THE AGES DIGITAL LIBRARY HISTORY SELECTED WORKS OF JOHN CALVIN VOL. 5 LETTERS 1545-1553 by John Calvin B o o k s F o r Th e A g e s AGES Software • Albany, OR USA Version 1.0 © 1998 2 SELECTED WORKS OF JOHN CALVIN TRACTS AND LETTERS EDITED BY HENRY BEVERIDGE AND JULES BONNET VOLUME 5 LETTERS, PART 2 1545 - 1553 Edited by Jules Bonnet — Translated by David Constable 3 CONTENTS 1545 LETTER 144 — TO VIRET. — Unpopularity of Calvin — various advises. LETTER 145 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Exhortation to glorify God amid poverty and persecution. LETTER 146 — TO MADAME DE FALAIS — Congratulations on the constancy manifested by her in the midst of trials — salutations from the suffering Idelette de Bure. LETTER 147 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Vanity of trust reposed in the princes of this world — confidence in God. LETTER 148 — TO FAREL — Captivity of Farel’s brother — ravages of the plague in Geneva. LETTER 149 — TO VIRET — Dispersion of the School at Geneva — contests at Neuchatel on the subject of church property — Calvin’s opinion of Farel. LETTER 150 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Prayers for his restoration to health. 1546 LETTER 151 — TO FAREL — News from Germany — journey of the French Ambassador to Geneva — details concerning the condition of the town. LETTER 156 — TO VIRET — Calvin dedicates to him one of his Commentaries. LETTER 153 — TO JOHN FRELLON. — Rupture of the relations between Calvin and Servetus. 4 LETTER 154 — TO FAREL — Reply to various questions — terrible threat against Servetus — imprisonment of one of the leaders of the Libertins. LETTER 155 — TO FAREL — Pacification of the Church at Neuchatel — report of the speedy arrival of the Emperor in Savoy — dangers at Geneva — withering mention of Francis I. LETTER 156 — TO VIRET — Election of a minister at Neuchatel — sickness of Viret’s wife. LETTER 157 — TO VIRET — Calvin invites his friend to repair to Geneva after the death of his wife. LETTER 158 — TO VIRET — Renewed and more pressing invitation to come to Geneva. LETTER 159 — TO THEODORE VITUS — Indication of the various documents wherein are set forth the opinions of Calvin regarding the Lord’s Supper — earnest desires for union and peace among the Churches — condition of Geneva. LETTER 160 — TO VIRET — Instructions to Viret about a journey to Geneva. LETTER 161 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Calvin’s labors — the diet at Ratisbon — the Church of Metz — the Reformation at Heidelberg — Apology for M. de Falais — opinion regarding the sermons of Ochino,.. LETTER 162 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Advice regarding the editing of the Apology — details of a loan contracted for M. de Falais — news from Germany and Italy — Farel and Viret at Geneva — death of Juan Diaz. LETTER 163 — TO FAREL — Troubles at Geneva — imprisonment of the several members of the family of Fayre — account of the assassination of John Diaz at Neubourg. LETTER 164 — TO AMY PERRIN — Complaints regarding the conduct of Perrin — firm and courageous declaration by the Reformer of his resolution to persevere in his duty unto death. LETTER 165 — TO FAREL AND VIRET — Requests in favor of the faithful in France. 5 LETTER 166 — TO MADAME DE FALAIS — Expression of Christian sympathy and condolence on occasion of the illness of M. de Falais, LETTER 167 — Excitement caused at Geneva by the Representation of a Play. LETTER 168 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Proposals of matrimony on behalf of Viret. LETTER 169 — TO VIRET — Account of the steps taken relative to his marriage. LETTER 170 — TO VIRET — Fresh details regarding the prospects for his marriage. LETTER 171 — TO VIRET — Same subject as the preceding. LETTER 172 — TO VIRET — Breaking off of the match treated of in the preceding letters. LETTER 173 — TO FAREL — Violence of the family of Amy Perrin — declarations of the wife of Froment against the ministers of Geneva. LETTER 174 — TO FAREL — Calvin’s Indisposition — literary labors — apparent reconciliation with Perrin and his family. LETTER 175 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Recurrence to the matrimonial projects of Viret — explanations on various subjects. LETTER 176 — TO MADAME DE FALAIS — Sad communication to be made to M. de Falais — promise to send several discourses. LETTER 177 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Congratulations on his convalescence — uncertainty of prospects in Germany — confidence in the all-powerful protection of God. LETTER 178 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Excuses for Viret — uses of sickness — various rumors concerning the war in Germany — explanations on the subject of the Supper. LETTER 179 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Consolations on the death of his sister. LETTER 180 — TO MADAME DE FALAIS — Assurances of affection for herself and her husband. 6 LETTER 181 — TO VIRET — Statement of the expense of a visit to Lausanne, on the occasion of Viret’s marriage — ecclesiastical difficulties at Berne. LETTER 182 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Military movements in Switzerland — policy of the Cantons in reference to the Emperor. LETTER 183 — TO MADAME DE BUDE — Calvin exhorts this lady to leave France, and retire with her family to Geneva. 