[392] This letter is doubtless one of the first addressed by
Calvin to Melanchthon. United, since the Conferences of Ratisbon,
to the German Reformer by the bonds of affection and friendship,
he thenceforth lavished upon him the testimonies of his esteem
and respect, and kept up relations with him which were never
interrupted, notwithstanding the difference of their doctrine and
genius. Calvin dedicated, in 1543, to Melanchthon, the publication
which he set forth against Doctor Albert Pighius, the opponent
of the doctrine of grace, and he edited, some years afterwards,
the _Loci Communes_ of Melanchthon, translated into French; thus
presenting a remarkable example of the spirit of union and concord
which he applied in its development to the Lutheran and Reformed
Churches, according to that beautiful passage of one of his Letters:
"Would that the union between all Christ's Churches upon earth were
such, that the angels in heaven might join their song of praise!"
Testimony of respect and of fraternal affection--his homage in
one of his books--details of his labours at Geneva--survey of
the state of Germany and of Italy.
GENEVA, _16th February 1543_.
You see to what a lazy fellow you have intrusted your letter. It
was full four months before he delivered it to me, and then crushed
and rumpled with much rough usage. But although it has reached me
somewhat late, I set a great value upon the acquisition. Howsoever,
therefore, I have been, through the negligence of this person,
deprived for a season of so much enjoyment, he, nevertheless,
at once obtained my forgiveness, when I got possession of the
communication. Would, indeed, as you observe, that we could oftener
converse together, were it only by a letter. To you, indeed, that
would be no advantage; to me, however, nothing in this world could
be more desirable than to take solace in the mild and gentle spirit
of your correspondence. You can scarce believe with what a load of
business I am here burdened and incessantly hurried along; but in
the midst of these distractions there are two things which most of
all annoy me. My chief regret is, that there does not appear to be
the amount of fruit that one may reasonably expect from the labour
bestowed; the other is, because I am so far removed from yourself
and a few others, and therefore am deprived of that sort of comfort
and consolation which would prove a special help to me. Since,
however, we cannot have even so much at our own choice, that each at
his own discretion might pick out the corner of the vineyard where
he might serve Christ, we must remain at that post which himself
hath allotted to each. This comfort we have at least, of which no
far distant separation can deprive us,--I mean, that resting content
with this fellowship which Christ hath consecrated with his own
blood, and hath also confirmed and sealed by his blessed Spirit in
our hearts, while we live on the earth, we may cheer each other with
that blessed hope to which your letter calls us, that in heaven
above we shall dwell for ever, where we shall rejoice in love and
in continuance of our friendship. But that you may not suppose that
I have made an improper use of your name in the Essay[393] which I
have lately published, I ask you to recognize or approve of it on
the score of my affection for you, or to yield so far to your own
kindly disposition as to acquiesce in what I have done. Among many
reasons by which I was induced to take this course this was not the
least important, that Pighius had selected Sadolet, under whose name
he might impose upon the world his own frothy conceits. That there
might, however, be no occasion for drawing odious comparisons, I
have held my peace; nor, indeed, shall I here make any lengthened
apology, since I could have avowed at once that I had taken the
course which I felt assured, from the kindness and good-will which
you entertain towards me, was no unwarrantable liberty.[394]
[393] This treatise, first of all written in Latin, and afterwards
translated into French, is inserted in the _Recueil des Opuscules_,
p. 257, under this title, _Réponse aux Calomnies d'Albert Pighius,
Contenant la Défense de la Saincte Doctrine contre le Franc
Arbitre_, with a Preface to Melanchthon, of February 1543.
[394] In his answer, dated the 4th of May following, Melanchthon
thanks Calvin for the Dedication of his book, mingling the
expression of his acknowledgments with high praise of the author.
"I am much affected by your kindness, and I thank you that you have
been pleased to give evidence of your love for me to all the world,
by placing my name at the beginning of your remarkable book, where
all the world will see it."--_Calvini Opera_, tom. ix. p. 175.
As to our own affairs there is nought that I will write. The sole
cause which imposes this silence upon me is, that I have so much
to tell you that my tale would never have an end. I labour here
and do my utmost, but succeed indifferently. And, nevertheless,
all are astonished that my progress is so great in the midst of so
many drawbacks, the greater part of which arises from the ministers
themselves. This, however, is a great alleviation of my troubles,
that not only this Church, but also the whole neighbourhood, derive
some benefit from my presence. Besides that, somewhat overflows
from hence upon France, and even spreads as far as Italy. It is
not without the bitterest grief that I hear of the sad condition
of your Germany. Nor are the evils which I dread of a less serious
kind than those which I bewail. For if what is reported be correct,
that the Turk again prepares to wage war with a larger force, who
will stand up to oppose his marching throughout the length and
breadth of the land at his mere will and pleasure?[395] And as
though it were a small matter, after having disbanded the army
under base circumstances, after so much expenditure lavished in
vain, after so much dishonour incurred; and finally, after having,
by the three years' pestilence, and that which more lately visited
us, lost the very flower of their strength, they are at this
present time suffering even more severely from civil discord.
Notwithstanding all this, however, our rulers, though so sharply
chastised, are not awakened from their sleep, nor have they learned
to give glory to God. This, however, somewhat revives me, they say
that the Archbishop of Cologne and some others have turned their
minds in earnest to set about the work of thoroughly reforming the
churches.[396] Nor, indeed, do I consider it an affair of small
importance, that the bishops, from among whom hitherto not a single
individual has given glory to Christ, now raise their hands, and
publicly declare their defection from the Romish idol. Only, we
must now be very careful and strive diligently to promote their
progress, lest from a divided Christ some still more monstrous form
of evil may arise. Meanwhile, the Pope of Rome already parades the
empty show of a Council at Trent,[397] that may amuse the world, and
keep it hanging a little while longer in suspense. But God will not
suffer himself to be mocked any longer. I am deceived if this year
does not produce a very great change of affairs, which may soon take
place; but already I have said too much.
[395] Faithful to the engagements which he had contracted with the
King of France, Soliman in fact invaded Hungary with a numerous
army, and took possession of almost the whole country, while the
crescent of Mahomet and the Lilies united, to the great scandal of
Christendom, before the walls of Nice, then besieged by the combined
fleets of France and Turkey.--Robertson, _Hist. of Charles V._, c.
vii.
[396] The Archbishop, Elector of Cologne, had requested the advice
of Bucer and of Melanchthon in endeavouring to reform the churches
within his diocese. See Melch. Adam, _Vita Melanchthonis_, p. 34.
[397] The Council of Trent, so often announced and as often
adjourned, only commenced on the 13th December 1545.
Adieu, therefore, O man of most eminent accomplishments, and ever
to be remembered by me and honoured in the Lord! May the Lord long
preserve you in safety to the glory of his name and the edification
of the Church. I wonder what can be the reason why you keep your
_Daniel_ a sealed book at home. Neither can I suffer myself quietly,
without remonstrance, to be deprived of the benefit of its perusal.
Will you salute Doctor Martin respectfully in my name? We have here
with us at present Bernardino of Sienna, an eminent and excellent
man, who has occasioned no little stir in Italy by his departure.
He has requested that I would greet you in his name. Once more
adieu, along with your family, whom may the Lord continually
preserve.--Yours,