[477] Written to Viret in the outpouring of an unconstrained
friendship, and pilfered from his master by an unfaithful valet,
this letter became the subject, in 1548, of a formal accusation
brought against Calvin before the Seigneury of Geneva, by Eremite
Defrique Trolliet, one of the chiefs of the party of the Libertines.
See on this affair the Correspondence of the Reformer with Farel and
Viret, September 1548.
Election of new magistrates at Geneva--struggles of Calvin.
GENEVA, _12th February 1545_.
See how I am not even yet ashamed of my remissness! I have found out
a method by which I can relieve myself from the trouble of writing.
I send you a copy of the letters which I have written to Luther and
to Philip, that you may thence understand why I have sent Claude
to them. I have added a third, addressed to him who had made the
request to me concerning that question. The day before your letter
arrived, Textor had brought from Christopher the book of Farel to
Girard: it can be printed in a short time. I have not yet spoken to
Louis Bernard. He has twice already slipped away from me from the
sermon, but to-morrow or next day I shall make your excuse to him. I
can hear about Le Comte when you shall come; for as I perceive, my
ears are spared for the present, that they may not be compelled to
hear evil of others; and certainly I am abundantly tormented when I
am thinking and meditating on our concerns; for, as usual, I have
to wrestle in darkness with hypocrisy. Amblard Corne hath moved the
Senate that he might lay down his office;[478] for he has discovered
to the commonalty matters which had hitherto lain concealed in the
secret counsels of the Senate. They suspect, moreover, that this had
taken place not without my being aware of it, though, nevertheless,
they do not venture openly to make a noise about it, and do not
even shew any token whatever of indignation. I perceive, however,
how evil-disposed they are, and already I have broken ground upon
the subject of the internal state of the city, in ten sermons.
Wherefore, however, should I enter into this labyrinth? Come, then,
and see with your eyes those things which you cannot know by the
hearing of the ear. The Syndics have been appointed--Amy Curtet, Amy
Perrin, Domeine Arlot, Jacques de Tortonne. Louis Bernard, Peter
Verne, and two others, have been induced to enter the Senate. They
give us good hope concerning themselves. I know not, however, what
we may hope, for, under the pretext that Christ reigns, they wish to
rule without Christ. Adieu, my brother and very dear friend in the
Lord. All our friends salute you and your household. Greet Ribitti
and Imbert, from whose wife I wish you would ascertain whether she
has anything she wishes to send to Perrot, for the good man waits,
not without the greatest anxiety.--Yours,