1547 LETTER 184 — TO THE AVOYER NOEGUELY — Complaints of the misconduct of several ministers in the Pays de Vaud, LETTER 185 — TO FAREL — Mission of Calvin in Switzerland — dispositions of the various Cantons. LETTER 186 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Search for a house for that gentleman in Geneva — various details — mention of Charles V. and Francis I. LETTER 187 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Instructions regarding the Apology — alarming rumors current at Geneva — Calvin’s confidence. LETTER 188 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Disputes of M. de Falais with Valeran Poulain — reports of the expected arrival of the former in Geneva. LETTER 189 — TO VALERAN POULAIN — Severe reprobation of his behavior towards M. de Falais — reply to a calumny directed against the Reformer. LETTER 190 — TO VIRET — Weakness of the Genevese magistracy — expectation of Viret’s arrival in Geneva. LETTER 191 — TO WOLFGANG MUSCULUS — Anxiety regarding the Churches of Germany — advice to Musculus. LETTER 192 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Steps taken at Basle to retract a promise of marriage made to Valeran Poulain. LETTER 193 — TO FRANCIS DRYANDER — Confused state of the Church — hopes and fears for the future. 7 LETTER 194 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — The sending of a minister — perplexities regarding anticipated events in Germany. LETTER 195 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Information in regard to a house — advice on the subject of a marriage proposed for a relative of Monsieur de Falais. LETTER 196 — TO VIRET — Interview of Calvin with a senator of Berne — advantage secured over the party of the Libertins. LETTER 197 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Recommendation of John de Bude — uncertainty of the news from Germany. LETTER 198 — TO MONSIEUR DE BUDE — He exhorts him to follow the example of the reset of his family, and retire to Geneva. LETTER 199 — TO VIRET — Citation before the Consistory of the wife of Amy Perrin — case of Gruet — news from Germany. LETTER 200 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Solemn lessons afforded by the sad occurrences in Germany — troubles in Geneva — negative attitude of Calvin. LETTER 201 — TO VIRET — Indecision of the Seigneurs of Geneva — inflexibility of Calvin. LETTER 202 — TO THE FAITHFUL OF FRANCE — State of Germany — details regarding the struggles of the Reformer in the cause of the truth at Geneva. LETTER 203 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Thanksgivings for the happy deliverance of Madame de Falais — false reports concerning the state of Geneva — details regarding the publication of the Apology — indisposition of Calvin, and his regret at being separated from Monsieur de Falais. Letter 204 — To Farel — False report of Calvin’s death — proposition (query) by the wife of Amy Perrin — calumnious accusation against Idelette de Bure — journey of Farel to Geneva. LETTER 205 — TO VIRET — Mention of a letter from M. de Falais — Emmanuel Tremelli — a book by Viret — journey of Bude and Nicolas des Gallars to Paris. LETTER 206 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS Dedication of the Apology — mention of M. de Mommor — sickness of Maldonado. 8 LETTER 207 — TO HENRY BULLINGER — Comments by Calvin on a work by Bullinger — state of Germany and Italy — policy of the Cantons. LETTER 208 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Return of Nicolas des Gallars — stay of Farel and Viret at Geneva. LETTER 209 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Reassuring intelligence on the state of Geneva — restoration of Maldonado. LETTER 210 — TO FAREL — Sad state of the Republic — discouragement of the Reformer. LETTER 211 — TO VIRET — Rising at the Hotel de Ville. — heroic bearing of Calvin — trust in God alone. LETTER 212 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Printing of The Apology — troubles at Geneva. LETTER 213 — TO VIRET — Invitation to come to Geneva. LETTER 214 — TO FAREL — Publication of The Antidote — statement regarding the condition of Geneva. LETTER 215 — TO THE FAMILY OF BUDE — Consolations on occasion of the Death of one of its Members. 1548 LETTER 216 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Cost of printing of The Apology — despatch of several copies. LETTER 217 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS — Particulars regarding his departure, and the purchase of a property near Geneva. LETTER 218 — TO HENRY BULLINGER — Brotherly explanations regarding the difference on the subject of the Communion. LETTER 219 — TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS Obstacles to his departure — delay of some months. LETTER 220 — TO FAREL — Distressing condition of the Swiss churches. LETTER 221 — TO FAREL AND VIRET — Disputes among the ministers of Berne — and Calvin’s journey thither. LETTER 222 — TO VIRET — Communications regarding affairs at Berne. 9 LETTER 223 — TO VIRET — Ecclesiastical tyranny of the Seigneurs of Berne — sojourn of Idelette de Bure at Lausanne. LETTER 224 — TO HENRY BULLINGER — New explanations regarding the Supper — violence of some of the Bernese ministers — Calvinism and Buceranism.