and superiors, and my seal manual as cus

tomary.

(Signed)

"P. CHENELAT.”

Having thus made his will, he signified to the four syndics his wish to address them once more in their assembly, to which he hoped to be carried on the morrow. But they informed him that they would visit him, and conjured him to be careful of his health. The next day, being all present at his house, after the usual compliments, and Calvin having told them that he had long wished to address them, and to express the last proof of his affection for them, and his attachment to the interests of the State, but that he had not been willing to do it until he was assured of the near approach of death. "I thank you," said he, “my highly honoured seigneurs, for all the honours you have done me, however unworthy I have been of them; and for the proofs of affection which you have given me, bearing with my weaknesses, and my deficiencies, with long patience. And though in the duties of my charge I have been exposed to various struggles, and have endured numerous attacks, I know that these things have not happened by your fault, but by the secret orders of divine Providence, who exposes his children to various tribulations. But, because I have not acquitted myself of my duty as I

ought to have done, I earnestly entreat you to consider not so much what I have done, as what I intended to do. For I can declare with sincerity, that I have felt a deep concern in the interests of your republic, and that if I have not discharged all the duties of my charge, I have at least used my utmost endeavours to promote the welfare of the public.

"If I were not indeed to acknowledge that the Lord has made use of my ministry for the good of his church, and that by the help of heaven, my labours have not been useless to you; you might with justice accuse me of dissimulation. But as I am convinced that what I have done is trifling, compared to what the Lord required of me, I beseech you earnestly to excuse my faults and my short comings.

"I thank you, however, for the indulgence which you have shewn me in bearing with mildness and with charity all my transports of anger, which I hope God will pardon, as well as all my other sins. Finally, I declare before God, that I have not rashly or without due conviction, taught you the doctrine which you have heard from me; but that I have purely and sincerely preached to you the word of God, according to the charge which he hath given me of it. And as I should have

provoked his anger, if I had acted otherwise, so I am persuaded that my labours, and the pains which I have taken to instruct you, have not been displeasing to him. And I make this declaration before God, and in your presence, so much the more willingly, as I do not doubt that Satan, after his usual manner, will raise up many light, wicked, and ambitious spirits, to corrupt and change the pure doctrine which I have published to you.".

Having represented to them the infinite blessings with which God had loaded them; "There is no one," added he, "who can better than myself inform you from how many dangers. the powerful and merciful hand of the Lord hath delivered you. You see the happy state in which you now are. Whether, therefore, you are in prosperity or in adversity, keep this truth constantly in view, that it is God alone who preserves cities and kingdoms, and that he requires homage from them, in acknowledgment that they depend entirely upon himself. Remember that David, that illustrious king, confesses that it was at a time when he enjoyed a profound peace, that he experienced so dangerous a fall, from which he would never have arisen, if the Lord by a singular favour had not stretched out his hand. What ought not

weak and infirm men, therefore, to fear, since so powerful and pious a prince has fallen?

"You must, therefore, humble yourselves exceedingly before God, if you desire that he would give you grace to live in his fear, and to put your whole trust in his all-sufficient help. Conducting yourselves thus, you may be persuaded that you will experience his protection, as you have done hitherto, and that you will remain firm and unshaken, although your salvation hangs upon a slender thread. If, therefore, the Lord prosper your designs, be careful that you do not exalt yourselves like the profane, but with deep submission, render unto him the humblest thanks for all the good he is doing for you. And when you find yourselves in adversity, when even death shall surround you on all sides, fail not to hope in him who has power to raise the dead; and consider that God only smites you to excite your zeal, and to teach you to hope in him alone.

.

"If, however, you are anxious that God would preserve you in the happy state in which you now are, be careful not to defile by your vices, the holiness of the church in which he hath placed you. For he is the only sovereign God, the King of Kings, and the Lord of

Lords, who loads with good things, and with honours, those who honour him; but who abases and covers with contempt those who despise him. Serve him, therefore, according to the precepts which he hath given you; have nothing so much at heart as to obey his divine will, and seek daily to acquire some new degree of virtue and of perfection: for whilst we are in this world we can never accomplish all the duties which God has enjoined upon us. I know the morals and the inclinations of each of you, and I know that you stand in need of exhortation; no man is so perfect as not to have many faults. Examine yourselves, therefore, carefully, and ask of God those qualities and virtues which you yet need.

"We all know what vices reign in the assemblies of those who govern the states; some, neglecting the public good, mind only their private interests; others are only anxious to gratify their passions; some make a bad use of the gifts of Heaven; while others filled with vanity and a good opinion of themselves, wish to impose their advice upon all the world.

"I conjure the aged, not to envy young persons the graces with which God hath adorned them; and the young to discover in their whole conduct great modesty and humility.

K