Grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
RESPECTED BROTHER,--I scarce know how it has occurred, that for
nearly a whole year and a half since I withdrew hither I should
never have written to you, when it was so often my mind to do so;
when there was no want of somewhat to write about; and more than
once an occasion presented itself for doing so. But as for the first
few months I had scarcely thought of it, and thus already some time
had been allowed to slip away, as if the opportunity had passed,
I became from day to day more remiss. Lately, however, while your
Erasmus was here with us, he had offered, if I wished to write,
to take charge of any letters; whereupon I eagerly embraced an
opportunity, of which above all things I was desirous. I promised,
therefore, that I would write to you. As, however, I had returned
late from the inn where he was stopping, and he had resolved on his
departure for the morrow, I was unwilling to change the arrangement
for his journey, although out of kindness he was ready to wait
if only I had expressed the wish. The readier, however, that he
was to comply, so much more ashamed was I to request him, more
especially since I had an opportunity three days later of sending
letters to Basle, from whence they could easily be forwarded to you.
Notwithstanding that, however, when this last convenient occasion
had also escaped me, then at length I came to the conclusion that I
must do now what I had too long delayed. What ought we rather, dear
Bullinger, to correspond about at this time than the preserving and
confirming, by every possible means in our power, brotherly kindness
among ourselves? We see indeed of how much importance that is, not
only on our own account, but for the sake of the whole body of
professing Christians everywhere, that all those on whom the Lord
has laid any personal charge in the ordering of his Church, should
agree together in a sincere and cordial understanding. Indeed, Satan
himself perceives that very clearly, who while he plots, by every
method he can devise, the ruin of Christ's kingdom, plies none more
earnestly with all his might, than to sow division and discord
among us, or somehow at least to estrange the one from the other.
For that very reason, therefore, it is our duty to oppose these
sort of devices; and the more our adversary strives to rend asunder
our connection, so much the more ought we to strive against him
with more determined resolution and intense anxiety to cherish and
uphold it. Since, therefore, it is our duty carefully to cultivate
friendly fellowship with all the ministers of Christ, so we must
needs also endeavour by all the means we can, that the churches to
which we faithfully minister the word of the Lord may agree among
themselves. Our friendship, I trust, in virtue of the happy auspices
which presided at its commencement, and resting as it does on so
solid a foundation, will continue firm and entire to the last.
For myself, assuredly, so far as depends upon me, I undertake to
persevere in maintaining it firm and unimpaired, because, indeed,
I have always very much deferred to you. I have also, as was meet
and reasonable, embraced you with singular delight, nor will I ever
cease to entertain that affection. Between this church and yours,
although I do not see that there really exists any disagreement
or secret grudge, yet I might wish there was a closer connection
or rather relationship. How it comes to pass that we do not draw
more closely together, as I earnestly desire, it is not for me to
determine, only it is too evident not to be observed that the dregs
of that unhappy dispute still taint our memories. Hence arise many
askant suspicions, which when they have once fairly taken hold of
us, it is not possible that any solid friendship can either exist
or have any long continuance among us. On our friends' part, this
certainly I dare freely promise and undertake for them, that there
is nought they more desire than to cast aside all discordance, that
they may sincerely cultivate a brotherly friendship towards you; in
one word, to seek no other bond of concord than the pure will of
God. As for Capito's sincerity, because I suppose it is quite well
known to you, I shall say nothing. For Bucer I will answer, that
there is no cause why he ought in anything to be suspected by you.
Endowed, as indeed he is, with a singularly acute and remarkably
clear judgment, there is, at the same time, no one who is more
religiously desirous to keep within the simplicity of the word of
God, and is less given to hunt after niceties of interpretation
that are quite foreign to it, but who actually holds them in more
abhorrence, than himself. If, however, there is anything you still
find wanting in him, he is a man of such modesty and good nature, he
will not only suffer the word of admonition from you, but even to be
reproved, if there is a need-be for it. Only let him see plainly,
that you seek to have that sort of communication with us which ought
to exist among the servants of Christ. There is no occasion for my
dealing with you on the matter of the controversy itself. Indeed, it
is a subject which can scarcely be settled by letter. And perhaps,
I might be thought to act rashly, if not with arrogance, were I
to venture anything of the kind, yet often I can scarce refrain
myself from the desire that an opportunity were given me of handling
familiarly and discussing this question in your presence; for you
are aware that I have never conversed with you in such a way about
it as to understand what it is that hinders a full agreement between
us; but whatever that may be, I feel certain that it is unworthy to
be the cause of our disagreement. I require of you, dear Bullinger,
or rather, again and again I entreat you, that we may not only be
as far removed as possible from all hatred and contention, but even
from all appearance of offence. Forgive my anxiety; and, in truth, I
do not say this because I have any doubt of your prudence, of your
will, or of your deliberate and resolute courage. But charity hath
this peculiar quality, that while there is nothing which it may not
hope, it is, nevertheless, in the meanwhile anxious. Furthermore,
if, to sum up all, you consider how many perils, in this unhappy
age especially in which we live, beleaguer and surround us on all
hands, you will make allowance, I trust, for this my plainness, if
you do not pardon it. Adieu, most learned and upright man. Salute, I
beseech you, reverently, all the brethren, Pelican, Leo, Theodore,
Megander, and the others, whom I do esteem sincerely in the Lord.
Would that you may not scruple freely also to admonish me.--Yours,