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might then have received a mortal wound. For the king differed in many respects from those who succeeded him; his taste and his judgment were exquisite; he loved learning and literary men; nor did his inclination lead him to hate persons of the reformed religion.

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Whilst Calvin was finishing this work, he learned that Italy cherished in many places ideas favourable to the reformation; he therefore flew to the celebrated Duchess de Ferrare, the daughter of Lewis XII. whose genius and accomplishments made her known to all the learned, and towards whom the wisest of the reformers turned with attention, because her sentiments were not very remote from theirs, This princess, who was acquainted with Calvin's merit, received him with distinction, and Calvin confirmed her in her principles. She conceived also for him an esteem which she retained through life, and expressed to him in a great variety of letters. Notwithstanding this protection, the Inquisition, aroused by the name of Calvin, pursued him to the court of the duchess, and obliged him to fly. It was no doubt at this time, that he arrived at the town of Piedmont in which he at first preached the reformation with success, but from whence he was afterwards driven by intolerance. This fact is attested by a pillar, of eight feet in

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height, still existing, erected to immortalize the arrival of Calvin at Aost, and his banishment from thence, Hanc Calvini fuga erexit anno MDXLI. Religionis constantia reparavit This monument appears to

anno MDCCXLI.

have been erected in 1541, but the event which it celebrates took place towards the end of 1535, or the beginning of 1536.*

• Histoire Litteraire de Geneve, par J. Senebier,

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SECTION II.

Calvin's settlement at Geneva-His banishment Return to Geneva-Labours-Acquaintance and public dispute with Castallio Letter to Luther-Is accused of teaching false doctrine-Procures the release of Ami Perrin-Confutes Bolzec publicly.

ON quitting Italy, Calvin returned to France, with Anthony, his only remaining brother; but on account of the persecutions which then ran high, he soon resolved to return to Basil or Strasbourg. But the direct road being then impassable on account of the war, he was compelled to go through Geneva. He had then no intention of stopping there, but the event soon made it evident that he had been conducted thither by a secret determination of Providence. This was in the month of August 1536. The reformed religion had been wonderfully established there by Guillaume Farel, and Pierre Viret. Farel had been instructed, not in a convent as some have supposed, but in the school of Jacques Le Fevre d'Estaples. Calvin, not willing to pass through Geneva without paying his respects to them, made them a visit,

on which occasion Farel earnestly entreated him to stop at Geneva, and help him in the labour to which God had called him. But perceiving that Calvin was not to be prevailed upon, he said, "You have not any other pretext to refuse me, than the attachment which you profess for your studies; but I warn you in the name of Almighty God, that if you do not share with me the holy work in which I am engaged, he will not bless your designs, since you prefer your repose to Jesus Christ." Calvin, subdued by this appeal, submitted to the wish of the seigneurs, and of the Consistory of Geneva, by whose suffrages and the consent of the people, he was received to the charge of the ministry, in the month of August 1536.

This year was remarkable for a close alliance contracted between Berne and Geneva; and for the establishment of religion in Lausanne, after a conference between the protestants and the catholics, at which Calvin presided. He was also engaged in a defence of the reformed, who were attacked by the anabaptists, against whom he employed scripture and argument with so much success, that he expelled that sect entirely from Geneva. In the same year he was obliged to plead his cause at Berne, against Caroly, who had accused him of Arianism.

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Geneva was at this time very far from being in a 'state of tranquillity. The true religion was indeed established, and the faith of the church of Rome was abolished. But many atrocious crimes were still committed, which had long reigned, and which the example of the clergy had contributed to maintain. The principal families were at variance, on the ground of dissentions which had originated during the war of Savoy, and which time had not been able to extinguish. Farel and Calvin, deeply afflicted by these disorders, made a representation to the council, to induce them to attempt the correction of the public morals. They preached with energy against the vices of the times as truth always appears severe to those who are conscious of being guilty, the warmth of their zeal was complained of. Coraut was forbidden to preach, and being disobedient to the injunction, was imprisoned. Farel and Calvin were hated by those who preferred their vices and their pleasures to good order, to the advancement of religion, and to the good of their country; they therefore united their efforts to get rid of those vigilant ministers.

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But besides these divisions, there was another evil which afflicted the church of Geneva. In

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