John Calvin's Letters, Volume 2 Page 31.
CLIY.—To Farel.
Reply to various questions—terrible threat against Servetus—imprisonment of one
of the leaders of the Libertins.
Geneva, \Zth February 1546.
You will be at ease regarding your brothers since you received
the letter of Claude. The messenger who brought it asked
whether mine would be ready when I returned from sermon,
after three o'clock. I replied in the negative ; but I bid him
dine at my house with my wife, as I myself had been invited to
dine with Macrin. I promised to be with him immediately
after dinner, to make a brief reply. He did not come [to my
house,] but hurried away without waiting a moment, so that I
was confounded by so sudden a departure. And yet the youth
had not appeared to me to behave badly in general. I trust
the reflection may occur to your brothers, that they have
been thus extricated from all their difficulties by the hand of
God, in order that they make the greater haste [in the work,]
It did not become the Israelites, when a way was opened up to
them, to show remissness in immediately girding themselves for
flight.' Such would have been the burden of my epistle had
not the messenger deceived me ; but I am confident that they
are burning with ardour of their own accord. I now come to your
own contests.^ If the ungodly still occasion you some trouble,
when that letter shall arrive, I have briefly expressed in it what
I think should be your mode of proceeding. I should wish,
however, the matter to be discussed viva voce ; and that, thereupon,
the result, or something like it, be committed to writing.
You will perhaps smile because I suggest nothing out of the
common, as you looked for something recondite and elevated at
my hands; but I do not wish, nor, besides, is it right to be fettered
by your estimate of me. I had rather, however, be foolish by
so writing, than by my silence lead you to suppose that your
entreaties were neglected by me. If nothing can be effected by
reasoning, and in this lawful way, the Bernese must be privately
prevailed upon not to allow that wild beast to go out of its den.
I do not sufficiently comprehend your meaning regarding a
treaty, unless it be, as I conjecture, that you are turning your
thoughts to some sort of alliance, with a view to your receiving
the assistance of the Bernese; and that just as they guard the
liberty of the people by the law of the state, so they may protect
ministers in their office by some title which commands
respect. If that be provided for, I do not disapprove of [the
alliance.] Bear in mind, that recourse should be had to those
extraordinary remedies only when there is the exculpatory plea
of an ultimate necessity. In the next place, be very cautious
lest anything you do be such as may injure your interests in
time to come. You may have greater cause of regret in that
you once received aid, and were parties to a compact, than if
you were to remain in your original servitude. Marcourt has,
without doubt, already promised a place for himself; for he
publicly proclaims that he does not regard the consent of the
brethren, since he is desired, both by magistrates and people,
and he has no doubt but that they are indignant against
you. Finally, since he prematurely discloses the wickedness
of his character, he must be repulsed by all artifices, lest he
rise to a position in which he is able to perform what he
threatens. With regard to those who gave out that we were
establishing here a permanent seat of despotism, under colour
of defence, let us suffer this rumour to spread on both sides.
Their impudence has been met with civility and mildness, so
that they ought to be ashamed of themselves.' I trust that they
will keep quiet. I seek, as far as I am able, to persuade our
friends to remain unconcerned.
Servetus lately wrote to me, and
coupled with his letter a long volume of his delirious fancies,
with the Thrasonic boast, that 1 should see something astonishing
and unheard of He takes it upon him to come hither, if
it be agreeable to me. But I am unwilling to pledge my word
for his safety, for if he shall come, I shall never permit him to
depart alive, provided my authority be of any avail.'^
More than fifteen days have now elapsed since Cartelier^ was
imprisoned, for having, at supper in his own house, raged
against me with such insolence as to make it clear that he was
not then in his right senses. I concealed what I felt, but
testified to the judge that it would be agreeable to me were he
proceeded against with the utmost rigour of the law. I wished
to go to see him. Access was prohibited by decree of the
Senate; and yet some good men accuse me of cruelty, forsooth,
because I so pertinaciously revenge my injuries.' I have been
requested by his friends to undertake the part of intercessor.
I refused to do so, except on these two conditions, viz: that no
suspicion should attach to me, and that the honour of Christ
should remain intact. I have now done. I abide the judgment
of the Council.—Adieu, brother, and most sincere friend. We
all salute you and your sisters. You will convey to the
brethren the best salutations in my name, and that of my
brethren in the ministry. May God ever bless you and prosper
your labours.—Yours,
John Calvin.
[Lat. orig. autogr.—Imp. Library, Coll. Duptiy. Vol. 102.]