[506] See preceding letter.
Calvin exhorts them to redoubled efforts for the deliverance of
their persecuted brethren.
GENEVA, _24th July 1545_.
Of the energy with which, you have espoused the cause of the
brethren in Provence, I am myself the very best witness. Because
I have no doubt that you continue still of the same mind and
resolution, I shall not waste words by endeavouring at greater
length to stir you up, that I may not seem to distrust your
promise and your hearty desire to help them. But I shall merely
warn you, and that briefly, that our labour in what we have been
doing hitherto is lost, except you press the matter anew with
fresh energy. For, indeed, I hear the pensioners of the King have
succeeded in estranging the affections of many from their cause.
They charge the brethren with a crime impudently cooked up by
themselves, as if it were not all on account of the Evangel that
they were suffering this calamity, but because they refused tithe to
the bishops. This is so contrary to the true state of the case, that
not even Grignan, the King's ambassador at Worms, who was the author
of all the mischief, and has incensed the King by his perfidious
counsel, and led him to perpetrate such enormous wickedness, has
ever ventured to put it forward. I hear, besides, that others had
already begun to cool upon the subject, so as not to be very anxious
to alleviate the miseries of the brethren. It will, therefore, be
your duty to stir up the torpid or inactive, and to win back to
an interest in the cause such as upon the representation of false
informers have become adverse. Neither let it any way move you
from your purpose, if the King shall now make some deceitful show
of moderation. Perchance he has sent a commissioner. But there
is nobody there who dare speak a word in favour of the wretched
brethren. Very many are pining and wasting away in prison; others
are scattered about everywhere in their flight. There is no one
who has ventured to breathe a word about visiting his family. They
also make daily inroads from the Comtât d'Avignon, not without the
King's permission, as if in an enemy's country. The Parliament of
Aix, which sanctioned by edict that massacre, has not grown any
milder, neither must we only have their unhappy case at heart, but
that of all those who are everywhere harassed on the same account
throughout the kingdom. They are carried from all quarters bound
as prisoners to Paris, and unless effective means are taken, you
will shortly hear that great fires have been lighted in various
places, nor will it then be the time to extinguish them. Do you,
therefore, set yourselves to work with all your energy, that an
imposing and weighty deputation be sent which may seriously demand
of the King that those who have been imprisoned be discharged; that
the fugitives be restored to their possessions; and lastly, that
due inquiry in a lawful method may be had concerning the faith, as
well as the morals of the godly. But let the deputation urge that
argument, especially, which we did not omit to mention when present
with you, that it is very easy to form some conjecture how the King
is disposed towards the Swiss, when we see him persecute with such
fury the same faith which they hold, in the persons of his own
subjects. Adieu, most right-minded and trusty brethren. The Lord,
may he preserve you and bless you in your ministry.--Amen.
Your own,