor de Bèze consecrated some verses to his memory.
"Doctrina si interire, si pietas mori,
Occidere si candor potest;
Doctrina, pietas, candor, hoc tumulo jacent,
Ilenrice, tecum condita."....
(_Icones Virorum Illustrium._)
Bullinger left some precious works; among others a Chronicle
which he wrote in German, Commentaries and Theological Treatises,
some of them on important and remarkable questions, and a vast
Correspondence, preserved more especially at Zurich and at Geneva.
State of the Church at Geneva--wish for the union of the
Reformed Churches--mention of Luther.
GENEVA, _21st February 1538_.
Grace to you and peace, from God the Father and from Christ the
Lord, most respected and learned brother.
Were I to begin to describe to you at length the full narrative of
our most wretched condition, a long history must be unfolded by me.
For I call ours the trouble which for a long time has pressed, and
which now severely presses upon that Church over which the Lord has
been pleased to set us. But because there is not enough of leisure
at present for explaining everything, and these good men can relate
somewhat themselves, I will not trouble you with a larger epistle.
Although, indeed, they have not perhaps discerned the very source of
the evil, nor perceived whither the attempts of the wicked tended,
yet they have forecast pretty clearly the aspect of affairs, how it
was likely to turn out. How I wish that we could have a single day
for free communication together, for from such a meeting we could
not depart without much advantage! I have some things which can
neither be treated safely in a letter, nor determined, until they
have been weighed and thoroughly discussed on both sides. This,
however, I will venture to throw out in passing, that it does appear
to me, that we shall have no lasting Church unless that ancient
apostolic discipline be completely restored, which in many respects
is much needed among us. We have not yet been able to obtain, that
the faithful and holy exercise of ecclesiastical excommunication
be rescued from the oblivion into which it has fallen; and that
the city, which in proportion to its extent is very populous, may
be distributed into parishes, as is rendered necessary by the
complicated administration of the Church. The generality of men are
more ready to acknowledge us as preachers than as pastors. There are
many other things besides, which, although we desire intensely to
see amended, we can find out no means of doing so, unless that can
be accomplished by faith, by diligence, and by perseverance on the
part of all. Oh, if a pure and sincere accommodation could be agreed
upon at length among us! What, then, would hinder the assembling of
some public Synod, where individuals might propose whatever they
may conceive to be most for the benefit of the churches? A way
might be found out of going to work by common deliberation, and if
need be, that the cities and princes also should assist in this
undertaking by mutual exhortation and counsel, and also confirm by
their authority; but in so great perplexity, the Lord is rather to
be inquired of, that himself may open up a way.
Pellican has informed us that you have received a kind and friendly
reply from Luther, from which Grynée affirms that he entertains much
hope of seeing peace established.[70] But of what kind we have not
been able to divine, seeing that that church, which, from its near
neighbourhood, might most easily communicate with us in all things,
has not thought us worthy to receive any intelligence whatever.
When occasion offers, you must not grudge to let us at least
understand the sum of it. Farel greets you. Will you salute for me
with no common esteem my highly respected brethren in the Lord,
your colleagues, Pellican, Leo, Theodore, Bibliander, and besides,
Phyrisius? May the Lord keep you all in safety for the promoting of
his kingdom.--Yours wholly,